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

NEOMA JEAN JOHANSEN, age 88, of New Richland passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at New Richland Care Center.

Born on February 20, 1936 in New Richland Township, Neoma was the daughter of Orland and Carol (Weed) Hagen. She graduated from New Richland High School with the class of 1953. After graduating, she began working for Roundbank as a bank teller.  On August 29, 1954, Neoma was united in marriage to Kenneth Johansen at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. She stayed at home to raise her five kids while doing the bookwork for the family business, Johansen Lockers. She returned back to work by working part time with Cahill Pharmacy in 1976 until returning to the bank.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jodi Coffman. She was born in San Diego, CA to John and LoRene Coffman. Jodi grew up with her brother Todd, attending school, playing sports, traveling, and enjoying the beach in Del Mar, CA. In 2001, Jodi met the love of her life, Nikki and they married in 2008. Always together, they spent leisure time living, traveling and visiting family and friends. Jodi especially loved to read, enjoyed the warm sun, taking naps, and relaxing at the beach. She had an infectious smile and was one of the funniest people you could ever meet. Her loving heart, laughter and uplifting spirit will always be with us.  

Jodi received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Coaching from UC Santa Barbara, a Master’s Degree in Physical Education, with an emphasis in Sport Psychology from San Diego State and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from University of San Diego along with a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego.

For the last 24 years Jodi has worked at Santa Ana College. She began her tenure as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach and served as an Assistant Professor in the Exercise Science Department. Jodi then shifted gears and dedicated herself to student’s success while serving as a full-time Counselor.

Connie Rae Smith, 75, of Crookston, MN, passed away Friday evening, December 1, 2023 in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. She had been in failing health for several months. A Memorial Service celebrating Connie’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, with the Rev. Greg Isaacson, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The funeral will be livestreamed by going to Connie’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Messages of condolence may be offered to the family on the funeral home website as well. Inurnment will take place in the Little Norway Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN.

REV. RAYMOND HANS PETERSON, age 94 of Waseca, went home to his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Colony Court in Waseca.

Born on December 28, 1929 in Mobridge, South Dakota, he was the son of Henry and Julia (Russeth) Peterson. He graduated from Bryant High School in 1947 and went on to attend Augustana and Augsberg College. While in college, Ray studied pastoral ministry, nursing home administration, and chaplaincy. He was united in marriage to Marvelle Ann Sorenson on June 7, 1950 at Palisades Church in Garretson, SD.

Ray spent over 50 years of his life working in ministry. He served churches in Revere, MN, Staten Island, NY, Colman SD, Minneapolis, MN, New Richland, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, and his most recent church, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waseca, MN. He had also served as the Chief Chaplain of the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Ray also shared his ministry through song and also had a radio program of message and song in Yankton, South Dakota. He enjoyed golf, bowling (Holy Rollers), basketball and baseball.

Richard Patrick Crumb, Sr., age 100, died on April 24, 2024 at the New Richland Care Center after a brief illness. Richard was born on January 17, 1924, one of 14 children born to Winifred and Mary Crumb (neé Chicos). He lived his entire life farming near Matawan, Minnesota, on land homesteaded by his grandfather in 1878.

Richard married Barbara Ann Johnson of New Richland on September 24, 1949. Farming together, they raised five children; Tovah Rainsong (Lora), Kimberley John Crumb (Betty, dec.), Richard Patrick Crumb, Jr. (Helen), Susan Barbara Crumb (Terry), and Lisa Buckleton (Robert, dec.). Richard is survived by his children and grandchildren Nick Foy (Rose), Kate Foy (Brock) and David Schell (Alli). After Barbara’s death in 1997, Richard married Anita Stolp in 2001. Sadly, Anita died in 2022. Richard was also preceded in death by his parents and thirteen brothers and sisters.

Richard was a caretaker of the land, his community, and his country. A veteran of WWII, Richard was a sergeant in the US Army and served in Germany. He served on the New Richland-Hartland school board for nine years, was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, the American Legion, and volunteered with Waseca Area Hospice. Richard and Barbara were foster parents for Freeborn County for many years, caring for abused and neglected children. Richard was most proud of the many years he spent as the scoutmaster of New Richland’s Boy Scout Troop 90.

A funeral mass was held on April 30, 2024 at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland, MN; Father Glen Frerichs officiated. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in New Richland, MN.

During his century of life, Richard touched many with his volunteering, wood carvings and his gifts of Diamond Willow walking sticks. If you have a “Richard Crumb” walking stick, the family encourages you to bring it to the service.

The family wishes to extend our profound gratitude to Richard’s personal care attendant, Nadine Pazcuzzi, and to his nephew, Brad Crumb, for their care and devotion to Richard.

Memorials can be made to: Ruff Start Rescue, 12526 319th Avenue, Princeton, MN 55371 or Fishing for Life (Fishing For Life).