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

Roger Allen Swearingen, 75 of Ellendale, Minnesota passed away peacefully on June 28th, 2023 at his home with his loving family by his side.

Roger, born the first of five children to Robert and Marjorie (Lavon) Swearingen on July 14, 1947 was the loving husband to Caren(Esplan) and father of Ross Swearingen (Deanna), D.J. Nolan, Carri Grubbs (James), Shane St. John, Heidi Anderson (David), and Tiffany DeShanne (Dallas); grandfather to Jerrid, Tory, Casey, Corey, Jacob, Alexis, Abby,  Evan, Greyson, Lucy, and Josie; his loving pup, Hank; sisters, Renee, LuAnn, and Barb; mother-in-law, Doris Esplan; several brothers and sisters-in-law; along with many nieces and nephews.

Belvy Jean Kaiser, age 94, of Janesville died on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Mapleton Community Home.

Belvy was born on February 12, 1929 to Bert & Myrtle (Groth) Root in New Richland Township, Waseca County. She grew up for a time on St. Olaf Lake and cherished the memories she had yodeling, roller skating, playing baseball, swimming, and playing the harmonica. She attended rural Waseca County Schools and graduated from New Richland High School in 1949. On November 26, 1949, Belvy was united in marriage to Kenneth Kaiser at St. Mary Catholic Church. Together they had 11 children and shared 68 years of marriage before Ken passed away on March 21, 2018. Belvy worked at Birds Eye, and EF Johnson Co. in Waseca. She enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, quilting, and most of all spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Belvy was a member of the St. Michaels Guild and quilting group at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf.

Emily J (Busho) Otto, birthdate June 16, 1950, fell into the arms of Jesus on a beautiful sunny morning, June 2, 2023 at 8:10 am. Her two children, their spouses and sister were by her side as she left this earth to become healed and whole again in Heaven. As she lived with ALS with grace and strength she knew Jesus was always by her side. Emily’s strong unfailing faith carried her and gave her much peace.

Emily was born and raised in the Ellendale area. After she and Larry were united in marriage they decided this was where they wanted to raise their family. She attended Mankato State and received her degree in speech pathology and later gained her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. Most of her career was spent working with the countless children in the Ellendale-Geneva and later NRHEG school system. This career path was fitting as she had a great love for all children.

Elaine “Janie” Staloch, 93, passed away on Sunday, June 04, 2023 at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Born on June 26, 1929 in Fairfax, Minnesota, she was the second of fifteen children born to the late William and Olive Peichel. She attended country school, St. Andrews Catholic Church School and the University of Minnesota, where she would later meet her beloved, Eddie Staloch.

Janie wed Eddie Staloch on August 25, 1947 and together the couple welcomed six children. Always a hardworking family, they farmed near Freeborn County. Janie and Eddie made education a priority in their home and were proud that their daughter and all five sons went to college and graduated. Following Eddie’s passing on Nov. 01, 1998, Janie stayed active in her community. She spent time involved in church work and 4-H clubs. Some of her favorite memories and foods involved the Freeborn County Fair with all the exhibits and the smell and taste of her favorite food—mini donuts. Upon moving to Albert Lea, her kind spirit was expressed volunteering at Naeve Hospital, indulging her passion of reading by working at the public library, and sewing dozens of quilts for the missions. Coming from a large family and then later forming a large family of her own, it was evident that Janie’s life was her family. Upon her move to Good Samaritan’s, she made her presence known to residents and staff through her humor, feistiness and love of chocolates.

Blair Jon Nelson, age 65, of Waseca passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by his loving family on May 30, 2023, in Waseca.

Blair was born on November 17, 1957, in Owatonna to Dwain and Marilyn (Denn) Nelson. An answer to Blair’s prayers was meeting Deanne Smetana and they were united in marriage on November 25, 1983 in Pine City at the First Presbyterian Church. They were married for 39 wonderful years and blessed with four children.