By Jolene Farley
A Memorial Day service in Hills Monday honored veterans who defended their country. Hills American Legion Post 399 sponsored the program.

The program began on a patriotic note with the Hills-Beaver Creek High School band playing traditional songs and the Color Guard presenting the colors.

Jessica Martens, Angie Sjaarda and Heather Albers sang the "Star Spangled Banner." Pastor Daniel Ramaker gave the invocation followed by Angie Martinez, winner of the 2002 Sertoma Club Heritage essay contest, who read her essay.

Retired Col. James B. Fleming, a 1946 Hills High School graduate, spoke on events he experienced about Memorial Day and items related to it.

"Over time, the community of Hills provided hundreds of men and women to serve the country during times of war and crisis," Fleming said in his address.

"It has been fortunate in the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, only Bob Schlotfeldt died in combat during the Korean War. Others were wounded and prisoners of war but no other combat deaths."

He spoke on his own personal Memorial Day memories.

"I must say the most emotional (for him) Memorial Day occurred in Washington, D.C. in 1984. That was the Memorial Day President Reagan officially dedicated the Vietnam Memorial Wall," he said.

"The most riveting part of the parade was the last unit in the parade. It really wasn't a unit but rather four or five hundred Vietnam veterans wearing their jungle uniforms with their medals. Most were marching without assistance, a few had canes, some in wheelchairs and a few with crutches. However, they all made the four-mile parade!

"I will tell you there wasn't a dry eye anywhere in the huge crowd that had gathered to see the parade and the Vietnam vets received a standing ovation throughout the length of the parade."

Fleming ended his address by thanking the audience for inviting him to speak.

"This day will rank right behind Memorial Day 1984," he said. "I salute you!"

After Pastor Ramaker gave the benediction, Legion members solemnly gathered outside the Legion hall to march the two blocks to Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.

At the cemetery, Pastor Ramaker led the gathering in prayer. Commander Robert Sandbulte honored deceased members of the American Legion and Auxiliary members by reading their names. A wreath was laid near the veterans memorial in their memory.

The veterans memorial reads, "This memorial is dedicated in grateful tribute to veterans of all wars who served in defense of our country."

Legion members fired their guns in salute. To end the service, "Taps" was played by Shannon Tilstra. People slowly dispersed contemplating the sacrifices made for their country.

By Jolene Fairly
A 41-year-old Valley Springs man was killed and his 9-year-old daughter injured Wednesday, May 22, in a motorcycle accident east of Valley Springs, SD, in Rock County.

Ronald Matthaei was driving westbound toward Valley Springs when he dropped onto the gravel shoulder of County Road 4 and lost control of his motorcycle, according to Rock County Deputy Sheriff Kurt Kester.

He wasn’t wearing a helmet and was thrown from the motorcycle. The motorcycle landed in the ditch and his daughter was pinned underneath it. She was wearing a helmet.

A wind gust could have contributed to the accident, according to Kester.

A motorist who witnessed the accident called 911 from a nearby farm. Rescuers were notified at 8:52 p.m.

The girl was conscious when she was airlifted to Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.

American Legion Post No. 399 sponsored Memorial Day services in Hills Monday. Retired Col. Jim Fleming, a Hills High School graduate, was the speaker for the event. Above, Legion members solemnly march through Hills, followed by community members, to the cemetery for the memorial service. Story inside.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Margaret S. Loger, 74, Luverne, died Sunday, May 26, 2002, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, May 29, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The Rev. John Pehrson officiated. Burial was in Ebenezer State Line Cemetery in Kanaranzi Township.

Margaret Anderson was born to Henry and Ida (Kirkeby) Anderson on April 29, 1928, in Lily, S.D. She attended country school near Wallace, S.D. After her schooling she lived and worked in Watertown, S.D.

She married Edwin Loger on Sept. 30, 1947, at State Line Presbyterian parsonage. They made their home in Luverne all of their married lives. She worked at Worthmore Produce until starting their family. After raising her family she worked at A.R. Wood Manufacturing and GlenÕs Food Center in the bakery and deli departments.

Mrs. Loger was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She enjoyed painting, quilting, crafts, gardening, canning and music.

Survivors include her husband, Edwin Loger, Luverne; five children, Keith (Karen) Loger, Austin, Diane (Gary) Korthals, Schuyler, Neb., Denis Loger, Luverne, Gary Loger, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Sheila (Mike Pleasants) Loger, St. Paul; five grandchildren, Shane Korthals, Jason Loger, Derek Korthals, Kari Loger and Megan Loger; and one sister, Ruby Gall, Rapid City, S.D.

Mrs. Loger was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Curtis and Eugene, one grandson, Brent Korthals, and one brother, Alfred Anderson.

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

Michael Ladd, 45, Watertown, S.D., formerly of Luverne, died Monday, May 20, 2002, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.

Services were Friday, May 24, 2002, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne.

Michael Ladd was born to Watson and Mary (Remus) Ladd on Oct. 31, 1956, in Sleepy Eye. He grew up in Sleepy Eye and graduated from St. MaryÕs High School in 1976. He graduated from Wadena Vo. Tech College, Wadena, in 1978. He was first employed in Marshall. In his spare time he umpired Legion baseball. In 1980 he began working as manager for the Eagles Club in Worthington.
He married Gracia Shelton on July 10, 1981, in Worthington. They moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1982 and returned to Luverne in 1983. He worked at IBP in Luverne for the next 13 years. He then went to work for Christensen Family Farms by Garretson, S.D., until January 2001 when they moved to Watertown where he worked for Econo Foods.

Mr. Ladd enjoyed sports. His favorites were baseball, football and wrestling.

Survivors include his wife, Gracia Ladd, Watertown; one son, Dustin Ladd, Watertown; three daughters, Amber Shelton-Ladd, Annie Shelton-Ladd, both of Luverne, and Amanda Conklin, Hatfield; three grandchildren, Donovan Conklin, Tessa Aning and Selena Wright; five brothers, George (Bobbie) Ladd, Buffalo, Nelson (Cindy) Ladd, Belle Plaine, Pat Ladd, Watertown, Jim (Sheri) Ladd, Luverne, and John (Barb) Ladd, Sleepy Eye; four sisters, Sister Shirley Ladd, Waukesha, Wis., Mary (Kevin) Aaker, Luverne, Jackie (Pat) Krzmarzick and Vickie (Bob) Simon, all of Sleepy Eye, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mr. Ladd was preceded in death by his parents.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Brandenburg to host artist's reception
The Brandenburg Gallery will be hosting an artist's reception this Friday, but the artist won't be Jim Brandenburg.

Instead, the gallery will host a reception for Luverne native Tom Maras.

Maras will be at the Brandenburg Gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31, to show his most recent blown glass creations.

Maras will also have his work on display throughout the month of June.

The gallery recently celebrated their 4th Year Anniversary.

If you would like to check out Jim’s latest work, or see some of Maras's creations, the gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Another street project about to begin
Another street project is about to begin in Luverne.

On Monday, June 3, the county will start reconstruction of Luverne Street from Highway 75 to Cedar Street.

The project will include the removal and replacement of the pavement, curb and gutter, driveways, and sidewalks.

The project is three blocks long and will cost $225,000.

Completion is expected by August 9.

The prime contractor is Henning Construction and the project is administered by the Rock County Highway Department.

Gutknecht to visit Luverne on Friday
Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-Rochester) will make a campaign stop in Luverne.

The congressman will tour the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, May 31.

Gutknecht is a four-term congressman whose district was recently reapportioned to include southwest Minnesota.

Other stops on the southwest visit include Worthington, Pipestone and Slayton, also communities that are new to the congressman's district.

Candidates set for Minnesota House seat race
Minnesota District 22 Republicans held their nominating convention last Friday, nominating Doug Magnus to run for the position currently held by Rep. Ted Winter, (DFL Fulda).

Magnus and his wife Brenda live on a farm near Slayton and have two children.

Magnus has a B.S. degree in animal science from South Dakota State University, Brookings, and is a Vietnam vet, serving in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972.

Magnus' political background includes being county co-chair for the Carlson/Benson campaign for Governor/Lt. Governor, member of past U.S. Senator Dave Durenburger’s agriculture advisory team, and was appointed by Gov. Carlson to serve two terms on the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board from 1993 through 1999.

In the agricultural field, Magnus was elected to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council in 1989 and served three terms as Council Chairman.

In 1993 he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the United Soybean Board and served as the International Marketing Chairman three terms, Communications Chairman, Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the Board in 2001.

If telemarketers are bothering you
If telemarketers are bothering you, you have probably heard about Minnesota's new "Don't Call List."

Under the new law, Minnesotans will be able to sign up, for free, to a list that will prevent telemarketers from bothering them.

But don't call yet.

According to Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Jim Bernstein, his department will start taking names for the new list by late summer.

Although there is no charge for users, the telemarketers will be required to pay for an updated "no call" list every three months.

Phone numbers will remain on the list for four years.

By the end of the summer, the Commerce Dept. will start making public announcements about how consumers can register their number by phone, mail, or e-mail.

The new law will reduce, but not eliminate unwanted calls. The law does not apply to:
Non-profit groups
Political organizations
Businesses with a prior relationship to the consumer
Businesses that do not intend to complete the sale on the phone

Many legislators are already saying the law is a good start, but that it needs improvement.

Additional adjustments are already planned for the next legislative session.

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

Joyce "Mickey" Gabrielson, 70, Austin, formerly of Luverne, died Monday, May 20, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital.

Services were Friday, May 24, at First Baptist Church in Austin. The Rev. R. Allan Flint officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Joyce "Mickey" Thorson was born to Herman and Edna (Welzenbach) Thorson on July 27, 1931.

She married Arnold M. Gabrielson on March 13, 1949, in Minneapolis. She became an LPN and returned to Austin Community College to earn her Registered Nurse degree. She worked as a 2nd floor charge nurse at Austin Medical Center (St. Olaf Hospital. She was also an educator with the I Can Cope program.
Mrs. Gabrielson was a member of First Baptist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, youth mentor, sang in the choir and was the parish nurse for the congregation. She was an avid flower gardener with a special love of growing roses. She enjoyed baking, letter writing and time spent with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Arnold M. (Arnie) Gabrielson Austin; three sons, Tim (Diane) Gabrielson, Austin, Tom (Dawn) Gabrielson, Minneapolis, and Randy (Katey) Gabrielson, Stillwater; three daughters, Susan (Scott) Bjerke, Eagan, Mary (Scot) Jacobson, Cummins, Ga., and Jan (Mark) Tansil, Sebastopol, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; two brothers, Jim (Sharon) Thorson, Rapid City, S.D., and Steve (Mary Jane) Thorson, Ft. Collins, Colo.; one sister, Carol (Roy) Cooper, Albert Lea; and nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Gabrielson was preceded in death by her parents.
The family prefers memorials to the Southern Minnesota WomenÕs Center of First Baptist Church.
Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin, was in charge of arrangements.

Hills veteran Wendell Erickson places a wreath on the veterans memorial in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery as part of the American Legion post No. 399 Memorial Day services in Hills Monday. Retired Col. Jim Fleming, a Hills High School graduate, was the speaker for the event.

Monday featured Memorial Day services in communities all over Rock County as area residents observed the national holiday by spending time with family and by remebering loved ones.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Luverne's Scott Goebel (left) and Nick Otten (behind Goebel) make a turn during the 1,600-meter run at Thursday's Sub-Section 10 Track and Field Championships in Luverne. Goebel placed second in the event and Otten fourth to help the Luverne boys win their fifth straight sub-section team title.

By John Rittenhouse
What has been an outstanding track and field season for the Luverne High School boys' program continued Thursday when the Cardinals hosted the Sub-Section 10 Championships at Cardinal Field.

Luverne turned in a dominating performance that ended with the Cardinals compiling 206 points to run away with their fifth consecutive team title.

Southwest Christian finished a distant second behind LHS in the final standings, finishing 72 points off the pace with 134 counters. Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth (119.5), Pipestone-Jasper (117), Murray County Central (70.5) and Edgerton (24) capped the field.

More important than Luverne's successful team outing was the fact that 15 boys earned the right to compete at todayÕs Section 3A meet in Pipestone. Meet time is 4 p.m.

The top four relay teams and top four finishers in individual events at the sub-section level qualify for the section meet. The 15 LHS boys will compete in 16 of 18 events at the section meet.

LuverneÕs sub-section effort was highlighted by eight event titles.

CardinalsÕ Craig Bosch and Marcus Walgrave won two individual events each.

Bosch won the shot put and discus titles with respective 47-0 and 158-10 tosses. Walgrave took top honors in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles with respective 16.38 and 41.47 times.

Walgrave also ran a leg with Luverne's champion 800-meter relay team, which was timed at 1:34.59. Travis Johnson, Tyler Elbers and Tom Sandager are the other team members.

Sandager and Andrew Norton also locked up sub-section individual titles.

Sandager, who placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 51.9, won the long jump crown with a distance of 20-1.

Norton, who was second in the triple jump with a distance of 40-10 3/4, cleared 6-2 to win the high jump.

Luverne also won the 400-meter relay with a time of 43.32. Team members include Sandager, Elbers, Chris Morgan and Johnson.

Scott Goebel, Morgan, Elbers and Tim Rust placed second in individual competition.

Goebel, who qualified for the section meet by finishing fourth in the 800-meter run in 2:11.35, was second in the 1,600 in 4:49.03.

Morgan, who placed third in the 110 hurdles in 17.06, finished second behind Walgrave in the 300 hurdles with a 43.82 effort.

Elbers, who was fourth in 200-meter dash with a time of 24.09, cleared 5-10 in the high jump to place second.

Rust placed second in the pole vault by clearing 11-6.

Johnson came up with LuverneÕs lone third-place finish when he covered 200 meters in 24.03.

Placing fourth and advancing to Pipestone for LHS are Mark Brockberg, Justin Van Wyhe and the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relay teams.

Brockberg cleared 9-0 to place fourth in the pole vault. Van Wyhe came in fourth in the triple jump with a 39-3 3/4 effort.

Kyle Bitterman, Rust, Goebel and Ruston Aaker placed fourth in the 1,600-meter relay in 3:49.13, while Bitterman, Jamison Tooley, Aaker and Jerome Willers finished fourth in the 3,200-meter relay in 9:30.91.

Here is a look at the rest of Luverne's top-eight individual finishers during the sub-section meet.

Fifth place: Rust, 100, 11.87; Nick Otten, 1,600, 4:56.21; Otten, 3,200, 11:11.01; Aaker, pole vault, 8-6; Norton, long jump, 19-5.

Sixth place: Cody Gehrke, 100, 12.1; Bitterman, 800, 2:14.78.

Seventh place: Ben Peters, 100, 12.5; Van Wyhe, long jump, 19-0; Gehrke, shot, 38-4.

Eighth place: Tom Gluf, discus, 103-4; Tooley, 1,600, 5:19.62; Aaker, 400, 51.16.