Jim Lutgens
Faith (Faye) Swenson, 82
Memorial services for Faith (Faye) Swenson of New Richland, MN, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2011 at St Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. Pastor Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St Peter Cemetery.
Faith died Sunday evening at St Johns Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, MN, she was 82 years of age.
Faith was born October 25, 1928 in Waseca, MN, the daughter of Fred and Etta (Davis) Born. She attended country school in Waseca. On November 12, 1949 she was united in marriage to George M. Swenson in Waseca, MN.
Russell L. Witke, 16
Remembering the life of Russell L. Witke….
The funeral service for Russell L. Witke, 16, of New Richland, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 13 at Vista Covenant Church, rural New Richland. The Reverend Steve Thompson will officiate. Interment will be in St. Olaf Cemetery. Friends may call at Friedrich Funeral Home from 4-8 Sunday and one hour before the service at the church.
Russell died as a result of an auto accident near Matawan, on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
Russell was born on August 5, 1994, in Waseca, Minnesota the son of Russell L. and Cathy (Klaus) Witke.
He was a student at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School, participating in baseball, football and basketball. Russ enjoyed hanging out with his many friends, and making them laugh.
Russell is survived by his mother Cathy, brothers Brett Cully, and Robby Witke of New Richland, a sister Michelle Witke, also of New Richland, and aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father in 2005 and his grandparents.
Marvin Andrew Lageson, 86
Funeral services for Marvin Andrew Lageson, age 86, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 13, 2011 at LeSeuer River Lutheran Church. Rev. Glen Monson will officiate. Interment will be at the LeSeuer River Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, June 12th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.
Marvin died Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Good Samaritan Center surrounded by his family.
Marvin Andrew Lageson was born on November 8, 1924 to Edward and Lydia Lageson. He attended school in Ellendale and farmed on the family farm. He enjoyed dancing and met his future wife Linda Flink at the Terp Ballroom in Austin. They were united in marriage on May 23, 1959. From this blessed union 5 children were born.
NRHEG student dies in auto mishap
SCENE OF SADNESS — Crosses and flowers have been placed at or near the crash site of 16-year-old NRHEG student Russell Witke west of New Richland on Highway 30. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
Sixteen-year-old Russell L. Witke of New Richland was killed Tuesday in a one-car automobile mishap approximately 5 miles west of New Richland on Highway 30.
Witke, who would have been a junior at NRHEG High School this fall, was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle. Authorities from the Minnesota State Patrol and Waseca County Sheriff’s Office are investigating whether Witke was the driver or passenger of the car, a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am.
Skid marks on Highway 30 indicate the vehicle was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed and skidded before winding up in a drainage ditch on the north side of the road.
A fund has been established to help defray funeral expenses for Witke. Donations can be made to the State Bank of New Richland.
As you ramble through life
CAN YOU DIG IT? — Thomas Desmond Donnelly IV, rural Clarks Grove, otherwise known as ‘Digger,’ has lived in many places around the world. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
Native of Ireland has seen, and dug, a lot in his 60 years
As you ramble through life, whatever be your goal;
Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.
Irish proverb
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
There is something about the Irish, and there is a lot about the man and character of Thomas Desmond Donnelly IV. With a sly sense of humor, he describes himself as an "internment specialist,” otherwise known as a grave digger.
Known to some as Tom and to many as "Digger," he is like a quick little leprechaun, and as friendly as can be. He was born in Donegal, Ireland 60 years ago. He admits to being the oldest and the smallest of the family of four boys.
His father was in the Army Air Force, so his family moved around a great deal until he was 18 years old. He came to America in 1953, and has lived in many places around the world.
He went to elementary school in Japan and Colorado, junior high in Texas, and high school in Utah, where he was named student body president. He then went on to attend college in California, Utah and eventually went to Boston to attend a macrobiotic cooking school. He worked two years as a cook and became a vegetarian for several years.
Tom worked as a jockey when he was about 24 for a year. The envy of the jockeys at 5 feet tall and 95 pounds, he had all the makings of being a fine jockey. But, he felt that working with horses was really not his calling.
You will be welcomed
HOSPITALITY — Much of Pastor Lisa Dodd’s preaching this summer will center on hospitality and how to welcome people, with a goal to let people know that God loves them and they are not alone. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
Church invites public to join Farmer’s Market, outdoor services
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Summertime ushers in a time of relaxing under the sun. But, that doesn’t mean we should give any less than our best.
At least, that’s what the Ellendale United Methodist Church and their head pastor, Lisa Dodd, thinks. So come Father’s Day, June 19, they will kick off the theme, Farmer’s Market, to be carried out throughout the summer months.
This theme will be present in all the worship services. After each service, there will be a mini-farmer’s market, where guests and church members can peruse the produce.
“We will do a freewill donation, and the money will go to the food shelf here at church,” Dodd said. “Anyone can come, and bring their fruits and vegetables to donate to the cause. So, if you pick up a head of lettuce, just put in the basket what you think it’s worth.”
Things will go a little differently during the worship services too. Instead of Dodd walking in, there will be a “sing along,” at the beginning, to make things a little more casual.
NRHEG still has one big happy music family
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
This year’s NRHEG concert band members were and still are all one big, happy music family.
“I get to know them really well in the five day school week,” said recently graduated band member Pieter Majeske. “In the summer, when we do marching band, we’re pretty much always together then too.”
As one of NRHEG’s Louis Armstrong Award recipients (Outstanding senior in Jazz Band), Majeske accepted the recognition with humility.
“I was very happy and slightly surprised that he gave it to both me and Tony Wacholz,” Majeske said. “He’s only given it to two people once before."
Now that his hard work with concert and jazz band has paid off, he is able to take a breather. But that’s very short-lived, as his summer and fall will be filled with music galore.
“In the fall, I’m beginning Concordia College, and majoring in music performance,” Majeske said. “I want to spread my love of music to other people.”
NRHEG presents awards, scholarships
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
In recognition of the achievements, participation, leadership and the pursuit of excellence, the annual NRHEG High School Awards Program was held on May 25th at the high school gym in New Richland.
The morning program began with a number of awards, letters and plaques of recognition presented to members of the class of 2011.
Information is listed as award, presenter and recipient:
• Music; Mr. Broderius and Mr. Siewert; John Phillip Sousa for Concert Band; Christian Stewart.
Louie Armstrong for Jazz Band; Pieter Majeske and Anthony Wacholz.
Senior Choir Awards; Emily Light and Evan Ferber.
National Choral Award; Pieter Majeske.
Marching Band - Panther of the Year; Emily Light.
Wagner qualifies for state in track
NEXT STOP, STATE — NRHEG freshman Carlie Wagner clears the high jump bar during Saturday’s Section 2A track and field meet at Mankato West High School. A section participant in four events, Wagner cleared 5 feet, 3 inches to place second in the high jump and advance to state. (Photo by Chris Schlaak)
RUNNING WITH THE PACK — NRHEG’s T.J. Schiltz runs with the pack during Saturday’s Section 2A track and field meet at Mankato West High School. Schiltz, a ninth-grader, made it to section in both the 1600 and 3200 meters, finishing fifth in the 1600. (Photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Classes, graduation, awards ceremonies and athletics are all history for the 2010-11 school year for all but one NRHEG student: Carlie Wagner.
The ninth-grader extended her track and field season Saturday, placing second in the high jump in the Section 2A meet at Mankato. It earned her a trip to state Friday and Saturday at Hamline University in St. Paul.
“There’s very tough competition in our section,” said NRHEG coach Duey Ferber. “For Carlie to make it to state in the high jump as a freshman is a great achievement.”
Wagner cleared 5 feet, 3 inches, which not only earned her a silver medal, but would have automatically qualified her for the state meet based on standards.
Outstanding athleticism
Kristina Cole, left, and Cody Root received the 2010-11 Outstanding Senior Athlete Awards during the NRHEG spring sports awards ceremony Wednesday, June 1. (Photo by Chris Schlaak)