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

Peter Mark Johnson passed away peacefully on November 23, 2019 at The Emeralds in Faribault, after a lengthy and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He was 77.

Pete was born on February 25, 1942 to Harold and Emma (Pechacek) Johnson at their family farm near Ellendale. 

Pete graduated from Ellendale High School in 1960 and attended Mankato State College until he was drafted during his senior year to serve in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam and became a dedicated and decorated soldier. He returned home in 1967 and met Linda Chesney. The couple married in December of 1968 in Mankato. They raised two children in their Skunk Hollow home near Steele Center.

Pete was a passionate fisherman, an avid reader, enjoyed camping, and was a particularly crafty problem-solver. Pete spent most of his life in the hospitality field. He was a people person and enjoyed being evening supervisor at the Gainey Conference Center for 19 years. He was a thoughtful and patient man and touched the lives of many.

As a young man, Pete was involved in wrestling, football, band, and 4-H. As an adult, he was a foster parent, a Sunday School teacher, and a wonderful husband and father.

Funeral services for Margaret Mary Koziolek will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland, MN. Fr. Antony Arokiyam will officiate. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in New Richland. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Margaret died Friday November 22, 2019 at Northern Lakes Senior Living surrounded by her loving and supportive family.

Margaret M. Koziolek was born October 17, 1933 in Dodge County to Joseph and Dora (Houdek) Renchin. Margaret grew up a farmer's daughter in Dodge County where she graduated from Hayfield High School in 1951, and later graduated from Winona State University in 1956 with an Elementary Teacher Degree. On August 3, 1957, Margaret was united in marriage to Francis A. Koziolek at Sacred Heart Church in Hayfield, MN. She taught elementary school for many years before she retired from New Richland – Hartland Elementary. The most important thing in Margaret’s life was her family. She also loved to garden, sew, read, craft, bake, and quilt. Her family really enjoyed her homemade baked goods and her wonderful quilts. Margaret was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland where she was a religion teacher and a member of the Council of Catholic Women.  Margaret was a volunteer for the Hartland Legion Auxiliary, Freeborn County Pork Producers, 4-H, and Teacher Retirement Organizations such as, the Delta Kappa Gamma Lambda Chapter.

Julie Kay Louks, 68, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 19, in hospice care at Emeralds of Faribault where she had lost her battle to cancer. She was born September 15, 1951 in Winnebago, MN to Raymond and Betty (Winch) Ehlers.

Friends may greet the family from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, November 30, 2019 at the Brick Meger Funeral Home, Owatonna with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m.

Julie married her beloved husband Brian, where they lived in New Richland and raised their family. Then several years later they moved to Owatonna. Julie had worked for Viracon, then Apogee, for multiple years, retiring in May 2016. During her retirement she was an active volunteer for the Steele County Humane Society as she enjoyed giving back to the community and caring for animals. Her interests included baking, making crafts, sewing, playing Bunco with her friends, taking photos, and spending time with her grandchildren. On days where the Packers played, she made sure to watch the game as she was a huge fan. Julie had also looked forward to annual trips to Fish Hook Lake with her family and friends each summer.

Julie was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Nana. She had a high-spirited personality and always made people around her laugh. She made friends everywhere she went.

Jay Wayne Logan, 57, and Elizabeth Ann Logan, 52 of New Richland, died Wednesday, November 20, 2019 as the result of an auto accident. 

Jay was born June 17, 1962 in Albert Lea the son of Wayne and Dorothy (Schwarz) Logan. He grew up in Clarks Grove, graduated from Ellendale High School and later attended Mankato State University.

Elizabeth was born July 22, 1967 in Oakland, CA the daughter of Kenneth and Barbara (Lohmann) Schultze. As an infant, her family moved back to Minnesota where she attended St. James Lutheran School in Northrop, graduated from Fairmont High School and attended Mankato State University.

Jay and Beth were united in marriage September 19, 1992 in Northrop. The couple lived in Ham Lake for several years. They moved to rural New Richland in 2005, at which time Jay started his career with the Hope Creamery. Beth worked for Hope Creamery and an insurance agency in Albert Lea prior to starting her career with Federated Insurance.

The couple enjoyed watching their children’s many sporting events, going camping and traveling with their kids and attending wine club together. Jay was an avid hunter and loved working on cars and tractors; often with his son, Tyler. He enjoyed going to fairs and loved watching Charlie Brown with his kids. Beth enjoyed gardening and scrap booking. She was on the church council and played organ at Zion Lutheran Church.

Gordon Peterson, age 96, of Waseca went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, November 9, 2019. He was born at home on April 17, 1923 to Levi and Elsie Peterson.

Gordon served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enlisted October 10, 1944 and served until August 18, 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He earned two Bronze Battle Stars. Upon his return home from duty in Germany, he farmed for many years with his beloved brother, Rolland.

Because of his love for God and His Word, he was deeply involved in Vista Covenant Church, which his forebearers helped found. He was also a member of The Gideons, who distribute Bibles throughout the world. Gordon was a kind, generous, honest, fair, praying man who loved his family intensely. He also loved people and especially loved to make them laugh. He leaves his mark on our lives by his living example of faithfulness and integrity. Our family has been enriched by his God-ordained role as provider and head of his household.

He is welcomed to his Heavenly Home by the following who preceded him in death: his first wife Lorraine Bathke, his parents Levi and Elsie Peterson, his brother, Rolland (Phyllis) Peterson, and his half-siblings Doris (Leonard) Peterson, Clifford (Bernice) Peterson, and Lawrence (Betty) Peterson.