Edyth and Don Briggs drove to Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, July 15, and met with Marg Winters, Deb Peipho, Pat Teiger and Barb Diekers for a visit. Ray Nelson celebrated his 89th birthday on Sunday, July 17. Ray and Lois planned the day by first attending the Luverne Community Hospital open house and then attending two municipal band concerts in Sioux Falls. Lois is a member of the band and plays the French horn. There were concerts at 3 p.m. at McKennan Park and at 8 p.m. at Terrace Park. Edyth and Don Briggs attended the 50th wedding anniversary for Gene and Gwen Peters of Rock Valley, Iowa, on Sunday. Joanne Goehle enjoyed watching her great-niece Tiana Vogt of Bonesteel, S.D., play in the state softball tournament in Sioux Falls on Friday, July 15. Colby Hadler of Edgerton spent the weekend with Joanne Goehle. Joanne was able to have grandson Colby visit with her while Colby’s parents attended a Twins game in Minneapolis. Betty and Wilmer Elbers traveled to Rapid City, S.D., July 11 through July 15 and attended a Vander Haar reunion totaling 114 people from all over the United States. Daughter Twila Walker, Luverne, traveled with Betty and Wilmer to the reunion, while daughter Peggy Iverson and granddaughter Coryn of Charlotte, N.C., met them in Rapid City. On Sunday, July 17, Betty and Wilmer hosted a dinner for Peggy and Coryn, Dorothy Petersen, Sioux Falls, Janette and Roann Bleyenburg, Edgerton, and Cheryl Elbers and children of Valley Springs, S.D. The family was able to visit before Peggy flew back to Charlotte on Sunday. Coryn will spend a couple of weeks with her grandparents, Betty and Wilmer, before returning to N.C.Harriet Skattum was joined by relatives Emery and Jean Larsen of Clearwater Township, Mich., and daughter Ann Trucinski of Temperance, Mich., on Monday, July 11, at her home. On Tuesday, Gary and Noreen Greve, Verona, Wis., arrived. As a group they traveled to Huron, S.D., to visit relatives and then on Saturday, July 16, to Sinai, S.D., for the interment of Harriet’s sister, Irene Schade, who passed away last April. Harriet returned home following the services. Mae Top received surprise guests on Friday, July 15, for the afternoon. Vernon and Annette Wiese of Sioux Falls arrived to spend the afternoon with Mae.Pete Hoff spent most of the weekend in Sioux Falls watching four granddaughters participate in the Fastpitch Championship Tournaments. Granddaughters Jessie Lunstra and Heidi Hoff of the Brandon Speed 12 and younger team took first place. Granddaughter Kelly Hoff of the Brandon Blast 14 and younger team took fourth place. Granddaughter Rachel Hoff of the Brandon Speed 18 and younger team took second place. On Sunday, July 17, the Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center hosted an open house for the new facility. Wendell Erickson, Scott Kessler, both of Hills, and Arvin Tilstra, Steen, represented the Hills American Legion veterans organization for the county. The county veterans organizations contributed money to cover the cost of the flag pole in front of the hospital and were participants of the flag raising in honor of the open house ceremony. Deb, Luke and Alison Mathias of Heron Lake were Saturday visitors with Bob and Twila Kirsch. On Sunday, Floyd and Mary Kraetsch of Luverne visited with Bob and Twila at their home in Hills. Relatives who visited Grace Wassenaar recently were: Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ackerman, Tavares, Fla.; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kraayenbrink and children, Sibley, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Denny Ohlhawse and children, Sac City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Reindl and children, Gilroy, Calif.; and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Reindl and children of the Cities. They came to attend the wedding of Ryan Behr and Abbey Franken in Luverne. Ryan is the son of Ron and Nelva Behr of Hills. Mary Carter returned July 17 from an extended vacation. Mary left the first part of June and flew to Sun City, Ariz., and stayed with her son Ron and Joyce Carter. While at Ron’s she was able to see the Reagan Memorial. From Ron’s, Mary traveled to Camarilla, Calif., and stayed with son John and Julie Carter, where she was able to visit with her brother Don and Louise Feragen of Santa Barbara, Calif. In California, she was able to enjoy the beach and fish dinners. Mary’s son, Tom and Missy Carter of Arizona, traveled to Camarilla to visit with Mary. Kristie Hoelker, sister of Sonja Berg, is a patient at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.Harriet Kolsrud passed away Friday, July 15. Funeral services were Tuesday, July 19, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. Ron DeJongh and two daughters of Eden Prairie and Patty and David Morris, Fridley, spent overnight Friday in the home of their parents, Harvey and Etta DeJongh, coming to attend the funeral on Saturday of Chester DeJongh at Rock Rapids. Harvey and Etta DeJongh attended the five o’clock wedding Saturday afternoon of their grandson, Steven Van Heerde, and bride, Christi Runia, at Volga, S.D.
