Drown wintertime blues in bucket of taupe paint
It must be the cooler winter weather that turns women into nesters. Either that, or I just happen to be surrounded by Midwest versions of Martha Stewart.

Instead of Martha talking about hosting a fresh lobster roast, my cohorts talk about hardy hot dishes ready in a pinch. Instead of organizing rolls of ribbon threaded with genuine gold, my crew worries about how theyÕre going to organize boots and scarves in small entryways.

But it's almost beyond that. The whole principal of home life has changed from what I can tell. YesteryearÕs goal of a clean and efficient home has morphed into the ideal of having a beautifully fashionable home. I don't disagree with that goal.

It's just something about this winter that's gotten my friends' creative juices flowing. It's a trend of home redoing and updating that can largely be blamed on HGTV and the glut of magazines that push fashionable dŽcor. ItÕs "paint everything white" one month and "rustic wood is it" the next.

Sunday afternoon, I visited the beautiful, newly-built home of a co-worker. It looked finished to me, but she's still pondering some finishing touches. Another co-worker has been talking about her painting techniques and trials - and the finished product sounds wonderful. Yet another is talking wainscoting, and a different friend just repainted her basement.

This is far from being a local trend. Watching shows like "Trading Spaces" on TLC could soon replace baseball as the national pastime. (If my source is correct, the program airs weekdays at 3 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m.)

Just one "Trading Spaces" search on the Internet gets thousands of hits. There are official and unofficial fan sites, chat groups and information pages dedicated to the program.

For those who don't know, the show is essentially an up-close view of people redecorating a room on a budget, which most can identify with. The show is set up like this: Two homeowners give up one room to a designer. The designer works with the opposite set of homeowners and redesigns the room with help from a carpenter, which both homes have to share.

The best part is that the show pays $1,000 for all the expenses. The worst part is that the homeowners are stuck with what the designer and their neighbors did to the room.

The finished rooms definitely have a "look" to them. The designers typically don't consider the style of the rest of the house and barely pay attention to what their friends suggest they'd like.

People who follow "Trading Spaces" have their favorite designers and track their work. Fans remember success stories and failures. Who could forget the purple harlequin-patterned wall that made homeowners laugh and cry at the same time? I believe it was the same room that had hand molds as mantle decorations and made the man of the house say it looked like Beetle Juice lived there.

I also remember an episode where a homeowner looked at the finished room and walked out of camera range. You couldn't see her, but her whimpers were clearly audible.

It's obvious that I fall into the habit of watching these shows and that I covet room arrangements in magazines. Sharing the acquaintances I do doesn't help either - it's swag this and paint swatch that.

I try to remind myself that some people in Asia sleep seven to a mat so I shouldn't worry about which shade of butter yellow would look best on my walls.

I know that my home will take a lot of work and thought to get just right. But in the meantime, I'm comfortably nested in for the winter and I go to sleep knowing that home is really where the heart is.
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Minnie Vis, 91, Valley Springs, died Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Luverne Community Hospital. Services will be Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. at the United Reformed Church in Hills with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 25 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne.

Lloyd Carlson, 78, Luverne, died Friday, Feb. 22 at the Luverne Community Hospital. Services will be Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Revs. Maurice Hagen and Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Luverne Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 25 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne.

Lorraine "Girlie" Annebelle Martius, 77, Revere, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, at Valley View Manor, Lamberton. She was the mother of Thomas Martius, Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Lamberton. The Rev. Lee R. Harder officiated. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Springfield, at a later date.

Lorraine Johnson was born to George and Anna (Raveling) Johnson on May 12, 1924, in Remsen, Iowa. She attended country school near Remsen. The family moved to Highwater Township, Cottonwood County, and she continued her education through the ninth grade.

She married Henry Martius on May 26, 1942, at Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn. During the war years they lived in Abilene, Texas, and Chillicothe, Ohio, where she worked as a waitress/governess and in the ammunition plant. Her husband was discharged from the Army in 1945. They started farming near Bernadott. In 1954 the family moved to Grove City and in 1959 they moved to Revere where they continued farming.

Mrs. Martius loved working with her flowers, doing needlepoint, making doughnuts, apple bars and raspberry jam.

Survivors include her husband, Henry Martius, Revere; four sons, Jerry (Peg) Martius, Sanborn, Dennis (Deb) Martius, Spearfish, S.D., Thomas (Bev) Martius, Luverne, and Richard (Deb) Martius, Walnut Grove; one daughter, Constance Lambert, Big Lake; 12 grandchildren, Mike and Sherrie Martius, Jody and Thomas Randolph, Tanya Lambert, Jennifer Heilman, Tina and Greg Simanski, Julie and Tim Thomas, Heidi Jo Martius, Darren and Tracey Martius, Jessica and Anthony Hacker, Staci and Andy Kleven, Elizabeth and Patrick Nath and Benjamin Martius; 13 great-grandchildren, Merrick, Siannah, and Skyeler Martius, Megan and Christopher Randolph, Madeline Lambert, Rachel and Josh Simanski, Tyler, Jordan and Amy Martius, Alexandra Kleven and Dylan Nath; two brothers, Elmer Johnson, Lamberton, and Raymond (Bonnie) Johnson, Revere; two sisters, LaVonne (Clyde) Prins, Lamberton, and Juanita (LuVerne) Pankonin, Brookings, S.D.; and three sisters-in-law, Marge Carlson, Lafayette, Marie (Donnie) Neeb, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Lucille Martius, Springfield.

Mrs. Martius was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John and Jake Johnson, and one grandson-in-law, Bradley Heilman.

Sturm Funeral Home, Lamberton, was in charge of arrangements.

Melvin Henry Hemme, 81, Luverne, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, in Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Thursday, Feb. 21, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Helling officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Melvin Hemme was born to William and Hattie (Hansen) Hemme on Feb. 27, 1920, in Rock County, near Hardwick, where he was raised and attended country school. Following his education he worked on the family farm.

He married EvaLu Mann on June 11, 1944, in Luverne. Following their marriage they lived in Luverne. Shortly after their marriage he entered the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. In 1947 he returned to Luverne and began working for Rolph Construction where he worked for 20 years. He then began working for FreddieÕs Electric as an electrician. Later he began farming the family farm near Hardwick while still living in Luverne. In 1987 he retired from farming. On Jan. 26 he entered Luverne Community Hospital and was transferred to Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls on Jan. 28.

Mr. Hemme was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was also a member of Dell Hogan American Legion Post 123 of Luverne and VFW Post 2757 in Luverne. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and especially enjoyed their trip to Europe. He loved to fly and build model airplanes, hunt, fish, play golf and work in his garden.

Survivors include his wife, EvaLu Hemme, Luverne; six children, Dennis D. Hemme, St. Cloud, Joan (Randy) Boomgaarden, Zumbrota, Pamela (Craig) Bindert, Maple Grove, Alan (Amy) Hemme, Sleepy Eye, Gloria (Mark) Aanenson, Champlin, and Robyn Endriss, Sioux Falls; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and one daughter-in-law, Colleen Hemme, Sleepy Eye.

Mr. Hemme was preceded in death by his parents, one son, David, and one sister, Vera Oltmans.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the charity of your choice.

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

Ludwig "Louie" B. Heitman, 86, Luverne, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, at the Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 16, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Luverne.

Ludwig Heitman was born to William and Mary (Bruning) Heitman in St. Helena, Neb. As a child his family moved to a farm near Wall, S.D., where he was raised and attended school. Following his education he worked for various farmers in the area and was also a prizewinner in the rodeo. He entered the U.S. Army on June 24, 1941.

He married Phyllis Meagher on Nov. 18, 1941, in Philip, S.D. Following their marriage he was stationed in North Africa and Germany during World War II and was involved in the battle of Normandy. In 1945 he was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to Philip.

While in Philip he worked at Hanson's Hardware and City Plumbing. He also worked as a mechanic. Later they moved to a farm near Quinn, S.D., where he farmed and also worked in construction. In the 1950s they moved to Luverne and in 1956 they moved to Hardwick. He then started his own construction company, Heitman and Son Construction. He continued working in construction until his retirement. He entered Hospice Cottage on Feb. 11.

Mr. Heitman was a past member of Arthur Moeller American Legion Post 478 in Hardwick and also a member of the Luverne VFW. He loved to fish, hunt and garden and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Heitman, Hardwick; four children, Bill (Betty) Heitmann, Blaine, Pat (Bob) Gundlach, Lone Rock, Wis., Bob (Jenny) Heitman, Hardwick, and Bruce (Sharon Eining) Heitman, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three sisters, Louise DeBates, Sioux Falls, Hildegard Mitchell, Blunt, S.D., and Rose Rademacher, Ellsworth; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Heitman was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and three sisters.

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

Services for Dries Fikse will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in Luverne Christian Reformed Church. The Revs. George Koopmans, Bert DenHerder, and LeRoy Christoffels will officiate. Burial will be at Eastside Cemetery in Steen. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Dries Fikse, 98, Luverne, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Dries Fikse was born to Evert and Eibertje (Stuivezand) Fikse on March 14, 1903, in the Netherlands.

He married Henrietta Christoffels on Jan. 12, 1927, in Edgerton. After their marriage the couple farmed in the Steen area until 1952 when they moved to the farm north of Luverne. In 1966 they retired and moved to Luverne. He was one of the first residents to move into The Oaks apartments when they opened. He moved to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on June 1, 2000.

Mr. Fikse was a member of Luverne Christian Reformed Church where he had taught Sunday School and had served on the Church Board. He loved music and sang with the Steen Male Chorus. He also enjoyed visiting with friends.

Survivors include one son, Gerhard (Bernadine) Fikse, Morgan Hill, Calif.; two daughters, Evelyn (Ferdinand) Tilstra and Elaine (Andy) Steensma, all of Luverne; nine grandchildren, Gary, Allen and Greg Fikse, Arlyn Tilstra and Brenda Ledeboer, Steve and Stan Steensma, Sara Kooiman and Seth Steensma; 13 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Effie Christoffels, Visalia, Calif.

Mr. Fikse was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Henrietta, in November 1994, one daughter, Lucille Boeskol, an infant son, Gerhard Fikse, one great-grandchild, Tyler Fikse, five brothers and six sisters.

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

Gladys Erickson, 81, Granite Falls, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, in Granite Falls Hospital.

Services were Wednesday, Feb. 20, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Granite Falls. The Rev. Jim DeVorak officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Gladys Lucy McFarland was born to Claude and Olive (Rogers) McFarland on March 11, 1920, in Currie. She attended Currie Catholic Grade School and graduated from Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs, S.D.

She married Arvid Erickson on Oct. 21, 1942, in Fort Ord, Calif. She worked in retail clothing and variety stores.

Mrs. Erickson was a member of the St. Andrew Parish Council, VFW Auxiliary and the Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting afghans and making angel pins, all of which she enjoyed giving to others.

Survivors include her husband, Arvid Erickson, Granite Falls; five children and their spouses, Nancy (Mike) Andre, Kirkland, Wash., Mary (Keith) Bergo, Montevideo, Jeff Erickson (partner, Dan O'Brien), Minneapolis, Jane Erickson, Granite Falls, and Tom (Tammy) Erickson, Plymouth; five grandchildren, Angie, Ben, Eric, Britt and Sam; two sisters, Audrey Jacobson, Mound, and Jean Dubbelde, Pipestone; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Erickson was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Ernest and Vince, and two sisters, Edith and Marilyn.

Wing-Bain Funeral Home, Granite Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

By John Rittenhouse
The Ellsworth boys' basketball team recorded its fifth consecutive victory when it upended Lincoln HI 77-73 in Ivanhoe Thursday.

Four Panther players reached double figures in scoring for an Ellsworth squad that ended its first year of Camden Conference play with a 13-1 record.

Ellsworth, 18-3 overall, ends the regular season by hosting Flandreau (S.D.) Indian School tomorrow and Hills-Beaver Creek Monday.

The Panthers had to come from behind to best Lincoln HI Thursday.

Playing in front of a big crowd on Parents' Night in Ivanhoe, the Panthers found themselves facing 25-20 and 43-41 deficits at the first two quarter breaks.

Ellsworth played with more defensive intensity in the second half when it outscored the Rebels 36-30 to pull out a four-point victory.

"I think our defense was the key," said Panther coach Ken Kvaale. "They only scored 11 points in the third quarter, and we shut a couple of their key guys down."

The Panthers outscored LH 16-11 in the third quarter to gain a 57-54 advantage. A 20-19 scoring edge in the fourth quarter padded Ellsworth's final margin of victory to four points.

Curt Schilling led the Panthers with 27 points, 15 rebounds and six assists during the game.

Brant Deutsch scored 13 points, snared eight rebounds and distributed five assists, while Travis Jenniges netted 13 points and recorded four assists. Dylan Kvaale added 11 points to the winning cause.

Box score
Schilling 11 0 5-7 27, Jenniges 5 1 0-0 13, Janssen 1 1 0-0 5, Kvaale 5 0 1-2 11, Deutsch 4 1 2-3 13, Brommer 4 0 0-1 8.