Panthers claim section title, take 30-0 record to state tournament

WE’RE GOING TO STATE! — Coaches John Schultz, left, Grant Berg, the Panthers and their fans exalt as the clock winds down in the Section 2AA championship at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter last Friday. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

WHEELING AND DEALING — Jade Schultz passes off to Anna Schlaak during the first half of the Section 2AA championship game last Friday.

DRIVING — Carlie Wagner drives to the basket during the Section 2AA championship game at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter last Friday.

POINTS IN THE PAINT — Katie Cole (14) scores a basket during the second half of the Section 2AA championship game last Friday.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

State tournament.

Almost every high school athlete dreams about it. Few get there.

The 2011-12 NRHEG girls’ basketball team is among the few.

The Panthers reached their season-long and, for some, almost lifetime-long goal by defeating St. Peter 59-54 for the Section 2AA championship in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter last Friday.

It kept the Panthers undefeated at 30-0 and put them in the state tournament against defending state champion Braham (29-1) Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Target Center in Minneapolis.

NRHEG coach John Schultz said getting to state, “means everything” for the Panthers.

Harvey LeRoy Krassin, age 91 of Waseca died on Monday, March 12, 2012 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca.

Born on December 11, 1920 in Waseca County, Minnesota, he was the son of LeRoy and Hazel (Joecks) Krassin.  He was baptized on January 8, 1921 by Rev. Fred Duemchner.  He was confirmed in 1933 by Rev. John Herbst at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilton Township.  Harvey served in the U.S. Army from September 1942 until his honorable discharge in December of 1945.  He married Dorothy D. Rudolph on March 1, 1946 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township with Rev. Wacholz officiating.  Together they lived and farmed in St. Mary Township.  Harvey enjoyed farming, wood working, and refinishing furniture.  He also enjoyed dancing, listening to old time music, playing the drums, and had been a long time member of the Waseca Senior Band.  Harvey was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church-Wilton.

He is survived by three daughters, Bonnie (Phil) Marquardt of Janesville, Myrna (Gerald) Bauer of Morristown, and Darla (Kevin) Brase of Lake Crystal; four grandchildren, Becky (Pat) Palmer, Pam (Ben) Trumbull, Jennifer Brase, and Andrew Brase; and two great-grandchildren, Luke and Ava Trumbull.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife-Dorothy, two brothers-Lowell and Merlin, and one sister-Lois Wanous.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Thursday, March 15, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. and continue on Friday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church-Wilton with Rev. Glenn Korb officiating.  Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Thomas Alfred Camerer, 72, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2012, at his home in rural Blooming Prairie, MN, surrounded by his family following an 8 ½ month courageous battle with cancer.

Tom was born December 31, 1939, in Austin, MN, the son of Lloyd and Pearl (Eggestein) Camerer. He spent the first 12 years of his life in Austin, eventually living in Blooming Prairie. He was confirmed in 1958 at First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie, and attended school in both Austin and Blooming Prairie public schools. He worked with his step-dad, Axel, in Blooming Prairie in the trucking business and later at the Chevrolet garage. He then worked at A.J. Lysne Contracting Corporation in Owatonna before retiring after 25 years. Tom was a volunteer fireman for Blooming Prairie for many years.

Tom was united in marriage to Marcia Kruckeberg on August 10, 1962, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Claremont and they were married for 48 years. Tom loved fishing, especially enjoying his fall Canadian trips with the cousin crew and the Gulf of Mexico fishing excursions with his cousin, Wayne. He also enjoyed picking on his grandchildren, playing cards, wintering in Port Aransas, TX, and his time spent with family. 

Tom is survived by his wife, Marcia, of rural Blooming Prairie; three sons, Wade and Wendy Camerer of Ellendale, MN; Randy of Owatonna, MN; and Barry of Blooming Prairie; 4 grandchildren; Brooke of Owatonna; Thomas and Brittni of Colorado Springs, CO; Cory and Kayley of Ellendale; 3 brothers, Calvin and Joan Camerer of Andover, MN; Marvin Camerer, of Blooming Prairie; Rick and Nancy Hansen of Blooming Prairie; 3 sisters, Leone and Billy Vavra and Roxanne and Calvin Boyd, all of Blooming Prairie; and Robin and Pat Berg of Owatonna; Brother-in-law Dale Garness of Blooming Prairie and sister-in-law Sherry Kruckeberg, also of Blooming Prairie and held dear his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father Eugene (Axel) Hansen, his sisters, Carol Garness and Romell Camerer and brother-in-law Kevin Kruckeberg.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Pastor Charlie Leonard officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2012, at the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at Owatonna Memorial Gardens, Owatonna, MN. Donations are preferred to the American Cancer Society, Homestead Hospice of Owatonna or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.worlein.com.

Blessed be the memory of our husband, father, grandfather and friend.

NRHEG girls advance to state

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS — NRHEG girls' basketball captains Danielle Krueger, Anna Schlaak and Tori Raimann hoist the Section 2AA championship trophy after the Panthers' 59-54 victory over St. Peter at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter Friday night. The win advanced the Panthers (30-0) to the state tournament, where they'll face Section 7AA champion Braham (29-1) Wednesday, March 14 at 6 p.m. at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

HOW SWEET IT IS — The Panthers and coach John Schultz celebrate their section championship at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter Friday night.

HOW DO YOU SPELL INTENSITY? — A fired up Carlie Wagner (3) leads the Panthers on the court for Friday night's Section 2AA championship game against St. Peter. Wagner scored 25 points, making her NRHEG's all-time scoring leader in basketball (boys and girls) with 1,588 points and counting. The previous record was 1,578 by Alison Anderson. Wagner, a sophomore, has scored 844 points this season, also a school record.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Fans of NRHEG girls’ basketball were hopeful for months, and most of them probably expected it, but the road is not easy and until it really happens, you never know.

Now we do.

The Panthers are going to the state tournament.

The local girls defeated St. Peter 59-54 in front of a packed house at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter Friday night for the Section 2AA championship, sending them to the big show in the Twin Cities for the second time in school history.

What does this mean for the Panthers?

“It means everything,” said coach John Schultz. “For the girls, the biggest goal they’ve ever had is to get to the state tournament.”

The Panthers, rated No. 2 in Class AA in the final Associated Press state poll, remained undefeated for the season at 30-0. They meet defending state champion Braham (29-1) in the opening round of the state tournament Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Target Center in Minneapolis.

A win in the opening round would put the Panthers in the semifinals Friday at 6 p.m. at Target Center against Sauk Centre or Worthington. The championship game is Saturday at 2 p.m. at Target Center. The third-place game is Saturday at noon at Concordia College in St. Paul. A first-round loss would eliminate the Panthers from the tournament.

Sophomore Carlie Wagner led the Panthers Friday with 25 points, five assists, four steals and four rebounds. She became NRHEG's all-time scoring leader in basketball (boys and girls) with 1,588 points and counting. The previous record was 1,578 by Alison Anderson.

The rest of the Panthers include seniors Tori Raimann, Anna Schlaak and Danielle Krueger, juniors Abby Crabtree, Katie Cole and Raelin Schue, sophomores Jade Schultz, Hannah Lundberg and Paige Overgaard and seventh-graders Marnie Wagner and Maddie Wagner.

Coach Schultz said the Panthers plan to go for it at state, but that just making it is a big accomplishment and the players should be proud.

“We’ll prepare hard, we’ll play hard,” said Schultz. “But achieving the goal of making the state tournament is every kid’s dream, that’s for sure.”

Panthers fall to Maple River in sub-section

TWO POINTS — NRHEG senior Matt Carlson sets up and fires in two points during the Panthers' sub-section loss to Maple River at Mapleton Tuesday night. Coach Pat Churchill said Carlson's shooting kept NRHEG in the game. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC — NRHEG senior Tyler Sorenson (11) drives past Maple River's Josiah Breiter during the Panthers' sub-section loss to at Mapleton Tuesday night.

FINAL GAME — NRHEG senior Lucas Meyer brings the ball up court against Maple River during the Panthers' sub-section loss to Maple River at Mapleton Tuesday night. It was the final high school game for Blowers and six other NRHEG seniors.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

There were a number of turning points in the NRHEG boys’ basketball team’s sub-section opener at Maple River Tuesday night.

None of them went the Panthers’ way.

The tall, talented third-seeded Eagles took an early lead and held off every charge the sixth-seeded Panthers could muster before pulling away with a 67-49 decision at Mapleton.

“The score was not indicative of how I thought this game went tonight,” said Panthers coach Pat Churchill, whose team finished 9-17 overall while losing many close contests.

The Eagles, now 19-7, started the game on a 7-0 run. The Panthers played them to a standstill after that, sparked by 13 first-half points from Matt Carlson.

UPGRADE — Sorenson’s Appliance & TV, Geneva, recently upgraded its communications systems with Frontier Communications. From left: Tim Sorenson; Darrell Hansen, General Manager, Frontier; Robin Schoenherr, Regional Marketing Specialist, Frontier; Dak Sorenson; and Mike Boebinger, Regional Marketing Director, Frontier. (Submitted photo)

Warren Sorenson opened Sorenson’s Appliance & TV in 1951.

Two generations later, this family-owned discount appliance and electronics store is thriving, and recently upgraded its communications system with Frontier Communications (NASDAQ: FTR). 

Warrren Sorenson’s son Tim Sorenson and grandson Dak Sorenson, current owners, selected Frontier to install a Mitel 3000 phone system, Frontier’s Business High-Speed Internet services, and additional business phone lines. The upgraded services will allow the retailer to better meet the growing communications needs of customers in Geneva, Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, Hayfield, Owatonna, Waseca, Mankato, Wells, Northwood, St. Ansgar and surrounding communities. 

“We pride ourselves on offering low prices with top-notch customer service,” said Dak Sorenson. “We’ve been a long-time customer of Frontier and appreciate the local, personalized service. Like us, Frontier is focused on delivering a great customer experience, providing expert advice, leading-edge technology, and excellent day-to-day responsiveness to all of our requests. It was an easy choice to select Frontier to provide us with a solution to our increasing communications needs.”

After 36 years, firefighter hangs up uniform for final time

PROUD TO SERVE — After 36 years, 30 of them as captain for the Freeborn Fire Department, Roger Merritt has hung up his uniform for the final time. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

At age 22, Roger Merritt had no inhibitions about firefighting. The flames didn’t faze him and the heat only dared him to fight harder.

Thirty-six years later, Merritt still feels the same way about sparks out of control.

“It meant a lot to give to the surrounding community,” Merritt said. “Helping save lives by putting out fires, people are really thankful.”

To this day, those kind words remain embedded in the recesses of his heart. And there they will remain, even after announcing his retirement from the Freeborn Fire Department.

“When I first joined, the adrenaline was for sure going,” Merritt said. “But, last year, I had a lot of medical issues. I missed most of the summer because I had a broken wrist. I actually had three surgeries.”

Surprisingly, saying goodbye to such a driving force in his life came easy for him. It was just time to move on.

Hartland native has a definite knack for writing

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Whooshing into a room full of shelves, the literary world suddenly lays at her fingertips. Still out of breath, this introspective youngster's nose darts every which way in the hopes of finding the perfect book.

“As an only child with parents who were both avid readers, my love of books began at a very young age," said former Hartland resident Jeanie Larson. “I could travel anywhere, be anyone I wanted in a book. I read anything from romance to science fiction, to biographies. I loved them all.”

Years later, this Iowa resident has a library she calls her very own. Thus far, Larson has e-published the following titles: “Another Time, Another Place,” “47,” “Be Careful What You Wish For,” “I'll Never Forget You” and “Will You Marry Me.”

“I am almost finished with ‘Do You Remember Me Now,’” Larson said. “’I'll Never Forget You’ is actually the first one I ever wrote. It is about a girl who takes a vacation to California, and meets her favorite TV star.”

These aren’t the only ones in her home collection though. Just ask her husband of 30 years.

A total of 26 NRHEG sixth-graders have been selected by judges to move on to the Regional History Day at Minnesota State Mankato on March 20.

In the category of Junior Group Performance, qualifying were Lillian Bell, Emily Crabtree, Michelle Katzung, and Tali Wayne.

In the category of Junior Group Exhibit, there are seven qualifying groups:

• Emily Prigge and Betsy Schoenrock

• Ben Lundberg and Perry Peterson

• Cole Staloch and Brett Kubiatowicz

• Randy Anhalt and Brendon Strand

• Makenzi Rhodes and Nikita Peterson

• Chris Stenzel and Justin Mortensen

• Gabby Muri and Kelly Harden

In the category of Junior Individual Exhibit, there are eight qualifiers:

• Ben Lewer

• Katlyn Olsen

• Katie Crabtree

• Sadie Mortenson

• Jerret Utpadel

• Taytum Ihrke

• Noah Nielsen

• Otto Oquist

Top finishers at the Regional History Day advance to the Minnesota State History Day.

For photos of NRHEG students with their projects at Ellendale Elementary School Tuesday, Feb. 28, pick up a copy of this week's Star Eagle.

By now, I am sure you are full up to here with all the hullaballoo (and gossip too) since the death of Whitney Houston. Good, bad or indifferent - whatever you want to think - I loved her. I don't know if it was her beauty, talent or that to me she was always a scared little girl reaching out for something she couldn't handle. It saddens me to think that you can be famous even in death, and the world can't leave you in peace.

Beauty and talent are two things I am sure people find hard to handle. What we never see is the inside feelings and abilities of the person who has to handle them. We just assume they have that ability. 

There should be no problems in their minds and people should understand that when someone is pulled in every which way, all they want to be is themselves. We think that many are able to handle the two because the media doesn't add to their problems by exploiting every move they make, but that doesn't make them any the less vulnerable. 

Whitney had a reputation for using pills and alcohol. Count on your fingers how many famous people you know that don't have that problem, and I don't mean just illegal consumption. Whitney had only prescription drugs in her home when she died. 

My dad used to say, "Give me a spoon, I will have more than enough drugs here for breakfast." All of his pills were prescribed, all for a purpose and capable of being taken away without the pain of withdrawal. But, that didn't lessen the fact that they were drugs and their purpose was to make one get better, feel better or take away the pain.

The sad part was that in spite of the pills effectiveness, there was also the possibility of negative side effects.

We worry about our children. We have every reason to because there is so much ugly stuff out there in our world that we don't want them to be exposed to. We think of how many children suffered, died or were made ill by some of the diseases we now hear little about. 

Vaccination is a quick fix at an early age and one shot doesn't hurt as much as two or three, but I sometimes wonder if it is that good of an idea to put so many cures in one action. Yes, it is quick and convenient, but what if just one of those vaccinations causes an allergic reaction to one child? 

Children are all different. What if something used in all the shots would be tolerated, but in the combined use, it isn't? You are entitled to your opinion, but don't you ever wonder? Are we too easily accepting of the acceptable? At this age we do this, at that age we do that. It is part of the schedule of things, and maybe it’s right. I don't know; I just wonder. 

When our children are small we consider the pills that their doctors prescribe. We give them to our children because the doctors say that they will make them feel better. That is fair, true and kind, but many children may grow up with the idea that pills can make you feel better. Perhaps the only "pill" they need is time, understanding, or solutions to their growing pains. 

How much consideration is given to the size and ages of the person when pills are prescribed? Does one size fit all?

Hiding the pain is not always the answer. Small children see parents taking so-called innocent Aspirin because they have a headache. Maybe the headache goes away, but the thought that is placed in that child’s mind might not. He or she thinks, "I hurt and a pill will take it away."

My Grandmother Hanson was in a car accident where she hurt her back. She took aspirin, and when she got sick Dr. Ertel said she was taking too many aspirin, so she quit. I never saw her take another pill even when she was directed to until she was in the nursing home and they gave her Tylenol. We asked why and we were told that she would feel better, even when she got along without them for years. The doctors and nurses said that it relaxes the body. 

Was it a small thing? Maybe. Did it make her feel better and more calm? Maybe. But it will always be in my mind that she got along just fine without them.  

I look at my little dish of pills that I take each morning. I know they are there for a reason. They serve a purpose, but just because I am not an illegal drug addict, does that make me any less of an addict? Could I get by without the pills?

Almost every day, we get letters telling us the laws of this country insure privacy. To me, it is wasted paper because privacy isn't there. Scandal and innuendo in those publications draw people’s attention to the lives of others. 

Yes, some of it is good because it informs people of the nasty things that people often do, but it is also filled with scandal and untruths that hurt innocent people. The attention and interest conferred by the media give legitimacy to the charges. Just because one is famous doesn't mean they don't need the peace and quiet of a normal life as well. 

The cost is often great. We all have lost beautiful people all too soon because we didn't let them live their lives, and sometimes because we didn't intercede when they were acting destructively. 

We didn't recognize that all people may be alike but also different. It makes me think that life can not be measured until we take in the consideration of the person, need, size, age, and the personality among other things. That is a tall order. Sometimes we forget to think. If you love somebody, love them unconditionally.While we lament the lack of privacy for celebrities, they have given up privacy for fame and fortune. Readers, ask yourself: is the fame worth it?

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, March 8th: Derek Alan Lee, Janice Olson Paulson, Greg Nelson, Carla Paulsen Haugen, Warren Jensen, Melissa Trindad, Kathy & Mike Plunkett, Stephanie & Tom Pulley.

• Friday, March 9th: Reese Sharon Glynn, her 5th; Taylor Jensen, Chris Clausen, Peter Dammel, Curtis Langlie, Mark Sawyer, Joel Wacholz, Dean Waltz, Jaclyn Cromwell Olson, Chris Farr, Joleen Thompson.

• Saturday, March 10th: Julie Stieglbauer Dahl, Sue Misgen, Aaron Callahan, Travis Johnson, Michelle Olson Bedney, Tom Vavra, Heidi Mattson LaFave, Chuck Hanson, Gayle Dummer, Douglas Schmidt, Linda Anderson, DeLynn Johnson Rohrbacher, Hannah Emily Brunsen.

• Sunday, March 11th: Marian Mast, Carolyn Flesche, Leroy Folie, Kari Thostenson, Jon Carlson, Michelle Meyer, Larry Richards, Tim Simon, Joan Ahlstrom Diderrich, Tanya Swearingen, Tom Arbogast, David Callahan, Dean Lembke, Spener Sebastian Sommers, his 9th; Doug Blouin, Wendell Kuehni, Paul & Shirley Nelson.

• Monday, March 12th: David Paulson, Jason Bowman, Terri Engel, Robert Hall, Harla Stanley Malz, Spiering Brody Sundbland, Gary & Barb Paulson, Jack & Virginia Jensen.

• Tuesday, March 13th: Joanna Ver Hey, David Mangskau, Lynda Kruckeberg, Darla Waltz, Jessica Liverseed, Craig Lunning, Tony Tonsin.

• Wednesday, March 14th: National Potato Chip Day! Laura Katherine Worrell, Connor Duane Klemmsensen, his 4th; Sierra Christine Krause, her 3rd; Brian Cerney, Brent Huber, Marcia Hutchins, Lee Loverink, Mary Finch, Kathy Molenaar, Trevor Titus.

Wishing you sunny smiles to warm your heart on your special day!