luverne
By Lori SorensonMarch 04, 2026The maple tree at the corner of Dodge Street and Highway 75 in Luverne is at least the age of the stately three-story home on the property — more than 100 years old. Dave and Linda Iverson moved into their home 53 years ago, a year after Dave started as a veterinarian at Rock Vet Clinic. Their maple tree was large and mature at that time. The house was built around 1918 or 1920, and they…
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 04, 2026For the first time in its 75-year history, Luverne’s Tri-State Band Festival will open its button design contest to the public. Previously open only to students, the contest has been an annual event since 1976 when the first winner, Missy Weinman, received $10 in prize money. “This is the first year we’ve ever asked the public to come in with designs,” said Jane Wildung Lanphere, who has helped…
By Nicole RonchettiFebruary 25, 2026The night before Nicole Wiertzema attended her first group fitness class, she was so nervous she couldn’t sleep. What if she looked like she didn’t know what she was doing? What if other people judged her? Today, as owner of The Well Fitness Studio, Wiertzema and her team help newcomers overcome the same fears she once faced about group exercise. “I never thought I would instruct classes, and…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026Rock County Commissioner Greg Burger has resigned from his seat on the County Board, effective Feb. 28. He made the announcement at the Tuesday, Feb. 17, regular board meeting when commissioners accepted his resignation “with regret.” In his official resignation letter to the board, Burger said it has been “an honor and privilege to serve the county citizens” during these past nine years. He…
February 25, 2026Luverne’s Heather Johnson was recently recognized by the National Newspaper Association Foundation for a graphic design she submitted in a recent contest. Johnson, graphic designer and production manager for the Rock County Star Herald, submitted the winning logo to represent the NNA fall Annual Convention & Trade Show. Johnson will receive a free registration to the Sept. 17-18 event,…
By Nicole RonchettiFebruary 25, 2026Gavin Ballard, a 10th grader at Luverne High School, is the first-place winner of VFW Post 2603’s annual Voice of Democracy essay contest. The second-place winner was Natalie Berning, also from Luverne, and third place went to Taylor Anderson from Fulda High School. This year’s topic for the essays was “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?” Local essay contest winners…
By Lori Sorenson, editorFebruary 11, 2026Mike Davis is among a small minority of local residents wishing for colder weather. As one of the organizers of the annual Get Hooked Ice Fishing Derby, recent mild weather has taken a toll on the ice thickness at The Lake in Luverne. “We’ll be down to 10 inches by the end of the week,” he said Monday, considering several more days of thawing weather in the forecast. “It might be a little…
February 11, 2026Jordyn Pater, a registered nurse at Sanford Luverne Medical Center, recently received the Daisy Award for her passion and commitment to patient care. A nurse intern who worked alongside Jordyn last year nominated Pater for the Daisy Award. “I watched as she took time with each of her patients, getting to know them and their families, making sure they never were in the dark or had unanswered…- February 11, 2026Area residents and business owners are invited to an informal community event on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to learn more about the possibility of bringing fiber-optic internet and phone service to the Luverne community. The event will be held at the Trailhead facility (the former Casey’s on Main Street) and is designed as a come-and-go gathering, allowing attendees to stop by at…
February 04, 2026Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown nursing home residents celebrated Groundhog’s Day Monday by making ‘pop-up Groundhog cupcakes with Oreos. Activity director Katie Petersen hosts a weekly ‘Bake and Taste’ class with residents, featuring sweet treats requested by residents. Residents participate in both the creation of the treats and, of course, sampling their creations. Petersen has…
February 04, 2026Ronald Leroy Boyenga, age 85, of rural Ellsworth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Memorial visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at the Stateline Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianFebruary 04, 2026The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group and it appeared in The Rock County Herald on Feb. 26, 1942. Of all Luverne residents, there is perhaps no one who can tell you more about building and construction than Frank Soutar, early day contractor and builder, who is this week’s Diamond Club member. Mr. Soutar lives in a home which he built at 218 W. Warren street. He retired…- By Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, St. John Lutheran Church, LuverneFebruary 04, 2026In AD 303, the Roman Emperor Diocletian had a problem: Christians. First, they were nearly atheists in the eyes of the Romans. After all, they only believed in a single God. They also were increasingly rejecting the ways of the culture that threatened to influence Roman society. So on Feb. 23, the Emperor issued an edict designed to end Christianity once and for all. The date was deliberate. It…
- February 04, 2026Leona Sandbulte, age 98, of Luverne, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the Luverne Hospice Cottage. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Interment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Luverne,…
- By Lori SorensonJanuary 28, 2026The Rock County’s 2026 precinct caucuses will be Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Luverne. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and caucuses start at 7. Local Republicans will gather in the Luverne High School-Middle commons on Kniss Avenue, and the Rock County DFL group will gather in the Generations Events Center on South Estey Street. Precinct caucuses are the initial first steps for voters to engage in the…
January 28, 2026A winter-time tradition at Luverne High School celebrates its 10th year as Snow Week kicks off on Monday, Feb. 2. The Snow Week king and queen will be crowned at 1:50 p.m. Monday, which is also the first of five school-wide dress-up days. Ten Snow Week candidates were nominated by faculty in recognition of their positive leadership in the classroom, in school activities and in the community.…
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