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

Funeral services for H. Ellsworth Tukua, age 95, of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church. Rev. Dennis Frank will officiate. Interment will be at Hartland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11th 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.

Ellsworth died Sunday, April 8, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System Albert Lea.

H. Ellsworth Tukua was born on October 14, 1916 to Erick and Emma (Madson) Tukua in Hartland Township.  He grew up on his parents’ farm in Hartland Township and attended rural school District #10.  In 1935, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked with the U.S. Forest Service in the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota.  In 1938 Ellsworth began working for a construction contractor operating heavy equipment.  On July 20, 1940 Ellsworth was united in marriage to Janet Marlin at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa.  In 1947, Ellsworth and his brother, Eugene, formed a partnership as Tukua Brothers Construction, and in 1958, Ellsworth and Janet became full owners, changing the company name to Tukua Drainage Construction, which he continued to operate until his retirement at age 75.  Ellsworth’s reputation was that of a perfectionist, a trait that his customers most appreciated.  Ellsworth and Janet spent their married life living in Hartland where they raised four children.  They were members of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church and Ellsworth served as treasurer and also mayor of Hartland for several years.  Ellsworth was hard working yet always willing to lend a helping hand.  He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, family gatherings and traveling around the country.  He was a devoted husband and father and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Memories of him, his wonderful sense of humor and hearty laugh will be forever cherished.

Survivors include his children; Lowell (Deborah) Tukua of TN, Kathryn (Dougal) Huntington of Shakopee, and Helen Tukua of Albert Lea, son-in-law Bruce Langlie of Hartland; grandchildren Terri Langlie (Richard) Sheldon, Shane (Dawn) Huntington, Heather Huntington, Mason Neste, Erik (Karen) Tukua, Kirk (Robin) Tukua, David Tukua, and Josiah Tukua; nine great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Oriale Tukua; and many nieces and nephews.

Ellsworth was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Janet, daughter RuthAnn Langlie, sisters Esther Thofson, Clarice Thofson, Stella Legreid, Myrtle Hoeve and Alice Tukua, brothers George, Eugene, and Norman Tukua; and father and mother-in-law Leroy and Maggie (Pollock) Marlin.

Funeral services for Delores Darlene Neumann of New Richland, MN, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2012 at St Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday 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's Cemetery, New Richland.

Delores Darlene Neumann, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the Lake City Care Center after a 3 year battle with breast cancer and related complications.

Delores was born January 23, 1936 to Herman and Kristine Sorenson on their farm near Blooming Prairie.  She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1954 and from Mankato State College in 1957.  Delores married Otto E. Neumann on April 6, 1956.  She had a 25 year career at Freeborn County Department of Human Services.  Delores enjoyed the tranquility of living on the family farm and was an avid gardener and bird watcher.  She enjoyed classical music, playing solitaire, word puzzles, and watching old movies and musicals.   Additional favorite pastimes included antiquing and flea markets with her husband, Otto.   Delores loved her family and was proud of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and attending their activities.  She created family traditions that were woven into the holidays and family gatherings.  The family will miss her love, wisdom, and her caring ways.

Delores is survived by her husband of 56 years Otto Neumann of New Richland, Minnesota, daughters Kristine Neumann (Ray Mielke) of Hartland, Shannon Neumann (Michael Sleeper) of Shawano, WI, Stephanie Neumann Raymo (Michael Raymo) of Mankato, Kari Neumann-Scholl (Steve Scholl) of Owatonna, and son Daniel Neumann of New Richland.

Grandchildren Tara Fricke, Samantha Raymo, Lance Raymo, Megan Neumann Sleeper, Ethan Scholl, Alearah Neumann, Dylan Neumann Sleeper, Lillian Scholl, Connor Neumann Sleeper, and Arionna Neumann and great-grandchildren Malayah, Elyse, and Ryder.

Delores is also survived by two sisters, Sharon Walters of Plainview, and June Buenger of Bemidji and two brothers, LaVerne Sorenson (Marion) of Austin, and Allan Sorenson of Chester, IA and many nieces and nephews.  Delores is preceded in death by parents Herman and Kristine Sorenson, sister Irene, brother Maynard and two infant siblings.

Casket bearers include Daniel Neumann, Ray Mielke, Michael Sleeper, Michael Raymo, Steve Scholl, and Lance Raymo.

The family would like to express our gratitude to the doctors and staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Respiratory Care Unit and Lake City Care Center for their compassionate support and sincere caring. 

Edward Yerhart, age 86, of Waseca, MN, died on Sat. March 31, 2012, at Madelia Community Hospital in Madelia, MN.

Edward was born on June 17, 1925, in Waterville, the son of Emil and Gertrude (Hurt) Yerhart.  He was a World War II Veteran and was very proud of his service to his country.

He is survived by sisters, Irene Lynaugh of Madelia, Marie (Steve) Ballard of New Mexico, Teresa (John) O'Leary of Waterville, Agnes Brisbane of Waseca; brother, Eugene Yerhart of Madelia.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Leonard, George, Joe and sisters, Helen Wagner and Kathryn.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday April 4, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia, MN with Father Thien Nguyen officiating.

Interment will be at New Richland Calvary Cemetery in New Richland, MN.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia.

Craig David Jensen, age 49, of Owatonna died unexpectedly on April 1, 2012, while on vacation with his father, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.


Craig David Jensen, the son of David and Ruth (McColley) Jensen, was born June 13, 1962, in Owatonna, MN. Craig attended schools in Faribault, Aitkin, and graduated with the class of 1981 at Owatonna Sr. High School. Craig then attended Normandale College for one year. Craig worked for many security companies, and was a cook at Jerry's Supperclub in Owatonna.  Most recently, he was attending Faribault Vo-Tech and only had 2 quarters left to finish up his accounting degree. 

Craig enjoyed cooking, canning, spending time with his nieces and nephews, and going to their dance recitals, and soccer games.  Craig was most proud of his founding the Owatonna Alzheimer’s Association, and working hard to get information to the community, and helping with the benefits in Owatonna.


He is survived by his parents, David and Ruth Jensen of Owatonna; his sister Cynthia Hensrud of Owatonna; his brother Darrell (and Christine) Jensen of Centerville; nieces and nephews, Molly and Lacey Hensrud of Owatonna, Garrett, Dane, Kylie, and Sloane Jensen of Centerville; a great niece, Lily Hensrud; aunts and uncles, Cologne (Jensen) Hortop of Owatonna, Carl and Margaret (McColley) Stewart of Owatonna, and Stan and Nancy (McColley) Honstad of New Richland.


He was preceded in death by his infant sister, paternal grandparents, Melvin and Edna (Hofius) Jensen, maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Agnes (Wakefield) McColley, and  uncles, Howard Hortop and Jack Anderson.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, April 6, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home with The Reverend Cindy Halvorson officiating.  Interment will be in the Danish Baptist Cemetery in Blooming Prairie Township, MN.   In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family in memory of Craig or Owatonna Alzheimers Association.


Marlene A. Hansen, 75, of Owatonna, died Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Cedarview Care Center. 

She was born September 27, 1936 in Aurora Township, Minnesota the daughter of Edward and Irene (Reichstetter) Wencl. Marlene's parents died when she was five years old and she was raised by her great aunt and Uncle Bill and Mary Wencl.  Marlene graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1954, and then worked at the Woolworth Store in Owatonna.  She married LaVerne Hansen on November 2, 1955 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA, and the couple lived on a farm near Ellendale.  They moved to Owatonna in 1959 and Marlene worked for the Owatonna Canning Company for 15 years and then for OTC for 26 years, retiring in 2000.  She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Ladies Aid.  Marlene was a member of the Elks, volunteered at the Senior Center and helped arrange dances there.  Her greatest passion was spending time with her family, and she also enjoyed playing cards and reading.

She is survived by her children Diane (Alan) Humphries of Waseca, LaJean Ulestad of Owatonna, and Dale Hansen of Owatonna, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.  She is also survived by three sisters Joan Pirkl of Medford, Lucille Svotos of Tower, Regina Wacek of Blooming Prairie, and her sister-in-law Gladys Bedney of Owatonna.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband LaVerne, son Raymond, daughter Cynthia Vierling, three infant children and sister Katherine.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday April 3, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. and at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Wednesday April 4, 2012 from 1 to 2 p.m..  Funeral services will be held Wednesday April 4, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church with The Reverend Kirk Griebel officiating.  Interment will be in the Union Cemetery Bixby.