Coming in 2022: Bruss Heitner funeral home new building

Details

Created: 23 May 2022

Hits: 2724

By SUE NASINEC
Owner, and director at Bruss Heitner Funeral Home

I have wanted to be a mortician since I was ten years old. Sadly, the death of one of my best guy friends led me to realize that I wanted to help people because I was fascinated by science and what could be done after a person died. 

As a student at Ellendale-Geneva High School, the big 7th-grade half-hour report was renowned by the sixth graders (knowing it was coming up) and the 8th graders who were glad it was over. The teacher at the time was Douglas Parr, who I am happy to report I am still in contact with today. The report had to include several components: two interviews with someone directly related to your topic and props to get your point across. Well, challenge accepted.

I reached out to two people. The funeral director in New Richland, MN, Howard Fredriech, who owned and operated the funeral home. and my minister, Pr. Charles Espe, LeSueur River Lutheran Church. Those interviews lasted (according to my mom), longer than a couple hours due to my questions being answered in the best possible way. I reached out to the owner of the Ellendale Funeral Home, David Bonnerup, and interviewed him too. He allowed me to use the chapel for my presentation. We brought the whole 7th-grade class to the funeral home.  David brought up his hearse, which sat outside the funeral home, an embalming machine, so I could explain how it was used, instruments, and memorial paraphernalia to share with my classmates.

I was so nervous about everyone’s arrival and for the report I was about to give that I ran to the bathroom and was not at the door as they arrived. So out of a possible 200 points, I received 198 because I was not ready at the door. (A lesson I learned and have never forgotten).

Farm and safety day: NRHEG’s 5th grade class takes part in 23rd annual event

Details

Created: 20 May 2022

Hits: 1373

NRHEG 5th grade teachers Cassidy Williams, Marcus Fischer and Olivia Erickson watch and listen intently with their students as the mock accident unfolds during Student Farm Safety Day.

By BARB FINSETH
Staff Writer

More than 350 students from five area schools, including 63 NRHEG 5th graders, took part in Farmamerica’s 23rd Farm Bureau Farm and Home Safety Day, Tuesday, Sept. 14. The annual event takes place the third week in September at Waseca’s Farmamerica site during National Farm Safety and Health Week. 

Event co-coordinator, Debbie Roemhildt, was assisted by volunteers, farmers, farm families, FFA students, and many businesses in setting up six safety stations, which students in their school groups rotated through, learning specific safety concerns on the farm. These included safety instructions on animals, tractor Power Take Off (PTO), ATV/boat/snowmobiles, electrical, chemical, and lawnmower/chainsaws. 

The students and teachers attending were from NRHEG, WEM, JWP, Waseca, Trinity Lutheran, and Team Academy. 

Each student received an event t-shirt creating a sea of red t-shirts everywhere on the grounds as they attended safety presentations, moved to the different stations, and ate picnic lunches. The weather co-operated beautifully and the kids were able to spend most of the day outside.

Tax levy increase set at 7.9 percent

Details

Created: 20 May 2022

Hits: 1267

By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer

Several guests were present to address the Ellendale City Council during its second meeting of the month on Thursday, Sept. 23. Gwen Reiss of Two Doves Boutique discussed the replacement of a mural in Ellendale’s community garden, for which she plans to raise funds and gain public input during the upcoming Fall Festival. Reiss presented two mural plans, one of which is the current mural on the building by the community garden, and the other is a historic “Ellendale” sign.

There were some concerns from the council regarding the idea. Councilperson Steph Kibler noted that it is still unknown if the mural, which alone will cost roughly $16,000, can be placed on the building. If it cannot, a post will need to be purchased to hold the sign, which will add another roughly $15,000 to the total cost of the project. 

“If you hold a vote,” Kibler said, referring to a vote that is planned by Reiss during the Fall Festival for citizen input on the sign, “it’s still going to be at least two years before the City’s going to be able to budget for the installation.”

“That will leave time for the rest of the money [for the mural] to get raised,” Reiss said, adding, “and we’re at least a fourth of the way there.”

Teacher agreement reached in Ellendale

Details

Created: 20 May 2022

Hits: 1554

By REED WALLER
Staff Writer

The 2021-2023 Master Agreement between Education Minnesota - NRHEG and Independent School District No. 2168-was approved by the NRHEG Board of Education and signed at and after the September regular meeting Monday evening at Ellendale.

Matching increases

The Principal’s Master Agreement was approved, agreeing to the same total package as the Teachers’ Association agreement.

Bus/Van Drivers also had their salary schedule based on the same percentage increase of the teachers’ and principals’ agreement.

Staff graduated pay rate

The board approved a change to the rates for Substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, food service, custodial, health office and clerical staff for 2021-2022. The new schedule will have a graduated pay rate to increase frequency, to compensate staff who put in more time.