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 Bernice Marie Yanke of Ellendale, MN, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. Pastor Richard L. Sliper will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale.

Bernice died on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Homestead Hospice in Owatonna, MN. She was 87 years of age.

Bernice was born February 15, 1924 in freeborn County, the daughter of Harold and Cora (Rickhiem) Loberg. She grew up in rural Ellendale, graduated from Ellendale High School in 1942 and began working at the First National Security Bank in Ellendale. She also worked for Jostens Jewelry in Owatonna, MN. On June 3rd, 1951 she was united in marriage to Willis Arron Yanke. They made their home in Ellendale. To this marriage two sons were born, DeWayne Arron Yanke on October 5, 1954 and Bruce Daniel Yanke on October 27, 1960.

Bernice was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale and was active in the Altar Guild, Bible Study and all church activities. Other enjoyments were raising her family, great involvements with many years of Cub Scouts, watching her family grow up and many events with fishing.

Bernice truly loved life, her family and people in general with all of her heart. She volunteered the majority of her time in the Ellendale and Owatonna Libraries and many years at the Cedar View Nursing Home in Owatonna. She also loved writing articles for the Ellendale Eagle Newspaper.

Bernice is survived by her son Bruce and Jeanette of Ellendale, MN, granddaughter Michelle, daughter of DeWayne and Melanie Yanke, grandchildren; Cherish, Ashley, Michael, Matthew and Joey. Brother Raymond and Doris Loberg of Ellendale, MN, Brother Laverne and Marilyn Loberg of Ellendale, MN, niece Linda (Patrick) Gronlund, nephews Steven and Larry Loberg, and numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Cora Loberg, husband Willis Arron Yanke, son and daughter in law DeWayne and Melanie Yanke, and Brother Carol (Genelle) Loberg.

Glen Leroy Stensrud, age 86, of Freeborn, MN, died Friday evening, January 13, 2012 at Parkview Care Center in Wells, MN.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. at West Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Freeborn, MN.  Visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 16, from 4-7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Glen Leroy Stensrud was born in Freeborn to Olaves and Erma (Olson) Stensrud on December 16, 1925.  He has lived in this area all his life.  He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1943.  He played high school sports and as a young adult played basketball and fast pitch softball for Freeborn town teams.  He was a loyal fan of Minnesota Gopher Athletics, the Twins and even the Vikings.  His travels included a trip to Hawaii and another to the Rose Bowl game and parade in California.

Glen was a farmer and always kept up on the latest and newest trends through magazines and newspapers.  He would drive his pick-up all over to check the nephews or other neighbors in their fields or just to look at crops.  He had served on the Freeborn Township board years ago and was a clerk for many years.  He was a member of the ASC board at one time. He gave blood regularly to the American Red Cross and has donated over 10 gallons through the years.  Glen enjoyed many years of driving school bus for Freeborn and then USC.  He was always interested in the kids and what they did and could do.  His church and the church family were very important to him.  He helped on many projects and always enjoyed the visiting and coffee time after service.  Glen was an honest, hardworking, humble man who liked the simple life.  He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Glen is survived by his brother: Elmer (Merle) Stensrud, his sister: Myrna McKean; nephews and nieces: Carol (Brian) Schultz, Joel (Linda) Stensrud, Dale (Stacie) Stensrud, John (Marcia) McKean, Kevin McKean, Susan (Gary) Lofthus, Christian McKean, Cathryn (Derek) Espy; great nieces and nephews: Katie (Nate) Walton, Jennifer (Eric) Wendinger, Sarah Schultz, Laura Schultz, Andrew Schultz; Chad Stensrud, Jessica Stensrud, Kayln Stensrud, Brayden Stensrud; Kelcey McKean, Kaylea McKean, Keith McKean, Ben (Heather) Lofthus, Matthew (fiancé Jenna) Lofthus, Patrick (Heather) Lofthus, Melanie Lofthus; Taylor McKean, Bailey McKean; Cade Espy, Brock Espy; 3 great-great nieces and nephews; two aunts: Marvel Bickel and Gen Dullum, and cousins by the dozens.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dale B. Stensrud, his brother-in-law, Bert McKean and several aunts and uncles.


Memorial services for Jay Martin Andersen, age 95, of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church of New Richland.  Rev. Paul Andree will officiate.  Interment will be at St. Olaf Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Jay passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System Albert Lea.

Jay Martin Andersen was born on January 4, 1917 to Harry and Ethel (Gettis) Andersen in Leland, Iowa.  He went to school in Chester, IA.   On January 13, 1940 Jay was united in marriage to Pearl Helle.  They farmed in the Emmons, Glenville and St. Charles area.  The couple later moved to the New Richland area where Jay spent many years farming and working at the Huntting Grain Elevator in New Richland.  Jay was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, storytelling, traveling.  Jay loved spending time with his family especially with his grandchildren.  He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Pearl; children, Jon (Teresa) Andersen of Albert Lea, Suzanne (Tom) Zeller of Hugo, MN and Kristin Higginbotham of St. Peter, MN; grandchildren, Victoria (Andy Sharp) Andersen, Sabrina Andersen, Shane (Dena) Moore, Simona (Dan) Boler, Monte Byron, Nichole (Stefan) Schwartzwald, Jade Zeller; Callie (Erik Mead) Higginbotham, Abby (Mark Krogmann) Higginbotham and Britta Higginbotham; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Jackson Sharp, Charlotte and Sarabeth Moore, Fiona, Tierney, Maeve and Kaelin Boler, Gabriel, Vivian and Luciana Byron, and “granddaughter” Brooke Talamantes; sister, Margaret (Don) Hanson of Los Alamos, NM; brother-in-law, Tom Bresee of CA; sisters-in-law, Rita Andersen and Evelyn (Carl) Larsen both of Albert Lea; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; son, Perry Andersen; and siblings, Ode Bresee, Audrey Oppegard, Cora Bennett, Pat Andersen, Woodrow Andersen, Madonna Towne and Darlene in infancy.

Lavern A. Ewert, age 86 of Waldorf, died on Friday, January 13, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 16th at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf with Rev. Michael Mathews officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow in the church cemetery in Waldorf.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home in Janesville, and will continue on Monday afternoon for one hour prior to services, at church.  In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to donor’s choice.

Lavern August was born on May 12, 1925 in Waseca, Minnesota to August and Marie (Jaeger) Ewert.  He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf.  Lavern was active in baseball and basketball during high school, and was Salutatorian of his Waldorf High School graduating class.  He went on to attend Mankato Teachers College until he was called into the Army Air Force Cadet program. Lavern served in the Army Air Corps on a B-24 crew during WWII.  Following his honorable discharge he attended the University of Minnesota before returning home to take over the family business, Ewert’s Fairway Store.  Lavern was united in marriage to Margaret Bleck on September 19, 1948 at Zoars Church in rural Waldorf.

Lavern served as Waldorf’s Postmaster for over 48 years, retiring in September of 1988.  During his career Lavern earned numerous awards, including Postmaster of the Year for the State of Minnesota.  Lavern was a 35-year member of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department.  He was recognized for 50 years of service in the DNR Firearms Safety Program for the State of Minnesota.  Lavern was instrumental in the formation of the Waldorf American Legion Post #587.  He was very active in the post, and for many years served as coach for the Babe Ruth Legion baseball team, among many other volunteer positions.  In 2006 he was recognized for his contribution of 60 years of continuous service to the post. 

He is survived by his wife Margaret, sons Danny Ewert of Minneapolis and Rex (Kris) Ewert of Marine on St. Croix, by his daughter Becky (Francis) Pfeffer of Albert Lea, and his daughter-in-law Mary Ewert-Knodell (David Knodell) of Corcoran, by 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, by his sister Vernell Adams of Watertown, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Lanny Ewert, sister Iraline (George) Eichorst, and a brother at infancy. 

Casketbearers are:  Jerod Pfeffer, Chaise Ewert Meyer, Amy Pfeffer Madsen, Alex Knodell, Claire Knodell, Brooke Ewert, Gunnar Ewert and Paige Ewert.

Hazel R. Olson, 75, of Ellendale, died Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at her home after a good fight with cancer.  

Hazel was born December 13, 1936 in Lemond Township, Minnesota the daughter of Raymond and Esther (Ristau) Schmanski. Later she was married to William C. Olson on September 16, 1954. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. She worked for Brown Printing in Waseca for 28 years and retired. 

She loved planting in her garden and still being involved in farming. She was a member of Women Extension Club, the WELCA group and the Dumor Club.  She loved pictures and telling stories. 

She is survived by a daughter, Jeanette (and Roger) Schwartz of Waterville; two sons, John (and Jennelle) Olson of Ellendale; Raymond Olson of Ellendale; 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband William; her parents; a daughter Elsa; two great grandsons, William Carl Johnson and Alex John Karsten.

Visitation will be at Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, January 13, 2012 from 1 to 2 p.m.  Funeral services will be held Friday, January 13, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with The Reverend Gary Rusinko officiating.  Interment will be in the LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery in Lemond Township.  Memorials are preferred to Homestead Hospice House or donor’s choice.  Michaelson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.