Hills-Beaver Creek junior hitter Erin Boeve reaches for one of her 20 blocks during a 3-2 volleyball loss to Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster in Hills Thursday.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek volleyball team upped its Red Rock Conference record to 3-5 with a 3-0 win at Edgerton Public School Tuesday.

All three games of the match were fairly close, but the Patriots outscored the Flying Dutchmen 45-29 for the night while winning all three contests.

The win adds to what has been an impressive turn-around to H-BC's season. After starting the campaign with five straight losses, the Patriots evened their mark at 7-7-3 with the victory.

H-BC will host Westbrook-Walnut Grove tonight before playing road matches against Ellsworth and Southwest Star Concept Monday and Tuesday.

According to Patriot coach Curt Doorneweerd, a strong serving performance lifted H-BC to victory in Edgerton.

H-BC's servers kept the pressure on Edgerton most of the night, and keeping the ball in play helped the Patriots register 15-10, 15-8 and 15-11 wins.

"We played pretty well," said Patriot coach Curt Doorneweerd. "I think serving was the key for us. We served really well."

Jody Rentschler, Angie Sjaarda and Sarah Rozeboom led H-BCÕs assault on Edgerton from the service line.

Rentschler was 15 of 15 with one ace, Sjaarda 12 of 12 with one ace and Rozeboom five of five with one ace.

Tara Boeve, who had two ace serves, led the winners with 14 blocks and 12 kills.

Rozeboom added 10 kills to the cause. Kelly Mulder chipped in four blocks.

By Jolene Farley
M & M Repair, owned by Melvin and Minnie Van Batavia, will celebrate 25 years in the auto repair business with an open house from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

M & M Repair has been a constant on Main Street in Steen, a community of 190 people, for many years.

Melvin, a 1971 Hills High School graduate, purchased his car repair business in 1976 from retiring mechanic Clarence Erickson.

"When I started we still had gravel on Main Street," he said. "About two years after I started they black-topped Main Street."

Van Batavia attended Jackson Area Vocational School for auto mechanics and worked for three years at a Pontiac dealership in Rock Rapids before the purchase.

M & M Repair remained in the same location until 1990 when Melvin and Minnie moved to Alexandria where Melvin attended classes to update his mechanical skills.

In the fall of 1991, the Van Batavias moved back to Steen and reopened M & M Repair. They built a new building in the current location.

"My old building was really run down, dark and cold," Melvin said.

He said he really missed Steen when he was in Alexandria.

HeÕs pleased with how his business has grown over the years. "It gets more and more each year; I turn down a lot of customers," he said.

Most of his clientele comes from within a five- or six-mile radius of Steen.

"I just kind of do everything from go-carts to washing machines, lawn mowers all the way up to four-wheel-drive tractors," he said.

Automobiles have changed for the better over the years, even though cars are more dependent on computers, according to Van Batavia.

Cars last longer without the major repair work required in the past, so Van Batavia does more normal maintenance now.

He suggests customers service their cars regularly. He said replacing the fuel filter in an engine saves wear on the fuel injection system.

He added another tip. Some newer model cars have electric fuel pumps in the gas tanks that are lubricated by gas, so running your vehicle out of gas may ruin the fuel pump.

Van Batavia expects 250 to 300 people to attend the open house on Saturday. He will pass out free pens and screwdrivers. The Beaver Creek Sportsmen's Club will serve burgers and brats, and door prizes will be given away.

Ingeberg Maria Walker, 76, Adrian, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.
Services were Saturday, Sept. 7, at First Baptist Church in Adrian. The Rev. Timothy Barr officiated. Burial was in Adrian Cemetery.

Ingeberg von Reidlitz was born on June 23, 1926, in Wroclaw, East Germany, the daughter of titled aristocracy. From age 6 to 10 she attended a German School; from 10 to 14 she studied at a Convent School in Nice, France; and from 14 to 16, she went to school in Switzerland. After returning from a vacation to her home in Wroclaw, she was drafted into the German Air Force. 1st Lieutenant von Reidlitz spent two years in the service of the German Air Force flying the Ju9 dive bomber and Bueker 82 Messersmidt.

Following the war, she became a hired interpreter for the military government. It was in this capacity, in 1946, at the age of 19, she met and became the interpreter for Master Sergeant Warren A. Walker, born and raised in Kenneth. They were married on May 14, 1949, in Donworth, Bavaria. Her husband remained with the U.S. Army where they were stationed all over the U.S. until retiring after 30 years of service. The couple then spent a year with her parents in Germany in 1960, before moving to Nebraska to live with and care for Mr. Walker's parents. When his parents entered a nursing home they returned to southwest Minnesota.

Mrs. Walker was a member of First Baptist Church in Adrian and PETA. She was an avid reader, enjoyed classical music, crochet work, animals, birds, and giving treats to children.

Survivors include her brother, Otto von Dalowski von Reidlitz, Germany; one sister, Johanna, Germany; three sisters-in-law, Addie Weis, Conway, Alaska, Bessy Bents, Pipestone, and Gracie (Berk) Wolf, Arlington, Neb., and one nephew, Hans Schirmer, South Africa.

Mrs. Walker, was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Warren, on June 15, 1983.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.

Mark and Leah Gath, Luverne, use their combine, tractor and wagon to help Jon Finke harvest soybeans north of Steen on Monday. With two combines running, all of Finke's 200 acres of beans were harvested in one day. Story inside.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Sister outing leads to
a 'falk in the worest'

Our annual Kroontje Sister Outing was last weekend. My four sisters, a niece, my mother and I piled into one vehicle and left our troubles behind.

This year our featured destination was the Renaissance Festival near Shakopee. I understand the festival has been a regular summer attraction for nearly 30 years, but it was a first for me.

The weather was gorgeous - a crisp, sunny 65 degrees - which made everything enjoyable.

We ate (yes, we sampled the giant turkey legs), we gabbed, we shopped, we gabbed, we watched the famous jousting match, and, of course, we gabbed some more.

One of our favorite sideshows was the "Tory Steller" comedian who swapped first letters on key words of classic children's fairy tales. His frequent reference to "falks in the worest" gave the stories more of a PG-13 rating than G.

Observations from a first-timer:

Pets are welcome on the Renaissance campus, which is a nice gesture. I noticed lots of water bowls set out to accommodate the canine visitors, but I didn't notice designated rest rooms for four-legged guests.

Annual Renaissance Festival visitors enjoy dressing for the medieval festival, which adds a certain amount of authenticity to the event.

Some of the costumes were beautiful period attire, but plenty of others were just cheap excuses to flaunt cleavage for a day. Let's just say there's a good reason for some fashion evolutions since the 15th century.

Definitely try the mock fencing competition. My youngest sister, Lavelle, and I donned protective metal head gear and armed ourselves with dangerous-looking swords. But just before the match began, officials duct taped party balloons to our helmets and told us to have at it. The one to emerge with unpopped balloons would be named the victor.

It was hilarious.

We looked more like cast-iron bunnies in space suits than medieval knights. Before it was over we were more breathless from the giggles than from actual combat.

For the record, I won, which is more than I can say about our word games in the hotel the previous night.

About meth in Rock County
WeÕve had several inquiries about why the Star Herald didnÕt cover last Wednesday's meeting at Pizza Ranch about meth use in Rock County.

While I was personally invited to attend, my offer to cover it as a news item was declined because the meeting was designed to encourage candid participation from affected private citizens.

We at the Star Herald support the efforts of those at the meeting, and we'll continue to do our part to educate readers about drugs in Rock County.

Please read all of our news coverage on drug enforcement and dependency in this week's paper. We've covered the topic before, but sometimes stories about drugs arenÕt interesting until they personally affect us.

Don't let that be the case in your family - stay informed about local drugs and know what warning signs to watch for in your own children.

Rotary rose sale
Luverne's 2nd annual Rotary rose sale is under way.

The Luverne Rotary Club is selling a dozen roses for $12, and for an additional $3 they will deliver them.

The proceeds from the sale will go toward Rotary Student Scholarships, the Bicycle Helmet Program and Foreign Exchange Student Program.

All orders must be placed by no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

Roses can be picked up at Prairie Smoke Floral, 220 E. Main in Luverne, between noon and 9 p.m. on Oct. 17 and from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Contact Dorothy, David or Stephanie at 283-4582 with questions.

Citywide rummage sale this Saturday
For all of you rummagers, the last citywide rummage sale of the year will be taking place this Saturday in Luverne.

The citywide event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Twenty residents are participating in the event.

A map of their locations is available at various Luverne convenience stores.

MnDOT increases price for corn rows
A few weeks ago I told you that the state of Minnesota would like farmers to help them with winter drifting, and they will pay you to do it.

Well, now they want to up the ante.

Because of the recent increase in corn prices, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is increasing the payment to leave corn row snow fences in the field.

MnDOT will now pay $4 per bushel for all contracts, and that includes about a $1.50 incentive.

To qualify, you must have fields to the north and west of state highways where there is a demonstrated drifting problem.

Rock County is one of the affected areas.

Anyone interested in the program should contact the Windom office at 800-804-3295.

New duties for area postal officials
In one of several area postal changes, Laurie Gangestad has become the Officer in Charge of the Jasper Post Office.

Gangestad has served as Officer in Charge twice before, when previous postmasters were transferred.

Jasper Postmaster Merlin Wynia will serve as Officer in Charge at the Adrian Post Office for approximately two months, where the present postmaster retired.

In Hardwick, Nancy Patton retired effective Sept. 30 after a 33-year career with the Post Office. The past 23 years of those have been as postmaster in Hardwick.

Sam Hansen, a Hardwick resident and a Luverne city carrier, will serve as Officer in Charge until a replacement is named.

Relay for Life kick-off meeting is Oct. 10
The date for next year's Relay for Life has been set for June 21-22, but the process for getting ready for next year's event will begin at a noon meeting Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Luverne Pizza Ranch.

The group's 2002 effort raised $44,000. The top fund-raising teams were Minnwest Lifesavers: Isaac DeBoer and Carol Wixon; Fick Family & Friends: Denise Fick; Wooden Shoe Warriors: Glenda Schomacker; and Walking for the Angels: Ann Schneekloth and April Gangestad.

Individuals with the highest fund-raising totals were: Glenda Schomacker, Vivian Holst, Denise Fick, Dolly VanDerWeerd, Cami McAndrew, Annabelle Frakes, Eileen Hocking and Joyce Sikkema.

One big change for next year's rally will be its location.

For 2003, the Relay for Life will be in the Luverne City Park.

The organizers are hoping the new location will allow a better sound stage situation, as well as a better camping environment.

"Because she did such a beautiful job of sharing her story last year, and she has been a tremendous supporter of the event since it first got going, Glenda Schomacker has been named 2003 Honorary Chair.

Contact Vicki Baartman, Nancy Kaczrowski, Cindy Arends or Vivian Holst if you would like to get involved in the Relay for Life.

Next year's goal has been raised to $50,000.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Jason C. Brandenburg, 18, Lake Crystal, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, from a grain bin accident in rural Lake Crystal.

Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, Sept. 27, in St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Mankato, with the Rev. John Wilmot officiating. Burial was in Lake Crystal Cemetery.

Jason C. Brandenburg was born to Gary and Pam (Rigdon) Brandenburg on Jan. 18, 1984, in Mankato. He graduated from Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial High School in 2002. He had worked for Cub Foods in Mankato and had started a new job at Grain Commerce Inc. on Monday, Sept. 23. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Lake Crystal. He enjoyed music, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his parents; one brother, Joseph "Joe" Brandenburg, Lake Crystal; maternal grandparents, Charles and Arlene Rigdon, rural Good Thunder; maternal great-grandmother, Helen Rigdon, Good Thunder; aunts, uncles and cousins. Larry and Diana Brandenburg, uncle and aunt, are both Luverne natives.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, paternal great-grandparents and maternal great-grandfather.

Lake Crystal Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

A memorial service for Minerva Bowron will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in United Methodist Church, Luverne. The Rev. Bart Fletcher will officiate. Burial of cremains will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. A time of fellowship will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Luverne, and continuing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Minerva Bowron, 87, Hills, formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, in Tuff Memorial Home, Hills.

Minerva Aanenson was born April 17, 1915, to Oliver and Olga (Berg) Aanenson in Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1932. She worked at Nelson Brothers Department Store and at the Announcer in Luverne.

She married Dallas Bowron on Nov. 24, 1937, in Milbank, S.D. After their marriage, the couple lived in Sioux Falls, S.D.,where she worked at Fantle's Department Store. In 1939, the couple moved to the Magnolia area where they farmed. They retired and moved to Luverne in 1981. Mrs. Bowron became a resident of Tuff Memorial Home in 1990.

She was a former member of the Luverne Garden Club.

Survivors include her husband, Dallas Bowron, Luverne; one daughter, Judy Bowron, Bloomington; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Jeanne Bowron, Luverne; four grandchildren, Emily (Joshua) Crabtree, Luverne, Alison (Derek) Chinn, Rochester, Johnna (Jeff) Ahrendt, Luverne, and Jessica (Jason) Oye, Greeley, Colo.; three great-grandchildren, Connor, Madison and Colby Crabtree; two brothers, Quentin (Jackie) Aanenson, Bethesda, Md., and Curtis (Evalou) Aanenson, Minnetonka; and one sister, Mavis Porter, Rock Rapids, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son; one brother, Vernon Aanenson, and one sister, Elaine Kunkel.

Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to The AlzheimerÕs Association, Siouxland Chapter, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Minerva Bowron, 87, Hills, formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. A time of fellowship will be Friday, Oct. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home. Memorial services will be Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Luverne, with Rev. Bart Fletcher officiating. Burial of cremains will be at Maplewood Cemetery.