Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

"Do you know who I am?"

"I don’t think so."

"Have you ever seen me before?"

"I don’t believe so."

"Then how do you know that I'm me?"

I’ve learned

1. A friend is someone who will pick you up when you fall — after he is done laughing.

2. Sunrises are no more beautiful than sunsets, but they are less crowded.

3. That my mind and the mirror often disagree as to what I should wear.

My neighbor

My neighbor says that he doesn’t mind when names escape him nearly as much as he minds how much time he has to spend chasing them. He asked me how he could identify a poison ivy plant. It’s quite simple. I told him that if he were walking in the woods and he stumbled over a tree root, the vine that he reached for to keep from falling would be poison ivy.

Never letting the truth get in the way of a good story

My wife and I were in a hotel room located in a small town in Alaska. The lobby of the hotel displayed a signed photo of Billy Ray Cyrus. Cyrus is famed for the song, "Achy Breaky Heart." It’s one of those lutefisk songs. Like lutefisk, people either love or hate the song. I told my wife that our room was the same room that Billy Ray Cyrus had stayed in. She didn’t share my belief.

One night, I found a crumpled piece of paper that had been shoved under a leg of the desk in an attempt to disable a wobble. I carefully unfolded the creased paper. On that paper, was handwritten the following, "Achy Breaky Pancreas. Achy Breaky Spleen. Achy Breaky Lung. Achy Breaky..."

Billy Ray Cyrus had been trying to write a new song in our hotel room.

My wife still doesn’t believe me.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I tried to watch cowboys whenever possible. Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, The Rifleman, Have Gun Will Travel, Lash LaRue, Maverick, Rawhide, etc. Each hero, other than Lash LaRue who favored a whip, used six-shooters, which were pistols that never needed reloading. You could tell the good guys from the bad guys by the color of hat they wore. I wanted to be Roy Rogers, wear a white hat, and ride Trigger about the countryside saving cities like Grand Meadow, Frost, and Matawan from black hat-wearing bad guys. I knew that if I became Roy that I’d have to kiss Dale Evans on occasion, but it was a price I was willing to pay.

Sleeping at the county fair

A church in Hartland operated a food stand at the county fair for many years. One of the volunteer workers, Kernel Knudson, worried about theft or vandalism, so he slept nights in that building during the fair. When he married Beth, he did so during the time that the county fair was running. While on his honeymoon, Kernel sent a postcard to those at home that read, "This is much more fun than sleeping at the fair."

Customer comments

C.E. Vollum of Albert Lea told me that his uncle was so poor that he ate ketchup sandwiches without bread.

Wes Tennis of Hayward and I watched a woman rise from the walker she was sitting upon and carry her walker across the fairgrounds. Wes said, "That’s a Norwegian walker."

Darrell Soper of rural Albert Lea told me that the farm fields are so dry and the cracks in them so large and deep that if you dropped a wrench, it couldn’t help but fall into a crack and disappear forever.

Nature notes

The day was a Where’s Waldo? book and I was Waldo. Deerflies found me. They are about the size of houseflies and are mostly yellow, brown, or black with varying stripes. Deerflies have brilliantly colored eyes, ranging from gold to green and their wings are usually marked with dark patterns. Most deerflies attack people around the head, neck, and shoulders. The females bite humans and animals in order to obtain a blood meal to feed their eggs. The males feed on pollen and nectar. Deerflies are most likely to attack on warm sunny days. Deerflies are attracted to dark moving shapes, carbon dioxide, and warmth. They use their knife-like mouthparts to slice the skin and feed on the blood pool created. They inject an anti-coagulant into the bloodstream while feeding. To reduce exposure to bites, it is best to wear light-colored clothing and cap.

Meeting adjourned

Nothing haunts like a kindness undone. Be kind.

There is a sign on a pole just across the boat ramp at Bever Lake. I think maybe it has something to do with the hot, hot, hot weather. It reads, “Snowmobile Trail Closed.”

The lack of rain, plus the hot weather, has caused the lake level to drop about 10 inches since the 1st of July.

The warmest lake temperature close to the surface was 86 degrees with may days in the low 80s. This caused all the fish to be in deeper water (2 feet or more).

As of this writing, there have been four mornings with the air temperature in the high 50s or low 60s. This has caused Beaver Lake to look like a sauna with all the steam coming off the water. I’ve seen lot of sunnies plus some nice size bass in less than a foot of water in the lily pads.

Rembmer the one about the two Canadian honkers with five baby geese that I wrote about July 26? Something has happened to the leader of the seven as it can’t fly. This has caused utter chaos as some will want to fly but the leader can’t fly. The leader will honk, splash the water, swim in circles, anything to get the group back in line when they swim from one place to another.

We have three idential baby wild ducks that are orphans. Why no parents? We don’t know. The abies can’t fly as their wings aren’t fully developed. they visit us every day for shelled corn and small hunks of bread. Their names are Curly, Shemp and Moe. Which one is Curly? Only they know. We think they are all blue-winged teal.

Beaver Lake was visited by several dignitaries on a beautiful coolish Friday. They went around Beaver Lake several times on two differece pontoons, followed by lunch at Beaver Lake Park. Where were these dignitaries from? The place where more VIPs go in and out every day than any other area business (Whispering Oak).

Hustle on over this Saturday, August 11 to North Waseca Lutheran Church. Be there at 7 p.m. with your animal for Blessing of the Animals by Pastor Nancy Hansen. All animals with their humans are welcomed. Pastor Nancy is the daughter-in-law of Philip and Verdelle Hansen of Clarks Grove.

Sunday, August 12 is a national holiday. Genie is honoring that day by being the reader at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. She is also passing a milestone in her life by going from one decade to another. You go, girl go! (By the way, Paul Hanson of Beaver Lake is celebrating that day too).

A reminder to all you readers of one of the two must-attend social events of the year, Monday, September 24 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, where Wayne “Soup” Indrelie and Bob “Pie” Hanson plan on greeting you at the door.

What do two bored male lifeguards do at the Beaver Lake beach? They build an English castle complete with a moat, drawbridge, turret, flags, etc. The whole show out of dampened sand! I would guess they are majoring in sand castle architecture. An excellent building feat. Good show, guys.

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of Wisdom: There is always room for God. 

If you are a fisherman and have lived in Minnesota most of your life, you have undoubtedly heard the phrase “Dog Days” when referring to fishing in August. There is even the “old wives tale” that says the northern lose their teeth in August which was undoubtedly used to explain the slow fishing that we usually experience during the last days of summer.  

There is actually no scientific evidence to support this theory. The lack of fish activity is more than likely due to the hot summer days and warm water temperatures.

I for one have always seemed to be able to catch fish in August; maybe just not the numbers that you see in early summer and spring. I recall many years when the boys were young that the only weeks available to me for a vacation were in August. 

I actually found that it was a perfect time of the year for a family vacation because there weren’t as many people around. Typically, we camped at Spider Lake north of Grand Rapids where we enjoyed many great experiences.

I found that fishing in August was a little more of a challenge if you were seeking walleye. But then again, our family has never been “locked in” on one species. 

I found out early on that if you want to catch fish, you have to go for what is biting at the time. More than one time time, our resort owner, who everyone called “Bid” would tell other folks that “Herfindahl always comes in with fish and always goes home with his share.” 

Bid was a little bit of a truth-stretcher at times, but he always had a way of pumping a fellow up for the next time out on the lake.

After he had sold his part of the resort to his daughter and son-in-law, I vacationed there when he and his wife came back to visit. In all the years that I‘d known him, I can recall the times that I came off the lake not having had very good luck. But after talking to him for a few minutes, I couldn’t wait to hit the lake again. 

I had a chance to sit and talk with him that year. During said converstaion, I told him that even though I knew he was just feeding me a line, it always seemed to work.

I think that the key for me was just spending time on the water. If you put in the time, you will usually be rewarded. 

I had a person ask me just last week after I had just returned from a recent trip north if I had caught many walleyes. I replied, “No but that was probably because they are not what I usually fish for.”

Our family has always fished northern or bass and crappies. Of course we fish walleye too, but I have never measured a successful fishing trip by the number of walleye that I have boated. That may be due, in part, to the fact that I have probably never been a good walleye fisherman, nor have I devoted a lot of hours to catching them.

My Uncle Ben had the greatest influence on me growing up when it came to fishing. My Mother, who also loved to fish, was my first mentor when I was just a little guy.  

Uncle Ben took me fishing “up north.” We fished for walleye early in the morning and in the evening, but the rest of the day was devoted to northern or panfish. 

This is how I learned to fish as a kid and it is pretty much the way I like to fish today. I think the key to making fishing an enjoyable experience is to fish for what’s biting. This is especially important when teaching young kids about fishing.

I will never claim to be an expert fisherman nor even a good one for that matter. But, I do love the sport and enjoy sharing what I can with the kids and grandkids. 

The key to me is just going fishing whether it is for carp in a “crick” or northern in a lake. As long I am fishing, it’s all good.

Getting back to the “dog days” I really feel that August can offer some excellent fishing opportunities. There have been many instances where I have caught walleyes in August. Usually, they are found lurking in the weeds. 

In August, the days are still warm but the evenings and nights can be cool and comfortable. I don’t know how many mornings I awoke only to find a thick blanked of fog covering the lake. 

I spent many an August morning on Spider Lake feeling my way through the fog to a spot that I felt was safe from other boats but also still be holding fish. Yes, fishing during the “dog days” can be challenging, but it can also be a rewarding experience. 

In the years that we camped, August always represented the end of summer fishing and camping  because a new school year was looming just over the horizon. I can still remember the feeling I would get as a kid after the fair had come and gone; it was semi-sweet because one part of me was anxious to see what the school year would bring, but mostly I was sad to see summer winding down.

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A few things to keep in mind for the upcoming hunting season:

Youth Small Game Hunts

Take a Kid Hunting Weekend September 24-25. During Take-A Kid-Hunting Weekend adult residents accompanied by a youth under age 16 may hunt small game without a license, but must comply with open seasons, limits and other regulations.

Youth Waterfowl Day

Waterfowl information will be announced through news releases and in the Waterfowl Hunting Synopsis, available in mid August.

Youth Mentored Upland Bird Hunt

October 22. Partnering with Pheasants Forever, Woodcock Minnesota, and Ruffed Grouse Society, the DNR is offering mentored upland bird hunts designed to introduce youth to upland bird hunting. All hunting regulations apply. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 7 online at: mndnr.gov/discover

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Until next time, grab your tackle and do a little fishing because there’s still plenty of summer left. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.

The Ellendale Days parade has always impressed me, not for it’s grandeur but because of hometown effort with people and floats and other attractions from their own community.

I know it's the fun thing for the children, but throwing candy has always been debatable for me. It could be a safety issue, plus I think that treats should be given out by hand. I question the practice of throwing candy in the street. What are we teaching the children? 

We are told to remove our shoes at the door in people’s homes because of the high rate of bacteria they bring into our homes. We also teach our children not to pick up food items from the floor and eat it.

When we take them to a parade  we allow them to scoop up goodies by the handful from the dirty street. Yes, I know they are wrapped and clean, but it is contrary to what we teach our children. Isn't it?

The kids are so busy looking for the candy that may be thrown that they are not looking at and appreciating what is in the parade.

In an effort to stop childhood obesity, we tell them that candy isn't good for them because it is loaded with sugar, and yet we allow them free candy as a part of the parade. We also send our kids out trick or treating on Halloween for candy.  Yes, we can ration out the treats over a period of time. But do we? 

Also, depending on where we let them go (and one should always go with them) what does, "Don't talk or take anything from strangers," mean? Yet, in a sense, we often break the rules so to speak because we may know the people that are offering them treats but the kids don't.

Once again, the kids get so interested in the candy treats that are being offered to them they don't really acknowledge the person handing it out. We could try giving something inedible and safer, but those little beggars or scavengers have been brain washed since toddlers to expect sweet treats.

I have noticed that the stores have been winding up with an over abundance of goodies. Are they buying more or selling less? Are people acknowledging the not-so-healthy eating habits?

Kids will think I am a real killjoy, spoiling their fun, but I haven't even started in on the qualities of soda pop. How do we teach them to appreciate the good taste of sparkling water? 

A good science project would be showing how much sugar is in flavored beverages and how much damage that sugar can do — and I am not talking about the added weight it way cause. 

Save those things for a treat? Never call them a treat. It makes them think it is something special; an award.

In the old days, the rule was to clean your plate. That has changed for the better. We tend to put smaller portions on plates and only suggest that our children eat bites to try. 

When a friend of mine had problems with her picky little eater and asked the doctor what she should do, he told her not to worry. Better to have good food available and limit it to that.

He said they’ll eat when they are hungry. The more fuss we make about eating habits, the kids will use their powers that be to push us.

Children aren't dumb. You can talk to them and they understand why some foods aren't their best bet. The waitress almost dropped her teeth when my little granddaughter, Morgan, ordered broccoli for dinner.

Never say, “Ick," about food you want your kids to eat. If papa doesn't want it, junior won't either. 

Same thing goes for things they should eat. If mama makes it and papa eats it, more than likely princess will too. But of course we catch ourselves serving things we like best!

When the kids wouldn't eat something my mother always said, “I guess you aren't old enough to like that yet,” thinking that they would want to try it. The child answered, "I'll just wait ‘til I am old enough."

It is no surprise that we have to look to the younger generation for help with electronic devices. They've known since birth how to manipulate Mom, Dad and the grandparents. 

It just comes natural and let's face it — we love it! Nothing is more precious than your children except their children.

Habits too! Don't expect kids to clean up their mess, put things and clothes away, brush teeth and hair and go to bed on time if you don't. If you want your child to drink water, do the same. It isn't going to hurt you! 

Then there is that little one who is anxious not to leave her parents lap so she sits quietly watching the others having a free for all. Meanwhile, everyone tries to coax them from their security lap to join the others. Adults at the same time are admonishing the livewires to be quieter and less aggressive.

Let's face it: there's only one perfect child in the world, and every family has it.

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

 • Thursday, August 9th: Warren & Solveig Sorenson, Aaron & Mickki Heimer, Linda Wayne, Mavis Knudtson, Steven LeRoy Christensen, Cherie Halla, Karen Holmes, Amber Nordland, Angie Reichl, Dustin Jepson, Sierra Ellen Misgen, Josiah Jeffrey Schei, Christopher Quentin Haberman.

 • Friday, August 10th: Lynn Arends, Linda Weckwerth, Teresa Wright, Jeff Olson, Vernon Cornelius, Michelle Brandt, Richelle Butler Chapman, Melisssa Cornelius Large, Dustin Dobberstein, Thayne Nordland, Cheyenne Bergerson, Ross & Kathie Lein, Steve & Kathy Nelson, Darrin & Linda Stadheim.

 • Saturday, August 11th: Nicole & Dallas Loken, Brian Broulik, Vicki Humburg, Jeremy Kaiser, Mike Plunkett, Kris Simon Freitas, Sharon Sorenson, Kim Anderson Schneider, Brian Thostenson, Irvin Jensen Jr., Kevin Avery, Luke Clark Wangsness, Pagie Sophia Kromminga.

 • Sunday, August 12th: Linda & LaVerne Stieglbauer, Shawna Robertson, Tessa Christensen, Kristine Schroeder, Cindy Oswald, Cindy Nelson, Cynthia Crabtree, Thomas Smith, Ross Swearingen, Genie Hanson, Amy Tasker.

 • Monday, August 13th: Dennis Deml, Tim Enzenauer, David Haddy, Bob Brandt, Lisa Dummer, Megan Dummer, Janet Hope, Kellie Petranek, Sylvia Jepson, Saxton Chad Ritz.

 • Tuesday, August 14th: David & Carrie Paulson, Mark Sorenson, Lucille Nechanicky, Gretchen Oswald Thompson, Peter Kasper, Leah Berg, Wes Neidermeier, Alison & Chad Muilenburg.

 • Wednesday, August 15th: Roger Wayne, Obert Osmundson, Kaye Dee Hanson, Nancy Nelson, Stephanie Peterson, Rhonda Shelton, Cade Shelton, Brian Warnke, Dorrie Horan, Michael Suelter, Larry & Kathleen Jensen, Kellie Benning, Brian Warnke, Maverick Harold Knutson.

Wishing you much happiness on your special day!

The scurs were on target for some much needed rainfall and a welcome cool down. Will our good fortunes continue? Starting Wednesday, partly cloudy with a good chance of a shower during the day and a modest chance of a shower overnight. Highs of 80 - 85 and lows around 65. Partly cloudy on Thursday with a slight chance of a shower. Highs of 80 and lows close to 55. Mostly clear and cooler on Friday with highs of 75 and lows near 55. Partly cloudy on Saturday with a slight chance of a shower. Highs near 75 and lows of 55 - 60. Partly cloudy and slightly warmer on Sunday with a slight chance of a shower. Highs around 80 and lows of 60. Mostly sunny on Monday with highs of 80 and lows near 65. Partly cloudy on Tuesday and warmer with a chance of showers. Highs of 85 and lows near 65. The normal high for August 14th is 82 and the normal low is 59. On the 14th we will have 14 hours and one minute of daylight, having lost 1 hour and 27 minutes of daylight since the summer solstice. The scurs will be breaking out the sweaters while roasting weenies and marshmallows to celebrate our cooler evening temps.

Crops continue to thunder along following what was a lifesaving rain on Saturday morning and a kinder, gentler temperature regime. July was not kind to us at all with 1 inch of precipitation total being recorded at the ranch. Trouble was that inch of rain fell in 9 separate rainfall events. High temperatures for the month did not fall below 80 degrees at Waseca until the 28th and there were 10 days when the highs were 90 degrees or more and eight overnight lows where the temperature was 70 degrees or higher. Corn has definitely lost some top-end yield as a result of the heat and lack of rain, but relative to other places in the country we have very little to complain about and everything to be thankful for. Soybeans have really benefitted from the recent change in conditions and given another rain or too could be the Cinderella story once again. Crop health has been excellent and odds of a pest outbreak catching them before they’re out of the woods become a little slimmer each day. 

The Olympics have brought something to watch on TV the past couple weeks. We’ve watched as the athletic events are showcased with competition conducted under a peaceful and cooperative atmosphere. Even Ruby has been interested and sometimes so much so that we’ve had to let her outside to cool off. The equestrian events get her so worked up that the growling, barking and running at the TV set is more than we can stand after laughing about at first. The reaction is the same as she has when Bonanza comes on with Hoss, Ben, Little Joe and Adam riding up to the screen. Apparently Ruby is not a horse fan.

The swallows have been congregating on the wires around the ranch in recent days and soon they’ll be heading back south. Most appear to be tree swallows, but they are joined by the resident barn swallows as they feed on the flying insect population. Some evenings the dragonflies have done much the same only to a lesser degree. The last batch of baby bluebirds at the kindly neighbor’s should fledge this week or next. Opening the observation door revealed three nearly fully feathered nestlings hunkered down. The orioles continue to show up after leading us to believe they’re gone. Sunday there was another brightly colored Baltimore male among some younger models. For the birds moving through this fall, there will be very few acorns in the yard at the ranch. Just as we suspected, the freeze this spring put a real hit on their flowering. The chokeberries, however, are loaded with purple berries. The berries from this aronia species are noted for their antioxidants, so popping in a handful of the juicy-but-mouth-puckering fruit is a special treat when mowing the windbreak this time of year. They last on into winter if they’re not all eaten first so I tend not to borrow too many from my feathered friends. Could be a long tough winter for them.

Vista’s noted Swedish astronomer made another visit to make me aware of the Perseid meteor showers that occur during mid-August. The meteors occur when the earth passes through the dust left over from a comet. The clear nights should make for some good viewing. August 11th from 11 p.m. until an hour or so before sunrise should be the prime observation hours. If one desires to take their sweetie out on a blanket to watch in the yard, the noted astronomer’s suggestion is to remain fully clothed even though the mosquitoes aren’t too bad. It could be cold out.

The garden continues to produce in abundance. Crisper drawers are full in the fridges and it’s beyond our capability to eat it all so we’ve been distributing it to those without. Made a journey eastward to Mom’s last Saturday with string beans, potatoes, carrots, onions, cucumbers and zucchini in tow. Made a stop at the neighborhood sheep shearer while I was at it to take along some sweet corn as the patch at the ranch is a week or so away yet. Once at Mom’s, the produce and lamb chops I’d brought along provided us with the raw material for a feast. It was a relaxing afternoon finally, one devoid of people calling and asking questions that could’ve waited until Monday. It was also one of those times when I was able to learn about all kinds of people I’d only heard about when growing up but had never met, primarily because they were already dead and gone by the time I arrived on the scene. These were days before Twitter, e-mail and Facebook when people actually talked and really communicated. The time always passes too quickly however and before I knew it, it was time to head back home. I was glad I’d taken the time though. Some of what I learned helped put things into perspective not only in my life but in the perspective of humanity. Those good ol’ days weren’t any bowl of cherries and were truly times when people pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and helped each other out. Sometimes it appears this is a lesson we need to learn all over again. 

See you next week…real good then.

The funeral service for Arnold J. Knutson of rural Ellendale, Minnesota will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Ellendale. Reverend Cary Larson will officiate.  Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from  4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at  Zion Lutheran Church and one hour before the service at the church.

Arnold died at his home Sunday August 5, 2012. He was 83 years old.

Johnson, Natalie A., age 72, completed her life’s journey on August 4, 2012 in the care and presence of her husband and family. Her journey was cut short after a valiant 3 ½ year battle with cancer. She will always be remembered as a loving wife and mother and a very proud grandma.

She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Dora Lund and brother Roger Palm. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Norman, son Jay, daughter Jill (Scott) Olson, grandsons Jack and Paul, sisters Darlene Abraham and Judy (Jeff) Mason and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Harold Herman Muedeking, age 93, formerly of Waseca, died on Thursday, August 2, 2012, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Born on July 26, 1919, in Steele County near Meriden, he was the son of Herman and Elizabeth (Wabbrock) Muedeking. He attended rural school and was a farm laborer during his youth. At age 21, he began his career with the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca. Harold married Irene Vogt on November 22, 1941, and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving 42 months with 34 months spent in North Africa and Italy. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to E.F. Johnson Co. becoming General Shop Foreman and retiring after 42 years. He and Irene enjoyed traveling, including Hawaii and England. Harold also enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, woodworking, golfing, tinkering, and doing projects with the grandchildren. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca, the American Legion for 61 years, and the VFW.

Leo Milton Dodd passed away Thursday July 26, 2012 in Alberta County, New Brunswick, Canada. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Montevideo. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the church and continued one hour prior to services. Wing-Bain Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.wingbain.com.

Leo was born July 31, 1934 in Montevideo, the son of Ivan and Hazel (Espenson) Dodd. He went to country school and later graduated from Montevideo High School. He served his country in the United States Army, receiving his honorable discharge in 1958, and continued to serve in the National Guard until 1961. While in the service he was stationed in Nevada and worked with atomic testing. While home on leave, he met a cute little brunette at Rosy’s Supper Club.

Jacob Robert Sikel, 15, of Claremont, died Monday, July 30, 2012 at his home. 

He was born February 25, 1997 in Owatonna, Minnesota the son of Robert and Angela (Blouin) Sikel. Jacob had completed ninth grade at Triton High School where he participated in football and golf and very much enjoyed going to school.  He enjoyed working on cars, four-wheelers or anything with an engine. Jacob could fix anything.  He started rebuilding bicycles at a young age.  Last year Jacob started Enduro Racing which he enjoyed doing with his father.  Jacob was a very hard worker, and kept everything very neat and organized.  He enjoyed his family, going deer hunting, and spending quality time with his friends and most of all his best friend, his dad.