Remembering the life of Marlene Anna Hagen…

The funeral service for Marlene Anna Hagen, of New Richland, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2011, at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in rural New Richland. The Reverend Paul Meierding will officiate.  Interment will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4-7 on Friday at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church.

Marlene died at her home on Tuesday, December 27, 2011.  She was 79.

She was born on March 30, 1932, in Owatonna, MN, the daughter of Herbert and Elsie (Hargefeld) Semmann.  She graduated from Owatonna High School and then worked at Federated Insurance. Marlene married Harold “Hap” Hagen on June 26, 1954, in Owatonna, and they enjoyed spending 57 years together. They made their home northeast of New Richland where they farmed and raised their family. Marlene and Harold moved into New Richland in 2004. Marlene was an active member of LeSueur River Lutheran Church where she had served as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, on Church Council, was active in WELCA, where she served as treasurer for a many years, and enjoyed circle and the quilting group. Marlene was a very avid reader and also a member of the Legion Auxiliary. Her life centered on faith and family.

She will be greatly missed by her husband Harold “Hap” Hagen of New Richland; Children: Gary Hagen and his partner Dwight Ettel of St. Louis Park, MN, Dean Hagen of Rochester, MN, and JoAnn and her husband Edward Maloney of New Richland; grandchildren: William Maloney of Minneapolis, MN and Anita and Maggie Maloney of New Richland; her sister Nell and her husband Robert McCoy of Indianapolis, IN; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Christopher and Janet Hagen of New Richland and 9 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Julie, sister-in-law Marion and her husband Gordon Larson and brother-in-law Odean Hagen.

Blessed be her Memory!

Dorothy Leona Nelson of Ellendale, MN, died Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the Homestead Hospice in Owatonna, MN. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Dorothy was born July 1, 1913 in Linn County Iowa, the daughter of Lafayette and Irene (Madison) Cress. The family moved to Minnesota to a farm Northeast of Albert Lea in 1914. In 1918 they moved to a farm west of Geneva, MN. She attended country school in rural Ellendale. Dorothy was united in marriage to Iver Larson on December 28, 1934 by the Justice of the Peace in Albert Lea, MN. Three children were born, Warren, Mary and Roger.  Iver died in 1952. Dorothy was then married to Henry Nelson at the Lutheran Church in Geneva, MN. Henry died in 1988.

Dorothy was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, MN. She was a homemaker all of her life taking care of her parents and family. She loved gardening and her many fruit trees or could always been found reading her favorite books. She had a very fine memory for family and events throughout her life.

Dorothy is survived by her children; Roger and his wife Joyce of Ellendale, MN, Mary Sullivan of Emmons, MN, daughter in law Thelma Shearer of St Augustine, FL. There are 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. One sister survives; Delores Pickens of Ponca City, OK, brother in law Donald Wilker of Owatonna, MN, sister in law Arlene Larson of Camus, WA, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Iver and Henry, son Warren, son in law Robert Sullivan, nephew Dennis Wilker, four brothers and one sister.

FAMILY FRIEND — NRHEG 9th-grader Amy Beckstrom was awarded one of 11 heifers at this year’s Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

NRHEG student awarded heifer at St. Paul Beef Expo

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Every Monday through Friday, Amy Beckstrand’s alarm clock rears its startling alert at 5 a.m.

And although not one human is stirring in the house, somehow Beckstrand effortlessly lifts her eyelids and is already mentally prepared for the day ahead. Quickly, she changes clothes, grabs a pair of work boots and heads outside to the adjacent building of yesteryear.

Once inside the rustic barn, this ninth-grade NRHEG student grabs the necessary sustenance for Maci, her very own heifer she won at last October’s St. Paul Beef Expo.

“There were a total of 11 winners in this year’s Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program,” Beckstrand said. “I acquired Maci on behalf of the Shorthorn Association. They started this program for kids to have the chance to be involved in the beef industry.”

Her mother Maryjo added, “The program has been around since 2004, and she’s the first one we’re aware of in Waseca County who has won this. I just think it’s a terrific accomplishment.”

This auspicious occasion didn’t arise without a wee bit of effort though. Two weeks prior, she completed an application process largely comprised of an essay portion. 

“I explained why I felt I should be awarded the heifer,” Beckstrand said. “I gave two reasons. First of all, we can’t really afford to buy heifers. Then, I was hoping to win the heifer so I could mentor younger kids and help them be more involved in the beef industry too.”

Beckstrand continued, “This was the second time I applied. I only received the good news a week before the expo, so I was really excited.”

As one of the 100 Minnesota applicants aged 12-16, she also had to provide two reference letters to accompany the application. She inquired of her 4-H program coordinator Amy Nelson and longtime neighbor Brenda Gerdts to help out with fulfilling this portion.

“I also had a say in the breed,” Beckstrand said “My first choice was a commercial heifer, and my second choice was short horn.”

Awarded a short horn purebred, she couldn’t be more grateful and excited. Typically, heifers at Maci’s age (1 year) cost anywhere between $1,400-40,000.

“They are really expensive,” Beckstrand said. “She is worth about $1600.”

Above from left, NRHEG High School band members Haley Deml, Julia Borchert and Nicole Kaupa perform during the annual Christmas concert Dec. 19. Below, Tara Simon sings a solo. (Star Eagle photos by Nikki Erickson)

NRHEG band, choir team to present sounds of the season

By NIKKI ERICKSON

Contributing Writer

The NRHEG Department of Music hosted a grand evening of entertainment on Monday, December 19th. The packed high school gym enjoyed a Christmas concert extraordinaire.

The night started with the Concert Choir being led by director Jennifer Fredrickson. The choir donned bright red robes and graced the stage to open with, “A Festive Holiday!” arranged by Jerry Estes. They transitioned into an arrangement of “Carol of the Bells” by Riccardo Spina and it set the mood of Christmas cheer. They followed with “The Snow Begins to Fall” by Andy Beck and then sang “Whisper! Whisper! (Baby Born Today)” by Jay Althouse.

SHINING STARS — Performers pictured in St. Isidore School’s annual Christmas Musical included Dakota Wood, Charlie Johns, Alia Kubicek, Sophia Schiller, Lainey Schultz and Zoe Ehlers. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)

CHRISTMAS STARS — Students performing in the annual St. Isidore School Christmas Musical included Cody Wood, Sam Michaud, Cassidy Martin, Luke Kubicek, Jesse Deml, Gabriel Rysavy, Colton Krell, Luke Kubicek, Ethan Ehlers, Zachary Kubicek, Rose Michaud, Hazel Michaud, Levi Kubicek, Rhys Martin, Patrick Johnson, Felicia Wood, Jenna Klecker, Laura Deml, Isaac Rand, Zoe Ehlers, Charlie Johns, Alia Kubicek, Sophia Schiller, Lainey Schultz and Dakota Wood. In the back is Mrs. Gloria Van Duzer. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)

St. Isidore presents Christmas musical

By NIKKI ERICKSON

Contributing Writer

St. Isidore School performed their Christmas program “A Star is Born” on Friday, December 9th. The program was written and directed by a talented lady, Mrs. Gloria Van Duzer.

The preschool students began the night with the songs “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Jack in the Box” and “Gifts of Love,” led by their teacher Ms. Tammy Harber.  Dressed in their holiday best, they were also wearing bright yellow stars to set the mood!

The play began with the narrator Jessica Pieper introducing the audience to the star. This was not just any star.

“I am big and bold and bright, and I can shine most every night”, is sung by star, Zachary Kubicek. The star is soon joined by the angel Gabriel, played by Gabriel Rysavy, and is heckled by the star for his harmonica playing! Clouds that are getting married and going to have a raindrop soon join them; and then the cloud party planner also enters, frantically trying to gather all the items needed for the party. The star is given a goodie bag, but is left all alone by the clouds.

A solitary voice then startles the star, who admits to being lonely and not having any friends, and the star is reminded that, “Love and friendship demand sacrifice, and a sacrifice is a gift you give to someone that comes from the heart” and that “God is always watching!” The group comes together to sing “With a Star that Bright” and then the scene moves to town.

Gabriel returns with Mary and Joseph, played by Rose Michaud and Colton Krell, (who also played the clouds). They begin to discuss the coming baby that God has given Mary. Gabriel sings “Mary Did You Know” and the donkey, played by Cody Wood, carries Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. As they 

enter Bethlehem, the Innkeeper, played by Hazel Michaud, tells Mary and Joseph there is no room in the inn, but they can stay in the stable, and the cast sing “Silent Night” as the three fall asleep.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) invites comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared for Matt Holland’s proposed swine expansion in southwestern Steele County.  Written comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2012.

Holland proposes to double his swine operation from 2,400 to 4,800 finishing hogs. He also maintains a beef herd of 20 cow/calf pairs on pasture. For the expansion, Holland plans to build a total confinement barn with a manure pit underneath.  The feedlot is in Berlin Township, 1.26 miles west of Ellendale.

After expansion, the feedlot would generate 1.9 million gallons of liquid manure a year. Holland plans to remove manure from the pits beneath the barns once a year in the fall for application to nearby cropland. The feedlot would have two manure-storage basins with a total storage capacity of 2.5 million gallons.

Although the feedlot is surrounded by land zoned for agriculture, 41 homes are located within one mile of the feedlot and manure-application sites. The closest home is about one-third mile from the feedlot.  Based on computer modeling, the MPCA expects the expanded feedlot to comply with state air-quality standards.

DEVOTED SERVICE — Carl Anderson is retiring Jan. 2 after 39 years on the Clarks Grove Fire Department, including 20 years as chief. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

All men are created equal. A few become firemen.

The funny thing about firemen is, night or day, or holiday, they are always firemen.

He's the guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller than most of us.

He's a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.

He's a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.

He's responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will/may never laugh again.

He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it.

Carl Anderson, son of Lettie and the late Lyle Anderson, is planning his retirement from the Clarks Grove Fire Department. Both Carl and his dad served on the local department. He has been fire chief of the department since 1982, nearly half his lifetime.

Anderson was just a young lad, 20 years, when he first became a Clarks Grove firefighter on February 5, 1973. He remembers going to his first fire, which was at the Leo Simonson Garage, north of Clarks Grove. He rode with his dad to the fire. Anderson asked his dad what he should do. Lyle said, "Stand back and watch."

Anderson became assistant chief in 1975 while Harry Olson was chief. Anderson became chief on May 3, 1982. Between the two, they served for 64 years as chief.

Anderson has lived a life of being on call for 39 years, and things have changed a great deal over those years.

DEVOTED SERVICE — Carl Anderson is retiring Jan. 2 after 39 years on the Clarks Grove Fire Department, including 20 years as chief. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

All men are created equal. A few become firemen.

The funny thing about firemen is, night or day, or holiday, they are always firemen.

He's the guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller than most of us.

He's a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.

He's a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.

He's responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will/may never laugh again.

He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it.

Carl Anderson, son of Lettie and the late Lyle Anderson, is planning his retirement from the Clarks Grove Fire Department. Both Carl and his dad served on the local department. He has been fire chief of the department since 1982, nearly half his lifetime.

Anderson was just a young lad, 20 years, when he first became a Clarks Grove firefighter on February 5, 1973. He remembers going to his first fire, which was at the Leo Simonson Garage, north of Clarks Grove. He rode with his dad to the fire. Anderson asked his dad what he should do. Lyle said, "Stand back and watch."

Anderson became assistant chief in 1975 while Harry Olson was chief. Anderson became chief on May 3, 1982. Between the two, they served for 64 years as chief.

Anderson has lived a life of being on call for 39 years, and things have changed a great deal over those years.

The firemen are grateful to have a supportive auxiliary that helps them hold several fundraising events each year which helps pay for new equipment and training sessions.