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

Gerald Cleon Flugum entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 2:05 p.m. at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. at the Ellendale United Methodist Church in Ellendale, Minnesota with Rev. Randy Cirksena, Jr. officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at the Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Minnesota.  Visitation will be before the service at 10 a.m.

Gerry was born on August 31, 1928 at Albert Lea, Minnesota.  He grew up on the family farm south of Albert Lea learning how to care for the animals and all the wonderful joys of hunting, fishing, and working alongside his brother and sisters and his best friend, Merle. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and the wonderful treats his mother would create on her flat top wood stove.

Gerry graduated from Albert Lea High School and joined the Army National Guard. He went to work for his uncle, Oscar Flugum, and learned the craft of building houses. He loved working with wood and became a real craftsman. He helped build a house for the Fergusons and there met their daughter, Mildred. When the Korean War broke out he was stationed at Fort Rucker in Alabama where he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. When his enlistment was up, he came home and asked Millie to marry him. She said yes and he didn’t go back to the Army.

H. Verdell Sandsmark was born February 21, 1935 in Waseca County. Verdell went to be with the Lord November 10, 2019 at New Richland Care Center, at 84 years of age. She was the daughter of Oscar and Mable (Neumann) Sandsmark.

Verdell is survived by her sister Darlene Fraley, sister-in-law Kitty Sandsmark, numerous nieces and nephews, numerous godchildren, numerous great nieces and nephews, and numerous great, great, nieces and nephews. 

Verdell is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Doris Waltz; brother, Marlin Sandsmark; and brothers-in-law, Dean Waltz, Arza Palmer, and Jack Fraley. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 2 p.m. with visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, MN.

David Brandt Dunn, age 62 originally of Ellendale, MN passed away October 30, 2019 in Clarks Grove MN at the home of a dear family friend after battling cancer for many years.

David (Brandt as he came to be called) was the first born to Wallace (Wally) Dunn and Dee (Sabbadino) Dunn on February 11th, 1957. He attended Ellendale High School and graduated class of 1975. Brandt attended college and graduated with a bachelors degree in Chemistry from the U of M Duluth.

After college David Brandt went on to hone the woodworking skills he had learned in high school and made it his passionate profession to provide people with fine woodwork cabinetry and furniture for their homes. He initially operated his business in New York City and then began moving around the country as his desire for travel inspired him.

David Brandt also spent many years working as a part of the fundraising teams for the NY Philharmonic and the LA Opera.

David Brandt is survived by his siblings Lisa Dunn (Bob Wayne) of Ellendale, and Leah (Ruth) Scott (William) of Alaska. Also survived by his Uncle Lloyd Dunn, uncle/aunt Joseph and Julie Sabbadino and many cousins.

Armin O. Tesch, age 96, lifelong resident of rural Waldorf, died peacefully at Whispering Creek in Janesville. 

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf with Rev. Michael Matthews officiating. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, November 11, at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service-Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Lutherans for Life or Donors Choice. 

www.janesvillefuneral.com

Armin Orlando Tesch was born on January 13, 1923, on the farm in Freedom Township, Waseca County to Otto and Marie (Kluender) Tesch. He was baptized at home on February 4, 1923 and confirmed in his Lutheran faith on May 30, 1937, at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf by Rev. E.H.C. Mueller. Armin was a 1941 graduate of Waldorf High School. On September 29, 1950, he was united in marriage to Darlene Proehl at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf. Together they lived and raised their family on the farm in Freedom Township where Armin farmed crops and raised dairy cows his entire life. Armin and Darlene made a wonderful team, they farmed side by side for many years and together raised five children. 

Harold "Roger" Bindewald, age 90, of Shakopee, MN, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at St. Gertrude's Care Center in Shakopee.

Roger was born on April 22, 1929, in Albert Lea, MN, the son of Harold and Zila (Fuller) Bindewald. He graduated from New Richland High School in 1947. Roger married Wilma Olson on April 18, 1949, in Hartland, MN.

His friends and family called him Roger. He was a humble, quiet, and honest man. He loved his family of five children, and adored his wife of 70 years, Wilma. After farming for 5 years in Milaca, he and Wilma moved their family to Shakopee in 1956. Roger worked as a truck driver for Owens Illinois and later, for Inland Container.

Roger was many things to many people. When his kids needed an auto mechanic, he was there to help. When the situation required an inventor, he was always more than up for the challenge. He loved taking things apart to see how they work. His family remembers his favorite saying, "Ya' know,... a guy could make one of those." And, then he would proceed to make one.

Roger touched many people through his creative nature, his quiet faith, and his generous and gentle spirit. He was truly loved by his friends and family. Rest in peace, Roger,.... you are missed already.