Feb 22, 2021
Walleyes in this area are safer today. Gary Carr, 88, of Fort Dodge, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 20th, surrounded by family. Gary was born in Ames, Iowa, on August 15, 1932, and graduated from Ames High in 1950. He went on to serve 4 years in the Air Force during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he enrolled in Iowa State College. While at Iowa State, he was a member of the swimming team where he lettered. After graduating, he accepted a teaching/coaching position in the Fort Dodge Community School District. He taught ninth grade history and social studies for 32 years. During that time, he coached swimming/diving, football, and golf, as well ashosted a fishing club. He cheered for Phil Michelson, the Cyclones, Jeff Gordon, and was a long-suffering Minnesota Vikings fan. He retired in 1992. In his retirement years he gardened, fished, and played golf. He was a founding member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church’s “Oles”. He is survived by
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Jahnessa Wirkus, 10, a fifth-grader at Fort Dodge Middle School, shows off a Valentines card she made for a veteran in a class with Breah Ewing on Thursday. After students finish making the cards, they will be delivered to local veterans. -Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Breah Ewing, Language Arts teacher at Fort Dodge Middle School, provides some guidance to Vander Smith, 11, a fifth-grader, on how he can add to his Valentines Day card for veterans. -Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Brock Trexler, 11, a fifth-grader at Fort Dodge Middle School, works on a Valentines Day card for a veteran on Thursday.
ARNOLD GENE MADSON
Arnold Gene Madson, 85, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. He was born January 17, 1934, in Fort Dodge to Arnold Gotfred Madson and Helen Elvira Nordin, younger brother to Blanche Rogers. Known as Gene, and sometimes Genial Gene, he had a habit of handing out Tootsie Rolls to both friends and strangers.
Gene was baptized and confirmed at First Covenant Church in Fort Dodge on April 27, 1934, and February 29, 1948, respectively. In 1952, he graduated high school from Pillsbury Military Academy in Owatonna, Minnesota. He joined the military right out of high school and served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956, during the Korean War. Gene was stationed at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, and always fondly remembered his time there.