10 years ago (2013)
•The Luverne High School gymnastics program needs a permanent home, and School Board members discussed proposals at their Feb. 21 meeting.
Before the start of the Luverne 2012-2013 gymnastics season, the district was informed that after 22 years of the gymnastics team’s use of the Luverne Armory for practice and meets, the facility did not meet state safety standards.
A Minnesota State High School League rule says no facility with fewer than 19 feet of clearance above any competition area can be used to host meets.
The Armory’s overhead balcony is too close to the athletes who use the vault, according to the High School League rules.
 
25 years ago (1998)
•Luverne High School students will be in Kansas City at Worlds of Fun amusement park this spring, if the junior class can raise enough money to make the trip.
Luverne School Board members informally endorsed the plans at their Feb. 19 meeting.
After-prom committee co-chair Christine Reisch presented the board with the proposed plans, and juniors Jesse Reisch, Tiffany Ward and Carolyn Norton explained how it would work.
Luverne’s prom this year will fall on April 25. Pre-prom and prom schedules will be much like previous years, with a formal dinner at the Country Club, grand march and a traditional dance, which will wrap up at about midnight.
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Jim Brandenburg’s 31-picture exhibition of color photographs taken in Minnesota’s North Woods Country will be on display at the First National Bank of Luverne from March 4-16.
The show opens this Sunday, March 4, with an open house at the First National from 2 to 5 p.m. Brandenburg will be on hand to explain the photos and answer questions.
The exhibit creator is a Luverne native and the son of Mrs. Edward (Buster) Brandenburg of Luverne. In recent years Brandenburg has emerged as one of the state’s top wildlife and journalistic photographers.
 
75 years ago (1948)
•Opening Saturday in the Myhre Studio building on West Main street will be a new ladies ready-to-wear store, Ann’s Apparel.
Owner of the new business is Mrs. Ann Johnson, who for the past six and one-half years has been manager of the ready-to-wear department of a local department store. Prior to coming to Luverne, Mrs. Johnson operated her own store in Rock Rapids, Iowa, for several years.
Mrs. Johnson will specialize in women’s dresses, junior size dresses, lingerie, millinery, and accessories, and states that she has been fortunate to receive a fine array of quality merchandise for spring.
 
100 years ago (1923)
•Merrill Abbey, class of ’23, won first honors in oratoricals at the high school district declamatory contest held Thursday evening of last week at St. James, and will therefore have the honor of representing the second district in the state declamatory contest to be held Friday, March 30th, at Minneapolis.
Four schools competed for this honor, Windom, Sherburn, Peterburg and Luverne, all representatives of which had been winners in the sub-district matches. The subject of Mr. Abbey’s selection was “The Turk Must Go,” and he won unstinted praise on his method of delivery, as we as on the instructive value of his speech.
In Thursday night’s event, Windom was awarded first rank in dramatics. Luverne high school will participate in a triangular debating contest with Windom and Worthington on Friday, March 9th.

Joseph W. “Joe” Rowe, 77, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, after a battle with cancer.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church (1800 S. Katie Ave.). Visitation with family present will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 3, at Miller Funeral Home – Southside Chapel (7400 S. Minnesota Ave.) with wake beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Joseph Rowe was born on March 7, 1945, to Burdell and Alma Rowe in Adrian. When he was three, the family moved to Luverne. Joe graduated from Luverne High School in 1963.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in animal science from the University of Minnesota, Joe started his first job at Swift Meat Packing as a salesman before being drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1968. He served two years before being honorably discharged to care for the family business. He worked for his father at Rowe Quarter Horses, showing and training quarter horses for 11 years. Joe also worked full time for John Morrell & Co. for 30 years as a sales manager from 1971 to 2010.
Joe married Carrie Erickson on June 1, 1968, and they had two daughters, Chris and Kate.
In retirement, Joe worked for Vern Eide Honda, picking up cars and other vehicles from around the country. Joe also became a show judge for horse shows. He had a long relationship with the McCrossan Boys Ranch. He loved horses and mentoring young people.
Joe is survived by his wife, Carrie; his daughters, Chris (Joe) Wallraf and Kate (Jim) Glogowski; grandchildren Jake, Maddie, Ben and Samantha Glogowski and Sy Wallraf; sister Shirley VandenHoek; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law Bob VandenHoek; and his parents-in-law, Don and Bernice Erickson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to McCrossan Boys Ranch. 
(0302 F)

The Luverne wrestling team traveled to Jackson Thursday, Feb. 16, for the first round of the Section 3A Team Tournament. 
The ninth-seeded Cardinals took on No. 8 Wabasso in the first match of the night, and the winner of that contest faced No. 1 seeded Jackson County Central in the second match.
Luverne’s match with Wabasso was close but not good enough to beat the Rabbits who won 42-30 pinning five LHS wrestlers, winning two matches by decision and one by forfeit.
Luverne took six matches, one win by pin, two by decision and three by forfeits by Wabasso.
The Cardinals closed their season with a 11-16 record.
Breakdown by weight-class is as follows:
 
106 – Kaysen Harms (W) over Brody Kopp (L) by fall. Team: L0-W6
113 – Bernie Rock (L) over Nathan Riley (W) 7-1 decision. Team: L3-W6
120 – Ashton Weidermann (W) over Matthew Gangestad (L) by fall. Team: L3-W12
126 – Mikale Goblirsch (W) over Leif Ingebretsen (L) 5-2 decision. Team: L3-W15
132 – Josh Stroh (L) win by forfeit. Team: L9-W15
138 – Gavin Marotzke (W) over Hudson Hough (L) win by fall. Team: L9-W21
145 – Adryen Tietz (W) win by forfeit. Team: L9-W27
152 – Preston Remiger (W) over Cameron McCrary (L) win by fall. Team: L9-W33
160 – DJ Rock (L) over Garrett Marozke (W) win by fall. Team: L15-W33
170 – Mason Kampsen (W) over Cash Bonnett (L) 5-1 decision. Team: L15-W36
182 – Sam Rock (L) over Chase Irlbeck (W) 3-2 decision. Team: L18-W36
Ezekiel Olson (W) over Jacob Madison (L) win by fall. Team: L18-W42
220 – Kane Akkerman (L) win by forfeit. Team: L24-W42
285 – Lucas Madison (L) win by forfeit. Team: L30-W42

Leon Joseph Pick, 78, Rock Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Luverne, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at the Lyons Care Facility in Rock Rapids.
A funeral Mass was Tuesday, Feb. 28, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial was in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
Leon Pick was born to Leonard and Arlene (Fath) Pick on June 4, 1944, in Lismore. He attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and Adrian High School. 
After high school he attended and graduated from Worthington Junior College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Sioux Falls. Leon began his teaching career at Hills-Beaver Creek and taught English and social studies for 31 years. He also started Pick Painting in 1968 and ran that business for 38 years. His son, Dan worked with him for several years.
Leon was an elected leader of his teacher profession for 23 years, including six years as chairman of MEA’s State Negotiation Council and six years as a member of MEA’s Board of Directors. He was named H-BC Teacher of the Year twice. In 1986 he was a state finalist in the Teacher of the Year contest.
Leon was treasurer of the Rock County DFL for six years and also treasurer for the Minnesota Sixth District DFL (26 counties) for six  years. He ran several legislature campaigns in Southwest Minnesota and was a co-coordinator for Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale in the 1970s and 1980s.
Leon was a member and officer of the Luverne Eagles 3403. He was the local secretary and was re-elected state secretary in 2005.
Leon was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne and a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Marshall. He and his wife Mary started L&M Housing in 1988 and Leon was a real estate salesperson.
Leon enjoyed being with his wife Mary, watching the Twins, Yankees and Vikings. He liked being with friends at their Lake Benton cabin and traveling, especially to Las Vegas and Hawaii.
Leon is survived by his wife Mary; children Daniel (Diane) Pick of Luverne, Julie (Craig) Becker of Sioux Falls, and Jackie Pick of Sioux Falls;  stepchildren Rob (Holli) Arp of Jackson and Jodi (Jason) Bosch of Luverne; grandchildren  Thomas and Sydney Becker of Sioux Falls;  step-grandchildren  Nicholas and Kayla Arp of Jackson and Cole (Bryan) Bosch of Jefferson, Gracie (Erik) Ode of Brandon, South Dakota, and Luke Bosh of Luverne; one great-stepgrandchild; and a brother, Duane (Jana) Pick of Edgerton.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(0302 F)

The Luverne gymnastics team traveled to Pipestone Saturday, Feb. 18, for the Section 3A team and individual tournament.
The seven teams competing included the host Pipestone, Worthington, Windom, Marshall, Redwood, Jackson and Luverne.
Among the teams were 154 total gymnasts performing for all-around and individual placing to move on to state.
“This is the best season record I have had since starting at Luverne. It also has been one of my most enjoyable seasons,” head coach Phobe Flom said. 
“The girls are so talented and so self-motivated it makes my job incredibly easy.” 
The Cardinals, set their sights high to move on to the state team tournament.
Unfortunately, Worthington dashed those dreams beating out Luverne in the team competition and moving on to state.
Worthington won with a team combined score of 143.925, Luverne took second place with a 134.275 combined team score. 
Jackson placed third with a 131.875, Redwood was fourth with a 130.875, Pipestone took fifth with a 129.600, sixth place went to Marshall with a 124.250 and Windom placed seventh with a 120.925.
The Cardinals have missed the opportunity to move on as a team, but they are sending two gymnasts to compete in the state individual events.
Sophomore Ella Residorfer qualified for the state all-around competition taking second in sections with a 36.075 combined all-around score.
Reisdorfer will compete in all four individual events; vault, bars, bean and floor, with the opportunity to place five times at the state level.
Sophomore Amira Cowell will represent Luverne on vault and bars at the state tournament.
Cowell qualified with a third place on vault scoring 9.125 in sections and third on the bars with an 8.350.
This will be Reisdorfer’s fourth-straight appearance at state and Cowell’s second invite. 
“I had all these girls since early elementary so it’s a very ‘family’ like atmosphere,” Flom said.
“It’s an amazing feeling watching them succeed at this level and conquer their goals.  I can’t put into words how proud I am. Every girl on this team is very talented and we are young. I cannot wait to see what is in the future for them.”
Luverne had many great performances at sections this year. Here is a breakdown of how the Cardinals did in each event.
 
All-around:
Ella Reisdorfer – 36.075, second (state qualified)
Amira Cowell –34.025, tenth
Sarah DeCesare – 31.050, sixteenth  
 
Vault:
Ella Reisdorfer – 9.175, fourth (state qualified)
Amira Cowell – 9.125, fifth, 
(state qualified)
Kendra Thorson – 8.650, tenth 
Kianna Winter – 8.550, thirteenth 
Sarah DeCesare – 8.050, thirty-first
 
Bars:
Ella Reisdorfer – 9.200, first, 
(state qualified)
Amira Cowell – 8.350, sixth
(state qualified)
Sarah DeCesare – 7.250, twenty-third 
Addyson Mann – 7.175, twenty-fifth
Reagan Gangestad – 6.150, thirty-second
 
Beam:
Ella Reisdorfer – 8.750, seventh 
(state qualified)
Addyson Mann – 8.625, ninth
Sarah DeCesare – 8.100, fifteenth
Amira Cowell – 8.025, sixteenth 
Reagan Gangestad – 7.850, nineteenth 
 
Floor:
Ella Reisdorfer – 8.950, ninth 
(state qualified)
Amira Cowell – 8.525, thirteenth
Kianna Winter – 8.175, seventeenth, 
Sarah DeCesare – 7.650, twenty-fifth, 
Addyson Mann – 7.575, twenty-sixth

Shirley DeBates, age 89, of Pipestone, Minnesota, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Pipestone Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, March 1, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Burial was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Jasper.
Shirley Ann Dickey was born on February 16, 1934, to Fred and Florence (McEnaney) Dickey in Rock Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. She was the youngest of ten children. Her father died when she was eight years old. The family came together and continued to farm, with the children who were able, pitching in to help. Shirley helped with chores and gathered eggs. They eventually left the farm and moved to town. She and her mother and sister moved into a house in Pipestone, where Shirley continued attending school. As a child, she loved horses and bicycles. She loved chocolate, especially chocolate crème drops, (which she continued to receive as Christmas gifts right through this past year).
After school, Shirley worked as a roller-skating carhop at Lange’s Café. She met Francis “Spike” DeBates while out at Jerry’s Juke Joint north of Pipestone. The couple began dating and were united in marriage on January 20, 1951. In 1955 their young family moved to Roseville, Michigan, and Shirley continued as a homemaker. In 1971 they returned to the area and moved to Hardwick, Minnesota. Shirley was a cook for a time at the grade school and waited tables and tended bar at the Green Lantern bar/restaurant and at KJ’s.
In 2014 Shirley moved into the Sunrise Village assisted living in Jasper, Minnesota. In 2020 she moved to Falls Landing assisted living in Pipestone.
Shirley loved music and dancing. She was very proud of her Irish heritage, and you could often find her listening to the Irish Tenors and to Daniel O’Donnell, whom she saw in person. She taught her children how to dance to the old-time music.
Shirley liked playing cards, cross stitching, sewing and quilting, baking, and reading. She enjoyed cooking and loved to have gatherings with her family and friends for big meals. Shirley loved fishing for bullheads with her sister Gene. Her sons were both avid fishermen as well, and many walleye fish fries shared yet again with family and friends followed successful fishing trips.
Shirley was “Minnesota nice” and came complete with a frequent “uff da.” Her children will fondly remember a couple of her responses, including when being asked, “Where are you going, Mom?” often she replied with, “Crazy! You want to come along?” When asked, “How are you doing?” she replied with, “Same stuff, different day.”
Shirley despised lies. She often said, “You can always remember the truth, but you can’t always remember the lies.” Although she loved music, she sometimes got the lyrics a little bit wrong. For instance, “Sweet Caroline” became “Please don’t cry.” Shirley knew her grammar and made sure each of her seven children did, too!
Shirley is lovingly survived by her five children, Debi (Rick) Ripper of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Becky (Dave) Nankivel of Tea, South Dakota, Joni Keller of Broomfield, Colorado, Kim (John) Kendall of La Veta, Colorado, and David DeBates of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; daughter-in-law Sandy DeBates of Loveland, Colorado; son-in-law Tom Lehmann of Broomfield; 15 grandchildren, Jennifer Ripper, Miranda Ripper, Ricky Ripper, Michael Reisch, Chris Reisch, David Reisch, Carly Waldorf, Cammie Schwindt, Sheila Wayland, Jesse Hildebrandt, Cody Hildebrandt, Parker DeBates, Nick Lehmann, Robert Lehmann, and Elizabeth Lehmann; 14 great-grandchildren, Maxwell Pomeroy, Alexis Ripper, Caden Waldorf, Cassidy Waldorf, Mya Schwindt, Beckett Schwindt, Sydney Sullivan, Taylor Reisch, Oliver Reisch, Elsa Reisch, Mira Reisch, Madeline Reisch, Peyton Reisch and Carlos Valdez; four great-great-grandchildren, Damien Sullivan, Cade Sullivan, Stetson Bohnenkamp and Leyla Valdez; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son Jim DeBates; daughter Jeanie Lehmann; son-in-law Conrad Keller; and all nine of her siblings, Frances Adams, Freda Terhark, Edith Marquardsen, Verna Dickey, Ruby Hansen, Gene Wittrock, Vernon Dickey, Joyce Hansen and Betty DeSchepper.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Pipestone, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0302 V)

Lester R. Baustian, 92, Luverne, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, at the Bethany Lutheran Home in Brandon, South Dakota.
A funeral Mass was Monday, Feb. 27, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial was in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
Lester Baustian was born May 13, 1930, in Luverne, to Walter Sr. and Frances (Brandenberg) Baustian on the farm in Denver Township near Hardwick. He attended school at the Springwater Township School. When he was in fourth grade, the family moved to a farm near Trosky for three years. Then they moved to a farm southwest of Luverne, and the children attended school in Luverne. Later they moved northwest of Luverne.
After graduation from Luverne High School in 1948, Lester joined the Army National Guard meetings in Luverne. He went into active duty in January 1951 and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1952. While in service he served at Ft. Rucker in Alabama.
Lester married Leora Schievelbein of Humboldt, South Dakota, at St. Catherine Catholic Church on April 18, 1956. Lester farmed from 1952 until retirement in 1996 when son Brian took over the farming. Lester joined the National Farmers Organization in March 1964. He was chairman of Rock County NFO from 1965 until 1970 and then bargaining coordinator five years. He holds a lifetime membership of the NFO (National Farmers Organization).
Lester began selling O’s Gold Seed in 1971. He won many rewards and plaques, as well as trips to Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Cancun. He also was a member of the Minnesota and National Corn Growers Association and Minnesota Soybean Association and served on the Rock County Board of Soybean Association.
Lester served as a supervisor on Springwater Township Board for three years. Lester was very involved in conservation, and his farm practices included terraces to slow soil loss and washouts and contouring crops, as well as a pond and grassed waterways throughout the farm to stop erosion.
Gardening was always Lester’s love and for many years all his children helped grow, pick and can 200 to 300 jars of foods for winter.
Lester also had an Honorary Life Membership of the American Legion, Post 0478, Hardwick, for 26 years in 2006.
Lester was confirmed in the Catholic faith at age 11 at St. Joseph’s Church in Jasper. He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne and became a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Knights of Columbus in 1958. Lester loved singing and sang in the choir at St. Catherine for 15 years and cantored for eight years.
Les and Leora enjoyed dancing, especially square dancing, and became members of the Hollyhoppers Square Dance Club in Jasper in 1970. They served on the square dance board for two years. They participated in numerous square dancing events and traveled to many places including San Diego and Hawaii.
         Lester is survived by his seven children, Paul (Denae) Baustian of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Brian (Barb) Baustian of Garretson, South Dakota, Anne (Doug) Horst of Piedmont, South Dakota, Greg Baustian of Worthington, Susan (Steve Mitchell) Baustian, of Hudson, Wisconsin, Kevin (Wendy) Baustian of Loudon, Tennessee, and Mary (Don) Olson of Dennison; 27 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Neva Clausen, of Luverne, and Sr. Joan Baustian of Detroit, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Leora, on July 4, 2017; a son, Robert Baustian, in 2003; and an infant child.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
 (0302 F)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
I was driving home from college when it happened. I had been on that road more times than I could count. I had seen everything there was to see on that road. There was never anything new.
On a Saturday morning I set off for home. Leaving school behind, I was looking forward to seeing my family. I turned on a tape and away I went. The road provided nothing new and I stared out the front windshield as I drove.
I am not exactly sure when, but at some point as I stared at the road ahead, I quit paying attention. Before I knew it, I was just a couple of miles from home. I thought to myself how did I get here. I had just been driving 50 miles and couldn’t remember any of them. The roads were so familiar, that I didn’t pay attention. I just went through the motions. It is like I was on auto-pilot and not really conscious of my surroundings.
I think there is a tendency to go through life like that. Things are just so familiar to us that we just quit paying attention. We take life for granted without even realizing it. We live on auto-pilot until something happens that awakens us and jolts us into paying attention.
Fear can do that kind of thing, and fear is a tool that Satan uses to control. The world we live in and the people we live around have been victimized by fear. Covid-19 has awoken me to this fact.
How can Christians, people who believe in the one true God, be victims of fear? Isaiah 41 commands us not to fear and for good reason. We don’t need to fear because God is with us. There is nothing that anyone or anything in this world can do to us that will take us out of God’s loving care.
Satan is trying to control us with fear. He is trying to make you and I believe that we need to be worried. Satan wants us to live scared. He wants us to refuse to trust each other and ultimately convince us not to trust in God.
We can’t let this happen. As followers of Jesus, we need to live into the truth we find in scripture. Fear not and do not be anxious about anything; instead live within the peace of God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The Luverne girls’ hockey team is headed to state playoffs after the Cardinals took down New Ulm 4-0 in St. Peter on Feb. 14 to claim the 2023 Section 3A Championship trophy.
This is Luverne’s fourth year in a row being crowned the 3A Champs, but the Cardinals have yet to win a game at state.
The Cardinal girls’ hockey teamwill play their first game Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Xcel Energy Center against Oreno at 1pm.
Luverne’s seeding and opponent draw could change the Cardinals’ outcome this year for a chance to win against larger metro teams.
 
Section 3A Championship Game
For those who braved the elements to attend the Valentine’s Day game in St. Peter were not disappointed. 
It was the third time the Cardinals beat New Ulm this year, after taking down the Eagles 4-1 in their season opener Nov. 15 in New Ulm. 
The two teams met again at the Blue Mound Ice Arena in Luverne Jan. 19, when the Cardinals claimed 4-1 win over Eagles. 
Tuesday’s 4-0 win iced the Cardinals’ ticket to state.
The first period was a back-and-forth game with both teams not wanting to get caught making a mistake and giving up a goal.
The Cardinals had 10 shots on the Eagles goalie, but she stood strong and shut Luverne down.
New Ulm placed five shots on senior Mallory Von Tersch, but she deflected them with ease.
The first period closed in a scoreless 17 minutes of play.
In the second period Luverne stepped up its puck control and attacks on the New Ulm goalkeeper.
Finally, at 5:30 in the second period, senior Kamryn Van Batavia scored Luverne’s first goal. 
She beat the Eagles goalie by drawing her out of the net and sneaking a backside stick shot past her pads.
Van Batavia was assisted by her little sister, seventh-grader Ella Van Batavia, and sophomore Payton Behr.
From that point, it felt like a weight was lifted and The Cardinals were free to have fun and play their game.
Payton Behr scored Luverne’s second goal at 10:14 driving directly at the Eagle goalie and beating her below the pads to the back of the net.
Behr was assisted by Kamryn Van Batavia and eighth-grader Kassidy Saarloos.
The second period ended with Luverne in command with a 2-0 lead.
Second period shots on goal favored Luverne 9-4.
In the third period The Cardinals kept up their pressure play and controlled the puck.
At 10:09 in the third period Kamryn Van Batavia had a breakaway shot bounce off the Eagles goalie. 
Eighth-grader Izzy Steensma was able to follow the deflection to the side of the net and poke it in behind the goalie scoring Luverne’s third goal.
Kamryn Van Batavia scored her second goal at 11:24 in the third period with a goalie beating breakaway wrist shot.
She was assisted by Ella Van Batavia and fellow senior Mallory Nelson.
The game ended with Luverne winning 4-0 against New Ulm.
LHS senior goalie Mallory Von Tersch faced 15 shots in the game deflecting all of them to get her ninth shut out for the season.