Alvin Arthur Blom, 92, Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Alvin Arthur Blom was born on Oct. 27, 1930, to Chris and Josie (Westenberg) Blom in Leota. He was baptized in 1930 and confirmed on Dec. 6, 1948, both at the Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. He was raised on the family farm east of Leota and attended country school through the eighth grade.
In 1952 Alvin was drafted into the United States Marines. On June 20, 1952, he married Gladys Van Essen at the Naval Chapel in Bremerton, Washington. The couple made their home in Bremerton until 1954 when Alvin was honorably discharged.
The couple moved back to Leota where Alvin began farming. In 1964 they began a dry cleaning business in Edgerton, which they operated until 1976 when they moved their business to Luverne. They continued to operate the business until their retirement in 1995.
In retirement Alvin and Gladys both remained very active within the community. Gladys died on July 24, 2018.
Alvin was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. He held the offices of elder and deacon. Alvin enjoyed camping and annual summer road trips to California to visit family.
Throughout his life, Alvin worked alongside his wife, Gladys. They knew the value of hard work and enjoyed the relationships made through their work and being able to help others.
Alvin is survived by his three children, Glenda (Arlyn) Hofland of Sioux City, Iowa, Rhonda (David) Wynia of Luverne, and Terry Blom of San Antonio, Texas; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings Glenn (Geraldine) Blom of Leota, Caroline (Frank) Vander Woude of Chandler, and Earl (Marsha) Blom of Luverne; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; his parents; brothers Dick (Pauline) Blom and Don (Lois) Blom; and a great-grandson, Jason Hofland.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(1112 F)

Charlotte Rae Twito, 87, Luverne, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service was Thursday, Jan. 5, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Charlotte Rae Wickwire was born on Jan. 20, 1935, to Milford and Ardath (Elsberry) Wickwire in Lehigh, Iowa. She spent her childhood in Lehigh, graduating from Lehigh High School in 1953.
After graduation, she began her life with her husband, Kenneth Twito. She followed Kenneth as he enlisted in the Army and traveled to Fort Benning in Muscogee County, Georgia, where the couple was united in marriage on Jan. 29, 1955. When Kenneth returned from service in 1956, the couple moved to Dayton, Iowa, and then to Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, in 1960. In 1964 they moved to Luverne, where Charlotte began selling Avon while Kenneth worked for the city. In 1982 the family moved to Breckenridge. After Kenneth’s death in 1989, Charlotte returned to Luverne. She continued selling Avon for a number of years and helped on and off with her daughter’s day care. She continued living at home until her health complications brought her to the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
Charlotte loved time with her family. Whether playing games like pinochle or Uno, taking a trip to the casino, going out to eat at Dar’s Pizza, or just sitting and watching the geese, she loved sharing her life with her children, grandchildren and friends. Christmas was her favorite time of year, especially when all of her family was able to be together.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, where she served in the Circle and for the hospitality group. She traveled with the Prime Timers, her favorite trip being the Alaskan Cruise. She also enjoyed her morning breakfasts at McDonald’s with her friends.
Charlotte is survived by her children, JoLeah Mann of Luverne, Rodney (Joni) Twito of Fosston, and Jeff (Brenda) Twito of Mesa, Arizona; grandchildren Anthony (Candice), Sarah (Bryan), Reba, Emma, Bryan, Kelsey, and Alyssa; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Twito; grandson Nick Mann; and brother, Robert Wickwire.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0112 F)

H-BC School Board 
meets Nov. 16
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
Nov. 16, 2022
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave, Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Bosch, Fransman, Gehrke, Harnack, Rauk and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger and
Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board member Knobloch was
absent.
Motion by Bosch, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve the agenda.
Visitors to the meeting were Mavis Fodness and Travis Helgeson.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-Veterans Day Program- Thanks to all that participated and Mrs. Oftedahl
for organizing.
-Secondary Band Concert- 11/3
-Varsity Volleyball - All Conference- Honorable Mention- Larissa Steinhoff
-Varsity Volleyball ACADEMIC - All Conference- Malli Ternus
-Varsity Football- All Conference- Beau Bakken, Sawyer Bosch, Brayden
Metzger, 
Cody Moser, Riley Tatge and Honorable Mention: Luke Fuerstenberg and Alex
Harris
-Varsity Football ACADEMIC- All Conference- Micah Bush, Jamin
Metzger, Beau Bakken, Jack Moser, Jackson Gacke, Blake
Leenderts, Justin Roelfs, Brayden Metzger, Cody Moser
-Brayden Metzger- 9-Man Academic ALL STATE.
-Augustana Band Festival this past weekend- Tyrae Goodface and Clara -American Education Week
BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS:
Staff Development- 11/2, Transportation- 11/16
Motion by Fransman, second by Harnack, and carried to approve Consent Agenda:
-Minutes—10/24/2022
-Bills
Motion by Bosch, second by Fransman, and carried to approve Resolution to Canvass Board member Election Results from Board Election November 8, 2022.
Motion by Harnack, second by Rauk, and carried to approve Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Certificates of Election and Directing School District Clerk to Perform Other Election Related Duties.
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Fransman, and carried to
approve Donation Resolution:
$300.00 from Joan and Segundo Velasquez for Cornerstone Plaque at 
H-BC Secondary School
$260.00 from Anonymous for Girls Basketball Student Activity Account 
$250.00 from Dan and Marie LaRock for Girls Basketball Student Activity Account
$100.00 from Ray Vander Wolde for School Lunch Program
$30.00 from Blackbaud Giving Fund for Elementary Student Council
$30.00 from Blackbaud Giving Fund for Secondary Student Council Motion by Bosch, second by Harnack, and carried to approve Quotes for Sale of 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan.
Motion by Rauk, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve Quotes for 
Sale of 2010 Chevrolet Suburban.
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Secondary Principal Report
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Regular Board Meeting, Monday, November 28
-Regular Board Meeting, Monday, December 12
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(01-12)

Smook Estate Order and Notice to Creditors
STATE OF MINNESOTA probate COURT
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                     PROBATE DIVISION
 
In Re: Estate of                                                              Court File No. 67-PR-22-305
Christopher Jon Smook, a/k/a Christopher J. Smook,           
a/k/a Christopher Smook,                                
Deceased   ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING
ON PETITION FOR ADJUDICATION OF                                          
INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP
AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR IN
  SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION
AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
 
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:
It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 30th day of January, 2023, at  8:30 O'clock  A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship and for the appointment of Alexis Jean Smook, whose address is 209 West 3rd St., Hills, Minnesota 56138, as administrator of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said administrator will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate.  Upon completion of the administration, the administrator shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate.
Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.
 
Date Filed: December 28, 2022 /s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Natalie Reisch Attorney for Petitioner Court Administrator
Eisma and Eisma
130 East Main (COURT SEAL)
Luverne, MN 56156
(507) 283-4828
I.D. #158343    
(01-12, 01-19)

Carol Ann Haycraft, 82, Luverne, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at the Fairmont Hospital in Fairmont.
Visitation with a prayer service was Saturday, Jan. 7, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Burial followed at St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
Carol Mielke was born to Leonard and Marcella (Mueller) Mielke at their home in New Ulm, Minnesota, on May 1, 1940. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in New Ulm. She attended school in New Ulm and graduated from Holy Trinity Cathedral in 1958. She worked for the New Ulm Daily Journal for much of her childhood and young adult years. She delivered the New Ulm Daily Journal at a young age, then worked as a teletype setter, and in high school and after graduation she worked in the advertising office of the Journal.
Carol married Richard Haycraft on Sept. 24, 1960, at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Following their marriage, they resided in New Ulm and then moved around for a few years before settling down in Luverne.
Carol started working at the Luverne Elementary School as the school secretary in 1974. She was recognized as the Friend of Education for the Luverne School District in 1989. Carol retired from her position in 2002. In retirement she worked as a receptionist at Salon 75 until 2017. In January 2021 Carol moved to Fairmont and became a resident at the Goldfinch Estates memory care facility.
Carol was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Carol and her husband, Richard, enjoyed lake time at their cabins with their kids and grandkids. They had a place on West Okoboji, then bought a small cabin on Lake Darling in Alexandria, and eventually bought a place called “Ethan’s Little Acres,” a former resort on Lake Ida in Alexandria, with accommodations for all of their family, including siblings.
Carol’s hobbies included scrapbooking, making quilts for family members, golf, bowling and Farkel. She also loved to cook her favorite German food and was a collector of angels, dolls and miniature shoes. She enjoyed coffee and weekend outings with her friends. Carol also cherished time spent with her family, watching her grandkids grow up and attending their many sport and school events.
Carol is survived by her three children, Cory (Larry) Ziegler of Luverne, Randy (Kim) Haycraft of Fairmont, and Chris Haycraft (Mark Vargo) of Blaine; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth (Dick) Koppen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Jan Ginn of New Ulm; a brother, Leonard Mielke of Cedar; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (1991); her parents; and a brother, Richard “Blackie” Mielke.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0112 F)

Leonard “Shorty” Leenderts, 88, Hills, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service was Tuesday, Jan. 10, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Memory Gardens cemetery in Luverne.
Leonard Leenderts was born April 5, 1934, at the family farm near Ellsworth, Minnesota, the son of Abel and Rakie (Mulder) Leenderts. He was raised in the Steen area and attended country school District 61 through eighth grade.
     On Dec. 30, 1956, he married Lois Reemts while home on leave from the U.S. Army. They were then stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. In 1958 he was honorably discharged and returned to the area after the sudden death of his father.
     During their marriage, they were blessed with four children, Alan, Lori, Kristie and David. On April 8, 2002, Shorty’s wife of 45 years died suddenly.
Shorty married Delores (Timmer) VandeKamp on Sept. 3, 2005.
He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne and served on various church boards. He was a member of the Hills Lions Club, Hills Community Club, Rock County Farm Bureau and a 4-H leader/supporter for many years. He served as Martin Township treasurer for 41 years. He was an avid bowler in his younger years, active in the Men’s League and Couples League. He enjoyed woodworking, buying and selling cattle at the sale barn and most of all watching his children and grandchildren's activities. Shorty continued to be active in the farming operation and never retired.
Shorty is survived by his wife, Delores Leenderts of Hills; four children, Alan (Bonnie) Leenderts of Hills, Lori (Tor) Boen of Luverne, Kristie (Pete) Jessen of Jasper, and David (Dawn) Leenderts of Hills; three stepchildren, Gregory (Denise) VandeKamp of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Arlyn (Patti) VandeKamp of Hardwick, and Pam Tieszen of Luverne; 12 grandchildren, Aric, Tracee, Michael, Jessica, Daniel, Timothy, Ashley, Matthew, Dawson, Donavon, Danette and Drew; five stepgrandchildren, Abby, Dezarae, Drew, Darius, Dylan; 38 great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold (Torborg) Leenderts of Oslo, Norway; a sister, Henrietta Hughes of Portsmouth, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lois Leenderts; a sister, Reva Hoff; and two brothers, Richard and James Leenderts.
Arrangements were provided by Jurrens Funeral Home, jurrensfuneralhome.com.
(0112 F)

Renita M. Schlegel, 64, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Lincoln.
A memorial service was Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Butherus Maser and Love Funeral Home in Lincoln.
Renita Johnson was born on Dec 17, 1958, to Clifford and Leona (Sveeggen) Johnson in Luverne.  She grew up in Luverne and graduated from Luverne High School in 1977.  In her younger years she was a member of Rock County K-9s 4-H.
Renita moved from Luverne to Sioux Falls before moving to Lincoln in 1993 with her then husband Glen and son Shaun.  She worked for several years in customer service.
Renita enjoyed playing poker and spending time with her son, friends and family.
On Dec. 11, 2015, she married Ken Schlegel Sr.
Renita is survived by her son, Shaun Westerbur; brother Daniel Johnson; many friends; extended family; and her first husband, Glen Westerbur.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her second husband, Ken Schlegel Sr. 
Arrangements were provided by Butherus Maser and Love Funeral Home in Lincoln.
(0112 F)

Luverne wrestlers started the new year with a fourth-place finish out of 12 teams at the Jesse James Invitational Saturday, Jan. 7, in Garretson, South Dakota.
Having placed 10th as a team last year, the Cardinals showed great improvement, according to coach Jordan Kopp.
“The kids wrestled well and it was good to get back to wrestling after the long break,” he said.  
Individually Luverne had 11 wrestlers reach the podium at the event.
DJ Rock took home first place in the 160-pound weight class.
Second-place finishers were Hudson Hough at 132, Sam Rock at 170 and Jacob Madison at 182.
Placing third were Matthew Gangestad in the 120-pound weight class and Josh Stroh at 132.
The Luverne girls each claimed a place at the Jesse James tournament.
Bernie Rock took home first place in the 113-pound weight class.
Placing second were Zakada Bradley at 106 and CeCe Rock at 142.
Third-place finishers were Julie Hoogland in the 122-pound class and Andi Luitjens at 142.
Other Cardinal wrestlers contributing team points but not placing were Brody Kopp at 103, Leif Ingebretsen at 126, Cameron McCrary at 138, Cash Bonnett at 170, Kane Ackerman at 220 and Masyn Ackerman at 285.
“Super proud of this group of athletes and looking forward to the rest of the season,” Kopp said. “We’re just getting started.”
Luverne was scheduled to travel to wrestle against Adrian Tuesday, Jan. 10, and then participate in the Marshall Triangular Thursday, Jan. 12, where they will wrestle against Marshall and Pipestone.

The Luverne girls’ hockey team went on the road to play conference rival Worthington Monday, Jan. 9.
The Cardinals blanked the Trojans 12-0 in a lopsided contest.
Luverne flung a total of 42 shots on goal to Worthington’s seven shots.
In the first period Luverne scored six unanswered goals.
Seventh-grader Ellisyn Van Batavia got the Cards rolling with a goal at 1:01 assisted by sophomore Payton Behr and eighth-grader Macie Edstrom.
Behr scored the second goal at 2:49 unassisted.
Goals three through six were all scored by senior Kamryn Van Batavia.
Her first, Luverne’s third, came at 3:31 assisted by Behr and her sister Ellisyn.
Kamryn scored again, Luverne’s fourth, at 6:04 assisted by eighth-grader Rylee Kurtz.
  Her third (hat trick), Luverne’s fifth, came on a power play at 12:30 assisted by Behr and ninth-grader Ella Apel.
Van Batavia closed the first period scoring her fourth goal, Luverne’s sixth, at 13:23 assisted by Kurtz.
In the second period the Cardinals added three more goals.
Ninth-grader Greta McClure scored Luverne’s seventh goal at 4:15 assisted by Behr and ninth-grader Hannah Woodley.
Van Batavia added two more goals in the second period. The first, Luverne’s eighth, at 6:04 unassisted and the second (double hat trick), Luverne’s ninth, at 12:23 on a power play assisted by Behr and Kurtz.
Luverne led Worthington after two periods 9-1.
In the third period the Cardinals finished with three more goals.
Luverne’s 10th goal came at 8:10 by Apel assisted by Kurtz and Van Batavia.
Kurtz scored Luverne’s 11th at 10:45 unassisted.
Ellison closed the scoring at 15:05 with an assist by eighth-grader Macie Edstrom.
Kamryn VanBatavia’s six goals against Worthington puts her at 30 for the season, four goals behind Warroad’s Rylee Barta who has 34.
Senior Mallory Von Tersch recorded her sixth shutout for the season.
That ties her with Andover goalie Courtney Stagman at six and one behind Orono goalie Celia Dahl, who has seven shutouts for the season.
Luverne was scheduled to play Albert Lea on the road Tuesday, Jan. 10. The Cardinals will then travel to Breckenridge/Wahpeton Friday, Jan. 13, and Warroad Saturday, Jan. 14.