On Tuesday, residents of the home kicked off its festivities with a talent show. Taking home first-place honors in the talent show was a group known as the Donlinns who performed both "Lollipop" and "Dream." The Boot Scootin' Boogie Babes took second with "Slide Dance" and third-place contestant was Becky Gilliam who sang both "Danny Boy" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Residents who have called the Eastern Star Masonic Home their home for a decade or more were recognized by Administrator Denny Bock Wednesday. Bock commended the residents for making Eastern Star the place where they have made many memories over the years.
Residents Theo Anderson, Sue Scott, Ervin and Katherine Crouse and John Slacks have all lived at the home for 10 years. Twila Morgan has spent the past 11 years at Eastern Star, while Frances Godwin, Fern Smalley and Frances Smiley have been there 12 years. For the past 14 years, Irene Fackler and Carol Reeves have been residents of the home, while Edna Parker has lived at Eastern Star for 15 years. Both Esther Barnhart and Merle Bass have lived at the home longest, for a total of 16 years each.
While reaching 100 years of age is considered a milestone for many, five Eastern Star residents were recognized for being 100 years old or older. Parker will turn 100 in February 2010, Lois Disney will reach the century mark this August, as well as Goldie Hughes who will turn 100 in September. Ervin Crouse, who is already 100, will turn 101 in August, while Smiley will reach the age of 103 in August.
For many of the residents at Eastern Star, decades of marriage have continued for nine different couples who have been married for 65 years or more.
"Here's something that's amazing - we have nine couples that live here in our campus area that have been married at least 65 years or longer," Bock said.
Marion and Dora Karwoski, Robert and Helen Rose Reideler, and Don and Vivian Silver were among the three couples who have been married for 66 years. Marion and Muriel Parks have been united for 67 years while Arnold and Mildred Baker and Thurlow and Vivian Deal have been married for 69 years. Arnie and Marie Harris have been married for a total of seven decades, Wendell and Ruth Carlson for 73 years and Ervin and Katherine Crouse top the list having shared 76 years together.
As residents reflected on their many joyous years of marriage, this week sparked a fond memory for Marion and Dora Karwoski that began when the couple first married. As the two united in wedlock in 1943, Marion Karwoski was a tech sergeant for the Army Corps of Engineers.
While deployed in the northern African nation of Tunisia during Christmas of 1943, he received a gold-colored bracelet in the mail from his wife. On the outside of the bracelet was Karwoski's name along with his military serial number. On the inside, an inscription read, "Love Dora, Dec. '43."
Marion Karwoski proudly wore the bracelet as a symbol of the couple's love for one another. However, in March of 1944, Marion Karwoski was running for a foxhole during an air raid on the French island of Corsica. On his way to the foxhole, he tripped over a tent stake and the clasp of the gold bracelet was destroyed. Time passed and nobody could fix the sentimental bracelet. In fact, it was not until this week that Fred Grow of Eckstein's Jewelry, 819 Story St., was able to repair the bracelet so that Marion Karwoski could once again wear the symbol of love that his wife had sent to him during his time of service in World War II.
"That was the last time I could wear it until this week," Marion Karwoski said.
World War II had its impacts on many of the couples at Eastern Star. Don and Vivian Silver recalled working for the North American Bomber Plant in Kansas City from 1943 to 1945, helping make B-25s.
Marion Karwoski reminisced about how the war impacted his family life. By the time he returned home and saw his son for the first time, his son was nearly two years old.
"My wife went without me for two-and-a-half years," he said.
As special recognitions were given to residents Wednesday, employees also received honors.
"The last thing we want to recognize are our staff members - our employees," Bock said. "We have 20 employees that have been here at the home 15 years or longer and that's a pretty amazing record in this day in age when turnover can be a couple of months."
Special tribute was paid to Eastern Star employees who have been working at the home for 15 years or more. Bev Hanson, Kristen Majors, Larry Young and Chris Westberg have been employed with the home for 15 years. For the past 17 years, Jami Rogers, Susan Oviatt, Dwight Fackler and Kathy Musfeldt have provided services to residents at Eastern Star. Shirley Riley has been employed with the home for 18 years, while LuAnn Bechtel and Melinda Westberg have both been staff members for 19 years. For 20 years Susan Ferry has been an employee and Sherri Amendola and Becky Gilliam have worked 21 years and 22 years, respectively. Anna Parsons has been with Eastern Star for 25 years and both Bock and Cher Arringdale for 29 years. Linda Coy has been with the home for three decades while both Deb Banford and Sherri Musser have been employed at Eastern Star for 33 years each.
On Thursday morning, Eastern Star residents who have served in the military were given recognition for their service to the United States.
Serving in the U.S. Navy were residents Glenn Ablett, Gene Absher, John Chesnut, Dwight Fackler, Marion Parks, Robert Reideler, Frank Schoff and Charles Roe.
Protecting America's liberties and freedoms as members of the U.S. Army were Merle Bengston, Darrel Cory, Milo Deuel, Betty Dickeson, Ralph Ely, Robert Fisher, Don Juhl, George Nieman, Herman Ninneman, Paul Stark, Don Schoof and Don Shaw.
Three residents, including Elmer Baker, Jack Greengo and Earl Woodcock defended America by serving as members of the Marines. Art Bjorkgren was enlisted with the Army Corps of Engineers, Thurlow Deal with the Army Air Corps and Iowa National Guard and Donald Kuhl also provided his services to the Army Air Corps.
Russell Christensen provided aid to his country during a time of need while eight residents were committed members of the U.S. Air Force. Serving in the Air Force were Arvid Huffman, Marion Karwoski, John Nelson, Boysel Samuelson, John Slacks, Richard Wilson, Clarence Starks who served both in the Army and the Air Force and Pat Lynch who was a flight nurse.
Resident John Murphy also showed his dedication to his nation by serving with the U.S. military and Arlene Nelson worked for Red Cross during World War II.
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