MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA

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Harold and Martha Watters Ridenour
RR 1 1 Mile West of Atalissa

Picture: Harold and Martha Ridenour

       The Watters bought the house from Heston in March 1918 and was owned by Crackson before Heston.

        Harold was born 3 miles NE of West Liberty the son of Fred and Marzella Walker Ridenour. Martha was born June 1, 1918 the daughter of Richard and Emma Fiderlein Watters at home. Harold attended school in West Liberty, Iowa graduating in 1933 and Martha attended school in Atalissa graduating in 1935, at the time this information was written, five of her class were still living. They were in the Community Club, the Eastern Star and Mason’s. Harold was a farmer and Martha was at Owens Brush for 20 years. They were married December 31, 1938 in the Methodist Church Parsonage in West Liberty, Iowa and are lifelong residences of the Atalissa area. They have 2 children, Marilyn Goodman and Ronald D.

        While still living with her parents she lived in the house next to Joe and Sheila VanDusen. Her parents were given the opportunity to buy the house for 700 dollars but chose to buy a new car instead. Her grandparents Henry Q. and Doris Stiles Watters lived where Mark Madsen lives now. Her Great-Aunt, Nellie DeVore, was paying 9 dollars a month rent and moved next door as it was 8 dollars a month there. Martha worked at the telephone switchboard for 75 cents an hour, she also worked at Dicks Café, in 1958, for Dick Cale. She recalls some of the pranks the local people would pull on her. Carl, Wessie and Chuck Evans would put a napkin over a full glass of water and then turn it upside. John and Wayne Bienke would hide their bread on shelf under the front side of the counter and then tell her boss she hadn’t give them any. Martha recalls Bill Honkey having a Dry Goods store and a Grocery Store where the Corner Tap is now. Whenever you took eggs in to sell or went in to pay your bill he would give you a bag of candy. Her mother and Donna Williams’ grandmother, Eva Oepping, cooked dinner for the Jr.-Sr. Banquet at her house. They seated 16 people at the dining table. She remembers voting at the Mason Hall in 1939 and recalls her parents had voted at the Mason Hall years before.

Patricia Rocha
219 Fourth Street

        Pat was born February 20, 1948 in Iowa City, Iowa the daughter of Ernest and Frances Goodale. She went to school in Atalissa and West Liberty graduating in 1966. Pat has lived in Atalissa her whole life. She is employed as a Human Resource Associate at West Liberty Foods. Pat has four children Daniel and wife Mary Ann of Altoona, Iowa, Elena of Coralville, Iowa, Rebeca of Atalissa and Elizabeth of Coralville, Iowa. There are two granddaughters Emily and Abby Rocha. She is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Atalissa.

Picture: Pat Rocha and daughter

Jeff and Trina Glover Rock
122 6th Street

Picture: Jeff and Trina Rock and Lucas

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        Jeff was born in Atalissa the son of William and Barb Rock. Trina was born in Stanwood, Iowa the daughter of Don and Peg Glover. Jeff attended school in West Liberty graduating in 1986 and Trina attended school at Lincoln Community graduating in 1988. They have been married 5 years and have lived in Atalissa 7 years. They have a son Lucas. Jeff works at GPC and Trina works at Community Bank.

Mark W. and Corrina Brierly Rock
123 Linn Street

Picture: Mark and Corina and family

        The house is over 100 years old.

        Mark was born October 3, 1962 the son of William and Barb Rock and Corrina was born November 2, 1963 the daughter of George and Linda Brierly. Mark attended West Liberty school and graduated in 1981. Corina attended Wilton school and graduated in 1982. They were married February 6, 1982 and have 2 children Crystal and Amanda. Mark is employed at IPSCO and Corrina is with Hon Industries Systems. They both enjoy Boating and Fishing. They have lived in Atalissa 15 years.

        Mike was born November 19, 1965 the son of William and Barb Rock and went to school in West Liberty where he graduated. He is a mechanic and enjoys car racing. Mike is a life long resident of Atalissa.

        Mike now lives at 122 6th Street in the house his parents lived in before moving to Penn Avenue.

Picture: Home of Mike Rock

Tim and Tracie Drayfahl Rock
126 6th Street

Picture:
Tim and Tracie Rock and Shelby
Tim and Tracie’s new home

        Tim was born November 25, 1970 the son of William and Barb Rock and Tracie was born October 22, 1970 the daughter of Wes and Linda Drayfahl. They both went to West Liberty School and graduated in 1989. They were married September 11, 1993 and have lived in the area all their lives. They have a daughter Shelby Lynn. Tim is a Welder and Tracie is in Accountant. They are members of the Methodist Church.

William and Barbara White Rock
1325 Penn Avenue

        They purchased the old Penn Avenue Schoolhouse in 1991 and are doing a wonderful job of turning it into their home.

        Bill was born October 20, 1944 the son of Harry and Wilma Tomasson Rock in Muscatine, Iowa. Barb was born December 26, 1943 the daughter of Wayne and Audrey Marie Phillips White in Iowa City, Iowa. She is a life long resident of Atalissa. They were married in Jun 1962 and have 5 sons, Mark, Mike, Jeff, Tim of Atalissa and Eric of Muscatine. There are 4 grandchildren. Barb went to school in Atalissa and West…

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…Liberty and graduated in 1962, Bill went to school in Muscatine. Bill is employed with Hon Industries and Barb is at Purethane in West Branch along with being a housewife. He enjoys carpentry work and she likes to crochet. Together they enjoy gardening and being a spectator at the Stockcar Races. They have both been involved with the Volunteer Fire Department and Royal Neighbors and are members of the Zion Lutheran Church.

        Barb grew up on a farm about 2 miles North of Atalissa where Todd Dickey now lives. Her father passed away in 1950 and her mother married Vernon J. McMichael in 1952. She is also the Great-Granddaughter of John McLaughlin who was a Civil War Hero and an Atalissa resident.

Picture:
William and Barbara Rock
William and Barbara Rock and family taken in 1995

Amy Ruess
SW corner of Linn and Cherry

Picture: Home of Amy Ruess

        Amy has lived in Atalissa several years with her 3 children. She worked at Louis Rich.

Bill and Vonda Fix Ruess
1945 Highway Six

        The original house is 100 years old. The second part 60 years old and new part 6 years old.

        Bill was born December 19, 1952 to Robert and Geraldine Ruess in Iowa City, Iowa. Vonda was born March 12, 1955 to Don and Florence Fix in Muscatine, Iowa. They both attended West Liberty Schools where Bill graduated in 1971 and Vonda in 1973. They have been married 25 years and lived in the area 10 years. They have 5 children Charissa, Charlie-Casey (twins), Kelsi and Cody. He is a Cabinetmaker and she is a Secretary at the West Liberty Elementary School. He enjoys fishing and she likes to read. They belong to the West Liberty Christian Fellowship.

Picture: Bill Ruess

Robert R. Schmidt and Dawn Goody
110 Railroad Street

Picture: Bobby Schmidt and Dawn Goody

        Robert “Bobby” was born January 10, 1981 the son of Robert and Cindy Schmidt in Muscatine, Iowa. He attended school in West Liberty graduating in 1999. Bobby is employed at Holmes Collison Repair where he repairs auto-…

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…mobiles. He has lived in Atalissa his whole life.

        Dawn was born November 28, 1980 the daughter of Donald and Sherry Goody. Dawn is presently attending Kirkwood Community College where she will graduate in 2000. She has lived in Atalissa for two years. Bobby likes to keep busy by restoring his pickup. Dawn likes to bake and collects dolls.

Robert and Cynthia “Cindy” Schmidt
322 5th Street

Picture: Robert and Cindy Schmidt and Bobby

        The house is 19 years old and was built by Bergman and friends.

        Robert “Bob” was born July 18, 1942 in Ft. George Mead, Maryland to Robert and Leila Harris Schmidt. Cynthia “Cindy” was born March 26, 1950 the daughter of Basil E. and Charelene Steahr Skidmore in Muscatine, Iowa. Bob went to Kindergarten in Atalissa, then to Muscatine, Iowa. Cindy graduated from Muscatine then went to Muscatine Community College. They were married January 2, 1973 and have 3 children Sherry Wolf of Springdale, Lance Weiskamp of Waterloo, and Bobby Schmidt of Atalissa. There are 5 Grandchildren Brandi Weiskamp, Dani Wolf, Dylan, Brittany and Brandon Wolf who are triplets. They enjoy camping, fishing, working in the garage and being with the grandchildren. They are members of the Methodist Church in West Liberty, Iowa. Bob was a supervisor with Hon Industries for 18 years and they are now running their own business, Creative Hot Prints, from their home. Bob was on the Volunteer Fire Department for many years and Cindy was on the Fireman’s Auxiliary, a member of the Atalissa Betterment Committee and has been a Den Mother. She has also been working very hard gathering information for this book.

Harry and Alma Cozad Shank
219 First Street

        The house was put there 11 years ago.

        Harry was born in Cumberland, Maryland the son of Harry and Mabel Shank and Alma was born in Perry, Missouri the daughter of James and Gertrude Cozad. Harry went to Lincoln High School in Centerline, Michigan and Alma went to Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa. He was in the Navy. They were married in 1980 in Tahoe, Nevada. They are members of the Foursquare Gospel Church. Harry is retired and Alma is a Nurse. Harry likes to golf and fish and she likes crafts. They have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. They have been in Atalissa 11 years.

Picture: Harry and Alma Shank

Louis and Dona Henderson Shetler
1929 125th Street

Picture: Louis and Dona Shetler’s house

        Louis was born July 17, 1925 the son of Raymond and Alice McAnulty Shetler at home. He went to West Liberty School and graduated in 1943. Louis has been a farmer and has been in…

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…the area all his life. Dona was born April 9, 1931 the daughter of Forest and Marie Henderson Collison in Muscatine, Iowa. Dona went to school in Nichols and graduated in 1949. She is a housewife and also helps with the farm. They have three children Steve, Linda Kaalberg and Barbara Howe. There are six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Dona is a Jehovah Witness.

Picture: Louis and Dona’s Shetler farm

Steven and Sharon Shetler
1881 130th Street

        Steven was born May 18, 1951 the son of Raymond and Dona Collison Shetler in Iowa City. He went to school in West Liberty graduating in 1969. Steve is a Machinist and farmer. He married Sharon Smith and they have two children Christopher of Tiffin, Iowa and Lee Ann of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

        Sharon was born August 11, 1954 the daughter of Rodney and Betty Martin Smith in Iowa City, Iowa. She went to school in West Liberty graduating in 1972. Sharon is a Secretary for Wuestenberg Insurance Agency in West Liberty. They belong to the Cedar Valley Methodist Church.

Delores Sivia
140 Railroad

Picture: Delores Sivia with dad Harlan “Skeeter” Phillips

        Delores “Dee-Dee” was born June 16, 1938 the daughter of Harlan “Skeeter” and June Phillips in Muscatine, Iowa. She was living with her dad until his death.

       She went to school in Muscatine, Iowa. Delores married Ernest Sivia in 1956 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple had 5 children Ernest, Terry, April, Tracy and Robin. There are 15 grandchildren. She is a member of the Lutheran Church and has been in the area 40 years. Dee-Dee helped her parents when they had the University of Atalissa Bar and also helped at the Schoolhouse. She now lives along the Cedar River south from the Highway 6 bridge.

Ernest Sivia
227 Highway 6

Picture: Ernest Sivia home

        Ernest was born on April 5, 1935 and has lived in the area around 40 years. He has 5 children Ernest, April, Terry, Tracy and Robin and 15 grandchildren. He is a retired painter.

Ronald and Jewel Skubal
314 4th Street

        Jewel was born on October 25, 1929 the daughter of Roy and Covie Shaw in Missouri. She went to school in Missouri and in Letts, Iowa. Ronald was born December 18, 1928 the son of Vince and Elsie Skubal. He went to school in Cotter, Iowa. They were married at the Baptist Church in Muscatine, Iowa in 1950. They have 4 children Chris, Rick, Vicky and Randy and raised their grandson Scott. There are 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Ron passed away a few years ago but was active in the Voluntary Action and was always ready to give a hand when needed. He always enjoyed attending the Annual Christmas dinner given by the Atalissa Betterment Committee. Jewel is active in the Senior Citizens of Atalissa and is also a silent member of the Atalissa Betterment Committee. They belong to the First Church United in West Liberty, Iowa. Ron was in maintenance at GPC for 18 years and worked for H.J. Heinz for 18 years. Jewel was a Private Duty Nurse and a Lab Technician at GPC…

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…for 10 years. She enjoys crafts, reading and swimming.

Picture:
Ron and Jewel Skubal 40th anniversary in 1990
Jewel Skubal

Dick and Brenda Booker Spilger
1001 Lotus Avenue

Picture:
Dick and Brenda Spilger
Dick and his mother Greta Caulk

        Dick was born June 30, 1955 to Greta Caulk and was adopted by Wayne and Vivian Spilger. He went to school in West Liberty and graduated in 1973. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He has 5 children Heide Cochran, Holly Cochran, Heather Gill, Amanda Spilger and Tosha Gray and has 6 grandchildren.

        He works for the University of Iowa Burn Unit and is a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and the First Responders. He has lived in Atalissa his whole life.

        Dick married Brenda Booker on January 17, 1998 in the Blue Room of the Corner Tap. Brenda was born July 3, 1962 the daughter of Charles Gilmore and Rosemary Robertson in Kankakee, Illinois. Brenda has three children Victoria, LaKisha, Brandy, one grandchild.

        Brenda is employed at NCS in Iowa City, Iowa as a Quality Assurance Clerk and is a member of the Volunteer Firemans Ladies Auxiliary.

Leland and Loretta Spilger
1442 Kelly Avenue

        In 1929 Grunders built the house and it is now a Century Farm.

        Leland was born July 10, 1926 the son of Phillip and Anna Spilger. He was born on the farm and has lived there his whole life. The Spilger family purchased farm in 1897. He went to grade school at Cedarville No. 5 and Atalissa High School graduating in 1943. He was in the Army from 1953-1954.

        Loretta was born August 26, 1930 the daughter of August and Emma Gatzke. She went to grade school in Tiffin and High school in Oxford, Iowa graduating in 1949. They were married November 22, 1953 and have 3 children David, Daniel and Timothy all of Atalissa. There are 4 grandchildren. They are members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Atalissa. He has farmed all his life and she is a Proofreader. He enjoys tinkering with cars and she enjoys gardening, they are both active in Church activities. We really want to thank them for all of help they have given us in our endeavor to put this History Book together.

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Picture:
Leland and Loretta Spilger
Leland and Loretta and family

Merlyn and Dorothy Spilger
1906 140th Street

        The house is around 80 years old.

       Merlyn was born May 16, 1918 at home on the farm 2 miles from where he now lives. He is the son of George Phillip and Ann Gatzke Spilger. It was called the Nickolas-Spilger Farm. He attended grade school at Cedarville No. 5 and graduated from Atalissa High School in 1936. Merlyn was in the Army from August 1, 1941-1945. He was in the Battle of the Bulge during W.W.II in the 6th Armor Division.

       Dorothy was born September 17, 1923 the daughter of Roland and Thelma Rochau in Scott County, Iowa. She attended school in Blue Grass, Iowa and graduated from Atalissa High School in 1941. They were married April 24, 1942 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Atalissa. They were married on his third furlough home.

       They are members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Atalissa and are active in the Community Potlucks. He farms and is involved in Contract Bailing, she was with Owen Brush from 1961-1977. They have 5 children Nancy, Gary, Linda, Dennis and Merna Lynn, there are 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He enjoys playing cards, fishing and deer hunting and she enjoys quilting.

       Merlyn remembers the big snow of 1936, they had to drop the fence so the horse and bobsled could go over to get coal for the stove. He was on the Atalissa Basket Ball team and they had to play on the outdoor court, wearing ice skates. He says “We weren’t good but we were tough!” Five of the players lived out of town so had to go home for chores and then come back to play. Even with all of that they always had to wait for a “town kid” which was Skinny Sterner.

        When Dorothy was expecting their children she would signal him to come in from the field by hanging a white towel out on the door. That way he knew it was time to come in.

Picture: Merlyn and Dorothy Spilger and Dennis

Terry and Diana Greenwald Struck
2072 Highway 6

Picture: Terry and Diana Struck with Sonya and Steven

        Terry was born June 30, 1950 the son of Don and Virginia Struck in Davenport, Iowa. Diana was born March 17, 1966 the daughter of Neil and Dorthea Greenwald in Muscatine, Iowa. Terry went to school in West Liberty for 12 years and Diana went to school in Muscatine, Iowa for 12 years. Terry and Diana were married July 19, 1985 and have 2 children Sonya and Steven. He worked as a semi driver for Roberts Dairy and she is a waitress at the Maid Rite in West Liberty, Iowa. He enjoys Stockcar…

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…racing and she like to play cards. Since this information was gathered the couple divorced and Diane is living in West Liberty, Iowa. Terry is farming and raising the children here in Atalissa.

Betty J. Stewart
520 Oak St.

Picture: Betty Stewart

        The house was built in 1857.

        Betty was born October 30, 1946 the daughter of Herman and Hazel Rick Stewart in Muscatine, Iowa. She attended school in Atalissa thru 6th grade and then went to West Liberty School graduating in 1964. She has lived in Atalissa all her life except for 2 years. Betty purchased her home from Lyle and Billie McKillip in 1994. She is a member of the St. Andrews Preysbertian Church of Iowa City, Iowa. Betty enjoys crafts, painting, reading, sewing and gardening. She is employed at the University of Iowa Hospital as a Computer Operator-Secretary in the department of Internal Medicine. Betty has no children but feels very lucky to be the Aunt to many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Tom and Jessie Pearl Arnold Stewart
123 Third Street

        The home was built by Emerson Lamb and Oscar Stucker, in 1915.

       Jessie was born May 29, 1918 the daughter of Otis and Emma VanHorn Arnold at the home where she now lives. Her husband Tom was born in 1912 the son of Samuel and Rosa Stewart and died July 1973.

Picture: Tom and Jessie Pearl Stewart on their wedding day in 1933 with Stewart Arnold

       Jessie went to school in Atalissa graduating in 1935. She married Tom Stewart August 31, 1935 in Grandville, Illinois. Jessie recalls that her parents weren’t happy about the marriage so the couple went to Illinois to get married. Jessie’s brother, Stewart, went along to be their witness but was afraid he’d be in trouble with Mom and Dad so he used his friend Loren Ellsworth’s name. They were married for 38 years and have 2 daughters Joan McQuillen and Carol “Mickey” Hinrichs. There are 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Jessie is a lifelong resident of Atalissa and belongs to the Christian Church. Tom was in Construction, farmed, was a Mechanic and also owned a Trucking business. After his death Jessie became a waitress at the Ribeye in Durant, Iowa and worked at the Home Oil Station. We want to thank Jessie for all her help and time spent sharing all her memories of Atalissa and the people who are gone now.

        Some of her memories include the raising of the Christian Church so a basement could be put under it. It was in 1922 and the men had to make their own cement blocks on site. Her grandmother Arnold lived at 126 Railroad, now the home of Don Passmore. The town hearse was kept in her garage. When she was little she remembers coming to town on Saturday night to listen to the concert band, visiting with friends, and having home made icecream. Her family made many trips to West Liberty, Iowa winter and summer by horse and buggy. Her parents bought their first automobile in 1923 but still used the horse and buggy in winter so as not to ruin the car. She also remembers heating stones on the stove and putting them in the beds for warmth. On May 1st, every year, the children would make baskets and fill them with flowers they would pick, then they would hang them on someone’s doorknob, knock and run away and hide. Jessie wasn’t allowed across the tracks but her grandmother lived over there so she would sneak over and put one on her door anyway.

Picture: Tom and Jessie’s children Joan and Mickie taken in 1939

        Memorial Day was a very special day in the Atalissa community. Young and old alike came out to celebrate. The adults would cut pine branches, pick peonies and other flowers to load in wagons. The children were all taken to the cemeteries and a ceremony would be held in honor of all…

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…the dead War Veterans. Flowers were place on each ones grave.

Picture: Jessie Pearl Stewart

        On a funnier note she remembers that Coiners cow came up missing one night. When the Depot agent opened up the next morning he found the cow. Someone had locked the cow in the Depot with enough fodder to eat. The floor was brick and the cow did a good job of splattering the place up. Does anyone know where Kenneth McKillip, Skinny Sterner, Jr. Cooney, Herb Gatzke, or the Carlisle boys were that night? Another mystery yet to be solved in Atalissa is how the buggy got on top of the boys outhouse at school.

Herman and Hazel Stewart
125 First Street

Picture: Herman and Hazel Stewart

        Mr. Doyle built over 100 years ago. They bought it in 1945 for 600 dollars.

        Herman “Sandy” Stewart was born June 15, 1917 the son of Samuel and Rosa Stewart who lived at 311 4th St. in Atalissa. Sandy went to school in Illinois. He was a truck driver and an independent trucker. Sandy passed away in 1999.

        Hazel was born January 17, 1920 the daughter of Easley and Rosina Hagermann Rick in Wilton Junction, Iowa. Hazel went to school in Wilton, Iowa. Hazel worked as a telephone switchboard operator for Albert Daufeldt along with being a housewife. Hazel enjoys sewing and needlework.

        They were married in 1944 in Muscatine, Iowa and have 3 children Sandra Kay VanDusen, Betty Jane Stewart and Rita Faye Hahnbaum. They lived in Atalissa area 70 years. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors, taught Sunday school and Youth Fellowship. He was on the City Council for about 8 years. We will all miss seeing Sandy sitting in the swing watching the people as they went by. He always had a wave for everyone.

Don and Virginia Struck
1259 Kelly Ave. Atalissa, Iowa

Picture: Don and Virginia Struck and family

        Don was born in 1929 the son of Rudouph and LaVerna Muhs Struck in Argo, Iowa. Virginia was born in 1928 the daughter of Charles and Edna Downer Kokemuller in Baldwin, Iowa. They were married December 18, 1948 in Davenport, Iowa and have 3 children Terry, Vicky Battey and Sandra Fridley. There are 7 grandchildren. In 1967 they bought their farm from Arthur Ireland the son of John A. Ireland. Along with farming, Don worked for the Bordens Milk Company and Virginia is secretary at the Country Wide Ag Elevator. She has worked at the elevator for 23 years. She loves to go the Gambling Boat and spending time with her grandchildren. Don passed away in 1994.

Picture: Don and Virginia on their wedding day in 1948

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Picture: Virginia Struck

Lester and Evelyn Taylor
214 Lundy St.

        The house is over 100 years old.

        Evelyn was born March 15, 1919 the daughter of Earl and Florence Glines. Lester was born September 6, 1917 and is deceased. Evelyn went to school in Nebraska and St. Paul, Minnesota and Lester went to school in Oskaloosa, Iowa. They were married in 1937 and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Picture: Evelyn Taylor

Lester and Shirley Taylor
323 Highway 6

        Lester was born April 27, 1943 in Muscatine, Iowa the son of Lester and Evelyn Taylor. Lester went to school in Beaverton, Michigan and graduated in 1961. He belongs to the Lutheran Church. He is self-employed.

        Shirley was born July 3, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Duke Johnson and Maxine and Clare Seipke. Shirley went to school in Muscatine, Iowa and graduated in 1960. She belongs to the Jehovah Wittness Church. Shirley is a graphic artist. They have both lived in the Atalissa area for several years. There are six children and 10 grandchildren. The children are Susan and Marvin Honts of Muscatine, Iowa, Cindy and Tom Brown of Atalissa, Iowa, Lester Taylor III of Atalissa, Iowa, Sandra and Joe Burgess of Steele, Missouri, Lisa Taylor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Daniel Messner of Atalissa, Iowa. The grandchildren are Stephanie Honts of Muscatine, Jessica Shawn, Zachary and Kimberlee Brown of Atalissa, Anthoney and Alex Burgess of Steele, Angela and Joshua Taylor of Tulsa and Daniel Messner Jr. of Atalissa.

        Lester likes to Tinker and spoil the grandchildren and Shirley likes sewing and crocheting.

Picture:
Lester and Shirley Taylor
Lester and Shirley’s house

Kevin Tomasson

Picture: Home of Kevin Tomasson

        Kevin was born July 14, 1961 the son of Walter and Grace Tomasson. He went to school in Muscatine, Iowa graduating in 1979. He is a laborer and general contractor, he likes racing, drinking, playing cards and moving things.

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Ronald and Christine Trout
1245 Penn Avenue

Picture: Ronald and Christine Trout and family

        Ronald was born March 8, 1959 the son of Robert and Lucille Trout in Bald Knob, Arkansas. Christine was born July 3, 1959 the daughter of Donald and Gloria Dickey in Muscatine, Iowa. He went to school at United Township and graduated in 1978 and she went to West Liberty Schools and graduated in 1977. They were married in Muscatine in 1989 and have 3 children Sadie Angela, Carly Christine and Jeremy. They belong to the First Christian Church in Muscatine, Iowa. She is a writer and he is an Electronics Technician. She likes flower gardening and reading and he likes fishing and vegetable gardening. They are lifelong residents of the area.

Brian and Pam Van Dusen
222 First Street

Picture: Brian and Pam VanDusen and family

        Brian was born January 8, 1965 the son of Lloyd and Sandra Stewart Van Dusen. Pam was born November 5, 1970 the daughter of Earl and Linda Hull. Brian went to school in West Liberty, Iowa and graduated in 1983, Pam went to school in Iowa City West High School and graduated in 1989. They were married March 14, 1992 and have 2 children Kelsy and Brandon. They have been in the area for 12 years. Brian works for Cargill as a mill operator and Pam is an assembler at the Hon Company. He loves stock car racing, as a spectator and a driver, and golf. She likes stock car racing and shopping.

Donovan Van Dusen
214 East First Street

        The mobile home was put there in 1979.

        Donovan was born January 9, 1948 the son of Floyd and Mary VanDusen in Tipton, Iowa. He went to school in West Liberty and at Dominquez High School in California. He belongs to the Lutheran Church in Atalissa. He is a welder and assembler for the Prime Mover Company. His hobbies include stock car racing and motorcycles. He has 3 children Cassie, Lori and James and 3 grandchildren.

Joseph and Sheila Van Dusen
211 Fourth Street

        The house is at least 100 years old and the former owners are Mike and Pat Schroeder. Dick Garvin owned it at one time also.

Picture: Joe and Sheila VanDusen

        Joe was born August 24, 1946 the son of Floyd and Mary VanDusen and Sheila was born July 15, 1949 the daughter of John and Nola Krogman and Joseph W. Schuhow. They were married October 5, 1979 and have 5 children Angela, Amber, Larry Randal Browning, James and Richard VanDusen. There are 6 grandchildren. Joe has been with B.T. Prime Mover for 30 years and Sheila was with B.T. Prime Mover 16 years and is now a bartender at the Corner Tap in Atalissa. Sheila is a member of the Atalissa Betterment Committee.

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Picture: Joe and Sheila in front of their house

Julie Van Dusen and Scott Williams
327 Third Street

        Julie was born in 1971 the daughter of Russell and Barb VanDusen in Artisa, California. She went to school in West Liberty graduating in 1989. Julie is employed at Oral B Labs in Iowa City. Iowa.

        Scott was born in 1964 the son of Dave and Molly Williams in Iowa City, Iowa. He went to school in Tipton, Iowa graduating in 1982. He is employed with Lawson Inc. and was in the Army for six years. They have two daughters Maggy and Kate Williams. Julie has been in the Atalissa area approximately twenty-two years.

Picture: Jul VanDusen and Scott Williams and family

Lloyd and Sandra Stewart Van Dusen
423 Cherry Street

        Ewolt Schmidt built the house.

        Lloyd was born in Davenport, Iowa the son of Floyd and Mary VanDusen and Sandra was born in Muscatine, Iowa the daughter of Herman and Hazel Stewart. They both went to school in West Liberty and graduated in 1962. They have been married 37 years and have lived here all their married lives. They have 4 children Brian and Mindy of Atalissa, Brenda of Atalissa and Marcie of Bloomington, Illinois. Lloyd is employed at the Quarry and Sandra is employed with West Liberty Foods. He likes stock car racing and she enjoys crafts, sewing and reading. There are four grandchildren.

Picture:
Lloyd and Sandra VanDusen’s house
Mindy and Marcie VanDusen

Floyd Henry and Mary Vandusen
323 3rd St.

        The house was built around 1974.

        Floyd was born January 17, 1907 the son of Albert R. and Alice M. VanDusen in Chilicothe, Illinois. Mary was born October 10, 1924 the daughter of Fern E. and Jessie J. Molitot, in Benson, Illinois. She went to school in Armondi and Monmuth, Illinois and went to 8th grade. He went to 5th grade. They were married October 9, 1942 in Davenport, Iowa. There are 8 children James Allen of Riverside, California, Lloyd Henry of Atalissa, Walter Russell of West Liberty, Joseph Floyd of Atalissa, Donovan Llyn of Atalissa, Judith L. of California, Joan Evelven of Atalissa and Joann Helen of rural West Liberty. There are 26 grandchildren and over 18 great- grandchildren. Floyd was a machinist. Mary was a housewife and bartender and worked for Louis Rich from 1957-1965. Before his death Floyd like to fish and Mary likes to fish and camp. They belong to the Lutheran Church. Mary was a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Get Together Club….

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…They lived Northwest of Atalissa for 40 years then at 327 3rd St., then California 8 years and back to Atalissa where she lives now.

        Mary has many memories of raising a family in Atalissa here are a few. A group of ladies would have parties for the kids who were 12 to 15 and they would have them at the Royal Neighbor Hall. Some of the ladies names she could recall were Jenny Blick, Kathy Blick, Hazel Stewart and herself. They would bake party treats and would get donations, Dick Garvin always donated to the party. They would have a good time dancing and playing games and all were home by 11 P.M.

        Her house was always full of kids, she says she’d go to bed and there would be 5 boys in her house and wake up to 14 hungry kids. Her kids loved hunting so they had lots of squirrel, rabbit, fish and pheasant to eat. Her days were spent baking and cooking for all her children and the neighbors. She got legal guardianship of Robert Axsom when he was in his late teens.

        One of the hardest things she had to face was seeing 6 boys go into the service. They were all from Atalissa and most of the time they were at her house. It was not a good time to have sons and friends called up during the Viet Nam War. Three of the boys were her own sons Jim, Russell and Joe, the others were Kevin DeVore, in the Marine Corp, Fred Morrison and Ed Heathman.

        Some of the other fun times she recalls was working for Sam Fuller at the Midway Inn, dancing on the bar at a New Years Eve party at Ann’s place and her Birthday party in the Blue Room.

        Mary’s eyesight was poor by the time she was in 7th grade and has slowly gotten worse. She said “I started memorizing phone numbers and pretty much faked my way through. You take what life hands you and be thankful for life itself.”

        Mary just celebrated her 75th Birthday and her family had a very nice party for her at the Firestation on October 9, 1999.

Picture:
Floyd and Mary VanDusen and family
Mary VanDusen, 325 3rd Street

Rick and Brenda Phillips Vandusen
214 Cherry Street

        Rick was born August 14, 1969 the son of Joe and Sheila VanDusen and Pat VanDusen. Brenda was born March 24, 1965 the daughter of Dave and Pat Phillips. Both were born in Muscatine, Iowa. They were married at the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Atalissa nine years ago. There are 3 children Misha, Cody and Emily. Rick works for North Star Steel in Wilton, Iowa and Brenda has been a Day Care Provider and is now at Manards in Muscatine, Iowa. They belong to the Zion Lutheran Church. Rick is a Volunteer fireman and Brenda is on the Women’s Auxiliary. He likes fishing, hunting, golfing and baseball and she doesn’t have time for hobbies. Brenda went to Muscatine High School and graduated in 1983. Rick went to West Liberty High School and graduated in 1987.

Picture: Rick and Brenda VanDusen and family

Linus and Linda Wagner
111 Linn St. Atalissa, Iowa

        They have lived here several years and are both semi drivers now. Before they worked at...

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…Louis Rich Co in West Liberty, he drove semi and she was in the factory.

Picture: Home of Linus and Linda Wagner

Dave Weber
Third Street

Picture: Dave Weber’s house

Richard and Winifred Gosch Weiss
1872 111th Street

Picture: Richard and Winifred Weiss and family

        Leonard Wiess built the house in 1923.

        Richard was born June 1, 1925 the son of Leonard and Else Fuerst Weiss at home in the house he now lives in. Winifred was born August 19, 1925 at home in Kewanee, Illinois. Richard was schooled in the area graduating in 1943 and Winifred was schooled in Illinois graduating in 1943. They were married September 29, 1946 in Kewanee, Illinois. They have 3 children Ricky, Rodney and Randy, there are 5 grandchildren Jeremy, Emily, Andrea, Rachel, John. They are members of the Shepherd of the Cross Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Richard is a farmer and Winifred has been a housewife and Dietitian at the Simpson Home and the Lutheran Homes. He likes photography, growing flowers, roses and vegetables. She likes sewing. They are longtime residents in the area. Richards grandfather bought the farm in 1896 and there have been Weiss’s living on it ever since.

Picture: Richard and Winifred Weiss

Ricky Alan and Deborah Clausen Weiss
1156 Oak Street

        Rick was born April 17, 1949 the son of Richard A. and Winifred Gosch Weiss in Iowa City, Iowa. Deb was born February 13, 1952 in Dexter, Iowa. They were married in 1972 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter, Iowa. There are 3 children Andrea Diane, Rachel Anne and John Albert. They belong to the Shepherd of the Cross-Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Rick served on the West Liberty comm. School board 9 years, as Goshen trustee and on the Fire Board and helped with 4-H. Rick is a farmer and realtor and Deb works for the Postal service, is a substitute teacher, and is also a realtor. He collects coins and she has many hobbies especially art. Rick went to school in West Liberty, Iowa graduating in 1967 and then went to Iowa State University graduating in 1971. Deb went to Stuart High School graduating in 1970 and then to the University of Iowa graduating in 1975.

Picture: Ricky and Deborah Weiss and family

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Picture: Ricky and Deborah Weiss family in front of their home

Dean and Janet Welsch
214 Railroad Street

Picture: Dean and Janet Welsch

        Dean was born April 2, 1928 the son of Clarence and Felma Bridges Welsch in Muscatine, Iowa. Janet was born March 1, 1941 the daughter of Louis Karns and Norma Russell in Vincennes, Iowa. Janet was born in her grandparents home and her grandfather delivered her as the doctor was stuck in a snow bank.

        They came to Atalissa in 1980 and were married May 1, 1981 in Muscatine, Iowa. There are 9 children between them Ken, Dennis, Cindy, Dawn, Denise, Tom, Jim, Harry and Daniel. There are 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Dean is a retired Union Carpenter and Jan is a Data entry typist.

        Dean went to school in Muscatine, Iowa graduating in 1947 and Jan went to school in Keokuk, Iowa graduating in 1959 and Young’s School of Beauty graduating in 1977. Dean was in the National Guard. He enjoys woodworking and she loves to paint and crochet. Jan is a member of the Atalissa Betterment Committee and was a member of the Fireman’s Auxiliary for 17 years.

Bob and Connie Werling
2173 Atalissa Road

        Bob was born December 10, 1959 in Atalissa, Iowa the son of Vern and Velda Werling. Connie was born November 8, 1960 in Wilton, Iowa the daughter of Peggy Schenkel. Bob went to school in West Liberty and Connie went to school in Muscatine, Iowa. Both graduated from High School. They have been married 17 years and have 2 daughters Rhonda and Bobbie. Bob is a heavy equipment operator for Rieley Construction and Connie is employed at UP Electronics. He enjoys hunting and boating and she enjoys boating and shopping. Connie was a member of the Atalissa Betterment Committee. There is one granddaughter.

Picture:
Bob and Connie Werling and family
Bob and Connie’s house
Terry McKinnley and Bob Werling with their trophy taken in 1994

Dusty Werling
222 3rd St.

        Dusty was born in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Nancy Werling. He went to school in West Liberty, Iowa and graduated in 1990. Dusty spent 2 years in the Army and is a life long resident….

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…Dusty works at GPC in Muscatine, Iowa. He enjoys hunting and fishing.

Picture: Dusty Werling and his dog

Nancy Werling and Brian Telleen
2199 Atalissa Road

Picture: Nancy Werling and Brian Telleen

        Nancy was born in 1952 the daughter of Vern and Velda Werling. She graduated from West Liberty, Iowa. She is a member of the Methodist Church and works at West Liberty Foods, West Liberty, Iowa. She has one son Dusty.

        Brian was born in 1953 the son of Marvin and Rosemarie Telleen. He went to Prairie Community School and graduated in 1972. Brian has lived in the community for 12 years. He is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and works for West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa.

Penny Werling and Family
Atalissa Road

Picture: Penny Werling and children Brandy and Kyle

Robert and Rosemary Howard Wertzbaugher
2382 Atalissa Road

Picture: Robert and Rosemary Wertzbaugher

        Robert was born February 11, 1927 the son of John and Violet May Wertzbaugher in West Branch, Iowa. Rosemary was born June 21, 1928 the daughter of Russell and Nola Howard north of Plato. Both attended school in West Branch and he graduated in 1944 and she in 1945. They were married in 1947 in Marion, Iowa and have 5 children Nancy Blunk of Tampa, Florida, Wendy Rios of Davenport, Iowa, Terri Henning of Iowa City, Iowa, John of Atalissa, Iowa and Tom of Ft Bragg, North Carolina. Tom is in the 82nd Air Born. There are 14 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.

        Robert was in the Army and Air Force from 1944-1946 where he was stationed in Okinawa. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge where he served as Postmaster and is an Elder in the church. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. He farms and is a retired Millwright from Prime Mover in Muscatine, Iowa. She is a housewife and was employed at Sheller Globe for 9 years. Robert enjoys piloting airplanes and riding motorcycles. Rosemary enjoys flowers. They have been in the area 44 years.

Howard and Donna Williams
1414 Penn Avenue

        Howard was born September 26, 1943 in Bastian, Virginia the son of Ernest and Ocie Wiliams. He attended school in Bastin, Virginia. Howard was a mechanic at H.J. Heinz until he retired and became the owner of the Corner Tap. Howard also farmed in his spare time.

        Donna was born Januaray 24, 1947 in Iowa City, Iowa the daughter of Robert and Elma Binggeli. She attended school in Iowa City grad-…

Pg. 191

…uating in 1965 and then attended Muscatine Jr. College. Donna has her own Accounting and Tax office in Iowa City and West Liberty. Donna is President of the Atalissa Betterment Committee, Secretary Treasurer of the Overman Cemetary Board, belongs to the American Business Woman’s Association and National Association of Tax Preparers. Donna is on the council of Accreditated Taxation.

        Howard and Donna were married on June 28, 1968. There are three children Lisa Exline of Columbus Junction, Iowa, Tami Plank of Atalissa, Tony Williams of Iowa City and there are six grandchildren.

        Howard passed away on March 28, 1998 and is greatly missed by all his family and friends.

        Donna lives on a Century farm that her grandfather and mother were raised on.

Picture:
Four generations Donna Williams Elma Binggeli, Eva Oepping and baby Tami Plank
Howard and Donna Williams

Stu and Wilma Willits
118 Railroad St.

        Stu was born December 14, 1941 in New Boston, Illinois. Wilma “Bunny” was born August 14, 1947 the daughter of Richard and Ester VanDusen in Davenport, Iowa. Stu went to school in New Boston, Illinois and graduated in 1959. Bunny went to school at Paramount High in California and graduated in 1965. Stu was in the Navy. They were married in 1993 and they have 5 children Shawn Willits, Cindy Becker, Robert Axsom, Ronda Axsom and Renee Axsom. There are 4 grandchildren. Stu worked for Star Kist and the couple were sent to Samoa where he was a supervisor. Bunny is a housewife and a school bus driver. They both enjoy motorcycle riding. They have been in this area 27 years.

Picture: : Stu and Bunnie Willits

Bill and Sharon Wilson
327 Depot St.

        Bill was born in Muscatine, Iowa the son of Wm. E. Wilson. Sharon was born in Davenport the daughter of Mary Morrison. They both attended school in West Liberty, Iowa graduating in 1970. They have been married 25 years and were married in West Liberty, Iowa. There are 3 children Steve, Kevin and Cindy. Bill is a deputy sheriff and Sharon is a cook. He enjoys reading and she likes doing crafts and watching football and wrestling. Bill is a Volunteer Fireman and is assistant fire chief, she has been a member of the Women’s Auxiliary for many years.

Picture: Bill and Sharon Wilson and family

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Gerald and Joyce Isabel Wilson
2132 Highway Six East

Picture:
Gerald and Joyce Wilson with grandson Andy
Gerald Wilson family back Travis Morrison, Joe Salemink, Zac Boulund, Janet and Tom Boulund, Jerry Wilson, Brooke Hurshman, Chad Morrison and Joyce Wilson, front row Lela Isabel, Andy Morrison, Peggy and Kelli Salemink, Lisa Salemink and Jill Boulond

        Gerald “Jerry” was born March 18, 1938 the son of Edward and Alice Reha Wilson in Iowa City, Iowa. Jerry went to school in West Liberty and graduated in 1956. He is a mechanic, Parts Manager and Service Writer (for GM Dealer.) Jerry was on the Atalissa City Council for twenty years and was mayor for several terms. He was also in the Army Reserve for ten years.

        Joyce was born October 30, 1940 the daughter of Ralph and Lela Ridenour Isabel in Iowa City, Iowa. She went to school in West Liberty and graduated in 1959. Joyce is in the Clerical field. They have been in the Atalissa area for forty years. They have three children Peggy Sue Salemink, husband Joe and children Lisa and Kelly of Wilton, Melissa Ann Morrison (born March 28, 1959 died February 27, 1995 and sons Chad, Travis and Andy, Janet Kay Boulund and husband Tom and children Zac and Jill of Bettendorf, Iowa. They belong to the West Liberty United Methodist Church. While living in Atalissa they lived at 119 First Street and moved to the new house in February 1998. Jerry built a mechanical garage where he worked nights and weekends. They bought property at 123 First Street where they moved a mobile home in for Joyce’s mother Lela Isabel.

        Joyce was active in the Atalissa Zion Lutheran Church when the girls were at home and active in the youth activities. Joyce, George and Bertha King and other community residences kept activities, sports, contests and other things going after the School was closed.

James Franklin and Norma Yeager
315 4th Street

        Frank was born July 28, 1921 (died 1986) in Adkins, Arkansas. Norma was born December 21, 1924 in Dover, Arkansas. They were married in 1942 in Russelville, Arkansas and have 2 daughters Norma and Frankie Joe. Frank was butcher and owned the Grocery store, where the Corner Tap is now, from 1965-1978. People came from all over the county to purchase meat from Frank as he had the best meat in the county. They lived over the store until they sold it. The house they purchased on 4th St. in 1978 was built by William Lundy well over 100 years ago. Norma worked in the store along with her husband. She is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and has lived in the area over 20 years.

Picture: Norma Yeager

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Picture: Henry Turkey Service people back row Jene Berg, Henry Wilkins, Johnny Haire, Keith Brown, Frank Rodriquez, Andy Sawyer, Ronald Lashly “Cowboy”, Thurman Pitcox, unknown, George Pettingrew and Daniel Milles, second row Charles Massey, Leonard Bearfield, J.D. Weston, Pete Graffagnim, Tommy House “Moose”, Carl Wayne Jones, James Fowler, Clarence Dunning, Wayne Latum, Ardis Wilkerson, Charles Giffey, Charles Drake, Harry Griffee, John Marselli and Harold Goodman, third row David Davis, Joe Moroell, Raymond Vaughn, Billie Penner, Ervin Johnson “BoBo”, John Owens, unknown, Paul Hayek, Tommy Johnson, unknown, Donald Parker, Robert Penner, Harold Witcher, Preston Pate, Murphy Cullum, Benny Bell, Bill Murry and Johnny Kent, fourth row Katie Humphrey, Johnny McDaniel, Douglas Barco “Snoopy”, Dale Manning, Jeff Long, Doyle Trantham, L.C. Hale, Willie Levi, unknown, and John Hatfield, front row David Crouch, Kenneth Jackson and Robert O’Bier