May 31, 2016
Luverne’s Jeff Hartquist was named president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association at the group’s recent annual convention
Hartquist said he was “proud and humbled” to be selected for the role.
“Our funeral home has been a member of the association even before our family purchased the funeral home in January 2004,” Hartquist said.
“We have been the only funeral home in Luverne and Rock…
By Lori Sorenson
May 31, 2016
The Dam Creek Bar in Beaver Creek has been open since April 14, and the new owners are pleased with business so far.
“It’s been wonderful,” said one of the owners, Earl Vanden Bussche, Beaver Creek. “Our customers, our friends, the community — they’ve all be great.”
Vanden Bussche is a newcomer to bar ownership, but he’s no stranger to hard work.
He farmed for 21 years, worked at Hills Stainless…
May 31, 2016
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a one-time, 30-day extension to the June 1 deadline for recording farm organization structures related to Actively Engaged in Farming determinations. This date is used to determine the level of interest an individual holds in a legal entity for the applicable program year. Farming operations will now have until July 1 to complete their restructuring or…
By Mavis Fodness
May 31, 2016
Rock County Library Director Serena Gutnik likened the upcoming visits by three authors this month in Luverne to attending a music concert.
“Going to a concert is a totally different way to experience the artist,” she said.
To those who love books, meeting their favorite authors is like meeting a rock star in person.
“And how often do you meet a rock star?” Gutnik asked.
People in Rock County…
By Lori Sorenson i
May 31, 2016
Luverne businesses, shoppers and downtown visitors kicked off a summer of “Throwback Thursdays” last week on May 26.
They enjoyed live music, food, shops open late and hanging out with Thunder and Rumble, Luverne’s new bison mascots.
“This is your chance to visit with friends, family and get ready for the Memorial Day Weekend,” Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere wrote in a May 25 email to…
May 31, 2016
Clem Hatting (pictured) and Rich DeSchepper spent several days this week refreshing the paint on Luverne’s city streets. It’s among dozens of spring spruce-up projects underway in Luverne’s Public Works Department. For example, mowing has been a full-time job, and 100 new trees in boulevards have required regular watering. Public Works Supervisor John Stoffel said Hatting and DeSchepper are the…
May 31, 2016
Rock County agricultural producers looking to solve natural resource problems on their farms will want to plan ahead and sign up early for USDA funding.
Farmers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program need to apply by Aug. 19 for funding in fiscal year 2017.
“EQIP is just one tool for landowners who want to apply conservation practices on the ground,” said Kurt Halfmann with…
May 31, 2016
The Rock County Land Management Office in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service will convene a local work group meeting to provide guidance and discuss local resource conservation concerns and NRCS programs in the county.
The next meeting will be 8 a.m. Monday, June 20, at the LMO lunchroom, 311 W. Gabrielson Road, Luverne.
The LWG includes representatives from cooperating…
May 31, 2016
Open Houses
Henry and Ann Petersen will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at their farm. Greetings may be sent to them at 2332 140th Ave., Hardwick, MN 56134.
Card Showers
Elmer and Eunice Bartels will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary Friday, June 10. Greetings may be sent to them at 501 James Street, Luverne MN 56156.
May 31, 2016
Robert Louis Drake, 48, Luverne, died Sunday, May 29, 2016, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A private family celebration of Bob’s life will be at a later date.
Robert Drake was born Oct. 25, 1967, to Robert and Gladys (LoCollo) Drake in Plainfield, New Jersey. He received his baptism at Lady of Fatima Church in Piscataway, New Jersey. He attended school through the…
May 31, 2016
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently recognized Alan Lais from the city of Luverne for maintaining a perfect compliance record with the city’s wastewater treatment permit during 2015.
Mayor Pat Baustian presented Lais with a certificate at the May 24 City Council meeting.
The certificate recognizes “exemplary effort expended in the year 2015 to comply with the MPCA’s permit…
May 31, 2016
Luverne High School
Honor Roll
Quarter 4
A Honor Roll
Seniors: Ryleigh Beers, Zoe Brown, Christina Casazza, Sierra Christenson, Jaidyn Elbers, Tatiana Gust, Karissa Hamann, Hannah Hoogland, Bailey Jacobsma, Jacob Jarchow, Alyssa Kienholz, Nicole Kneip, Di Ma, Nicholas Overgaard, Stephanie Riggs, Jenna Schelhaas, Allie Skattum, Susan Thompson, Caden Vickery.
Juniors: Madison Crabtree, Jeremiah…
By Lori Sorenson
May 29, 2016
A battered brass bugle has joined the collection of World War II artifacts at the Herreid Military Museum in Luverne.
While it’s still a functional instrument, it’s now retired, as is its previous bugler, Lois Nelson, who played it for “Taps” at hundreds of local funerals for veterans.
And for the first time in decades, its haunting notes weren’t heard at Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.
“You…
May 23, 2016
Students from around the region and in Rock County celebrated high school graduations over the weekend. Above, seniors toss their caps in the air at the conclusion of the Luverne ceremony in the Cardinal Gym Sunday.
Hills-Beaver Creek and Ellsworth seniors will graduate Friday, May 27, both ceremonies set for 7 p.m. in their respective high school gymnasiums.
By Lori Sorenson i
May 23, 2016
In the cemeteries of Rock County, there's a story for every flag and veteran's marker. Some have been told before and others are known only to a few.
Father Francis Sampson, who is buried in St. Catherine Cemetery, is relatively unknown to local residents, but his story of service in World War II was told through the 1998 Academy Awardwinning movie, “Saving Private Ryan,” starring Tom…
By Jason Berghorst, reporter
May 23, 2016
Each year, in his role as Luverne High School counselor, Craig Nelson gives LHS freshmen a list of careers.
The list includes college professor, Mars exploration scientist, director of scouting for an NFL team, retractable stadium engineer, professional dancer and Big Ten Coach, among others.
Nelson then asks the students what all of these careers have in common. The answer often surprises the…