Hudson Herald

04/09/2026

07/08/2025

Dean Staack, 81, of Hudson, died on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN, following a brief illness.

He was born in Clinton on December 15, 1943, the son of Harry and Ruth (Benham) Staack. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1962. He received his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1967 and master's degree in Elementary Administration, both from UNI. He married Patricia Hoffman on August 15, 1964, at South Waterloo Church of the Brethren; she preceded him in death on March 17, 2015.

Dean taught at Cedar Heights and Orchard Hill Elementary Schools in Cedar Falls from 1967 to 1983. He was then the principal at Hudson Elementary School from 1983 to 2000. After retirement, he did substitute teaching in the Hudson School District until 2006.

He was a member of the ISEA, School Administrators of Iowa, NEA, and was past president of the Cedar Falls Education Association. He was also past president of the Hudson Lions Club and member of Phi Delta Kappa.

Dean thoroughly enjoyed portraying the local Santa Claus for many years, reading, and the outdoors. But his favorite joy was spending time with his family at their school events and at the family cabin on Lake Ada, MN.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Hudson. He was a former member of the Community Church of Hudson where he was in the choir and taught Sunday School.

Dean is survived by his daughter, Laurie Jo (PJ) Holbach of Reinbeck; son, Jerrod (Kari) Staack of Janesville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Jean (Alan) Clausen of Hudson, and Kat Jorstad of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; four sisters, Janice Goetsch, Carol McKenna, Norma Smith, and Jeanne Mazula; and an infant brother, Harry Charles Staack.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the United Methodist Church of Hudson, with private family burial in Hudson Cemetery preceding services. Visitation from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo. A memorial fund will be established. Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralServices.com. Locke at Tower Park is assisting the family. Locke at Tower Park, 319-233-3146.

07/04/2025

Loren F. Steimel, 88, of Waterloo, died on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home.

He was born on August 8, 1936, in Waterloo, son of Leo and Clara Bauler Steimel. Loren graduated high school from St. Mary of Mt. Carmel School in 1954. He honorably served in the United States Army. He married Ruth Fenelon on June 18, 1960, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waterloo. She preceded him in death on May 31, 2008.

He was a farmer for most of his life in Eagle Center and, after retiring from farming, he worked a variety of jobs, including driving a bus for River Hills. Loren took a lot of pride in driving the bus for the kids.

Loren was a member of the Gilbertville American Legion Post 714, a board member at Hawkeye Community College, a member of St. Mary's Choir and member of the Black Hawk County Extension office board.

He enjoyed spending his time with family, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing card games, especially 500, and golfing with friends and family.

He is survived by his children, Connie (Bill) Munchoff of Waterloo, David (Lisa) Steimel of Fairfax, Lori (Clay) Tritle of Alburnett, Michelle (Pete) Weisser of Rapid City, SD and Lee Ann (Tim) Platt of Clive; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; two great-grandsons, Vincent Roche and Hayes Petersen; and siblings, Winifred Fischels, Francis, Lewis and Melvin Steimel.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:30 am Tuesday, July 8, 2025, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Eagle Center, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Military rites performed by Nugent-Demuth American Legion Post 714 of Gilbertville and Iowa Army Funeral Honor Guard.

Visitation: 4:00 - 6:00 pm Monday, July 7, 2025, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, with rosary starting at 4:00pm. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice and Nugent-Demuth American Legion Post 714 of Gilbertville.

07/04/2025

Merlin Harbaugh, 97, of Waterloo, passed away on June 29, 2025 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home. He was born August 5, 1927 to Herschel and Stella (Fike) Harbaugh in Waterloo. He graduated from Orange High School in 1945, and served in the Army in Korea from 1946-47. On October 19, 1947 he married his high school sweetheart, Melba Hodgin, and moved to the 4th generation family farm in Orange Township. After farming for many years, they moved to Friendship Village in 2007.

Merlin is survived by four children-Carolyn Harbaugh Bellfy, Diane Sittig (Kevin), Dennis Harbaugh, all of Waterloo, and Carl Hunnicutt (Lorena) of Independence, Mo, and daughter-in law Lynnie Harbaugh of Redmond, Oregon. He has nine grandchildren: Elizabeth Howells (Chris), Jonathan Harbaugh (Natalie), Ty Bellfy, Raechel Sittig-Esser (Terry), Erek Sittig (Kelly), Kim Camarata (Eric), Jeshua Harbaugh (Veena), Jordan Harbaugh-Williams, and Mariana Hunnicutt. His seven great-grandchildren are Isaiah and Emma Howells, Lyla and Abby Harbaugh, Malachi Esser, Addy and Max Sittig. He also had a very special companion, Lenora Decker, of Friendship Village.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years Melba, and son Larry Harbaugh. His brother Forrest Harbaugh, sisters Lola Mae Nettleton and Elva Jean Naylor,.

Family was most important to Merlin, and he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and relatives. He was a lifelong member of the South Waterloo Church of the Brethren and loved his church family too!

Merlin was a hard-working farmer, who milked cows and raised chickens and hogs in addition to raising row-crops. He experienced farming with horses all the way to tractors guided by satellites. He was also a devoted community volunteer. Merlin delivered Meals on Wheels for over 35 years, volunteered for the NE Iowa Food Bank for over 20 years, helped work on Habitat for Humanity houses, served on the church Northern Plains District Board, the Camp Pine Lake Board, and the Friendship Village Council. He also received the Waterloo Mayor's Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.

He loved traveling to National Parks and big cities, reading books and multiple newspapers each day, and sports. He was a walking encyclopedia of family and Orange Center history, was always curious, loved learning, and people. He also took a shining to caramel popcorn, ice cream and peanut M&Ms!

Visitation will from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, July 7, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo. A memorial service will be held at the South Waterloo Church of the Brethren, 6227 Kimball Ave, Waterloo at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, with a meal to follow at the church. A family burial at the Orange Cemetery will precede the memorial service.

Memorials may be directed to the South Waterloo Church of the Brethren, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, or Friendship Village.

07/01/2025

College Notes

Iowa State University Spring 2025 President’s List (4.0 GPA, maintained for at least 2 consecutive semesters):

-Preston Joseph Poppe, Mechanical Engineering, B.S
-Ashley Teresa Starr, Architecture, B.Arch

Iowa State University Spring 2025 Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA, with minimum 12 credit hours):

-Julie Bauler
-Trapper Depew
-Brady James Hansen
-Madeline Rose Hansen
-Ryan Andrew Johnson
-Braden McCullough
-Preston Joseph Poppe
-Beau R Smith
-Ashley Teresa Starr

07/01/2025

Loretta Kay (Myers) Kemp, 76, passed away peacefully in her daughter’s arms on May 30, 2025, in Hospice Care at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA.

Loretta Kay Myers was born on April 30, 1949, in Brainerd, MN where her parents owned a resort. Loretta was the second of four children of Hilbert & Florence Myers. The family settled in Hudson, IA where Loretta grew up and graduated from Hudson High School in 1967 before attending Hawkeye Tech/Community College, graduating with a degree in Interior Design.

On May 26, 1978, Loretta married Jon Roger Kemp, the couple who lived in Shell Rock, IA eventually becoming the loving parents to daughter Emily. In 1981 the couple moved to and opened up the Vac Shack & Sewing Center in Charles City where they worked side by side until their divorce in 1993. Loretta eventually moved to Waterloo where she attended Hawkeye Community College and graduated with a business degree in 1997. In 2002 Loretta returned to Charles City to be closer to her grandchildren and worked again with Roger & Emily at the Vac Shack until its closure in 2018.

Loretta started dating Howard Ammons in 2006 until 2018 when she relocated to Lake View with Emily, they still talked almost every day up until her passing.

One of Loretta’s other true loves in life was fishing, always saying, “I was born in Minnesota, it’s in my blood”. She loved telling stories about fishing trips growing up and looked forward to the annual fishing trips the family would still take. In 2024 her older brother Dennis moved back to Iowa after 40 years; this was especially meaningful to her because he was able to go on one of those famous family fishing trips.

Loretta was an adventurous free spirit, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed her path. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering, she will be forever missed.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Hilbert & Florence Myers. To carry forth her legacy of love and compassion. Loretta left behind a daughter, Emily (Jeff) Meyer of Lake View, IA, she will be forever cherished and remembered by her three grandchildren, Alexander Riley (Lauren Willson) of Waverly, IA, Megan Meyer of Lake View, IA and Matthew Meyer of Waterloo, IA. Her memory lives with her two brothers, Dennis Myers of Dumont, IA; Joel (Vicki) Myers of Hudson, IA; a sister Julie (Marty) Evans of Dumont, IA. She also leaves behind special friend Howard Ammons of Osage, IA and a host of nephews, nieces and their families who adored her dearly.

There is going to be a Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Loretta Kemp. Anybody who new her knows she always loved a party so the family invites you to join them on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 3 – 5 p.m. to share stories and enjoy some refreshments and appetizers, at the Hickory Hills Park, Archers Shelter, 3338 Hickory Hills Rd, La Porte City, Iowa, 50651. The family has chosen to have a private graveside burial at a special time.

06/30/2025

Hudson Amvets Create a Site for Disposal of U.S. Flags

Many Americans proudly fly the U.S. flag at their homes and workplaces, but what do you do when it becomes old and ratty and you're ready for a new one? Don't just throw it in the trash; that's considered disrespectful.

Hudson AMVETS now have a flag disposal box outside the local Hall. Anyone can place a tattered, old flag in the receptacle and be assured that it will be properly destroyed. It is hoped that possibly a 4-H club or Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop would organize an 'old flag collection day' where local citizens could call to have someone pick up their old, retired flag to turn in to the AMVETS or place in the box outside the hall.

Treating flags respectfully is a lesson in history that goes back to 1923 when the National Flag Conference was held in Washington, D.C., where the Flag Code was created. Later, in 1937, the American Legion passed a resolution about flag retirement ceremonies. According to the resolution, "The approved method of disposing of unserviceable flags has long been that they be destroyed by burning."

The U. S. flag is considered such a sacred symbol that burning it in an undignified manner or throwing it in the trash constitutes desecration. Proper flag disposal involves a ceremony. Because Flag Day is June 14 every year, it's considered the most appropriate day to hold flag disposal ceremonies which are held at night. During an American Legion ceremony, participants stand aligned in two parallel rows, 20 feet apart, facing each other. A small fire burns beyond the rows of members, opposite the Legion commander. The Hudson AMVETS will honor the American Legion ceremony of 1937 by disposing of our flags in this manner.

If you have an old flag that needs proper destruction, please place it in the drop box at the AMVET Hall, 123 Eldora Road, Hudson.