Gerald "Jerry" Herbert Rierson, 70, Beaver Creek, died Saturday, June 11, 2005, from cancer at Luverne Community Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Services were Tuesday, June 14, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. The Rev. Lowell O. Berg officiated. Burial was in Flowerfield Cemetery at Hills. Gerald Rierson was born to Clifford and Mabel (Colby) Rierson on March 22, 1935, at Luverne. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school near Beaver Creek. He graduated from Hills High School in 1955. After high school he helped on the family farm. He married Darla Scott on June 1, 1968, at Storla Lutheran Church in Storla, S.D. They made their home on the family farm. This farm is a fifth generation farm and has been in the Rierson family for 135 years. He farmed until he retired. He worked for a short time at the Minnesota Information/Rest Area on Interstate 90. He later worked for Ketterling Recycling for a number of years.Mr. Rierson was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served on the church board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed being a farmer. He was recognized as "Pioneer Livestock Shipper" to the Sioux Falls Stockyards. Survivors include his wife, Darla (Scott) Rierson, Beaver Creek; three daughters, Julie Rierson, Catoosa, Okla., Shari (Phil) Haen, Renville, and Roxi Rierson, Beaver Creek; two grandchildren, Maddie and Isaac Haen; one sister, Lois Rasmussen, Lakewood, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, LeeAnn (Roy) Cope, Artesian, S.D., and Bonnie (Wayne) Witzel, Mitchell, S.D.; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Rierson was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, James, and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Rasmussen. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.

Willard John Gropel, 92, Luverne, died Sunday, June 12, 2005, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. Services were Thursday, June 16, at United Methodist Church in Luverne. The Rev. Bart Fletcher officiated. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery in Marion, S.D. Willard Gropel was born to John and Ella (Heeren) Groepel on Dec. 12, 1912, in Marion, S.D. He was raised in Marion and graduated from high school. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D. Following college he returned home and purchased the family store. He operated Groepel General Merchandise as a third generation owner for three years.He married Phyllis Grim on May 10, 1941, in Marion. The couple later moved to Wichita, Kan., where he was employed by Boeing Aircraft for three years. The couple returned to Marion for a brief time until moving to Ivanhoe in 1946. In Ivanhoe he became the proprietor of Gropel Hardware which he operated for 27 years until his retirement in 1973. At his retirement they moved to a farm just west of Ivanhoe. They sold the farm in 1993 and moved to Luverne.Mr. Gropel was a member of United Methodist Church in Luverne. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed wintering in Texas for 22 years of his retirement. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Gropel, Luverne; two sons, Bill (Florence) Gropel, Brooklyn Park, and Gregg (Jane), Gropel, Luverne; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Luella Schlueter, Hills; and other family and friends.Mr. Gropel was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Elmer Groepel, and one sister, Mabel GladseeHartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.

Sherril R. "Sherry" Buysee, 56, Granite Falls, formerly of the Luverne area, died Saturday afternoon at Granite Falls Municipal Hospital. Services were Tuesday, June 14, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Granite Falls. The Rev. Jim Devorak officiated. Burial services were Wednesday, June 15, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery in Hills. Sherril Hoffman was born to Walter and Marge "Helen" (Stanton) Hoffman on Nov. 5, 1948, in Luverne. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and grew up near Hills. She attended Hills-Beaver Creek High School. She married John Buysee on Nov. 12, 1966, in Luverne. She worked as a nursing assistant at Granite Falls Manor. She volunteered her time to numerous community activities and also worked as a retail clerk. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Buysee enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, bowling and crocheting.Survivors include her husband, John Buysee, Granite Falls, one son, Joshua (Teri) Buysee, Minneapolis; one daughter, Charisse Meyer, Cottonwood; two grandchildren, Samantha and Steven Meyer, Cottonwood; five brothers, Wayne (Marilyn) Brown, Luverne, Darrell (Marie) Brown, Chuck Hoffman, all of Hills, Bruce (Donna) Hoffman, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Dennis (Stacey) Hoffman, Cannon Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Mrs. Buysee was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Ken Hoffman.Wing-Bain Funeral Home, Granite Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

I survived my first Hills Friendship Days.I am sure that doesn’t seem like a very big feat to my readers, since most of you haven’t had any problems making it through the weekend in the past, but for me it seems like a big deal.Early this past spring, when I first heard about Friendship Days, it was explained to me by my co-workers in Luverne as a two-day celebration centering on one day of activities. Instantly, I became excited – a celebration in my little town — a celebration bigger than an auction or a football game.I was quickly warned not to get too excited because the events would probably not meet my expectations. Well, that didn’t stop me from looking forward to the weekend in June.I attended a Community Club meeting to get details, put as many of those details as possible in the paper and invited every member of my family and all of my friends to town for the day.Obviously, my anticipation hadn’t wavered; I knew that whatever happened that weekend, it had to be more activity than Hills sees every other weekend of the year.Unfortunately, on Friday I began to feel a bit of pressure. In my capacity as the only reporter for the Hills Crescent I wanted to be sure to cover every event.The kids shooting free throws deserved just as much recognition as the men golfing. Plus, several family members actually decided it sounded like a fun day and drove to town for the festivities. I had volunteered an hour of both my husband’s and my day to helping with the Whopper Feed. How would I pull it off and still manage to enjoy myself?Friday I started at the Beaver Creek Golf Course. This turned out to be an easy assignment, mainly because it involved a delicious meal prepared by H-BC’s Andy Blank, and Rodney Scholten made sure my table never got too thirsty.As I sat on the patio laughing and taking photographs of golfers, I settled down and realized covering Friendship Days would be easy.That must have been the Miller Lite talking, because when I woke up at 7:45 a.m. Saturday for the FFA alumni pancake breakfast, the pressure was on again.Starting with the breakfast, people had questions for me. Where was this being held, when did this start, was it going to rain all day, would things be canceled???Thankfully, I had committed the schedule of events to memory and was able to answer most questions, and although the weather did look pretty bad, I knew Mother Nature would pull through for me, as she always does.Following the breakfast I began showing up to photograph various events with occasional stops at rummage sales.I didn’t manage to get to every event, but I did have a GREAT time, better than I had even expected. I figured I would use this week’s column to share some of my favorite and most memorable moments.By far my favorite moment of the entire day was standing with Anthony and Alana Ranfranz in the drizzling rain at the Beaver Creek Sportman’s Club MinnAqua Program at the Rez.The brother and sister duo were preparing their rods for fishing. Anthony had rigged up a black lure and was attempting to attach a bright orange lure onto his sister’s pole. I took their photo and when I asked what they hoped to catch, the response I got was priceless and worthy of any Cosby show…"We’re gonna get a northern."Later that day I ran into Anthony at the park and asked if he had any luck getting his northern."Yeah, I caught one."Throughout the day I had the help of my 9-year-old nephew. He kept a lookout for children with trophies and other photo opportunities, and he let me know when the kids playing with the snakes were getting too close. Without him I wouldn’t have gotten nearly as many good photos.Finally, the biggest surprise was seeing how well Lois Leenderts handled the Whopper Feed situation. She must be a very patient and understanding mother and wife.As a volunteer on the first shift, I was privy to the kitchen disaster brought on by a power-hungry Burger King employee. The man Burger King sent to Hills to orchestrate the Whopper Feed acted like he was the president of hamburgers, and those of us volunteering knew nothing about toasting buns, serving fries or dressing a burger.It certainly didn’t help the situation when he made a very big mistake by running out of propane — halting the preparation of all fries and burgers.Fortunately, Lois remained calm and kept that warm and friendly smile on her face as she explained to the hungry townsfolk that they would be getting chips instead of fries.I would not have handled it that well, especially after seeing how long the line had become. Lois deserves the 2005 Friendliest Friendship Days Award for her flawless handling of the worst Whopper Feed disaster I have ever witnessed.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.

Even the most loved and cherished fairy tales don’t live happily ever after. Researchers at the U.K.’s University of Derby note that fairy-tale princesses in particular are poor role models for young girls today. Cinderella, for example, is "down-trodden and miserable until she is rescued by a prince, suggesting that she is incapable of rescuing herself." Furthermore, stories such as "Beauty and the Beast" may suggest that love can "magically transform" an abusive man. Young girls consequently believe "if their love is strong enough they can change their partner’s behavior," stated one researcher. Excuse me, but isn’t that one of the reasons we marry — so that we might change our partners? The task is much more difficult with someone we might be casually dating. Before we subscribe to the poor-role-model theory from the University of Derby perhaps we should re-examine the valuable lessons taught to today’s young women by yesterday’s fairy tales. "Hansel and Gretel," for example, is more than a cautionary tale about children lost in a woods and a witch with unusual culinary aspirations. Consider this valuable lesson. Have you ever thought there’s nothing in the cupboards for dinner at the end of a busy day? Don’t worry, especially if you live in a Victorian-style house with ornate, gingerbread trim. The fairy tale teaches young girls that if they are ever in a similar situation as homemakers, they will only have to think positive thoughts and heat up a cauldron. Something (or someone) will eventually show up at the front door, and we’re not talking about a pizza delivery. The story about Hansel and Gretel also gives new meaning to the expression, "I’d like to have you for dinner." "The Princess and the Pea" is a reminder that you don’t have to sleep on vegetables to find out that some mattresses can give you a royal pain. Also, if you must sleep on a vegetable to prove your worth to prospective in-laws, peas should be your vegetable of choice. Peas are much better than prickly artichokes. Incidentally, if you still believe that a tiny pea could cause the most restless night’s sleep, you have never checked into one of those inexpensive chain motels where the mattresses are lumpy, the towels are threadbare and the TV is bolted to the top of a dresser. "Cinderella" teaches us that life can be cruel. When you finally find a pair of high heels that fit perfectly, you will immediately misplace one of them. "Little Red Riding Hood" offers us many lessons about life. The most important is that you should expect to draw unwanted attention when you wear bright colors in public. Secondly, there are worse things than becoming your grandmother as you grow older. That, of course, is running into a wolf who has just devoured her. Last but not least, be kind to woodsmen because you never know when one might have to save your life. Now that we think about it, what is it that woodsmen actually do and when did we last see one? Given that question, whenever we walk through a deep, dark woods it might be wise to avoid both wolves with hungry looks in their eyes and any stranger who might just be walking by and swinging an axe.

10 years ago (1995)"The Hills City Council voted unanimously to place the Hills Municipal Liquor Store and building up for sale Tuesday, June 12. The Council’s decision is contrary to input received from residents at a meeting last month. Approximately 15 area residents attended a special meeting May 23 to express opinions concerning the liquor store’s future. Most attending the meeting felt that the City should maintain ownership of the facility and expand the building."25 years ago (1980)"The new animated Hills community float got its first workout this week at Ellsworth’s Dairy Days parade. The float, designed and built by George Schlueter, was the only animated float in the Dairy Days parade which included some 70 entries. The unit did not place, but was not judged while in motion."50 years ago (1955)"At a recent meeting of the 270 Club, which was organized some years ago to perpetuate the grading and blacktopping of the trunk highway leading into Hills, decision was made to go ahead with plans to secure further improvements in road conditions to this area. The Club is especially interested in getting the road blacktopped into Steen and also the road from Hills west to the state line surfaced. Both would join up with the present 270, but will now be county projects, it is assumed."75 years ago (1930)"It will be of interest to our readers to know that P.H. Rognley has again graduated from the National University at Washington, D.C., with two more degrees being conferred upon him, the degree of Doctor of Juridical Science, and the degree of Master of Patent Law. It will be remembered that last spring he received the Bachelor of Laws degree." 100 years ago (1905)"A bunch of horse traders were in town Saturday with a large drove of horses. The Crescent is of the opinion that ordinance No. 3 prohibits these kind of people from staying in town all day and they should be made to move on as soon as they arrive."

Congratulations go out to the Hills Community Club for organizing the Hills Friendship Days 2005. And thanks to the FFA, the Lions Club, the Hills Christian School for their participation; also to the nurses and helpers at the Health Fair, and the merchants and folks who sponsored the various events. The sports events were well attended and the food was great, so the day went off as planned and except for a few sprinkles of rain now and then and a bit of wind, I’m sure everyone enjoyed themselves. The big news in Hills is that Tyler Bush took first place in the state track meet at Blaine as he captured the Class A 800-meter run in the time of 1:58.77.Sig and Jo Jacobson and Orv and Bonnie Sundem attended the 80th birthday celebration last Sunday for Gert Karli at Bethany Meadows, Brandon, S.D. Gert is a sister of Jo Jacobson and an aunt of Bonnie Sundem. Deneise Swanson of Big Fork came Friday to spend Friendship Day here and visited her father until Sunday. Friday noon dinner guests of Marie and Delwyn Walraven were Marie’s nephew and his wife, Gary and Molly Walraven, of Colorado Springs, Colo. Also with them were their daughter, Lisa and two children, Nia and Joshua, of Pueblo, Colo. Saturday morning Charles Harding, Mankato, visited Eva Cragoe and Fran Sandager. He is a distant cousin of Fran. Spending the weekend visiting Rich and Henrietta Leenderts in Hills were their children and families. Present were Connie and Wally Hagedoorn and Ali, Pine Island, Kelly and Amber Hagedoorn Hastings, Arlen and Lois Leenderts and family, Hills, Darrell and Melanie and Lauri Leenderts, Brookings, S.D., and Brenda and Scott Smith, Prior Lake. The DeBoer family had an early Father’s Day when Jeremy and Rachel Van Beek, Doon, Iowa, Seth and Susan Hofman, David and Grace, Melvin, Iowa, and Chuck and Rheta DeBoer gathered for supper Thursday evening at Doon.Marianne and Arie Drooger, Edgerton, Grace Van Maanen of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Margaret Bakker went to Mitchell, S.D., on Wednesday to visit cousins. Fran and Karen Sandager attended the Norse Sangerfest in Canton, S.D. A group of the ladies toured the historic Kennedy building. Mark, Karen and Fran also attended the evening concert. Mitchell and Madison Elbers, Valley Springs, S.D., spent Saturday and Sunday in the home of their grandparents, Wilmer and Betty Elbers. Willard Gropel, Luverne, died Sunday morning at Sioux Valley Hospital. He was 92 and Luella Schleuter’s brother. Funeral services were Thursday morning at United Methodist Church in Luverne, with burial at Marion, S.D. Gerry Schleuter, Lake Park, Bonnie Olson, St. Paul, Laurie Hynes, St. Louis Park, and Luella attended the services.

Our weather seems to continue in the same pattern. We are very fortunate that we have not had many severe storms. Hopefully spring is here. When I read this article titled "June is Special" by Emma Faith Maclaine it made me appreciate all of the beauty we are able to enjoy in this month. June is Special"In the month of June it seems nature is a spendthrift taken by an irresistible urge of generosity.The bulb flowers have already been admitted when trees and bushes have bust into bloom. The lilacs, magnolias and dogwood are gone, but the pink and white flowering bushes are still in bloom and roses are climbing walls and trellises. A full moon in June seems to me to be one of the loveliest manifestations along with the twinkling stars pursuing their orderly course. When June comes knocking, we are always grateful for whatever it brings as it all comes from God." Many from the Steen area attended Friendship Days in Hills this past weekend. I have heard many complimentary remarks about the weekend. The parade was very nice. Several from Steen also attended the Health Fair as well as many other activities. Even the weather cooperated and a good time was had by all!Several couples from the Steen community left Tuesday for a fishing trip at West Lost Lake which is near Underwood. They returned home on Saturday. Those enjoying the weekend were Art and Henrietta Boeve, John and Jane Bosch, Pete and Jane DeBoer and Arvin and Cena Mae Tilstra. Sunday afternoon visitors in the Orrin and Bernice Aukes home were their grandson, Brian Aukes, Beaver Creek, and his friend Joanna Hougland, Sioux Falls, and Orrin and Bernice’s daughter, Mary Crawford from Beaver Creek.Bible School was completed at Steen Reformed Church on Friday. During the Sunday School hour on Sunday there was an open house for those who were interested in seeing what the children had done, and also a coffee hour. This year the Vacation Bible School donated funds for the Christian Fellowship of Athletes’ trip to El Salvador and Guatemala.Milton Bonnema’s family will host an open house to celebrate Milton’s 90th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Steen Reformed Church. A program will be at 3 p.m. Millie Vander Brink underwent surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester recently. She continues to be hospitalized there at the present time. Orrin and Bernice Aukes and Mildred Paulsen attended a potluck supper Sunday evening with members of the Luverne United Methodist Church Friendship Club which was at Mattie Peterson’s home in Luverne. As you know June 14 is Flag Day. Years ago it was a holiday and many gatherings were held in honor of it. In later years we have heard very little about it so even though it is past for this year, I think we need to know the history of it. Along the Way"June 14 marks the 199th anniversary of the adoption of the American flag in 1777. In the British colonies of North America before the Revolution, each of the 13 colonies had its flag. On Jan. 2, 1776, the first flag of the United States was raised at Cambridge, Mass., by George Washington. This was the Grand Union flag which consisted of 13 stripes, alternated with red and white, with a blue canton bearing the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andrew. On June 14, 1777, Congress enacted a resolution "that the Flag of the United States be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation." In 1895, June 14 was officially designated as Flag Day."

By Lori EhdeHigh School Principal Gary Fisher will start the new school year on July 1 in a new administrative position.During a special meeting Friday, School Board members hired Fisher to be the district superintendent."It’s a good opportunity," said Fisher, who’s been Luverne High School principal for 14 years. "I’ve been around long enough to know a few people and I think I know the district."He said he’s ready to embrace the challenges and changes that come with a new job, but he said he doesn’t want to lose his connection with students."That’s a major thing, and I’m going to work on that," he said.The advantage of a superintendent’s position, he said, is that he’ll be better connected with the elementary school now.In fact, all his duties will be district-wide. "School finance will be a challenge," he said. "I used to budget for my buildings (high school and middle school) but now I’ll be budgeting for the whole district."He said he’s comfortable with the overall health of the district."I think we’re really solid with our programs and curriculum," he said. "And I’ll work to continue that."Major hurdles on the horizon, he said, will be getting the referendum passed this fall and negotiating teachers’ union contracts this summer.The board approved Fisher’s superintendent salary at $99,000 plus benefits for the first year, with a 3-percent raise the second year.As principal, he was earning a base salary of $91,230.Fisher has his superintendent’s license and he’ll maintain the same duties that current Superintendent Vince Schaefer had, including Alternative School Director.Schaefer resigned from the post effective July 1, to pursue a position in the Beresford, S. D., district.Fisher said he applied for the superintendent position in Luverne six years ago when Schaefer was hired for the job."I’ve learned a lot from Vince," Fisher said. "I think I’m more prepared now after working with him for six years."He said the district ran smoothly under the teamwork of the two principals and superintendent."The last six years have been really good, and it’s because of a team effort on many of the decisions that were made," Fisher said."I want to find another person to work well with that team. He said he appreciates the board’s decision to hire him. "It makes me feel good to know I have support from the community," he said. "It will make the transition a little bit easier."