Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High around 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph..
A few clouds. Low around 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.
Updated: May 14, 2025 @ 12:01 am
Friends of MercyOne scholarship recipients from left, Emmah Hoveland (OHS), Kendra Rechkemmer (OHS), Brooklyn Cavnar (WC), and Juliana Ruiz Velasquez (Starmont). Each plans a career in a medical-related field. Not available for photo, Maria Streif (UW-Plattville).
Friends of MercyOne officers for the 2025-26 year from left, Barbara Rundle, secretary, Janet Hofmeyer, treasurer, Judy Malget, vice president, Sheila Bryan, president, with past president Anita Mars.
The annual Friends of MercyOne May Tea was held Thursday, May 8, in Transco Events on Frederick, a new venue for the tea, with many in attendance.
Friends of MercyOne scholarship recipients from left, Emmah Hoveland (OHS), Kendra Rechkemmer (OHS), Brooklyn Cavnar (WC), and Juliana Ruiz Velasquez (Starmont). Each plans a career in a medical-related field. Not available for photo, Maria Streif (UW-Plattville).
Friends of MercyOne officers for the 2025-26 year from left, Barbara Rundle, secretary, Janet Hofmeyer, treasurer, Judy Malget, vice president, Sheila Bryan, president, with past president Anita Mars.
The annual Friends of MercyOne May Tea was held Thursday, May 8, in Transco Events on Frederick, a new venue for the tea, with many in attendance.
Oelwein Friends of MercyOne wrapped up their year of fundraising and meetings with the annual May Tea on Thursday, May 8. This year marked the first occasion in many years that the tea was held offsite. Transco Events on Frederick provided a stunning venue for the well-attended afternoon event.
The theme “Live Life in Full Bloom” was carried out in floral appointments throughout the room, at each table, in the spring-style bingo games, and awarded door prizes.
The annual event signals the end of the year, while recognizing members who have made the hospital auxiliary successful throughout its many years of existence. In 1961, the Oelwein Mercy Hospital Auxiliary began giving out scholarships to students going on to pursue careers in medical-related fields. Including this year, Friends of MercyOne have given a total of 114 scholarships.
Scholarship Committee Chair Carol Tousley announced a total of $7,500 is being given in scholarships this year. A traditional and a non-traditional scholarship to two seniors of $1,500 each are given thanks to the late Lewis and Bernice Warren.
Juliana Ruiz Velasquez is the traditional scholarship recipient. A senior at Starmont High School, she will be attending NICC for a bachelor’s degree in biology and transfer to UNI to complete her major. Her goal is to work in a laboratory. She is the daughter of Edwin and Marticela and has a brother Samuel.
Maria Streif is the non-traditional scholarship recipient who is attending the University of Wisconsin-Plattville. Her goal is to become a physician assistant in a rural and/or underserved area in the Midwest. Her parents are David and Marcia Streif and she has five siblings, Elizabeth, Emma, Christopher, Dawn and Julia.
The successful MercyOne Lovelight Project made an additional scholarship possible for $1,500 to an area senior furthering their education in a health-care-related field. Brooklyn Cavnar, a senior at West Central High School will be attending UNI to become a licensed radiologist. She is the daughter of Jennifer Cavnar and has four siblings, Bryleigh, Brianne, Blaketon and Bayley.
The generosity of George Whalen, retired MercyOne employee who was an EMT Paramedic with the Ambulance Service and ER Tech, has made two scholarships available of $1,500 each for Oelwein seniors.
OHS senior Emmah Hoveland will be attending the University of Iowa to become a nurse practitioner. She is the daughter of Jason and Anita and has two siblings, Jackson and Avah.
OHS senior Kendra Rechkemmer is headed to Iowa State University and then will enroll at Palmer Chiropractic College to become a chiropractor. She is the daughter of Jerrod and Lindsey and has two siblings, Matti and Landon.
Tousley thanked the scholarship committee of members Sheila Bryan, Barbara Ferrari, Barbara Sanders, and Mary Jo Snitker for their work in determining these award recipients.
MercyOne Oelwein administrator Jill Groth administered the oaths of office in a candle lighting ceremony. Officers for the 2025-26 year will be Sheila Bryan, president, Judy Malget, vice president, Barbara Rundle, secretary and Janet Hofmeyer, treasurer. Past president Anita Mars lit the first candle of leadership and presented each officer with flowers.
The afternoon tea wrapped up with a review of the auxiliary year and a few rounds of “Spring-Style” bingo. Each attendee took home a place-setting decoration of a teacup planted with a spring flower or plant. Friends of MercyOne is accepting new members all the time. Anyone interested in becoming a member may contact Janet Hofmeyer or any board member. Annual and lifetime memberships are available.
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Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High around 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.
A few clouds. Low around 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.
Decreasing cloudiness and windy. High 87F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
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