Hamilton Ferdinand "Ferd" Luebke, 90, died Saturday, Jan. 12, in Menahga.

Services were Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Burial was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

"Ferd" Luebke was born to Herman and Ida (Brandenburg) Luebke on April 7, 1911, in Castlewood, S.D. He graduated from Castlewood High School and received a bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State College, Brookings, S.D. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.

After his marriage to Marian Neill in 1938 he became editor and publisher of The Hamlin County Republican and Watertown (Herald) Public Opinion in South Dakota. The newspapers were put into suspension during World War II when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He served as Chief of Public Relations to Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. For his efforts he received the Army Medal of Commendation, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After the war they moved to Luverne where he worked for Tri-State Mutual. He served on the county fair board, originating the Rock County Free Fair, helped found the Tri-State Band Festival and was active in the VFW, American Legion and Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America.

The family was transferred to Hopkins where he joined Iowa National Mutual and worked for them in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb. He served six years as the first executive manager of the Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce before retiring. He served on the Hubbard County Fair Board, the Itasca State Park Board and was treasurer of the Food Shelf.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jon and Jeanne Luebke, Waconia, and Neill and Fran Luebke, Brookfield, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jon (Judith) Luebke, Royal Oak, Mich., and Michelle Luebke, Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic; two stepgrandchildren, Jara (Mark) and Kyle (Jill) and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marian, and six brothers and sisters.

Memorials are directed to establish the Ferd and Marian Luebke Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 822, Luverne, MN 56156.

Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.

By Lori Ehde
A Luverne man is serving a year in jail for maliciously punishing a child.

Jonathon Dewey Menning, 24, was charged in June with several counts of assault and malicious punishment of a three-month-old baby.

According to the complaint, the child's mother took him to Luverne Community Hospital on April 6 for bruising. The diagnosis was four or five broken right side ribs and two fractured ribs on the left side from a prior injury.

According to the examining physician, the bruises on the right side appeared to be four days old.

In an April 17 interview with law enforcement, Menning admitted to intentionally squeezing the baby in March with his hands around the baby's chest. He said it was about 2:30 in the morning and he was frustrated because the baby wouldn't stop crying.

He told law enforcement he grabbed the baby, set him on his lap, and squeezed him out of frustration. He said the baby gasped and could not breathe, and he heard a "popping" sound on the baby's right side.

He said he did this on five separate occasions.

Menning pled guilty Oct. 2 to the felony offense of malicious punishment of a child, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both.

In a Dec. 11 sentencing hearing, the penalty was stayed on the following conditions:

He must serve 12 months in jail effective Jan. 2. He may be released for work, if eligible, and to attend counseling, anger management programs or parenting classes which may be required.

He shall not be alone with a child under the age of 5 years until a psychologist or counselor approves.

He must have no contact with the victim or any child born to him during probation, except as recommended by Rock County Family Services.

The mandatory minimum fine is waived, but he must pay fines and fees totaling $1,038. He may complete community service work to be applied toward the fine.

He must undergo an anger management evaluation and abide by recommendations that result.

He must undergo a psychological and/or psychiatric evaluation and abide by recommendations that result.

He must complete a parenting class at his own expense as soon as one is available.

He must be on supervised probation for 10 years.

The sentence order recognized Menning's sentence was a "downward departure" from Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, but it was arrived at based on the terms of the plea agreement.

Though Menning and the victim lived in Rock County at the time of the assaults, the proceedings were heard by Pipestone County Judge David Christensen, and many took place in Pipestone County District Court.

This was done to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest with Rock County Sheriff's Investigator, Clyde Menning, Jonathon's father.

The investigation was turned over to Paul Soppeland, special agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Pipestone County Prosecuting Attorney Damain Sandy assisted with the case.

"It was a very sad case for everyone involved," Sandy said Tuesday. "It was sad for the victim, the defendant, the courts, the investigators... all the way around."

He said the baby has recovered from injuries and is in a safe environment.

By Lori Ehde
Agri-Energy LLC, owner of Luverne's ethanol plant, has decided to invest $1.5 million in a solution to its odor problem.

A thermal oxidizer and heat recovery boiler have been ordered and are due for installation in June, contingent on the permitting process with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Plant general manager Rick Serie called Karen Van Wettering, organizer of Concerned Citizens for Quality of Life, Tuesday to let her know.

"We're just ecstatic," she said. "I just about whooped into the phone when Rick called me. They say it eliminates odor 99.5 percent. There will no longer be a plume. It's very good news."

CCQL formed in the spring of 1999 to address the ethanol plant owners and the city about what they called a nauseating "sour beer" smell.

CCQL members, many of them residents in the southwest part of town, said the ethanol plant was decreasing their outdoor enjoyment and their property values.

Since then, the plant has spent more than $340,000 in modifications, including a 175-foot stack and a dryer scrubber.

With these improvements plant odors were measurably reduced by more than 30 percent, but it wasn't enough for residents living near the plant.

That's why Van Wettering was so pleased to hear about the thermal oxidizer.

"I tell you - it's affirmation that the process works," she said. "You have a concern, you bring it to them, they listen and they act. I think we're going to have happy people all over."

When asked if the CCQL will have reason to meet anymore, she said, "If anything, we'll meet to have a celebration. From our perspective, I don't think we'll have reason to anymore."

Serie said Agri-Energy is committed to the investment, and although it has received commitments for financing, he hopes the city may be willing assist in the project.

"They have a vested interest in the area out there with lots for sale in the subdivision," Serie said.

In the thermal oxidation process, odor is eliminated by venting plant emissions into the oxidizer and destroying them with heat.

Meanwhile, the plant will capture heat off that process in a waste recovery boiler to create steam for the ethanol production process.

"There are efficiencies we can gain by installing this equipment," Serie said.

In addition, the plant will realize savings by not having the operational costs of running the dryer scrubber.

"There were huge operational costs with the scrubber," Serie said.

Another advantage to the oxidation process is that it will allow the plant to increase production while remaining in compliance with the MPCA's emissions standards.

In fact, Serie said, the plant decided to pay $268,000 more for a larger model that will allow the plant to double its production in the future.

"We never could have considered an expansion before, because we'd be emitting twice as much," Serie said.

While the oxidation process requires a hefty up-front investment, Serie said it may pay for itself in five years.

Gained efficiencies of the boiler, costs cut by not using the scrubber and the freedom to expand production all make the oxidizer a worthwhile investment, Serie said.

Thermal oxidizers are in high demand, so the board needed to act quickly on ordering this one.

The equipment has been in existence for a long time, most commonly used by companies such as paint and glue manufacturers. For example 3M has three oxidizers operating in the Twin Cities area.

"They're just new to ethanol production," he said.

"Gopher State Ethanol in St. Paul completed installation of a thermal oxidizer in the summer of 2001, and results showed a 99.5-percent destruction rate."

The oxidizer for Luverne comes from MMT Environmental, a Minneapolis company, and the boiler comes from Victory Energy, Owasso, Okla.

The stack will remain, but the steam plume coming out of the stack will be eliminated.

The existing boiler will be moved into a support position to be used as backup if needed.

Agri-Energy started production in 1998. It now employs 29 people full-time with an annual payroll of $1 million.

It processes 6.5 million bushels of corn per year and produces more than 19 million gallons of ethanol annually.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek girls' basketball team ran its Red Rock Conference record to 5-3 with a 41-38 win over Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin in Butterfield Friday.

In what Patriot coach Tom Goehle said was a physical game, H-BC was able to use its athletic ability to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit to win the game by three points.

"Our quickness and our ability to create some offense from our defensive pressure in the second half was the difference," Goehle said.

The Patriots trailed 9-8 and 25-18 at the first two quarter breaks before turning things around in the second half.

H-BC outscored the Wolverines 12-4 in the third quarter to gain a 30-29 advantage.

Although they struggled by missing eight of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter, the Patriots never lost the lead in a fourth quarter that ended with H-BC post Erin Boeve blocking a three-point shot attempt by ML-B-O in the final seconds.

Boeve, who sat on the bench a good share of the game because of foul trouble, scored 10 points for the winners.

Cassi Tilstra scored 13 points, came up with five steals and passed for four assists for H-BC. Becky Broesder led the winners with nine rebounds and six steals.

The 6-5 Patriots host Comfrey and West Lyon tonight and Saturday before playing in Round Lake Tuesday.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, B.Olson 1 0 0-0 2, Feucht 0 0 0-0 0, Rentschler 1 0 0-0 2, Tilstra 6 0 1-5 13, Broesder 4 0 0-1 8, S.Rozeboom 1 0 1-2 3, DeNoble 0 0 1-3 1, Boeve 4 0 2-6 10, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 18 of 54 field goals (33 percent), five of 17 free throws (29 percent), 33 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
ML-B-O: 14 of 41 field goals (34 percent), 10 of 16 free throws (63 percent), 44 rebounds, 26 turnovers.

By Lori Ehde
Word is slowly getting out about Gov. Jesse Ventura's proposal for dealing with the state's looming $1.9 billion deficit, and it doesn't bode well for rural school districts.

Luverne Superintendent Vince Schaefer and District Financial Officer Marlene Mann say now is the time for residents to pay attention and lean on their representatives in government.

"We need their involvement," Schaefer said Tuesday. "We need to get the word out to voters to influence their representatives."

Last year, the burden for funding education shifted from property taxes to sales and income tax.

Meanwhile, the economic slowdown has reportedly reduced sales and income tax by $2 billion this year in Minnesota.

Part of the governor's solution to addressing the deficit is a requirement that schools pay sales taxes.

The Minnesota Rural Education Association has estimated that for some schools this could amount to roughly $25 per student. Conservatively, Mann said this could amount to $35,000 or more in additional expenditures for the Luverne district.

"That amounts to a staff person," Mann said.

Historically, Minnesota school districts have purchased supplies without having to pay taxes.

"It seems our local people would be taxed twice," Schaefer said.

At the same time, the governor's proposal calls for reductions in aid to schools, specifically in the area of special education.

The way school funding is formulated, rural school districts would lose more.

"Our sources tell us the plan as presented by Ventura will affect out-state Minnesota more than metro," Schaefer said. "The same thing is true for out-state cities."

He said there will be more discussion on state funding at the next School Board meeting on Jan. 24.

"If we can't be sure of our funding for a two-year period of time, it makes it difficult, if not impossible, to plan our expenditures," Schaefer said.

Sen. Arlene Lesewski can be reached at 131 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155; Phone 651-296-4125; E-mail: sen.arlene.lesewski@senate. leg.state.mn.us.

Rep. Richard Mulder can be reached at 515 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 5515; Phone 651-296-4336; E-Mail: rep.richard.mulder@house. leg.state.mn.us.

Since 1994, the Blue Mound Quilters have donated one of their prized personal works to Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital. This year, the women outdid themselves with a king-size "Sunny Lanes" patterned quilt. It's 101 by 101 inches and required more than 600 hours of volunteer labor and about $125 worth of donated material. As usual, Millie Lais performed the quilting, this time using three different free-hand styles - stippling, meandering and medallion. Dorothey Texel completed the binding, and nearly all the club members contributed work on the quilt in one way or another. They started the project in September and just completed it last month. "We're really proud of this one," Texel said. The quilt is one of the premier auction items at the annual Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction each spring, typically raising more than $1,200 each year.

Club members pictured are (from left) Jennie Boelman, Roni Van Hulzen, Joyce Fluit, Mary Akkerman, Mildred Lais, Eloise Wohlford, Marguerite Smith, (back row) Terri Fries, Carol Svingen, Barb Fegan, Debi Scholten, Verla Fick, Bonnie Kirchhofer, Brenda Zylstra, Pat Kiebach, Dorothey Texel, Ardath Schmidt, Elaine Mann, Arlene Bendix and Jan Johansen. Not pictured are Mary Crawford, Darlene Fick, Betty Elbers and Jill Willers.

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 Feb. 7
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.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:
DATE OF MORTGAGE: 09/26/2000
MORTGAGOR (S): Michael E. Ladd and Gracia I. Ladd, husband and wife.

MORTGAGEE: Associates Financial Services Company, Inc.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded October 03, 2000, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 148628.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 4 in Block 5 in Kniss Park Addition to the Village (now City) of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota.

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Rock

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $61,471.27

AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTAGEE: $67,913.28

That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; 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: Thursday, February 07, 2002, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE OF SALE:

Front Steps of Rock County Law Enforcement Center, City of Luverne
to pay the debt then 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 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.

MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE
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 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.
Dated: November 30, 2001

Associates Financial Services Company, Inc.
Mortgagee
Peterson, Fram & Bergman, P.A.
By: Steven H. Bruns
Attorneys for:
Associates Financial Services Company, Inc.
Mortgagee
50 E. 5th St., Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 291-8955
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.
(12-13, 12-20, 12-27, 1-3-2002, 1-10, 1-17)

Proposed City street improvements hearing
set for Jan. 22

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Luverne will meet in the Council Chambers of City Hall (second floor of the Municipal Building located at 203 East Main Street) at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2002, to consider making an improvement on (1) Freeman Street between the North line of Lincoln Street to the South line of Luverne Street and between the North line of Luverne Street to the South line of Dodge Street and between the North line of Dodge Street to the South line of Barck Avenue; (2) Estey Street between the North line of Main Street to the South line of Luverne Street and between the North line of Luverne Street to the South line of Dodge Street and between the North line of Dodge Street to the South line of Barck Avenue; (3) Bishop Street between the East line of Kniss Avenue to the West line of Freeman Street; (4) Crawford Street between the East line of Kniss Avenue to the West line of Estey Street; (5) Brown Street between the East line of Kniss Avenue to the West line of Cedar Street by removing the curb, intakes, bituminous surfacing, street pavement, and curb stops and installing new curb & gutter, overlay, intakes, curb stops, asphalt, and other related work: (6) gravel alley in Block 7 of Kniss Park Addition by bituminous surfacing; and (7) gravel alley in Crawford's Addition by bituminous surfacing, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429.011 to 429.111.

The estimated cost of the improvement is $1,178,000.00. A reasonable estimate of the impact of the assessment will be available at the hearing. Such persons as desire to be heard with reference to the proposed improvement will be heard at this meeting.

/s/ Matthew L. Hylen
Matthew L. Hylen, City Administrator
(1-10, 1-17)

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)

By Sara Quam
The Rock County Board of Commissioners at its Tuesday meeting gave Sheriff Ron McClure the nod to pursue getting a dog to join the Sheriff's Department.

Cost of a general patrol dog is about $24,000, at last estimate. The cost will be deferred by money from Pipestone veterinarian Gordon Spronk, who pled guilty to making false statements to a federally-insured bank. As part of the plea agreement, he is paying $500,000 to area government bodies, and part of Rock CountyÕs portion is going toward the dog.

The officer who takes in the dog as his working partner and family pet has a large undertaking, but two officers have said they are seriously interested.

The officer who takes the German shepherd has to miss three months of work for training with the dog. That missed time would have to be made up by other officers covering shifts.

The training could begin as early as March.

Newly elected board chair Jane Wildung said, "Hopefully it'll be a benefit to the work you do and serve the county well."

McClure said he looks forward to the dog becoming a part of the department but said sweeping changes won't likely result. "It's a helpful tool, especially for car searches," he said. "We feel the dog will really help us."

New committee
The Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District and the County Board are forming a joint committee to reassess needs that may have come up since the district's formation in 1996.

With John Burgers no longer filling the title of Land Management Director, the joint committee will start looking to fill that position.

The office keeps track of how the staff's time is spent so the committee will have an accurate job description when it comes time to advertise for the director.