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

Memorial services for Donald Keith Batt, age 81, of Hartland will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Rev. Shawn Stafford will officiate. Interment will be in the Hartland Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2015 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Donald died on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Community, two days before his 82nd birthday.

Marvin Sanford Swenson, 89 of Waseca, died on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato.

Born in Waseca County, MN on August 8, 1925, Marvin was the son of Carl and Hilda (Larson) Swenson.  He grew up on a farm in Otisco Township and was baptized and confirmed at the Vista Covenant Church.  He attended school at District 48, Otisco Township and later graduated from New Richland High School in 1943.  He served in the US Navy at the end of World War II as a radioman aboard the USS Adams.  Marvin married Delores Peterson and they lived on the family farm in Otisco Township where they raised four children before divorcing.  He then married Phyllis Meyers and later divorced.  On December 20, 1975, he married Winifred Halverson.  Together they resided in Otisco until moving to Waseca in 1999.  Occupations throughout his lifetime included farming, creamery work, salesman for National Motor Club, manager for Midland Co-Op, shipping clerk for Mishek Company, and long time manager of the Waseca F.O.E. club.  Marvin was an avid sports fan who played baseball for the New Richland Cardinals and also played on many softball teams.  He also bowled one perfect 300 game in March of 1977.  He loved playing cards, pool, and word games.


Stanley LeRoy Degen, 82, of Owatonna, died Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Mary's Campus. 

He was born August 13, 1932 in, Shell Lake, WI the son of Lyman and Fern (Blood) Degen . He attended country school in Steele County, and worked as a truck driver hauling milk for many years, he later moved to California.  Stanley served in the United States Army from 1953-1955.  He married Inez Johnson  on December 31, 1995 in Bullhead --City, AZ; the couple had been together fifteen years prior to their marriage.  They lived in Golden Valley, AZ for twenty years before returning to Owatonna in 2004.  Stan was a member of the VFW and American Legion and he served on the Steele County Military Funeral Unit.

He is survived by his wife Inez Degen of Owatonna, daughter, Jodi (and Jason) Schroeder of Owatonna, five grandchildren and four step children.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private family service was held at Michaelson Funeral Home.




Ann M. Klemmensen, 85, of Ellendale, died Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Koda Living Community. 

Ann was born August 23, 1929 on the family farm in Berlin Township, Minnesota, the daughter of Henry and Clara (Anderson) Thompson.   She was baptized on September 22, 1929 and confirmed her faith on June 18, 1944.  She attended and graduated from Ellendale High School. Ann was united in marriage to Donald “Bill” Klemmensen on June 11, 1947.  The couple farmed on Ann’s family farm for many years.  Bill died December 20, 2011.

Ann was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Ellendale where she taught Sunday school and was also a member of the church choir.  She was an avid reader.  Music played a great part of her life.  She particularly enjoyed old time music and she taught herself how to play the harmonica. She enjoyed quilting and dancing and enjoyed spending time with her coffee friends.  Most importantly though was her family.  She loved being with them at every opportunity.   Bill and Ann enjoyed their travels to Europe, Asia, Hawaii, South America, and Caribbean Cruises.  


Funeral services for Samuel B. Worrell were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at the Community Lutheran Church, in Geneva.  The Reverend Kristen Venne officiating. Interment was at the Geneva Cemetery.

Samuel passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Koda Assisted Living Center.  He was 98 years old.

Samuel B. Worrell was born on August 24, 1916 to Boyd and Gladys Worrell, just outside of State Center, IA.  He spent his childhood around that area.  He was baptized on June 11, 1932 in a Lutheran Church in State Center, IA.  He was confirmed the very next day.