retirement
- By Mavis FodnessApril 23, 2025Sheriff Evan Verbrugge announced his resignation to county commissioners Tuesday morning. His last day will be Sept. 30. “I have struggled with this decision, but I know in my heart that it is time for me to step away while things are in excellent condition,” he stated in a letter. Verbrugge was hired as deputy sheriff in 1991. He’s served 15 years on patrol and 19 years as elected sheriff.…
By Mavis FodnessApril 09, 2025Doug Bos, Rock County Land Management assistant director, tenured his retirement to county commissioners Tuesday morning. Bos’ retirement is effective Sept. 2. In his letter to the commissioners, Bos reflected on his time with the Land Management Office (LMO) and the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). “I have very much enjoyed serving 29-plus years in the capacity of…
By Lori SorensonDecember 30, 2024The honorable Terry Vajgrt retired Dec. 31 after nearly 13 years as district judge of the Fifth Judicial District. He said his career has been both challenging and rewarding. “From Day 1 I’ve thought about how fortunate I am to have been able to do this. I’ve enjoyed it,” Vajgrt said. “I’ve had an opportunity to make an impact. That could be through consequences, but it can also mean…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 11, 2024Al Aanenson has been working to keep Rock County electrified for over 50 years, wiring everything from grain bins on farms to lighting in stores and office buildings. During that time, he built a reputation among hundreds of loyal customers, many of whom are also good friends. Now, he’s selling the McClure Electric business in Luverne to his son-in-law, Tim Banck, and is learning a new trade —…
By Mavis FodnessAugust 28, 2024Luverne Education Association 2024 Teacher of the Year Becky Runnoe decided not to return to the classroom for the 2024-25 school year. She retires from a career after 40 years and never graduated out of the Luverne early childhood special education program. “I think I was always geared to be a teacher,” said Runnoe. “I started teaching a 3-year-old Sunday school class when I was 14. I still…
By Lori SorensonAugust 14, 2024When fall semester starts at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Luverne, the medical lab technician program will be missing its longtime leader, Dr. Rita Miller. Miller retired this summer, marking the end of a 30-year career in higher education. “There is nothing more rewarding than educating students; watching them graduate, find a job, and pass the National Board…
By Mavis FodnessJuly 17, 2024Editor’s note: Four educators from Luverne Public Schools packed up their lesson books, cleaned their desks and retired from positions they held for a combined 124 years. This week, we caught up with Beth Capistran, who worked for 31 years at Magnolia and Luverne elementary schools. By Mavis Fodness Beth Capistran has sage advice for anyone selecting a career in education: “Be open to…
By Mavis FodnessMay 29, 2024Hills-Beaver Creek High School teacher and coach Dan Ellingson received the highest education association honor Friday night — Teacher of the Year. Hills-Beaver Creek Education Association member Haley Tollefson presented Ellingson with the honor during the H-BC graduation ceremonies. “Mr. Ellingson has been someone we all have learned from during this time at H-BC,” she said. “He is a leader…
By Lori SorensonMay 08, 2024Phil Voigt retired this spring from the Southwestern Mental Health Center after 43 years of helping people improve their mental health. Voigt is a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed marriage and family therapist and said the career suited him well. “I sort of grew into this,” he said about the path to his career. “My parents taught kindness and respect for…
By Lori SorensonApril 17, 2024Stacey Roemen celebrated her retirement from 38 years with the Rock County Farm Service Agency Saturday night at Take 16, which was crowded with family, friends and well-wishers. “I could not have asked for a better night,” she said Monday. “It has been a pleasure and honor to work for the best farmers in the county and to work with such awesome people. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 06, 2024For 30 years Brenda Teal has been the official greeter for Luverne Public Schools’ district office. She has answered the phone since 1992 and has been the first person people see when entering the superintendent’s office. On Feb. 29 Teal retired from her position as the district’s administrative assistant and payroll clerk. Chocolate cake (her request) was served as many of the district’s 225…
By Mavis FodnessJanuary 03, 2024Barb Verhey looked away from the book shelves Friday afternoon, shaking her head, resisting the urge to straighten the crooked spines. Instead, she took the advice printed on the cookies served at her retirement party: “Retired – It’s your problem now.” Verhey, the assistant librarian at the Rock County Community Library in Luverne, officially retired Dec. 29, after assisting local children and…
By Lori SorensonDecember 20, 2023Sanford Luverne hosted a party Thursday afternoon for Carol Wieneke, who retired from a 60-year career as a nurse. As Sanford’s longest-running employee on record, Wieneke has been celebrated at milestone parties marking 40 years, 50 years and even 55. Dr. Diane Kennedy, has worked alongside Wieneke during her own tenure in Luverne. “She is respected by everyone here and is extremely…
By Lori SorensonDecember 13, 2023Minnesota West Community and Technical College hosted a retirement party Monday afternoon in Luverne for Lisa Smith, director of the school’s Medical Assistant Program. In her 28 years with Minnesota West, she’s been the MA program director for the past 20 years and has been on the Luverne campus since it opened in 2007. “I have a passion for helping students learn and I’ve learned so much from…
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.
