Herbert Samuel Hansen, 77, Luverne, died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.

A memorial service will be at a later date in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Herbert Hansen was born to Ivan and Thelma (Nelson) Hansen on Dec. 10, 1924, in Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School. He attended college at the University of Minnesota and the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater.

He married Mary Valenta on March 17, 1966, in Luverne. He was a past president of Nelson's Department Store in Luverne. He went on to work in other communities until he came back to Luverne to retire in 1990.

Mr. Hansen was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Hansen; one son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Stephanie Hansen, Eagan; one granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Hansen; and one brother, Ivan Jerry Hansen, Boston, Mass.
Mr. Hansen was preceded in death by his parents.

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

Herbert Hansen, 77, Luverne, died Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Luverne Community Hospital. A memorial service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Dingmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lois I. Maxwell, 85, Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, in Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Services were Thursday, Jan. 24, at Dingmann Funeral Chapel in Luverne. The Rev. John Opsata officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Lois Maxwell was born to Gay and Anna (Soutar) Maxwell on Feb. 6, 1916, in Luverne. She grew up in Luverne and graduated from Luverne High School She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in food and nutrition. She worked as a dietitian in Veterans' Hospitals throughout the country. In 1978 she retired as chief dietitian in Miles City, Mont., and moved back to Luverne.

Ms. Maxwell was a member of the American Dietetic Association. The family remembers her as a loving, kind and generous sister, sister-in-law and aunt.

Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Curtis Sr. and Vyonna Maxwell, Luverne; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ms. Maxwell was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ron and Hugh Maxwell, and one sister, Ruth Opsata.

A tree will be planted in memory of Lois Maxwell by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

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

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek girls have disposed of four straight opponents after going 3-0 since last Thursday.

The Patriots posted 18- and two-point home wins over Comfrey and West Lyon on Thursday and Saturday respectively. H-BC went to Round Lake Tuesday and produced a 29-point win over Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster.

H-BC, 9-5 overall, hosts Red Rock Central and Pipestone-Jasper tomorrow and Tuesday respectively.

H-BC 68, SV-RL-B 39
The Patriots dominated play during Tuesday's 29-point win over the Raiders in Round Lake.

H-BC drained 50 percent of its field goals while outscoring SV-RL-B in every quarter of a lopsided contest.

"We shot the ball really well, we did a good job of pushing the ball up the floor, and we played good defense at times," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "We're getting closer to piecing together a complete game. The more consistent we become, the better we will be."

Erin Boeve, who blocked seven shots along with recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, helped the Patriots open 16-5 and 33-14 leads at the first two quarter breaks by scoring nine points in the first half.

Sarah Rozeboom burned the nets for 10 of her 14 points in the second half, when the Patriots sported a 55-31 lead after three quarters before winning by 29.

Becky Broesder scored 10 points, passed for four assists and picked up four steals for H-BC. Cassi Tilstra and Brittney Olson added seven and four assists to the cause.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 2 0 2-2 6, Olson 2 0 0-0 4, Rentschler 4 0 0-0 8, Tilstra 4 0 0-0 8, Broesder 5 0 0-0 10, Rozeboom 7 0 0-0 14, DeNoble 1 0 0-2 2, Boeve 6 0 4-5 16.

Team statistics
H-BC: 31 of 62 field goals (50 percent), six of nine free throws (67 percent).
SV-RL-B: 17 of 48 field goals (35 percent), five of 12 free throws (42 percent).

H-BC 45, WL 43
The Patriots were able to overcome their own mistakes while nipping the Lions by two points in Hills Saturday.

H-BC turned the ball over 26 times and shot 20 percent from the charity stripe to keep the Lions in the game, but the hosts were able to withstand a late challenge to prevail.

"We made the game much harder than it had to be on two ends," said Patriot coach Goehle. "We didn't shoot free throws well at all, and we had 26 turnovers. We just didn’t take care of the ball."

WL led 9-7 after eight minutes of play before falling behind 22-21 at the intermission. H-BC extended its lead to five points (36-31) by the end of the third quarter before winning by two in the end.

Becky Broesder scored 12 points, collected eight rebounds and came up with four steals for the winners. Erin Boeve had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocked shots. Brittney Olson scored 10 points and distributed five assists for H-BC. Cassi Tilstra added 10 points and Jody Rentschler eight rebounds to the winning cause.

Box score
B.Olson 5 0 0-0 10, Rentschler 0 1 0-2 3, Tilstra 5 0 0-0 10, Broesder 6 0 0-2 12, Rozeboom 0 0 0-0 0, DeNoble 0 0 0-0 0, Boeve 4 0 2-6 10.

Team statistics
H-BC: 21 of 47 field goals (45 percent), two of 10 free throws (20 percent), 39 rebounds, 26 turnovers.
WL: 15 of 60 field goals (25 percent), 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent), 35 rebounds, 25 turnovers.

H-BC 56, Comfrey 38
A 22-5 scoring run in the second half carried the Patriots to an 18-point home win over the Rockets Thursday.

It looked like the game might go down to the wire when H-BC led 24-23 at the intermission, but the Patriots went on a 22-5 scoring spree in a seven-minute span to set the stage for victory.

"We went on a 22-5 run in the last three minutes of the third quarter and the first four minutes of the fourth quarter to pull away," said Patriot coach Goehle. "We did a nice job of getting the ball up and down the court and taking it to the basket during the run."

Comfrey played its way to a 15-10 lead in the first quarter before falling behind by one point at halftime. H-BC led 42-31 after the third quarter of play before outscoring the Rockets 14-7 in the fourth quarter.

Boeve had 12 rebounds and 20 points during a double-double effort for H-BC. Tilstra scored 19 points, passed for five assists and created four steals.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, B.Olson 0 0 3-4 3, Feucht 0 0 0-0 0, Rentschler 1 0 0-0 2, C.Tilstra 9 0 1-2 19, Broesder 2 0 2-2 6, S.Rozeboom 0 0 0-0 0, DeNoble 2 0 0-0 4, Boeve 8 0 4-5 20, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 23 of 50 field goals (46 percent), 10 of 13 free throws (77 percent), 34 rebounds, nine turnovers.
Comfrey: 15 of 37 field goals (41 percent), five of 10 free throws (50 percent), 23 rebounds, 21 turnovers.

By Lori Ehde
Teachers in Luverne School District have been working without a contract since July 1.

After two mediation sessions and another one on the horizon, negotiators are still far from an agreement.

Contracts are typically signed in the fall, after the legislative session is complete and after school districts know how much state funding they'll receive.

Nearly all Minnesota contracts are usually settled by year end because of a Jan. 15 deadline that if violated causes districts to lose $25 per student in state aid.

This year, with the legislative wrap-up months overdue, contract negotiations were delayed and the state approved a one-time waiver of the deadline.

Consequently Luverne joins three quarters of the districts statewide yet to reach a settlement on teacher contracts.

At a time when school budgets have been steadily cut, the prolonged negotiations have made conditions ripe for strikes statewide.

"It's been in the back of people's minds," said Gordie Hansen, co-president of the Luverne Education Association. "The word (strike) has come up a couple times."

Negotiations haven't soured to that point in Luverne, but Hansen said teaching without a contract isn't an ideal situation, particularly for staff members trying to plan for retirements.

The last two-year contract expired June 30. Terms of the new contract would be retroactive to July 1.
The Jan. 15 deadline encourages timely settlements, but according to the Minnesota School Boards Association, the deadline gives teachers an unfair advantage in bargaining.

Luverne Superintendent Vince Schaefer agrees.

"The penalty is only on the district," he said. "I don't think that makes it a fair playing field. If they're going to take money away from children because we don't have an agreement, I don't think that's fair."

He said there should be some debate over not reinstating the deadline.

"Does it help to settle in a timely way, or does it force you to settle on an agreement you're not comfortable with?" Schaefer said.

In Luverne's negotiations, hot points are similar to those statewide: health insurance, salary and retirement benefits.

Schaefer and Luverne School Board Chair Don Bryan will report on negotiations at tonight's School Board meeting.

Luverne Community Hospital hosted a class Tuesday night for children expecting little brothers or sisters. The informal class covered what to expect when babies come home, including what they'll be wearing, like little hats and wrist tags. Teacher Ruth Opsata talked about choking hazards, washing hands and how not to handle the newborns. Pictured above are students are Nathan and Dillion Hoiland experimenting with diaper changes. Also shown are Chelsea and Dalton Javner, Hardwick, trying to measure the length of their pretend newborn to expectant mom Deb Javner.

Photos by Sara Strong

Wendy Bosshart's fifth-grade class is the Luverne Elementary Class of the Week. Pictured are (front row, from left): Jonathon Kurtz, Jacob Gonnerman, Matt Knips, Jon Swenson, Amanda Ward, Liz Solma, Maryha Johnson, Kelby Robinson, (middle row) Eric Woodley, Codie Swanson, Steven Randolph, Katie Kreuch, Maddy Halfmann, Diana Hanson, Rachel Nath, Erika Rust, Patrice Tate, (back) Alyssa Novotny, Justin Hamann, Matt Stensland-Bos, Sammy Dara, Kenny Olson, Nick Gibney, Chris Bolt, Sandra Jaqua, Chelsea Ykema and Mrs. Bosshart.

The students have been working hard on reaching their goals in accelerated reading for the second quarter and are looking forward to receiving their rewards for meeting their goals.

Photo by Lori Ehde

Cronberg probate
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF ROCK
ESTATE OF
Lucille E. Cronberg, a/k/a Lucile E. Cronberg, and as Lucile Cronberg
DECEDENT
Notice is given that an application for informal probate of the Decedent's will dated Sept. 13, 1967, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), has been filed with the Registrar. The application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed John Cronberg whose address is: Rural Route 1, Box 115, Luverne, Minnesota 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.

Any objections to the probate of the will or appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

/s/ Timothy K. Connell 1/15/02
Timothy K. Connell
Registrar Date
/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 1/15/02
Sandra L. Vrtacnik
Court Administrator Date
Attorney For Personal Representative
Terry Vajgrt
Skewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.
120 N. McKenzie
P. O. Box 538
Luverne, MN 56156-0538
Telephone 507 283-9111
Attorney License #205035
(1-17, 1-24)

Mortgage foreclosure sale set for March 12
01-21149
8042047715
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
THE RIGHT TO VERFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:

DATE OF MORTGAGE: November 24, 1999

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $57,531.00

MORTGAGOR (S): Danny R. Kephart and Evelyn Kephart, Husband and Wife

MORTGAGEE: EquiCredit Corporation of Mn., n/k/a NationsCredit Financial Services Corporation
DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: recorded December 3, 1999, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 146866

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The East 74.4 feet of Lot 2 in Block 1, Auditor's Plat no. 1 to the City of Luverne

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Rock

AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $68,858.21

THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;

PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE: March 12 2002 10:00 A.M.

PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept., Front Step, Luverne, MN
to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within six months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) their personal representatives or assigns.

"THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S 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 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

Dated: January 10, 2002

NATIONSCREDIT FINANCIAL SERVICES
CORPORATION
Mortgagee
SHAPIRO & NORDMEYER, L.L.P.
BY /s/ Nancy A. Nordmeyer
Lawrence P. Zielke
Beth W. Asmussen
Attorneys for Mortgagee
7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 390
Edina, MN 55439-2305
(952) 831-4060
THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
(1-17, 1-24, 1-31, 2-7, 2-14, 2-21)