Helge's Father/Son Pool Tournament in Beaver Creek Friday and Saturday raised $242 for the Beaver Creek Fire Department. A separate collection by the players raised $205 to be used for a tree to be planted beside the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Gary Helgeson (left) congratulates tournament winner Brian Moen, while Gordon Helgeson congratulates his father Roger Moen. The Moens are from Lester, Iowa.

Snow lingers on the side of a hill north of Beaver Creek Monday after another blast of winter Saturday dumped three to seven inches of snow on the region. The snow was delivered with 35-mph wind gusts causing poor visibility at times. SaturdayÕs storm followed record high temperatures Friday.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Russell Arthur Blanford, 81, Luverne, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at his farm.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 12, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Luverne.

Russell Blanford was born on the family farm in Rock County near Hardwick where he was raised and attended Hardwick School. Following his education he worked on the family farm.

He marred Maxine "Sis" Markl on Feb. 4, 1946, at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage they briefly farmed near Hardwick. They moved to a farm near Luverne where he farmed for 47 years. Mrs. Blanford died on Jan. 13, 1994. He continued living on the farm and later spent most of his time at his apartment in Luverne.

Mr. Blanford was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He was also a member of the Luverne Eagles Club where he enjoyed rolling dice and cooking. He enjoyed playing cards, raising sheep and going to the sales barn. He also enjoyed hunting deer and fishing.

Survivors include two nieces, Trudy Anderson, Magalia, Calif., and Glenda (Dennis) Kleinsaser, Denver, Colo.; three nephews, Jack (Darlene) Biever Jr., Garretson, S.D., Dave (Cindy) Biever, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Tom (Linda) Biever, Beaver Creek; and special friend, Ardyth Gass, Luverne.

Mr. Blanford was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and one sister, Wava Wentzel.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

John Arthur Aukes, 94, Luverne, died Saturday Feb. 9, 2002, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.

A private family service was Wednesday, Feb. 13, with the Rev. Paul Fries officiating. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

John Aukes was born to Dirk "Dick" and Laura (Winkelwitsch) Aukes on Oct. 13, 1907, on the family farm in Rock County near Steen where he was raised and attended country school. Following his education he worked on the family farm.

He married Frances Thompson on March 20, 1940, in her parents' home near Hills. They made their home on a farm southeast of Hardwick where they farmed until they retired in 1975. They moved to Luverne. Mrs. Aukes died on May 24, 1994. He moved to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on Sept. 29, 2000.
Mr. Aukes was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was a lifelong member of Minnesota Farmers Union and also a member of the Minnesota DFL party. He enjoyed his dogs, Sparky and Cindy. He also enjoyed milking cows and fishing.

Survivors include his four children and their spouses, Eileen (John) Massey, Paul (Darla) Aukes and Wayne Aukes, all of Luverne, and Gary (Mavis) Aukes, Beaver Creek; four grandchildren, Jane Aukes, Edina, Melissa Aukes, San Diego, Calif., B.J. Aukes, Luverne, and Shannon Maday, Groton, Conn.; one stepgrandson, Martell Massey, Hot Springs, Ark.; one brother, Orrin (Bernice) Aukes, Steen; four sisters, Laura (Fred) Paulsen, Hills, Lillian (Walter) Ausen, Ruthton, Verla Baker, Ash Creek, and Vera (Conrad) Rozeboom, Murdock; and nieces and nephews.

Mr. Aukes was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Frances, one sister, Mary Vis, and three brothers, Dick, Harvey and Lloyd Aukes.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Arthur "Pat" J. Patterson, 69, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Engebretson Funeral Chapel in Luverne. Burial was in Hills Christian Reformed Cemetery, Hills.

Arthur "Pat" Patterson was born to Harry and Nellie (Rice) Patterson on Oct. 2, 1932, in Clarion, Iowa. As a child he was raised in the Sioux City, Iowa, area.

He married Grace Van Meeteren on March 26, 1960, in Hinton, Iowa. The couple made their home in Denver, Colo., for several years before moving to Riverside, Calif. They moved to Hills in 1987. He worked for Herman Motor Company in Luverne. Mrs. Patterson preceded him in death on Sept. 27, 1995. He continued living in his home near Hills. He moved to Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth on Feb. 4, 2002.

Mr. Patterson enjoyed restoring cars and won many awards for his show cars. He also liked working in his garden and working with wood.

Survivors include one sister, Lois Reidesel, Sioux City; one sister-in-law, Tricia Patterson, Sioux City; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Patterson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Grace, and seven brothers.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Melvin "Barney" Kruger, 59, Ash Creek, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, at his home in Ash Creek.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 9, at Assembly of God Church in rural Luverne. The Rev. David Jahn officiated. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.

"Barney" Kruger was born to Martin and Elizabeth (Giessen) Kruger on May 25, 1942, in Luverne. He attended school in Luverne. He joined the U.S. Army in 1964 and served through 1966. He worked for Hanson Silo from 1962 to 1985.

He married Carolyn Kuhnert on March 9, 1966, at Beaver Valley Church in Valley Springs, S.D. He then started Kruger Salvage where he was known as the car undertaker. Mrs. Kruger died on June 13, 1996.

He married Donna Olson on Jan. 27, 2001, at Assembly of God Church in Luverne.

Mr. Kruger was a member of Assembly of God Church in rural Luverne. He loved to watch his brother, daughter, nephews and all the Kracht boys race cars.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Kruger, Ash Creek; four children and their spouses, Brenda and Vance Johanning, Heron Lake, Gary and Teresa Kruger, Luverne, Jeff Kruger and Tammy and Pete Kracht, all of Ash Creek; one stepson, Tom; one stepdaughter, April; eight grandchildren, Joey, Alex, Thomas, Katlyn, Allison, Taylor, Madison and Dylan; one brother, David Kruger, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and two sisters, Alberta (Darrell) Kremin, Ash Creek, and Viola (Ordell) Swenson, Sioux Falls.

Mr. Kruger was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Carolyn, one sister-in-law, Linda Kruger, one nephew, Jared Kremin, and one niece, Kim Kremin.

A tree will be planted in memory of Melvin Kruger by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Elloise A. Klaassen, 79, Luverne, formerly of Ellsworth, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, Iowa. The Rev. Brian Hellenga officiated. Burial was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Little Rock.

Elloise Larson was born to Reuben and Frances (Christensen) Larson on Dec. 7, 1922, in Viborg, S.D. She attended school in Viborg until her senior year and graduated from Canton High School, Canton, S.D., in 1940.

She married Raymond C. Klaassen on Oct. 16, 1947, at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. After their marriage the couple made their home near Ellsworth. She worked at Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Ellsworth, as a dietitian for 17 years until she retired in 1993. They moved to Minnesota Veterans Home in 2001.

Mrs. Klaassen was a member of Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and crocheting.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond Klaassen, Luverne; six children and their spouses, Dorothy and Roger Shepherd, Sioux Falls, S.D., David and Margaret Klaassen, Marquette, Kan., Daniel and Ann Klaassen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Donald and Kathy Klaassen, Ellsworth, Jane and Frank Bernstein, Palo Alto, Calif., and Joan Klaassen, Belmont, Calif.; and 21 grandchildren.

Mrs. Klaassen was preceded in death by her parents, and two grandsons, Benjamin Klaassen and Nathaniel Klaassen.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements

Lena Jouwstra, 89, Luverne, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Monday, Feb. 11, in Luverne Christian Reformed Church, The Revs. George Koopmans and Bert Den Herder officiated. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley, Iowa.

Lena Stegenga was born to Peter and Tryntje (Ploegstra) Stegenga on Feb. 6, 1913, in Hull, Iowa. They lived on a farm near Rock Valley where she attended Rock Valley Christian School.

She married Shirk Jouwstra on Jan. 15, 1937, in Rock Valley. Following their marriage they lived and farmed near Inwood, Iowa. Later they moved to a farm near Rock Valley. In 1947 they moved to a farm near Tyler. In 1961 they moved to Ontario, Calif. In 1973 they moved back to a farm near Luverne. They retired in 1981 and moved to Luverne. They spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz. She entered Luverne Community Hospital on Feb. 6.

Mrs. Jouwstra was a member of Luverne Christian Reformed Church where she was active in the church circles and Christian School circle. She enjoyed crocheting.

Survivors include her husband, Shirk Jouwstra, Luverne; six children and their spouses, Franklin (Shirley) Jouwstra, Edgerton, Theresa (Berton) Tinklenberg, Woodstock, Peter (Sharlene) Jouwstra, Grandville, Mich., Janice (Clarence) Doornbos, Caledonia, Mich., James (Carole) Jouwstra, Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Glenda (Roger) Beukelman, Lake Elsinore, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one sister, Gertrude Vander Ploeg, Sioux Center, Iowa; and one sister-in-law, Wilmina Winterswyk, Luverne.

Mrs. Jouwstra was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Otto and Richard Stegenga, and one sister, Jesse Mulder.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Marian Boom, 77, Luverne, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 12, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. The Rev. David Sikkema officiated. Burial was in Beaver Creek Cemetery.

Marian Dodeward was born to Cornelius and Alice (VanWyhe) Dodeward on Dec. 9, 1924, in Rock Valley, Iowa. She attended and graduated from Lester High School in Lester, Iowa.

She married Paul Boom on Aug. 5, 1942, in Lester. After their marriage they farmed near Lester for six years. They moved to a farm near Beaver Creek where they lived until they retired. After they retired from farming they moved to Luverne. In December 2001 they moved to Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Boom, Ellsworth; three children and their spouses, Marlin (Mary) Boom, Ellsworth, Cheryl (George) Krumholz, Richfield, and Connie (Robert) Melton, Worthington; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Francis VerBurg, Rock Valley, and Dorothy Larson, Madison, S.D.; and many other family and friends.

Mrs. Boom was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Paul Jr., three brothers and one sister.

A tree will be planted in memory of Marian Boom by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.