NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

George Robert Ritz, age 83, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer on July 4, 2023.   George was born on 02/28/1940 in West Hazleton, PA to Michael and Anna Ritz.    George and his wife Diana made their way through several states but made their way to Geneva, MN to raise their three older children and in 1982 moved to Eagle River, Alaska with their two younger children to work and live the next 41 years. 

George and Diana met in the United States Air Force and after 62 days of courting, they were married.   The military chaplain even tried to talk them out of getting married because he felt it was just too soon and would never work.    Needless to say, they just celebrated 63 years of marriage this past November.    

On July 1, 2023, Kenneth J. Meyers, age 84, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones. He was conscientious, kind, reliable, and had an active Christian faith.

Ken was born on March 18, 1939, in Rochester, Minnesota. He grew up in Rochester when it was a much smaller town. He loved to share memories of hanging onto the bumper of city buses and sliding along in the wintertime, going to the Saturday matinee at the Chateau Theatre and only paying a nickel, and having a barbecue sandwich and root beer for lunch at Silver Lake Foods. Growing up he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1957.

Scott Bernard Bolduan, 58 of New Richland, MN passed away on June 21, 2023 from injuries sustained in a car accident.

Scott was born on December 21, 1964 in Albert Lea, MN to Bernard and Marian (Stock) Bolduan.  He was raised on the family farm by New Richland, MN and graduated from New Richland – Hartland High School in 1983.  He later went on to attend Mankato State University, graduating in 1990.  

Scott spent most of his life living in the Minneapolis area while working in the insurance, computer, and finance areas.  In 2015 he moved back to the family farm in New Richland to be closer to and care for family.  With a renewed love for rural life, Scott thoroughly enjoyed assisting his uncle, Orville Bolduan and cousin, Dennis Bolduan with farming and offered a helping hand wherever needed.  

Mark Steven Seedorf, age 74, died on Monday, June 26 at Three Links Reflections in Northfield, MN. Memorial Services will be at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 2 PM with Rev. Dr. Matthew J. Marohl and Rev. Sarah Gengler officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at Good Shepherd (1:00-2:00PM). Interment will be at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. **The family requests memorials to InterFaith Care Givers, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Wells, or Brighton Hospice (4500 Park Glen Rd, St. Louis Park, MN  555416).  Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements. Please see www.nasinecfh.com to leave online condolences.

Mark was born at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, Minnesota on August 23, 1948 to Dorothy (Janzig) and Herold Seedorf. They lived on the family farm near Walters, Minnesota until his middle school years. The farm always held a place in his heart and to him it was home.

M. Joan Byrne, age 94 of Pompano Beach, FL, departed this life May 27, 2023 at Catholic Hospice, Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Joan was born April 22, 1929 in New Prague, MN to Jerome and Mary (Adams) Byrne. She graduated from Good Council in Mankato, MN. She received a BA and Masters degrees from Mankato State University. She taught briefly in Wisconsin and Minnesota before she had the opportunity to teach for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). While at DoDDS, Joan taught at military bases in Puerto Rico, France, the Philippines and Okinawa.