Helping a friend in need

—Family, neighbors, friends help John Mahr after diagnosis

 

Lime Springs - Many times when a person receives bad news, those who know him don’t know what to do to help. 
During this harvest season, it was an easy decision for many who know and love John Mahr of Lime Springs. He was diagnosed with fast-moving Stage 4 brain cancer on Friday, Oct. 27. 
By Sunday, brother Greg and the rest of the family started organizing a Harvest Bee. Word spread and there were 11 combines, 14 grain carts, 20-plus semis and numerous other volunteers on hand to start harvesting 850 acres of corn for John.
On Monday, food was dropped off at Cresco Bank & Trust, where sister Donna Thomas is president. The sandwiches, cookies, bars, cheese sticks and chips  were dispersed to the workers during the afternoon.
Greg explained, “John was feeling short of breath. He went to [Regional Health Services] clinic. They found spots on his lungs.” He then went to Rochester on Wednesday for tests, and spots were found on the brain on Friday.
As word went out about the diagnosis and that volunteers were needed for harvest, Greg was astounded. “People are dropping what they are doing to help out. They have their own crops to take out, but they are helping here.”
Monday morning found John at his regular coffee group at Casey’s in Lime Springs. He was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from his neighbors. “I didn’t know I had so many friends,” he said.
Well, friends he does have. There is no way to give a complete list of those helping out, but some of the individuals who took time from their own harvest and jobs to help their friend and family included: Greg, Mike, Neil, Travis, Steve, Vince, John, Bill, Joyce and Thom Mahr; Mike Connell; Bill Tieskotter; Chuck and Tommy Feldman; Chuck Stevenson; Chad and Kendall Curtis; Dale Alstat; Dale Schwade; Dennis Langreck; Denny, Jay and Randy Rice; Don Blazek; Don Hruska; Farmers Mill; A&K Feed & Grain; Gary Larson; Gene Winter; Jason, Josh and John Reis; Jason and Jeff of Farmers Mill; Jeff McAllister; Jerrod Lund; Kevin Bill; Mark Bina; Mike and Matt Miner; Pat and Sam Ollendieck; Perry and Wayne Watt; Pete Shimek; Ray, Mark and Eric Reicks; Dave, Ronny and Kenny Ollendick; Jerry Caffrey; Bodensteiner of Davis Corners; Red Power of New Hampton; John Lensch; Matt Leverson; Ron Fitzgerald; Johnson Farms; Jerry Johnson; Wayne Mlady and crew; Aaron Schatz; and several employees and trucks from Mehmert Tiling.
John Mahr owned John’s Feed & Supply for over 10 years, quitting the business in 2005.
Trying to stay positive when the harvesting began, Greg said he told his brother, “I’ll help you this year, but next year, you can do it!” The family will need plenty of prayers and positive thinking to help John fight the cancer.
A fund is being set up at Cresco Bank & Trust for expenses, while John has appointments, tests and treatments in Rochester.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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