Waverly Trees Forever has planted trees to honor a well- known musician and Lutheran composer, John Carl Ylvisaker.
He was born in North Dakota, but ended up retiring with his wife in Waverly.
The composer died earlier this year at the age of 79, but his music lives on.
He’s best known for composing the song, “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry.”
Waverly decided to honor him by planting 27 trees along a trail in Eisenach Village in Waverly. This was a trail the composer and his wife used to walk along.
John’s wife says he really cared about trees and the environment and she said, “he would be very pleased.”
Members of the group Waverly Trees Forever, Wartburg students, high school students and others volunteered to help plant the trees.
Volunteers hope to plant 15 more trees in the spring. Money for this project came from the composer’s memorial funds and from the group Waverly Trees Forever.