Janelle Votroubek McClain

Posted on: Mar 12, 2024 at 2:20 PM

Happy birthday, Janelle! I still have the gazebo ashes in memory of you and Clay. Wondering about the most apt spot to scatter them someday. Perhaps by the bell tower? Hope all is will with you and family. Hi to George.

Nice to see your work, Lach. Rather Fauve. Powerful! Thanks for sharing. Franklin turns 100 this year. They want artwork from past students. Donation time?

Oh so sorry to read of Ann's death.  She was a remarkable force with all the planning we went through for our reunions and the gatherings in between.  I too only knew of her in the 60's but didn't actually know her.  I am glad I had the chance to change that over these past few years.  Oh these poignant times....

Best wishes for today and or the year ahead, Janelle. Sorry we missed you this summer.

Posted on: Mar 12, 2023 at 4:33 AM

The scenery is beautiful. Wish you were here. Birthday wishes from the Alps (of Utah). Sally and I look forward to seeing you this summer. Say hi to George. I've been frequenting his cousins' Wasatch Touring shop.

Posted on: Mar 12, 2022 at 4:33 AM

Posted on: Mar 14, 2021 at 2:02 PM

Holy gazebo dust, Batman. I was asleep at the switch! Belated birthday greetings to you. And best wishes for a great year.

Dennis was a friend, a long time friend....we met at Franklin in seventh grade.  We were art buddies from then on.  It started in Mrs. Souder's art class and continued until he died just a few short days ago.  I believe Dennis to have been a genius.  He was brilliant in so many ways.  And he was a talented artist and knew and studied with so many artists that were to become internationally recognized.  He intrinsically knew quality, whether in period furnishings, historic details, current affairs, art research or the latest environmentally strong architectural innovations.  Sometimes quality was his downfall.  He simply could not compromise or accept anything but the best.

Until he moved to Denver about 2013, Dennis lived in a small house near us for four years and we were the benefactors of his residency.  We loved his conversations and observations.  While there he was an avid observer of wildlife, reporting first hand viewings of coyote and bird activities.  One day he told me he had decided to list all the books he had ever read along with authors....over 500 resulted.  As we worked on building a new house, Dennis documented the construction for us when we couldn't be there in person.  There was no one more thorough.

I had many phone conversations with Dennis over the years and most recently when he told me of his diagnosis of prostate cancer.  He was once again very organized and resolved to the fact that he was to die soon.  He was so grateful to his hospice caregivers and so excited to have the new large screen TV installed since all his possessions were in storage awaiting the sale of his condo and his pending move to a new home.  I asked if there was anything he craved or I could do and he said he was craving Quaker puffed rice, no sugar, if I could send it.....and I found the closest thing still being made and sent it.  He said it was absolutely delicious.

We visited the night before he died and he sounded so pleased with remininscing about our times together over the years and the few special friends he had.  He loved Cedar Rapids and I decided not to tell him about the Derecho and to let the memories of our tree lined city remain his parting memory. 

He wrote his own obituary and as soon as the attorney sends it to me, I will post it. 

Goodbye dear Dennis.

Have a great day, Janelle! Birthday greetings from Sally and me. Just a few days till spring and eastern Iowa will start greening up you'll have those beautiful vistas. We miss them here in the flatlands. Come see us sometime soon to see Sally's studio/gallery and our little art museum downtown.