Delaine Jensen's third-grade class is the Luverne Elementary featured class of the week. Pictured are (front row, from left) Cathryn Hartz, Megan Saarloos, Adam May, Samantha Bakker, Sundra Xaphakdy, Andrew Kannas, Katrina Eisma, (second row) Katlyn Sawtelle, Brandon Bosch, Zane Aubert, Shelby Van Santen, Sara Von Allmen, Brady Wrede, Arianna Medina, (third row) Gretchen Nowatzki, Jeremiah Johnson, Cody Knutson, Connor Fitzer, Cody Harr, Samantha Biber, (back) Mrs. Elaine Klingenberg (aide), Mrs. Cami McAndrew (aide) and Mrs. Jensen. Not pictured that day are Matthew Engesser and Cassandra Sunderland. Mrs. Jensen's third-graders have been working on completing the Minnesota State Tests in reading and math. "We are composing poems in our writing class, and we are learning some simple Spanish words and phrases," Jensen said.

Photo by Lori Ehde

"A Celebration of Music" was presented at the Luverne Middle School on Wednesday, March 5. Instrumental and vocal students from 28 schools mastered band and vocal numbers and presented the songs to the public an afternoon concert. Guest conductor Dennis Carlson led the band in four numbers, and the choir, directed by Cliff Janke, sang five numbers. Hills-Beaver Creek students Jessie Leenderts (on trumpet), Kari Roozenboom (on tenor saxophone), Ashley Kroon (on clarinet) and Jessica Penning (on flute) were selected to attend the music festival by H-BC band director Brent Stienert.

Baily and Zach are inspiring reminders to keep life in perspective
Carson, now 9 months old, has been under the weather for nearly three weeks, and heÕs finally coming around to normal again.

Let me tell you, it's been a long three weeks. I hardly recognize the kid's nose without snot oozing from the nostrils, and a solid nightÕs sleep seems a distant memory. It's a tremendous relief to put my lips to his forehead and feel a cool 98.6 degrees.

That would be the happy ending to my sad little tale, except now both Grandma Ehde and I have the sniffles - no doubt contracted from stray germs strewn about by careless baby sneezes.

My cold will take awhile to get over, but I quickly recovered from an irritating case of self-pity Monday morning. Driving to work that day, my bones ached and the rear-view mirror reflected sleep-deprived, puffy, red-rimmed eyes.

Woe, woe was me.

That was when I heard a radio spot for Children's Miracle Network about our local families featured in this year's new "Radiothon."

Suddenly our little bout with a cold and ear infection didn't seem so serious. Some parents would give their right arms to have such ailments be their biggest concerns.

Zachary Zwaan, for example, was born with heart troubles and ended up with multiple life-threatening conditions when his brain was damaged in surgery.

His parents, Monte and Staci Zwaan, are all too familiar with self-sacrifice and the emotional roller coaster of "good days" and "bad days" of ZachÕs response to medical treatments.

Luverne's Baily Vis was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative condition that causes muscle depletion and affects respiratory functions. Baily, now 4 1/2 years old, is currently recovering from pneumonia, a collapsed lung and digestive complications, among other things.

The hospital has become a second home for his parents, Shawn and Karmen, as they spend every spare minute with him.

Remarkably, these young families don't spend much time feeling sorry for themselves. In their minds, they're the lucky ones É they thank God for every minute they're granted with their precious gifts from heaven - their little angels. Their Children's Miracle Network interviews are touching and inspiring.

Sure, these parents are weary from the struggle, but they're grateful to have the opportunity to know and love their children. That, they say, is a blessing, considering so many parents donÕt get that chance.

We would all do well to remember these testimonies of human spirit the next time clouds of self-pity gather on our horizons.

The Children's Miracle Network radiothon ends today at 5:30, but there's still time to participate. Call Luverne Community Hospital, 283-2321, for pledge information.

Send Lori an e-mail

Marjorie M. Subbert, 75, Highland Springs, Va., formerly of the Rock County area, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, in Mechanicsville, Va.

Memorial services were Monday, Feb. 18, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, S.D. The Rev. Pam Fitzgerald officiated. Interment services were Saturday, Jan. 19, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Richmond, Va.

Marjorie Mead was born to Guy Alonzo and Sarah Estella (Plank) Mead on Nov. 27, 1926, in Bay Island, Ill.

She married Norman H. Subbert on July 22, 1945, in South Mills, N.C. In 1975 they moved to Brookings, S.D., where she worked at Shriver's and J.C. Penney for many years. She then worked at Hy Vee until her retirement in 1986. In 1986 they moved to Merritt Island, Fla., where they lived until moving to Highland Springs, Va., in 1993.

Survivors include her husband, Norman Subbert, Highland Springs; three daughters, Susan E. Gruis, Luverne, Sara E. (Ronald) Bias, Sandston, Va., and Sheryl E. Thompson, Volga, S.D.; one son, Steven E. Subbert, West Palm Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one sister, Barbara Lingafelter, Aledo, Ill.

Mrs. Subbert was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Donald.

Rude's Funeral Home, Brookings, was in charge of arrangements.

Hohn shifts business focus toward Luverne
Denny Hohn, owner of Hohn Implement, recently announced the transferring of some departments to his Luverne operation.

According to a letter sent out to customers, the John Deere implement dealer will move all new and used equipment, lawn and garden inventory and related sales departments to his Luverne location.

Sales people will no longer be staffed at the Adrian location.

"You will still be serviced by the same people, just from a different location," Hohn stated in a recent letter to his customers.

Sales calls will also be forwarded from the Adrian location and handled from Luverne.

Service and warranty work on new and used equipment will be done from either location.

Parts and service at the Adrian location will also remain unchanged.

Hohn Implement acquired the Luverne John Deere dealership from Gary Olhausen in 1994 and purchased the Edgerton John Deere dealership in 1997.

The Hohn family has had the Adrian John Deere dealership since 1959.

Ventura appoints Minge to new positions
Former 2nd District Congressman David Minge has a new job, thanks to Gov. Ventura.

On Wednesday, Ventura announced he was appointing Minge to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

The seat had been held by David Crippen, who had previously served as district court judge in Worthington.

In making his announcement, Ventura said, "Congressman Minge is a man of great intellect and integrity who demonstrated his collegiality as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives."

"But he is not just a politician; he is a lawyer who has practiced in the city as well as the country. He has also taught law. He is ideally suited to be a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals."

Some of Minge's credentials include
Scholar at theWoodrow Wi;son Center in Washington, D.C.

A fellow in the W.W. Kellogg Foundation Food and Society Policy Program and a lecturer at the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Co-founder and chair of the Agricultural Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association

Board member and chair of Western Minnesota Legal Services

Board member of Western Minnesota Legal Services.

Minge, 59, served in the U.S. Congress from 1993 to 2001. He is married with two adult sons and currently living in Montevideo.

Elderhostel at Lake Shetek
Gustavus Adolphus College is again sponsoring Elderhostel at the Shetek Retreat Center on Keeley Island in Lake Shetek, just across the channel from the 1,000-acre Lake Shetek State Park.

The morning programs include a session with naturalist Jim Gilbert of the Minneapolis Star & Tribune and WCCO and a session with sculptor Richard Bryan of Pipestone.

Another session is titled: "Mainstream or Marginal? Insiders and Outsiders in American Religion Ð WhoÕs in and WhoÕs out in American Religion?"

Afternoon guided tours include:

The End-O-Line Railroad Park in nearby Currie, a visit to the Pipestone National Monument where Plains tribes continue to mine stone for pipes and other artifacts

A tour of actual sites associated with the 1862 Dakota Conflict at Lake Shetek.

A short session on prairie restoration

During the evening, a local historian will present "MinnesotaÕs Southwest Heritage: Dakota Conflict and Peace Pipes."

For more information, phone: 877-426-8056 or check out their Web site at www.elderhostel.org.

St. Patrick's parade this Saturday
Don't forget to participate in Luverne's 21st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. from the Sears/Furniture House parking lot.

To participate, contact the Luverne Chamber at 283-4061.

New doctor to join Luverne Clinic
A new doctor will be joining Luverne Medical Center this summer.

Dr. Joshua Crabtree graduated from New Ulm High School in 1990 and completed his undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1994.

After Morris, he attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and is currently doing his residency at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Crabtree is married to Emily Bowron, daughter of John and Jeanne Bowron of Luverne. They have three children.

Crabtree's first day at the clinic is expected to be Aug. 19.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Harvey G. Borchers. 96, Beaverton, Ore., formerly of Luverne, died Friday, March 8, 2002, in Beaverton.

Services are Saturday, March 16, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton.

Harvey Borchers was born to Henry and Nina (Ott) Borchers on March 16, 1905, in Luverne. After receiving his teaching credential from Western Union College in Le Mars, Iowa, he began his career in education.

He met his future wife, Sara Miles, Helena, Mont., while working in Yellowstone Park, and they were married in 1934. In 1942 after teaching in Helena and Plains, Mont., he moved his family to Portland, Ore., and worked as a draftsman in the mold loft at Oregon Shipyard. He later resumed his teaching career with the Portland Public Schools, retiring in 1970 from Grant High School where he was a counselor and drafting teacher.

In his retirement he pursued interests in woodworking, travel and gardening. He was active in the Portland Men's Garden Club and a volunteer for Meals On Wheels. He was an avid sports fan.

Survivors include four daughters, Barbara (Dave) Geiger, Beaverton, Bette (George) Rhodaback, Portland, Marilyn (John) Rice, San Diego, Calif., and Gale (Barry) Laing, Bend, Ore.; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Helen (Isaac) Friesen, Edinburg, Texas.

Mr. Borchers was preceded in death by his wife, Sara, in August 2001, two brothers and one sister.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Meals On Wheels (P.O. Box 86040 Portland, OR 97286).

Eldora R. Bakk, 78, Lincoln, Neb., formerly of Hills and Luverne, died Sunday, March 10, 2002, at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln.

Services were Wednesday, March 13, at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, S.D. Burial was in Hills of Rest Memorial Park.

Eldora Rye was born to Gullick and Emma (Thompson) Rye on Dec. 1, 1923, in Porter. She grew up in Hills and graduated from Hills High School in 1941. Following graduation she worked at Exchange State Bank of Hills.

She married Orville F. Bakk on Nov. 21, 1943, in Hills. During Mr. Bakk's 31-year career with State Farm Insurance Companies they lived in Luverne, Windom, Rapid City, S.D., Huron, S.D., Sioux Falls, and Lincoln. Following Mr. Bakk's death in 1991 she moved to Lincoln.

During their nine years in Sioux Falls they were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. She was active in church groups, Meals On Wheels and Ladies Elks.

Survivors include two sons, James Bakk, Lincoln, and Steven Bakk, Georgetown, Texas; two daughters, Barbara Eisenbraun, Lincoln, and Lori Ann Leffew, Virginia Beach, Va.; seven grandchildren, Kimberly, Jon, Brian, Eric, Alisha, Tyler and Hannah; two brothers, Glenn Rye, Phoenix, Ariz., and Raymond Rye, Eau Claire, Wis,; and two sisters, Opal Nelson, Hills, and Vivian Helgeson, Hines.

Mrs. Bakk was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Orville, on Dec. 19, 1990, one brother, Norris, and one sister, Beverly.

Memorials may be directed to Tabitha Home Health Care, 4720 Randolph St., Lincoln, NE 68510 or Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, 5401 South Street, Lincoln, NE 68506.

Norma Severson, 76, Beaver Creek, died Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Luverne Community Hospital. Services will be Sunday, March 3 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Luverne, with Dan Smith officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, March 2 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne.

Henry Clarence Langhout, 89, Luverne, died Sunday, March 10, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Wednesday, March 13, at First Baptist Church in Luverne. Ron Moffitt officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Henry Langhout was born to Sam and Minnie (Feikema) Langhout on July 16, 1912, in Perkins, Iowa. He attended school in rural Rock County. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1943 during World War II. He served in Burma and India. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 11, 1946. After his service in the military he farmed in the Luverne and Beaver Creek area.

He married Eloise Lacroix on Feb. 14, 1943, at Gilbert Memorial Baptist Church in Mt. Clemens, Mich. She died on Dec. 18, 1975.

He married Cornelia "Connie" Tinklenberg on Oct. 9, 1981, at First Baptist Church in Luverne. She died on July 17, 1993.

Mr. Langhout was a member of First Baptist Church in Luverne where he was a Sunday School teacher and served on the Deacon Board. He helped establish Hilltop Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1964. He was a member of the Gideons of Luverne. He also worked with the Sioux Falls Mission. He loved to recite poetry, ride his bike and loved children and people.

Survivors include one stepdaughter, Gene (Hugo) Zick, Lake Benton; eight stepgrandchildren, Dan (Ruth) Moore, Sharla (Dave) Steuck, Darwin (Debbie) Moore, Sandi (Tom) Newgard, Shari (Terry) Altermatt, Rachel (Brad) Deutz, Randy (Carina) Zick and Rod Zick; 18 stepgreat-grandchildren; five stepgreat-great-grandchildren; one brother, Clarence Langhout, Garden Grove, Calif,, and two sisters, Sharlette Miller, Peachtree, Ga., and Erma Smith, Sioux Falls.

Mr. Langhout was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, Eloise and Cornelia, two brothers and one sister.

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