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

Funeral services for Gilmore “Gil” L. Nelson of Ellendale, MN, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2019 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. Pastor Richard Sliper will officiate. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Ellendale and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded.

Gil died Thursday, August 8, 2019 at St John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, MN. He was 92 years of age.

Gil was born September 24, 1926 in Clarks Grove, MN, the son of Arnold and Hilda (Sorenson) Nelson. He was a graduate of Ellendale High School in 1944. Gil proudly served his country in the US Army. On October 24, 1953 he was united in marriage to Clarine “Kay” Hovland in Lime Creek Lutheran Church. Gil had been employed as a Milkman for Nelson Dairy, Thompson Dairy, Polly Meadows and Marigold Dairy. He was custodian for the Ellendale Public Schools for 20 years, bus driver for 32 years and Funeral Assistant and grounds keeper for Bonnerup Funeral Service for over 30 years. Gil was a member of the Ellendale American Legion and a volunteer fireman for Ellendale for 35 years. He was an honorary life member of the Minnesota State Fire Dept. Association. Gil was an active member of the First Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council.

Gil played baseball, football and basketball in high school, winning the state championship in baseball his senior year. He was in bowling league, card club, enjoyed woodworking, playing Bingo and watching all Minnesota pro sports.

Mary Flitter, age 80, of North Mankato, formerly of rural Janesville, died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, August 7, 2019 at Oak Terrace in North Mankato. 

Mary Ellen Flitter was born in Mankato on March 6, 1939, to Palmer and Adeline (Hall) Iverson. She graduated from St. Clair High School in 1956. Mary was united in marriage to Lyle Flitter on September 15, 1956. Mary and Lyle farmed in LeRay Township on the Flitter Family Farm. In addition to farming, Mary worked at the Janesville Nursing Home, All American Foods, Mankato Golf Club, ISJ Hospital and Carlson Craft. She was also a foster parent for newborns until they found their forever home. Mary enjoyed her flowers and spending time with her many friends and family. She worked hard her whole life to provide for her family and will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity and her giving spirit that she showed to her children and grandchildren. 

She always had the coffee pot on and sweets ready for anyone who stopped by. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Sheryl (Paul) Lutter, Brenda (Bob Bindner) Dunn, Mandy (Rick) Laborde, Jon (Jackie) Flitter, and Rhea (Matt) Riewe; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Alice Iverson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Gloria LaVonne (Parriott) MacDermott went home to Jesus on Thursday, July 25, 2019. She was a blessed 93 years.

Gloria is survived by her son, Tony (partner Becky), daughter Trudy (Kent); grandchildren Sarah (Nate) Knox, Joseph, Elizabeth (Patrick) Tyson and Max (Hannah); and great-grandchildren Titus and Cecelia; brother Earl (Kathryn Parriott) and many loved nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold MacDermott, and daughter-in-law Vicki.

She graduated from Macalester with a bachelor’s degree and received her masters from the University of Minnesota. She traveled around the world several times. Gloria began her teaching career in Kauai, HI in 1946, taught a year in Columbia, South America, several years in California and retired after teaching in the Osseo, MN School District.

She was loved by all who were blessed to know her.

Joseph Paul Chicos, age 61, loving father, brother, uncle and friend, went to “the big blue sky” peacefully surrounded by his daughter Samantha and family on Saturday, August 3, 2019. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019 at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland, MN with Father Antony Arokiyam officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday at Friedrich Funeral Chapel, New Richland, and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Joseph was born September 2, 1957 in Wells, MN the son of Charles and Ann (Stiles) Chicos.  He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1976. Joseph was married to Patricia Becker and they had a daughter, Samantha Jo, and later Joseph adopted Jamie Becker.

Joseph was employed as a lumber yard worker for Lamperts in Wells, a book binder for Brown Printing in Waseca, and a feed operator for Cargill in New Richland. He also worked with Mink Farms as well as on the farms of his father and his brothers.

In his spare time, Joseph enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, bowling, broomball, darts, fast and slow pitch softball, watching the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed going to the Owatonna fair with his daughter, Samantha and playing skee ball.  Spending time with his family and friends was very important to him. Joseph was also a member of the Freeborn Gun Club.

Funeral services for Duane M. Reineke will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Friedrich Funeral Chapel in New Richland, MN with Rev. Scott Williams officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Lansing Cemetery.

Duane passed away of natural causes suddenly on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at his home in New Richland. He was 62 years old.

Duane Merle Reineke was born on October 4, 1956 in Morristown, MN to Merle and Lorraine (Kisor) Reineke. Duane grew up in Morristown, graduating in 1974. In 1978, Duane married Pamela (Yerhart) in Waseca, MN.

Duane worked for Brown Printing in Waseca for 42 years until the plant closed for good in 2016.  Duane was a very hard worker and devoted husband.  When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, working on cars, and spending time with his grandchildren.  Duane found peace and comfort at his home; he didn’t need to go on vacations to be happy.