Marvin D. Loger, 80, Luverne, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Monday, Sept. 9, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Luverne.

Marvin Loger was born to Dick and Jennie (Kuper) Loger on May 8, 1922, on the family farm near Ellsworth. He attended country school and graduated from the 8th grade. He worked for various farmers before joining the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked for Good Service Oil Co. for a number of years before starting at IBP, from which he retired after 25 years of service.

He married Dorothy Wollmuth on Nov. 3, 1954. They lived all of their married lives in Luverne.

Mr. Loger was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church and the Eagle's Club, both of Luverne.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Loger; one son, Bradford Loger, Orlando, Fla.; one daughter, Marilyn (Kevin) DeGroot, Boyden, Iowa; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. Loger was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Marlowe, and one sister, Arlene.

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

Luverne senior Becky Antoine zeros in on the ball during Monday's home tennis match against Sioux Falls Lincoln's junior varsity squad. Antoine posted a win at No. 1 singles to help the Cardinals collect their third straight victory.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne tennis team put together a three-match winning streak after topping a pair of South Dakota teams in Luverne.

The Cardinals edged Sioux Falls Roosevelt by one point Friday before posting a five-point win over the Sioux Falls Lincoln junior varsity team Monday.

Luverne, 6-3 overall, will play road matches against Springfield and Worthington today and Monday respectively.

Luverne 6,
Lincoln JV 1
The Cardinals had little trouble disposing of the Patriots in Luverne Monday.

Luverne's doubles teams swept their matches in straight sets, and the Cards went 3-1 in singles to win handily.

"I think we just took care of business," said LHS coach Greg Antoine. "We tried a few new combinations in doubles, and it turned out pretty well."

Luverne's No. 1 doubles team of Jenny Braa and Samantha Gacke notched 6-3 and 7-5 victories over Lindsay Ellison and Andrea Smith. Nikki Van Dyk and Lexi Jauert secured 6-4 and 6-0 wins over Jen Van Hove and Davi Griffen at No. 2, and Alyssa Klein and Andraya Gacke notched 6-2 and 6-4 wins over Linda Yang and Jamie Hylland at No. 3.

Becky Antoine, Rachel Tofteland and Gabe Van Dyk prevailed at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles respectively for LHS.

Antoine saddled Callie Wallenberg with a pair of 6-1 setbacks, Tofteland handed Paige Beck a pair of 6-0 losses and Van Dyk won by 6-0 and 6-2 counts over Emily Peterson.

Lincoln's A'nette Bertrand produced her teamÕs point by besting Brittany Boeve 6-4 and 6-0 at No. 4 singles.

Luverne 4, Roosevelt 3
Temperatures that reached the 90s ended up working in Luverne's favor during Friday's home match against Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

In a match that was decided by one point, LHS received two team points when some Roosevelt players had to retire from two matches because of the heat.

"It was very hot, and the windiest match we had to play in all year," said Cardinal coach Antoine. "Our girls had to overcome the heat and the wind. They were able to play through it."

The same can't be said about Roosevelt's Megan Hamre and Katy Olson, who retired from their matches at No. 2 and No. 4 singles.

Tofteland topped Hamre 6-3 in the first set of their match. The score was tied at four games each in the second set, when Hamre retired.

Olson posted a 6-1 win over Luverne's Boeve before building a 3-2 lead in the second set. Olson, who had played a match at No. 1 doubles prior to taking on Boeve, retired at that point.

Luverne also received wins from Gabe Van Dyk and the No. 3 doubles team of Klein and Samantha Gacke.

Van Dyk notched 6-1 and 6-4 wins over Laura Steineback at No. 3 singles. Klein and Gacke posted a 6-2 win over Susan Puetz and Cori White in the first set at No. 3 singles.

After both teams won six games during the second set, the Roosevelt squad won a 7-5 tie-breaker to even the match at one set each. Another tie-breaker was played to settle the issue, and the Luverne team won by a 7-5 tally.

Roosevelt's Olson and Ellen Kramer topped Braa and Nikki Van Dyk by 7-5 and 6-4 scores at No. 1 doubles. LuverneÕs Jauert and Andraya Gacke lost the first set of their match against Kate Person and Tommie Herrmann by a 6-2 score at No. 2 doubles before winning the second set 6-1. Person and Herrmann then won the tie-breaker 7-3 to take the match.

Roosevelt's Kacie Meyers topped Antoine by 6-3 and 6-1 scores at No. 1 singles.

Mortgage foreclosure sale set for Sept. 23
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.
Date: July 31, 2002
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

1. Default has occurred in the conditions to the Mortgage dated April 24, 2001 executed by John Burgers and Bonnie Burgers, husband and wife as Mortgagor(s), to First Premier Bank as Mortgagee(s) and filed for record May 4, 2001, as Document Number 149814, (in the Office of the County Recorder) Rock County, Minnesota. The land described in the Mortgage (is not) registered land.

2. The Mortgage has been assigned as follows: The mortgage has not been assigned.

3. The original principal amount secured by the Mortgage was: One Hundred Seven Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-one and 04/100 Dollars ($107,281.04).

4. No action or proceeding at law is now pending to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part thereof.

5. The holder of the Mortgage has complied with all conditions precedent to acceleration of the debt secured by the Mortgage and foreclosure of the Mortgage, and all notice and other requirements of applicable statutes.

6. At the date of this notice the amount due on the Mortgage, and taxes, if any, paid by the holder of the Mortgage is: One Hundred Ten Thousand Five Hundred Eight and 96/100 Dollars ($110,508.96).

7. Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, the Mortgage will be foreclosed, and the land described as follows: The South 36 feet of Lot 4, all of Lot 5 and the North Half (N1/2) of Lot 6, all in Block 17 in F.C. Finke's Addition to the Village (now City) of Hills, Rock County, Minnesota.
will be sold by the County Sheriff of Rock County, Minnesota, at public auction on September 23, 2002, at ten o'clock, a.m., at the front steps of the Law Enforcement Center, Luverne, Minnesota.

8. The time allowed by law for redemption by Mortgagor(s) or MortgagorÕs personal representatives or assigns in six (6) months after the date of sale.

9. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGORÕS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

Attorney(s) for Mortgagee
or Assignee of Mortgage:
Laurence B. Hughes
HEDEEN, HUGHES & WETERING
1206 Oxford Street, P.O. Box 9
Worthington, MN 56187-0009 FIRST PREMIER BANK
47910 MORTGAGEE OR ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGE
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.
(8-8, 8-15, 8-22, 8-29, 9-5, 9-12)

By Sara Strong
Two current county employees will compete for the office of Rock County Auditor Treasurer in the November election.

Deputy auditor treasurers Gloria Rolfs and Lisa Ahrendt DeBoer made it through the primaries with the majority of the votes Tuesday.

Rock County Auditor Treasurer Margaret Cook said voter turnout was high for a primary - with 30.41 percent of registered voters typically voting for primaries.

The results were:
Gloria Rolfs, 625
Lisa Ahrendt DeBoer, 399
Johnna Bowron-Ahrendt, 209
Nic 'O Lena Bosch, 147
Ona Reker, 96
Kim Gehrke, 52
Candace R. Reese, 68

In other county politics, cities other than Luverne had their filing deadline Tuesday.

In Hills, Wendell Bengtson, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers and David McGuire filed for two four-year council seats. Jim Jellema filed for the two-year mayor seat.

In Beaver Creek, current mayor Al Blank filed for another two-year term. Burdell Willers and Arlyn Gehrke filed for two four-year council seats, and Carolyn DeBoer and Daryl Fuerstenberg filed for one two-year council seat.

In Steen, Mel Van Batavia filed for another two-year term as mayor and Robert Sandbulte, Leonard Otkin and Brad Bosch filed for two-four year council vacancies.

In Magnolia, four people filed for two vacant council seats and incumbent mayor Fabian Deutsch will run again. The four-year term council candidates are Becky Kruger, Steven DeGroot, Sheila Jones and Marvin Kroontje.

In Kenneth, the only information available as of Wednesday was that mayor Walter Kopp filed for the office again.

In Jasper, there won't be a race as one person will fill each office on the polls. Mayor David G. Smith refiled; councilman Jay Blaine Smith filed again, and Ilene DeBates and Maureen Bell will take the other seats.

By Lori Ehde
A familiar landmark at Maplewood Cemetery is now missing after an apparent theft of an iron monument.

Caretaker Todd Evans isn't sure exactly when the theft occurred, but he noticed the marker was missing last week when he mowed grass last week.

Evans could describe the monument only from memory, but he said it stood taller than 3 feet, and was topped with a bowl.

"It was a one-of-a-kind in this cemetery. Most graves today are made of granite," he said. "I don't know if it's priceless, but it must be irreplaceable - at least to the family."

The monument could be seen clearly from the road, and Evans said it was easily removed from the metal base, which remains as a marker for the lots.

"I imagine it was a collectible," he said. "I just can't believe someone would do that in a cemetery."

Bussacker is the name that appeared on the monument, and it marked an eight-grave lot that was purchased in the southeast section of the cemetery in 1898.

Evans said five people were buried in the lot, but C. Bussacker is the only name that appeared on the monument. Maplewood Cemetery's interment records donÕt date back far enough to name the others buried there.

For that reason, Evans is unable to notify family members of the theft. All he could do is report it to local law enforcement.

"I told them the next time they have a drug bust to keep their eyes open for an iron monument with a bowl on top," Evans said.

If grave stones or markers are vandalized or stolen, Maplewood Cemetery is not liable for the losses. Evans said the family won't likely know about the theft unless they return to visit the graves.

Anyone with information about the theft can call the Rock County Sheriff's Department at 283-5000.

By Sara Strong
With the Freeman and Estey Street project done on time, having no problems to speak of, property owners being assessed the cost can expect to pay 40 percent less than first estimated.

The total street project came to $791,831, of which $462,000 will be assessed to affected properties.

At a public hearing Monday, the Luverne City Council opened chambers for public comment on the project and assessment. Two residents showed up.

Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes said the project is guaranteed for 20 years, and if it has to be redone before then, the cost won't be assessed to property owners living on the affected streets.

Property owners were notified of their specific assessments and have the opportunity to pay it at once with no interest rather than 10 yearly increments at 6 percent interest.

Resident Elzora Ott said she would like the council to reconsider its assessment policy before the next major street project. She said, "It's a burden. I think everyone should pay an assessment all over town."

The council had previously discussed that option. Council members were unsure how to fairly change the current system when so many property owners have been assessed in the past.

Lawn watering
The city has lifted its total watering ban, but a restriction is still in place because of low well levels from this summer's drought.

Residents are allowed to water lawns once a week, the night before their garbage is picked up. In other words, when people take out dumpsters for pickup, they can water that same night from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next morning.

Wind power
The new River Winds program through the city electric utility has gotten attention from residents.
The new program allows customers to pay a small monthly fee to get a portion of their electricity from wind energy. So far in Luverne, 58 accounts have purchased 77 units of power.

The $2 per month per 100 kilowatt hours fee covers the city's own extra costs from wind power. The city is charged an additional $1.50 per 100 kilowatt hours (or 1 block) by provider Missouri River Energy.

The extra cost is charged to Luverne because wind power costs more to operate. The city will also use part of the $2 fees to market the green power, as required by the state.

By Lori Ehde
Filing periods for area school districts closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday. School board candidate names will appear on general ballots this fall in their respective districts.

Ellsworth will see the most interesting race with nine candidates filing for four open seats on the six-person board.

That list includes Kelly Kramer, Korey Meester, Layton Gruis, Verlyn Timmer, Lynn DeBerg, Rhonda Groen, Dave Goedken, Don Kramer and Jody Hinrichs.

Timmer, Hinrichs and Kelly Kramer have filed for the one open two-year term. The rest filed for the three open four-year terms.

None of the incumbents, Dan Boltjes, Arnie Timmer, Brenda Deutsch and Jeff Deutsch, have filed for re-election.

Cliff Schilling, who has served on the Ellsworth School Board for nearly 20 years, said so many candidates filed because departing board members announced their decisions early and encouraged others to run.

"It's wonderful to see that many people interested in serving on the board," said Schilling, whose seat is not up for election this year.

"There aren't any major issues in the district; it's just that the ones leaving have their kids through school now and have decided to let someone else take a turn."

Board member Jeff Boltjes holds the other seat not up for election this year.

In Adrian, eight candidates are vying for four open seats on the board. They are all four-year terms.

Incumbents Gene Metz and Joe Wieneke have filed for re-election, and they are joined by challengers Pat Thier, Joan Pater, Tim Honermann, Kate McCann, Mark Bullerman and Pamela Konz.

Board members Dennis Kruger and Brenda Sailor did not file for re-election.

Current board members whose terms are up in 2004 are Mark Lonneman, Ted Reisdorfer and Aileen Tweet.

In Luverne, eight candidates are seeking election to four open seats on the board. They are all four-year terms.

Incumbents Dan Kopp, Becky Walgrave, Cary Radisewitz and Bill Stegemann filed for re-election. They're joined by challengers Tim Burns, Bruce Baartman, Colleen Nath and Greg Aubert.

Luverne board members Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch and Steve Tofteland are not up for election this year.

The Hills-Beaver Creek School District conducts its board elections in odd years - not concurrent with general elections. The next election for that board will be in the fall of 2003.

"Shakey" Jake Neuman and his band stayed on stage for a couple encore selections Saturday during the Blues on the Rocks Fest at Luverne.

A crowd of about 300 attended the event, counting volunteers and tickets given to sponsors. A bigger turnout had been expected. Other than having more people to enjoy the music, the event ran smoothly and on schedule, largely due to volunteers. Dave Smith, Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce director and Blues on the Rocks committee member, said the location and performers were good choices for the festival.

Photo by Sara Strong

Residents line both sides of Main Street Wednesday morning during Luverne's observance of the Sept. 11 one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America.

By Lori Ehde
More than two solid blocks on both sides of Luverne's Main Street were lined with people holding hands Wednesday morning.

It was Luverne's way of observing the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Local church bells tolled at 7:45, 8:03, 8:43 and 9 a.m. to note the four separate plane attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania.

After the last bell tolled, the street fell silent for a few moments, and "Taps" played over a loud speaker.

After that, everyone went back to work or home.

"We just wanted to give people an opportunity for personal reflection," said Chamber Director Dave Smith. "It just gave them a couple minutes out of their day to remember what happened a year ago."

Luverne's observance was just one of millions scheduled in communities nationwide, since Congress passed a public law designating Sept. 11 "Patriot Day."

The American Legion national observance of Patriot Day followed the theme, "We will remember."

In Hardwick, the Legion hosted a program at noon Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Legion Hall.

The ceremony included representatives from local law enforcement and fire department.

Area public schools observed the day with their own ceremonies.

The Rock County Ministerial Association organized a community prayer service at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, in the Christian Reformed Church, Luverne.

Several pastors from local churches led petitions that individually focused on prayers for peace around the world, for government and military leaders, for victims, for enemies, for respect among religions and for our community.

Churches participated in bell ringing in both Hardwick and Luverne.

"Each time a bell rings on this day, a chord will strike in our hearts as we remember the sadness of the attacks and thank God for allowing us to remain a strong nation through all of this," the Legion said in a statement issued last week.

"This ceremony will help us all to remember the sacrifices of those who died on Sept. 11."