Iowa State, Ames, releases dean’s list
Peter Baustian, Luverne, was named to the dean’s list at Iowa State University in Ames for the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list. Students must earn at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to be named.
 
NDSU releases dean’s list
Three area students were named to the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list at North Dakota State University in Fargo. They are Elise Ferrell, Luverne, radiologic sciences; Jacey Smith, Luverne, nursing; and Lauren Tatge, Beaver Creek, pharmaceutical sciences. Students must earn at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for the dean’s list.
 
Johnson receives scholarship
Ashlyn Johnson, a 2023 LHS graduate, is the recipient of a Bob Wright Scholarship through the Association of Community Publishers.
Johnson, the daughter of Jim and Heather Johnson, Luverne, will attend Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, will use the $1,000 to study digital art and design with a focus on production animation.
 
Area students recognized at SE Tech, Sioux Falls
Several area students were named to the Spring 2023 president’s list and academic honors list. To be eligible, students need at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Full-time students named to the president’s list are Kassandra Haak, Hills, and Brody Bonnett, Ashly Kingery, Alex Mann, Hunter Sandbulte, Macie Swenson, and Austin Watts-Boll, all of Luverne.
Part-time students named to the academic honors list are Hannah Fick, Hills; Jayda Dilly, Justin Dohlmann, Andrea Jacobsma and Bridget Mann, all of Luverne; and Allison Wiertzema, Hardwick.
 
Buss named to dean’s list at St. Cloud State
Kendall Buss, Luverne, was named to the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud. A 3.75 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for the honor.
Buss is working toward a Bachelor of Science in the Herberger Business School in real estate.
 
Kopp graduates from Alexandria Tech
Camron Kopp, Luverne, graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College May 10 with a Law Enforcement Associate of Applied Science degree.
 
Minnesota West announces dean’s list
Several area students were named to the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list at Minnesota West Community & Technical College.
From Luverne are Brandon Berghorst, Ian Bumgardner, Evan Bumgardner, Eduardo Carrillo, Ahmed Kadhim, Kameron Keene, Lacey Morseman, Makena Nelson, Kyle Palbicki, David Quist and Mary-Frances Swenson. From Magnolia is Jaime Cornejo.
To be eligible, students must earn a minimum of 12 graded credits with at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
 
Area students named to SDSU dean’s list
Several area students were named to the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list at South Dakota State University in Brookings. To be named, students must earn a minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale with 12 or more graded credits. Students with a 4.0 are indicated with an asterisk after their name.
Students from Beaver Creek are Austin Allen, pharmacy and allied health professions; Samantha Moser*, agriculture, food and environmental sciences.
From Hills are Annie Bos, agriculture, food and environmental sciences; Calvin Erickson, agriculture, food and environmental sciences; Luke LaRock*, arts, humanities and social sciences; Jax Wysong, natural sciences.
From Luverne are Greta Ahrendt*, nursing; Tacey Baustian*, natural sciences; Trista Baustian*, natural sciences; Madison Crabtree*, nursing; Mara Fick, agriculture, food and environmental sciences; Morgan Gonnerman, education and human sciences; Emma Hinz, agriculture, food and environmental sciences; Meghan Mollberg*, education and human sciences; Breanna Richters, arts, humanities and social sciences; Kristin Rud, natural sciences; Cheyenne Schutz, arts, humanities and social sciences; Paige Van Dyke, nursing.
From Steen is Tara Paulsen, nursing.
 
Northwestern releases dean’s list
Two area students were named to the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. To qualify, students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with a 3.75 or higher are named Collegiate Scholars and are designated with an asterisk after their name.
Liam Raymon* is a junior majoring in data science and statistics from Custer. He is a 2022 graduate of Hills Beaver Creek High School.
Ainslie Robinson is a junior majoring in biology-health professions from Luverne.
 
Area students named to dean’s list at SMSU Marshall
Several area students were named to the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list at Southwest Minnesota State University at Marshall. To qualify, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale with a minimum of 12 graded credits.
Named to the dean’s list were Brayden Tofteland of Beaver Creek, Caitria Bjorkman and Morgan Stratton of Luverne, and Meagan Hansen of Magnolia.
 
Augustana names honor students
Augustana University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has released the Spring 2023 semester dean’s list. To be honored, students must earn a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Named to the dean’s list are Dalwa Alinizi of Beaver Creek, Xavier Carbonneau, Jedidiah Dooyema, Sophia Eisma and Madigan Flom, all of Luverne, and Kendra Frodermann of Magnolia.

Carol Ann Kuipers, age 83, of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023, peacefully surrounded by her loving family while at Bethany Meadows Home in Brandon, South Dakota.
Visitation will be from Thursday, June 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service will be Friday, June 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper, Minnesota, with burial to follow at Ihlen City Cemetery.
To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.

Photographer Jason Schutz hosted a “Cell Phone Nature Photography Class” Saturday at Touch the Sky Prairie to illustrate how best to use a cell phone to take captivating nature photographs. A light drizzle that morning may have deterred potential students, but it didn’t stop Marcia Ossenfort from showing up to learn. The teacher and student trekked across the prairie to the waterfall and back, photographing elements of nature along the way. One of Schutz’s tips: “Slow down and notice the little things.”

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Mass. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Joe Steenholdt, Pastor
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays: 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, June 22: 11 a.m. Amazing Grays. Saturday, June 24: 4 p.m. Reisdorfer/Ireland wedding. Sunday, June 25: 9 a.m. Worship Service. Tuesday, June 27: 7 a.m. Dorcas Circle at The Bean. 8:30 a.m. Grace Notes assembly. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, June 28: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Friday, June 23: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, June 25: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:30 a.m. George’s retirement party. 10:45 a.m. Prayer gathering. Wednesday, June 28: 6:30 p.m. Apologetics study. 7 p.m. Senior High Youth group. CommServices are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Wednesday, June 21: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Prayer chapel. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Saturday, June 24: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, June 25: 9:30 a.m. FUEL/Adult Sunday School. 9:45 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible study. Monday, June 26: 6:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, June 27: 7 p.m. Scouts. Wednesday, June 28: 5:30 p.m. Community Meal. Pickup option available. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Prayer chapel. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: fpcemilie@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 21: 9 a.m. Morning circle. 1:30 p.m. Afternoon circle. 4 p.m. Music staff meeting. Friday, June 23: 2:30-3:45 p.m. Getting to Know Dementia Session by Elena Heronimous, Alzheimer’s Alliance LLC. Sunday, June 25: 9:30 a.m. In-person Worship service. (View on Facebook under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne, City of Luverne's LUV TV or on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays). 10:30 a.m. Fellowship coffee hour. Monday, June 26: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Quilting.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Fellowship Time. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. 6:30 p.m. Kids for Christ. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org. Holy Communion is offered on 2nd and 4th weekends and Liturgical Feasts.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, June 25: 10 a.m. JOINT worship service at Palisade Lutheran Church. All are welcome. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Sunday, June 25: 10 a.m. JOINT worship service at Palisade Lutheran Church. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship Service in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Praveen Muthasamy, Pastor
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 5 p.m. Evening worship service.

It’s a picture that we are all somewhat familiar with even though churches have changed throughout the years. It is a picture of the little church in the country with a tall steeple, white paint, a small sign sharing their service time and Sunday school time.
And then just next to it, a graveyard. People who used to worship at this church are now buried six feet below the ground.
For many people this was uncomfortable, not welcoming, and somewhat disturbing to have agraveyard so close. But this decision to put a graveyard next to a place of worship was not amistake. It was actually as purposeful as putting the cross up front in the church, stained glasswith pictures of Jesus’ life journey, and having communion regularly.
What happens when you look at a grave of someone you used to know? Someone thatyou used to talk to, hug, talk about the weather with, and worship with? It makes you realize thefragility of life and the vanity of pursuits that we so easily pursue.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 tells us that “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the endof all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.”
Every person one day will lay in the grave, nomatter how much money they made, no matter how many trophies they have, no matter howmany likes on social media they get, and no matter if they go to church or not.
So what is thepoint of the graveyards? It is a reminder that life is too short to worship anything other than God.Worship is the giving of your time, money and attention.
Why would you worship the idols of today when they will not save you from the grave? The idols of politics, power, sex, sports, popularity, earthly comfort, and so many other things that one day will fade away.
Don’t read this wrong. Those are actually all good things, but when our time is spent more on thosethings than on the things of God, we can deceive ourselves into “having the appearance ofgodliness but denying its power” as Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:5.
What does that look like? It looks like claiming to be a Christian but having no power to actually live in godliness because you continue to bow to the ways of the world. There is nothing in your life that actually reflects Christ-likeness besides your saying that “Yes, I am a Christian.” That is a terrible place because you are deceiving yourself and not helping others either.
I don’t advocate that we bring graveyards back to each church. That might get a little crowded in a town like ours.
However, if you find yourself driving past a graveyard soon, take itto heart to do some inventory about what you are actually living for. What are you pursuing?Are you worshiping God with just your lips, or with your whole heart? He is worth it, and your life is too short to waste it on anything else.
When we are lowered into the grave one day, I pray my life and your life will be ones that are filled with pursuing the things of God, the eternal things.

The Hills-Beaver Creek High School Class of 1971 recently gathered for their 52nd class reunion. Pictured are (front row, from left) Allen Kuehl, Yvonne Severtson Hoffman, Rick Tatge, Linda Rens Aukes, Karen Van Wyhe Ackerman, Roxie Rauk, (back) Eugene “Pucky” Sandager, Clair Crawford, Barb Rozeboom Sandbulte, Linda Hoeck, Mark Sandager, Jim Sammons and Dan Sells. Not pictured are Dennis Olson and Tony Bosch.

Members of the Luverne High School Class of 1973 gathered on June 3 for a 50th class reunion during Buffalo Days in Luverne. Pictured are (front row, from left) Deb (Bruynes) Fick, Julie (Mann) Vogel, Jolene (DeBoer) VanDenBrink, Gloria (Schneekloth) Evans, Diane (Loger) Korthals, Barb (Kafka) Kruger, Julie (Arends) Burmeister, Arla (McClure) Cousins, Pat (Rockman) Sprock, Sally Ripley, Barb (Henrickson) Stanley, Marcia (Ott) Peterson, Lee Ann (Westerbur) Vermeer, (second row) Jim Hoh, Betty (Hitch) Schnettler, Deb (Tofteland) Corey, Zoe (Birky) Harnack, Patti (Polzin) Jondahl, Pam Hoiland, Sheryl (Valnes) Reller, Deb (Visker) Iveland, Rita (Gacke) Clark, Brenda (Ossenfort) Staeffler, Sue (Sandbo) Dammann, Deborah Kirby, Becky (Boelman) Sehr, Jeff Laackmann, Dawn Maxwell, John Slieter, Narcy Recker, Carol (Kjenslee) Hagen, Rhonda (Perkins) Matus, Jane (Goebel) Bockman, Robin (Bot) Fritsch, (back row) Jeff Bowen, Steve Anderson, Darrell Hemme, Bob Matus, Jim Bierkamp, Jim Clark, Ann (VanderKooi) Vermeer, Al Aanenson, Bruce McClure, Myron Garrels, Tom Brakke, David Kirby, Larry Feuerhelm, Vernon VanPeursem, Dale Granneman, Randy Thoreson, David Wynia, Keith Petersen and Donn Sandbulte.

With herbicide resistance increasing, a diversified management strategy is needed to control problematic weeds. Using cover crops to manage waterhemp is one strategy that researchers at both the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University are evaluating.
For several years, Midwestern states have been struggling with herbicide-resistant weeds. A recent Minnesota survey found that waterhemp resistant to multiple herbicides is prevalent in the state, with some populations showing resistance to four, five or even six sites of action.  North Dakota also struggles with multiple herbicide-resistant weeds, including both kochia and waterhemp, according to Dr. Joe Ikley, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension weed specialist.
With herbicide options becoming more limited, the key to managing problematic weeds is to integrate other tactics into corn and soybean production. Expanding the crop rotation, diversifying herbicide sites of action, and even mechanically destroying weed seeds are viable strategies.
What about cover crops as a weed management tool? While they provide many benefits – including soil protection – cover crop adoption lags in Minnesota. The biggest challenge is our unique environmental conditions, according to Dr. Debalin Sarangi, University of Minnesota Extension weed scientist. Planting windows for both the fall cover crops and spring cash crops are narrow.
Despite the challenges, Sarangi and Ikley see value in assessing cereal rye as a cover crop for weed management.
For the past two years, NDSU has evaluated waterhemp control using different cereal rye termination times with and without a pre-emergence (PRE) herbicide. When both a cereal rye cover crop and a PRE were included, they complemented each other and waterhemp was controlled. In contrast, when there was no cereal rye or no PRE applied, waterhemp control decreased.
When cover crops are used, herbicide interception is a concern. A national study has determined that while up to roughly half of the PRE can be intercepted, most does make it to the soil surface, and there was always a net benefit to using a PRE within a cover crop compared to either no PRE, or no cover crop.
In southern Minnesota, researchers started looking at termination timings, seeding rates and seeding dates in 2021 to find the best cereal rye recipes. An early May planting date produced a modest amount of cereal rye biomass and some weed control benefits. Biomass increased four-fold and weed control dramatically increased with a late May planting date. However, potential yield penalties for the cash crop should be balanced against cover crop benefits when planting is delayed.
NDSU has seen about 4,000 pounds biomass per acre the past couple of years when termination was delayed until early June, which translated to roughly 50 percent waterhemp control. Other states recommend twice as much biomass for complete weed control. Consequently, cereal rye should not be treated as a standalone weed management treatment or as a replacement for herbicides.
Sarangi also looked at different termination options for the cereal rye. Chemical options are the fastest and most economical way to terminate a cover crop. Of the herbicides, glyphosate (Roundup, etc.) was the most efficient option.  The cereal rye was controlled within 10 days and the field was ready to plant.
“Start clean and stay clean,” Sarangi stresses. If PRE applications were missed this spring, he recommends coming back with a postemergence application as soon as possible and before the weeds reach three inches tall. For waterhemp control, tank mixing a POST herbicide with a residual will help. However, “certain PREs cannot be applied once soybeans are emerging, due to injury risks,” reminded Ikley. “Crops are emerging quickly now in the warm weather, so check both the fields and the herbicide labels.”
Thanks to the Minnesota Corn Growers Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council for their generous support of this program!
For more news from U of M Extension, visit https://www.extension.umn.edu/news or contact Extension Communications at extdigest@umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.