I’m not writing about pneumonia again. I promise.

Okay, here’s what I’m not going to write about today:

Pneumonia. I won’t bore you with the fact that it came back for an encore just one week after its first engagement. I won’t write about that because reading about other people’s illnesses is about as fascinating as reading about - oh, I don’t know - your cousin’s neighbor’s hangnail. Besides, I wrote all about my first round a few weeks ago.

Gloom, despair and agony on me

If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Those are the words from a song in an ongoing skit from the TV variety show “Hee Haw” that I recall from my youth. “Gloom, despair and agony on me.” If you remember the show, you are singing along. If not, be patient.

Convent to be built next to St. Cecelia’s

150 Years Ago

BURKE’S EUROPEAN HOTEL -- We desire to call to attention the card of the above house in another column.  The hotel is centrally located and is the favorite resort of business men.  The appointments are first-class and everything is done to conduce to the comfort of guests.  We advise those visiting Chicago to put up at Burke’s European Hotel.

125 Years Ago

August 30, 1978 - April 7, 2024

A Celebration of Life for Brian LeRoy Janssen, 45, of Titonka was held Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Buffalo Creek Activity Center in Titonka. There was a “Last Call” at 5 p.m. conducted by the Titonka Fire Department.

Brian LeRoy Janssen was born Aug. 30, 1978, in Algona, son of LeRoy and Barbara (Torrence) Janssen. He grew up near Sexton attending Algona schools. He was married to Allie Ebaugh on April 28, 2012, in Ponce Inlet, Fla.

May 19, 1942 - April 11, 2024

Funeral Mass for Leroy “Jr.” H. Thilges, 81, of Algona, will be held 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Divine Mercy Parish - St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in St. Joseph. A Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona with a rosary to be recited by the Knights of Columbus starting at 6:45 p.m.

May 9, 1933 - April 9, 2024

A funeral service for Emmaline May “Emmy” Sewick, 90, of Algona, was held Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery in Algona.

Emmaline May “Emmy” Sewick was born May 9, 1933, in Whittemore, daughter of Werner H. and Emma A. (Ostwald) Gade. She grew up in West Bend graduating from West Bend High School. Emmy was united in marriage to Ray Sewick on Nov. 14, 1954, in West Bend.

November 19, 1944 - January 1, 2024

Eileen Elizabeth O’Brien, daughter of Frances (Hurley) and Edmund O’Brien, was born on Nov. 19, 1944, in Whittemore and died on Jan. 1, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis. Beloved by all who were blessed to know her, Eileen was a pillar of her family, her community, and her church. Eileen led by example, demonstrating an enormous heart, humility, and service in every aspect of her life as a faithful steward of God’s grace.