By John RittenhouseA teaching and coaching career that lasted 32 years came to an end when the 2002-03 Luverne High School closed its doors for the summer early this month.John Oksness, a member of the LHS faculty and coaching ranks for the past 22 years, retired from District No. 2184 teaching and coaching at the end of the school year.Retirement, however, is a word Oksness did not use to describe his life after LHS."I want to find something else to do," he said. "I’m looking at some things other than teaching. It’s been a good career, but now I’ll be looking for something else to do."Oksness started teaching in 1971, after studying at Minnesota and Iowa schools.Oksness was raised in the tiny town of Doran in western Minnesota, where he went to elementary school before finishing his high school education at nearby Breckenridge.After graduating from Breckenridge in 1964, Oksness attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, for the next four years.Oksness graduated from Luther College in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology. After deciding to pursue a teaching career, he attended Moorhead State University for one year to gain a teaching certificate.Oksness began teaching at Minnesota Lake High School in 1971, where he stayed for four years before taking a position in Hayfield for six years.When the Hayfield District started reducing its staff, Oksness’ position was cut at the end of the 1980-81 school year. The next fall, he latched onto a job in Luverne where he spent the next 22 years."I was looking for a place where I could be in a senior high type of teaching position, and Luverne had a position open in chemistry. I had been through Luverne many times when I was younger, and I always knew it was a nice town and a clean town. It’s a great place to raise a family, too."Oksness instructed ninth-grade science, chemistry and physics early in his LHS career, and spent the last few years teaching science and chemistry without science duties."I have a lot of good memories from being in the classroom," Oksness said. "I always wanted to offer a class that was challenging for the kids. Hopefully, we did a good job of preparing them for college."Oksness will also be remembered for his contributions as a coach at LHS.He was head baseball coach at LHS for two years (1983 and 1984), before stepping into the head coaching position in the golf program in 1985. He worked with prior coach Dale Knoll for one year before taking over the entire program from 1986 through 1995. Oksness was the head boys’ golf coach from 1996 to 2003.Under Oksness’ leadership, many LHS boys and girls teams, and a number of individuals, have advanced to state. He’s also worked with LHS girls’ coach Chris Nowatzki since the 1990s, helping craft a program that produced a state team championship in 2001."We had some good boys teams in the 1980s, and of course, we’ve had a lot of success on the girls’ side. I’ve enjoyed coaching with Chris," he said.Oksness also was on the football coaching staff in the late 1980s and early 90s, working as an assistant coach of Bob Osterday and Joel Swanson."Those football teams we had here in the late 1980s, when we were very successful, stand out," Oksness said. "I have a lot of good memories from coaching with Bob Osterday, Swanny, Terry Althoff and Joe Roberts. It’s hard to weigh what I’ll miss more — coaching or teaching. Both have been very important to me."With the exception of making more frequent trips to the family cabin on Ottertail Lake, Oksness plans to remain a Luverne resident for now.John and his wife, Sharon, have four children. Annie lives and works in San Francisco, Phil attends South Dakota State University, Brookings, Katie recently completed school and works at Hair LTD in Luverne. Emily, a 2003 graduate, will attend Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls this fall.Staying close to their children is important to John and Sharon Oksness, and that could lead to a change of residence in the future.

County Commissioners meet June 3Commissioner’s Room 9:00 A.M.Rock County Highway Building June 3, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to approve the June 3, 2003 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve the May 20, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the following consent agenda items with additions, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. Fund balance designation: General Fund $1.75 million w/$1.25 million-future building projects & $500,000 – compensated absences at the time of employment termination; Public Works $1.65 million w/$1.25 for road & bridge projects and $400,000 for capital purchases/equipment; Ditch Fund $30,000 future maintenance; Environmental Fund $550,000 w/$250,000 for future capital outlays and $300,000 in Transfer Station improvements; Family Services $500,000 with $440,000 for program costs and $60,000 compensated absences at the time of employment termination. 2. Student Intern recognition – John Kreuch & Justin Arndt3. Resolution No. 25-03, a resolution to participate in a Hazard Mitigation Planning Process(Additional)4. Rock County Rural Water pay request - $5,901.37 to Carstensen ConstructionMike Winkels, Sheriff, presented a request to replace (4) squad cars; motion by Wildung, Bakken, to replace the (3) leased vehicles and (1) county owned vehicle with (4) new leased vehicles, declared carried on a voice vote.The Sheriff requested to enter into a 911-circuit agreement with Frontier Phone Company; motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to authorize the agreement, declared carried on a voice vote.The Sheriff also requested to purchase a mapping interface software program from Nine One One, Inc. for $6,500.00 to be paid from the E911 Fund; motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to authorize the purchase of the software, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to raise the concealed weapons permit to carry fee from $75.00 to $100.00 declared carried on a voice vote.The Sheriff requested to fill (1) Sergeant’s position due to the retirement of Kurt Kester; that position was authorized to be filled by the order of the County Board Chair.Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, requested approval of conditional use permits for Central Specialties for the operation of a temporary hot mix asphalt plant for area road construction projects to be located in the NW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 28 of Battle Plain Township and in the W 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Section 35 of Mound Township. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve both permits for Central Specialties, declared carried on a voice vote. The LMO Director presented a request to re-zone 19.1 acres located in Section 12 of Luverne Township from A2 to R1 for a new residential development entitled Valley View Subdivision. In attendance, Paul Doherty, Planning & Zoning Committee Chair and spoke in opposition of the development. Following discussion, motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to authorize the re-zoning, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Bakken voting nay.Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the following solid waste abatements: oParcel No. 11-0142-000 located in the NE 1/4 of 10-103-46 for $42.00 oParcel No. 03-0212-000 located in the Village of Ash Creek Lots 1 thru 3 in Block 2 for $42.00Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to authorize the $42.00 abatement on Parcel No. 11-0142-000 only, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to accept the fund balance report as presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a voice vote.The Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims with additions; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to pay the claims as presented, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office. General $ 67,335.50LEC 1,207.00Road & Bridge 24,019.60Welfare 30,820.99Landfill 610.12TOTAL $123,993.21Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented bid results on Project SP 67-599-66 and SP 67-599-111 for bridge 1781 and 2244 replacement projects on Vienna Township Road 65: Duininck Brothers, Inc $482,101.00 Minnowa Construction, Inc. $513,322.50On a recommendation from the Engineer, motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to accept the low compliant bid from Duininck Brothers for $482,101.00, declared carried on a voice vote.Luverne Township Board Chair Lowell Fick presented concerns regarding township road T-147 from 115th Street to 120th Avenue as a result of the CSAH 4 construction project. He stated that the acreages and farmsteads along the detour route are being impacted by the traffic increase, which is causing speed and dust concerns. Mr. Fick requested the county to implement some type of dust and speed control on T-147 from 115th Street to 120th Avenue. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, directing the Engineer to look into placing magnesium water or an alternative product in front of the acreages along the detour route and that the cost not exceed $2,500.00 and that in turn, the township would post lower speed limits, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer presented the following construction updates: oBlue Mound Bike Path; they will begin placing an aggregate base on the path this week.o2002 Box Culvert Projects; project will not begin until after August 15, 2003 due to federal requirements protecting the endangered Topeka Shiner minnow. The contract will not be penalized as they are not allowed to work in the channel. oCSAH 4 to CSAH 11; the bituminous pavement has been removed and work continues. The County Board was informed that the 2002 Domestic Preparedness Grant has been accepted and approved and that those dollars would be spent in the near future. Jere Ohme, Recorder, attended the County Board meeting to express his support of the recent legislation authorizing the appointment of a County Recorder. After discussion, the County Board thanked Mr. Ohme for the work that is conducted from his office and directed that the County Administrator set up a schedule for the appointment process. County Attorney representatives Terry Vajgrt and Jeff Haubrich presented several issues of which the first was regarding the recent legislative adoption of the 2:00 A.M. closing of bars that will become effective July 1, 2003. Mr. Vajgrt advised the County Board that unless they were to pass an ordinance, liquor establishments would have that option beginning on July 1st. The County Board chose not to take any action at this time. Mr. Vajgrt presented information regarding the Airport Zoning; the Joint Airport Zoning Board has rezoned the airport area and no action was required from the County Board. Mr. Haubrich presented Resolution No. 24-03, a resolution amending the Rock County Personnel Policy by renumbering the existing Article XXXVI to Article XXXVII and inserting a new Article XXXVI, a policy prohibiting carrying or possessing a firearm while conducting county business with the exception of POST licensed Sheriff’s Department employees. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve Resolution No. 24-03, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board discussed firearms control on county properties; action was tabled until the June 17th County Board meeting to allow additional time for discussion with legal counsel of the issue. The County Board was in receipt of a letter from the State Auditor informing them that the State Auditor’s Office would be exercising an option to audit other units of government and that at some time in the future the county would be required to hire a CPA firm to conduct an audit.The County Board was in receipt of a number of items from the Association of Minnesota Counties regarding the close of the special legislative session to include: Summaries of Health & Human Services, Transportation, Corrections and General Government. The County Board directed that a special retreat be scheduled for June 17th to further discuss the impacts of the state budget. The County Board briefly discussed the District VIII meeting to be held on June 5th.Commissioner Hoime presented an update regarding the contract between the Rock County Community Pool & Fitness Center and Sioux Valley Hospital. He stated that the contract is due and the Pool Committee is currently renegotiating for a contract extension. Commissioner Hoime also attended the Alexandria Garbage Incinerator tour with a number of other commissioners throughout the region. Commissioner Bakken stated that he had attended the Rock County Historical Society Annual Meeting that was held on May 31st.With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned. Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(6-19)

ISD #2184 School Board meets May 22MAY 22, 2003MINUTES 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 MS/HS Media Center on Thursday, May 22, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Stacy Gillette, Melody Tenhoff, Jane Cote, Wendy Nath, Debrah Vander Kooi, Matt Crosby, K101/KQAD Radio, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Kopp. Mr. Schaefer gave announcements including there is an addendum to the agenda. Motion by Stegemann, second by Radisewitz, to approve the agenda and addendum. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Bryan, second by Deutsch, to approve the consent agenda including the School Board minutes of May 8, 2003; and the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of April 30, 2003. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Walgrave, to approve payment of the District bills in the amount of $857,044.46. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the summer curriculum work schedule as presented by Jan Olson. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Bryan, to approve the summer school contract with Dale Nelson for 4 weeks of band instruction at a salary of $5,245.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to approve the summer school contract with Dennis Moritz for 5 weeks of agriculture instruction at a salary of $5,133.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Radisewitz, to approve the Special Education Summer School program as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve the SW/WC Service Cooperative Summer Contract for 7 hours of Occupational Therapy at a cost of $1,977.50. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Stegemann, to approve the Rock County Family Community Support Treatment Agreement for the Day Treatment program. This agreement will run from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003. Motion unanimously carried. Business Manager Marlene Mann reviewed the equipment requisitions that have been received from the Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Alternative School. She also reviewed the technology budget expenditures. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to approve these purchases as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to table action on the Lease Agreement with Dave Breyfogle until the June 12 meeting. Discussion was held regarding some items in the Lease Agreement as well as the impact this lease may have on the CRP program. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to approve the Special Education Statement of Assurances. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Walgrave, to accept the resignation of Scott Jacobson, second grade teacher. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to accept the resignation of Kirsten Eisma effective June 3, 2003. Motion carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to approve hiring Tessa Lyle as Early Childhood: Special Needs teacher/coordinator. The contract is offered at a 70% minimum. Depending on the number of students, this may increase to 100%. Motion unanimously carried.Committee reports were given. It was noted there will be a Facilities Committee meeting immediately following the school board meeting. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Bryan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: May 22, 2003William Stegemann, Clerk(6-19)

Real-life reality TVwould be canceled… too real to tolerateI was glad to see a couple TV commercials announcing new fall lineups at the major networks. The ads caught my eye because they didn’t show scenes from new episodes of the latest so-called "reality" shows.Thank goodness. I hope the ads were a sign of change in our TV choices for good.I’ve gotten tired of trying to find an actual story to watch with a plot line involving real actors. Without that, TV just isn’t very fun anymore. Of course, I could stop spending my weeknights watching TV, passively or not. But Ozzy Osbourne is more likely to lose his stutter before I stop watching TV.Sometime around the peak of popularity for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" I stopped watching reality TV, or game shows or anything involving a primetime contest.I just couldn’t get into them. I’d rather watch imaginary dramas with more creativity than a "reality" where the premise is to kick out housemates or judge a preschooler screeching out a Whitney Houston song. In my reality, men in bikini shorts don’t eat cow brains for cash. Nor do a dozen or so eligible 20-somethings compete for some trashy lady’s affections. Well that one does happen sometimes, but it doesn’t last an entire season and there’s usually some type of prescription medication involved. Maybe I’m just bitter because I don’t have the looks, talent or personality to be on a reality show. If I had my own, it would go something like this:Episode 1 would involve me talking on the phone while painting my nails and balancing the checkbook. Neither the gossip nor the bank balance would generate much drama.Episode 2 would involve major household tension as I raise my voice, "Why should I have to kill it? Don’t you want to rescue me from the spider in the bathroom?"Episode 3 would be sort of funny … and a little sad. It would show me on the couch in my pajamas from about 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. flipping through the channels (foolishly looking for a non-"reality" show). During Episode 5 there would be a video montage of me spending a series of nights inventing things in the kitchen. It would cut to scenes like, "Honey, does this taste like that potato leek soup I ordered?" and "Don’t be scared. Just try it. It’s artichoke-spinach dip."By Episode 5, the reality show would be cancelled. … Too real for most people to tolerate.

Knights of Pythias and Pythean Sisters LodgeThe following was printed in the Rose History in 1911: "A Luverne fraternal order with a record for noteworthy achievement is Luverne Lodge No. 113, Knights of Pythias, which was organized Nov. 15, 1892, with 22 charter members. The lodge was instituted by Fred E. Wheaton, grand chancellor of Minnesota. Following is the initial membership roll, including the first officers of the order: E.S. Rogers, P.C.; F.H. Helener, V.C.; W.H. Randall, P.; F.E. Johnston, K.R. and S.; W.A. Shawver, M.F.; N.C. Gunderson, M.V.’ J.B. Johnson, M.A.; S.B. Nelson, I.G.; T.J. McDermott, O.G.; F.E. Shafer, C.H. Pumphrey, Harper Shafer, C.W. Orvis, H.W. Rogers, Henry Meyer, E.O. Krook, Mark Swedberg, J.C. Glynn, L.S. Nelson, J.W. Gerber, C.A. Yaeger. The Knights of Pythias possess one of the most finely appointed lodge rooms in the state. The chambers occupy most of the second floor of an elegant business block erected by the lodge in 1908, at a cost of $16,000. The formal dedication of Pythian Castle hall occurred July 22, 1909. A distinguishing feature of the event was the fact that the dedication ceremonies were conducted by Supreme National Chancellor H.P. Brown of Texas. The home of the Luverne Knights is the first one in the Grand Domain of Minnesota to be so signally honored. The Pythian Sisters Lodge (an order until a few years ago known as the Rathbone Sisters) is a flourishing organization. Luverne Temple No. 41 was granted its charter March 17, 1906. The 17 charter members and first officers were as follows: Emma Johnston, M.E.C.; Myra Davis, P.C.; Etta Gerber, E.S.; Irene Cottrell, E.J.; Carrie Jones, manager; Nina Canfield, M.R.C.; Addie Delate, M. of F.; Ada Mae Bell, P.; Libbie Yaeger, G.; Cora Nutting, Alice Birch, Charity Hughes, Georgenia Myhre, Sarah Hafsoons, Belle Davis, Nellie Canfield, Laura Dobell."Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156. Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

It was sure nice to attend the barn dance Saturday night. It brings back memories. I wish my dad, Lester Wieck, would have been here. He built a barn on one of his farms northeast of Magnolia many years ago. The Magnolia band needed some instruments. Dad had a barn dance in the hayloft with a band and lunch. He donated the money to buy some instruments. Everyone had a grand time.It was great to watch the square dancers Saturday night also. They went right along with the barn dance. It was nice, Delmar Dahnke.Evelyn BruhnMagnolia

Cookie lovers should sleep better these days. A frivolous lawsuit to ban Oreo cookies in California has been dropped like a ton of lard. Stephen Joseph, the British-born attorney who filed the suit against Kraft Foods Inc. last month, said he only wanted to make people more aware of trans fats in our foods. What he didn’t take into consideration is that, for many of us, our love for Oreos transcends any fears we might have of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Fats happen and we must swallow that fact. Oreos, tasty chocolate wafer cookies lovingly bonded together with creamy frosting, have become a comfort food for many of us. From our early childhoods to the present, we have been fully aware of the benefits of the little sandwich cookies. For example, the makers of Oreos have enhanced our holidays with exciting varieties of festive frosting colors. We expect to see orange-colored frosting fillings for Halloween and red frosting for Christmas. All of the many other frosting colors have enriched our appreciation for the holidays and seasons more than we can possibly imagine. Oreos are better coffee or milk dippers than doughnuts, pieces of pie or chunks of cake. While those other Oreo wannabes become soggy, break apart and plummet like space debris into our beverages, Oreos both soak up well and maintain their original shapes. In this sense they are a perfect food. Another advantage of Oreos is that they teach children everything they should know about sharing. They learn quickly that sharing isn’t necessarily a synonym for equal. It’s not always fair. Just ask any younger sibling who was always stuck with the unfrosted sides when Oreos were divided in halves. (In self defense I would suggest that as older siblings kind enough to do the sharing in the first place, we more or less deserved to be rewarded with the frosted halves.) Oreos have taught most of us to save the best for last. Eat the plain half of the Oreo before the frosted side. This also ties in perfectly with the Calvinist idea of suffering before you can enjoy. When compared to other questionable foods such as fried liver with onions, boiled beef tongues or lima beans, Oreos provide the best culinary way to celebrate the pursuit of happiness, one of our basic freedoms. Now that the lawsuit in California has been dropped, our country no longer faces the possibility of being torn into two groups — Oreo dunkers and Oreo debunkers. The dropped lawsuit should also serve to remind us that so-called junk foods shouldn’t be treated like much-maligned cigarettes in our courtrooms. After all, no innocent bystander has become sick from second-hand exposure to chocolate wafers or creamy frosting fillings. They may wish they had Oreos and drool a bit, but it’s only temporary. The Oreo lawsuit in California raises one important question. Who appointed Stephen Joseph to be head of our cookie police, anyway? We like our Oreos and we don’t want people to mess with them. That’s the truth and that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

Spending the weekend in the home of Dean Greenfield were his children, Leah and Kent Teveldal and Courtney, Scott and Karen Greenfield and family, all of Lamberton, and Troy Greenfield, Slayton.Bob and Twila Kirsch attended funeral services Saturday morning at our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls for Vernon Haraldson. They were classmates at the Hills school. Jim and Marj Roning attended the Sioux Valley Sangerfest concert and supper afterward as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Eliason of Canton, S.D. Terry Walters, a former Hills-Beaver Creek music teacher, was the assistant director. Tom and Matt VanWyhe, Sioux Falls, were lunch guests Sunday noon in the home of Cliff and Vi VanWyhe in honor of Father’s Day. Steve VanWyhe, Steen, also stopped by. Enoch and Madeline Thorsgard, Northwood, N.D., spent from Friday afternoon until Saturday morning in the Wendell Erickson home. He is Kathryn’s cousin.Luella Schlueter visited her cousin, Alvin Heetland, Friday at Good Samaritan Village Assisted Living apartments in Sioux Falls. Saturday evening Fran Sandager attended the wedding of Suzanne Johansen and John Parks at the Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and the reception at the Brandon Golf Club. Friday Brenda Hadler and Colby of Edgerton visited in the home of Joanne Goehle. Sunday the Steve Carmany family of Tyler, were visitors and also Tom Goehle. Wednesday Susan Hofman and son, David, Melvin, Iowa, visited in the home of her parents, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer.Sunday evening, Cliff and Vi VanWyhe were entertained in the home of Lexia and Ron DeWit in Sioux Falls.Vic and Fran Sandager returned home after spending two weeks in the home of their son, John Sandager, in Colorado Springs, Colo., and attending the wedding of Tatiana Sandager and David Kucera on June 8. Thursday, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer took Frank and Berdella DeBoer to Rock Rapids for dinner in honor of Father’s Day and then went on to Sheldon, Iowa, to visit Frank’s brother, Bill DeBoer and wife, Nelva. Sequndo and Joan Valesquez spent a couple of days here with her father, Arnold Swanson. They returned Sunday to their home in Mendota Heights accompanied by Arnold who will spend about a week there. Friday afternoon guests in the Vic Sandager home were Norris and Lorraine Meland of Wallace, S.D.Saturday, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer went to Spirit Lake, Iowa, to attend a DeBoer get-together.

Vernon Haraldson, 80, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Hills, died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls.Memorial services were Saturday, June 14, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls.Vernon Haraldson was born on Feb. 26, 1923, in Hills. He grew up and received his education in Hills. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1942 to 1945, serving in the North Atlantic.He married Martha Madtson on Sept. 6, 1944, in Norfolk, Va. He worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls for 38 years, retiring in 1985. Mr. Haraldson was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church where he was an usher for many years and served on the Board of Property. He drove for Meals on Wheels 18 years, belonged to the VFW, NARFE and worked with Habitat for Humanity for 10 years where he was a Master’s Builder. Survivors include his wife, Martha Haraldson, Sioux Falls, three sons, Ron (Marci) Haraldson, Willmar, Dennis (Carol) Haraldson, Sioux Falls, and Paul (Marisa) Haraldson, Ely; one daughter, Sheila (Terry), Martinez, Calif.; six grandchildren Heidi Nelson, Gretchen Haraldson, Caryn Haraldson, Hailey Castagnozzi, Staci Schiller and Steve Schiller; one brother, Berdell Haraldson Sioux Falls; and one sister, Lois Sims, Cheyenne, Wyo. Mr. Haraldson was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.Memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity or Our Saviors Lutheran Church Foundation.Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.