inspire(d) magazine

Community Builders

Missy Hoch

For many years, tattooing was synonymous with masculinity. Tattoos were often associated with the military or prison, and tattoo shops were run by men. But…

Community Builders

County Seat Laundry

“Laundromats have a bad reputation, and frankly, many deserve it,” says Laura Patten, co-owner of County Seat Laundry in Viroqua, Wisconsin. “They’re dirty, machines are…

Vonnie Linnevold

Probituaries

Vonnie Linnevold

Vonnie Linnevold was interviewed by her daughter, Becky Shaw My mother, Vonnie Linnevold, is a thoughtful and generous 98-year-old with an amazing memory. She was…

Probituaries

Margaret Grund 

Margaret Grund was interviewed by her granddaughter, Hannah, and daughter, Amy Margaret Grund (Kopel) is a woman who has worn many hats throughout her life:…

Community Builders

Jeff Abbas

It was mid-2015, and the contentious race for President of the United States had stirred up the emotions (and proverbial pens) of people of all…

Live Music!

Driftless Stories

Live Music!

Want to get us word about a place we missed? Send us a note and your link details through our contact page! Thanks! ________________________________________________ Northeast…

Community Builders

Norb Kelly

Community builders use many tools. Creative ideas. Cheery optimism. Contagious enthusiasm. Norb Kelly of Lanesboro, Minnesota, uses tools that are more traditional, though: A saw,…

Community Builders

John Sutton

Westby, Wisconsin is a small town big on Norwegian culture and heritage. Syttende Mai is celebrated every May, the annual Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament attracts…

Community Builders

Jane Kemp

Decorah’s Jane Kemp smiles easily and often.  Yet beneath that kind smile and unassuming demeanor lies a fierce advocate for community causes, and a strong…

Probituaries

Hazel Grotegut

Hazel was interviewed by her daughter: Connie Sabbann Hazel Grotegut (born Hazel Telford) has lived in Decorah all of her 90 years with the exception…

Community Builders

Diane Knight

Quick. Think of an artist. Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh might come to mind. If it’s music, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart certainly qualify. Maybe you think of…

Probituaries

Alfred Ludeking

Alfred was interviewed by his daughter, Heidi & two granddaughters, Kate & Andie Alfred Ludeking was born in 1933 and raised in Waukon, Iowa. He…

Leave The Leaves

Driftless Stories

Leave The Leaves

They may be nature’s finest creation. Conspicuous, abundant, profoundly productive, leaves make life possible. A few cells thick, the typical leaf houses complex biological machinery…

Alpacas

Community Builders

Brooke Pfeffer

Brooke Pfeffer wouldn’t describe herself as a “community builder.” But community has a way of happening all around her (even some fun four-footed kind). That…

GrandPad

Driftless Stories

GrandPad

The GrandPad tablet delivers telehealth for homebound, and creates an innovative spark for rural entrepreneurs. By Maggie Sonnek When Scott Lien and his family traded…

Luke Zahm

Community Builders

Luke Zahm

BY ARYN HENNING NICHOLS Originally published in the Fall 2019 Inspire(d) Much of Luke Zahm’s mission in life has been about creating identity. Whether it’s…

Heart Mobile!

Paper Projects

Heart Mobile!

Our friend Evelyn (and her sister Hazel along with Roxie) helped make this paper project for the Summer 2019 Inspire(d). It’s fun because you get…

Good Gourd!

Inspire(d) Ideas

Good Gourd!

Ever wondered what falls into the gourd family? How about the history of gourds? We wondered! The result, was, of course, an infographic! Enjoy!

Driftless Stories

Steam Sisters

Decorah native Clara Bergan follows in family footsteps as a steam engine operator Intro and interview by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos courtesy Clara Bergan…

Norma Wangsness

Probituaries

Norma Wangsness

Norma Wangsness (center) lives a life of love and art and a little red lipstick Interviewed by daughter Le Bahr Norma Wangsness was born in…

The Potluck: Salads!

Food & Recipes

The Potluck: Salads!

Taking a Midwest Tradition Local Story and photos by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo/Food Assistant Thea Satrom • Originally published in the Summer 2015 Inspire(d)…

Probituary: Marv Klocke

Probituaries

Probituary: Marv Klocke

Marv Klocke shares business and desert island sense Interviewed by Marla Klocke • Originally published in the Winter 2012-13 Inspire(d) Marv Klocke shares his memories…

Probituary: Bob Usgaard

Probituaries

Probituary: Bob Usgaard

Interview by Dan Bellrichard (pictured here on the left) • Originally published in the Winter 2011-12 Inspire(d) “Bob’s Standard Services” in Decorah was a landmark since…

Probituary: Duane Bruening

Probituaries

Probituary: Duane Bruening

Interviewed by daughter Elizabeth Breuning – Cowie. Originally published in the Feb/March 2010 issue of Inspire(d) Magzine. Duane Bruening, husband of Eileen, father of eight, Grandfather…

Happy Lists!

Personal

Happy Lists!

Some days (days like today, when you get 10 inches of snow in the middle of an early spring), it’s hard to feel upbeat about…

Probituary: Joyce Cote

Probituaries

Probituary: Joyce Cote

Interviewed by Benji Nichols (Orginally published in the April/May 2010 Inspire(d)) Joyce Cote – Approached life with laughter, curiosity, and an eternal love for ‘the water.’…

Local Chefs

Driftless Stories

Local Chefs

Compiled by Allison Croat While we here are Inspire(d) love cooking local, visiting the Farmers Market, and, of course, eating, we’re no experts (well, except…

Thelma Reetz

Probituaries

Thelma Reetz

Thelma Reetz was one of the many progressive leaders that were involved in getting services for people with intellectual disabilities started in Waukon, Iowa in…

Sylvester Carolan

Probituaries

Sylvester Carolan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (6/20/16) TO SYLVESTER! Interview by Joanie Rollins (daughter of Sylvester) and Benji Nichols. Sylvester Carolan, age 105, claims his faith, his family, a…

Virginia Zotalis

Probituaries

Virginia Zotalis

Interviewed by daughter-in-law Lynne Zotalis. It’s so interesting how things come around. I will have two new grandchildren by spring.  Their great grandma, Virginia, will…

Agnes Forde

Probituaries

Agnes Forde

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Just be myself. How about the worst? When they took my car keys away.  I had already…

Interview with Artist Kelly Ludeking

Driftless Stories

Interview with Artist Kelly Ludeking

Sculpture artist Kelly Ludeking loves metal. Pretty much all kinds of it. And while he originally started with bronze and aluminum, it was an iron pour that really pulled him in. For Kelly, pouring iron is about community. It’s about learning and teaching, and it was this aspect that really sealed his path and passion.

Sandy Osler

Driftless Stories

Sandy Osler

Interviewed by Eric Paulson, Hometown Taxi driver, who says Sandy is the most inspiring person he has ever met. What’s the best advice anyone ever…

Dee Kuhlman

Driftless Stories

Dee Kuhlman

Dee Kuhlman, aged “it’s nobody’s business” but her own, loves to cook (and fancy at that), is incredibly organized, and has a wonderfully loving and…

Phyllis (Johnson) Leseth

Driftless Stories

Phyllis (Johnson) Leseth

“My Mother always said I was one of the first babies born at the old hospital,” says Phyllis Leseth from the heart of her historic home on Rural Avenue in Decorah. Speaking with her, it is apparent that this charming woman has more stories than one can imagine. At 92, Phyllis speaks eloquently about her experiences being among the first group of women to attend Luther College (class of ’39) and of being one of the first females to work on the Luther Newspaper & News Bureau.

Miles of Trekking at Lake Meyer

Driftless Stories

Miles of Trekking at Lake Meyer

The late sunsets, colorful flowers, and green leaves are intoxicating – you just can’t help but feel happy in the presence of summer! For me, this constant beckoning to be outside means tromping around in the woods and exploring area trails. I am excited to keep surveying the region’s greatness and continue the trail series featured in Inspire(d) last spring, summer, and fall.

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