News : Teahen speaks to Vinton Women\'s Club about emergency relief efforts

Peter Teahen tells Vinton Women's Club about his many years of emergency relief efforts.

Peter Teahen went to an emergency planning session for funeral directors in early 1989. The government was planning for a potential Midwest earthquake that could cause thousands of casualties in cities like St. Louis or Memphis.

Teahen, who operates the Teahen Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, told the Vinton Women's Club Tuesday evening that he took the class, expecting never put to use what he had learned.

But a few months later, Flight 232 crashed in Sioux City, killing 111 people. The lessons that Teahen thought he never would put to use became a regular part of his life.

Teahen told the audience about the many places has gone to help others after wars or natural disasters.

The Vinton Women's Club holds two annual meetings. The fall dinner traditionally includes a speaker who shares a variety of experiences. The spring dinner is the event where the VWC honors its Woman of the Year.