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

Berniece C. Richardson, 97, of Owatonna, died Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Homestead Hospice House. 

She was born June 26, 1914 in rural Blooming Prairie the daughter of Bernt and Karin Sophia (Larson) Paulson. Berniece graduated from New Richland High School and attended Normal Training to be a school teacher.  She taught country school in both Waseca and Steele County for 9 years.  She married Paul Richardson on September 18, 1942 in Anoka.  While her husband was in the military she worked for New London City Bank in New London, CT.  After the war, the couple moved to Bixby in 1945.  There they ran a gas station, bus station and post office until retiring in 1976.  The couple later moved to Owatonna in 1989.

Gerald D. "Jerry" Souba, 84, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Clare Bridge in Owatonna.

He was born December 6, 1926 in Owatonna, Minnesota the son of Henry and Marguerite (Dillemuth) Souba. Jerry graduated from OHS in 1945 and entered the United States Army serving from 1945-1946. He farmed with his father, and together they ran Souba Truck Farm. Jerry married Genevieve Hafstad June 24, 1950 at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church. The couple was life long dairy and vegetable farmers. Genevieve passed away January 10, 2002. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Crane Creek School Board, CSA and was a longtime Bohemian National Cemetery Board member. He enjoyed square dancing, card games and coaching 4-H softball. He played softball for Riverside and Clark. Jerry and Genevieve were foster parents for many children. Jerry had a passion for farming which was shared with those who knew him. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his children Larry (Sandra) Souba, Barbara (Gerald) DeMars, William (Debi) Souba, Audrey (Randy) Schroht all of Owatonna, and Joanne (John David) Guevara of Harlingen, TX. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren Megan (John) Bauer, Laura Souba, Brian Souba, Carmen DeMars, Jonathan DeMars, Michael (Laura) DeMars, Amy Jo (Curt) Rieck, Jody (Timothy) Hugley, Mindy Souba, Andrew Souba, Aaron (Brooke) Schroht, Colleen Schroht, David Schroht, Thomas Schroht, Jacquelyn Guevara, and Jeffrey Guevara, seven great-grandchildren Savannah DeMars, Ingrid DeMars, Leah Rieck, Lydia Rieck, Lanie Rieck, Adeline Schroht, and Weston Schroht, and his sister Agnes (Bent) Paulsen of Plymouth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Thomas, and his brother John.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Thursday December 8, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. and at United Methodist Church on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Friday December 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church with Pastor Loren Olson officiating. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to the Bohemian National Cemetery, the Parkinson's Foundation or the donor’s choice.

The funeral service for Brenda A. Grabau, 59, of rural New Richland, MN will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30 at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in New Richland Township with Rev. Paul Meierding officiating. Mrs. Grabau passed away Sunday, Nov. 27 from complications of cancer, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Brenda Ann Bleifus was born Aug. 4, 1952 in Rochester, MN to Clarence and Frances (Braksilek) Bleifus. She grew up and went to school in Stewartville and attended Stewartville High School. Brenda was married on August 26, 1972 at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville to Alan R. Grabau. Following their marriage the couple lived in Georgia and Arizona while Al served in the U.S. Army. After his discharge they moved to Rochester, MN briefly, before moving to Ostrander, MN in 1975, where they lived for a number of years. Al and Brenda were both employed at Rongar's Appliance in Spring Valley, MN and in 1980 they purchased the business and location. Together they owned and operated Al’s T.V. and Appliance in Spring Valley for 19 years, selling their business in 1999. They moved to St. Olaf Lake in rural New Richland where they have continued to make their home. Brenda was employed in accounting at Mediacom in Waseca, MN until her retirement in 2005. Al is self-employed as a Dish Network retailer and installer. Brenda was a past member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander and was a current member of the LeSueur River Lutheran Church in rural New Richland. She enjoyed fishing, rides on the pontoon, following NASCAR and Minnesota Boys and Girls High School basketball and March Madness college basketball. She loved time spent with her lake neighbors and friends and family, especially her grandchildren. 

Survivors include her husband Al; her two daughters and son Alisa (Greg) Baumann of Plymouth, MN, Amanda of St. Paul, MN and Jakin of Plymouth, MN; four grandchildren Alex, Olivia, Konnor and Amelia; one sister and two brothers Richard (Marian) Greene of Hastings, MN, Sharon (Ed) Wellik of Stewartville, Steve (Sharon) Bleifus of Stewartville; and sister-in-law Betty Bleifus of Simpson, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Charles “Tony” Bleifus.

Friends may call from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27 at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning. A private family burial will take place at a later date. The address for the LeSueur River Lutheran Church is 16650 250th Ave. New Richland, MN.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com

There will be a private funeral service for Daniel Michael John Maras.  Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Friday, December 9, 2011 at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland, MN.

Daniel Michael John Maras, age 28, passed away in Duluth, Minnesota, on December 4, 2011.  Dan was born on October 20, 1983, to Thomas and Denise (Byrne) Maras in Waseca, MN.  He attended schools in New Richland and Mapleton, Minnesota, graduating from Maple River High School in 2002.  After graduation, Dan moved to Duluth, Minnesota to attend Duluth Superior College.  He worked as a Program Developer and Client Enrichment Director for Innovative Living in Duluth.  He loved his job and took great pride in his work.  He especially found joy in his family away from his family, Scotty and Jordan.  Dan enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, music, making others laugh, and attending Wide Spread Panic shows.  Dan especially enjoyed April Fools’ Day and playing pranks.   Dan’s family was very important to him, and he enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews.  Dan lived his life to the fullest and had a heart for everyone.

Dan is survived by his parents Brian and Denise Esser, siblings Peter (Shannon) Esser, Brian (Kelly) Esser, Katherine (Chris) Haulter, Lori (Herb) Moon, Sarah (John) Maras, Jacob (Chelsie) Maras;  nieces and nephews:  Brody, Ava, Leigha, Ellie, Claire, Kiley, Max, Riley, Meghan, Dominic, Graysen, Kenley and Baby Maras.  Grandmothers:  Beatrice Esser and Barb Byrne; Aunts: Joan Baynes, Bonnie (Don) Root, Stephanie (Ron) Rahn and Ann Maras; Godparents:  Connie Berg and Michael Baynes; Special Friend: Emilie Hofer, and a great extended family.

Dan is preceded in death by his birth father, Tom Maras;  brothers Matthew and Benjamin; maternal and paternal grandparents, two uncles and one cousin.

 

Memorial Services for Beth Ann Wesselhoeft of Ellendale, MN, formerly of New Richland, MN will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2011 at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland. The Reverend Dennis Frank will officiate. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery, Waldorf, MN.

Beth died at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN, on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. She was 57.

She was born on June 21, 1954, in New Richland, the daughter of A. Edward and Myrtle R. (Bolduan) Wesselhoeft. Beth attended Matawan grade school and graduated from Freeborn High School with the class of 1972. She continued her education graduating from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN in 1976.

Beth had worked at the New Richland Star, Sun Review-Waseca, Waseca County News, Casino Magazine, Carlson Craft in Mankato, then Bagy Jo 2 in Janesville, retiring in 2008.

Beth lived with her mother in New Richland until her mother’s passing in 1999. Beth moved to Whispering Oaks in Ellendale in 2008.

She is survived by cousins in New Richland and the Morton, MN area.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.