Loren Ask, 78, of rural Kenneth, Minnesota, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital.
Visitation was Thursday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Loren Lynn Ask was born on June 2, 1944, to James and Dorothy (Hunsdal) Ask in Luverne, Minnesota. He was baptized on June 25, 1944, and confirmed on Oct. 26, 1958, at Blue Mound Lutheran Church. He was raised on his parents’ farm south of Kenneth. Loren attended school in Kenneth through the sixth grade and then attended and graduated from Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Minnesota, with the Class of ’62. He attended one year of college in Mankato.
On September 28, 1963, Loren married Lucille Moen at Lake Wilson Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, Minnesota. The couple moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1963 and returned to Kenneth in 1964, living on Loren’s grandparents’ farm north of town. Their 60-year marriage was blessed with three children and nine grandchildren.
Growing up, the family took many cross-country trips, often traveling without any maps. It never failed that before leaving the driveway, Loren would be heard asking for someone to hand him a sandwich.
Loren had a plethora of careers. He worked for Burlington Northern and Milwaukee Railroads as a fireman, worked in the plastic and steel industry in St. Paul, drove 18-wheelers, and taught truck driving at Austin Technical Institute. Loren’s latest career was driving for various charter bus companies, retiring from Reading Bus Lines in 2011. Even after retirement, Loren would still be easily recognized and will be forever remembered for wearing shorts and his Reading Bus Line blue shirt.
However, with all of his careers, his passion was farming. When he wasn’t farming himself, he enjoyed watching others in the field from his deck and looking at tractors on Tractorhouse.com.
He was very good with storytelling and had an ability to make friends wherever he went. He easily filled up his extra time following his children’s lives, watching and attending his grandchildren’s activities, and socializing with almost any person that came across his path.
Loren was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton. He was a former member of Kenneth Lutheran Church where he served on many leadership positions and was involved in the M2M prison ministry program. He was a regular attendee at the Kenneth Store Coffee Club. Loren would rarely miss a good farm sale and had many other interests. He enjoyed collecting tractors and participating in tractor parades; he loved trains and draft horses. He even received his pilot’s license so he could fly Cesna airplanes. Wherever he went, Loren was sure to have a hat on his head. Some of his favorites through the years were his LA, John Deere, Augie Soccer, and “Artni’s Grandpa” hats.
Loren set a good example for his family. He worked hard, but made sure to have time to visit with his family and others. He deeply loved his wife, Lucy. He took pride in his grandchildren and made sure to tell each one of them that “they were his favorite.”
Those grateful to have shared in Loren’s story include his wife, Lucy; three children, Lori Witte (Tim Levitt) of Luverne, Les (Rachel) Ask of Luverne, and LeRoy (Laura) Ask of Brandon, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, Lauren Witte (Scott Cerny), Alexander (Shannon) Ask, Paul Witte, Ashley Ask, Meghan Witte, Hayden Ask, Adam Ask, Julia Ask, and Bergen Ask; two sisters, Doris Nelson of Alamo, Texas and Cherylee Ask of Cold Springs, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Paul Stanley Witte, Jr., and parents, James and Dorothy Ask.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0216 V)

(Written and submitted by Vikki Golla Joseph)
My Danish sister, Helga Lybye Dahlgaard, died of Parkinson’s Jan. 19, 2023.
She was born Oct. 9, 1943, and at age 16 she chose to become Luverne’s first female AFS student and was a true gift to our whole Golla family! Her Luverne classmates helped her fit right in and she adored them! Her graduation in 1961 was bittersweet for Helga and me, so my parents eased our pain by sending me to spend all summer with her and her family in Denmark after my graduation in 1962! Then I understood how deeply “American” she had become as I loved “being Danish” with her family for those three months.
Helga went on to become a very devoted teacher – of English! She also worked with Denmark’s AFS office the rest of her life to promote the program personally.
Helga loved hiking, biking, badminton, being fit and active, and she married a great guy, Peter Dahlgaard, who shared her activities! They have two daughters, Louise and Rikke, who both married and gave Helga a total of five grandkids to be even more active with!
Helga and Peter were worldwide travelers, including several trips back to us in Minnesota, and I was blessed to visit them in Denmark two more times!
To know Helga was to love her spunk, her humor, her kindness and willingness to try life’s best! She’s gone too soon and is forever the best sister I ever had!
(0216 V)

Deborah M. Javner, 55, Hardwick, died at her home on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.
A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Pipestone. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton. Burial will follow at Ruthton City Cemetery.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Pipestone, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0216 DN)

Duane A. Luke, 76, Luverne, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne, as well as one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial will follow at St.  Catherine Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements are provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(0216 DN)

Roman Lenz, 95, Luverne, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A time of fellowship will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. A memorial Mass will be Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the St. Mary Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Arrangements are provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(0216 DN)

Denis Gerardo Gomez Cruz, 37, Adrian, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at his home.
A funeral Mass will be at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Worthington. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in Honduras.
Arrangements are provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Adrian, dingmannandsons.com.
(0216 DN)

As a father of three children, I have the privilege to view things differently. And if you have children, you know what I mean in regard to how kids see things differently than adults. They don’t care if things are messy or clean. They don’t care about schedules, money, or things that seem to matter most to adults.
Something that I realized recently is the perspective kids have on Band-aids and injuries. My daughter right now seems to think the more Band-Aids on her the better. Even if there is not an actual injury, scratch or pain, there seems to be a need for Band-Aids. Even with other kids, if they break something and need a cast on, they make sure everyone knows and signs it.
Yet, when an adult has something happen to them, we make sure we get the most skin-like colored bandage so no one knows. We make sure that if there is any kind of injury in our life that happens, we want it covered, unnoticed, and do our best to make it not as a big deal as it may actually be.
Unfortunately, this kind of thinking about pain, injuries and hurts transfers over into our relationship with God as well if we are not aware of it. Instead of being like a child and showing God our wounds and pain, we seem to think he doesn’t want anything to do with us when we are hurting. We don’t like the idea of being weak and out of control, so we think that God doesn’t want us that way either.
Thankfully his thinking is different from ours. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 51:17 tells us, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, oh God, you will not despise.” And Jesus in Matthew 9:9-12, when being questioned by the religious leaders why he hangs out with sinners and tax collectors, responded that he didn’t come for the healthy, but for the sick.
Many times in our walk with God we think that he will accept us as we are, but once we are his, we need to clean ourselves up and we are on our own.
Shouldn't we be strong enough by now to not need his help? Shouldn’t we make sure we are perfect before him? Should we clean ourselves up by now because he surely can’t love us with our Band-Aids and bruises, right?
Wrong. He is very interested in the places of hurt, pain, addiction and wounds that we don’t want him to see (even though he sees them). Jesus’ mission statement for why he came in Luke 4 was to preach to the poor, bring freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free. Of course after he told people this in the synagogue, they wanted to kill him. Which is usually how religious people respond when they hear that they actually need help and saving.
A religious heart, like the elder brother in the prodigal son, sees others' sins before he sees his own. He doesn’t rejoice with those who were broken and made whole, he despises them. There is a brother coming home with Band-Aids and is healed through the father’s love, and there is a brother in the field covered in Band-Aids, unwilling to show his pain and hurt.
So what do we do? How do we come to God with our brokenness, pain, hurt and injuries? Is there a formula or some confessions we need to give him to unlock a code?
No. The key is talking to him and talking to others. When we talk to him about what is actually going on and are real with him, he hears us. He knows what we need even before we ask him. He is the Father that wants to take the bandages off, the casts off, and is not scared of seeing them on us as well.
He is the healer but he also gives us a community to help us with our wounds. Christianity is not done on an island. James 5:16 tells us when we confess our sins and pray for each other there is healing that happens. But if we keep hiding our wounds, scars, and sins from each other there is no real healing. Just a pseudo community.
So if you have wounds today that you are covering up because you think that God would be mad about them, it’s time to become childlike and show God your Band-Aids and bruises.
So stop hiding in the dark and come into the light where there is life, healing and hope. It is there you will find real healing, restoration and freedom.

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Joe Steenholdt, Pastor
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays: 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, Feb. 16: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, Feb. 19: 9 a.m. Worship Service 10 a.m. Fellowship Coffee. NO Sunday School & Drums. Monday, Feb. 20: Grace Notes deadline. Tuesday, Feb. 21: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Feb. 22: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. 9 a.m. Spring cleaning. 5:30 p.m. Glow Praise Band. 6:45 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service with Holy Communion. 7:30 p.m. Voices of Grace rehearsal. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sunday: 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Friday, Feb. 17: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, Feb. 19: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. Tuesday, Feb. 21: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Feb. 22: 5:30 p.m. Midweek meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Clubs and Youth Groups. CommServices are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Saturday, Feb. 18: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Feb. 19: 9:30 a.m. FUEL/Adult Sunday school. 9:45 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. 6 p.m. ALIVE Youth Group. Monday, Feb. 20: 6:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Messenger deadline. Tuesday, Feb. 21: 10 a.m. Shut-in visits. 6:30 p.m. PPR meeting. Wednesday, Feb. 22: 5:30 p.m. Community Meal. 6:15 p.m. FUEL and Confirmation. 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service at Presbyterian Church. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sundays: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:15 a.m. Worship service. Youth Sunday school during worship service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Fellowship Time. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. 6:30 p.m. Kids for Christ. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org. Holy Communion is offered on 2nd and 4th weekends and Liturgical Feasts.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Thursday, Feb. 16: Parish council meeting at Palisade Lutheran Church. Sunday, Feb. 19: 10:30 a.m. Worship at First Lutheran Church. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. Tuesday, Feb. 21: First Lutheran council meeting. Wednesday, Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday service at First Lutheran. All are welcome. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Thursday, Feb. 16: Parish Council meeting at Palisade Lutheran Church. Sunday, Feb. 19: 9 a.m. Worship Service at Palisade Lutheran Church. 10 a.m. Sunday School. Wednesday, Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday service at First Lutheran.
We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor