guest log

Home	Community Information	Parks, Rec & Facilities	History	Churches & Organizations	Businesses	Celebrations & Events

Parade (Saturday)

Saturday Activities

Guest Book

Thanks again for visiting IretonIa.com. This is a public guest book - others visiting the site will be able to view your comments.

Originally this page was set up to show all comments automatically; however, the site is being spammed by companies trying to sell their products, etc. Your comments are now being forwarded to the webmaster by e-mail and we will publish them as we have time. If you do not want your comments to be public, please be sure to tell us that the comments are private. We plan to publish all of the comments that are relevant to the site and to Ireton. We reserve the right not to publish comments that are deemed inflammatory, contain profanity or are not relevant to Ireton.

If you have questions or would like us to get back to you, please include your e-mail address -- we will not publish your e-mail address but will be happy to forward e-mails to you if someone responds to your comment or question.

Please feel free to add a comment about Ireton - whether you grew up here or have just visited the town (or our site). For those of you who live here (or who have lived here), we'd love to know why you are "Proud to Call It Home".

6 December 2011

I am coming to Ireton on January 21 for a Christmas Party. Stopped by to check the town out, now I can't wait to bring some comedy there!!!!

Gabe Milhon

2 December 2011

Hi, I am interested to know how "Ireton" got its' name. My great-grandfather was William Ireton, a Civil War veteran from Michigan who homesteaded in Kansas after the war. I am curious to know if any of his relatives might have had a connection to the town of Ireton.

Ed Nuest

Sterling, KS

Historical Society Reply: Ed didn 't leave an e-mail address so we'll answer here and hope he sees it. In the 1885 Iowa Census, there were several "Iretons" from Michigan living in Plymouth County, Iowa (Kelly, Altana, Jossie and Robert Ireton); however, we have not located any information that would indicate that they were associated with the naming of the town. The surrounding farmland was settled before the railroad came through. In 1879, a church was built where the town's cemetery is now located and was named "Pleasant Hill" Methodist Church. When the Toledo & Northwestern railroad (a satellite of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad) was set to come through, several area farmers lobbied on where one of the water stops (depots) should be located. The railroad selected the site of the present town of Ireton -- on land that had previously been set aside for railroad purposes. The land was owned by the Western Town Lot Company. According to Joe Pierson of the Chicago & Northwestern Historical Society, in 1906 the Chicago & Northwestern published a book entitled A History of the Origin of Place Names in Nine Northwestern States by William Stennet, a brother-in-law of the president of the C&NW railroad. The listing for Ireton was:

Ireton, Sioux County, Iowa, was named in honor of Gen. Henry Ireton, the son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell and one of his great soldiers. It was located by the Western Town Lot Company in 1882.

According to Joe Pierson, the listing for Hawarden (also an English name) is similar and implies that someone at the Western Town Lot Company selected the names.

Reply from Ed Nuenst on December 3, 2011:

Thanks for your prompt and interesting Historical Society Reply. According to my Ireton Book of Genealogy (put together by a second cousin of mine and the granddaughter of William Ireton) my great-grandfather, William had a half brother named Samuel (Kelly) Ireton whose wife was Altana (Sager) Ireton. Kelly is underlined in my book so that is apparently the name he went by. Kelly Ireton was born 4 Oct 1855, most likely in Kalamazoo County, MI. Kelly and Altana were married in 1875 and had two children, Jessie, (or it could be Jossie) born 8 May 1876 and Robert, born 5 April 1878. Since nearly everything in the Iowa 1885 census seems to match the information I have it seems that it would be safe to assume that my great-grandfather's half brother and family were living in the vicinity of "Ireton" in 1885. The information I have states that Kelly may have eventually moved to Mullen, NE where two of his brothers, Daniel and Reynolds lived. These brother's parents were Samuel!

and Sarah (Kelly) (Courter) Ireton from Kalamazoo County, MI So you have satisfied some of my curiosity about the town named "Ireton" and hopefully my information will add a little more to the story. Although the town name of "Ireton" didn't seem to come directly from an Ireton that lived there, it seems possible that it could have been named after a more distant ancestor.

Gook luck in "Ireton" and maybe we can come visit you sometime!

Ed Nuest

Sterling, KS

Ed left his e-mail address with the webmaster if anyone would like to contact him.

21 November 2011

I've never been to Ireton, but I have a question. I recently purchased an old baby grand piano (made in 1928 by the Behr Bros. Co.) from a family in St. Louis. I live in Illinois. Inside the piano is written, "Don Hughes, Ireton, IA, 10-17-83". It also included a phone number and "A-440", which leads me to believe that Don was a piano tuner. I would love to find out more information about where my piano has been over the years. If there is anyone who can give me information about Don, or knows how I could find out more info about who owned my piano in the 1980's, I would appreciate it! Thanks so much!

Beth Thing

Webmaster's note: Don Hughes was a piano tuner in Ireton. As of 2010, he resided in Beresford, South Dakota. If anyone can provide additional information about Beth's piano, please contact the webmaster through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page.

13 Oct 2011

Just passing through while researching my ancestry. Nice website and although I've never been there, it looks like you have a very nice town.

Mark Moeller

Winona, MN

5 Oct 2011

Several comments from Taylor Dorhout:

taylor dorhout :)

this site helped me a lot with my schools paper on small towns! best site ever!!!!!!

Hospers was here

hey hey hey it taylor dorhout

30 May 2011

My father, Clarence E. Wells, grew up in Ireton, Ia. My grandparents Earl and Sylvia lived right across from the ballpark. Anyone who can give me information about the Wells Family Reunion coming up, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,

John A. Wells

John provided his e-mail address. If you would like to contact him, please contact the webmaster. Neither Merle Wells nor Lorraine Wells has information about a Wells reunion.

24 May 2011

We are looking forward to attending the June 3, 2011 reunion in Ireton. We have so many fond memories of Ireton. My parents were Andy and Sid Onken who lived on a farm just out of Ireton. They are buried at rural St. John's Lutheran Church. My husbands parents were Russ and Maxine Wade who lived in Ireton. We left Iowa in 1958 for California but have returned many times for a visit.

This is a great website and we will see you June 3.

RC and Larue (Onken) Wade

18 March 2011

I have been so blessed to be appointed as the pastor of the Ireton United Methodist Church. What a great town Ireton is.

Pastor Barbara Joy

24 February 2011

bob burnquist was here

3 February 2011

I AM LOOKING FOR MY OLD ARMY BUDDY DALE D. WALKER.
CAN ANYONE HELP ME IN MY SEARCH.  ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT.

DALE WAS TRANSFERED TO A

EVAC HOSPITAL IN DAK TO, VIETNAM IN 1968.

DALE GREW UP IN IRETON.

OUR SPECIAL ARMY UNIT IS PLANNING OUR 2ND REUNION THIS FALL.

I AM ASKING FOR ANY HELP I CAN GET WITH MY SEARCH.

THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE.

BOB BRANSON

Webmaster's Note: We were able to put Bob in touch with Dale within a few days.

30 January 2011

Hello to the "Eilts" family from Sandra Thomason, Sis -in- law of Patty (Eilts) Thomason!! :o)

27 January 2011

My last name is Ireton, So i must own this town!!

19 June 2010

Hi to Ireton, My gggrandfather is m.m. Elder, just watched your video. Thank you it was great.

craig schofield

Craig provided his e-mail address. We have not posted it to protect him from spam. If you would like to contact him, please e-mail i125@iretonia.com and we will forward your e-mail to him.

9 May 2010

I'll be coming through Ireton late this summer- from what I've been told, there is a lot of my family history there, my Dad was Mel Gandy, granddad was Ernest Gandy. Looking forward to seeing the place!

Melanie (Gandy) Munson

Melanie provided her e-mail address. We have not posted it to protect her from spam. If you would like to contact her, please e-mail i125@iretonia.com

25 March 2010

Stumbled across your site while looking for statistics to cite (1930 population/HS graduation class size/area served by Ireton HS) (rebutting this post:) http://globalmidwest.typepad.com/ (Friday Night Blight) Haven't found it yet-should just call Aunt Ardis :-) but was really impressed. VERY professional! I have such wonderful memories of visiting Ireton every summer....so glad to see you're growing and thriving. Congrats on your '125th.'

Petrena Presler Voelker

20 January 2010

mike & jill

josh

cainen

kennedy &

jackson vanderwindt

15 January 2010

Irenton is my home town. thinking of home because company came by to say hi. Found this website. Thinking of Irenton, Julie and Uncle Pete. Happy 2010.

Tim VanDenBerg

15 November 2009

Hi Ireton,

It was wonderful to find a website devoted to my second hometown. My grandparents were Ed and Trina Van Engen and my mom is Thelma Jean, or T. Jean, as she prefers.

I remember so many summers in Ireton playing across the street from Grandmas' house in the school yard and the fire escape. The huge yard that Grandma had and the family reunions we had, playing with all my cousins, many of whom are still in the area.

I always felt at peace listening to the mourning dove's cry first thing in the morning, I knew it would be another great day in Ireton!!

I can't wait until I can visit again!

Terri Veltema Butler

8 July 2009

Lenny Liston Enjoyed the web site I'm At Kittys

5 July 2009

my mom and dad grew up in iowa all there life and they are kimberly schipper and dave moothart my name is peighton moothart my grand parents are jewel schipper and deb schipper and then i have virginia moothart but my other grandpa died iowa is my favorite place to be in the summer time . i live in littleton colorado but am moving to steamboat colorado its going to be big oh and hears a shout out to all my family that lives in IOWA!!!!!!!!!!!

13 May 2009

My mother - Audrey (De Jager) Veltema had grown up near Ireton and Hawarden. She now lives in Jenison, MI.

I remember all the years we would go out and visit my grandparents and aunts and uncles that lived in around the area. I recently went out to visit my aunts and uncle that are in Hawarden and my cousin that lives near Ireton. It brought back the many memories of our visits out there. I still love Iowa..

21 April 2009

Great website, greetings from the Dekker familie, 't Harde, (the Netherlands)

6 March 2009

Hi my name is Peighton, Jewl Skipper's grandaughter. Dana and kenna are my cousins. My mom's name is kimberly (skipper) Moothart and my dad is dave moothart from Hawarden. I LOVE IOWA!!!!!

20 February 2009

Eric Fedders

12 February 2009

I found the website very well set. I am going to make it a point to visit Ireton in the near Future.

Jim Ireton

Merrillville, Indiana

Jim's Barber Shop

Jim Ireton @ myspace.com

23 September 2008

This is a wonderful website! Thank you for sharing the pictures! My grandfather owned the barber shop in Ireton for many, many years... Ernie Goodmanson. I believe some people knew him as Big Red. I would love to see some pictures of his business if you have any. Keep up the good work! Renee W.

9 May 2008

I lived in Ireton about 48 years ago. I still remember Gary Holtrop and Stewart Eisma.

The Christian School still looks the same as well as the Elementary Gym.

I understand that the Postoffice is where our store use to be. The ball park still looks the same.

Thanks for the Web site. It brings back good memories.

Bob Bruxvoort

6 May 2008

Hello! I'm Samuel Smith, i'm from Switqerland i and find your site really brilliant!

27 January 2008

I am also "Proud to Call Ireton HOME!" I often think about the late summer nights at the Ireton ballpark. Watching the local softball games and playing ball in the tennis courts. Only to be called home by the 9:30 siren (which we often ignored). I hope my children can grow up in as caring, safe, and friendly town as I did. Because of my coaching duties, I was unable to attend the 125th...I heard it was a huge success, which was not a surprise! Congrats Ireton!!

Devin Schwiesow

St. Ansgar, Iowa

17 December 2007

just ran across the web sight. what a wonderful place Ireton remains today. My family and i will always be "from Ireton" no matter where we live. I love that town!

doug huitink

17 September 2007

Susan Brown Zamzow, daughter of Jim Brown & Neva Houlton Brown. Both of my parents & many dear relatives are buried in Ireton, as well as all of my wonderful living relatives. I lived in Ireton in early years & then visited very often. Ireton will always be very close to my heart.

29 June 2007

We want to thank all of the people who contributed to the celebration of Ireton's 125th anniversary. We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and all the events. We have great pictures (Don took one of every entry in the parade) and they turned out great) so we will have great memories. Don and Kay Eisma

26 June 2007

WOW!!!! My family and I had a wonderful time at the 125th. We will always have many great memories of the two days spent in Ireton. Thank You!!

Clifford, Janet (Jacobs) and Clayton Sorum

26 June 2007

We were able to catch quite a few of the activities of the weekend, and two thumbs up to everyone involved. It was a big success, and kudos to all!

Carol Salberg

25 June 2007

My grandparents were Ed and Trina Van Engen. My mother is their daughter Thelma Jean (she prefers T. Jean). We visited Ireton from West Michigan almost every summer while I was growing up. I have so many great memories; I learned to identify the call of the mourning dove from one of the upstairs bedrooms in my grandparents house, Whenever I smell dust from a dirt road it reminds me of driving out to my Aunt Gert and Uncle Tom Smit's pig farm, We loved climbing up the old school's tubular fire escape and sliding down, over and over and over, It was the first town where I learned people could tell who was at a certain business by the cars that were parked in front.

It is with great pleasure that I tell people my mother's people are from Ireton. Thanks for the memories.

Gwen Veltema Klemm

22 June 2007

Having grown up in Ireton, I have fond memories of my home town. One of the greatest was going to the Post Office where my Dad was Postmaster. When the little chicks came in by mail, he would always let us pet them. I currently live in Irving, Texas, population 200,000+ so I know the advantages of raising children in a small town, I really miss the 6 o'clock whistle. I wish I could join you for your big celebration.

Patty (Peters) Holm

21 June 2007

I am proud to call Ireton my home because it is a great place to meet all types of nice, friendly people; whether they've lived here for a long time to people who've just moved in. Ireton is truly a great place to live.

-Unsigned

19 June 2007

After teaching 42 years in Iowa and Nebraska I thinkmost of my students thought it was ok for me to retire in 2002. Yes Ireton was good for our family. I graduated in 1956 with 13 other folks and really do not know where many reside. Maybe some of you guys will be home on Sat the 23rd for the 125th.
I am always impressed when we come to Ireton to visit my folks grave at the cemetary. It would certainly win the award for the cleanest and neatest town in the good old USA for cities under 1000 people. Keep looking spiffy and hope to visit our town many more years.

Ron Peters

Sibley, Iowa

19 June 2007

I'll always consider Ireton as my hometown. I really enjoy telling people about Ireton's schools, churches, businesses, recreation facilities, and other small town advantages. I presently live in Fort Dodge and I really enjoy going back and seeing the changes that have taken place over the years. We are looking forward to the upcoming celebration.

Dave Peters (class of '59)
Fort Dodge, Iowa

18 June 2007

Caught a few of the TV spots this weekend--they are GREAT!!!

Carol Salberg

15 June 2007

Wow, where do I begin. I am very impressed with the Ireton website and appreciate all of the hard work you fellow "Iretonites" have put into planning this very special event. I can't wait to be there to join in the fun.

Even though I have not lived in Ireton since 1980, it is still my "home" and always will be. I have so many great memories. My children also had the opportunity to stay with Grandpa Pete and Grandma Betty during the summers and they also have great memories. There is nothing like that hometown atmosphere. I miss it.

Since Mom and Dad are both gone, I do not get back home enough, but I do subscribe to the "Ireton Examiner" to keep in touch. I know the paper is called something else now, but it will always be the "Ireton Examiner" to me.

See you all next week.

Take Care!

Julie Eisma
1207 Creston Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
home# 515-280-6515
cell# 515-865-3417
email coffeebaskets@yahoo.com

11 June 2007

Committee - This is Jake Van Wyk - contacting you about the barn raising I'm planning for Monday, the 25th after the weekend events - in case people want to check it out too and, or lend a hand.

Announcing an Old Fashioned Barn Raising The week of June 25 - 30 at the Jake Van Wyk acreage - Ireton (formerly the John Dekker place)
2676 Hwy 10 - 3.5 mi.E. of the Ireton corner Restoring a 100 yr old post and beam cedar barn
48 ' by 35' two story with a 28ft peak
Come out out and check it out and lend a hand!
Work begins at 8 am each day till 9 pm

31 May 2007

Nice website. Ireton is a great town to raise your kids!

Sara Stock

Ireton, IA

31 May 2007

Hello Ireton! Rachel Mohning (Eisma) from Boyden Iowa (a town not to far from Ireton). It is pretty funny how I can still say that Ireton is still my "home town" as I reference it as home. I think that the website is great, and everybody did a great job!

I have been proud to call it home because living there for 18 years I have gained alot of memories, such as going to grade school, little league, swimming, and I could go on and on. Ireton was a great place to live because you always knew that you were in a great community to live in because you could call everybody family.

Keep up the good work and can't wait for the celebration!

Rachel Mohning

May 31, 2007

My name is Kim Huitink Butler. My parents are Bert & Willard Huitink. My husband Dan & I are looking forward to the 125th. I left Ireton in 1982 to attend Central College in Pella, IA and have lived in the Des Moines area since that time. I still say I'm going HOME when we visit Ireton. My kids have spent many summer days playing home-run derby at the ballpark and just enjoying a relaxing small town kind of day. As a RAGBRAI veteran I've visited many small towns in Iowa and there is none nicer, more friendly or cleaner than our little home town.

Congratulations on what I'm sure will be a great celebration.

Kim Huitink Butler

28 May 2007

This is a cool site for my lil' hometown. Thank-you!

Julie Hulshof

Sioux Falls, SD

25 May 2007

Hello, My name is Marlene (Van Engen) Natelborg. I grew up in Ireton for 18 years and I proudly tell many about Ireton. I'm thankful I had a safe, accepting and friendly place to grow up. My life was shaped by the good instruction and upbringing of the Christian Reformed Church and the Christian and Public schools. Due to the beneficial instruction, I was able to receive a BSN degree and pass my learning onto others by giving them life saving and good medical care.

Also, it taught me to be the best mom I could be with my three sons who are now giving to others.
One did so well that the Lord wanted him back to continue for him in heaven. Thank You for being the town Ireton is and God Bless all of you as you keep the town a safe,friendly, accepting place where education is important.

Marlene Natelborg

24 May 2007

Hello Ireton!!!

My mom grew up in Ireton, and I visited there almost every year growing up, coming from the Grand Rapids MI area! In fact, I was at the 100th celebration with my family!! I was about 16 then....:)

My grandparents were Trina and Ed VanEngen. My Mom is Thelma Jean (Van Engen) Veltema, still living in Hudsonville,MI.

I love Ireton! I still have many relatives out there, and sadly, rarely do I get the chance to get out there any more. I did get to visit this past February though, that was nice! Hi to my Aunts out there, Carol, Louise, Joyce and Gert!!

We love you all! Have a great time with your celebration!! The web site looks great!!

Carmen (Veltema) Kuncaitis

Byron Center, MI

22 May 2007

Good old Ireton, Iowa. What a fantastic place to call home. I left Ireton in 1964. WOW! It is hard to believe 43 years have past. We won't be able to attend the celebration but we will be thinking of everyone having a great time. I'm sure glad to call Ireton home. Best Wishes.

Gary Johnson

15 May 2007

Hi everyone. Congratulations!!! 125 years. I enjoyed living in Ireton, I met and became friends with alot of good people. thanks for 10 years of great memories.

Cordially,
Art Bailey

15 May 2007

Hello friends,

I wish I could join you for the upcoming celebration. I'm proud to call Ireton home because of it's quiet streets and family atmosphere. Not to mention the great emphasis on kids' programs in the summer (i.e. Little League).

Sincerely,
Craig Broek
Glen Rock, NJ

19 April 2007

nice job janet

linda hughes

9 April 2007

Having grown up in Ireton, we both have fond childhood and teenage memories. We are proud to say we were raised in Ireton. We enjoy coming back and visiting relatives.

Being able to bring our children and grandchildren to Ireton to experience the life in a small town and to let them experience life on the farm is very important to both of us. One of our favorite stories is when our kids would go into Ireton and visit Eisma Bros. garage and downtown Ireton and people would say hi and say to them, you must be Don & Kay’s kids. They couldn’t believe people knew them as they didn’t have that experience being from a city. (Of course being with an Eisma or a Houlton made it apparent to the community but the kids didn’t think of that.) When we would get home they would enjoy reading about our visit in the Ireton paper.

We are very thankful for the great education and firm foundation that our schools, churches and foremost our families provided for us.

Don and Kay (Houlton) Eisma & family

28 March 2007

Great website. I've sent the website address to many former Ireton friends. We enjoy reading the many comments. We thoroughly enjoyed the variety program. Keep up the good work and enthusiasm.

Helen & Tony Ver Hoeven

12 March 2007

Nice web site! I was pleasantly surprised to find such an informative and progrssive web site for Ireton.

Pastor Doug Van Aartsen

7 February 2007

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoy the Ireton web site. You have done a wonderful job on it, keep up the good work. We plan on attending the celebration in June and are looking forward to it.

Katherine (Westergard) Still

Farmington, California

4 February 2007

Hi greetings from West Africa! Our good friend Joni Byker (Ireton Native), has introduced us to this little town and we are all very excited for the 125 year festivities. We have enjoyed looking through the web site and getting a 'tour' of the town. Have a great 125th year Ireton!!!!

Bev Kauffledt, Charles Ibsen-Niamey

Niger-West Africa

19 Jan 2007

Just received the mailing concerning the 125th celebration. Sounds like a great opportunity to see some friends and family. Marlene and I both graduated from Ireton Public High School in 1958. We married in 1960 at the Reformed Church and relocated to the Chicago area. We celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary this past October. We have always been very proud to call Ireton our home town and always enjoy visiting friends and family in the Ireton area. Look forward to participating in the celebration in June.

Ken and Marlene Johnson

15 Jan 2007

I am looking forward to the celebration!

Janet Jacobs-Sorum

Canton, SD

14 Jan 2007

This is a neat web-site. Thanks for all your hard work.

Kay Mulder

12 Jan 2007

The website looks great

Heather Kaskie

01 Jan 2007

Hello Ireton! Jenn Anacker, D.C. here! I was at my Anacker grandparents for Christmas in Wisconsin and read their Hawarden/Ireton paper and of course read the famous Ardis Eilts Column and also the info on Ireton's 125th celebration! I remember being a little girl during the 100th centenial. I currently live in Boise, Idaho. I would like to purchase a CD. If you could contact me when they are available to purchase on line or call so I can give you my information over the phone, if you don't mind shipping it to me. I am in no hurry but I don't want time to pass and not think of it again. Ireton was a great place to grow up! It taught me alot about the "power of one" in a community, integrity, and also to always be nice and never lie (b/c it was so small that you mom would find out before you got home and also you were related to 1/2 of the community:)Ok so those last 2 factors taught you early on to be accountable for your actions!!! I have pulled from the strength, ethics, and principles that a rural community teaches you. Thanks for all of your hard work! God Bless,

Dr. Jenn Anacker phone #: 208.794.0021 email: dr.anacker@chiroforliving.com

28 Dec 2006

what a cool site for a cool little town in iowa

22 Dec 2006

Great job on the website, Janet! Definitely "Proud to Call it Home!!!"

Carol Salberg

21 Dec 2006

As vistor number 40 to the website, I'm so pleased to learn more about my "home away from home." This will definitely be one of my favorite stops online!

Robin Buchanan KWIT-KOJI

Sioux City, Iowa

JB Designs

Website Home Contact Us