People in the News

Volunteers from the Rock County DFL completed an Adopt-a-Highway service project Thursday, Oct. 23, along the eastbound lane of I-90. Pictured are (front, from left) Terry King, Larry Nelson, Suanne Ohme, Lona Klosterbuer, Shirley Klosterbuer, Karen Radisewitz, Carol Serie, Carol Svingen, (back) Keith Erickson, Jerry Deuschle, Rich Morgan, Carol Morgan, Greg Antoine and Bob Buus. Not pictured is…

Hills native Jayme (Plimpton) Wiertzema was recently recognized as South Dakota Elementary School Art Teacher of the Year. Wiertzema, a 2011 graduate of Hills-Beaver Creek High School, was nominated for Art Teacher of the Year for her work in the Harrisburg School District. “Jayme embodies everything one could hope for in an educator: she is creative, kind, calm, genuine and deeply committed to…

Dean Luethje of Luverne is the newest member of the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is a member of Surfin’ Safari, and the band was inducted into the hall of fame at a ceremony Oct. 10 Luethje is the band’s current drummer. Surfin’ Safari organized in 2004 as a ’60s rock and roll band and has since performed hits from the ’60s in the four-state area. According to South Dakota…

Luverne utility employee completes high-level leadership course  Aric Uithoven, Water/Wastewater Assistant Director at Luverne Municipal Utilities, was among 24 utility professionals to earn leadership certification through Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). The LEAD Course (Leadership, Excellence and Development) is an advanced training program focused on critical skills, awareness and…

Midwest Fire wins ‘50 Best Places to Work’ contest for third straight year For the eighth time in recent years, and for the third year in a row, Midwest Fire was named one of 50 winners in Prairie Business Magazine’s “50 Best Places to Work” contest. Prairie Business holds this competition each year to reward and highlight the region’s best places to work, based solely on employee appeal and…

BankWest is pleased to announce the addition of Joel Van Batavia to their team as business development officer. Van Batavia brings over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry, with expertise spanning retail banking, agricultural banking, and business development. Madison’s Branch Manager Tom Kahler emphasized Van Batavia’s commitment to personalized customer service and…

Sioux Valley Energy awards scholarships A total of $22,000 in technical college and university scholarships was awarded to 25 graduating high school seniors from Sioux Valley Energy and its power suppliers this year. Nicole Sjaarda with Sjaarda Christian Academy, Beaver Creek, was selected for a $1,000 scholarship, and Jack Moser, a Hills-Beaver Creek student, was awarded a $ 750 scholarship.…

Patricia Kienholz of Luverne and the late Bryan Kienholz and Doug and Sharon Stoks of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, announce the engagement of their children Kristen Marie Kienholz and Kyle Douglas Stoks, both of Sioux Falls. Kirsten graduated from Luverne High School in 2014 and from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, in 2017. She completed her master’s degree at University of South Dakota…

Luverne High School band instructor James Jarvie is a member of The Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) inaugural “Wall of Honor.” “We received so many nominations from across the state — and found ourselves with the challenge of so many deserving candidates, and a few slots available,” wrote Michael Bjork in an email. Bjork serves on the MMEA awards committee. “In order to honor more…

Buffalo Ridge Insurance named to President’s Club Buffalo Ridge Insurance of Luverne recently earned its 17th consecutive President’s Club Award. The award recognizes outstanding continued service to customers and community and superior performance. The Midwest Family Mutual Insurance Company of Urbandale, Iowa, and Minneapolis released the announcement. Buffalo Ridge Insurance employees…

Lori Witte, Luverne, and the late Paul Stanley Witte, Jr., and Tom and Michelle Kresko, Slayton, announce the engagement of their children Meghan Marie Witte and Cameron James Kresko. They both currently live in Omaha, Nebraska. Meghan graduated from Luverne High School in 2020, and from University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2023. She will earn her master’s in social work/counseling from University…

City employee earns leadership certificate Marissa Marr, billing clerk for the City of Luverne, was among 20 utility professionals to earn her leadership certification as part of the LEAD course, a workshop presented by Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). LEAD stands for Leadership, Excellence and Development, and it is a training course focused on critical skills, awareness and perspective…

Midwest Fire named winner in ‘50 Best Places to Work’ 2024 contest For the seventh time in recent years Midwest Fire was named among Prairie Business Magazine’s “50 Best Places to Work 2024” contest. The publication received nearly 2,000 nominations from employees across the region for the award.  “Minnesota is home to some of the biggest manufacturers in our country. As a small business, to…

Overgaard hired as hospice coordinator Luverne’s Carrie Overgaard has been hired as hospice volunteer coordinator for Sanford Luverne and its affiliated hospice programs. Overgaard has been on the job since May and has been working with former coordinator Helen Saum to grow the volunteer program in Luverne. “Carrie has a lot of personal experience after going through the hospice journey with a…

Johnson earns recognition at foundation conference Luverne’s Heather Johnson was recently recognized with Ciara’s Spirit of Hope Award for her volunteer efforts with the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. Johnson operates a hobby baking business, Embellished Luv, and donates decorative cakes through her annual DSF fundraiser for the past 11 years. With her “Cake 4A Cure,” she encourages donations,…

U.S. Army retired veteran Rickard Jensen had his vehicle selected to be the Honor Guard vehicle for the Anna Maria Island, Florida, Fourth of July Parade. Jensen, a 1970 Luverne High School graduate, formed a Military Veteran Dragon Boat Team in 2021 and competes against other teams in Florida and nationwide.  He leads the team NBP Veterans, named for Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota, Florida,…