I graduated from Buena Vista University in 1988 and completed my Masters in Education in 2003 from Morningside University. My husband Bret is also an educator and we started our careers at Prescott Community School in Prescott, Iowa. After two years at Prescott we accepted jobs in the Ida Grove area in 1990, to be closer to family. I have been working for OABCIG for 33 years. I have taught Alternative Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Second Grade, and most recently, Third Grade. Over the last 33 years, I have signed contracts with the Ida Grove Schools, BC-IG, BCIG, OA-BCIG, and OABCIG.
Tina Krager now puts her reading books aside and says goodbye after 33 years of teaching at Ida Grove Elementary. Currently, She is the Title Reading teacher for Kindergarten through fifth grade. She started out teaching for a year and then Kindergarten for 14 years. She then was asked to see her two sons through Kindergarten, first, and second grade. Shortly after that she was asked to be the Title Reading teacher, what she is currently doing now. Krager says,
Brian Bode, a teacher and coach in the Ridge View school district, does more than just teach subjects and coach sports. He sets a positive example, and gives students life lessons along the way.
Bode listed his duties as teacher and coach.
“I’m a fifth grade teacher,” he stated, “and we’re self-contained so I teach all subjects: math, reading, science, and social studies. I co-head coach high school football, head girls high school basketball, and head girls’ golf.”
Bode gave a brief history of his teaching experience.
The OABCIG Spring Vocal Music Extravaganza topps them all on May 4. Linda Johnson brings out the sixth, seventh and eighth grade Choirs. To begin the evening, the sixth grade Choir sang tunes like Haida and Jubilate, Alleluia! And bringing back memories for all of us, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: A Choral Medley.
Next in line was the seventh and eighth Choir singing tunes such as Make them Hear you, Hope Rises, and There will be a New Day.”
The Ridge View Spring Band and Vocal Concert and Art Show was a wonderful display of the arts throughout the night on May 2. In the High School Gym, art displays were set up for viewing. Remarkable works. The Art Instructor is Mrs. Angie Kohn.
In Feb. 1898, the Women’s Reading Circle, consisting of 15 Odebolt women who organized for mental improvement, started a fund for a free public library. When they had accumulated $200, they started the Odebolt Library Association, a corporation with $5 shares each. Then, Hon. W.W. Field subscribed $500 and other citizens of the town and country adjacent subscribed $700 more, Making $1,400 available. Books were purchased and the library opened in July 1898.
If you take 4th street west out of the town of Odebolt, you will meet up with a very tall owl greeting you as you drive by. And, if you look farther to the right in the same yard, you will see a bear standing tall with a redbird in his paw and the words WELCOME carved alongside. These are quite the sight and wonderful decorations for our town. Jerod Mace occupies the house, but the stumps were created into art with a prior occupant. Mace kindly gave permission for this story.
Dan Remer, owner of Remer Realty and Appraisal in downtown Ida Grove, has a long history of real estate experience.
“My dad was a certified general appraiser,” said Remer, “and a real estate broker for 50 years, and I worked underneath him. He wanted to train me to be an appraiser.”
Remer’s life took a detour before he became a realtor, however.
Shari O’Bannon has been preaching at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ida Grove for 16 years. She is a Commissioned Ruling Elder. Over the years, Presbyterian USA has changed their rules, whereas someone could preach who is a lay pastor or commissioned ruling elder, as it is now. O’Bannon has risen to the rule at all times. O’Bannon says her challenges are struggling with ‘How can I help you?’ O’Bannon prays,
“I pray that God gives me the words to say and gives me other people with education in a certain area to help.”
