Archive of old bulletin board items
August 2005
Kay's retirement- Mom is retiring from the Chelan County Health Department in August. Laura, Sara, and I are putting on a party at Laura's house on 8/13/05. Email me if you need details.
Summer 2005
Dad's Arctic Sojourn-Dave Jaecks writes: "Hi everyone , I've just gotten back from the 2005 version of Arctic Dreams, this trip being a 150 or so mile paddle down the Burnside River in Nunavut with five other adventurers in three canoes. Our start was a drive 1500 miles to Yellowknife NWT which is the jumping off point for all variety of actiities in the bush from fishing to diamond mining and is an outpost of urban civilization on the north shore of Great Slave Lake which is in a size class with the familiar midwetern Great Lakes. A twin Otter on floats easily swallowed up our three canoes and tons of gear(mostly food and DEET) and transported us north beyond the last trees, over countless lakes and ponds and streams( one third of the surface of NWT is covered in water) to our destination lake which was still covered with a fairly complete mantel of ice(on 5July) necessitating a diversion to an alternative lake that was only half covered in ice. We spent a couple of nights there trying to eat as much as possible to lighten the canoes and began to experience what developed into a wildlife show that at times seemed like Wild Kingdom-with a grizzly that nearsightedly wandered real close to camp( but fled when he realized we were there) Caribou straggling southward on their migration, wolves, solitary and stalking the caribou, and later we would see hundreds of caribou, about 10 grizzlies, 20 musk oxen, red fox, a fine sighting of a wolverine , and of course numerous birds including eagles and falcons. The paddling was varied-lake and river- the lake made more challenging by head winds and ice floes that blocked our path requiring a transition from paddling to dragging the canoes over the ice about six different times. Our camps were fine and the hiking awe inspiring with sweeping views of a land quite recently released from its burden of huge continental ice sheets-lakes, ridges, glacial features like sinuous eskers left as evidence of under ice rivers, The flowers provided colorful diversions-some showy, many subtle, all beautiful. The trip culminated in a four mile very strenuous portage around a pair of spectacular falls and a vertical walled canyon. The portage took four carries and all my energy and strength, and following that an easy 8 or 9 miles through the delta(easy except for having to drag the boats in shallow channels) delivered us to a tiny Inuit hamlet of Bathurst Inlet where an ecotourism lodge operates in the old Hudson's Bay trading post. There we had the privilege of meeting John Sperry retired Bishop of the Arctic who had lived with the Inuit during a time when they still lived traditionally in tents and igloos, surviving by hunting and fishing. Altogether a memorable trip. Can't wait to see the pictures!! Cheers to all. Dave"
June 2005
Sam's Graduation- Sam McHaney is graduating from WHS on 6/10/05. He is enrolled for his freshman year at the University of Washington for Fall 2005. Congratulations Sam! We look forward to having you over here in Seattle.
February 2003
Ivy gave birth to Kaya Elizabeth Jaecks at 9:20am on Feb 12, 2003. She weighed 8lbs. 4ounces. She was born a week before due date by planned cesarian without complications. Mom and baby are doing well.

Ivy's sister Eileen gave birth to Tessa Sayaka Gregan at 7:15am on Feb. 2, 2003. The baby was 6 lbs. 6 ounces. She seemed to know that she was late (due date was Jan. 31st) because Eileen was in labor for only a little over 4 hours. We were at the hospital for only 30 minutes or so before the baby was delivered.

March 2002
Jerry writes: Hi dear kin folk, got a call from Gert and Jan yesterday about Elaine's passing. They are preparing for Elaine's memorial service on Palm Sunday and will publish. Plus there will be committal event in Lannon. Please forward and add your memories.

Aunt Elaine died in her sleep Friday, March 15 shortly after a visit and prayer with sister Gert in the Sun City Good Shepherd nursing home where Elaine had lived since December when her thigh broke. She previously lived in a private-care home there and for two years at the Willow Wind senior residence in Prescott, AZ where she moved about 1957 after her father (Grandpa Otto) died in Lannon. Elaine had lived for decades in her home on the lower edge of a large hillside of desert plants, trees and boulders overlooking downtown Prescott and the valley beyond. Elaine had retired from the Valley National Bank where she was the senior customer service person. Her sister Frances had moved to Prescott earlier when her husband, Rev. Al Leerssen was called to pastor a local Lutheran church. Elaine had cared for her mother (Rosa Buttke) who died in 1942 and for her father. Elaine is survived by her sister Gertrude (Aunt Gert or Gertie) and was preceded in death by brothers Leonard (1907-2000) and Archy (1910-1999) and sister Frances (about 1905-1985). She is fondly remembered by nieces and nephews--Rachel, Jerry, David, Joel, Jane, Garry & Larry, Daniel, Janis, and Rosie (oldest to youngest, approximately). And grand nieces and nephews, et al. Janis has been particularly close to Elaine since moving to the southwest about 15 years ago. Janis took Elaine to the Mayo clinic in AZ 3+ years ago for examinations. Gert and Janis visited her often and arranged for her care and paid her bills. Dave and I visited in Spring 2000. Elaine will be memorialized at Christ Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday in Prescott Valley, AZ. Her remains will be buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Lannon, Wisconsin near her parents and Uncle Bill, possibly later this year. Jane Strutz will arrange for the committal. Elaine was born January 14, 1921 and died March 15, 2002, two days prior to St. Patricks?s day, her father?s birth date in 1877. I remember her many birthday, Easter,and Christmas cards, always with personal notes. I also remember an old photo of Elaine pulling me on a sled. The dining room table is graced with her gift of two large native made candlesticks (wedding present). I remember visiting Elaine in Arizona in 1964 and in 2000 with Dave and her visits to Sun City, Wenatchee and Wisconsin. I wish there had been more visits and calls and more correspondence from me. She had strong opinions and a cheery disposition, was very articulate and interesting to talk with.

Sept. 30, 2000
Grandma Jessen's ashes were taken to the cemetary in Wauwatosa for burial with Grandpa Jack. A service was attended by many close friends and family.
Aug. 16, 2000
Grandma Kathryn Jessen passed away this morning at Central Washington Hospital at the age of 88, due to complications from her lymphoma/leukemia. She simply stopped breathing at about 4:20 am today, and her suffering ended. She was in the company of family when she passed away, and was kept comfortable her last few days. We will all miss her dearly; the loss is difficult to put into words. Her sister Betty wrote the following: click here for Betty's eulogy, click here for my eulogy, as read at Grace Lutheran church, Aug. 19, 2000.
Aug. 8, 2000
Leonard Joecks passed away. Jane Strutz left a message: Dad went to heaven today. Visitation 11-2 Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lannon; Service at 2; burial in Sunnyside Cemetery; supper at church. Len was hospitalized last Thursday; he had back pain and was too weak last Monday, July 31 to attend granddaughter Jenny's birthday party, and had skipped dialysis on Tuesday. He was a wonderful guy. I always enjoyed visiting him--he was a great conversationalist; read the Journal every day (I was in the Journal in 1966 and 1999; Danny Bruckner was in about 15 years ago) and knew all the local news and family history; he was still driving until late last year. Survived by Lorraine and their children Jane and Bill Strutz, Garry and Sharon, Larry and Rachel, and Rosie and Bob Smocke; and 14 grandkids and five great-grandkids (all five are Jane & Bill's).

Leonard Joecks, of Lannon. Aug. 8, 2000, age 93 years. Beloved husband of Lorraine for over 60 years. Loving father of Jane (William) Strutz, Larry (Rachel), Garry (Sharon) and Rosalind (Robert) Smocke. Dear grandpa of Rodney (Christine) Strutz, Nathan (Elizabeth) Strutz, Michelle (Timothy) Baio, Melissa Strutz, Victor and Charity Joecks, Michael, Jeremy and Jenny Joecks, Alicia, Justin, Shawn, Patrick and Michelle Smocke and great-grandpa of 4. Brother of Gertrude Keipper and Elaine Joecks. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Visitation Fri., Aug. 11 at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 20801 W. Forrest View Dr., Lannon, WI from 11 AM until time of Service at 2 PM. Burial to follow, Sunnyside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to a charity of your choice appreciated. Len was a lifelong member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church and owned and operated Joeck's Service.

Aug. 5, 2000
Grandma Jessen has been stable over the past couple of weeks, though she does seem somewhat weaker. She is still at the hospital, but will be moving out this week. We are facing some tough decisions on where she is best suited to live. Please feel free to contact me or Kay if you have input or want further updates. Anyone wanting to send flowers/cards, the address is 1201 S. Miller St., Wenatchee, WA 98801 or call the hospital at 509-662-1511 for other information.

July 18, 2000
Grandma Jessen was admitted to the hospital yesterday. It was initially thought that she was having a heart attack, because of episodes of severe sweating and some changes on her EKG. Fortunately, that proved not to be the case, and she is resting comfortably.
March 31, 2000
Sara gave birth to a 8lb. 2oz. girl at 2:04am! Click here to see the photo announcement collage. Congratulations!
December 3, 1999
Eileen (Ivy's sister) gave birth to a 3.142 kg (6.91 lb.) baby girl last night at 11:17PM! Both mother and baby are doing fine. Her name is Laurel Natsumi Gregan.
November 18, 1999
Grandpa Jaecks passed away today after a prolonged battle with lymphoma. The end was quick, as he succombed to a rapidly advancing pneumonia, and he did not suffer long at the end. I will miss him dearly. See his page with tributes and photos: click here
Nov. 3, 1999
Congratulations Steve! Steve May is now on the Wenatchee city council. He won his seat easily. We are all sure he'll do a great job. Way to go!
October 11, 1999
Dear friends and family, Dad returned home this Monday morning after nearly five days at hospital on IV antibiotics and fluids. His temperature is normal and he's continuing to take oral antibiotics. Dan, Sarah, Joanna and Robbie were visiting here Friday thru this morning on a previously scheduled trip. I'm staying til next weekend. Yesterday Laura, Steve, Phillip, Evan and Grant, Kay and others made 200+ yard signs for Steve's campaign for city council (send in your envelopes stuffed with cash!). So there's election work to do here! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Love, Jerry
September 15, 1999
Congratulations Steve and Laura, and Evan, Phillip, Sam and Grant!! Steve reportedly got 1,400 votes to 700 for the second place candidate for the Wenatchee City Council, position 3. On to the November ballot!
August 21, 1999
Congratulations Tom and Akari on your wedding...it was great!
August 15, 1999
Happy First Anniversary, Laura and Steve!
July 31, 1999
Happy First Anniversary, Laurel and Sue!
July 28, 1999
Abigail Mitsuyo Chun, 7 lb. and 19 inches, was born to Emily and Calvert Chun in Honolulu. Congratulations!
April 1999
Ricky Kuhl (1946-Easter Sunday 1999)
Dear Kith and Kin, I just received a phone call from Gloria that her husband Ricky had passed away
Easter Sunday after five days in the hospital. He suffered from pulmonary fibrosis. Gloria said nobody knew
how sick he was inside and his lungs couldn't take it anymore. At his daughter's wedding last Fall, Ricky said
he was hoping for a lung transplant; this had been scheduled for next week in St. Louis. Gloria said services
will be Wednesday, 3-6pm at St. James church, west of Lannon, which I plan to attend. See the Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel at www.jsonline/news/obits/ (or at www.packerplus.com). Gloria sounded strong and well
and was taking one day at a time. Their home address is W171 N9335 Briarwood Terrace, Menomenee Falls,
WI 53051 414 251-0911. Ricky was also survived by daughter Michelle, son Michael, sister Kathy, and father
Dick. Ricky was the son of Eleanor (mother's sister) and Dick Kuhl. I remember him at frequent family
gatherings during childhood and recently saw photos of him and Dan and others at our Root River Parkway
home and at Medicine Lake Lodge. His parents had built a retirement home on a lake near Medicine Lake. Like
his father, Ricky was outgoing, hard working, passionate and dedicated to his family. He had worked for
many years as a truck driver/delivery salesman and often stopped in Lannon to visit Garry at Joecks' shop.
Please send me your memories if you wish. Dick's number is 715 546-4058. Love, Jerry


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