Waseca County Relay for Life
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Honorary chairman tells of amazing battle with cancer
LOCAL PARTICIPATION — New Richland was again well represented at the Waseca County Relay for Life. The Caring Friends Team, from left: Krystal Maxon, Julie Economy, Georgia Dinneen, Lanae Thorstad, Kris Pfeffer, Bonnie Jacobson, Mary Sack and Gayle Dummer. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
Waseca County Relay for Life returned for the 26th year to the Waseca Fairgrounds on Friday, July 26. The opening ceremony kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with an introduction by masters of ceremonies Molly Penny and Andy Gott, followed by an Invocation by Pastor John Omans from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waseca.
This year’s honorary chairperson was Bruce Boyce, who served as County Coordinator for Waseca County for 32 years and is currently a paraprofessional with Waseca’s Early Childhood Education program.
“I am very happy to be able to be here to speak with you this evening,” said Boyce to applause from the crowd.
Last summer, Boyce and his wife of 40 years, Sally, were on vacation in Canada when Sally tripped and fell, separating her shoulder. Not long after returning to the U.S. with Sally’s arm in a sling, Bruce started having problems with his health: he had shortness of breath, a resting heart rate way above normal, and he was out of breath after little exertion.
On the night of July 4, 2018, Bruce couldn’t draw a breath, so the next day he went to urgent care. A CT scan and x-rays were performed, and he was told to return the next day. Later that day, Sally was on her way to a doctor appointment in Owatonna when she was T-boned by another vehicle at an intersection not far from her home, totaling her vehicle. She called Bruce, who went to the scene.
Water wars
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Farm & City Days 2019
New Richland firefighters Joe Isder, Brandon Mullenbach and Curt Pederson compete in water wars on the final day of Farm & City Days Sunday, July 14. Chris Schlaak was named grand marshal of the parade. See the July 18 edition of the Star Eagle for more. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
Following his father’s footsteps
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Meet the mayor
FAMILY TIES — New Richland Mayor Mike Shurson is following in the footsteps of his father, former NR Mayor Merle Shurson. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
For most of his adult life, Mike Shurson’s mind was set: he was not interested in becoming mayor of New Richland. But it was always in the back of his mind. So finally, in 2018, he decided to throw his hat into the ring, and got elected.
So far, the stint as mayor has been enjoyable for Shurson, who served 30 years on the New Richland Fire Department, despite the fact that it’s more time-consuming than he originally thought.
“It’s more work than I expected,” he said, “but it fits my style. So far I think it’s working fine.”
Shurson follows in the footsteps of his father, Merle, who served as the town’s mayor from 1964-1971. With Merle Shurson as mayor, New Richland implemented Waseca County’s first volunteer ambulance service and built a new city hall. Shurson remembers listening to his dad practice his dedication speech for the new city hall, and recalls the police chief knocking on their door asking what to do when the historic tornados of 1967 slammed the area.
“I remember a knock on the door, and it was the chief of police,” Shurson said. “He said, ‘There’s a tornado outside of town. What do we do?’”
Cronin moving on
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All Saints priest accepts calling in Winona
HE’LL BE MISSED — All Saints Church’s Mike Cronin has accepted a calling in Winona. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
For the second time in less than a month, it appears New Richland is losing one of its finest.
Father Mike Cronin of All Saints Church is leaving the parish, along with St. Ann’s in Janesville and St. Joseph’s in Waldorf, to accept a calling in Winona, closer to his roots. It follows the announcement that Pastor Brian Gegel is moving to Illinois, leaving LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran of rural New Richland.
All Saints parishoners are glad they have a new priest coming in, but they know they’ll miss Cronin.
“We’ll miss him a lot,” said church trustee Gretchen Supalla. “He’s very enthusiastic and has a really positive attitude. He really got our parish going. He wanted to get things done.”
“I think he has done so much good for our church,” said Kris Pfeffer. “He’s been a real asset to our church and our communities. He’s so sincere. We’re sorry to see him go.”
The feeling appears mutual.
Difficult decision
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Gegel leaving LeSueur River, Vista Lutheran
SO LONG, PASTOR GEGEL — Though he’s putting the church behind him for now, former LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Pastor Brian Gegel has not ruled out a return to ministry at some point. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It was late March when Pastor Brian Gegel got the call. His father was in the hospital — in Southern Illinois, where Gegel was born and raised.
Gene Amley, an elderly member of the parish Gegel served, was one of the first to offer advice.
“He told me, ‘Pastor, you’ve got to get down there,’” said Gegel. “I said, ‘Well, thank you Gene. You’re the voice of God.”
The visit led to a gut-wrenching decision for Gegel: to leave LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Church after nearly seven years.
“It’s actually something I’ve been wrestling with since last year,” said Gegel, 61. “It was a very difficult decision.”
Amley seemed to echo the thoughts of parish members: it’s something Gegel had to do, but it’s awfully sad to see him leave.
Gegel is also leaving behind the memory of losing his beloved wife, Jane, who died in May 2017 after a 10-year battle with cancer. She rests near where Gegel is moving.