First Baby of 2026!
First Baby of the Year Born at Veterans Memorial Hospital
We are pleased to announce that the First Baby of the Year Contest was won by Kolter Joel Lubben, son of Karson and Nevaeh Lubben of Waukon. Dr. Dave Schwartz was the provider assisting with the delivery.
Kolter was born on January 1, 2026, at 4:40 am. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.
This fortunate child and his family received the following generous gifts compliments of these area merchants:
- $100.00 Cash from Moellers and Moellers Family Dentistry, Lansing
- 1-Year Subscription to the Standard from The Standard/News Publishing
- $25 Gift Certificate from Outdoor Creations, Monona
- Free Haircut & Style from the Hair, Body and Mind Salon and Day Spa, Kim Sylvester
- $40 Gift Card from Dollar Fresh
- $20 Gift Certificate from the S&D Café
- $15 Gift Certificate from the St. Pat’s Thrift Store, Waukon
- $10 Gift Certificate from the Village Farm and Home, Waukon
- Tastefully Simple Gift Basket from consultant Jan Baumler
- $25 Gift Certificate from Sycamore Floral
- Sterling Silver Mother/Child Pendant on an 18” chain from Elliott Jewelers
- Insulated Grizzly Travel Mug and Piggy Bank from Freedom Bank
- 10 Punch Pass from the Waukon Wellness Center
- Breakfast Burritos, Lasagna Cups and Beef Sticks from Recipes from French Creek
- Baby Quilt from the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital
- Mary Kay Hand Cream from Debbie McGeough, Mary Kay Consultant
- Diapers, Wipes and Laundry Basket from Veterans Memorial Hospital
All other babies born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the year 2026 will receive a Baby Coupon Book coordinated by the hospital through coupon donations from nearly 60 area businesses in Harpers Ferry, Lansing, Monona, Postville, and Waukon. The hospital coordinates this in an effort to ensure all babies born at the hospital are treated extra special and to encourage shopping at home.
Congratulations to grandparents Judd and Shelly Lubben, Danny Bushau, Chasity Bushau, and Addie and Donnie Copeland; to great-grandparents Rose Schaffer, Francis Lubben, Ray and Cathy Peterson, Randy and Karen Bushau, Dave and Christine Enyart and to great-grandparents Gordon and Karen Anderson.
