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

Gene Amley, 94, of New Richland, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea.

Born on June 8, 1928 in Albert Lea, he was a son of the late Martin and Anna (Johnson) Amley. On August 2, 1953, Gene was united in marriage to Nola (Spear) Amley. Together the couple shared more than 45 years.  A veteran of the United States Army, Gene worked as a repairman for Sprint and the former Pioneer Telephone, for more than 30 years.  

Strong in his faith, Gene was a lifelong member of Le Sueur River Lutheran Church. At church, Gene served as a church board member and taught Sunday School. He could often be found sitting in the back of the church with a pocket full of Werther’s caramel candies to share with the children.

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Patricia (Pat) Wayne passed away at the age of 90 on February 24th at Whispering Oaks Assisted Living in Ellendale, Minnesota.

Patricia was born October 17, 1932, in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Florence and Vernon Mattix. She spent her early years in Mahnomen, Minnesota, and very small North Dakota towns where her father managed grain elevators. Due to lack of educational opportunities and Pat’s deep desire to expand her horizons, she talked her parents into letting her live with relatives in Faribault, MN to complete her last two years of high school. After graduation in 1950 she attended Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She graduated in 1953 and stepped away to raise their five children, eventually returning to nursing after being recertified as an RN and dialysis specialist. She worked as a dialysis nurse at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, MN until retirement in 1995.

Kenneth Willard Johansen, age 92, of Waseca died on February 8, 2023, at Colony Court in Waseca. 

Born on September 29, 1930, in Waseca to Axel and Thora (Paludan) Johansen. He received his education in Waseca, New Richland, Truman and lastly Janesville High School, graduating with the class of 1948. Ken furthered his education in Georgia at Meat Cutting School. In 1951, Ken was drafted into the United States Army being called to serve in the Korean War until in Honorable Discharge in 1953. On August 29, 1954, Ken was united in marriage to Neoma Hagen at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland.

Betty Jean Johannsen, age 95, of New Richland, died on Monday morning, February 27, 2023, at Foxdale in Waseca.

Born on August 8, 1927, in Wells to Russell and Mata Drake. She received her education in Wells, graduating with the class of 1945. Betty was united in marriage to Merle Johannsen on May 28, 1947. Betty and Merle began their married life together in Wells where they raised two children. In 1959, they moved their family to New Richland where Merle worked for the Peoples Gas Company. Betty was a devoted homemaker and worked for a short time for Abrahams Grocery Store in New Richland. She enjoyed reading, spending her summers up north, getting her hair done and spending time with her grandchildren. Betty was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland where she was active with Ladies Aid for many years. She will be remembered as a caring, thoughtful and loving wife, mom and grandma. She will be dearly missed.

Lowell Patrick Root, age 92 of Waseca, passed away on February 3, 2023 at Whisper Creek Nursing Home in Janesville.

Born on March 17, 1930 in Waseca County, Minnesota, he was the son of Enoch and Irene (O'Riley) Root. He attended school in Waseca County. Lowell married Beverly Mittelsteadt on June 26, 1951 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. He served as a Corporal in the Army, 2nd Armor Division during the Korean War 1953-1955. He worked for Herters and E.F. Johnson Company, Waseca; AB Systems Construction, Rochester; and was a custodian and did maintenance at the Waseca Public School for 25 years.