This segment of the Transportation Matters for Iowa blog is a space where Iowa DOT employees can share family milestones with their co-workers. Celebrating life events like the birth of a new baby, a wedding, retirement or other personal news brings us closer together as an Iowa DOT family. If you are an employee and want to submit information for this section, please click on the "submit a story" link in the upper right corner or contact the correspondent in your office or work location.
Logan Krier, the son of Heather Thompson in the Information and Technology Division’s communications section, completed his Infantry Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in September 2013 at Fort Benning, Ga. Logan has been a member of the Iowa National Guard since July 2012. He is attached to a weapons squad with an Infantry battalion (Charlie Company 1-168) at Camp Dodge in Johnston. In combination with his National Guard duties, he is now attending Iowa State University majoring in animal ecology/natural resources and ecology management. In addition to his mom, Logan’s DOT connections include his uncle Scott Gustafson in Support Services and his grandma Debra Thompson in the Information Technology Division.
After 35 years of service, Mary Johnson, information technology specialist 4 in the Information Technology Division, retired Jan. 31. A coffee was held in her honor on Jan. 30. We wish Mary much happiness in her retirement.
Eileen Buchanan, right-of-way agent 2 in the Office of Traffic and Safety, retired Jan. 31 after 28 years of service. Eileen began in the Office of Materials in 1985 as a clerk typist 3, She was promoted to secretary 2 in that office in 1986. In 2000, she moved to the Office of Right of Way as a right-of-way agent 1. She promoted to a right-of-way agent 2 in the Office of Traffic and Safety in 2002. The office held a going-away party for Eileen Jan 27. In her retirement, she want to travel as much as she can and already has plans to go to Florida and Europe.
Dana McKenna, executive officer 1 in the Office of Employee Services, and her husband, Mark, welcomed a daughter Nov. 6. Greer Charlotte weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21 inches long. Baby Greer was welcomed home by big sister Lila, 2.
Marc Lamoreux, materials fabrication inspector 1 from the District 1 materials office, retired Jan. 30 after 39 years of service. Marc began employment with the Iowa State Highway Commission in January 1972. In his 39 years at the agency, Marc gained experience as materials Inspector 1 and 2 in Davenport then moved up to become an engineering office assistant 1 and then engineering aide 2 in the Materials Office in Ames. He moved on to be a materials technician 2 and later a materials technician 3 at the District 1 materials office. Travelers in our state may note Marc’s stamp of approval on pre-stressed beams.
They appreciated Marc for always stepping up to the plate willing to help out his co-workers on any assignment. Marc provided technical expertise and wisdom to the beam fabricators as well as to the DOT. Marc will be greatly missed by the District 1 materials staff. In his 20 years with that office, his coworkers developed a close camaraderie.
In retirement Marc plans to build his sailboat, of course after his “honey-do” list is complete!
In memory (links to the obituaries of former employees)
Russell Glenn Sinram, http://newsrepublican.com/obituaries/russell-glenn-sinram.html
Michael B. Brehmer, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?n=michael-b-brehmer&pid=169006077&fhid=6920
William D. Kupka, http://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/william-d-kupka/article_8afe799f-f59a-5322-8efd-cdbc3f22e7b3.html
Virgil Edward Kunkel, http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/obituaries/virgil-e-kunkel/article_41d75b83-96c2-506b-8870-5c26aef60ae2.html
Calvin "Bud" Miller, http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/572533/CALVIN--BUD--MILLER.html?nav=5011
Dennis LeRoy Meyer, http://www.hockenberryfamilycare.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2408674&fh_id=10486