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Created: 28 June 2019

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All Saints priest accepts calling in Winona

HE’LL BE MISSED — All Saints Church’s Mike Cronin has accepted a calling in Winona. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher

For the second time in less than a month, it appears New Richland is losing one of its finest.

Father Mike Cronin of All Saints Church is leaving the parish, along with St. Ann’s in Janesville and St. Joseph’s in Waldorf, to accept a calling in Winona, closer to his roots. It follows the announcement that Pastor Brian Gegel is moving to Illinois, leaving LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran of rural New Richland.

All Saints parishoners are glad they have a new priest coming in, but they know they’ll miss Cronin.

“We’ll miss him a lot,” said church trustee Gretchen Supalla. “He’s very enthusiastic and has a really positive attitude. He really got our parish going. He wanted to get things done.”

“I think he has done so much good for our church,” said Kris Pfeffer. “He’s been a real asset to our church and our communities. He’s so sincere. We’re sorry to see him go.”

The feeling appears mutual.

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Created: 13 June 2019

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Gegel leaving LeSueur River, Vista Lutheran

SO LONG, PASTOR GEGEL — Though he’s putting the church behind him for now, former LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Pastor Brian Gegel has not ruled out a return to ministry at some point. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher

It was late March when Pastor Brian Gegel got the call. His father was in the hospital — in Southern Illinois, where Gegel was born and raised.

Gene Amley, an elderly member of the parish Gegel served, was one of the first to offer advice.

“He told me, ‘Pastor, you’ve got to get down there,’” said Gegel. “I said, ‘Well, thank you Gene. You’re the voice of God.”

The visit led to a gut-wrenching decision for Gegel: to leave LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Church after nearly seven years.

“It’s actually something I’ve been wrestling with since last year,” said Gegel, 61. “It was a very difficult decision.”

Amley seemed to echo the thoughts of parish members: it’s something Gegel had to do, but it’s awfully sad to see him leave.

Gegel is also leaving behind the memory of losing his beloved wife, Jane, who died in May 2017 after a 10-year battle with cancer. She rests near where Gegel is moving.

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Created: 23 June 2019

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Meet the mayor

FAMILY TIES — New Richland Mayor Mike Shurson is following in the footsteps of his father, former NR Mayor Merle Shurson. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer

For most of his adult life, Mike Shurson’s mind was set: he was not interested in becoming mayor of New Richland. But it was always in the back of his mind. So finally, in 2018, he decided to throw his hat into the ring, and got elected.

So far, the stint as mayor has been enjoyable for Shurson, who served 30 years on the New Richland Fire Department, despite the fact that it’s more time-consuming than he originally thought.

“It’s more work than I expected,” he said, “but it fits my style. So far I think it’s working fine.”

Shurson follows in the footsteps of his father, Merle, who served as the town’s mayor from 1964-1971. With Merle Shurson as mayor, New Richland implemented Waseca County’s first volunteer ambulance service and built a new city hall. Shurson remembers listening to his dad practice his dedication speech for the new city hall, and recalls the police chief knocking on their door asking what to do when the historic tornados of 1967 slammed the area.

“I remember a knock on the door, and it was the chief of police,” Shurson said. “He said, ‘There’s a tornado outside of town. What do we do?’”

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Created: 05 June 2019

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66 NRHEG seniors earn their diploma

IT’S OFFICIAL — Seniors move their tassels from left to right to signify their graduation. Front: Karenna Strom, Jadyn Surat. Back: Dylan Mosher, Shaun Gullickson, Krista Myers. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher

Together they stood for the final time.

One by one, they walked out into the world.

The NRHEG High School class of 2019 graduated Sunday afternoon in a nearly packed high school gymnasium in New Richland. Sixty-six received a diploma.

“It’s a privilege and honor to be part of your celebration today,” said superintendent Dale Carlson, who thanked everyone who made it possible: the school board; parents and guardians, “your child’s most important teacher,” along with teachers and support staff.

Carlson encouraged the graduates to change the world, cherish friendships, and follow their hearts and intuition.

“We’re proud of you,” said Carlson. “I wish you the best, and job well done.”

High school principal David Bunn introduced director Miles Otstot and the NRHEG Band, which traditionally chooses one song to play during commencement. This year’s selection was “Call of the Wild,” by Brian Balmages.