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 July 15, 1943.
If more people today had the same philosophy on life that Mrs. S.D. Reynolds, of Hardwick, has, there would be less complaining about the lack of gasoline for joy riding, and about meat, sugar, coffee, canned goods and fuel shortages.
This 78-year-old mother of eight children knows that it is possible to get along without a lot of things, because she has done it. Yet she is hale and hearty enough to maintain her own home, and has in her memory a priceless history of pioneer days in southeastern South Dakota as well as in Rock county.
Born Regina Glaser in Clayton county, Ohio, July 28, 1864, she moved at the age of two with her parents to Greeley, Ia., then to Strawberry Point, McGregor and finally to Walnut, before going to South Dakota where her life was filled with colorful incidents of pioneering.
Herded Pigs
The trip from Walnut, Iowa, to McCook county, South Dakota, was made by ox-team and covered wagon via Sioux Falls. Her father, Martin Glaser, took a preemption claim not far from Wall Lake. The lake abounded with fish, and oftentimes she and her brother caught a sack full of fish while they were herding cattle and pigs in that area.
“We’d fish all day,” Mrs. Reynolds recalls, “and when it came time to go home, we’d tie the gunny sack we kept them in to a white steer’s tail, and he’d carry them home for us.”
The fact that they were a long ways from church (the nearest Catholic church was then at Sioux Falls, about 15 miles away) did not keep them from observing Sunday in the house of worship.
Up at 4 a.m. on Sunday
“Mother would get up early,” Mrs. Reynolds reminisced, “and would pack a lunch and get us children ready. About 4 a.m. we’d leave by ox-team for Sioux Falls. The trip was long and tedious, but finally we would get to the Sioux river and we’d know we were almost there. We’d ford the river with the oxen, then we’d unyoke  them and let them graze while we walked about a mile up the hill to church. After we’d attended services, and we children had completed our catechism class, we’d be ready to start for home again.”
After living near Wall Lake for five years, the Glasers moved to Salem, S.D., where Mr. Glaser built the first residence ever erected in that town. It was a combination store and home, but because of the family’s hospitality, it soon developed into a boarding house. In addition to operating his store, Mr. Glaser served as a “squatter”, the pioneer day version of a real estate agent.
Because there was no well there, and no well diggers could be obtained, Mrs. Reynolds and her brother would haul water from the West Vermillion river in barrels drawn by oxen. They only had three barrels, she relates, so they had to make the trip often.
Business Ventures
The water hauling, however, became a profitable sideline for a while, until her father learned of her business tactics, and then the business “went up in smoke.” About that time, the railroad was being built through Salem, and the workers very often preferred water to beer. “For a while there, I was selling those railroaders water at a nickel a glass and was making a pretty good thing of it. I figured if they could pay a nickel a glass for beer across the street, that was easier to get than water, I should have something for my efforts. Father was of a different opinion, however, for when he heard about it, the water was given free of charge to anyone who wanted it. The following year, a well was dug, and that ended our water problems, but I want to tell you, when you haul water by barrel a distance of a mile, it’s mighty precious stuff, especially where you have to use it for drinking, cooking and washing.
Muslin Newspaper
The first winter there was one of the most difficult experienced in South Dakota. Not only was it cold, but the snow was so deep that travel was impossible. Several men on the railroad crew were snowed in all winter, and the printer of the newspaper there was unable to get paper to use on his press.
“His name was Jonas Rutman,” Mrs. Reynolds recalls, “and father helped him out of his predicament by allowing him to move his press into our store building. There, father let him have a couple of bolts of unbleached muslin, and he cut that up and printed the news on that.”
Had it not been for wild game, they would have been without meat long before the winter was over. Mrs. Reynolds states that they had dug a pit for the turn table for the railroad there, and wild antelope looking for food would wander near the village and into the pit where they were easily captured. Antelope meat that winter was one of their main courses. They had no sugar, but had plenty of hard candy, so the boarders used it in their coffee for sweetening. They had no milk, cream or butter.
Farm families of the community had greater difficulties. Mrs. Reynolds states that many of them were forced to grind wheat in old-fashioned coffee grinders and use it to make whole wheat pancakes, their only food for several days. Farm families who had no fuel to burn in some instances burned their furniture to keep warm while a blizzard was raging.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.

10 years ago (2012)
•Students at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary spent the month of December collecting food items for the Rock County Food Shelf. The 1,211 items collected were part of the Holiday Outreach Project organized by the student council. Each grade level kept track of the number of items collected. The class with the most items on Dec. 20 would be declared the winners and receive prizes for everyone in the class. The sixth grade maintained the lead throughout the month and easily won, having donated more than 250 items. On Thursday morning. Dec. 20, the student council and peer mediators braved the 16-degree temperature to load the goods in Principal Corinna Erickson’s truck. She delivered them to the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf located at the First Methodist Church in Luverne.
 
25 years ago (1997)
•Jeweler and clock maker Ralph Herreid officially retired in 1979 when he and his wife, Ruth, closed the doors of Herreid’s Jewelry in downtown Luverne, but he’s continued to share his gifts and talents since then.
Two tall clocks, one completed and one on its later stages of construction, remain in his basement shop at 508 West Luverne Street. An engraved brass plate on the finished clock reads, “Made especially for Jeff Thorson, Love Grandpa. 1996.”
The clocks are two of six grandfather clocks Herreid has made to give to his grandchildren. The others have already been delivered to their new owners.
 
50 years ago (1972)
•I’ll always remember the day Harry Truman visited Luverne. It’s the only time during my lifetime that an ex-president of the United States has ever been in town.
It was a bright October day — in fact it was Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1956.
The ex-president, then 72 years old, was on a campaign tour through Southwestern Minnesota, stumping or the Adlai Stevenson-Estes Kefauver ticket.
 
75 years ago (1947)
•Formal opening of the Luverne Farm Store will be held Saturday, January 3, the owners, Magnus Christensen and George Golla announced this week. The store is located at the south edge of Luverne on Highway 75. …
The new business will deal in feeds, seeds and fertilizers although they plan to install seed cleaning and treating equipment later on.
During their formal opening Saturday, representatives of General Mills Larro feed division, Cargill, Inc. seed department and the Dow Chemical company weed control division will be on hand to answer any questions farmers of the Luverne trade territory may have regarding feed, seed and weed control problems.
 
100 years ago (1922)
•Eighteen baskets, filled with things essential for a full Christmas dinner, and topped with fruit and candy for the “kiddies,” were distributed Sunday morning by the Luverne Kiwanis club to homes in Luverne, as the club’s Christmas offering.
The Kiwanian motto is: “We Build.” This motto is accepted in its broadest interpretation by all Kiwanians. To build up happiness in the hearts of others is one of the ways of building held by Kiwanians to be a duty and a pleasure, for happiness is the keystone of success in every community.

The following is a list of the obituaries that appeared in the issues of the Rock County Star Herald in 2022.
 
December 2021
Dec. 18: Jean Wallenburg, 66, Inwood, Iowa.
Dec. 20: Randall Morgan, 72, San Clemente, Calif.
Dec. 28: Thomas Feit, 70, Rushmore.
 
January 2022
Jan. 4: Randy Aanenson, 69, Garretson, S.D.
Jan. 6: Kenneth Husen, 76, Alexandria; Johnny Jonas, 55, Ellsworth.
Jan. 7: Lee Alexander, 90, Rolla, Missouri; Theresa Burmeister, 57, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Jan. 8: Dallas Bowron, 107, Luverne.
Jan. 9: Steven Larson, 73, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Jan. 10: Frieda Kooiker, 68, Magnolia; Marya Manfred, 72, Luverne; Harriet Kroontje, 86, Leota.
Jan. 12: Phillip Vos, 62, Harlan, Iowa; Shirley Honken, 81, Hills.
Jan. 13: Norma Wassenaar, 66, Hills.
Jan. 14: Dennis Baack, 71, Luverne.
Jan. 16: Darrell Hoeck, 81, Luverne.
Jan. 19: Verland Johnson, 93, Luverne.
Jan. 20: Estelle Leuthold, 91, Hills; Audrey Braun, 65, Worthington; David Barber, 81, Luverne.
Jan. 23: Janice Kleve, 68, Magnolia; Glenyce Lecher, Anderson, S.C.
Jan. 26: Sharon Riddle, 63, Luverne.
Jan. 30: Florence Helle, 91, Luverne.
 
February
Feb. 5: Darwin Wahlert, 79, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Feb. 6: Elizabeth “Betty” Burmeister, 89, Luverne.
Feb. 8: Leroy Madison, 85, Wilmont.
Feb. 10: Donald Erstad, 93, Alexandria.
Feb. 12: Henrietta Bos, 84, Hills.
Feb 15: Frederick “Bill” Claussen, 80, Staples.
Feb. 16: Jessie Wenzel, 91, Luverne.
Feb. 17: Bryan Fransen, 66, rural Luverne.
Feb. 18: Donald (Mark) Odland Jr., 71, Carlos; Glenn Overgaard, 67, Ellsworth; Viola Peterson, 95, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Feb. 19: Barbara Brinkhous, 63, Hardwick; Raymond Van Wyhe: 90, Luverne.
Feb. 20: Gary Akkerman, 73, Luverne.
Feb. 22: Virgil Block, 88, Adrian.
Feb. 27: Troy DeBoer, 55, Adrian.
 
March
March 3: Jacob Schelhaas, 87, Jasper.
March 4: Audrey Opitz, 91, Luverne.
March 8: Iva Elbers, 83, Luverne.
March 9: Donald Weinkauf, 66, Hardwick.
March 10: Anna VanBatavia, 79, Luverne.
March 13: Lorene Mann Busby, 91, Dallas, Texas.
March 14: Marvin Klooster, 91, Adrian.
March 17: Joyce Mulder, 86, Luverne.
March 18: Donald Lafrenz, 83, Luverne; Patricia Aning, 62, Detroit Lakes.
March 19: Virgil Christensen, 94, Sioux Falls, S.D.
March 21: James Vink, 83, Luverne.
March 23: Gerald “Garry” Tokheim, 85, Alcester, S.D.
March 24: Gerald Bruggeman, 86, Valley Springs, S.D.; Florence Fick, 94, Beaver Creek.
 
April
April 2: Joanne Johnson, 89, Aneta, North Dakota.
April 4: Margaret Pick, 72, Luverne.
April 11: Henry “Wayne” Baker, 86, Luverne.
April 12: Curtis Smook, 72, Magnolia.
April 14: Clarence Fluit, 86, Luverne.
April 20: Arthur Boeve, 94, Hills.
April 21: Gertrude Raak, 84, Jasper.
April 22: Daniel Kindt, 62, Hardwick.
April 26: Fabian Deutsch, 94, Magnolia.
April 27: Stanley Gyberg, 78, Luverne; Stanford “Shiner” Nelson, 71, Waseca.
 
May
May 1: Wayne Van Wyhe, 88, Hills.
May 2: Marge Knoll, 82, Luverne.
May 3: Helen Solma, 92, Rushmore.
May 8: Gerald Wallace, 80, Luverne.
May 9: Joyce Dykstra, 82, Luverne.
May 10: Steven Carlson, 82, Luverne.
May 11: Stanley Vander Maten, 88, Leota.
May 14: Pamela Oye, 62, Luverne.
May 15: Gordon Johnson, 75, Bloomer, Wis.
May 16: Lucille Gangestad, 95, Hills.
May 18: Marc Rhoades, 82, Luverne, formerly Yankton, S.D.
May 20: John Thies, 81, Luverne.
May 21: Anthony Dunleavy, 80, Luverne.
May 23: Barbara Ashby, 70, Luverne.
May 26: Elaine Snyders, 81, Luverne; Albert Matthiesen, 81, Worthington.
May 29: Karen Williamson, 68, Garretson, S.D.
May 31: Allan Schoon, 90, Mankato; LaVone Wagner, 86, Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
June
June 1: Kevin Ruddy, 56, Brooklyn Park.
June 3: George Scholten, 84, Luverne.
June 11: Nancy Haraldson, 67, Pipestone; Janice Hume, 83, Hendricks; Marilyn Schmidt, 83, Luverne.
June 15: Pearl “Marie” Brown, 79, Hills.
June 17: James Vander Lugt, 84, Edgerton; Raymond Rozeboom, 95, Rogers.
June 18: Winnie Scholten, 98, Hills.
June 23: Faye Gilbertson Sahr, 91, Minneapolis; Edward Hartog, 87, Citrus Heights, Calif.
June 25: Myrna Spease, 89, Luverne.
 
July
July 3: Reva Hoff, 94, Luverne.
July 6: Dixie Arends, 77, Luverne.
July 7: Susan Malone, 81, Detroit Lakes.
July 8: Lyland “Pete” Behr, 88, Luverne.
July 9: Arend John Klarenbeek, 81, Luverne.
July 11: Jerre Jordahl, 76, Rosemount.
July 13: Frederick Nuffer, 87, Elkhorn, Neb.
July 17: Judith Vis, 76, Valley Springs, S.D.; Eugene Siebenahler, 70, Killeen, Texas; Marvin Gradert, 87, Terre Haute, Ind.
July 19: Ronald Evans, 69, Pipestone.
July 21: William Fillis, 91, Blair, Neb.
July 22: Robert Mulligan, 95, Seattle, Wash.
July 24: Marguerite Wenzel, 88, Orange Park, Fla.
July 27: Sidney Jiskoot, 88, Sanborn, Iowa.
July 28: Hermina Van Meeteren, 92, Luverne.
July 29: Elaine Kellen, 98, Worthington.
July 30: Leola Sweeney, 87, Luverne.
 
August
Aug. 7: June Polzin, 89, Luverne.
Aug. 8: Naidine Aanenson, 93, Luverne.
Aug. 11: Donald Pap, 83, Beaver Creek.
Aug. 13: Ila Mae Wieking, 92, Hills.
Aug. 17: Susan Deutsch, 79, Magnolia; Ramona Vlastuin, 93, Luverne.
Aug. 20: James Nelson, 77, South St. Paul.
Aug. 22: Ronald Gath, 89, Luverne.
 
September
Sept. 7: Allen Croat, 69, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Sept. 11: William Skewes, 77, Evergreen, Colo.
Sept. 12: Delores Brooks, 89, Luverne.
Sept. 13: Carson Ehde, 21, Garretson, S.D.
Sept. 15: Doris Kemerling, 86, Luverne.
Sept. 17: Manning Churchill, 5, Luverne.
Sept. 18: Deborah Taubert, 87, Beaver Creek.
Sept. 19: Earl Von Holt, 87, Mankato.
Sept. 20: Alvin Boomgaarden, 99, Luverne.
Sept. 24: Helen Lonneman, 88, Adrian; Cecelia “Jeanette” Tangeman, 96, Luverne.
Sept. 29: Linda Dooyema, 72, Magnolia.
 
October
Oct. 1: Gloria Boelman, 75, Luverne.
Oct. 2: Madge May, 105, Luverne.
Oct. 7: Stanley Olson, 81, Hills.
Oct. 8: James Schaefer, 78, Worthington; Norman Anderson, 89, Maple Grove.
Oct. 11: Ann Leskinen, 67, Ellsworth.
Oct. 14: Barbara Loosbrock, 77, Luverne; Richard Buss, 77, Luverne; Ben Smidstra, 91, Luverne.
Oct. 17: Frances Slieter, 86, Jasper.
Oct. 19: Marie Klarenbeek, 98, Luverne; Bruce Tofteland, 63, Luverne.
Oct. 25: John Ruddy, 74, Luverne.
Oct. 26: Kathy Dietrich, 64, Luverne.
Oct. 28: Carol Taubert, 85, Beaver Creek.
Oct. 29: Anna Noll, 98, Luverne.
 
November
Nov. 3: Glenn “Corky” Gunnink, 74, Edgerton.
Nov. 5: Jennifer Rogers, 44, Luverne.
Nov. 9: Daniel Siegfried, 72, rural Valley Springs, S.D.
Nov. 10: Sandra Winter, 80, Luverne.
Nov. 12: Carrole Horn, 82, Beaver Creek.
Nov. 14: Joan Michelsen, 82, Magnolia.
Nov. 16: Christopher Smook, 34, Hills.
Nov. 21: Robert Loosbrock, 80, Luverne.
Nov. 23: Orville Bork, 81, Luverne.
Nov. 24: Lucille Feekes-Graff, 91, Luverne.
Nov. 26: Gene Davis, 95, Minneapolis.
Nov. 29: Randall Harms, 54, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Donald Matus, 92, Luverne; Joseph Jeffer, 80, Luverne.
Nov. 30: Susan Horton, 69, Luverne.
 
December
Dec. 1: Martha Lursen, 95, Adrian.
Dec. 2: Wilda Pfeifer, 87, Luverne.
Dec. 5: Jason Remme, 39, Luverne.
Dec. 7: Angeline Reisdorfer, 96, Lismore; Dennis Johanning, 74, Ellsworth.
Dec. 10: Evelyn Taylor, 94, Worthington; Lorraine Draper, 81, Pipestone.
Dec. 11: Leslie Harms, 77, Brewster.
Dec. 12: Gary Wagner, 70, Worthington; Mary Jane Holleran, 78, Mankato; Clare George, 103, Newington, Conn.
Dec. 13: Carol DeWispelaere, 84, Luverne.
Dec. 18: Cathy Groth, 76, Grey Eagle and Cape Coral, Florida.
Dec. 20: Camilla Graff, 81, Luverne; Margaret Kienast, 97, Luverne.
Dec. 24: Clifford Hansen, 79, Lake Benton.

Clifford Odean Hansen, 79, Lake Benton, formerly of Luverne, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Per Cliff’s wishes, no public services will take place. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com
Clifford Hansen was born on Jan. 26, 1943, to Carl and Olga (Larson) Hansen in Luverne. He was raised on the family farm north of Luverne and attended school in Luverne, graduating from high school in 1961.
Following his education, he began an entry level job at Land ‘O Lakes in Luverne. He continued to work his way up in the company and eventually became the plant’s manager. Cliff moved on from the company after 35 years of service.
On May 2, 1984, Cliff married Gloria Hansen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Cliff began working for JBS in Pipestone and continued working there in maintenance for ten years. He retired in 2008.
In 1988 Cliff and Gloria moved to their lake home in Lake Benton. During his retirement, Cliff kept busy attending auctions where he would then find golf carts and skidsteers that he would buy, repair, paint, overhaul and resell. Cliff kept busy with projects and could fix almost anything. He made the best beef jerky that became a family favorite.
During his time living on Lake Benton, Cliff enjoyed taking out the pontoon with family and a little bit of fishing.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Gloria; three children, Karen (Stan) Van Wettering of Luverne, Gordie (Colette) Hansen of Luverne, and Adam (Tracy) Hansen of Luverne; three grandchildren, Derek (Stephanie) Van Wettering, and Lauren and Josh Hansen; one great-granddaughter, Lydia Van Wettering; three siblings, Ardie Bowen of Luverne, Viv Aarestad of Apple Valley, and Ray (Elaine) Hansen of Luverne; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Olga Hansen; and a sister, Gloria Boelman.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home, hartquistfuneral.com.
(1229 F)

Margaret Gertrude Kienast, 97, Luverne, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home  in Luverne.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery  in Luverne.  
Margaret Baerenwald was born to John and Anna (Enninga) Baerenwald on Jan. 30, 1925, on a farm near Magnolia. The family moved to Adrian, and Margaret graduated from Adrian High School in 1942. She loved to sing and dance and was involved in choir, school plays, tap dancing, and later in life ballroom dancing.
After high school she worked at the district attorney’s office in Worthington.
She married Roy Kienast Jr. in 1943. They lived on the family farm near Magnolia for 17 years.  In 1965 Margaret moved to Luverne and worked for Land O’Lakes for 28 years.  She retired in 1990.
While living in Luverne, she purchased her own home and lived in it until July of 2022. At that time she went to Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home until her death.
During her life, she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. In her retirement she traveled throughout Great Britain and Paris. She also enjoyed playing cards and reading her tablet.
Margaret is survived by her six children, Judith (Audie) Carter of Florida; Charles (Tere)  of Colorado; Wallace (Shirley) of Arizona; James of Arizona; Gordon (Linda) of Minnesota; and LaDawn (Kenneth) of Florida; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John and Frank; and two sisters, Eleanor and Elli.
Arrangements are provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(1229 F)

Camilla Graff, 81, Luverne, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at the First Baptist Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Luverne.
Camilla Vanderburg was born on Nov. 17, 1941, to Dorris and Henrietta (DeVries) Vanderburg in the Luverne Minnesota Hospital. She was baptized as an infant in the Luverne Christian Reformed Church.  Camilla lived in Beaver Creek and graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1959. She graduated from Sioux Falls College in 1964 with a double major in English and elementary education. Camilla taught primary grades in Christian schools in Denver, Washington, D.C. and Seattle for 20 years.
Camilla married Dave Gunderson in 1975 in Anchorage, Alaska. They were later divorced.
She received immersion baptism when she joined the Baptist Church in Seattle.
In 1984 Camilla worked as a nanny for three different families and then as a nurse’s aide for eight years before returning to Luverne in 1998 to stay with her mother.  In all, she worked for 20 years as a nurse’s aide and retired from working at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne in 2007.
Camilla married Lyle Graff in 2012. At that time she inherited seven children, 22 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Camilla enjoyed hiking, camping, backpacking, downhill and cross-country skiing, needle crafts and crocheting afghans, baby blankets, prayer shawls, doilies and much more.  She liked gardening and shopping at thrift stores, Bible studies, and singing.
In her later years Camilla fought battles with breast cancer, lymphoma cancer, skin cancer and kidney cancer.
Camilla is survived by her brother Dennis (Carolyn), sister Nancy, brother James (Joann), and brother Keith (Lynda), along with many nephews, nieces, her companion, Leroy and friend Sue, and other family and friends.
Camilla was preceded in death by her parents; a sister-in-law, Carol Vanderburg; a nephew, Justin Vanderburg; and her second husband, Lyle Graff.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(1229 F)

Cathy A. Groth, age 76, of Grey Eagle and Cape Coral, Florida, passed away suddenly from complications of dementia on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at the CentraCare Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Cathy Ann Ripley was born April 21, 1946, in Worthington, Minnesota, to Russell and Eunice (Carlson) Ripley. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1964, the year the Cardinals boys’ basketball team won the state championship. Cathy graduated from the University of Minnesota with two degrees.
She was united in marriage to Larry Groth, raised three children, and later divorced.
In 2012 she married Greg Gervais in Maui, Hawaii. After a successful working life, Cathy retired in 2018 and spent her summers in Grey Eagle and her winters in Florida.
Cathy wasn’t happy unless she was rearranging or redecorating her house. Instead of buying a picture that matched the color of her walls, she would buy the picture and have Greg repaint the room to match the picture!
Cathy loved spending time with Greg, and some of their favorite times together were spent traveling the world, especially their trips to Europe.
Survivors include her husband, Greg Gervais of Grey Eagle and Cape Coral, Florida; sons Jason Groth of Plymouth, Christopher (Angie) Groth of Plymouth, and James (Michelle) Groth of Mound; three grandchildren, Maria Groth of Duluth, Grace Groth of Duluth, and Ella Groth of Plymouth; mother, Eunice Ripley of Luverne; siblings, Robyn (Dennis) Nowka of Luverne, Vicky Atwood of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sally Ripley of St. Paul, Russell “Scott” Ripley of Dassel, Kim Ripley of Golden Valley, and Lisa (Tom) Lahr of Butte, Montana.
Cathy was preceded in death by her father, Russell Ripley; brother, Randy Ripley; and sister, Paulette Ripley.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose, www. pattonschad.com.
(1229 V)

Joyce Gertrude Fluit, 83, Luverne, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at her home.
A funeral service was Wednesday, Dec. 28, at the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Rock Valley, Iowa. Burial followed at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley.
Joyce Jansen was born Nov. 28, 1939, to Gilbert and Bertha (Duimstra) Jansen near Alvord, Iowa. She grew up on a farm near Alvord where she attended a country school and graduated from Lester High School in Lester, Iowa, in 1958.
On June 3, 1959, Joyce married Clarence Fluit in Inwood, Iowa. The couple lived near Lester for a short time before moving to a farm near Luverne in 1961 where they farmed and raised their three children, Kevin, Cheryl and Brent.
Joyce was a member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation where she served as a member of The Martha Mission Guild. Besides taking care of her family, Joyce also enjoyed gardening and sewing. She made numerous quilts for special occasions for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joyce was also a member of the Blue Mound Quilters in Luverne.
Joyce is survived by her children, Kevin (Tina) Fluit of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Cheryl (Keith) Van Der Brink of Alvord, Iowa, and Brent (Dorenda) Fluit  of Luverne; 10 grandchildren, Kaylee (Trevor) Cole, Katrina Fluit, Kenley Fluit, Brett (Joann) Van Der Brink, Alisha (Tony) James, Devon (Trina) Fluit, Shain (Emily) Fluit, Shania Fluit, Emily Fluit, and Jared Fluit; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald (Lavonne)  Jansen; and five siblings-in-law, Lila Jansen, Anna Marie Kaster, Joyce (Greg) Hetrick, Sylvia Fluit and Evelyn Fluit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Fluit; her parents; infant granddaughter Nicole Fluit; a brother, Ronald Jansen; her parents-in-law, Henry and Anna Fluit; and five brothers-in-law, Tuenis (Elizabeth) Fluit, Wilmer Fluit Sr., John  Fluit, Henry (Deanne) Fluit, and Ladell Kaster.
Arrangements were provided by Porter Funeral Homes of Rock Valley,
porterfuneralhomes.com.
(1229 F)

The Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ basketball team traveled to Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey Tuesday, Dec. 20.
The Patriots lost to the Wolverines 74-56 and are now 0-3 for the season.
“We played really well in spurts and allowed them to get out to an early lead,” said head coach Kale Wiertzema.
At the end of the first half the Patriots found themselves down 43-29.
“We did end up cutting the deficit to four in the middle of the second half,” Wiertzema said.
 H-BC made 27 points to the Wolverines’ 31. 
H-BC gave up 27 points in transition during the game. “We can’t get beat down the court that many times and expect to win,” Wiertzema said.
Junior Riley Tatge scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, blocked one shot and had one steal.
Senior Brock Harnack contributed 10 points, two rebounds and one steal.
Jamin Metzger, a ninth-grader, scored nine points, had four rebounds and two steals.
Sophomore Beau Bakken sank seven points, fought for 10 rebounds and had two steals.
Other point scorers were senior Brayden Metzger with eight, sophomores Cameron Allen and Sawyer Bosch made four points each, and EJ Wegener made two points.
The Patriots are scheduled to finish 2022 with a tournament at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall Friday, Dec. 30.