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

John Wilken ‘Jack’ Wilkenson, of New Richland, died on September 26, 2020. He was 81 years old. A public visitation will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Friedrich Funeral Home – New Richland from 5 to 7 p.m.

A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery, New Richland. Pastor Steve Woyen is officiating. A livestream will also be available at www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com under his obituary page.

John was born on November 21, 1938 in Albert Lea, MN, the son of Wilken and Gilma (Warke) Wilkenson. He was later baptized and confirmed at LeSueur River Lutheran Church. John attended country school near his home and graduated from New Richland High School in 1956.

After high school, John volunteered for the Army and served his time at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. During his time in the Army he was chosen to drive a Cadillac in John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade, which was one of his favorite stories to share. After his return from the Army he came home to farm with his parents. On August 13, 1966 he was united in marriage to Linda Abbe. John was the proud father of three children: Mary, Daniel and Matthew.

John was a lifelong farmer which was thoroughly an enjoyment for him. He raised dairy cows for thirty-three years and continued on with crop farming after selling the herd. He continued to help his sons on the family farm in recent years. John was also a life-time member of the LeSueur River Lutheran Church and served as the church president and on the church council for several years. John’s hobbies included restoring his three Farmall tractors, reading about antique tractors and the history of farming, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Strand, Ruth Eloise, 90, of Albert Lea, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society.

Ruth was born December 31, 1929 in rural New Richland, MN, the daughter of Gerhardt O. and Clara O. (Johnson) Hatle and was the youngest of eleven children. 

On August 20, 1952, she was married to Lyle J. Strand in Northwood, IA. They had three children: Lynn, Terry, and Jayne.  From 1980-1986, Ruth owned and operated the Clothing Care Center with her business partner, Bud Herman.

Ruth was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the VFW Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as unit president and held other positions within the unit. Ruth loved golf, playing the piano, walking, crossword puzzles, and visiting her friends.

Ruth is survived by her three children, Lynn (Nancy) Strand, Terry Strand, Jayne (Brian) Vairma; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Edith Hansen; and other extended family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Lyle, five brothers; four sisters; and numerous other relatives. 

By request, there will be no public services. A private graveside service for immediate family will take place at Ft. Snelling, with burial next to her husband. 

Memorials can be made to the American Legion Auxiliary or the VFW Auxiliary.

Dinneen, Keith James, age 87, passed away on September 13, 2020 in hospice care at Sunrise Senior Living in Golden Valley, MN.

He was born to Jack and Catherine Dinneen in New Richland, MN on May 21, 1933. He was preceded in death by son Kevin; siblings Dick and Dan, and former wife Mary Dinneen. He is survived by son Sean Dinneen; daughters Shari (Dave) Fink and Molly Dinneen; grandchildren Kaitlin Fink, Kevin (Abby) Fink, Megan (Jack) Nash; great-granddaughter Lucy Fink and great-grandson Dominic Fink. Keith is also survived by his sister Sheila (Art) Hopp and many nieces and nephews.

Keith graduated from New Richland High School and Dunwoody Institute and was a Navy veteran. He spent his entire career at Univac, now Unisys, and lived for many years in Frankfurt, Germany.

After retirement, Keith lived on Big Butternut Lake in Luck, WI, but maintained his allegiance to the Minnesota Vikings. He was proud of his Irish heritage, enjoyed watching NCIS re-runs, and loved eating popcorn and Oreo Fudge-Covered Cookies.

Because of concerns with COVID-19, the funeral mass will take place next year at All Saints Church in New Richland.

Thank you to all of Dad’s caregivers at Sunrise.

WWII veteran George (Buddy) Anthony Shurson passed away on Wednesday, September 16 at the New Richland Care Center. He was born on  May 12, 1922. Buddy was the third of nine children born to Ben and Agnes Shurson in New Richland, MN. Buddy attended New Richland school and later entered the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in North Africa and eventually Foggia, Italy where he was an Engineer Gunner and a Waist Gunner on a B-17 bomber in the 15th Air Force. He flew 50 bombing missions during World War II over enemy occupied territory and also took part in the D-Day attack over France. Bud was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1945.

When he returned home, Buddy and his brother Merle were owners and operators of Shurson Brothers Trucking Company in New Richland. After several years with Shurson Brothers, Buddy began work with the Waseca County Highway Department. He recently said if he could still climb into one of those county snow plows, he would love to plow some snow again. Upon retirement from the county in 1985, Buddy soon began driving semis for Schue Trucking Company. Driving those semis for Troy and Chris was something Buddy loved doing. He did this until he was 81 years old. Buddy was an active community member in New Richland. He was one of the first drivers for the New Richland ambulance. Buddy was also a 25 year volunteer member of the local fire department. He was a 73-year member of the New Richland American Legion as well as the Waseca VFW. Buddy was a very patriotic man who attended and participated in many military funerals over his decades long membership in the local American Legion and VFW. Buddy was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed.

Kenneth G. Hagen, 94, of New Richland passed away on September 7, 2020 at the Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca, MN.

A private graveside service will be held at the LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery of rural New Richland with Pastor Steven Woyen officiating.

Kenneth was born October 7, 1925 to John and Hazel (Johnson) Hagen in rural New Richland. He was baptized and confirmed at the Le Sueur Lutheran Church.

On August 9, 1952 Ken married Norma Grimm and together they raised their 4 children.

Ken spent time in the United States Army before running the family farm until he retired. Even after retirement, he was able to help Allen on the family farm well into his 80’s. Kenneth and Norma loved traveling south in the winters, camping and playing cards. Memorable trips included Romania, Austria and Germany.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Norma; children Kevin (Ranee) Hagen of Hills, Allen (Penny) Hagen of New Richland, Ruth Miller of Richfield and Philip (AeNan) Hagen of Minneapolis; grandchildren Kassidy (Jeremiah) Rice, Matthew (Angeli) Hagen, Ela Hagen, Ana Hagen, Whitney (Jimmy) Largent, Caleb (Hillary) Hagen, Celina (Ryan) Steidl, Audie (Whitney) Miller, Nancy (Todd) Dolan and Raymond Morris and numerous great-grandchildren.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Gary Miller and sister, Lorraine (Robert) Haug.