By John Rittenhouse
Tuesday proved to be a good day for a pair of Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth boys' cross country teams.

Competing at the Dragon Invitational in Adrian, the Patriot varsity and junior high boys' squads came away with team titles at meet's end.

The varsity boys scored 47 points to nip Luverne, which tallied 48 counters. Adrian was third with 65 points.

The junior high boys secured the top three individual places while winning their team competition with 23 points.

All in all, it was a good day for the Patriots.

"We performed well as teams, and the kids ran well individually," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle.

Brad Haak set the pace for the varsity boys by winning the race with a time of 18:46.

Matt Buck (sixth in 20:46), Nathan Fick (11th in 21:13), Kale Wiertzema (14th in 21:37) and Lee Walraven (15th in 21:46) made contributions to the winning team tally.

Paul Jess finished 24th in 25:34 without influencing the scoring.

Nathan Mahone, Devin DeBoer and Kerry Fink helped the boys' junior high team secure a title by placing first, second and third with respective 6:21, 6:22 and 6:35 times.

John Sandbulte and Adam Finke placed eighth and ninth in 7:09 and 7:14 to cap the team scoring.

Grant Hoogendoorn and Justin Hinks finished 12th and 19th in 7:48 and 10:11 without influencing the scoring.

Patriots Amanda Tilstra and Stacy Bush ran in the girls' junior high race, placing sixth and ninth with respective 7:39 and 8:11 efforts.

Brittney Rozeboom and Becky Broesder placed third and seventh with times of 20:44 and 21:35 in the girls' junior varsity race.

Jared Drenth placed 14th with a time of 18:58 in the boys' junior varsity run.

"This was a good starting point for us," Goehle said. "For a lot of these kids, these were their longest races of the season. We found out what we need to improve on, and we'll work hard on doing it."

H-BC-E runs at the West Lyon Invitational at the Meadow Acres Country Club near Larchwood, Iowa, Monday.

Megan Westrum and her mother, Angie, Steen, arrive at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary for Megan's first day in kindergarten Tuesday morning. Megan excitedly blurted out that her teacher's name is Mrs. Fischer.

Photo by Jolene Farley

(Above) School employee Glenda Kuehl hands her co-worker, Starla Scholten, a file of student information. Both ladies successfully made it past the morning rush typical for the first day of classes at Hills-Beaver Creek. Scholten said the first day of school is "a real killer."

By Jolene Farley
Preparation for a new school year at Hills-Beaver Creek begins days before classes start.

People ask what employees do at the school during the summer, according to librarian Marilyn Nelson. Nelson said, "It is really a hectic time."

For example, high school secretary Starla Scholten has a long list of tasks to complete before students arrive in the fall.

She compiles new student packets and handbooks, finalizes student and teacher schedules, assigns locker numbers to students, compiles class lists and puts together packets for teachers' workshops. Scholten also prepares the school lunch program for the year.

With 18 new students in the elementary school and three new students in the high school this year, there is plenty of paperwork to bring up to date.

Nelson has worked at the school for 15 years, as secretary until this year when she changed positions and reduced her hours to part-time.

To catch up after summer break, Nelson catalogs and files magazines received over the summer. She also updates student grade levels.

Nelson organizes "transportation," as she calls it, more commonly known as the bus routes for the district. She also fills in making copies for teachers who need them.

Of everyone at the school Nelson said, "Teachers are great, students are great, parents are great; it is a great job."

Superintendent secretary and finance manager Glenda Kuehl begins working full time every year at the beginning of August. She orders textbooks for the year and makes sure they are received.

"That's probably the most hectic," said Kuehl, "making sure everything is here."

During the summer, auditors come and go and state reports are due, according to Kuehl.

Kuehl also organizes staff workshops, making sure all speakers, supplies and food are ready for the event.

Kuehl claims she is a jack-of- all-trades, and none of her co-workers argues with that title. "I fix copy machines, computers or whatever," she said.

Office employees try to keep expenses down for the district, according to Nelson.

To prove the point, Nelson turned to Kuehl and asked, "How many times have we been to Office Max?"

"We do a lot of price checking to see where we can get the best deal," said Nelson.

Kuehl adds, "If we do our job well, it benefits the district, which ultimately benefits the students."

Wilma Bengtson is also employed by the district as payroll clerk. Bengtson tracks all salary and benefit changes and updates records for new employees.

Nobody is ever really ready for a new school year, according to the office staff. There is always a list of things to do. "You never go home feeling like everything is done," said Kuehl.

All the office staff agreed they don't mind. "We love it," they said. "We are gluttons for punishment."

Not only are the office staff close to each other, they also become attached to students, according to Nelson.

"The seventh-graders are so little; we watch them grow up. The kids change so much. Seniors come back (to Hills) and say hi," said Nelson. Nelson hates graduation because that means good-bye.

By Jolene Farley
Beaver Creek resident Ron Rauk has bounced back remarkably well from a life-saving liver transplant in August of last year.

"I didn't realize how bad I was until I have gotten better," said Rauk. "I am back into a more normal way of life."

Looking back Rauk thinks his health began to deteriorate about three years before doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester diagnosed him with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in July 1998.

Rauk said he began to tire more easily, but it was a slow deterioration so he didn't see a doctor until the fall of 1997. On his first visit, doctors attributed his problems to a bleeding ulcer.

After another hospitalization in May 1998, Rauk was referred to Mayo where the non-alcoholic cirrhosis diagnosis was made.

By June 1999, Ron's health had deteriorated so badly he was put on the liver transplant list.

Rauk's liver wasn't cleaning toxins out of his system, causing memory loss, confusion, lethargy and sleeplessness. He was forced to regularly return to Mayo Clinic so doctors could drain fluid from his abdomen.

On Aug. 28, 2000, the Rauks received a call from Mayo Clinic ...a donor was located. Rauk was wheeled into surgery at midnight on Aug. 29, and by 5:30 a.m. the transplant was complete.

Rauk remained in the hospital for 10 more days, then transferred to the Gift of Life House for another 14 days.

Although Rauk's strength has slowly returned over the last year, he still has a few physical restrictions. Doctors advise Rauk not to lift more than 40 pounds. They say his illness triggered bone density loss, and his bones could easily fracture. Doctors hope Rauk's bone density will rebuild over time.

He continues taking anti-rejection drugs and insulin in lower dosages. His insulin usage will decrease as the doses of anti-rejection drugs decrease, according to Rauk.

A local clinic draws blood samples every three weeks, and he must travel to Mayo Clinic once a year for a checkup.

Rauk is feeling so much better that the Rauk family recently took a trip to the Renaissance Festival, stopping to shop at the Mall of America and the Medford Mall.

Rauk offers advice to those waiting for a donor, "You have to be patient, have a lot of faith in God, friends and family," said Rauk. "Eventually it will come. There just aren't that many donors available. The patience and faith... that's the biggest thing."

The easiest way to donate is when you renew your driver's license, according to Rauk. Just say you want to be a donor. Rauk should know it's easy; he has signed up for the last 30 years.

"People shouldn't be afraid to sign a card and be a donor," Rauk said. "Give new life to somebody"
Ron and his wife, Marlys, have two children, Ryan, 22, and Linnea, 19.

The first day of school at Hills Christian School was Thursday. Third-grade students concentrate during their first day of Bible class with Principal Wendel Buys.

Russell Hoiland, 84, rural Magnolia, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Paul Fries officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Russell Hoiland was born to Ole and Anna (Anderson) Hoiland on Oct. 18, 1916, in Magnolia Township. He attended rural school in Magnolia Township. He farmed with his family until Feb. 13, 1942, when he served his nation in Europe during World War II. After his honorable discharge on Dec. 9, 1945, he returned and farmed on the family farm until his death.

Mr. Hoiland was a lifetime and charter member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. He served as Sunday School superintendent and also served as a trustee. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, pool and especially farming.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hoiland was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Steiner, Selmer, Selmer G., Obert, Erling and Walter, and four sisters, Tilda, Gena, Esther and Martha.

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

Services for Marian Hamann will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick with the Rev. Mark Mumme officiating. Burial will be in Luverne Memorial Gardens, northwest of Luverne.

Marian E. "Tootie" Hamann, 72, Luverne, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, in Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Marian Elizabeth Hunstad was born to Rudolph and Elsie (Beyer) Hunstad on Sept. 2, 1929, in Rose Dell Township, Rock County. She attended country school at District 36 Central and one year of high school in Jasper. Following her education she worked at Northland Cafe in Pipestone.

She married Virgil Hamann on June 14, 1947, in Luverne. Following their marriage they farmed in Rose Dell Township. Mr. Hamann preceded her in death on May 20, 1975. She continued to live on the farm until her failing health caused her to move. She was admitted to Luverne Hospice Cottage on July 16.

Mrs. Hamann was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. She was an avid racing fan and enjoyed sporting events. She bowled for many years and served as secretary for the Jasper Women's Bowling Association. In her later years she loved to go deer hunting as well as snowmobiling and fishing. She enjoyed entertaining her family and friends at her lake home.

Survivors include her six children, Roger and Deanna Hamann, Slayton, Douglas Hamann and his special friend, Dianne, Neale Hamann and his special friend, Vickie, all of Luverne, Barbara and Larry Olesen, Hurley, S.D., Gene and Barb Hamann, Hardwick, and Nancy Hamann, Denver, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Gordon Hunstad and his wife, Dorothy, Pipestone; and two sisters, Luella Zirtzman, Lakewood, Calif., and Florence "Jo" Gewecke, Pipestone.

Mrs. Hamann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Virgil, and two brothers, Orlen and Raymond Hunstad.

Foster Hartquist Funeral Home, Jasper, is in charge of arrangements.

Corinne Ann Cerney, 85, Adrian, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, at Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in Adrian.

Services were Wednesday, Sept. 5, in St. Adrian Catholic Church, Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse officiated. Burial was in St. Adrian Catholic Cemetery, Adrian.

Corinne Ann Bullerman was born March 3, 1916, to Theodore and Louise (Handwerk) Bullerman in Adrian. She attended St. Adrian elementary and high school, graduating in 1934. After her schooling she worked at Silverberg's Department Store in Worthington.

She married Frank "Bosco" Cerney in Lake Charles, La., on July 12, 1943. She lived in Worthington while Mr. Cerney completed his tour of duty in the Army Air Corps. After his return they lived in Worthington until moving to Adrian in 1949. She continued working at Silverberg's Department Store for 14 years. She then worked at Donnely's Drug Store, Lien Drug Store and Kroon Drug Store, all located in Adrian. She worked a total of 38 years and retired in 1990.

Mrs. Cerney was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church, Adrian, and the CCW. She belonged to the neighborhood bridge club, collected figurines and liked visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Frank "Bosco" Cerney, Adrian; many nieces and nephews; and her godchild, Lisa Strand.

Mrs. Cerney was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: an infant sister, Lauretta Bullerman; Emma Voss and Veronica Thom, brothers: an infant brother, Joseph; Theodore, Frank, Florian and Aloysious "Butch" Bullerman.

A tree will be planted in memory of Corinne Cerney by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

Memorials to Luverne Hospice are preferred by the family.

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

Funeral services for Asle Skattum will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne with the Rev. Andrew Beerman officiating. Burial will be in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Luverne. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in Engebretson Funeral Home in Luverne and will resume one hour prior to the funeral mass at the church on Friday.

Asle Ole Skattum, 92, Luverne, formerly of Hills, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001, In Luverne Community Hospital.

Asle Skattum was born to Oliver Marius and Minnie (Sjolseth) Skattum on May 14, 1909, on the family farm in Lyon Township, Lyon County, Iowa. He attended Hills Public School for 12 years and then worked on the family farms for 10 years.

He married Rose Ann McDermott of Beaver Creek on Aug. 2, 1940, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Following their marriage they lived in Fullerton, Calif., until 1941 and then made their home in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he worked at Zip Feed Mills.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945. Following his tour of duty with the Master Corps in Austria he resumed his life in Sioux Falls working at Zip Feed Mills until 1947 when they moved to Hills.

He purchased the Hills Feed Mill. In later years he was co-owner of a trucking and excavating company in Hills, owned his own trucking business, farmed the family farms with his brother, Donald (Toby) Skattum, owned a fertilizing business, then worked at the Hills Co-op Elevator until his retirement in the 1970s. They continued to live in Hills until they moved to Luverne in 1997. He entered Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in April 1999. Mrs. Skattum died Aug. 26, 2000.

Mr. Skattum was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne where he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a 54-year member of the American Legion Post #399 of Hills and was on the Hills City Council. He enjoyed gardening and taking care of his lawn. He also enjoyed fishing in his earlier years.

Survivors include two sons, Roger (Donna) Skattum, Edgewood, Iowa, and their children, Laura (Mark) Boomgaarden, Prior Lake, and Tom Skattum, Chicago, Ill., and Paul (Jeanne) Skattum, Rochester, and their children, Meghan and Joshua, Rochester; two brothers, Wendell (Teddy) Skattum, Deerwood, and Mark (Jeanette) Skattum, Denver, Colo.; and a sister-in-law, Harriet Skattum, Hills.

Mr. Skattum was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rose Ann, two brothers, Orlando and Donald Skattum, and three sisters, Myrtus Earl, Marie Johnson and Sylvia Godfrey.

Engebretson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.