By Lori EhdeJust in time for Memorial Day, Maplewood Cemetery Association has finished work on a 45-acre addition that more than doubles the size of the existing cemetery.According to caretaker Todd Evans, the project is done ahead of schedule, thanks to a mild winter last year."It went pretty good," Evans said. "We weren’t going to open it up until this spring, but we already had a burial in December of 2001."The existing cemetery occupies 31 acres and has 14,400 graves. Evans said Maplewood accommodates roughly 75 burials per year, and about 8,500 people have been buried in the existing portion to date.The new addition brings the size of Maplewood Cemetery to 76 acres and adds another 2,100 lots that are available so far. Of those, 100 have already been spoken for, and 10 burials have already taken place.The Maplewood Cemetery Association purchased the parcel in June 1999 from Helen Sell, daughter of Lloyd Long. For many locals, the property is known as the "Old Lloyd Long Farm."It’s been surveyed and plotted to allow optimum access for funerals and caretaking equipment, and the driveways were paved earlier this month.According to Maplewood Cemetery Association Board member Art Ehde, the addition will offer more options for families."There were still some lots available on the northeast side, but they required flat markers. Not everyone wants flat stones. A lot of people want upright monuments," he said. There are other lots available throughout the existing cemetery, but some of those also have restrictions."It was getting close to where it was time to do something to have more options available to people." The new parcel is adjacent to the west side of the cemetery and juts north somewhat from the existing northern border. It’s the eighth addition in the history of Maplewood Cemetery, which dates back to 1876 when the first burials occurred.The Maplewood Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1886.Ehde said the Association has planted some trees in the new addition, but families are now offered the opportunity to purchase these trees in memory of loved ones.More specifically, people can donate money to have flat memorial markers placed by the trees or by new trees."There have been some people asking if they can purchase a tree in memory of their loved ones," Ehde said. "They can now do this, as long as they clear it with the sexton."He said the Association is proud of its recent work, and of it’s past tradition of excellence."The cemetery looks nice and is well-maintained. It’s good to have the new addition done and ready to use," Ehde said."I haven’t seen a better cemetery; just really nice. It’s organized well. Older monuments are well taken care of and I think costs are reasonable."The public is encouraged to visit Maplewood Cemetery this weekend for Memorial Day services at 10:30 a.m. Vietnam Veteran Dan Smith, Luverne, will be the speaker, and Luverne High School Band members will provide music.Volunteers with the VFW and American Legion will line the main entrance with American flags for the annual display of the "Avenue of Flags."
