It could be said that lack of space often leaves much to be desired. Doing the Valentine’s story about John and Lucille Nechanicky, there was much to be considered.

My favorite book to date is not a novel by any means. It is a scrapbook given to the Nechanickys on their 50th anniversary with many authors who told stories of their everlasting love for each other, their families, their love for others and for living.

I could never say in the same way what members of their family and friends said in quotes so I will include just some of the things said about them and of John’s stories that always had a beginning, were enjoyable and more than likely had a moral behind them. John and Lucille worked hard, but always had time to enjoy life.

On to the stories:

"I remember coming into the garage one day and Mom was complaining about how the lawn mower's carburetor wasn't fixed correctly. (Well, honestly, Mom was complaining about how dad didn't fix it correctly.) I never thought less of dad for trying and not succeeding; instead, the valuable messages I learned were: 1. Women are just as capable of doing any job as a man. 2. Don't spend your life sitting around waiting for things you want done, just go do it, and 3. There are very few things in the world you may be able to do once you believe in yourself. If we needed something painted, wallpapered, sewed, fixed, or made, Mom did it. Dad, you taught me that there are always two sides to every story and to be respectful of all cultures and races. You are a person of integrity," Susan.

"My dad has a great sense of humor, and I am sure that he caused our Dear Father in Heaven to chuckle a time or two. Dad could always tell a good story and always from the beginning. He is a man of many talents," Marcie.

"Dad comforting Mom when Uncle Joe died, seeing that her tears were his. Dad bringing home a homeless person and mom taking care of him for the next month. Dad always telling us what a good woman mom was, and that we'd never find a man as good to us as he was to her. He was right on both counts!" Teresa.

"John was painting some out buildings on the farm and offered to hire me. John, Lucille and I had been painting quite a while and soon it was time to break for lunch. Everything was so good and John L. wanted to savor the moment, so he came up with a good idea. ‘Joe, you and I are going to go outside under the shade tree over there and we are going to have a race.’ Then John said, ‘Now, you are going to lay down here, close our eyes and not say a word. The first one that falls asleep is the winner,’" Joe.

"Lucille prepared the best homemade soup I ever had," John Misgen.

"The best gift life can give is meeting folks like you," Deannie Berg.

"You were always there and that meant so much," Cheryl.

"I remember when John sold his merry Oldsmobile so he could court Lucille," Allen Burshem.

"The first memory, and probably the first meeting we had of John, was the first day of school in 1st grade. I was sitting in a desk, frightened and alone, when a little boy came up to me, took me by the hand, and led me to the pencil sharpener and taught me how to use it. That was the start of a friendship that lasts to this day. Thanks Johnny!" Otto.

"My own children have benefited with my John and Lucille background. A little tough love here and there didn't hurt," Pat.

"We went to church eight miles in a sled in zero weather, and went to school the same way, for four months. Nowadays, every kid has to have a car to go to school," Louis.

"When the big depression struck it really took about 10 years before they leveled off," Louis.

"Your years sparkle with a wonderful example for all the world," Marie.

"I remember you both as always looking at the light side of life, always cheerful, and always spreading happiness with your kindness and generosity.”

“I remember when you offered to help my mother ‘teach’ me not to dawdle while walking home from school by pretending to be a bum following me. I was 5 1/2 years old," Rita.

"I remember working with John; John at John’s, John at Kraudie's, John at Elmer's, John at Kaplan's, at Grandma's, at Dad's, at auctions, at Frank's, at church..." David Couglin.

"I have never met such kind, caring people. No matter what went on they were always there to help out.”

"I remember once having 18 or 19 children there. Joe Matacheck was there and he asked if all those kids were mine. You told him, ‘Yes, I think 2 or 3 are gone for the day,’" Ernie.

"One story that particularly stands out went something like this: there was a fellow who liked to use what he thought were big, important words. One day he put up a ‘No Trespassing’ sign. He didn't think that that was quite enough of a warning to any wayward stranger who might ignore the message so he added ‘Strictly Orders’ on the bottom of the sign. This story makes me chuckle especially when I tell my kids to stay out of the mud or stay in the yard," Jackie.

"I will always remember the school lunches when you served raisin pie. Your raisin pie was delicious and always something I looked forward to," Mark.

"Uncle John and Aunt Lucille always treated me like a person. They made me feel that I must be special. As you can tell, my home life was not all that nurturing. Too many couples forget about a stable family life. Thank you," Scott.

"I will always be thankful for John helping out with the farm work after my dad passed away in 1970. He finished the morning milking, did the chores and helped with the crops. He also had wisdom and advice to give on working with people and growing up. He really helped our family out in a time of need," John.

These comments and endorsements are indications of who John and Lucille are!

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. 

If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

• Thursday, February 14th: Happy Valentines Day! Angie Entwisle, Elsie Vander Stoep, Michelle Peterson, Matthew Reiter, Angela Westrum Lair, Bob & Mary Macko, Gene & Linda Pederson.

• Friday, February 15th: Kloe Renee Wacek, Nancy Cornelius, Patty Kunkel, Eric Olson, Adam Warnke, Ron Jensen, Michelle Hanson, Angie O'Byrne, Elina Butler.

• Saturday, February 16th: Delores Hemingway, Marian Horan, Jesse Lund, Wayne Jensen, David Peterson, Sara Miller, Sarah Nelson, Ian Oolman, Tanya Callahan, LeAnn Hanson, Donald & Dory Hunt.

• Sunday, February 17th: Toni Wayne Smith, Nancy Johnson Erickson, Thomas Farr, Keith Wayne, Dave Von Gorkom, Dawn Pence Gross, Brian Dobberstein, Joan Richards, Joan Kaphers, Michelle Cortinas, Carolyn LaFave, Shannon Weckwerth Pacholl, Alvin & Cheryl Cooper.

• Monday, February 18th: Kris Munson McDonald, Janice Waage, Zola Wayne, Jamie Kunkel Riley, Brad & Rachel Lerum.

• Tuesday, February 19th: Abraham Peterson, Allison Schmidt, Eleanor Schember, Maklela Larkin, Deedee Hunt, Jason Jensen, Teri Ravenhorst, Marjorie Solberg.

• Wednesday, February 20th: Hadley Routh, Derek Flesche, Amy Shaunce, David Swearingen, Joyce Lageson Hoddick, LuAnn Sommer Granholdt, David & LeAnn Hanson, Jim & Nancy Cornelius.

Sending you heartfelt wishes for a wonderful birthday!