Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • B11

siouxcityjournal.com Sunday, OctOber 10, 2021 B11 JULIE WATSON Associated Press SAN DIEGO The Af- ghan man was attending a conference in Califor- nia as part of his job for a U.S.-government funded project in Afghanistan when the Taliban sent a written death threat to his home, forcing him to make a heart-wrenching decision: He would not return to his wife and two young sons and instead would seek asy- lum and try to bring them to the United States. Two years later, Moham- mad said he regrets leaving them, and wished he had never worked for the U.S. government given the price he has paid. As Mohammad tried to get visas for his family, his wife collapsed in 2020 and died of a heart attack while the Taliban threat- ened them. Mohammad, who lives in California, has been fighting ever since to be reunited with his sons, who are now 9 and 11, and are moving from house to house, living in hiding with their grandmother and un- cle, he said.

He asked that only his first name be used to protect them. On Thursday, the Inter- national Refugee Assistance Project, whose lawyers are working on his behalf, filed a lawsuit in a federal court in San Francisco against Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alleging the ad- ministration failed in its legal obligations under the Afghan Allies Protection Act to help his family de- spite his work for the U.S. government during the 20- year war there. only thing that I want is just one from my kids, Mohammad said. Mohammad said he has repeatedly asked the U.S.

government for help. He contacted the State Depart- ment in August after bullets pierced the home where his sons were hiding before the Taliban took control of the country. He asked for his children to be evacuated as the U.S. military conducted one of the largest airlifts in history, but they were left behind. A State Department spokesperson said in an email to The Associated Press that it does not com- ment on pending litigation.

Mohammad communi- cates daily with his sons either through calls or texts. His youngest has broken down crying, asking, are they going to kill can I Mo- hammad asks. He sent another letter to the State Department on Sept. 9 asking that his sons be granted humanitarian parole, but again he said he got no response. He also contacted his California lawmakers.

Mohammad was ap- proved for a special immi- grant visa in January and applied the next month for his sons, requesting that their visa applications be expedited because they are in Their applications are still pend- ing. The lawsuit states that his children from Afghanistan, where they are in daily peril, and reuniting them with their only remaining parent is essential to their survival and this point the gov- ernment has known since mid-August at minimum that these kids are alone and in serious danger, and they take any action to protect said lawyer Alexandra Zaretsky of the New York-based Interna- tional Refugee Assistance Project. Zaretsky said Moham- mad is one of thousands of Afghans who worked for the U.S. government in Af- ghanistan and were forced to leave behind close fam- ily members to be able to get to safety. Many are still fighting to be reunited with them.

The administration has provided no figures for how many special im- migrant visa applicants and their family members are still stuck in Afghani- stan a month after the U.S. withdrew its troops, and it has yet to take substantial action to protect them, ac- cording to the lawsuit. Mohammad said he wants his sons to know that his work in promoting rights in Afghan- istan for a program funded by the U.S. government was worth it, even if many of those advances may vanish under the new Taliban gov- ernment. He said he also wants them to see of my loyal service to the United they have the chance to come to a good country like the U.S.

where future is and they can get a ed- ucation and other rights that human beings should He tries to encour- age them not to give up, though he is losing faith in his words. giving them hope whenever I am talking to them, but also think- ing, is this even possi- ble? Are they ever going to be reunited with me he said. With sons stuck in Afghanistan, dad sues US DONALD R. ALLEN, U.S. AIR FORCE afghan passengers board a u.S.

air Force c-17 Globemaster III during the afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International airport on aug. 22 in Kabul, afghanistan. MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press WASHINGTON Straining under a pan- demic workload and bat- tered by a string of public controversies, one of the leading agencies in the fight against COVID-19 is finally on the verge of getting a new commissioner. After nearly nine months of searching, President Joe Biden says close to naming his choice to lead the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees vaccines, drugs and tests. Former FDA of- ficials and other experts say the decision cannot come soon enough for the beleaguered regulators.

Thousands of FDA staff- ers are exhausted after rac- ing for more than a year and a half to review prod- ucts to battle the coro- navirus, and the reputation for rigorous, science-based regulation has been threatened by contentious disputes over COVID-19 booster shots and an unproven new Alz- drug. FDA is under a cloud like never seen said Lawrence Gostin, a public health specialist at Georgetown University. choice of a commissioner is going to be absolutely essential for a vibrant future for the The pressure comes as the FDA faces more coro- navirus-related decisions that are likely to affect tens of millions of Americans and determine how the nation fares against future waves of infection. In the coming weeks, the agency will decide on the scope of booster shots for adults who received the Moderna and Johnson Johnson vaccines. Reg- ulators will also rule on whether vaccine is safe and effective for chil- dren as young as 5.

That comes atop other high-stakes decisions, including whether to ban e-cigarettes from vaping giant Juul and other manu- facturers due to their risks to teens. Nominating someone for the FDA role was ex- pected to be a priority ear- lier this year, given the ur- gency of the pandemic. But the longtime drug director, Dr. Janet Wood- cock, has been serving as acting commissioner since January. The White House faces a legal deadline of mid-November to name a replacement.

Administration offi- cials say Biden will make a decision before Nov. 15. The news this week that Dr. Francis Collins will be stepping down from his post leading the National Institutes of Health has added new urgency to re- solve the question of FDA leadership. New FDA chief come soon enough Please see MORE OBITUARIES, Page B9, B10 Jeanne Anne Kampfe South Sioux City Jeanne Anne Jen- sen-Kampfe, 74, of South Sioux City, passed away on Friday, Oct.

8, 2021, at her home, comforted by her husband. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Meyer Brothers Morning- side Chapel, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, with the family present at 6 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com Jeanne was born on March 26, 1947, in Sioux City, to Martin and Myrtle (Carver) Johnson. Following her high school graduation from South Sioux City, Neb. with the Class of 1965, Jeanne worked in several pharmacies as a clerk. She married Gary Kampfe on March 26, 2019, in South Sioux City, at their residence.

Both Jeanne and Gary had been married previously, and both were wid- owed before finding each other. Jeanne and her first husband, Lloyd Jensen, married on March 31, 1968, to which union, two children were born. She took great pride in being a mother to both Julie and Craig. She was a member of the Strollers Car Club, a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed sewing, along with baking for her family and friends. Jeanne is survived by her husband, Gary of South Sioux City; son, Craig (Cheryl) Jensen of Sioux City; daughter, Julie (John) Thompson of Sioux City; grand- son, John Lewis of Sioux City; brothers, Shane (Angie) Johnson, Marty (Bobbie) Johnson, and Ron (Sue) John- son; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnson; Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Lloyd on April 2, 2017; and brothers, Terry Johnson and infant, Scott Johnson.

Evelyn J. McWilliams Sergeant Bluff 98, died Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Memorial Mass: Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m., Mater Dei-Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Burial: Graceland Cemetery. Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Marjorie J. Sanderson Sioux City 57, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.

Services: Oct. 23 at 12 p.m., Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. Visitation: one hour prior to service time, at the funeral home. Joshua Frank Skelton Sioux City Joshua Frank Steven Skelton, 35, of Sioux City, passed away Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at a local hospital.

A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Sunnybrook Com- munity Church with vis- itation one hour prior to service time. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel. Online condo- lences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.

com. Joshua was born June 6, 1986, in Sioux City, the son of Esteban Barajas and Dawn Skelton. He was raised in Sioux City and graduated from North High School in 2004. He worked at Transportation as an Account Manager. Joshua was a lifelong resident of Sioux City.

He was a social butterfly and an avid karaoke singer. He enjoyed playing pool and darts, and riding motorcycle. Those left to honor his memory are Alexie Skelton (her mother Laura Longwell), daughter; Dawn Carter, mother; Esteban (Alma) Barajas, father; Dawn (Der- rick) Williams, sister; Dontiya and Keyana Skelton, nieces; Rose Kronick (Rick Dreibelbis), grandmother; Pamela (Keith) Jensen, aunt; Angela (Timothy) Jackson, aunt; Michael (Ange) Piklapp, uncle; Benjermen (Ma- ria) Piklapp, uncle; Matthew Kronick, uncle; Brooke Kronick, aunt; Olga (Lupe) Rios, aunt; Cristina Bara- jas, aunt; Eloy (Gloria) Barajas, uncle; Jose (Marisela) Barajas, uncle; Oscar (Georgina) Barajas, uncle; Norma (Francisco) DeLao, aunt; Maria (Ron) Barajas, aunt; and Amanda Polly (her children Andrew, Joseph, Sidney, Emmy), girlfriend. He was preceded in death by Gene and Harry Schulte, great-grandparents; Norman Kronick, grandfather; Peggy Skelton, great-grandmother; Robert Skelton, grandfather; Brad Schmidt, uncle; Francisco Barajas Sr. and Simona Huerta Barajas, grandparents; Francisco Barajas uncle; and Christopher Guerra, friend.

Geneva Marie Fuchser South Sioux City Geneva Marie Fuchser, 90, of South Sioux City, passed away Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at a local hospital. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at Mohr Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.

Visitation with the family present will be one hour prior to the ser- vice. Burial will be in Rose- hill Cemetery at Emerson, Neb. Online condolences may be given at www.mey- erbroschapels.com. Geneva was born May 31, 1931, in Dakota City, the daughter of Edwin V. and Verlie H.

(Jones) Olson. She married Paul J. Fuchser on April 12, 1949, in South Sioux City. He preceded her in death on Sept. 1, 2000, in Sioux City.

The couple owned and operated Red Raven Steak House and Lounge in South Sioux City, and also Gifts from Mexico Haven for many years. Geneva and Paul enjoyed their extensive travels all over the United States, Europe, Hawaii, and Mexico. She was active in genealogy, loved watching and feeding all of the birds, squirrels, and rabbits that would visit her front yard daily to be fed. Geneva also enjoyed flower gardening and cherished caring for her children, grand- children, and great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City.

Survivors include her children, Jeanne Lane, Paula Clark, and Paul G. Fuchser, all of Sioux City, Angie (Cliff) Broyhill of Ash Grove, and Kim McDowell (Frank Chimento) of Nashwauk, 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and six great- great-grandchil- dren. Geneva was preceded in death by her parents; hus- band, Paul; daughter, Candace Vermilyea; son-in-law, Mark Vermilyea; grandson, Kelly Brand; twin brothers, Marvin and Melvin Olson; and sisters, Maxine Satter- white and Betty Kraft. Pallbearers will be Paul G. Fuchser, Austin Padgett, DJ Coulson, Michael Smith, Luke McDowell, and Frank Chimento.

Margaret Rewinkel Homer, Neb. Margaret Rewinkel, 97, of Homer, passed away peace- fully on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, in Good- year, Ariz. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct.

16, at St. Lutheran Church in Homer, with Vicar David Hawkins offi- ciating. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Sioux City. Margaret was born Oct.

30, 1923, in rural Homer. She was the daughter of Rasmus and Olga (Frederik- sen) Nelsen. Margaret attended country school until seventh grade, then attended Homer High School. After graduation, she worked at the hospital in Homer before moving to Newell, Iowa, where she worked in the bakery. Later, she moved to South Sioux City and worked as a clerk at the County Courthouse in Dakota City.

On March 7, 1947, she married Milford Rewinkel in Sioux City. They lived in South Sioux City until 1953, when they moved to Homer and raised five children. Margaret loved spending time with her family, as well as traveling, baking, playing games, and tending to her many plants and flowers. Survivors include her five children, Darrell (Sally) of Phoenix, Wayne (Trish) of Scottsdale, Randy (LeAnn) of Omaha; Kim (Diane) of Homer, and Cindy (Raymond) of Goodyear, 10 grandchil- dren, Stephanie, David, Jason, Ray, Matt, Pat, Aaron, Alisha, Jacob, and Kristin; and 11 great-grandchildren, Katie, Brighton, Finn, Ella, Briley, Garrett, Amira, Brayden, Hunter, Pacyn, and Lucas. She was preceded in death by her husband; her par- ents; her brother, Harold; her three sisters, Carolyn, Vivian, and Verna; and her grandson, Tim.

Community Calendar Browse local events by date and submit your own for FREE! www.siouxcityjournal.com/app/calendar First. Best. Whenever. Wherever..