By Lori Ehde
More than 150 Luverne residents traveled to the Twin Cities Sunday to attend the funeral of former First Baptist Church pastor Tom Mabe.

Mabe, 51, collapsed in his home New Year’s Day from apparent heart problems — possibly related to the aortic aneurysm that nearly killed him Dec. 6, 2000.

Mabe had been serving the Colony Park Baptist Church, Edina, since March 2001 after heading up the Luverne church for 10 years.

It was his goal to help the Edina church family grow to the size and resiliency his Luverne group had come to enjoy.

Full benches
On Monday, more than 400 people filled the Edina sanctuary to capacity, and Mabe’s son, Josh, recalled his father had intended to fill those benches. "You did it today, Dad," he said.

Having so many people, especially the large number from Luverne, at the funeral was a fitting tribute to Mabe, according to Rhonda Morris, office administrator at First Baptist Church.

"More than anything, he really cared, not only about the congregation, but about the community," Morris said. "Every spare minute he had, he spent with people."

Luverne’s Gordon Hamann was especially close to Mabe and read his obituary at the funeral.

He said Mabe will be remembered for his ability to connect with people.

"He’ll be very missed," Hamann said Tuesday. "He always seemed to be in a pretty good mood, and the caring attitude he had was pretty constant."

Hamann also said Mabe was a walking testimony to his faith. "He always had his perspective pretty clear," he said. "He had a faith that was so real it was part of his life, and everything he did he did it from that perspective."

Friends in eternity
In his farewell interview with the Star Herald in December of 2000, Mabe said he’d badly miss his friends and church family in Luverne.

"Your hearts just get knitted together strongly after 10 years. It’s like family," he said.

"The good thing is we know we’ll spend eternity with the Lord, and those friends are forever, so that helps."

Only days after that interview, Mabe collapsed from an aortic aneurysm that took months to recover from.
Results from the autopsy were not available as of this writing, but it’s assumed Mabe’s death is related to that condition.

In medical terms, his first collapse was due to a "dissecting aortic aneurysm," which means his main aortic valve split open from the top and separated from the lining of the heart.

‘There will never
be another Tom’
Morris said Tom will be remembered for his genuine spirit of kindness and compassion.

"When he asked how you were, he really wanted to know," she said. "That’s what was so special about him. He cared so much."

First Baptist member LeRoy Kellenberger, Hills, said that’s what he’ll remember most about his former pastor.

"There was just something special about the way he talked to you," Kellenberger said.

"He was the most caring person. Even on your best day, he was concerned about you. … He was just a friend — and you didn’t have to go to his church to be that way."

He said Mabe used to personally greet people at the church doors, and newcomers would be impressed to later see the "greeter" at the pulpit.

"I’ve seen preachers come and go, but I’ve never seen people sit up and pay attention like they did for him," Kellenberger said. "There will never be another Tom."

Burial was Monday in Des Moines, Iowa, where Tom and Stephenie grew up.

In Tom’s memory, Kellenberger established a fund for the benefit of Stephenie Mabe and the Mabe family.

Memorials can be sent to Minnwest Bank, P.O. Box 899, 116 E. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156.

Correspondence can be sent to Stephenie and other family members at 5033 Edinbrook Lane, Edina, MN 55436.

Frosty roads were to blame for an accident that sent this vehicle skidding across the median on Interstate 90 Tuesday morning just west of Luverne. The driver of the car, Sarah Smook, and her mother, Arlene Smook, both of Luverne, were on their way to Sioux Falls at about 9 a.m. in the west-bound lane when the tires started skidding. They ended up upside down in the eastbound lane before the vehicle came to a stop. The two were taken by ambulance to Luverne Community Hospital where Arlene was treated for torn shoulder ligaments and was released. Sarah suffered a broken toe and possible whiplash. She was held overnight for observation. Both occupants were wearing their seatbelts. "I’m sure that made a big difference," Arlene said from her daughter’s hospital room Tuesday. "I’m very grateful … we’re doing OK."

More than 2,100 head of cattle were sold at the Luverne Livestock Auction Monday, making it the biggest sale of that type in Luverne for more than 30 years. Cattle overflowed the yards into temporary pens that were reinforced by round bales at the fairgrounds. According to Jerry Reisch, who co-owns the business with his wife, Christy, 41 cattle producers and 61 registered bidders were on hand Monday for the annual feeder cattle auction. The sale in recent years has drawn 1,200 to 1,400 head of cattle, but several years ago the numbers had dropped to only 800. Since then, Reisch said he’s worked to bring up the local client base. "We appreciate the clients we’ve had," he said. "The local people have come to trust us." He said local producers were pleased with their prices Monday, with an average 500-pound steer bringing $1 per pound. "Three months ago, you could buy that same steer for 85 cents a pound," Reisch said. Reisch said the prices reflect a recent dip in supply that’s consistent nationwide. "We’ve had a lot of herd liquidation because of the drought," he said. "The supply was down; that’s why we’re seeing prices where they’re at."

Photo by Lori Ehde

By Jolene Farley
A venture into the wind energy market by two local investment groups has gone well so far, according to Minwind I President Mark Willers.

The first wind generator, three miles southeast of Beaver Creek or seven miles southwest of Luverne, started operation on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The last of four turbines, all owned by the Minwind groups, was running by Thursday, Oct. 17.

Despite a partial month in October and some operational procedure issues the first few days of November, the turbines generated enough energy to come within 5.5 percent of projected revenue.

"We thought this was extremely good, considering that we had only been up and running for six and a half weeks," wrote Willers in a letter to stockholders.

NEG Micon of Denmark crews, the manufacturers of the equipment, worked out some bugs along the way.

Technical difficulties weren’t totally unexpected, according to Willers.

"Every time you have a several million dollar project, you have a few things to work through," Willers said.

One generator required new hydraulics, covered under warranty. Routine software updates from NEG Micon, provided every six months and part of the contract, were installed on all the generators.

"The first few weeks, you kind of wonder," said Willers. "But the last four or five weeks things have been going very well."

The first annual Minwind investor meeting is planned for Monday, Feb. 3. Future projects will be discussed, and accountant Dan Heard, Rock Rapids, will advise investors on tax credits and their effect on shares.

John Dunlap, President of American Wind Energy Association, may speak on future growth in wind generation and cost analysis of other forms of energy production.

The Minwind groups, both Limited Liability Corporations, each spent $1.6 million on the project, which will be paid off in 10 years.

The groups are unique because they are the first in the state to own turbines. Most are owned by power companies, which then lease land from individuals.

Visit at your own risk
Visitors to the local wind turbines should be cautious, according to Willers. Light rain, wet snow or fog, can cause ice buildup on turbine blades.

In October ice chunks more than two inches thick and anywhere from 8 to 15 feet long formed on generators by Chandler.

A chunk fell on a full size service van parked directly below the blades, caving in the top of the vehicle.

Luckily, the workers weren’t in the vehicle but were inside the tower at the time of the accident.

People ask, "When do the generators run and why do they run at different speeds?"

Sometimes one or two generators coast at low wind speeds and the others aren’t moving.

When a generator isn’t moving, the generator’s computer has applied the brakes (at slower than 3-mph wind speed) to keep the turbine in place so coasting doesn’t cause additional wear on the transmission.

Sometimes one turns slowly while the others turn faster, (between 3- and 5 1/2-mph wind speeds) the generator is coasting to build momentum.

At 5 1/2-mph wind speeds, the computer shifts the small generator into operation, and a small amount of electricity is made. The blades are moving at 14.4 revolutions per minute.

When the wind blows at about 6.8 mph, with the blades moving at 22.2 rpms, the computer starts the large generator and the turbines start producing substantially more electricity.

If the wind is about 6.8 miles per hour, the computers of any given wind generator may be running at either low or high speed.

Therefore, some turbines could be running at 14.2 rpms and some at 22.2 rpms.

Once running at 22.2 rpms, the generators continue running at this speed up to 68-mph wind speed.

The blades don’t move faster, the generator shifts gears automatically, increasing production.

In the evening, when the wind dies down, the blades may come to a complete stop for 10 to 12 minutes, then begin turning again at 14.4 rpms.

When the wind picks up, the computer can shift the transmission up automatically, but when the wind speed slows down, the generator must come to a complete stop.

The computer then shifts the transmission off for a period of time and starts it back up safely.

By Sara Strong
The city of Luverne is still working to sell the Continental Western Group building it now owns.

Some businesses have toured it and have shown an interest, but a deal isn’t quite in the works.

Luverne Economic Development Director Dan Statema asked the LEDA to form a building committee as an offshoot of the main board. The committee will be made up of LEDA president Glen Gust and members Karis Gust and Mike Engesser.

The Building Committee will work with Statema in negotiations with a possible leaser or buyer of the former Tri-State Insurance building.

Statema said the building was most recently appraised at $1.1 million and has adequate technological infrastructure for most businesses.

At 30,000 square feet, though, it’s a major building that will take a lot to fill.

"It’s really a community endeavor to get a business in there," Statema said. "Anybody who can occupy a building that size will have a big impact on the community. They’ll have to be sold on the building and on the community."

Statema said the city may be willing to divide the building if different, smaller businesses were interested in the site.

The city is also purchasing the contents of the building for $40,000, which includes, chairs, general office pieces, cubicle dividers, wiring and break room contents.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek girls’ basketball team made a bid to upset undefeated Fulda before falling by five points in a Red Rock Conference clash played in Fulda Thursday.

Fulda, the state’s fifth-ranked Class A team, found itself in a battle when the Patriots climbed to within two points of tying the score with less than one minute left to play.

The Patriots had possession of the ball while going for a potential game-tying basket, but an H-BC turnover followed by three free throws from Fulda’s Erin Oakland in the final 12 seconds locked up a 43-38 win for the 6-0 Raiders.

"It was a close game the entire way," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "We were down by two and had the ball with less than one minute left to play, and Erin (Boeve, H-BC’s junior forward) was driving to the basket and dribbled the ball off a Fulda player’s foot. The official ruled the ball went out of bounds on Erin. Then we had to foul, and they made their free throws."

The Patriots did make the Raiders work hard to pull out a win.

H-BC led 15-12 after eight minutes of play before the Raiders used a 13-9 scoring cushion in the second quarter to gain a 25-24 lead by halftime.

The Raiders extended their lead to four points (36-32) in the third quarter before withstanding H-BC’s late challenge to win by five.

Boeve recorded a double-double for the Patriots by scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Cassi Tilstra recorded 11 assists for H-BC.

The 5-4 Patriots host Southwest Star Concept Jan. 2.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 4 0 0-0 8, Feucht 1 0 0-0 2, Tilstra 4 0 0-0 8, S.Rozeboom 3 0 0-0 6, Boeve 5 0 2-4 12, Mulder 1 0 0-0 2.

Team statistics
H-BC: 18 of 56 field goals (32 percent), two of six free throws (33 percent), 31 rebounds, seven turnovers.
Fulda: 14 of 39 field goals (36 percent), 11 of 18 free throws (61 percent), 37 rebounds, 15 turnovers.

By John Rittenhouse
A pair of Hills-Beaver Creek High School athletes wrapped up the pre-Christmas portion of the Luverne-H-BC-Ellsworth wrestling schedule by competing at a dual meet in Pipestone Friday.

H-BC students Kerry Fink and Dusty Seachris both received varsity matches during a 49-27 loss to the Arrows.

Fink, L-H-BC-E’s 130-pound entry, trailed 6-1 in his match against Steve Evans before being pinned 53 seconds into the second period.

Dusty Seachris was facing an 8-2 deficit when he was pinned by Pipestone’s Justin Fruechte 44 seconds into the second period of the 140-pound match.

The loss to Pipestone was L-H-BC-E’s fourth of the season, and second in Southwest Conference competition.

The Cardinals are scheduled to wrestle at the Montevideo Tournament Saturday.

Cor-Tech fatal accident
Every year seems to bring heartache in the form of personal tragedy, and this year, the community mourns for the Mann family.

Twenty-six-year-old Nick Mann was killed instantly on July 31 when a tire he was working on at Cor-Tech Manufacturing, Luverne, exploded.

The force of the explosion sent the rim careening through the roof of the shop, delivering a fatal blow to Nick’s head on the way.

More than 700 people attended Mann’s funeral, and Cor-Tech, which started business in Luverne 10 years ago, was closed for a week.

No one was found to be at fault for the accident, but following an OSHA investigation, Cor-Tech later announced it would no longer do ag repairs. It now has streamlined operations to accept only new manufacturing contracts.

Steakhouse fire
Another tragedy in 2002 was the March Magnolia Steakhouse fire that was started by an electrical short.

As one of Luverne’s landmark businesses, it could have been lost if not for the quick actions of an employee and effective reaction from area firefighters.

The fire was initially reported by Steakhouse employee Sue Erwin just after she punched out at 1:27 a.m. Assistant Fire Chief Don Deutsch said, "We’d have been looking at a pile-up if she hadn’t called when she did."

The business was closed for 5 1/2 months for cleanup and repairs.

Ironically, the Magnolia Steak House came to its current location in Luverne because a fire in 1988 destroyed its former building in Magnolia.

"I don’t know the chances of one family having a fire in their business twice," co-owner Amy Dispanet-Ver Steeg said.

True Value and
Country Store opens in former Jubilee building
True Value’s fire on South Highway 75 made the list of Top 10 stories in 2001, and Mark Novotny later announced he wouldn’t reopen the business.

The Luverne Farm Store, a family business since 1948, purchased the former Jubilee Foods building in April, to offer hardware, housewares and pet food and supplies.

By fall, its doors were open, doing business as True Value and the Country Store.

Luverne Farm Store manager Nate Golla oversees operations, and Beki Weber is the in-house Luverne Country Store manager.

Global ventures fallout
A story of corporate corruption that began late last year came to a head in 2002 with guilty pleas and sentence hearings in U.S. District Court.

In January, a representative of the Pipestone hog operation Global Ventures Inc., admitted to engaging in a scheme to receive preferential treatment from former Rock County feedlot officer John Burgers.

Burgers pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2001, to the same mail fraud charge stemming from his solicitation and receipt of bribes from GVI officers Dave Logan and Michael Morgan.

Burgers has since lost his job with the county, and Global executives and Pipestone bank officers also served their share of time in U.S. District Court and have paid their own penalties.

Some of those creative sentences have resulted in cash for local programs such as computers in schools, a Rock County drug dog and street signs on rural roads.

But the fiasco has also been costly to Rock County in that it cast a shadow of doubt on a feedlot permitting program that was once held up as a role model for the rest of the state.

The MPCA continues to audit Rock County’s feedlots, and lawsuits, such as the Overgaard family case, challenge the validity of local feedlots permitted during Burgers’ time as feedlot officer.

Highway 75 road work
Spring of 2002 began with a flurry of road construction projects — not the least of them being the "mill and overlay" work from the interstate to the northern edge of Luverne.

Rural Highway 75 was repaved from Luverne to the Pipestone County line, and some culverts were repaired north of Hardwick.

The work caused several weeks of detours and hardships to businesses along the construction route, and merchants called an emergency meeting with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

MNDOT crews worked with businesses on keeping road closures short and keeping businesses accessible. The end result is a smoother, safer state highway.

Another major road project in 2002 was the bridge replacement project that closed County Road 4 east of Luverne for several weeks.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek High School senior Dusty Seachris turned in a good effort at the Montevideo Tournament Saturday.

Seachris, a member of the Luverne-H-BC-Ellsworth wrestling squad, went 2-2 and placed fifth in the 140-pound weight class at the event.

Seachris opened the tournament by posting a 10-6 decision win over West Central Area’s Nick Guttormson in the quarterfinals before being pinned by Windom-Mountain Lake-Odin’s Travis Winters 23 seconds into the third period of their match in the semifinals.

Winters went on to place second at 140.

Canby’s Derek Stoks pinned Seachris with 12 seconds remaining in the second period of their consolation-round match.

Seachris then pinned MACCRAY’s Aaron Tensen 41 seconds into the third period during the match for fifth and sixth place.

L-H-BC-E placed seventh out of nine teams with 78 team points at the tournament.

The Cardinals wrestle in Worthington Jan. 9.