Card showers
Arlene Lee will celebrate her 90th birthday on Wednesday, July 12. Greetings may be sent to her at 203 Oak Drive, Apt. #129, Luverne, MN 56156.
 
Neil and Sharon Dohlmann will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, July 20. Greetings may be sent to them at 410 E. Luverne Street, Magnolia, MN 56158.
 
Open houses
A 90th birthday open house for Faye Schilling-DeBoer will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 9, in the fellowship hall of the Zion Presbyterian Church, 420 S. Broadway Street, Ellsworth, MN.

LSS meals at Generations
 
Monday, July 10: Parmesan chicken, green beans, fruit cocktail, breadstick.
Tuesday, July 11: Tater tot casserole, mixed vegetables, warm peaches, dinner roll.
Half-Price Day sponsored by American Reformed Church.
Wednesday, July 12: Ham pasta salad, creamy cucumbers, cantaloupe, dessert.
 Thursday, July 13: Diced turkey and gravy over mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, dinner roll, warm fruit crisp.
Friday, July 14: Meatballs, mashed potatoes, carrots, bread, dessert.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Pam Franken at 283-9846, extension 11 to reserve one day prior, to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older.
The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Nov. 4, 1943.
(Continued from last week when Nels Berg, in his first four months in Luverne, broke 100 acres of prairie with oxen.)
When my brother told me I could guide an ox by talking to him, I wouldn’t believe it, but I soon learned to say ‘gee’ and ‘haw’ and the oxen understood what I meant.”
Mr. Berg explained that he did not learn any English while staying at the Haga home, as the boys would always play tricks on him when he asked them to say something in the American tongue. That fall, after repeated requests from friends, he decided to go to Canton, in hopes that there, he’d have a better chance to learn English. One day he started from Luverne at 5 a.m. and that night at 6 o’clock, tired and hungry, he walked into the hotel at Canton. He had never been to Canton before but managed to get there without any help, he states. In case he would have become lost, however, he had a note pinned to his shirt, which read, “Please direct this man to Canton, S.D.,” which might have helped him if he had become lost among people who could not understand Norwegian.
When he told the man in the hotel that he had walked the entire distance from Luverne, he was treated royally, and received a bounteous dinner. He recalls how they told the cooks, “Here’s a man who walked all the way here from Trondheim, Norway, and is mighty hungry. See that he gets all he wants to eat.”
In the hotel, all the women employees were Norwegian except one. Mr. Berg made a bargain with her that if she would teach him English, he would teach her Norwegian. “We had school every night,” he recalls, “and we both profited by it.”
He was staying in the hotel at the time of Canton’s big fire. He was the first one in the hotel to notice the blaze at the other end of the block, and it was he who gave the alarm in the hotel. “The minute I hollered ‘fire’, you should have seen the people pour out of their rooms,” he declared. The blaze destroyed nine buildings before it was brought under control, Mr. Berg stated.
He worked in Canton as a carpenter, and later, obtained a job with a building crew which was constructing depots and warehouses along the railroad from Mason City, Iowa, to Chamberlain, S.D.
It was while thus employed that he had an encounter with the Indians at Pukwana, S.D. The crew was out of lumber one Saturday afternoon so he and another companion went out along the drive to enjoy a picnic. They were enjoying themselves, discussing various subjects, finally coming to the topic of Indians. About that time, Mr. Berg was looking in the distance, and there looking at them was an Indian. “We were plenty scared, but we didn’t let on we’d even seen him,” Mr. Berg said. “We left our lunch and began turning handsprings and summersaults, and acted like we were half crazy. All the while, though, we were getting closer to a little valley. The minute we got into the valley and out of sight, we beat it for home. We never did see the Indians again, but we didn’t go around for them either.”
When he came back to Luverne from Canton, he entered the employ of George Soutar, contractor and builder, with whom he worked two and one-half years before going into business on his “own hook.” Many of the buildings in Luverne have known the pounding of his hammer during the many years he was actively engaged as a builder. He retired about 12 years ago.
Mr. Berg was married in the old Presbyterian church here in 1884 to Anna Lee. They became the parents of six children, two of whom are living. They are Frank Berg, Minneapolis, and Mrs. Ruth Fanford, of near Beresford, S. Dak. He also has four grandchildren. Mrs. Berg died two years ago, and now he and his only brother, Thor, live at their home on East Lincoln street.
He has been in poor health for a number of years, suffering with asthma. For five and one half years, he never slept in anything but a chair, it being impossible for him to lie down. He is able to sleep in a bed now, however.
Mr. Berg is a member of Zion Lutheran church here and attends services regularly. He is interested in world affairs, and reads both daily and weekly newspapers and listens to the radio.
Discussing the war, and the world at large, Mr. Berg gave his philosophy as follows: “I don’t know if it will be in this war, or whether it will be something worse later on, but I’m afraid of the people if this country don’t mend their ways, they are going to suffer even more than they are now. We know how God punished the ungodly in early time because of their wrong doings, and He is the same God today as he was then.”
Mr. Berg says he never entered politics. “I was always too busy with my other work,” he declared.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees include Luverne man
The South Dakota Rock and Music Association recently inducted a Luverne man to its 2023 Hall of Fame.
Robert Wratz was a guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter with the band named Star Child. Wratz and others will be inducted Sept. 30 in Sioux Falls.
Star Child originally began as a three-piece rock band in 1973 and introduced the area to artists such as David Bowie, REO Speedwagon and early Fleetwood Mac.
When the fourth and fifth members were added, the band played hits from Queen, Led Zepplin, Foreigner and Tommy Brolin’s James Gang.
“They were in their own world playing off-the-wall music by artists who were relatively unknown at the time in their rockin’ corner of the Midwest,” wrote the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association on its website.
“It was an ambitious and memorable six-year ride that had them holding on to the edge of their respective seats from beginning to end.”
Other band members over the years included Mark Olson (drums), Chuck Salisbury (bass, vocals), Allen Hanson (lead vocals), Clint Kennedy (guitar, vocals, songwriter), and Keith Myhre (guitarist).
 
Menning pens autobiography
Former Rock County resident and state legislator Marion “Mike” Menning has published an autobiography, “Becoming Ambassadors of Jesus.”
The book chronicles his childhood growing up in a poor dairy family and struggling to graduate from high school. After achieving a college education and starting a business, he served two terms in the late 1970s and early 1980s representing southwest Minnesota in the state Senate.
He then entered full-time ministry for 34 years in the Christian Reformed Church and the CRC World Relief in eastern Europe. He is a former pastor of Mountain Springs Community Christian Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he currently lives.
“Becoming Ambassadors of Jesus” is available on Amazon.

10 years ago (2013)
•The Comfort Inn in Luverne is now a Quality Inn with a new look and updated features.
According to local management, the name change is prompted by a corporate decision, but it will remain under the same ownership.
The exterior has adopted Quality Inn colors—primarily gold and green—and the interior has new flat-screen TVs, new beds, bedding, in-room furniture and lobby furniture.
The name change went into effect May 17, but the hotel has been steadily improving since it came under new ownership last fall.
 
25 years ago (1998)
•Minneota writer Bill Holm has a perfect word for participation in the Blue Mound Writers Series. In this fifth year of the Saturday night gatherings in the front yard of the Blue Mounds State Park Interpretive Center, Holm kicked off the new series and more than 100 people came to hear him. Holm remembered Manfred, the man who created Siouxland and was a mentor and friend to many young writers. Holm read from “The Frederick Manfred Reader” and also shared a poem he’d written in which he characterized Manfred as, “a tall man scribbling in a low room.” Luverne artist and musician Chris Nowatzki performed before the reading. Holm was introduced by Luverne High School student Jens Larson.
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Kenny and son Larry Goebel in the senior division, and Dale and son Tim Knoll, junior division, took top honors Sunday in the annual Father-Son Golf Tournament at the Luverne Country Club.
In the senior division, Kenny and Larry Goebel fired a 142 net to edge Bud and Perry Noll with a 143. Bud Noll fired a 144 with son Dave for a third place finish.
High senior net went to Arlo and Jim Bierkamp. Longest Drive on Number 7 was won by Dave Noll, and Jim Golla had the longest putt on Number 1. Perry Noll was closest to the pin on Number 3, and Kirk Authier was closest to pin on Number 6.
In the Junior Division, Dale and Tim Knoll fired a 144 to take their event with Bud and Andy Noll at 146 and Don and Randy Spease in third with a 147.
High Junior Net went to Dave and Todd Connell.
Rick Connell had the longest drive on Number 9 and the longest putt on Number 5. Andy Noll was closest to the pin on 3 and Mark Goebel was closest to the pin on Number 6.
In all, 68 participants vied for honors in the tournament. Chairmen for the vent were Ed Winter and Don Lien.
 
75 years ago (1948)
•Lillian Wiese, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Wiese, of Luverne, has purchased Dot’s Beauty Shop from Eva Borg and took possession Tuesday. The business will hereafter be known as Lillian’s Beauty Shop.
Miss Wiese came here from Litchfield where she has been employed the past 1½ years at the Hollywood Beauty Shop. She will serve as manager-operator of their business, and will be assisted by Elsie Schmidt. The shop is located in the Rock County Bank basement.
 
100 years ago (1923)
•Additional indications of the presence of oil deposits in Rock county, this time in Vienna township, were encountered Thursday afternoon of last week, in drilling for a well on the J. S. Thompson half section farm two and a half miles north of Magnolia, operated by Eli Leech.
First symptoms of oil were in a rock-like formation of a deep bluish color, that when ground fine appears to be putty sand, and while wet has an easily pliable and somewhat adhesive character, but becomes hard when dried.
This was encountered at a depth of about 365 feet, by Well Driller A. C. Ridenour, of Steen, and in connection with this substance, the water being slushed out assumed a decidedly oily surface, in spite of frequent skimmings.
The putty-sand formation was found to be more than fifteen feet in depth and Mr. Ridenour, who is a well driller of many years’ experience, has found this formation before in drilling wells.

Jewell Ann Gimble, 79, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed from this life on June 26, 2023.
Funeral services were July 2 and July 3 and can be viewed on her obituary page at www.georgeboom.com.
Jewell was born on August 11, 1943, in Luverne, Minnesota, to parents Harvey and Ella Carlson. She was the youngest of three siblings and grew up on a farm in Hardwick, near Luverne, where she attended and graduated from high school.
She then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and after earning her teaching degree, she jumped right into work. She taught at Hawthorne Elementary for many years, followed by Cleveland Elementary, from which she retired in 2004. Even after retirement, Jewell continued to get together regularly with her fellow teachers, meeting for coffee, lunch and outings.
It was also during her teaching career that Jewell met Gene “Rusty” Gimble through a mutual friend, and the two were married on August 3, 1968 in Hardwick Minnesota.
Jewell had a quiet strength about her. She never complained in spite of difficult circumstances that came her way.
After the loss of her husband, she continued to center her life around her two children, her students and her steadfast faith. She found joy in God’s creation and could often be found outside enjoying her flower garden.
Jewell’s love for animals, flowers and all things outdoors began in her childhood growing up on the farm, and she shared this love in her classroom, teaching her students about all of the different wildflowers and introducing them to butterflies that they watched grow from caterpillars. She was also a bit of a shopaholic and enjoyed curating the perfect outfit.
Jewell grew up and was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, Minnesota, and she was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Joel Gimble of Sioux Falls; daughter, Wendy (Justin) Nelson and grand-dog, Duck of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; sister Judy Carlson of Luverne; sister-in-law Dianne Carlson of Pipestone, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene “Rusty” Gimble; her brother, Steven Carlson; and her parents-in-law, Eugene and Lois Gimble.

James Russell Hoiland was born to Obert and Alma (Olson) Hoiland in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm southeast of Luverne. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended and graduated from Luverne High School in 1953. During school, Jim loved math and shop class. He also played the saxophone and marched in the very first Tri-State Band Festival.
Following graduation, Jim entered the United States National Guard where he honorably served as a cook from 1956-1962.
In addition to serving his country, Jim began working in carpentry construction. He went on to build many houses in Luverne and the surrounding area.
On February 17, 1957, Jim was united in marriage to Lorena Kindt at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, Minnesota. Jim built their family home in 1958. In 1970 Jim switched career paths and went into farming full time as he and his brother Roger took over the family operation. In January 1997 Jim and Lorena moved into a house in Luverne.
Jim remained active on the farm. He also continued his passion for gardening. He always made a point to share his bounty of vegetable produce intentionally with others in the community throughout his life. He also enjoyed spending time fishing, both on the open water and ice fishing.
Later in life, he offered advice whenever able to his son and grandson in their businesses.
In May of 2023, Jim suffered a mild heart attack. A short time later, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, while at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jim went to be with his Lord at the age of 88 years, three months and 25 days.
Jim was a lifetime member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was proud to have used his carpentry skills to build the education addition for the church in 1967.
He served the church in nearly all capacities during his life and held many offices. He was a school board member for numerous years for the Magnolia, Minnesota, school district. He was a member of the Kompen Cottage Crew where this Norwegian treat was made and enjoyed. As he loved snowmobiling, Jim was a former member of the Rock County Snowmasters. He enjoyed fishing and especially enjoyed the trips he made to Lake Minnewaska and to Canada. Jim will be remembered for his notable saying, “Well sure!”, and his private, but very generous nature.
Jim is lovingly survived by his wife, Lorena; four children, Cheryl (Mark) Laleman of Cottonwood, Minnesota, Marcia (Hank) Bayne of Sioux Falls, Julie (Trevor) Hansen of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Michael (Lynette) Hoiland of Luverne; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Obert and Alma Hoiland, and a brother, Roger Hoiland.
A funeral service was held Monday, June 26, at Bethany Lutheran Church. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. To view Jim’s life tribute video or funeral service, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com. Arrangements were under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home.

A celebration of life for Loren Wenzel (LHS Class of ’63) will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Generations, 105 S. Estey Street, Luverne.
To view obituary and crematory information, please visit https://mullinsmemorial.com/obituaries/loren-alvin-wenzel/

The founders of the United States of America risked everything to form a nation that would be different from any other. Independence and freedom were their goals, and many believed they were fools for taking on a world power like Great Britain.
Our war for independence was won. A person could say that independence is woven into the fabric of our nation and a part of the DNA of every citizen. We are a fiercely independent bunch.
Growing up, I dreamed of the day when I could make all my own decisions. I looked forward to being an adult and not having to always do what I was told. I wanted to be independent.
The older I got and the more independent I became, the more I recognized that I needed relationships with people. As I read the Bible, I learned that I was not created by God to live my life completely independently. We were created by God for community – community  with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and community with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) we read, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” As we can see, the Bible reveals that God didn’t call a person to be his chosen person or one person his royal priest and a nation of one. He chose people to be his royal priesthood and a holy nation. We were not created or saved to be independent. We were created and saved by Jesus’ death on the cross so that we could live together as a community of people belonging to God.
We must continue to make every effort to become one nation under God. It is time we think about what independence really means. We are to live in-dependence on God and in relationship with each other instead of trying to be so independent.