Virgil Harold Thompson, 77, Luverne, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Monday, Sept. 13, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Dell B Sanderson and Maurice E. Hagen officiated. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Virgil Thompson was born to Theodore and Helmina (Peterson) Thompson on March 30, 1927, in Valley Springs, S.D. He was raised in Valley Springs until his family moved to Luverne in 1932. He graduated from Luverne High School. Upon completion of school, he worked at Nelson’s in the grocery department. In June 1945, he entered the Army Corps of Engineers and was stationed at Wiesbaden Air Field in Germany until October 1947. He received the Victory Medal, the Occupation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He married Ilse Josephine Meudt on Sept. 9, 1947, in Wiesbaden – Biebrich, Germany. When the couple returned from abroad, they lived in Luverne. At the time of their return, Mrs. Thompson was Rock County’s first war bride. He then worked as a milkman for Forrest Dairy in Luverne, which later became Terrace Park Dairy, for more than a quarter of a century. His milkman career was cut short by a knee injury. He then worked for Luverne Municipal Liquor Store and later as a professional house painter and handyman. He moved to Hospice at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills on Aug. 30. Mr. Thompson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was a lifetime member of VFW and a district committee member of Sioux Council, Boy Scouts of America. His hobbies included woodworking, fishing and camping. He enjoyed his travels with his wife; especially their several trips to Germany. Survivors include his wife, Ilse Thompson, Hills; three sons, Steven (Diane) Thompson, Brandon, S.D., David (Marion) Thompson, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Charles (Jane) Thompson, Luverne; eight grandchildren, Kim Vermeer, Rick Thompson, Christa Bauman, Sara Thompson, Laura Thompson, Lucas Thompson, Landon Thompson and Carrie Thompson; four great-grandchildren, Trey Vermeer, Brooklyn Vermeer, Carter Bauman and Madelyn Bauman; three siblings, Clarence Thompson and his special friend, Shirley, La Crosse, Wis., Ruby (Larry) Viland, Luverne, and Harriet (Harold) Bryan, Billings, Mont.; and many family and friends.Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parents, and four sisters, Mildred, Gladys, Helen and Gena. Memorials are preferred to Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital or Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Victor Leon Sandager, 87, Hills, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at Luverne Community Hospital following a brief illness. Services were Saturday, Sept. 11, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. Burial was in Flowerfield Cemetery at Hills. Victor Sandager was born to Nels and Clara (Skovgaard) Sandager on Dec. 6, 1916, in rural Rock County near Hills. He attended school in Hills and graduated from high school in 1935. He attended the University of Minnesota Agriculture School in St. Paul. After his education, he began farming in Rock County. He married Frances Jane Cragoe on Aug. 20, 1942, in Beaver Creek. They made their home on a farm near Hills. He loved farming and never retired. Up until his death he continued to help on the farm. They moved to Tuff Village in October 2003. Mr. Sandager was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills and served on church boards. He served on the Hills School Board in Hills, Tuff Memorial Nursing Home Board, Tuff Foundation Board and was a member of the Norse Glee Club in Sioux Falls, S.D., for several years. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to many places, including spending a year in the mission field in Papua, New Guinea, with his family as an agricultural volunteer. Survivors include his wife, Frances Sandager, Hills, four sons, Ed (Linda) Hartog, Sacramento, Calif., John (Joanne) Sandager, Colorado Springs, Colo., Mark (Karen) Sandager, Hills, James (Louisa) Sandager, West Des Moines, Iowa; one daughter, Jane (Daryl) Schubert, Tanzania, Africa; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Sheldon (Elnora) Sandager, Hills, and Lee (Betty) Sandager, Marine on St. Croix; and three sisters, Leona Goehle, Tyler, Marie (Merle) Muckala, St. Paul, and Anita (Hal) Johnson Stillwater. Mr. Sandager was preceded in death by his parents, one son, David Randall, one brother, Paul, two sisters, Beulah and Lenore, and special friend, Howard Crawford whose wife Carolyn continues to live at Tuff Village. The family requests a memorial may be given to be directed toward mission work around the world in lieu of flowers. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Charleene Lynch, 87, Luverne, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at Luverne Hospice Cottage. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 14, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Thomas Jennings officiated. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery. Margaret Doyle was born to John Edward and Anna Caroline (Gibboney) Doyle on Aug. 28, 1917, in Luverne. She attended Rock County schools and graduated from Luverne High School in 1935. She married John Verlyn (Jake) Lynch on June 4, 1938, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. She lived all her life in Luverne except when she followed her husband, who was in the U.S. Army, to Oregon and Missouri until he went overseas during World War II. She worked as a sales clerk at JC Penney, Nelson’s Department Store and Montgomery Ward until she retired in 1969. Mr. Lynch died Dec. 3, 1991.She married Harold Schlimgen on Jan. 12, 1996, in Luverne. Mrs. Lynch was an active member of St. Catherine Catholic Church. She was a member of the Luverne sewing club and a card club.Survivors include her husband, Harold Schlimgen, Mitchell, S.D.; one daughter, Pat (Steven) Ahlberg, Worthington; three grandsons, Jared (Nichole) Ahlberg, Aeknagik, Alaska, Travis (Brittany) Ahlberg, Genesee, Idaho, and Lucas Ahlberg, Golden Valley; one granddaughter, Kimberly Ahlberg, Mankato; three great-grandchildren, Emma and Ian Ahlberg, and Kolbjorn Ahlberg; four sisters, Alice (Ron) Ehrisman, Sioux Falls, Laura May (Dries) Bosch, Brandon, S.D., Kay Cox, Adrian, and Edwina (LeRoy) Rust, Luverne; three sisters-in-law, Myra Doyle, Sioux Falls, PerryEtta Fuerstenberg, Luverne, and Helen Lynch, Plainview; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Lynch was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, one brother, Paul Doyle, four brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and two nephews.The family requests memorials to Luverne Hospice Cottage or the American Cancer Society.A tree will be dedicated in memory of Margaret Lynch by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital. Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Marlene Wilhelmina Lundgren, 66, Sheldon, Iowa, formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon, Iowa. She was the sister of Rodger Ossenfort and Lois Nath in Luverne.Services were Friday, Sept. 10, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon. The Revs. Dr. Kenneth H. Arnold and Richard Taylor officiated. Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery of Sheldon.Marlene Ossenfort was born to Albert F. and Anna M. (Meyer) Ossenfort on Nov. 5, 1937, in Boyden, Iowa. She was raised and received her education in Leeds, Iowa, and was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Boyden. She attended Leeds High School. She married Lyle A. Lundgren Sr. at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple lived in the Luverne area until moving to Sheldon in 1961. She had worked for Aalf’s Manufacturing in Sheldon. Most of her life she worked in food service as a cook, working at Northwest Iowa Health Center, A&W Family Restaurant for 20 years and for the past four years, at Casey’s. Mr. Lundgren died on Nov. 2, 1981.Mrs. Lundgren was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, the Eagle’s Club, Garden Club and a "Red Hat Sister." She enjoyed making afghans, reading and was known for her potato salad. Survivors include seven children, Tina (Rich) Terrel, Ottumwa, Iowa, Lyle Jr. (Mary) Lundgren, Orange City, Iowa, Connie Lundgren, Ranae (Ken) Mordick, all of Sheldon, Barb (Trent) Sohn, Sutherland, Iowa, Pam (Mark) Caboth, Estherville, Iowa, and Troy Lundgren, Sanborn, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, Sarah and Jason Hughes, Rita Chapin, Andrew and Paul Lundgren, Kordel Sohn, Christy, Caleb and Curtis Caboth, Rebecca and Chris Joens, Ryan and Nathan Mordick and Savannah Lundgren; 14 brothers and sisters and their spouses, Loren (Grace) Ossenfort, Watertown, S.D., David (Linda) Ossenfort, Grandville, Mich., Don (Barb) Ossenfort, Rapid City, S.D., Lois (Norman) Nath, Rodger (Dianne) Ossenfort, all of Luverne, Carol (Virgil) Oltmans, Apple Valley, Larry (Marcia) Ossenfort, Kenneth, Alice (Ron) Hansen, Hardwick, Linda (Gene) Molden, St. Cloud, Judy (Mike) Reis, Columbus, Ga., Dennis (Diane) Ossenfort, Worthington, Debbie (Roger) Gehrke, Beaver Creek, Brenda (Keith) Staeffler and Kathy (Keith) Scholten, all of Valley Springs, S.D., and also other relatives and friends.Mrs. Lundgren was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, was in charge of arrangements.

Marla Kjellson returned to her home Saturday at Belleville, Ill., after spending a week visiting her mother, Margaret Bakker. Jan Solberg went to Wheaton on Sept. 4 to spend until Sept. 5 with her mother, Hattie Walz. Harvey and Peggy Wollman, Sioux Falls, were Sunday evening visitors in the home of Wilmer and Betty Elbers. Cliff and Vi VanWyhe returned home from a week’s vacation. They first stopped to see their grandson, Justin VanWyhe, who is attending North Dakota University at Fargo. They spent several days in the Leech Lake area and went to Hutchinson to see their granddaughter, Dr. Heather VanWyhe, and then went to Rochester to see another granddaughter, Lindsey DeWit, who teaches school there. June Albers returned home after spending three weeks visiting her sister, Fern Becker, at Fergus Falls.Mitchell and Madison Elbers, Valley Springs, S.D., spent Friday night in the home of their grandparents, Wilmer and Betty Elbers. Rodney and Gail Arendson, Freeport, N.Y., spent a week over Labor Day with Gail’s parents, Ray and Lois Nelson. Guests over the weekend were Bruce Nelson, Brooklyn Center, and Vicki Nelson, Mankato. Due to bus schedule problems, Ray and Lois took Vicki back to Mankato on Wednesday. Saturday, Lois Nelson and Al Berdahl took part in the Sioux Falls Municipal Band concert during the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 2004.

Where does the time go? Here we are about half through September and it seems to me it has just arrived! It is a very beautiful month. The leaves are beginning to turn, the flowers are in full bloom. Our grass is still green and our weather has been beautiful!I found this description of September in a magazine. There was no author listed so I cannot give you his name. It begins: "September’s charms — how they woo and hold us; there is so much to glory in and praise. Her peacefulness and gentleness seems to enfold us. There is magic in her golden haze. September’s beauty is a beauty of achievement; her arms are filled with golden sheaves. She counts no summer’s going as a bereavement; at the footsteps of winter, she neither trembles or grieves. Ah, September! Dahlias are flaming in September, blazing defiance of Jack Frost’s sharp breath. This is a fact I shall ever remember — beauty was present at fair summer’s death."What a wonderful description of the month of September!The Steen Senior Citizens had their September meeting on Monday, Sept. 13. It was a week late due to Labor Day and the Labor Day tournament which was in Steen. Joan Hoogeveen served the refreshments. The afternoon was spent in playing cards and other games. This is a little late but the primary election was Tuesday. I hope you didn’t forget to vote!Congratulations to Kristi Elbers and Daniel De Groff of Rochester who were united in marriage at Steen Reformed Church Saturday afternoon. The bride’s parents are Marlin and Linda Elbers of Steen and the groom’s parents are John and Barb De Groff from Yankton, S.D. The reception was at Beaver Creek Lodge near Beaver Creek. The couple plan to make their home in Rochester where they are both employed. Kathleen Esselink, who has been a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, was able to return to her home on Tuesday. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Old Time Fiddler’s concert at Lake Benton Saturday evening. The group that entertained were all from South Dakota. Our deepest sympathy goes out to our former Steen residents, Dries and Laura May Bosch, on the death of her sister, Margaret (Lynch), as we knew her, of Luverne, who passed away on Friday.Sunday afternoon Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended a program at Beaver Creek Nature Center near Brandon. This is an annual event and was very well attended. The Old Time Fiddlers presented the program which was greatly enjoyed by all. Daryl and Marie Paulsen met Daryl’s brother, Gary and his wife, Carlotte, in Minneapolis this past weekend where they attended a football game. They also enjoyed some sightseeing before returning home. The Hills-Beaver Creek students had their school pictures taken on Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Elementary School and at the High School also. I hope they turn out great!This week we either will observe Grandparents Day or will have observed it. I have had this little book here for some time titled, "Grandma Knows Best, But No One Listened!" I would like to share a few of the thoughts about grandparents and their grandchildren with all of you. Some of them will sound very familiar and others you may not have experienced as yet. It was written for grandmothers but I think it will apply equally as well with grandfathers. The book was written by Mary McBride and forwarded by Phyllis Diller. I hope you enjoy it. Grandmothers are known to say these kinds of things:"What a cute baby! She will be Miss America some day."Grandchildren also express themselves quite often and are known to say, "My Grandma always buys what I am selling!"Grandmas sometime say, "Let’s wait until tomorrow, then you will feel much better."At bedtime they know what time their cousins go to bed and they are not ready. I could go on and on with what grandmas and grandchildren say and do but what works for one doesn’t work for all! However, I need to share with you about Grandma being very busy. This point of view comes from a grandchild who says, "But my other Grandma turns off her dopey operas when I come. Other sayings: "My grandma can’t read stories, she makes them up." "My other grandma makes my birthday cakes from scratch!"Grandparents are very proud of their grandchildren and love them dearly but if you want a good laugh, just buy the book, "Grandma Knows Best, But No One Listens!"I hope you all had a Happy Grandparents Day or weekend!

Costco Wholesale Corporation, the world’s largest warehouse club operator, has introduced the ultimate lay-away plan — discounted caskets. Bargain-hunting customers in two of its Chicago stores can now choose to buy now and be buried later. The six models of steel caskets are reportedly priced at $799.99 and the color choices include lilac and Neapolitan blue. Floor models of the caskets are displayed next to mattresses in the two stores, although critics might argue that the gardening section is more appropriate. Casket deliveries can be expected within 48 hours, coincidentally the same time it takes to have a check cleared at a bank. Costco apparently doesn’t want to be stiffed along with the dearly departed. The greatest advantage to buying a floor model casket, reduced for clearance, would be to facilitate packing smaller items at the end of the checkout lane. Cardboard boxes always seem to be in short supply in discount warehouse stores, where you must pack up your own purchases and cart them out to your vehicle. You will simply be able to load the 50-pound bags of dog food, huge sacks of frozen chicken and other bulky, economy-sized food items into the casket. You will no longer have to worry about dropping loose purchases onto the store’s parking lot or somewhere between the car and your house. A primary disadvantage would be the 24-hour advance notice for purchases. To avoid this problem, caskets could be delivered to your home possibly years ahead of time and be used as coffee tables or spare beds for overnight guests. Last minute purchases might become unnecessarily complicated. "It looks like Aunt Josie is taking a turn for the worse. Someone should jump into the car and run over to Costco before it closes. Oh! And don’t forget to pick up the things on the grocery list while you’re there." Although many people might say they can’t tell the difference between the Costco caskets and the full-retail ones which often cost $1,500-$3,500, discerning funeral attendees might be able to. For example, a large, black-and-white Universal Price Code sticker, necessary for checkouts and impossible to remove, might be permanently attached to one end of a discounted casket. In other cases, a bright orange clearance sale sticker, stuck to the viewers’ side of the casket, might vie for attention with the UPC. As you glance into the open casket for a final farewell, you can’t help but notice some crumbles of dry dog food and a 48-ounce bottle of catsup, which have slipped unnoticed between the folds of satin lining. Several scratch marks and gouges are quite obvious on the casket, the result of being transported from store to home in the back of neighbor’s pickup or on top of the family’s car. ("This is a lot harder than loading a Christmas tree," pants a family friend.) If $799.99 caskets are possible now, it’s only a matter of time before another discounter will offer models at $99.99. When that happens, funeral-goers might notice caskets held together with shiny, half-inch metal staples. Upon closer examination, what appeared from a distance to be an expensive teakwood model with solid brass handles is actually cut from 4-by-8 sheets of wall paneling. It has flimsy plastic handles as well as bungee cords for security purposes. A sure sign that a discounted casket has been used is when the funeral has been postponed for one of three reasons — the bank couldn’t clear the check, the casket was back-ordered, or the neighbor’s pickup wasn’t available.

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday set its 2005 preliminary levy at 5.5 percent more than this year’s. The county will collect a total of 3,191,769 and anticipates $941,558 in aid. The county is spending about $481,055 more than in 2004.The 5.5 percent levy increase doesn’t mean each property owner will pay that much more in county taxes. Individual valuations or classifications affect tax bills. Also, the tax base has increased. The overall growth means less is needed from individuals who all share in the levy collectionCommissioner Bob Jarchow said he was comfortable with the 5.5 percent levy increase. "I look at the preliminary levy as building in a cushion for the county," he said.State law requires the preliminary levy be set in September and then finalized in December. The preliminary levy may be decreased, but not increased before it is certified.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said that with the state budget shortfall, the county’s aid might change. "I am not all that confident that we’ll actually get this aid when the state is a billion short," Oldre said.Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "This budget is really being held hostage by a few things."Another variable in the county budget is the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center, which the county said it will no longer share with the city. The county terminated the agreement in order to recoup lost money from the city of Luverne, which terminated its dispatching joint powers agreement and the $155,847 that came along with it.The county was slated to pay $68,066 for the pool in direct payments and per diem costs for board members. It removed that from the budget, but may be open to reinstating the joint venture if other city contracts pan out.Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "The pool is valuable for all citizens of the county.Also a budget variable is the city of Luverne’s intention to pay its law enforcement contract in 2005. The county has budgeted for the city to pay $669,366 for law enforcement services, even though the city cancelled dispatch.Jarchow said he hoped the board didn’t consider partnerships in law enforcement and the pool together while negotiating."I personally think they are mutually exclusive, independent operations and contracts," Jarchow said.He says that, referring to some contract proposals from the city of Luverne that have included both law enforcement and pool numbers.Truth in taxation statements sent out in the fall will tell property owners what to expect to pay when all levies are certified.Department budgetsCommissioners are still in the process of reviewing department budgets for 2005.Tuesday, they heard from two: Family Services and the Rock County Community Library.Family Services has a proposed levy of $920,006, or a 6 percent increase from 2004.That includes the assumption that the costly budget item of out-of-home placements (foster care, treatment centers, etc.) will stay the same as 2004.Payroll costs assumed merit system and cost of living increases; 8 percent health insurance rate increase; a retirement and replacement hire; a new full-time financial worker (40 to 45 percent federally reimbursed), and an additional part-time accounting technician (33 percent federally reimbursed).Family Services also budgeted a 20 percent increase in Southwestern Mental Health Center Block Grant (a $16,451 increase); and allocated $10,693 to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.The Rock County Community Library will receive $113,000 from the county. The library needs new computers and carpeting, but doesn’t have those improvements budgeted for 2005. With the loss of the bookmobile, librarian Glenda Bremer said, "We’re trying to still get out there in the county."Children’s librarian April Gangstad used a grant to visit 24 day cares with a summer reading program. That reached 145 children.Bremer shared a monthly report with the board to illustrate the use of the library. In August, there were 4,859 borrowers. There was an average daily circulation of 299, and a monthly circulation of 7,768. All numbers reflected an increase from the same time last year.

By Lori EhdeThe parish nurse program at Luverne’s United Methodist Church has grown from a good idea for a local congregation to a state model for other communities to build on.The Southwest Minnesota Foundation recently approved another $10,000 to support parish nursing in Luverne. It’s the third and final year for the grant, but Foundation staff members had high words of praise for registered nurse, Tammy Moeller, saying she’s built a program others can aspire to match.Moeller appreciates the compliments, but said she’s really only doing what she loves to do — making people feel better, physically and spiritually."I’m very glad I chose this occupation," she said. "I love the work and I love the opportunity to help so many people."Moeller previously worked at Luverne Community Hospital and the Hospice Cottage. She started the more administrative job of safety officer at the hospital when she heard of this opportunity."God has a way of making it work," she said. "I did it with faith, and I just prayed that it would work out."The Foundation is one of several funding sources for the parish nursing program, but Moeller’s salary is paid primarily by the Methodist Church.The Rev. Bart Fletcher brought the idea to the congregation three years ago because he spent much of his time during visits dealing with matters that were better left to a nurse. The church agreed that it would be ideal to return to the old tradition of being involved with health care.The Methodist Church partially funds Moeller’s position, which is also funded by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The purpose of Moeller’s work is outlined as health education, counseling, illness prevention and being a community resource liaison. Moeller said in her fourth year on the job, she’s fulfilled all those requirements. "I’m most proud that people are talking about parish nursing," she said."I think every church and community should support it, because it’s getting people back to thinking about other people. … That was the original purpose of the parish nursing — It’s caring for people."As a registered nurse, she observes things like ankle swelling or medication side effects with a trained eye. And she’s also a concerned friend who can see if her "patients" need more help than they’re getting."The most invasive thing I do is blood pressure checks," Moeller said. "For anything more, I get them to their doctor."She gets satisfaction out of knowing her work can make a difference in the lives of her patients and their families. For example, one person had a low blood level after a recent surgery that might have been fatal had Moeller not detected it and recommended treatment."I guess in this situation, I was just the person who had the medical knowledge to help someone get help before they ended up seriously ill," she said.The success of the program lies in referrals which come primarily from within the Methodist Church congregation. But the program was clearly developed as a community outreach tool, as well, and Moeller said she’s seeing more and more patients outside of her church.And that, she said, is what it’s all about."That’s the bottom line," she said. "People are caring for people again."Moeller doesn’t have many set office hours, but she can be reached by cell phone at 920-7653 for information on programs or to get a visit from Luverne’s parish nurse.