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Voice Imprints

As we once tucked photographs of loved ones into our wallets, today we keep their messages on our phones. Whether it’s a simple “I love you” or a familiar laugh, these everyday recordings become treasured keepsakes. Each week, Voice Imprints, hosted by Mara Hall, explores how voices linger, love endures, and connection lives on.

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  • KL Biggerstaff, Department Secretary for Arts and Sciences at Western Iowa Tech Community College, shares a voicemail from her mom, Debbie Hawk. Debbie is KL's best friend, partner in laughter, and the other half of countless inside jokes like being the "World's Best Ironer." The message is short, but it holds everything—joy, connection, and the comfort of knowing someone loves you so completely.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Angie Sewalson, Development Associate for Empowered Network, shares a voice message from her grandfather, an airplane mechanic, pilot, and one of her closest friends. During his short battle with cancer, they stayed connected through voice messages since he did not like texting. She drove alone to the Black Hills for one final weekend with him, surrounded by memories of summers spent together, races he cheered her through, and rides across the potato fields he loved. In one photo, her stepmom wrote, “Grandpa is sending you a hug.” For Angie, that’s what his voice still is, a steady presence, a reminder of love that endures long after goodbye.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Holly Meis shares a voicemail her son, David, left giving thanks for boxes that were donated by one of his students' parents to his classroom. It’s an ordinary moment that reveals his extraordinary warmth. David loved his students, he loved the theater, and he loved performing. His voice reminds Holly of the joy he carried into every role—on stage, in the classroom, and in life.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Maryam Elgoni shares a recording of her mother, Howayda Farah, reciting the Islamic prayer for travel. Maryam listens to her mother recite the prayer every time she travels. Every word carries protection and love, and each breath is a reminder of the quiet power of a mother’s love.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • For Sarah Deck, the sounds of “Don’t Stop” by the band WookieFoot, played on the bagpipes at Shangri-La Festival, are more than music. It’s laughter drifting across campfires, the hum of voices that feel like home, and the rhythm of friendships that have lasted for years. Each note carries a memory of joy, belonging, and the reminder that some songs never really end.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Amy Hobbs, a photographer and owner of Storefront Studios, shares a voicemail from her gran, Marilyn Calvert, who was a true Southern belle born on a cotton patch in Holly Pond, AL. Amy's voice waivers and carries the weight of grief as she remembers her joyful, opinionated, and wonderfully persnickety gran. For Amy, hearing her gran's voice is a powerful reminder of love wrapped in honesty, humor, and care.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Newly elected Iowa Senator Catelin Drey shares a recording of the bedtime conversation she had with her daughter on the evening after she was sworn into office. We hear the quiet rhythm of goodnights, the lull of a noise machine, and a loving conversation between mother and daughter that reminds us that even in moments of history, love and connection anchor us the most.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Anne Westra, Communications & Public Engagement Specialist for the City of Sioux City, shares a birthday message from her grandmother, Josephine Myers. Though the words are brief, they hold a lifetime of love and wisdom. Josephine was Anne’s model for how to live—with warmth, grace and strength—and Anne strives every day to reflect her grandmother’s example. Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Jennifer McCune, Accounting Specialist Instructor at WITCC, shares a voicemail from her father, Greg Nelson. He was never afraid to make the big asks, to celebrate life’s highlights, and to turn ordinary moments into laughter. For Jennifer, this message is a reminder of love, humor, and presence that can’t be replaced.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.
  • Peggy La, owner of Yummi Blox and Hong Kong Supermarket in Sioux City, shares a recording of Hong Cuc Nguyen, a matriarch of the Siouxland Asian community who left behind a legacy of culture, community, and connection.Have a message you keep? Email us at voiceimprints@kwit.org.