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

Curtis “Curt” R. Frisk, 67, of Dodge Center, Minnesota and formerly of Byron and New Richland, Minnesota, died Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus in Rochester.

Curt was born in Waseca, MN on August 7, 1953 to Richard and Isabel (Stennes) Frisk. He was baptized through Trinity Lutheran Church at home on the farm near New Richland due to the polio outbreak.  He graduated from New Richland Hartland High School in 1971. He graduated from Rochester Junior College and from Mankato State University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.  

On May 14, 1977, Curt was wedded in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Joanne Thompson at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Hartland, MN.  The two lived for a short time in Winona, then back to New Richland, and then to Byron.  They raised three children: Jeremy, Benjamin, and Karen.  

Curt was very hard working and worked a variety of jobs through the years. From working for Borchart Tiling to banking to plumbing and heating sales, he was very personable and well-liked by his co-workers and customers.

Verdelle Hansen passed away January 19, 2021 at Good Samaritan Retirement Home in Albert Lea, MN.  A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home with Rev. Matt Griggs presiding.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at North Freeborn Cemetery immediately following the service. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed from Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home’s Facebook page.  The livestream will start about five minutes prior to the service.  Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Verdelle Marie Hansen was born on June 18, 1929 at St Olaf Lake near New Richland, the daughter of William and Lillian (Preiss) Demmer.  She was baptized at St Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland and confirmed at the Hartland Lutheran Church.  Verdelle attended District 7 School for 8 years and graduated from Freeborn High School in 1946.  On October 27, 1948 she was united in marriage to Philip Allen Hansen of Clarks Grove at the Hartland Lutheran Church.  Verdelle then joined the North Freeborn Lutheran Church and when it closed in 2002, she joined Central Freeborn Church.  She was a member of the ELCA, Mission Circle, Division Chairman, Altar Guild at North Freeborn and ELCA and Mission Circle at Central.  She was also the church secretary and joint Treasurer of North and Central churches for 35 ½ years.  

Ellsworth Lyle Evenson, age 84 of Hudson, WI, formerly of New Richland, MN, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2020 at The Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale, MN.

Ellsworth was born on May 7, 1936 on the family farm in New Richland, MN to parents Arthur and Alice (Sunde) Evenson. He graduated from New Richland High School where he played football and was on the wrestling team. After high school Ellsworth enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return to the U.S., he began working for the Brown Printing Company in Waseca, MN. He continued his successful career in the printing industry, holding sales and management positions while working with different national and international companies. Ellsworth was a talented artist, and created many comic style drawings. He also had a passion for reading and will be remembered for his dry sense of humor. He enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Warren Routh, Rodney Hatle, and John Walstrom, the Vintage Vikings. The men and their spouses enjoyed many celebrations and trips together.

Ellsworth will remain in the hearts of his wife Karen; children Amy Morris, Kyle Evenson and Marne Dallenbach; stepchildren Michael Odle, and Katherine (Mathew) Wollersheim; grandchildren Jack Morris, Margaret Morris, Landon Dallenbach, and Laura Dallenbach; siblings Eilene Johnson, Winston Evenson, Kathryn Parriott, JoAnne Cherrington, and Charles Evenson, as well as his in-laws, many nieces and nephews and other extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger Evenson.

A service for Ellsworth will be planned in the spring. Memorials can be sent to LeSueur River Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 457, New Richland, MN 56072

Arlene M. Busho, 88 of Ellendale, MN passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the New Richland Care Center. A private family graveside service will take place at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Ellendale.  Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family (www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com)

Arlene Mae (Jensen) Busho was born May 18, 1932 to John and Effel (Olsen) Jensen in Ellendale, Minnesota.  She graduated from Ellendale High School in 1950.  She began working at Jostens in Owatonna and Minnesota Credit Association before beginning a 44-year career working for North Central Plastic in Ellendale.

On November 1, 1952, she was united in marriage to Waylen George Busho Sr. at the Community Lutheran Church in Geneva.  The couple spent many wonderful years together until his passing in 2004.

Arlene had profound admiration for all men and women who served our country, specifically those who were wounded during their service, so she joined the VFW Auxiliary #8941 of Ellendale, where she was a lifetime member and held all offices in the organization. She served as First District President from 1960-1961.  She loved the opportunity to meet and make friends with the same interests.  She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 296 of Ellendale and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary of Albert Lea.  Arlene enjoyed listening and dancing to old time music and country western.  She enjoyed going camping and pontooning with her family, working in her garden, following the Minnesota Twins baseball team, and loved time spent with her family.

Unita “Dawn” Nelson, age 85 of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Methodist Campus. Unita Dawn Sauke was born May 15, 1935 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Herman and Grace (Sauer) Sauke. She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School. Dawn then went on to attend school in Kansas City, Kansas for airline reservation. On May 6, 1955, she was united in marriage to Clark Nelson at the Geneva Community Lutheran Church. Together they raised two children. Dawn worked as a seamstress doing many custom-made clothes. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, where she was active on the church board and head of funeral and wedding receptions. Gardening was a big passion of Dawn’s, she grew beautiful roses and flowers. She also loved fishing, camping, crafting, sewing, and decorating her home. Dawn was a wonderful baker. Her specialty was baking cakes for weddings out of her home. She will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Wendy L. Burch of Austin, MN; son, Wade A. (Carolyn) Nelson of Austin, MN; granddaughter, Angela M. Burch of Albert Lea, MN; brother, Dennis Sauke of Blooming Prairie, MN; sister, Janet Hope of Austin, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clark Nelson in 2019; parents, Herman and Grace Sauke; brother-in-law, Donald Hope; and sister-in-law, Cheryl Sauke.

A graveside service will take place at a later date. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.