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

Glenwood Neumann, age 99, formerly of Waseca, died on Sunday, February 28, 2021, at the Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids, Iowa. 

Born on March 7, 1921, in rural New Richland, Minnesota to Harry and Hannah Mable (Bergum) Neumann. Glenwood and his twin sister, Pearl, attended a one-room schoolhouse where they would ride their ponies to and from each day. He loved to share his many memories of growing up on the family farm near New Richland. He fondly remembered playing with their St. Bernard and fishing in the nearby creeks. 

On November 13, 1943, Glenwood was drafted into the United States Army where he honorably served his country during World War II. During his time in the service, Glenwood attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge along with Marksmanship and Good Conduct Honors. Glenwood was honorably discharged on February 16, 1946, and returned to Waseca, Minnesota. On September 2, 1946, Glenwood was united in marriage to Ardell Muedeking at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Together they shared 54 years of marriage before Ardell passed away on May 1, 2000. 

Glenwood began his working career at the Waseca Gamble Store which he later co-owned with Don Gedosch. Following Don’s retirement, Glenwood continued to own and operate the Gamble Store until his retirement in the mid-1980’s. He loved meeting and greeting his customers and helping them with whatever they needed, from sharpening skates, making house calls to repair appliances and especially giving away one bicycle a year. One of Glenwood’s life-long hobbies was car shopping. He was always buying, selling, trading, or thinking about cars. In retirement he kept busy traveling to his daughter and son-in-law’s farm in Iowa to fix, repair, or build things. He loved entertaining his two grandchildren, Ian, and Savanna, giving advice as they grew, and sharing his love of animals with them, especially dogs and horses.

JoAnn "Jo" Sletten, 86, of Ellendale passed away on Friday, February 19, 2021 at the New Richland Care Center.

A public, walk through visitation was from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 23 at the Bonnerup Funeral Home of Ellendale. Masks were required and social distancing protocols were followed. A private family funeral was held Wednesday. Interment will be in the Danish Lutheran Cemetery. Bonnerup Funeral Home of Ellendale is assisting the family.

JoAnn Irene Paddock was born April 29, 1934 the daughter of Chester P. and Hazel E. (Hanson) Paddock in Minneapolis. She was raised and graduated from high school all in Minneapolis.

In October of 1953 she married Eugene Hammill and they later divorced.

JoAnn married Ferdinand Sletten in November of 1957, they moved to North Dakota until 2000 when he passed and Jo returned to Minnesota. 

She lived at Shady oaks Apartments until she needed care, then resided at the New Richland Care Center for the past few years.

Harold Hamann, age 78 of New Richmond, WI, died on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Westfields Hospital in New Richmond.

Harold was born the son of Everett and Lucile (Lyman) Hamann on September 7, 1942 in Northfield, MN. He grew up on a dairy farm near Nerstrand, MN, graduating from Faribault High School with the class of 1960. Harold served in the Army Reserves.

On October 11, 1963 he was married to Mary Kuiper at the United Methodist Church in Nerstrand, MN. Harold went to work for Farmers Union, which later became Cenex. They moved to New Richmond, WI in 1970. Harold left Cenex and went to work for the Street Department with the City of New Richmond, retiring in 2006.

In retirement, he helped out at Balsam Millwork. Harold served for 31 years on the New Richmond Fire Department. He was a member of the United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and volunteered for many projects. Harold loved to hunt, woodworking, car shows, trips to the casino, and visiting with family and friends. He never met anyone he didn’t like. Harold was a man of character, who was very proud of his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Lucile Hamann; and sister, Phyllis (Raymond) Plut.

Carl Laurence Stewart, 87, of Owatonna, died unexpectedly Sunday, February 21, 2021 at his home.

He was born June 3, 1933 in Wales, North Dakota, the son of Edward and Helga (Quinnell) Stewart.  He attended Wales High School until he enlisted in the Unites States Air Force in 1951.  Carl served as a C-46 Crew Chief during the Korean War in Japan and Sioux City, Iowa until 1955.  He attended the Valley City Teacher’s College in Valley City, North Dakota for two years.

Carl moved to Owatonna in 1960 and started working at Truth Tool in 1961. There he met Margaret McColley and they were married on June 30, 1962.  Carl retired from Truth, Inc. in 1995.

Carl enjoyed traveling with his family, hunting, fishing, and spending time at the cabin he and Margaret built in northern Minnesota.  Carl was a proud veteran and member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret (McColley) Stewart of Owatonna; daughter, Carla (Jack) Johnson of Little Falls; son, Ken (Kari) Stewart of Farmington; three grandchildren, Dallas (Tammy) Nelson of Long Prairie and Elizabeth Stewart and Katie Stewart of Farmington and sister-in-law, Nancy (Stan) Honstad of New Richland.

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Melvin Earl Janowitz passed away at Mapleton Community Home in Mapleton, MN. He was 89.

Melvin was born on November 21, 1931 in Zumbrota Falls, MN to Leah and Frank Janowitz. Melvin served in the United States Army as a sergeant in Panama and Nicaragua; and later worked as an electrician at Bailey’s Electric in Albert Lea.  On June 29, 1952, he married Lois Jordahl. They raised three daughters, Dawn, Diane, and Apryl. After Lois passed away he moved in with daughter and son-in-law Diane and Danny Meyer where he lived happily watching the birds and grandchildren.

In his younger years, Melvin enjoyed working on the cabin, hunting and fishing, woodworking, smoking meat, and making sausage. He built many beautiful pieces of furniture throughout the years; taking great pride in his work.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his wife. He is survived by his and Lois’ three children Dawn and husband Dan Wolfgram, Diane and husband Danny Meyer,  Apryl and husband Trent Gorton; as well as their grandchildren Matt Wolfgram and wife Carla, Megan (Wolfgram) and husband Scotty Davis, Leah (Meyer) and husband Casey Walters, Tina (Meyer) and husband Dusty Riley, Bria Gorton, and Zoe Gorton; and great grandchildren Nicklas Wolfgram, Cora, Reese, Carson, and Cade Davis, Jackson and Wyatt Walters, and Madelyn, Mason, and Benjamin Riley.