Stories of Donors

Dennis Harold Christeleit was born at the Oelwein Hospital on May 12, 1945, to Harold and Norma (Nydegger) Christeleit. He was baptized at St. Sebald Lutheran Church, rural Strawberry Point, on September 27, 1945. He was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Volga on March 22, 1959.

Dennis attended the Volga School until they merged with Elkader Central in 1961, graduating in 1963. He spent most of his life on the Christeleit family farm which his great-grandfather, Julius, had purchased in 1907.

On December 28, 1965, Dennis married Lorna Mae Baade at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader. In April 1967, they moved to the family farm where they lived for 32 years before moving into Volga in 1999. Three children were born to them: Terry Dennis (August 19, 1968) Tracy Ann (October 24, 1970), and Tammy Lynn (July 26, 1975 – July 21, 1993).

As a dairy farmer, Dennis loved his Holstein cows. In 1970, a new 60 cow stanchion dairy barn was built where he spent many hours taking care of and milking his cows. Terry, Tracy and Tammy loved playing in the barn while he was doing chores. In 1976, Dennis and Lorna were runners up in the Swiss Valley Young Cooperators Dairy contest and traveled to San Francisco. They, then, traveled to Miami in 1977 to attend the National Dairy Federation Annual Meeting. Dennis and his family traveled to Alaska in 1982 and to Florida in 1986. While Dennis milked, he would create his own lyrics to familiar tunes and even made his own CD that included his signature song, “Roaring Bull!”

Dennis served on the following boards in the Elkader and Volga communities: Central Community Hospital, Elkader Golf and Country Club, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Swiss Valley Advisory Committee, St. Paul Lutheran Church Council, Hillcrest Cemetery Trustees, and the Volga City Council.

Dennis enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, golfing, playing cards (which included playing “500” as members of the Chicken Ridge Card Club), and laughing it up with family and friends.

Oliver Franklin grew up in rural Volga, IA in the 1920s and 30s. Graduating from Volga High School in 1937 and would go on to own and operate Moore and Follon Hardware in Volga for 62 years. Oliver married Rebecca Moore in June of 1937 at the Volga United Methodist Church. They had five children, James (Karen), Sue Ellen, Elaine, Mark (Pam) and Craig (Tracy). James and Sue graduating from Volga High School and Elaine, Mark and Craig graduating from Central Elkader.

Owning and operating the Hardware store for over sixty two years while in partnership with his brother in law, Ronald “Red” Moore for forty of those years and twenty five of those years working with his son, Craig was only a small part of his dedication to his hometown. Oliver loved his family and was very dedicated and devoted to his town and church. 

Oliver served on several boards including the Volga Fire Department, many years as Fire Chief, Volga School Board, City Council, Church Council and he was treasurer of the United Methodist Church for fifty years. Volunteering was always a part of Oliver’s life. Oliver’s family wants to continue his legacy by giving back to the community that meant so much to him. This memorial to the Shaping Volga Endowment Fund will continue to give back to the community forever.

On April 7, 1945, a pair of sparkly Irish eyes entered the world. The sparkly, devilish eyes were those of Kenneth Joseph Hurley, the third of six children of John "Joe" and Alice (Seybert) Hurley of rural Volga, Iowa.  The first eight years of Ken’s education were at St. Joseph Catholic School, Elkader; two years at Volga High School; his last two years at Elkader High School. Ken was united in marriage to Rosalyn Walz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Strawberry Point, Iowa, on June 7, 1965. Two daughters were born to this union.
 

Ken was a journeyman electrician, having worked thirty-six years at Donaldson Co., Oelwein, Iowa. After the plant closed in March of 2000, he worked at the Natural Resources and Conservation Services in Elkader and for Palas Fencing in Volga. Throughout his life, Ken farmed part-time.
 

A life-time volunteer, Ken actively and passionately served his church, community, and beyond. In his church, Ken was a lector, religious education instructor, member of the parish council, member of the Knights of Columbus, and president of the Archdiocesan Council. As a supportive co-worker, Ken was a member of UAW Local 1165, in which he was president for several years. The local community was especially blessed by Ken, as he was a member of the Volga town council as well as the Volga Community Club, assisting at any event. As a devout fireman and EMT, he served as training officer.
 

Even years after he climbed over the Pearly Gates, thousands of eyes still sparkle as they smile in remembrance of how Kenny touched them with his sense of humor, vibrant spirit, exemplary ways, and all of his shenanigans.

 

Ken’s lifelong helping spirit combined with his innate tendency as a shenanigan instigator. Upon purchasing the old Standard gas station to use as a repair/tinkering shop, it soon became popular not only as a social gathering and a project drop-off, but also a “shenanigan spin-off.”

One among many frequent recipients of Ken’s shenanigans was Ronnie Nelson of rural Volga. Ronnie was renowned to make several trips to town simply to keep up with CURRENT events. One evening, as Ken was tinkering outside his shop, he observed Ronnie pulling a wagon full of corn into town and parking it along the side of the grocery store. After noticing Ronnie being picked up by his wife to return home, and assuming Ronnie’s intention was to come back in the morning to pull the wagon the short block to the co-op, Ken walked across the street and pulled the pin out of the wagon hitch. So, when Ronnie returned to pull the wagon the next morning, the wagon did not follow the tractor! That evening, Ronnie made a special trip to Volga solely to give a royal chewing to the “blond-headed, blue-eyed, ### Hurley!”

Of course, Ken’s family -- wife, Rosalyn, Volga; two daughters, Rebecca Lynn (Scott) Rentschler, and Kimberly Jo Hurley; and two grandchildren, Bryton Boone Rentschler and Courtlyn Rose Rentschler – have had the most in-depth knowledge of Kenny Hurley’s shenanigans, although they are still hearing more and more stories from narrators who have sparkles in their eyes!