Services for John Rozeboom will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 18, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. The Rev. David Sikkema will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at Engebretson Funeral Home in Luverne with the family present from 7 to 8 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial and military honors will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Valley Springs, S.D.John R. Rozeboom, 76, Luverne, died Monday, April 14, 2003, at Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Memorials are preferred to the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

Howard W. Tuff, 81, Luverne, died Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Apple Valley Health Care Center in Apple Valley.Services were Thursday, April 17, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Maurice Hagen and Dell Sanderson officiated. Burial and military honors were at Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Howard Tuff was born to Alfred and Esther (Bly) Tuff on July 21, 1921, on the family farm in rural Hills. As a boy he attended country school and helped on the farm. He graduated from Jasper High School, Jasper, in 1940. He attended Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He entered active duty on Nov. Nov. 20, 1944, and served as Sergeant First Class in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during the Japanese occupation. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 26, 1946. He returned to the Luverne area and worked for Crescent Electric of Sioux Falls as a salesman. He married Pearl Hamann on Sept. 20, 1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luverne. They moved to Pipestone in 1960. He worked as bookkeeper for Rural Electric Association. They moved back to Luverne in 1965 when he retired due to his health. He moved to Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne in 1994. Mrs. Tuff died on Dec. 7, 2001. He moved to Apple Valley shortly after her death. Mr. Tuff was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where he also taught confirmation classes. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Paralyzed Veterans’ Association. He was involved in helping establish the provisions for handicapped parking in Luverne. The North Central Chapter of the PVA honored him for his many years of legislation work on behalf of the handicapped in Minnesota. His efforts helped to establish the handicapped license plates, parking privileges and tax laws for all handicapped.He was an avid reader who also enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing cards. He loved meeting new people and sharing conversation.Survivors include one son, Allen (Pam) Tuff, Apple Valley; one daughter, Marilyn Tuff, Eden Prairie,; two grandsons, Adam and Sean Tuff; one sister, Ruby Garrow, Sioux Falls; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Tuff was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Friday night Ray and Lois Nelson attended the G.E.P. production of "On Golden Pond."Jim and Bea La Rock, Elk River, have been spending some time in the home of their son, Dan and Marie La Rock, to help with the care of their granddaughter, Allison Marie. Dan’s brother, Brad, spent the weekend here to get acquainted with little Allison. State Line Presbyterian Church, rural Ellsworth, friends were guests at Mae Top’s home on Wednesday. They were Gladys Schwarz and Margaret Pommer, Ellsworth, Ruth Meester and Katie Reemts, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Mildred and Vi Klosterbuer, Luverne. Cliff and Vi VanWyhe returned home last Wednesday after a two and half week vacation spent in Branson, Mo. Last Friday Steve, Marilyn, Justin and Amber VanWyhe, Travis Arends and Cliff and Vi VanWyhe drove to Bloomington. On Saturday afternoon they attended Heather VanWyhe’s Doctor of Chiropractic graduation at Northwestern University Health and Science. Her family threw her a graduation party in the party room at Heather’s apartment building. Joanne Goehle and Dorothea Hamann, Luverne, drove to Ruthton Friday to attend the grade school operetta, "The Emperor’s New Clothes." Elliot Carmany, grandson of Joanne, had a part in the production. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson and Dick and Audrey Heidensen motored to Viborg, S.D., Saturday night to attend the Barbershop Quartet and Men’s Chorus performance. Sheldon Norton, Omaha, Neb., was an overnight guest Sunday in the home of his grandparents, Sheldon and Ellie Sandager. He works at a Cargill firm in Omaha. Don and Edyth Briggs returned to Hills last Monday after three weeks of vacation visiting relatives and friends in Mesa and Sun City, Ariz., Seal Beach, Calif., and Sidney, Neb.Wilmer and Betty Elbers returned home last Friday night after a visit with their daughters and families, Peggy at Charlotte, N.C., and Nyla at Myrtle Beach, S.C. Sunday dinner guests of the Elbers were Darwin and Kim Elbers and family, Sioux Falls, Tom and Tyler Walker and family, Luverne, and Cheryl Elbers and family, Valley Springs. Paul and Joyce Dohmen, Columbus, Neb., and Rueben Vestlie, Luverne, were Sunday dinner guests in the home of Martha Lindrud. Neal and Kathy Hoyme and Katie, Pierre, S.D., spent the weekend in the home of his parents, Howard and Lois Hoyme. Eric and Wanda Hoyme and family joined them for dinner on Sunday. Jo and Floyd Wulf, Herrick, S.D., had been to Larchwood, Iowa, to attend a family gathering and stopped Sunday for a short visit with the Sheldon Sandagers. Mitchell and Madison Elbers, Valley Springs, spent Sunday in the home of their grandparents, Wilmer and Betty Elbers. Vic and Fran Sandager returned home Thursday after spending a month vacationing in Green Valley, Ariz. Jim and Mollie Sandager of West Des Moines, Iowa, spent the weekend here and Vic accompanied them home. Saturday morning Ray and Lois Nelson attended the memorial service for Dr. Robert Keitel at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne.

After the weather we experienced last week it made me wonder what state has the motto of "The Land of Infinite Variety!" It doesn’t make much difference whose motto it is as we have the real thing. Last Monday morning when we awoke and looked out of the window the landscape was covered with a beautiful white blanket of snow. What a difference a week made! Today when I looked out I decided it is definitely "Green Up Time." When I looked at my lawn I could hardly believe it was a bright, beautiful emerald green. My curiosity got the best of me so I had to have a tour out of doors. To my surprise my strawberries are up. My winter onions are ready to eat and the rhubarb is peeking through the ground and of course, I also saw a few weeds peeking through. Spring is definitely on the way. However, I don’t think I would put the snowblower or the scoop shovel away. It might be a good time to check out the lawn mower to see if it is ready and willing to start its summer job of mowing the lawn. Even so, we could still have a few more flakes of snow — so guess we had better be prepared for whatever happens in this land of infinite variety.Congratulations to Dena Korthals who makes her home at Tuff Home in Hills. She will celebrate her 100th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at Steen Reformed Church. She is the mother of Steen resident Henrietta Huenink. Happy Birthday to her. Laura May Bosch who recently underwent knee replacement surgery was released from Luverne Hospital on Wednesday and returned to her home to recuperate. Welcome home!Melba Boeve, Karen Ramaker, Mildred Paulsen and JoAnn Paulson attended the Dinner Theater at Drivers Restaurant in Beaver Creek Thursday evening. Thursday evening there will be a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. at Steen Reformed Church.Art and Henrietta Boeve and Dick and Gert Hup attended a quartet program at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, Saturday evening. There were three quartets from Des Moines, Iowa, Arkansas and George, Iowa. Many of you will probably remember the Ambassador Quartet who performed in this area for many years. One of the quartets was made up of some of the quartet member’s children. The Southwest Easter Brunch for the Reformed churches is at 9:30 a.m. Friday in Steen Reformed Church. George Bonnema from Luverne will show slides of his mission trip to Chiapas, Mexico. An open house bridal shower for Heather Bonnema, daughter of Lowell and Glenda Bonnema, is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Steen Reformed Church.Sunday dinner guests in the Melba Boeve home were her children, Brian Boeve and family, Sioux Falls, and Ron and Cheryl Hup and family of Hills. Bonne (Aukes) Shalesky, Scottsdale, Ariz., left Wednesday for her home in Scottsdale after spending a week visiting in the home of her parents, Orrin and Bernice Aukes. Jo and Joyce Aykens left Saturday morning for Sully, Iowa, to attend the wedding of Kyle Punt and Sheila Rendoud. Kyle is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Roger Punt who served in Steen Reformed Church for several years. Others from Steen attending were Ron and Linda Van Ruler, Harold and Corrine Niessink, Matthew Boeve and friend Andrea Roth. Steen Senior Citizens had their April meeting in the Steen Community building on Monday afternoon. It was postponed from last week due to the weather. Orrin and Bernice Aukes were Sunday dinner guests in the Orlie and Linda Aukes home where they enjoyed an early Easter dinner together. Guests were Steve and Nancy Willers and Sheila and Dustin, Fairmont, Lisa Telford and Taylor and Jeff Aukes and a friend, Sheila, all from Sioux Falls. Forty passengers from Hills, Beaver Creek, Steen and Luverne communities boarded a bus Friday evening for Pipestone to hear the Al Opland Singers concert at the Fine Arts Center. They enjoyed a delicious dinner together at Pipestone prior to the concert. Thursday afternoon Bertha and Bill Bosch, Mildred Keunen, Mary Jo Suzie, Henrietta Huenink, Joan Hoogeveen, Melba Boeve, Cena Mae Tilstra and Jo Aykens attended the Hills United Reformed Church volunteer luncheon honoring the volunteers of the year.On Thursday afternoon there was a luncheon at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne in appreciation of their volunteer contributions. Those attending from Steen were Bill and Bertha Bosch, Mildred Keunen, Jo Aykens and Cena Mae Tilstra.I am having a hard time believing that Easter Sunday is this week. I think it was that eight inches of snow that got to me and made me think winter was still with us. Now that the grass is coming up green, our landscape is completely changed and I am hoping my attitude will be, too. Even with the Lenten service with Easter music I think I have still been waiting for winter to come. Somehow it just doesn’t seem like spring. However, we had better get our Easter outfits soon as Sunday is the day!Perhaps it was the mood I was in but when I read this poem titled "Easter Forever" written by Sterling P. Bueck, it got me into the Easter mood. I hope if any of you are having the same problem it will help you also. Quote:‘"Easter is coming, or is Easter here?Should not Easter last to the end of each year;through every year; throughout continuous years?For Christ Jesus gave both his toil and his tears.Through his miracles he caused blind people to see,He quickly quelled the waters of the sea.Christ relieved many people from pain.He gave his own life to be cruelly slain.He was put in a grave, three days to remain.Easter Day He arose and visited friends.Days later, went up to where life never ends.I hope this will help us to remember that death is life, and God is good and all things shall be well. The bitter days shall cease in warmth and light and peace.The winter yields to spring. So let us all rejoice and sing!"Have a Happy Easter!

Villagers went on an outing this week to Rock Rapids. Signe hosted the event. Our purpose was to see her daughter’s new venture of opening the Mulberries Market on Main Street in the center of town. We could have spent hours looking at the many gifts, antiques and collectibles Sylvia and Lillian have for sale. There were articles just like the ones we had in our homes, prompting discussion of bygone days. Some of us even made a purchase while we all enjoyed homemade sweet rolls the ladies serve in their coffee area. We chose a great day to be outdoors for it was beautiful weather. Dave and Alta’s son, Miles, of the Denver area, is visiting this week. That means we can enjoy Miles’ music. Ten minutes before the dinner bell rings Miles is at the piano or organ. As the first melodies can be heard in the hall, apartment doors open and villagers proceed to the dining room for we don’t want to miss a single one. Miles also leads our weekly sing-along. We did not stump him, for every song we suggested, he played. We sang well with such good accompaniment. The Olson family met on the patio and the community room with family and friends on the weekend. Arnold T. was shocked to receive a letter in the mail for a traffic violation for parking in Hennepin County. The citation was addressed to Arnold Sidney Thorin at this address. He’s being charged with failure to pay a traffic violation for parking in a prohibited area until snow could be removed. The problem is Arnold has not been out of Hills. He’s seeing the sheriff and if he cannot straighten out the issue Arnold said he’ll just collect the Honda the citation was issued to. Isn’t it strange there are two Arnold Sidney Thorins?It was Arnold S. who received a newsletter from his daughter Joan’s project, Mano a Mano. Now the name is Spanish for hand to hand and began as a way to bring health care and public education into impoverished Bolivian communities, In 2002, 700,000 pounds of medical surplus were gathered and delivered to Bolivia bringing care to more than 100,000 countrymen. Joan and her husband, Segundo, were here this weekend to pick up the medicine bottles we’ve saved to be reused in Bolivia and to wish Arnold a happy birthday.The big Jack Rabbit bus in our parking lot was picking up passengers for the Opland Singers concert in Pipestone. Caroline finished her second quilt since moving here. We had Red Day. A day when everyone was to wear red. The Apostolic Singers once again entertained us. Sarah’s daughter, Judy, provided treats. The peer helpers from H-BC came to assist with bingo. Signe requested not one young man to sit by her, but one on each side. Clint Rozenboom did a great job of calling the numbers. Carolyn’s great-grandson’s are visiting from their home in Alaska.I’ll keep you posted.

10 years ago (1993)"The H-BC Board of Education put their decision on hold until their April 26 meeting at which time they will award the elementary building project." 25 years ago (1978)"Harlan VanWyhe, an H-BC student, was one of 92 students from Minnesota and South Dakota High Schools to participate in a Science and Math Enrichment Program at Southwest State University at Marshall. Harlan participated in the math program."50 years ago (1953)"As a result of a slight legal entanglement between Martin Township and the Village of Hills, one of the findings showed that through an oversight about six years ago, Martin Township inherited Jacobson Park — without realizing it. Also as an outcome of the matter, it was tentatively found that Hills Village will have to maintain the streets adjoining the Qualley land, once known as Outlot 11." 75 years ago (1928)"The Caesar class recently had a Latin translation contest. The winner of the contest, which consisted of translating Caesar’s exploits into English, was Mildred Rogness. As a prize Miss Anderson presented Mildred with a pink carnation."100 years ago (1903)"A man that in these days of activity is kicking because he can’t get work, ought to be kicked out of the community. Farmers are paying as high as $30 a month and yet there are a number without help."

To the Editor:With the passing of Dr. Robert Keitel, the world lost a good man, a loving person and an example which we could incorporate in our lives. He was a close personal friend and someone I admired both as an optometrist and as a loving father. When I came to Luverne 35 years ago, Bob was one of the first people I met. He wanted to know if there was anything I needed and if he could be of any assistance. From that time forth our association was that of help and trust. We were always colleagues never competitors. Bob was a man of many good virtues. He was friendly, hardworking, dependable, caring, patriotic, as well as always neat and well dressed. I don’t think he even owned a pair of jeans or a sweatshirt. His dedication to his family was a thing of beauty. His lovely wife, Betty, was the main benefactor of his dedication. She suffered from arthritis and required daily assistance. The children, Dayle, Bill, Lisa and Mary watched as Bob cared for her every need. They have learned the meaning of devotion by watching their father care for their mother. During Bob’s illness his children emulated his example. There was always at least one of his children by his side. You could see and feel the love they had for each other. This was their finest hours. Bob was a man of great faith. He faced the inevitable with courage and dignity. He, like his wife, never complained. He had his sense of humor and grateful attitude with him to the end. He was always so thankful of his many blessings. Bob did many good things in his life, but I will always remember him for his love and devotion to his family. May the Lord bless and keep him. George McDonald, O.D.Luverne

To the Editor: This will wake you up in light of Sexual Assault month in April.God has a way of allowing us to be in the right place at the right time.I was walking down a dimly lit street late one evening when I heard muffled screams coming from behind a clump of bushes. Alarmed, I slowed down to listen and panicked when I realized that what I was hearing were the unmistakable sounds of a struggle: heavy grunting, frantic scuffling and tearing of fabric. Only yards from where I stood, a woman was being attacked. Should I get involved?I was frightened for my own safety and cursed myself for having suddenly decided to take a new route home that night. What if I became another statistic?Shouldn’t I just run to the nearest phone and call the police?Although it seemed an eternity, the deliberations in my head had taken only seconds, but already the cries were growing weaker. I knew I had to act fast.How could I walk away for this?No, I finally resolved, I could not turn my back on the fate of this woman, even if it meant risking my own life. I am not a brave man, nor am I athletic. I don’t know where I found the moral courage and physical strength — but once I had finally resolved to help the girl, I became strangely transformed. I ran behind the bushes and pulled the assailant off the woman. Grappling, we fell to the ground, where we wrestled for a few minutes until the attacker jumped up and escaped.Panting hard, I scrambled upright and approached the girl, who was crouched behind a tree sobbing. In the darkness, I could barely see her outline, but I could certainly sense her trembling shock. Not wanting to frighten her further, I at first spoke to her from a distance.It’s OK," I said soothingly."The man ran away.You’re safe now."There was a long pause and then I heard the words, uttered in wonder, and amazement."Dad, is that you?"And then, from behind the tree, stepped my youngest daughter, Katherine. Raevette LoonanLuverneSW Crisis Center

As it turns out, the ultimate control freak in George Orwell’s novel, "1984" — "Big Brother" — didn’t show up on time. However, we do have "Big Baggage Critic" and he’s just as scary. According to Reuters news services, "An airline passenger has complained to U.S. authorities that a government baggage screener left a note in his suitcase criticizing his lack of patriotism after finding a ‘No Iraq War’ sign inside his bag." Apparently, a screener with the Transportation Security Administration slipped a note into the suitcase, which read, "Don’t appreciate your anti-American attitude!" TSA officials are investigating the incident. If the practice of leaving notes inside our luggage becomes an acceptable activity, airport baggage screeners could eventually become bizarre combinations of fashion police and lifestyle critics. They would be able to monitor and make comments about most aspects of our lives as revealed through the items we pack — our medical prescriptions, hair-coloring products, reading choices and articles of clothing. Going through baggage inspections would be like being a kid again and having picky parents hovering about for life. Men who choose to wear what’s referred to as "full Cleveland" — shiny, white belts and matching white shoes — and the rest of us would be at the baggage screener’s mercy. In the cases of really bad dressers, it might be possible to arrive at lonely destinations in faraway cities, only to be buried in avalanches of critical notes when suitcases are opened. Life couldn’t seem more miserable for some unfortunate travelers lacking a sense of fashion. The notes from the baggage screeners turned clothes police would vary with each airline passenger. "It has been brought to our attention that you have packed a disproportionate number of plaids and stripes in your suitcase. It will be difficult to hold up your head as a proud American if you should decide to mix the two designs at the same time. Tacky!" "Blue eye shadow? What ARE you thinking? That’s so last century!" "Although we were pleased to find no contraband materials, such as explosives or guns, in your suitcase, we were disappointed to find the lime green sports jacket. We feel that if you can afford to fly you should be able to buy more tasteful clothing, but that, of course, is our personal opinion." "We couldn’t help but notice that most of your clothes are beige and that there are no hints of lively colors in your traveling wardrobe. Although this is a free country and you are entitled to dress in bland tones, we do think that a little touch of color here or there will rejuvenate your appearance, if not your outlook on life. Boring!" "I was shocked and appalled! Do you call this accessorizing? I think NOT!" A few travelers, craving personal attention in an impersonal world, might appreciate the notes in their suitcases. They might even feel safe. As far as the rest of us are concerned, it’s one thing to have vinyl-gloved, complete strangers at airports rummaging through our dirty laundry and possibly scrutinizing the size tags on our clothing. It’s quite another to be subjected to their personal opinions.