Paula Yeager, Executive Director of Indiana Wildlife Federation died this morning, November 9, 2005, after a long battle with cancer.
Her connection with conservation began as a child in North Dakota, and was heightened by her friendship with John Denver who inspired her to act on her convictions. She was hired as E.D. in the summer of 1999, and showed a strong   understanding of the conservation ethic, as well as the politics conservation. Her knowledge of the North American Wildlife Plan and it's conservation ethic has made her a better advocate for the hunter and sportsmen than those active hunters who should be protecting "their sport, "stated Doug Allman, IWF Board Member. Paula worked tirelessly on several campaigns with the legislature, both state and national, including CARA, mercury pollution, and wetland issues. She also supported the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program.  She most recently served on the State Captive Cervid Council where she was recognized for the depth of her knowledge of Chronic Wasting Disease. She helped lead the campaign against canned hunting in Indiana.  Former IDNR Director John Goss stated, "Paula Yeager is the person in Indiana most responsible for leading the effort to ban canned hunting. Her tireless efforts educated Hoosier sports men and women on the need to preserve ethical hunting and the impending threat of chronic wasting disease to Indiana's wild deer herd."
Besides twice receiving the Presidents Award from IWF, Paula was named Conservationist of the Year in 2001 by the DNR.  This past summer  NWF recognized Paula with their Conservation Service Citation.
Her battle with breast cancer was fought over the last 7 years.  Even as it took its toll on her body, Paula remained sharp and focused on conservation issues. Paula has requested that memorial donations be made to IWF canned hunting campaign in her name. She will be long remembered and sorely missed by the Board, members, and staff of IWF.

"Paula Yeager, Executive Director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, passed away today, November 9, 2005 after  a long battle with breast cancer. Paula was a good friend of NEITA and supported us from her level in all of our concerns and battles. She was a friend on NEITA and of a friend of mine."

Lynn Burry - Board of Directors NEITA

Ove Jorgensen, 90, passed away August 21, 2005 his life’s endeavors will be felt for many many generations to come. Never one to seek the lime light and most of us only knowing the name Jorgensen by the way of a store located on the southwest side of Fort Wayne. He just was a man who got things done in his life. He left this world much better off then when he arrived.

Ove and son Jay founded Jorgensens that served fisherman from all over Midwest. They where known for having an outstanding inventory of quality fishing products to being able to find some obscure item a customer wanted. Their kindness was quietly afforded Northeastern Indiana Trout Association and Three Rivers Fly Fishers with support for raffles to money donated to get a project of the clubs completed.

His community work included being on the board of Junior Achievement for nearly 40 years, Life sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, served on Fort Wayne Park Foundation, Parkview Memorial Hospital board, Toastmasters past president, Board Member of Eisenhower Medical Center, and many more. Most recently he founded the Jorgensen Family YMCA where he served on the Board of Trustees.

The Northeastern Indiana Trout Association has dedicated their entire fall planting of trout to memory of Ove Jorgensen. An additional honor will be bestowed on the Jorgensen family during the first Spring meeting in 2006 of the club membership.

Survivors include his wife, Winifred "Freddie" Mae Jorgensen of Fort Wayne; son, Jay (Jane) Jorgensen of Fort Wayne; daughter, Susan Jorgensen, of Santa Ynez, CA; grandchildren, Ben and Molly Jorgensen; preceded in death by a sister, Cora Clark.