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

Eugene “Gene” Donald Schlaak, lovingly known as Bumpa, passed away on September 16, 2019, in his home surrounded by his family under the care of St. Croix Hospice. He was 67 years old. Memorial Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartland, MN. The Reverend Shawn Stafford will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date in Alma City Cemetery, Alma City, MN.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland, MN and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Gene was born on August 30, 1952, to Lester and Alice Schlaak in Waseca, MN. He graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1970 and went on to Jackson Votech. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Maryann (Norman) Schlaak on October 2, 1976. 

Gene made his career in sales and agriculture, spending many hours cracking jokes at the “corn palace.” Gene and Maryann had a stint in “nonprofits”, as Gene would say, as owners and operators of Family Affair Drive-in restaurant in New Richland. He enjoyed playing games, creating hats, and woodworking. He carefully pondered his many projects. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids. Bumpa’s jokes, laugh and warm embraces will be greatly missed.

Edna Irene (Olson) Erdmann, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2019, at the age of 95.

She was born on November 2, 1923 in Marshall, MN, to August and Anna (Bangston) Olson. She lived around Marshall until 1935, when they moved to Amiret, MN, where her father bought a farm. When she finished 8th grade at a rural Amiret school, she went to Marshall High School and graduated in 1942.

She worked on the farm until 1949, when she started working at the Gamble’s in Marshall. It was at a Gamble’s area meeting that she met Vince, who was a Department Manager at the Gamble’s store in Madison, MN. They began dating, but when Vince was transferred to the Marshall Gamble’s as Store Manager, she left the store and went to work for her sister Hazel and brother-in-law Norman Johnson at their Red Owl grocery store in Russell, MN.

In August 1953, she married Vince Erdmann at Tyler, MN, In May of 1954, they moved to Austin, MN where Vince was transferred as Store Manager at Gambles. Shortly after that move, they purchased the Gamble’s Store in New Richland from Ole Minske and moved to New Richland in August of 1954. She and Vince operated the store until his death in 1999.

After his death, Edna and longtime employee and close friend Marilyn Meyer continued to operate the store until September 2015.

Richard A. Schablin was born on April 14, 1950. Richard joined the United States Marine Corps. Serving his country honorably during the Vietnam War. When he came back from the service, he would own and operate Rick’s Pool and Spa in the metro area.

Richard lost his battle with cancer on September 3, 2019 at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

He is survived by his wife, Kimula Schablin; two sons, Richard Krammer and his daughter, Kaitlyn Kamish, and Derick Jenniges; sisters, Bonnie (Scott) Gilbertson and Sandy Garrett; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Richard is preceded in death by both parents, Leland and Luella Schablin and siblings, Sharon and Ted.

Betty Lou Kormann, age 88 of New Brighton went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

Born on November 14, 1930 in Waseca County, Minnesota, Betty was the youngest of four children born to Walter and Alpha (Roesler) Foels.  She grew up on the family farm in rural New Richland. Betty attended Waseca County School District #85 and graduated from Waseca High School in 1948. Following her graduation, she ventured to Washington D.C., where she worked for the Naval Department. Betty married Luverne Kormann on December 22, 1951 and he preceded her in death in 1985. Together they raised six children surrounded by the Vista Community, which Betty loved and served. She worked tirelessly both in and outside of her home caring for her family, while also befriending, nurturing, and offering hospitality to many others.   Betty faithfully followed Jesus all her life, loved His Word, prayed diligently, and quietly shared her faith with many.

Grateful for having shared her life are her six children, Laurie (Bruce) Peterson of Eagan, Steve (Ann) Kormann of Exeland, WI, JoAnn (Loren) Johnson of Tacoma, WA, Shirley (Bruce) Lester of Shoreview, Mark (Deb) Kormann of Winona, and Gail (Jon) Haferman of Prior Lake; 23 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Arlene Foels and Lois Foels of Waseca and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Kenneth and Gordon; and one sister, Valera Born.

Memorial Services for Helen I. Pierce, age 93, of Geneva, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2019 at Community Lutheran Church. Rev. Kristen Venne will officiate. Interment will be at Geneva Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com. 

Helen died on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at her home.

Helen Irene Pierce was born on April 21, 1926 in Clarks Grove, MN. She was the daughter of Peter and Amanda (Camp) Benson. On November 17, 1945, Helen married Franklin Pierce and together they had four children. She was a great cook and loved to bake. Helen also like to spend time in her garden and go bowling.

Helen is survived by three children, Larry (Joni) Pierce, Susan Hohansee, and Mary Lund; seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin; parents, Peter and Amanda; son, Alan; sister, Darlene Sundve; and brother, Harlow Benson.