Roads were good for traveling to Des Moines on Sat., December 21. Joanne Andersen traveled to visit her brother, Henry and his wife, Barbara, then her daughter, Pamela and husband, Chris. Joanne spent Sunday, Dec. 22 in the Iowa City area with her daughter, April and grandson, Rowan.
An early Christmas celebration was held at the Jack and Carol Elgersma home Saturday, Dec. 21. Attending were Stacey and Roy Eeten and Nick from Sioux Falls, SD, Josh, Angie, Ashley and Blake Holz from Larchwood, Austin Holz from Watertown, SD, Alisa and Jeff Holland, Chloe, Taylen, Ellie and Jase from Buffalo Center and Brandi, Maci, Jack and Kennedy Wright of Sanborn.
Madison Vondra and friend Cody from Fremont, NE had lunch with Kathy Wolters and visited Linda Rozeboom on Friday, Dec. 20.
Randy and Candace Lyman’s grandson, Ryker Eliker is visiting his grandparents through Christmas break.
The Ivan and Harriet Van Veldhuizen family held their annual Christmas party at Yesterday’s Memories Museum on Saturday. They enjoyed a noon meal and then many went bowling. Later there was a homemade ice cream contest, a time of Carol singing, grab bag gifts, and a time of Bingo before the evening meal. Forty-three family and friends attended coming from Sturgis, Tea and Sioux Falls, SD, Doon, Hull, Webster City, Spirit Lake and Sanborn, IA, Livingston, TX and Washington, D.C. Several of the family also went to visit their aunt, Jeane Van Veldhuizen, a resident at Prairie View. Harriet was especially pleased to meet her first great-great-grandson, Cayson Douglas Scroggins born in July to Taylor Mason and Tate Scroggins. He is the great-grandson of Cathy and Doug Lyman and grandson of Lori and Brandon Mason.
Don and Jackie Vander Zee and Kyl and Nicole Vander Zee arrived Saturday, Dec. 9 to spend Christmas with the Lee Van Tol family. They had their Christmas party with families on Sunday afternoon. Other guests were Steph and Jordan Schmidt and family, from Del Rapids, SD, the Van Tols’ great-great-grandsons Evertt and Bodie; also Ken and Rebecca and girls of Primghar, Dave and Stacy and family from Tea, SD., Justin and Mandy Hoekstra and family of Hull, and Mike and Judy Visser and their daughter, Tanya and Troy and sons from Pella.
On Monday, Dec. 23 Sylvia Andringa’s visitors were Stan and Deb Andringa of Arnolds Park with granddaughter Joslyn of Spirit Lake. On Tuesday, Dec. 24, Sylvia’s granddaughter Tami Klein and daughter came from Spirit Lake. On Friday Sylvia’s sister, Gertrude Abels of Sibley came to visit.
On Fri., Dec. 20, Jose and Carol Salazar’s daughter, Christy, husband Jeremy Ten Kley and granddaughters Ava, Ady and Claire arrived in the Salazar home to spend the holidays here. On Sunday they celebrated Christmas. Additional guests were the Salazars’ son, Troy, wife April and granddaughter Isabelle; also Kelly and Nicole Roder, grandson Eric and wife Keely and great-grandson Scottie, grandson Alic and friend Kavri, Jackson Roder and friend Emma. They reported having a wonderful Christmas.
On Christmas Eve Christy Ten Kley and family were guests of Jose and Carol Salazar. Other guests were sister Margaret Larson, and daughters, Sarah and Ashley Janssen from Utah. Christy and family returned home on Christmas morning.
Lorn Wills had 11 guests on Christmas Eve: Chad and Rhonda Lyman and Jayden, Tanner and Morgan Vlaminck, Vickie Quinones and boys Logan and Ben and Wade and Harmony Wills and Chance. They all opened gifts and enjoyed supper.
Christmas Eve guests in the Wade and Sherryl Tressler home included Ray Huibregtse of Sanborn, Rae Lyn, Roger and Ethan Paulson, Lori Thieson of Sheldon, Gage Butler and Jade Paulson of Coralville.
Andrew Suckow of West Des Moines came December 20 to visit in the parental, Jim and Becky Suckow home. He returned home on December 21. Amy Suckow of Eden Prairie, MN came December 22 to spend Christmas in the Jim Suckow home. She returned home on the 28th.
Larry and Fran Peelen attended their great-granddaughter’s Christmas concert by computer website December 16. Isabelle is the daughter of Jake and Krystle Ness, and granddaughter of Tim and Wendy Peelen. Isabelle was in the choir and band. The band director announced the awards the Honor Guard had received the previous week, first in their division, first over all and outstanding performance in the area. Isabelle is in the Jazz band which also was in a competition the previous week. The band received first in their division, first over all divisions and outstanding performance. Two students from the jazz band also received outstanding performers. Larry and Fran report that the concerts were very good.