10 years ago (1995)"Steen Reformed Church completed a new building last August, and after a two-year stint with no officiating pastor, the congregation’s calling has been answered.The Rev. Daniel Ramaker, 52, Adams, Neb., will serve as the church’s pastor beginning in mid-August. News of Ramaker’s acceptance was read in church Sunday." 25 years ago (1980)"Descendents of Ole Bjerk Sr. held their annual reunion Sunday, June 8, 1980, at Beaver Creek Community Hall with 35 attending — representing 10 families of the 23 children. Mrs. Edna Lien of Hills and Mrs. Jeannette (Conrad) Anderson were present of the four still living. Olaf and Edwin are also still living. Edwin lives in Luther Manor in Sioux Falls, S.D. Mrs. James Bjerk of Luverne, who will be 91 this year, was also present. The family of Ole Bjerk Jr. had the largest representation of 11. Mrs. Annie Hoven Ward of Big Ford was the one coming from the furthest away. The states of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota were represented." 50 years ago (1955)"Fritzie Nuffer, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Nuffer, arrived home last Thursday from West Point Military Academy, where he has completed one year of training. This is his first trip home during that time. He will be home for one month. When we asked Fritize how he liked it, he replied, ‘I like it pretty well and one thing is sure, they keep you plenty busy so we don’t have time to get lonesome.’ There are 150 cadets in his class. Fritzie was appointed by the Minn. U.S. representatives in Congress. As far as we can ascertain, there have been only three or four young men from Rock county who have previously had this honor."75 years ago (1930)"The Junior Short Course at the University Farm, St. Paul, June 3-6, was attended by ten Rock County 4-H Club boys and girls. The following are those, who, through their fine results in 4-H club work in the past, earned trips to the course: Helen Johansen, Inez Lorange and Arnold Roen, Luverne; Douglas Sjolseth, Charles Skovgaard, Lucille Nuffer and Pearl Skovgaard, Hills; Eleanor Stegemann of Beaver Creek; Helen Falk and Robert Kamerude, Sherman, S.D."100 years ago (1905)"Fred York is seriously considering the proposition of erecting a residence built of cement blocks which are said to be cheaper than lumber. If these cement blocks are all they are claimed to be, it will make it possible for some of our business men to replace their frame buildings by these cement fireproof structures. Let someone make a start."

Vicki Nelson, Mankato, and Bruce Nelson, Brooklyn Center, were memorial weekend visitors at their parents, Ray and Lois Nelson.Betty Elbers attended a RELIV Conference in Rapid City, S.D., Friday and Saturday. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the 50th wedding anniversary party for Art and Donna Dahlen on May 28 at the Senior Citizens Center in Luverne. Ray and Lois Nelson attended the ninth annual spring concert of the Sioux Empire Brass Society at Brandon Performing Arts Center Friday night. Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe visited Friday at the home of Wayne and Eloise Warner and their daughter, Jan, who was home for the weekend at Larchwood, Iowa. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson spent from Friday until Sunday in the home of Anna and Mike Gilman in Eden Prairie and enjoyed a mini-reunion with their children and grandchildren.Sunday the Sioux Falls Municipal Band began their summer schedule of concerts at McKennan Park and Terrace Park in the afternoon and evening. Lois Nelson and Al Berdahl are Hills members. Ray Nelson and Bob and Twila Kirsch attended the night concert. Brett and Jo Solberg of Lansing, Kan., came to Hills May 27 to spend some time with their grandparents, Ron and Jan Solberg. The foursome went to Fosston to see their great-grandmother, Violet Solberg. The youngsters will be spending this week here while attending Bible School at Bethlehem. Bob and Twila Kirsch attended the graduation party Saturday evening for Katie Kraetsch at Kanaranzi.Sheldon and Ellie Sandager and Mike and Nancy Sandager and family have returned home after spending the Memorial weekend at the ranch at Herrick, S.D.Betty Elbers spent a few days in the home of her daughter, Cheryl, in Valley Springs, S.D., caring for the children while Cheryl was on vacation.Wendell Erickson attended funeral services Tuesday, May 24, for Shirl Held, the former superintendent of Worthington Public Schools. Don and Edyth Briggs went to Winner, S.D., Saturday when Don played in the band of the El Riad Spring Ceremonial

Everyone has been anxiously awaiting some warm weather so they could get outdoors and catch up on their gardening, lawns, flowers and, of course, the weeds. However, our weather has been not very cooperative. It has had one pattern, dark and cloudy, showers of rain and then the wind blows which makes it very difficult to plant garden and do the other necessary things that need doing in the spring. Monday morning we awoke to bright sunshine, the wind wasn’t blowing and the temperature was nice and warm. I have been patiently waiting for just such a day so that I could get out and catch up with all of the things that need doing outdoors. Monday morning reminded me of the old song, "Oh! What A Beautiful Morning!" It was a beautiful balmy day. Do you suppose spring is here at last?Arvin and Cena Mae Tilstra left Thursday to attend the wedding of Arvin’s niece, Shawn Tilstra, at Bryan Center, Mich., on Saturday. They returned home on Sunday evening.Last Thursday’s guests in the Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen home were Herb and Jo Roos, Sioux Center, Iowa, Dorothy Mullins from California and her niece. Dorothy and JoAnn had been classmates in school and she was also JoAnn’s bridesmaid.Vacation Bible School began on Monday at Steen Reformed Church. Their theme this year is Serengeti Trek, where kids are wild about God.Don Boeve had surgery at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne on Wednesday. Congratulations to Valerie and Cory Meinerts on the birth of a baby boy, Daniel James, born on Wednesday, June 1. There will be a free summer ragtime concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Steen softball field. If you haven’t heard ragtime for a long time, you will want to be there. Summer swimming lessons will be Monday, June 20, through Friday, July 1. For those wishing to participate, there are forms to fill out at H-BC schools. H-BC Summer Book of the Week Club will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22 and 29 and July 6 and 13. Forms may be filled out at school if you wish to participate. Hills Friendship Days are Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. These are fun days for all of the family. Plan to join them. We are living in very trying times. Every day the news is very difficult to hear. We all want to do what we can to bring peace to our world but it does take time and patience. Thinking of this, I found this article, "Faith of Our Fathers" and since we will observe Father’s Day soon, I felt it would be nice to know how much the fathers of our nation went through to provide us the security and lifestyles we all enjoy.Faith of Our Fathers"Faith of our fathers, living still, in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword."What heroic pictures parade before our imaginations as we sing these thrilling words!A tiny ship in a thundering sea as great souls dare the unknown to find a land in which they will be free to worship.Farmers at a little bridge in Concord, and a shot heard round the world; the first shot in a war to establish that men have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Washington on his knees in the snows of Valley Forge, lifting his voice in prayer for his starving freezing soldiers.Covered wagons moving across deserts, fording rushing rivers, climbing over the rugged mountain passes … valiant men and women thrusting our frontiers to the setting sun. A tall, gaunt man on the battlefield at Gettysburg, speaking immortal words "… that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth."A soldier in a dimly lighted dugout in France writing a poem to challenge the spirits of men: "The Torch: Be yours to hold it high! If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep though poppies grow in Flanders Field."Faith! The power that has conquered the wilderness. That has built skyscrapers to pierce the clouds. That has dotted the land with schools and colleges and churches. That has said to all men, "Here is a free land in which you can reach for the stars!"That faith is victorious! We shall go marching on, for from farms and cities, from offices and factories, are coming the new champions of that faith. They are flying silver-winged planes in the sky. They are riding rumbling tanks. They are sailing ships. They are firing guns. They are telling the world that our way of life will go on. They are upholding the faith of their fathers!Wilferd Peterson

Shortly after my 40th birthday, I stumbled upon one of life’s greatest truths. "Women’s lives are divided into two distinct parts," I wrote, "a time when they wish to look pregnant and a time when they don’t." Twenty-some years later, an even greater truth has surfaced. This time it’s clear that most adults’ lives are divided into two halves — the first half when we worry about how many miles our cars will get to a gallon of fuel, and the second when we worry about how long we can get by on a cup of coffee before needing a restroom. The answer to the post-age-50 bladder control crisis was recently revealed on a British gadget and gizmo Web site. According to a posted news article at the site, a UK company, started up by a distant relative of the inventor of the toilet, has created a new handheld GPS device for locating public restrooms throughout that country. The global-positioning i-Poo apparently displays the location of 43,000 or so public restrooms in the U.K. and will give its operator the fastest walking directions to the nearest one. At first the news sounded almost too good to be true. "If however there is no public toilet within 600 meters, "the article added, "the software will also direct you to an open restaurant, pub or if after closing hours, a darkened alley." A warning flag should have gone up at this point, but reading about the GPS system overwhelmed the rational part of my brain. Clearly, GPS systems are no longer limited to luxury vehicles or golf carts at posh country clubs. A hand-held global positioning system would also allow its user to quickly locate garage sales and spectacular sales events at favorite stores. With the help of additional technological devices, we might even become "carborgs" — cyborgs that are half human and half automotive accessories. Carborgs would definitely give new meaning to words such as "shifty" and "shiftless." For example, flip-down, overhead cosmetic mirrors such as those found on car visors could be permanently attached to our foreheads. No matter what age, a woman can never be too prepared for cosmetic breakdowns. Tiny windshield wipers could be attached to our bifocal glasses. They would be perfect for life’s blinding moments — unexpected rain storms, opening a dishwasher door while the contents are still steaming hot or sitting through the final, tear-choking scene of "Beaches," when Bette Midler belts out "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Much like the messages on the dashboards of our cars ("Service in 2,000 miles" or "Check oil"), flashing messages on our handheld i-Poos could signal, "Make appointment for annual physical" or "Refill prescriptions." Inflatable air bags could be suspended from our elastic waistbands and hang over our hips for accidental falls and spills. Falling down and not being able to get up would no longer be a problem. With air bags on our hips, we would bounce right back to our standing positions. Instead of carrying a simple Walkman when we walk for exercise, we could become portable entertainment centers, complete with tape players, CDs, radios and miniature TVs. With carborgs for parents, our children would rave, "You should see my mom. She’s a ‘42 Michigan with lots of miles and her chassis could use a little work, but she’s very reliable." As noted earlier, at least one warning flag should have been raised. A closer examination of the iPoo story revealed it had been posted at midnight, April 1, 2005. What a disappointment.

The Hills High School Graduates of 1945, once again are organizing a reunion, to be held on Saturday June 25, 2005 at the Beaver Creek Country Club.The gathering starts at noon that day. There will be catered food available at reasonable costs. The emphasis this year is to extend a SPECIAL INVITATION TO THE GRADUATES/ATTENDEES FROM THE THIRTIES AND EARLY FORTIES! I need not tell you the ranks get thinner every year!It would be great to see Denny Ronning, Bob Kirsch, Sheldon Sandager and of course Ray Nelson and this is not to exclude anyone else whose name was not used. Obviously the out-of-town grads are especially invited. Do you think Irene, Dorothy and Phyllis will be there?If you wish to attend and we hope you do, please contact Everett Fikse at 507- 962-3324! Due to an agreement with the Beaver Creek Country Club please contact Ev Fikse by SUNDOWN on Friday June 17, 2005. Ev should still be up and awake!I know if old Addle Pate were still with us, he would be in attendance and there would be a NO skipping school function tolerated!! Since he still communicates with me once in awhile, usually when I am asleep, I don't want poor attendance at the June 25th gathering to have him wake me up again!SEE YOU THERE!Jim FlemingPS: Casual Dress Encouraged!

Alfred W. "Al" Knobloch, 76, Rock Rapids, Iowa, died June 2, 2005, at his home in Rock Rapids. Funeral services were Monday, June 6, at Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, Iowa, with burial at the church cemetery.Alfred William Knobloch, the son of Emil and Frieda (Doerr) Knobloch, was born December 25, 1928, at Alvord, Iowa. He grew up near Alvord and attended country school. After school he worked on area farms before joining the United States Army in 1951. He was stationed in Germany as part of the Signal Corps. Mr. Knobloch married Lucille (Lucy) Spohr on November 20, 1954, in Elgin, Ill. The couple settled near Lester, Iowa, where they farmed for 35 years. He also worked as a carpenter and part-time salesman. In 1986, following recovery from a motor vehicle accident, he retired from farming. He then worked for Lester Feed and Grain . In 1997 he and his wife moved to Rock Rapids.Mr. Knobloch was a member of Apostolic Christian Church in Lester. He was also a member of the American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, carpentry and time with his family.He is survived by his wife, Lucy; six children, Ronda (Jim) Thielen, Sioux Falls, S.D., Lola (Dan) Deragisch, Eagan, Kim (Todd) Massner, Mediapolis, Iowa, Carla Knobloch, Rock Rapids, Cameron (Tamara) Knobloch, Whittemore, Iowa, and Penny (Jim) Domnick, Morris; seventeen grandchildren; five brothers, Gilbert, Melvin, and William Knobloch, Rock Rapids, Silas Knobloch, Lester, and Clyde Knobloch, Mackinaw, Ill.; and three sisters, Libbie Den Hartog, Shelley, Ind., Naomi Knobloch, Lester, and Esther Warner, Rock Rapids. Mr. Knobloch was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Frieda, and a daughter, Pamela.Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.

10 years ago (1995)
Mark Lundgren resigned as head baseball coach.
After more than a year of work, Heartland Express director Deb Fick got the authority to transport passengers across state lines. The service will be useful for medical appointments.
Dan Serie’s team won the Memorial Day Scrambler at the Luverne Country Club. Team members were Serie, Eileen Reisch, Ed Sedlacek, Jeannie Wethor and Ed Coleman.25 years ago (1980)
The county board will conduct a hearing regarding the dissolution of the Magnolia School District.
Rock County commissioners are considering a plan to remodel the existing sheriff’s office and sheriff’s quarters into a joint law enforcement center. The estimated cost of the renovation is $248,000.
Sara Pursell and the NBC crew of Real People spent a day in Luverne to do a story on 100-year-old John Engebretson. He still worked every day at Rose Dell Mutual Insurance Company.
Emil Wiese retired after 32 years with Tri-State Insurance Company.50 years ago (1955)
Three miles of cookies — that is, if they were laid in a straight line one next to the other — will be baked this week in a special cookie promotion by Ben’s Bakery. The company will make 3,000 dozen cookies.
Polio vaccinations will start next week, about two weeks later than expected.75 years ago (1930)
A total of 47 students graduated from Luverne High School.
As a direct result of his affection for a dog, Otto Peters, of Anton, Iowa, is now serving a 30-day sentence without the option of paying a fine. The charge against him was not love for a canine, but for petit larceny, in that he had driven off with a highly valued Springer spaniel owned by the Great Northern agent at Hills.
As Friday is the heaviest day of the week in the amount of mail matter handled at the Luverne post office, the mail carriers will make one delivery of mail this morning and will take the rest of their one day’s vacation period tomorrow afternoon, making two half holidays in place of the full day, as authorized by the post office department.100 years ago (1905)
Extensive improvements will be made in the Central school building during the coming summer vacation. The improvements will include the installation of a steam heating plant to replace the hot air plant now in use; new hardwood floors in the various rooms, new cement floor in a part of the basement, and a board floor in that part of the basement not now in constant use.
Agent Geo. S. Bell, of the Omaha, will engage with a number of others in Rock County in raising sweet potatoes this summer.
There were 350 children attending a Decoration Day program and address by N.R. Reynolds. Each child received a flag.

By Sara QuamDingmann Funeral Home and the City of Luverne are trying to work out differences to transform the clinic into a new funeral home when the clinic is vacated in July.Sioux Valley Medical Center and Luverne Community Hospital are relocating to the new facility at the end of July.The city and owner Dan Dingmann reached a memorandum of understanding that Dingmann would occupy the clinic portion of the existing space. The memorandum was described by City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi as a preliminary document that has some legal authority, but isn’t binding.It is also vague in many respects, so just how the deal will be handled is up in the air now.Dingmann and his representatives will meet with the city next week to clear up some issues before any deal is finalized.Building Official Dan Delgehausen has been in on discussions. He said, "Who is responsible for what is in question?"The memorandum of understanding outlined a tentative deal:oDingmann was to purchase the Luverne Medical Center and have the use of the north parking lot.The city tentatively said the hospital would probably be demolished later and used as parking for Dingmann.oThe parking lots north of the Medical Center could be sold for residential development.oAs another part of the deal, Fledgling Field will be transferred to the Economic Development Authority, which will find a use for the vacant lot.Parking, interior usable space and handicap accessibility were all reasons Dingmann wants to relocate from his current historic structure on West Main Street.If the city doesn’t demolish the hospital portion of the current hospital/clinic, Dingmann wants an adequate barrier between his business and whatever is inside the neighboring building.Approximately 30 feet of space between the two buildings can be demolished, but at a cost of more than $150,000.Delgehausen said, "There’s even a dispute as to whether it’s even a part of the clinic or hospital."To demolish the hospital in its entirety would cost up to $300,000, not including site work afterward.There was talk of moving the Fire Hall to the hospital half, but the fire department has developed plans to expand at its current site instead. That expansion affects an addition at Holy Trinity Church, the Fire Hall’s neighbor. It appears that there is room for both projects on the block, and the city offered more land to the church for $30,000. After an agreement is reached between the city and Dingmann, the architect will present options for the hospital to the City Council.

By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members took official action at their Thursday, May 26, meeting to put a referendum to district voters this fall."This action gives notice of the board’s intention to go out for the question this fall," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer. "Specific dollar amounts will be determined after the legislative session ends."Luverne District voters said no last fall to a $455 per pupil operating referendum that would have brought an estimated $603,995 per year to the district for up to 10 years.Residents voted no on the request for more money by a 1,876-1,760 vote.It was the first time in the history of the Luverne School District that residents said no to more money for schools.The last time voters said no to a referendum request was in 1963 when a pool was proposed as part of the west wing addition to the high school.Voters at that time said yes to the building project and no to the pool.Kindergarten questionsAt Thursday’s meeting, the board officially responded to questions posed by parents at the last meeting regarding the board’s decision to cut all day every day kindergarten.One question posed by the parents dealt with the amount of tuition suggested for the optional afternoon kindergarten program.District Finance Officer Marlene Mann said the amount was arrived at based on the cost of teachers, supplies and building maintenance."We believed it was a reasonable dollar amount," Mann said.The amount is comparable to Discovery Time Preschool, which costs $92 per month. That comes to $2.83 per hour figuring three mornings per week.The afternoon kindergarten program, based on 15 hours per week, came to $2.30 per hour or $150 per month.