Grace Brandt, 90, Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at the Rock Rapids Health Care Centre in Rock Rapids. Services were Thursday, Jan. 26, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids with the Rev. Jeff Schleisman officiating.Grace Brandt was born Sept. 14, 1915, in Woonsocket, S.D. to Henry and Amelia (Knute) Spies. She attended country school and helped her parents on the family farm. In 1933 she and her family moved to Granite Falls, where they continued to farm. She married Leonard Brandt Sept. 10, 1934, in Milbank, S.D. They lived in Granite Falls until 1942, when they moved to Rock Rapids. She worked as a bookkeeper for an independent producer and later sold retail at Bernsteins and Rose Store in Rock Rapids for many years. Shortly before retirement she worked in the assembly line at K Products in Rock Rapids. Mr. Brandt died Jan. 26, 1971. She moved to Rock Rapids Health Centre in September 2005.Mrs. Brandt was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids and active in the Saint Catherine Society. She was an avid bowler and continued bowling until she was 85. She enjoyed flower gardening, arts and crafts and bingo.She is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Edward) Lens, Beaver Creek, and Karen Lens, Rock Rapids; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one sister, Florence Springer, Marshall; one sister-in-law, Mabel Brandt, Granite Falls; and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four sisters, Edna Plasky, Ella Budde, Elma Peters and Wilma Stange, and three brothers, Robert Spies, Albert Spies and William Spies.Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids was in charge of arrangements.

10 years ago (1996)"When Matt Ebert returned home last weekend, after spending five months in Washington, D.C., he returned having lived a dream which he hopes will soon be his future. Ebert was one of only 30 high school juniors in the nation selected for the semester-long United States Senate Page Program." 25 years ago (1981)"This year, Hills-Beaver Creek has hired Mrs. Cyndi Ebert as the guidance counselor in addition to her English and German teaching assignments.Mrs. Ebert graduated from Minot Sate College in 1970. She has also been doing graduate work at Augustana College and South Dakota State University." 50 years ago (1956)"The Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow in Hills High School is Carol Jean Nelson. She received the highest score in a written examination which tested the homemaking knowledge and attitudes of senior girls in the graduating class. She will be entered in competition to name the state’s candidate for the title of All-American Homemaker of Tomorrow …Carol’s plan for the future include college and a career in home economics." 75 years ago (1931)" ‘Old Timers’ as well as ‘Young Timers’ who get a kick out of ‘old stuff’ might be interested in the discussion of ‘Locating Historic Places in Rock County,’ which will be a feature of the program planned by the society for Monday evening, February 2nd, in the Commercial Club Rooms at Luverne.Some old Rock County residents recall the old mill site on the Rock River, the Estey dug-out, the Indian Mounds in Battle Plain township, the cave occupied by the James Bros. following the Northfield robbery, etc."100 years ago (1906)"The Crescent has taken up this matter of telephone charges between here and Beaver Creek with F.W. George, Superintendent of the Western Electric Telephone Co. of Mason City, Iowa, and that gentleman admits that the charge of thirty-five cents is excessive as compared with the charge of fifteen cents to Luverne. He give us a reason that it is necessary to use two different systems by transferring at Luverne in order to get to Beaver Creek. However, Mr. George has promised to endeavor to have the rate adjusted, and The Crescent can assure him that any relief he can secure will be greatly appreciated by a large number of telephone patrons."

The opening door illuminated the room.Stunned, it didn’t move.A series of screams prompted the ugly creature suddenly to life.It slowly and stupidly waddled across the basement floor, eventually taking refuge under a guest bed in a far corner.Footsteps quickly ascending three flights of stairs followed the screams through the house.Following a winded and haphazard explanation, the man of the house went to investigate and retrieve the laundry now held hostage in the dryer.Again, as the lights came on, it froze in the doorway.Now, in addition to being ugly and stupid, it was showing signs of bravery.How could it have come out from hiding so quickly? Not even five minutes had lapsed between the initial discovery and this second finding.This time it did not hide as it had. Again, it went for the bed, but only pulling half its body underneath, its backside and considerably grotesque tail exposed in full light.Once the man had confirmation of its existence and was informed that it would not be an option to kill it while it was in the basement, a call for a plan of attack was necessary.Without hunting skills, weapons of war or any prior experience, a plan was not quick in the making.Phone calls were made, suggestions were taken – yet the laundry remained unclaimed.Armed with the protection of a broomstick, the man rescued the laundry, and I, the woman of the house, developed a foolproof plan.We needed to recruit help. We needed a local hero with experience and trapping skills.That man was Hills City Maintenance Manager Wayne Ward.Within minutes of being contacted regarding "the situation," he delivered a trap of the "no kill" variety.As any good woman would do at this moment, I fled. A work-related commitment took me out of the house for the next two days. I commanded that it be removed before I could return.Night 2 began with the trap set, baited heavily with cat food, but in the morning, the food was gone and the trap door had been closed.Nevertheless, the trap remained empty.Now this monster had added "crafty" to its ever-growing list of personality traits.Night 3, the trap was set again, this time with a trail of yummy kitty morsels leading the way. Clearly, the man was getting braver. No longer did he need the broomstick for protection.But, alas, in the morning that ugly beast had evaded capture.I had no choice but to return home. My state newspaper convention was over, and I doubted Tollefson Publishing would want to put me up in a hotel while I waited this thing out.That night, mustering up all the brave nerves I had, I descended the stairs to the basement. Assuring the safety of my dear love and myself, I carried a broomstick in each hand. Together we reset the trap, strategically placing the food in hard-to-reach places.Even the craftiest of creatures was not going to get fed this time without getting caught.The lights in the basement stayed on to ensure safe passage to and from the laundry area during the evening. The plan was to turn them off before bed and awake to find our furry invader captured.As with many things we do, the plan did not work.When he returned to the basement with the first load of laundry, he could hear a familiar sound. The crunches coming from the cage were just like those we hear when our cats are munching at their bowls.Eureka, this time we had it!Together we used our broomsticks to slide the cage against our dehumidifier. This thing would have to be a Houdini to escape now.For the first time, I looked it in the eyes and almost began to cry.The poor little opossum was scared to death. Instantly, I understood that it hadn’t purposefully wanted to ruin my life, it had just wandered into my basement and was frightened. I am sure it would have preferred to stay with its family and friends for the past three nights, but instead I had trapped it.When Wayne arrived on Monday morning to take the cage and the scared house guest away, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.I did not bother to ask Wayne the fate of the animal; I would rather go on believing it was reunited with its family, and they all decided they would be safer living at the Rez than in my busy neighborhood.Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

Dewayne and Margo Edwards, Forestburg, S.D., came Saturday to spend until Sunday in the home of Harriet Skattum. On Sunday their daughter, Gretchen, of Sioux Falls joined them.Twila Heigre and three children of Sandness, Norway, came Friday to visit her parents, Jim and Sharon Boeve, and other relatives. Sheryl Nielsen and her new baby, Crista, born in August, arrived Sunday night to visit her parents, Jim and Sharon, and other family members.Visitors Sunday of Sig and Jo Jacobson at the Village were their daughters, Joyce of Mankato, Annette of Sioux Falls, and Sylvia, Luverne. Joyce recalled working at the Hills Crescent setting type in her early years. She now teachers computers in the Mankato schools.Sunday supper guests of Luella Schleuter were Phyllis Gropel and Gregg and Jane Gropel, all of Luverne.Chuck and Rheta DeBoer celebrated birthdays last week. One was for Chuck and another was for their grandson, David Hofman. David was 4 years old and is the son of Seth and Susan Hofman of Melvin, Iowa. Jeremy and Rachael Van Beek of Doon, Iowa, were also visitors.Floyd and Mary Kraetsch of Luverne were supper guests Thursday in the home of Bob and Twila KirschWendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the Thrivent training session for board members Saturday at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.Rodney Arendsen, Gayle (Nelson) Arendsen’s husband, of Freeport, N.Y., arrived in Hills Monday to spend a couple of days in the home of Ray and Lois Nelson. He is their son-in-law and was on his way home from Gillette, Wyo., after visiting his father and sister.Wendell and Kathryn Erickson and Ray and Lois Nelson attended the South Dakota Symphony Dakota Chamber Orchestra concert in Luverne Sunday afternoon.Colby Hadler of Edgerton spent last Tuesday and Wednesday with his grandmother, Joann Goehle.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek girls dropped their fifth consecutive game when they challenged Comfrey in Hills Friday.The visiting Rockets shot the ball well early to open a 15-point halftime advantage.H-BC was unable to get back into the game in the second half as Comfrey prevailed 77-56."They played really well early," said H-BC coach Jason Blosmo. "Once again, we just couldn’t come up with big baskets or the key stops when we needed them."Comfrey, which hit on 47 percent of its field goals during the game, assumed control of the contest by outscoring the Patriots 42-27 in the first half.The Rockets used a 35-29 scoring cushion in the second half to win by 21.Chelsi Fink led the Patriots with 24 points. Kerri Fransman netted 11 counters, while Stacy Bush scored 10 points and passed for five assists. Kari Roozenboom snared 11 rebounds.Box scoreFransman 2 2 1-2 11, Bush 3 0 4-8 10, Tilstra 1 0 1-3 3, Fink 9 1 3-4 24, Roozenboom 3 0 2-4 8.Team statisticsH-BC: 36 percent field goals, 11 of 21 free throws (52 percent), 29 rebounds, 13 turnovers.Comfrey: 47 percent field goals, six of 14 free throws (43 percent), 29 rebounds, five turnovers.

By John RittenhouseFor the second consecutive game, the Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ basketball team fell one point short of recording its second win of the season on its home court.Seven days after losing a one-point game to Red Rock Central in Hills, recent history repeated itself when Round Lake-Brewster nipped the Patriots 63-62 Thursday.H-BC experienced a successful start as the hosts opened a 14-2 lead early.RL-B, however, moved in front late in the first half before Patriot Cody Rozeboom gave H-BC a 33-32 halftime edge by hitting a three-point shot before time expired.RL-B led by five points late in the second half only to have H-BC tie the game with a three-point play from Halden Van Wyhe with less than two minutes remaining.The Raiders moved in front 63-62 as the game progressed. H-BC had some chances at victory in the final seconds but couldn’t convert a pair of free throws or a pair of tip-in attempts in the final four seconds, leaving the Patriots one point short at game’s end.Missed free-throw opportunities proved to be costly for H-BC in the game. While RL-B went 15 of 19 at the line, H-BC went 11-23.Aaron Esselink turned in a solid performance for the Patriots by scoring 25 points and snaring 17 rebounds.Jason Hup, who hit seven of 10 field goals in the contest, chipped in 15 points.Rozeboom finished with six rebounds, five assists and three steals.Box scoreVan Wyhe 2 0 2-3 6, Rozeboom 1 1 0-0 5, Finke 0 2 1-3 7, Scholten 0 0 2-3 2, DeBoer 0 0 0-0 0, Hup 7 0 1-4 15, Sandbulte 1 0 0-0 2, Esselink 10 0 5-10 25.Team statisticsH-BC: 24 of 49 field goals (49 percent), 11 of 23 free throws (48 percent), 30 rebounds, 15 turnovers.RL-B: 21 of 49 field goals (43 percent), 15 of 19 free throws (79 percent), 23 rebounds, eight turnovers.

10 years ago (1996)
The Rock County Historical Society has a chance to expand after the Masons offered their temple to the group. The building is located on the corner of Lincoln and Freeman Streets.The Historical Society has been hoping to enlarge museum space, which it has in the Hinkly House now.
A hospice cottage in Luverne may provide another possible care option for terminally ill patients in southwest Minnesota. Barb Glad is the program director for Hospice of Luverne and Adrian Community Hospitals and has had the dream to have a facility like the one that is planned.25 years ago (1981)
The Chicago and Northwest Railroad has approved plans to improve five or six miles of track from Iowa Beef to Magnolia.
Rock County farmers have until April 15 to sell two and one-half million bushels of corn back to the government, or come up with more than $5 million in loans to carry them until prices improve. Elevator managers wonder how they will move that much grain if it all pours on the market at once.50 years ago (1956)
Martha Sellen, Miss Rock County of 1955, added a new title at Sioux Falls Monday night when she was crowned Miss Sioux Empire. The 20-year-old Luverne girl captured the hearts of the judges of the Sioux Empire Farm Show with her beauty and her unique display of pen and ink drawings and fashion designs.
Rock Countians are learning that a low water supply is a problem for many in the area. It is being called a "critical" issue. One privately owned well in Luverne has produced some one million gallons since the first of November for hauling to farmers and communities.75 years ago (1931)
Owing to the frequency and irregularity of time at which relatives and friends of incarcerated persons persist in calling at the county jail to visit them, Sheriff F.F. Kitterman has found it necessary to limit the period when such callers can be admitted, to two days a week — Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. — and the time limit for such visits 15 minutes for each call.
Sixteen brood sows and a boar mysteriously disappeared from the yards of J.M. Baker in Kanaranzi village Wednesday night. There was no trace of them found and the supposition is that they were stolen and trucked away.100 years ago (1906)
A bar and barbershop will be opened in the basement of The Manitou in the near future. This is the announcement of C.A. Sampson, proprietor of Luverne’s handsome and commodious hotel.
The Luverne Creamery is now paying 24¢ per pound for butterfat delivered at the creamery. The receipts are quite large for this season.

Law Library 9:00 AMRock County Courthouse January 03, 2006County Administrator Oldre called the County Board meeting to order with the following individuals present: Commissioner Wildung, Commissioner Hoime, Commissioner Bakken, Commissioner Boyenga and Commissioner Jarchow.First item of business was the selection of a County Board chair; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to nominate Commissioner Wildung as County Board chair. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Wildung, declared carried on a voice vote.The meeting was turned over to Chair Wildung.The Chair requested nominations for Vice Chair; motion by Jarchow, second by Boyenga, to nominate Commissioner Bakken as Vice Chair. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Bakken, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the January 03, 2006, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the December 27, 2005, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Resolution No. 01-06, Housekeeping itemsMotion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to adopt the statutory minimum for elected offices for 2007, declared carried on a voice vote.Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented information regarding a sales tax audit; the County Board requested additional information be obtained before paying a fine levied by the audit.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to pay the claims as presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General Revenue $ 70,390.89 Family Services $ 16,960.41 Road & Bridge $ 23,101.77 Ditch 0.00 Land Management $ 5,854.18 Rural Water $ 4,935.00 TOTAL $121,242.25Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to accept the fund balance report from the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a voice vote.The Auditor/Treasurer requested approval for a Public Hearing on January 19, 2006, at the Rock County Human Services Building to receive public comment on the Rock County Election Equipment Plan. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to authorize the Public Hearing, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board participated in a conference call with EDI for the purpose of reviewing heat pump proposals for the new LEC building. After discussion, motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to authorize the drilling for the test wells, declared carried on a voice vote.Mark Sehr, Engineer, and Walter Stearns, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, reviewed truck and blade routes on highways within the county. Following the review, the County Board Chair directed the Administrator to schedule a meeting to discuss bus routes and invite Superintendents, Bus Coordinators, the Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Engineer and Sheriff.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the Board & Committee assignments for 2006, declared carried on a voice vote.Extension Committee Hazard Mitigation Planning CommitteeKen Hoime Mike WinkelsRichard Bakken Dan NathJanice Schei Mark SehrPam Sells Eric HartmanLisa Heronimus Arlyn GehrkeGreg Uithoven Ken HoimeLeonard Leenderts Jason KlossAnne Stegenga Louis Loger Sharil Kirschman-RollagE911 Committee Kyle OldreRon BoyengaMike Winkels Judicial Ditch Advisory BoardTerri Ebert Ken HoimeDon Deutsch Richard BakkenKyle Oldre Eugene PetersonGary Holmgren Arnold WenzelDoug Chapman Roger BrockbergLuvernce City Council Rep Stan WilliamsonGIS Committee Law Library CommitteeEric Hartman Richard BakkenArlyn Gehrke Tim ConnellTom Houselog Damon EismaEd KraayenhofMike Winkels Nobles/Rock Public Health BoardKyle Oldre Bob JarchowJohn Call Richard BakkenLon Remme Dorothy DornConnie WiertsemaDave Deragisch Rock County Community Pool & Fitness CenterNobles/Rock Public Health Advisory Ken Hoime Committee Lois NelsonJane Wildung Linda BakkenEmily Crabtree Kraig RustDeb VanderKooi Rock County Rural WaterPlanning & Zoning Committee Ron BoyengaKen Hoime Dave WyniaPaul Doherty Gerald WinerAllen Boeve Dianna SchwartzStan Williamson Brad SkattumMarvin Fick Dave EsselinkVirgil Schoolmaster Cliff SchillingGawaine DekieversSpencer Sells Senior Citizen AdvisoryVacant Jane WildungDenise Severtson (non-voting member) Bonnie HengeveldEric Hartman (non-voting member) Janelle Loger George BonnemaPrivate Industry Council/Workforce Rhona SnydersCenter VacantBob Jarchow Vacant VacantRegional EMS Board Carol Wulf (staff)Gary HolmgrenRock/Nobles Community Corrections SWCD/Rock County LiaisonExecutive Board Richard BakkenKen Hoime Jane WildungJane Wildung Don Reker Alan Leuthold Rock /Nobles Community Corrections Southwestern Mental Health LocalAdvisory AdvisoryKen Hoime Mildred PaulsenJane Wildung Marya ManfredDon Klosterbuer Scott JohnsonRandy EhlersMike Winkels Southwestern Mental Health Center Ron BoyengaRock County Community Library Jane WildungRichard Bakken Damon EismaMarcia BorkVacant SWMN Tourism Dave SmithMotion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to adjust the salary for Public Works Director employment contract to $83,000 – 2006, $88,000 – 2007, and $93,000 – 2008, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board reviewed Employee of the Year 2005 nominations and selected an individual for that award which will be presented on January 24, 2006.With no further business to come before the County Board, meeting was declared adjourned.Jane Wildung, County Board ChairATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board (2-2-06)

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the City of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota, at the office of the City Administrator, 203 E. Main St., PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659, until 10:00 AM on February 13, 2006, and will be publicly opened at the said time and place by two or more designated officers or agents of the City of Luverne. Said bid is for one (1) pickup truck. Specifications for the Pickup Truck can be obtained from the City Administrator’s Office at City Hall, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156. The City of Luverne reserves the right to reject all bids. All bids shall be clearly marked on the envelope "Pickup Truck Bid" and addressed to:City AdministratorCity of LuvernePO Box 659Luverne, MN 56156-0659John M. CallCity Administrator2-2