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

Robert Leonard Peterson, age 78, of rural New Richland, died Thursday evening, February 27, 2020, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Born on November 2, 1941 in Waseca to Stanley and Anna Mae (Jacobson) Peterson. He attended New Richland High School, graduating with the class of 1959. Bob furthered his education by attending Rochester Community College for one year. On September 16, 1962, Bob was united in marriage to Darlet Below at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township, Waseca County.

Bob was a lifelong farmer. He began his career working alongside his father on the Peterson Family Farm. After a few years his parents moved into town and he continued the farming operation throughout his life. For an interim time, Bob and Darlet moved to Germany where he worked as a salesman for West Bend Co. selling Miracle Maid Cookware. He then returned to the family farm. In 1982, he opened Bob’s Shop in beautiful downtown Vista, which he operated for several years. Bob also worked as a bus driver & mechanic for the New Richland School District. He served as a Waseca County Commissioner from 1980 – 1996. He enjoyed watching all sporting events.  His greatest joys were following his grandchildren’s activities and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  Bob was a member of Vista Lutheran Church in Waseca County, the Shriners and served on the Waseca Sheriff’s Posse at the county fair. 

Funeral Services for Harold W. Thompson, of New Richland were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. The  Rev. Dr. Kristen Venne officiatde. Interment was in Hartland Cemetery. Military Honors were accorded. Visitation was one hour before services at the church. Friedrich Funeral Home assisted the family.

Harold died on Monday, February 3, 2020 at the New Richland Care Center. He was 95.

Harold William Thompson was born on December 12, 1924 in Manchester, MN, the son of Arthur and Caroline (Sibelrud) Thompson. He attended and graduated from Freeborn High School.  Harold proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. He served in New Guinea, Philippines, and Korea. Harold served his country for two years. He was in combat for 212 continuous days on the Luzon Island in the Philippines. When he was honorably discharged he received the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with one bronze battle star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze battle star, Overseas Service Bar Army of Occupation Medal, Japan Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart.

On June 30, 1951, Harold married Helen Legried at Hartland Lutheran Church, Hartland, MN. They later made their home in New Richland and were married for 68 wonderful years. Harold was the co-owner of Thompson’s Body Shop in New Richland for 40 plus years. 

Barbara L. “Bobby” Lageson passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Whispering Oak in Ellendale, MN. Memorial services and interment in First Lutheran Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Barbara was born on December 12, 1928, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to daughter of Ephiram and Helen (Clark) Lageson.

She graduated from Ellendale High School in 1946 and joined the US Army. She served our country from 28 April 1949 until her honorable discharge on 10 March 1950, receiving the rank of Private First Class.

She then made Minneapolis her home, where she worked for sales at the Family Digest for 45 yearbefore retiring. Bobby loved to travel, her job gave her opportunity to see 42 states.

Minneapolis was her home for all of her adult years, but Ellendale was where her heart was.

She is survived by her sister Amanda Beech of Ellendale, MN;  nieces and nephews, Michelle, David, Liz, Ben, Andria, Liza, Barb and Sarah

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lyle Lageson and his wife June,  sister Helen and her husband Daniel Zamora, nephews Marc Lageson and Jerry Zamora

She will be greatly missed.

Marie Sophia Querna passed away peacefully to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 22, at New Richland Care Center. She was 98 years of age. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 26, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. The Rev. Dr. Kristen Venne and Reverend Charles Espe will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, New Richland. Military honors will be accorded by the New Richland Legion and Waseca Honor Guard.  

Marie was born May 14, 1921, on the home farm near New Richland, the first daughter of Rudolph and Hannah (Sunde) Querna. She graduated from New Richland High School, attended one year of Albert Lea Junior College, and went on to complete her diploma nursing degree at Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in Albert Lea. She started her career working at the Albert Lea Medical Arts Clinic. She volunteered and served her country as an Army Nurse 1st Lieutenant was assigned to Schick Hospital, an orthopedic hospital for returning WWII injured soldiers in Clinton, Iowa.  Following the end of the war, she returned to the Albert Lea clinic where she was head nurse. Dr. Whitson, the surgeon Marie worked for, always said her job was waiting upon her return. She is remembered by a fellow nurse with this quote: “Marie was the utmost symbol of her profession. She has been a guide and an inspiration.”

Memorial dervices for Dean Harold Hagen, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, at LeSueur River Lutheran Church, rural New Richland. The Reverend Steve Woyen officiated.

Inurnment will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Friends visited with family one hour before the service at the church.  Friedrich/Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.

Born January 11, 1958, Dean was the son of Harold and Marlene Hagen of New Richland, Minnesota.

He grew up on his family’s farm and loved spending time with family and friends, snowmobiling, woodworking, and music.  Dean especially had fun by teasing, joking and creating mischief. He had a great sense of humor.  Dean died on February 11, 2020, at the New Richland Care Center.

He graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1976, and from the University of Minnesota-Waseca where he studied agriculture. He farmed with his parents for a few years and then worked various jobs. He enjoyed being a seed corn dealer for Renk Seed and visiting with his farmer clients. His last endeavor was owning and renting homes in Rochester, Minnesota, where he lived for many years.