Dale Carl Hartz, 76, Luverne, died Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital in Luverne. Services were Tuesday, Nov. 8, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Gary Klatt officiated. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Dale Hartz was born to Harry and Lula (Wulf) Hartz on April 28, 1929, in Luverne. As an infant he lived with his parents on a farm in Springwater Township, Rock County. They later moved to a farm in Beaver Creek Township where he was raised and attended country school. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1947 and continued to help on the family farm.He married Joyce Binford on July 4, 1951, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. In September 1951 he entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. Following his discharge from the service in September 1953, he returned to farm in Beaver Creek Township. While farming, he worked for several years at Iowa Beef Packing in Luverne. He also drove a school bus for 19 years. In 1996 they moved to Luverne, but he continued to help on the farm until recently when he began having health problems. He was diagnosed with cancer on Oct. 20. Several days later he was admitted to Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital Hospice. Mr. Hartz was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was also a past member of Dell Hogan American Legion Post 123 in Luverne. He served on the Beaver Creek Township Board for several years. He liked to fish and he enjoyed gardening. He especially liked collecting antiques that had to do with farming.Survivors include his wife, Joyce Hartz, Luverne; four children, Betty (Roger) Lauck, Steen, Dawn (Lyle) Impecoven, Larchwood, Iowa, Barbara (Bill) Rodd, Fort Myers, Fla., and Allan (Nancy) Hartz, Luverne; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.Mr. Hartz was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dennis Hartz, and one infant sister, Harriet. A tree will be planted in memory of Dale Hartz by Sioux Valley Luverne Hospice. Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial services for Dries Bosch will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Steen Reformed Church in Steen. Burial will take place at 12:30 p.m. at Eastside Cemetery, near Steen. Dries D. Bosch, 79, Brandon, S.D., formerly of Steen, died Sunday, Nov. 6, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Dries Bosch was born to Dick and Dena (Hoff) Bosch on Feb. 9, 1926, at the family home in Steen. He attended elementary school in Steen and graduated from Hills High School in 1944. After school he worked at the Luverne Creamery for two years before entering into the U.S. Army. He served in the Occupational Forces in Japan and received his honorable discharge on April 20, 1947. He returned to Steen and began working at John Morrell in 1947. He married Laura May Doyle on Jan. 9, 1948, at First Baptist Church in Luverne. In 1950 they moved back to his hometown, Steen, and raised their five sons. He retired from John Morrell in 1989. After retirement they remained living in Steen and he worked part time at Greenview of Minnesota rest area near Adrian. They moved to Bethany Meadows in Brandon in 2004. Mr. Bosch was a lifetime member of Steen Reformed Church, having served as a deacon and an elder. He also served on the town council in Steen and was a member of the Morrell Club. In retirement he enjoyed mowing, fishing trips to Canada and golfing with his brother. He loved Minnesota sports and attended many Vikings games with his sons. In July 1999 he was the champion of the "Bosch Open" Golf Tournament. He loved playing cards at the Senior Citizens Center and with his family. Survivors include his wife, Laura May Bosch, Brandon; five sons, Steven Bosch, Minneapolis, Gregg (Anita) Bosch, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paul (Diane) Bosch, Brandon, Jeff (Toni) Bosch, Walbridge, Ohio, and Tom (Amy) Bosch, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Cornie (Darlene) Bosch, Luverne; and two sisters, Gert (Dick) Hup, Hills, and Betty Boeve, Luverne. Mr. Bosch was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister in infancy, and one brother-in-law, Edward BoeveRoste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

By John RittenhouseThe 2005 football season came to an end for Adrian during the championship game of the Section 3A Playoffs Friday in Springfield.Taking on the state’s No. 1-ranked team, the Springfield Tigers, the Dragons knew they needed to play mistake-free ball for four quarters to register an upset.It didn’t pan out for the Dragons.AHS turned the ball over three times and made some mental mistakes on defense during the contest. Springfield took advantage of the miscues to record a 24-0 victory over the Dragons."We didn’t do much offensively, and they were able to run against our defense," said AHS coach Randy Strand, who led the Dragons to a 7-4 record this fall."We held them in check for a while on defense, but we lost our discipline at times with some players not following their assignments. Offensively, we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we did have to score."Springfield ran for 289 yards in the game, and they put together a pair of extended drives that yielded three points in the early stages of the contest.The Tigers started their first offensive possession of the game on their 38-yard line and moved the ball to the AHS 13, where they missed a 34-yard field goal attempt at the 8:08 mark of the first quarter. Springfield’s second possession developed into an eight-play drive that ended with Mason Fredin booting a 30-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead at the 3:55 mark of the first period.Adrian had two golden opportunities to take the lead in the second quarter, but the Dragons couldn’t put the ball in the end zone.The Dragons moved the ball from their own 42 to Springfield’s 18 early in the second quarter, but the threat was squelched when Tiger Zac Sturm intercepted a pass in the end zone. The Dragons got the ball back when Alex Suedkamp recovered a fumble on the Springfield 18 one play later. Adrian, however, gave the ball back to the Tigers when it was flagged for an offensive pass interference penalty four plays later.After the penalty, Springfield moved the ball 68 yards in 12 plays with Sturm scoring on a two-yard run to make it a 9-0 difference with 4:20 remaining in the first half.The Tigers scored 15 points with their first two offensive possessions of the second half to ice the game.It looked like the Dragons, who were playing as the kicking team, caught a break when an AHS player nabbed the ball out of the air during the kickoff to start the second half. The officials, however, ruled the ball belonged to Springfield because no kicking-team player can catch the ball before it touches the ground or an opposing player first.The Tigers then moved the ball 53 yards in 12 plays with Sturm scoring on a 13-yard run with 6:51 remaining in the third period. When Sturm carried in the two-point conversion, Springfield sported a 17-0 lead.Adrian tried to extend its first possession of the second half by trying to run for a first down out of punt formation, but the run was stopped short of a first down. Springfield took over on its own 44 and moved the ball 56 yards in 12 plays with Josh Nachreiner scoring on a three-yard run with 11:18 left to play. When Fredin added the extra point, the scoring was complete.Team statisticsAdrian: 73 rushing yards, 112 passing yards, 185 total yards, five penalties for 52 yards, 10 first downs, three turnovers.Springfield: 289 rushing yards, 21 passing yards, 310 total yards, six penalties for 70 yards, 19 first downs, one turnover.Individual statisticsRushing: Billy Anderson 11-33, Jory Haken 6-8, Cody Kontz 5-27, Clint Metz 2-5.Passing: Cody Reverts 4-17 for 82 yards, Kontz 2-5 for 30 yards.Receiving: Tyler Wagner 2-40, Anderson 2-49, Ryan Lonneman 1-9, Nate Enkelkes 1-14.Defense: Glen Kruger 16 tackles, Will Lutmer 13 tackles and one sack, Suedkamp one fumble recovery, Metz 13 tackles.

By John RittenhouseThomas Pinkal’s last high school race was a good one at the Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Championships Saturday in Northfield.Pinkal, a Luverne senior who qualified for the state meet individually, capped a successful season by turning in an All-State performance on the course at St. Olaf College.Pinkal ran an LHS boys’ record time of 16:51.3 on the course, finishing 20th in a field of 154 runners.Since the first 25 runners to finish the race are rewarded by being placed on the All-State Team, Pinkal will go down in history as the second LHS male to be so honored."He made the All-State Team and set our course record. That’s a pretty good day," said Cardinal coach Bruce Gluf."He wanted to finish with a medal (the first eight finishers receive medals in state competition), but I told him making All-State would be nice before the race. Then we went out there and did it by running a good race."Experience worked in Pinkal’s favor Saturday.As a member of Luverne’s state-qualifying boys’ team in 2004, Pinkal wasn’t overwhelmed by being a part of cross country’s biggest meet of the season.Instead, the LHS standout ran his second-fastest time of the year. In the process, he improved his finish from 72nd at state last season to 20th on Saturday.Gluf, who describes Pinkal as being the perfect senior, said a long summer of hard work paid off for the athlete."Thomas is as hard a worker as I’ve had over the years. He’s a blue-collar kid, and I don’t mean that in a demeaning way. He gets his success through hard work. To come from finishing 72nd last year to making the All-State Team is really something. I hate to see him go."

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls turned their fourth consecutive appearance at the Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Championships staged in Northfield Saturday into their best finish as a team at the state classic.One year after placing sixth in team competition, the 2005 Cardinals moved up one notch by placing fifth in a 16-team field.Luverne compiled 146 points, finishing 83 points behind neighboring state champion Adrian, which finished the meet with 63 counters. The Cards finished the run within striking distance of the Blake School, which placed fourth with 130 points."Our goal was to finish in the top five, and the girls went out there and did it," said Cardinal coach Bruce Gluf. "All of the kids on the girls’ side ran great races. All of them ran personal- or seasonal-best times."As she has all season, Luverne sophomore Lexi Heitkamp led the Cardinals to their best finish as a team in state competition.Heitkamp ran a 15:04.4, earning a position on the All-State Team by placing sixth individually.The Top 25 individual finishers make the All-State Team, and the top eight runners receive medals for their efforts. Heitkamp, who shaved nearly five seconds off her time on the same course when she finished 11th last year (she also placed 11th in state in 2003), met the criteria in both cases."We always knew Lexi had the capability to get a medal at state. She really looked determined and ran a great race, as did all of our girls," Gluf said.Debbie Schneiderman made a bid to earn All-State status before coming up short late in the race. Schneiderman placed 28th in 15:32.8.Kayla Raddle (49th in 15:55), Katie Schneiderman (63rd in 16:09.5) and Kelsey Dooyema (87th in 16:36.5) made scoring contributions to Luverne’s team effort.Amanda Kannas and Rachel Saum finished 100th and 137th with respective 16:49.5 and 17:50.7 times.Gluf said he didn’t have to say much to inspire his runners prior to the race. Since most of the athletes possessed past state experience, his message was simple."I just told them to go out and run the races of their lives, and they did. They all were very relaxed," he said."We’re very happy to finish fifth. That’s a great accomplishment. There are a lot of kids who’ve never been to one state meet. Our girls have been to four in a row. That’s something they should be proud of."Team standings: Adrian 63, Staples-Motley 71, Perham 109, Blake School 130, Luverne 146, Providence Academy 163, Rochester Lourdes 214, Lac qui Parle Valley 220, Fairmont 266, East Grand Forks 268, La Crescent 281, Esko 283, Blue Earth 302, St. Cloud Cathedral 314, International Falls 326, Mille Lacs 348.

By John RittenhouseThe members of Adrian High School’s girls’ cross country team must be a tough lot to please.As if becoming the first female AHS athletic squad to qualify for state competition wasn’t enough, the Dragons had chips on their shoulders Saturday entering the Minnesota State Class A Cross Country Championships in Northfield.It was clear the Dragons weren’t satisfied just being in the 16-team field. They wanted more satisfaction than that, and they went out and got it by capturing the school’s first team state championship of any kind.With three runners earning positions on the All-State Team (the first 25 finishers in state competition earn the honors) leading the way, Adrian came out on the winning end of a tight competition with Staples-Motley. The Dragons nipped second-place S-M 63-71 in the team standings, making their dream of winning a state championship some true."This was a goal of our girls all season long," said AHS coach Doug Petersen."To their credit, they stayed focused on their goal. On Saturday they went out and reached it."The Dragons, who fielded a young team consisting of two juniors, three freshmen and two seventh-graders, ran like veteran competitors at St. Olaf College.After trailing S-M by what Petersen said was a considerable margin in the first 2,000 meters of a 4,000-meter race, the Adrian team didn’t panic. Instead, the Dragons rallied in the last half of the race to nip the Cardinals from S-M by eight points."We knew S-M would be one of the teams we needed to beat, but we were cautiously optimistic about our chances," Petersen said."We were behind quite a bit during the first mile and one-quarter of the race, but our conditioning and determination came through for us in the end."He said the win was gratifying for everyone."To have this group of kids, with only two of them having run at the state meet before, come back and win says a lot about their personalities," he said. "It makes all the sweat, all the nagging injuries they experienced and all of the summer training these kids put in worthwhile."It takes an entire team to win a state title in cross country, but individuals need to excel, too. In Adrian’s case, freshmen Morgan Lynn and Leslie Stover and junior Megan Henning turned in All-State performances while leading the Dragons to victory.Lynn, who placed ninth at the state meet as an individual qualifier last season, bettered that effort by finishing third in 14:46.9 on Saturday.Competing in her first state meet, Henning provided what Petersen described as the most surprising effort by placing 13th in 15:21.7. Stover, who placed 38th at state as an individual qualifier last season, finished 22nd in 15:29.8 this time."We thought we might get three girls on the All-State team, and that’s what happened. We really got some great performances from all of our girls. Six of our seven runners had personal-best times," Petersen said.Freshman Erica Thier and seventh-grader Hailee Heitkamp ran well together to place 34th and 35th in 15:41.4 and 15:42.1 respectively.Junior McCall Heitkamp placed 95th in 16:44.3, and seventh-grader Natasha Slater finished 133rd in 17:45.4.Petersen credited all of the team members committed to the cause of winning a state championship, and he made sure the moment wasn’t lost when the Dragons were honored in the post-race ceremony."I told the kids to take it all in and to remember this moment," he said. "I reminded them that there are not a lot of kids who get to experience this moment."AHS boys place eighthThe Adrian boys also turned in a strong performance as a state-qualifying team Saturday.The Dragons placed eighth in a 16-team field with 234 points during their seventh appearance at the state meet as a team.It was the best team effort turned in by the three Petersen-coached teams to reach the state classic. Before Petersen became the AHS coach, Adrian reached the state meet three times, with a sixth-place effort in 1980 being the team’s top finish."Our boys accomplished a lot this season. It was an amazing year to watch the progress they made," Petersen said.He said the boys surpassed the goals he had set for them Saturday."We came into the meet as the state’s sixth-ranked team, but I told the kids that might be a little high. The best finish of any of the teams I brought to state before was 13th. I thought if we could do a little bit better than that this year, it would be good. If we could finish in the Top 10, I thought that it would be fantastic. Placing eighth was a very pleasing finish for me."Junior Ethan Wieneke set the pace for the Dragons by placing 52nd in 17:18.8.Seniors Lee Stover and Brandon Bullerman placed 63rd and 80th with respective 17:24.4 and 17:39.4 times, while sophomore Jarod Boltjes and junior Aaron Mormann finished 94th and 104th in 17:53 and 18:00.2.Eighth-graders Jordan Pater and Nathan Reyne finished 113th and 139th in 18:09.6 and 18:47.7.Petersen is already looking ahead to next year’s season."We lose two good kids in Lee (Stover) and Brandon (Bullerman), and those will be some tough shoes to fill," he said. "We do have some good younger kids in the program, so I think we can be as strong, or stronger, on the boys’ side next year."Girls standings: Adrian 63, S-M 71, Perham 109, Blake School 130, Luverne 146, Providence Academy 163, Rochester Lourdes 214, Lac qui Parle Valley 220, Fairmont 266, East Grand Forks 268, La Crescent 281, Esko 283, Blue Earth 302, St. Cloud Cathedral 314, International Falls 326, Mille Lacs 248.Boys standings: St. Cloud Cathedral 75, Rochester Lourdes 99, Warroad 102, Perham 144, Blue Earth 183, Pine City 191, Annandale 196, Adrian 234, Watertown Mayer 247, Redwood Valley 251, Lone Prairie-Grey Eagle 268, Fairmont 269, Minnehaha Academy 271, Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson 295, Eveleth-Gilbert 315, Staples-Motley 334.

NOTICE OF MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF SWMN FARMERS COOPNotice hereby given that an annual meeting of the stockholders of SWMN Farmers Coop (A Minnesota Cooperative Association) will be held in the Blue Mound Banquet Center, Luverne, MN on Monday, November 28, 2005, at 7:00 P.M. for the following purposes namely to elect two directors and other additional business which may properly come before the meeting.Dinner will be served at 6:00 P.M.By order of the Board of Directors. Mel FickSecretary(11-3)

OCTOBER 13, 2005MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Thursday, October 13, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Dan Kopp. Also present: Gary Fisher, Marlene Mann, Donna Judson, Patsy Amborn, Nancy Lange, Amy Sahly, Nick Heronimus, Alyssa Johnson, Chessa Ossefoort, Bethany Brandel, Abby Lange, Thomas Pinkal, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Announcements were given. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Members of the Annual/ECHO class visited with the school board members requesting permission to contact local businesses to sponsor pages in the yearbook. The School Board gave a consensus to allow the class to pursue this fund-raiser. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to approve the school board minutes of September 22, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Baartman, second by Radisewitz, to approve the annual Statement of Assurances as required by the Minnesota Department of Education. Motion unanimously carried. Member Deutsch introduced the following motion for adoption: RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTIONNOVEMBER 8, 2005BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2184, State of Minnesota, as follows:The following individuals, each of whom is qualified to serve as an election judge, are hereby appointed as judges of election, to act as such at the combined polling place of the Middle/High School Gymnasium between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., as listed below:Edwin Deutsch – Chairperson Eileen KoppRosa Johnson Joan MichelsenMargaret Cook Dave SvingenBarb Weber – AlternateThe election judges shall act as clerks of election, count the ballots cast and submit the results to the school board for canvass in the manner provided for other school district elections.Motion was duly seconded by Member Herman, with those voting in favor: Baartman, Deutsch, Herman, Radisewitz, Stegemann, Walgrave; and those against: none; Dan Kopp absent. Motion carried. Motion by Baartman, second by Deutsch, to approve the Notice of Referendum and the Proposed Revenue Increase that was sent to all property owners in the District. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Baartman, second by Herman, to set school board meeting dates for November 10 and November 22, both at 7:30 p.m. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Stegemann, to set the Meet and Confer dates for November 9, 2005, and March 8, 2006. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve a long-term medical leave for Judy Thies, paraprofessional, beginning on November 1 for approximately five weeks. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Radisewitz, to approve the hiring of Chris Medill as Boys Head Hockey coach. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Herman, to accept the resignation of Greg Hurst, custodian, effective September 30, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given. Member Herman reported on the Technology Committee. Member Baartman reported on the Staff Development Committee. Superintendent Fisher reported on the levy referendum committee that has been meeting each Tuesday.The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. Motion by Herman, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: October 13, 2005Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(11-3)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Luverne Economic Development Authority and the Luverne City Council will meet jointly and hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, on Monday, November 14, 2005, in the City Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall, 203 E. Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to consider amending and/or establishing a business subsidy policy for traditional business subsidy and JOBZ Business Subsidy Development. Documentation on business subsidy policy is available for public review at the Economic Development Director’s Office on the first floor, 203 E. Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota. The LEDA Board and the City Council will meet to consider and potentially adopt a business subsidy policy. All citizens are encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and/or give comments. Any citizen may also submit written questions or comments prior to the hearing by addressing them to the Economic Development Director, PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659.Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, MN (507) 449-2388.Dated at Luverne, Minnesota, this 31st day of October, 2005.MARIANNE PERKINSCITY CLERK(11-3)