Gary Besta, 54, Beresford, S.D., formerly of Luverne, died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Saturday, Jan. 25, at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.

Gary Besta was born to Milo and Mary Ellen (Hensing) Besta on April 12, 1948, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He grew up and attended school in Cedar Rapids.

He married Janice Korthals on July 7, 1978. They lived and worked in Luverne until 1988 when they moved to Beresford where he worked at Conklin Family Restaurant. He then worked for Quality Park until the summer of 2002.

Mr. Besta enjoyed watching football and NASCAR.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Besta, Beresford; three sons, Michael (Jennifer) Besta, Tea, S.D., Matthew Besta and his fiancé Amy Glasscock, and Brian Besta, all of Beresford; two granddaughters, Mallorey and Kyleigh; his mother, Mary Ellen Besta, Vinton, Iowa; four sisters, Janice Dolley, Arizona, Ruth (Nick) Korines, Joliet, Ill., Patricia (Willie) Hruby, Palo, Iowa, and Barbara (Dan) Beyer, Mason City, Iowa; his grandmother, Ethel Hensing; and many other family and friends.

Mr. Besta was preceded in death by his father, Milo, his son, Mark, his father-in-law, Dick Korthals, maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather.

Wass Funeral Home, Beresford, was in charge of arrangements.

Dolores "Dode" Mae Wagner, 83, Luverne, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

Services were Saturday, Jan. 25, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Gary Klaat officiated. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery at a later date.

Dode Johnson was born to Arthur and Mae (Peterson) Johnson on Jan. 21, 1920, in rural Worthington. She attended school in Worthington and graduated from Worthington High School in 1938. She later attended Worthington Junior College.

She married Jerry Wagner on Nov. 4, 1981, in Park Rapids. After their marriage the couple lived on Potatoe Lake, north of Park Rapids. In February 2001 the couple moved to Luverne.

Mrs. Wagner was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne and a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed fishing, sewing and canine companionship.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry Wagner, Luverne; four children and their spouses, the Rev. Bill (Marilyn) Wendt, Mondovi, Wis., Nicky (Jim) Stubbe, Shorewood, Paula (Eric) Joyce, Apple Valley, and John (Stephanie) Wendt, Hubbard; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer, Sarah, Jane, Mark, Jonie, Jackie, Craig, Adam, Johanna, Hayley, Wade and Nathan; one great-granddaughter, Chelsey; and one sister, Pauline Heck, Luverne.

Mrs. Wagner was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Gloria Melcher.

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

Raymond Paul O’Toole, 82, Luverne, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003.

Services were Monday, Jan. 27, at St. Catherine Catholic Church. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial of cremains was in the parish cemetery.

Raymond O’Toole was born to Elmer and Mary O’Toole on May 11, 1921, in Adrian. He attended St. Adrian School. He farmed the family farm until the age of 28.

He married Deanna Vatland on Oct. 14, 1947, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. After their marriage he worked for Cyril Deiterman contracting for three years and then returned to farming in Rock County for 31 years. He retired from farming and moved to Luverne. He became an agriculture inspector for eight years followed by four years of zoning administration.

Mr. O’Toole was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He was a long standing member of Knights of Columbus. He was also president of the Rock County Fair Board for four years, chairman of the Rock County DFL for eight years, and a member of Rock County Wood Carvers. His hobbies included flower and vegetable gardening, rock gardens, fish ponds and wood carving.

Survivors include his wife, Deanna O’Toole, Luverne; three sons, Patrick O’Toole, Jeff O’Toole, both of Rochester, and Mark O’Toole, Luverne; three daughters, Mary (Darrell) Hemme, Hardwick, Kathey (Gary) Dahedl, Apple Valley, and Barbara (Paul) Brehm, Eagan; eight grandchildren, Brittney O’Toole, Eagan, Andrew and Hanna Hemme, Hardwick, Brianna and Sophie Dahedl, Apple Valley, Alexander, Madeline and Gavin Brehm, Eagan; and four sisters, Lois O’Toole, Jackson, Marion Gleman, West Harwich, Mass., Audrey Bargiesen, Las Vegas, Nev., and Ardith Rush, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Mr. O’Toole was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Michael O’Toole, and two brothers, Phil and Lorne O’Toole.

A tree will be planted in memory of Ray O’Toole by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

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

Services for Marvin Heitkamp will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Revs. Gerald Kosse and David Krogman will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, with a rosary service at 4:30 p.m. and parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian. Visitation is also from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday.

Marvin "Marvie" Heitkamp, 66, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Adrian, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Marvie Heitkamp was born to Anton and Alvina (Klein) Heitkamp on Aug. 17, 1936, in Adrian. He grew up in Adrian and attended school in Adrian. He graduated from St. Adrian Catholic High School in 1955.

He worked at IBP in Luverne for more than 34 years. He later worked at Gateway in Sioux Falls.

Mr. Heitkamp was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian; Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated 11 years of sobriety. He enjoyed fishing, camping and dancing.

Survivors include his special friend, Kay Sieler, Sioux Falls; Kay’s family, Thomas Nickel, Montevideo, Tammy Wright, Sioux Falls, and Megan and Jared; four children, Jolene Lofthus, Maple Grove; Connie (Kevin) Nowotny, Michelle (Chad) Loosbrock, all of Adrian, and Jeff (Kristi) Heitkamp, Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren, Cole, Dani, Tanner, Brett, Sam, Nathan and Taylor; one brother, Jim (Alice) Heitkamp, Sioux Falls; and three sisters, Diane Ermler, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Doreen Friedman, Sioux Falls, and Donna Henriksen, Litchfield.

Mr. Heitkamp was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law, Scott Lofthus, and one brother, Don Heitkamp.

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

Eric Anthony Dobson, 33, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Worthington, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, at his home in Sioux Falls.

Memorial services were Friday, Jan. 24, at First United Methodist Church in Worthington. The Rev. Lowell Reinking officiated. Burial of the cremains will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Eric Dobson was born to Dan and LaVonne (Vogelaar) Dobson on July 25, 1969, near Round Lake, Indian Lake Township. In 1975 he moved with his mother and brother, Scot, to Worthington where he graduated from high school in 1987.

He joined the U.S. Air Force and served three years overseas in Italy. After returning from the service, he had various jobs in Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Iowa, and most recently, Florida. He returned to Sioux Falls in 2002.

Survivors include his mother, LaVonne (Allen) Kruger, Worthington; his father, Dan (Pam) Dobson, Luverne; one brother and sister-in-law, Scot and Michelle Dobson, Sioux Falls; maternal grandparents, Lester and Gertrude Vogelaar, Worthington; paternal grandparents, Armond and Dorothy Dobson, Blue Earth; one stepbrother, Ryan Jellema, Minneapolis; and three stepsisters, Darla Janssen, Rushmore, Vicki Eckerson, Byron, and Janine Ford, Oakdale.

Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Worthington, was in charge of arrangements.

H. Reid Cleland, 86, Luverne, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, in his home.

Services were Monday, Jan. 27, at United Methodist Church in Luverne. The Rev. Bart Fletcher officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

H. Reid Cleland was born to Herbert and Ruth (Chambers) Cleland on Oct. 7, 1916, in Cottonwood. He lived most of his youth in Montevideo and graduated from Montevideo High School in 1934. He did post-graduate work at the Wisconsin School of Banking in Madison, Wis. Mr. Cleland spent his entire career in banking, starting during high school.

He married Lucille Coyle in 1938 in Montevideo. During World War II he served in the European Theatre as an Army medic. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged. He resumed his banking career. He worked at Union State Bank in Montevideo, transferring to affiliate, the Rock County Bank, later the Northwestern State Bank in Luverne and was president of the bank for many years. He retired in 1976. He and his wife split their time between their home in Bonita Springs, Fla., and their lake home at Lake Shetek. Two years ago they moved back to Luverne.

Mr. Cleland was active in the Luverne community. He was a member of United Methodist Church in Luverne, a long-term member and past president of the Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a life member of the American Legion and VFW and director of numerous civic activities including SW Mental Health Center, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Luverne Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille Cleland, Luverne; two sons. Mike (Cathy) Cleland, St. Cloud, and Jeff (Karen) Cleland, Elgin, Ill.; one grandson, Andy Cleland, St. Cloud; one sister, Marjorie Sola, and one sister-in-law, Bernie Cleland, both of Florida.

Mr. Cleland was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Curtis and Charles Cleland.

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

Joe Erwin, 58, Luverne, died Saturday, Feb. 1 at Veterans Hospital, Sioux Falls. Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne. Services will be Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church, Luverne. Burial with military honors will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth wrestling team dug a hole it couldn’t climb out of early in Thursday’s match against Tracy-Milroy in Tracy.

After yielding forfeits at 103 and 112, and getting pinned at 119 (Chad Cooreman over Anthony Boyenga at 3:28) and 125 (Adam Snyder over Kerry Fink at 1:53), the Cardinals found themselves facing a 24-0 deficit.

L-H-BC-E went on to win six of the final 10 matches, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Cardinals from dropping a 42-31 decision to the Panthers.

The Cardinals closed the gap to eight points (27-19) by winning four of five matches between 130 and 152 pounds.

The run featured pins from Dusty Seachris (8:48 over Andy Nelson at 135) and Canaan Petersen (2:32 over Austin Skobilk at 152), Ruston Aaker’s 10-0 major decision win over Ryan Jackson at 130 and Jesse Saravia’s 3-1 decision win over Andy Bryne at 140.

T-M received a 10-4 decision victory from Paul Carlson over Justin Mann at 145 to keep the Cards from winning five straight wins.

After L-H-BC-E pulled within eight points. T-M iced the match by getting pins from Scott Torkelson (2:27 over Matt Goembel at 160) and Mike Schreier (1:29 over Jeff Cronberg at 189), and a 4-2 decision win from Tim Bryne over Jose Saravia at 189.

Cardinals Joel Evans pinned Brett Peterson in 1:09 at 215 and Cody Jagow covered Kong Her in 2:44 at heavyweight to end the night.

Match wrap-up
103 (T) Hebig by forfeit.
112 (T) Cooreman by forfeit.
119 (T) Cooreman pins Boyenga.
125 (T) Snyder pins Fink.
130 (L) Aaker m.d. Jackson.
135 (L) Seachris pins Nelson.
140 (L) Je.Saravia dec. Bryne.
145 (T) Carlson dec. Mann.
152 (L) Petersen pins Skobilk.
160 (T) Torkelson pins Goembel.
171 (T) Bryne dec. Je.Saravia.
189 (T) Schreier pins Cronberg.
215 (L) Evans pins Peterson.
275 (L) Jagow pins Her.

By John Rittenhouse
Adrian’s longest girls’ basketball winning streak of the season ended at seven games Monday when the Dragons lost a four-point game in Windom.

The streak reached seven straight with a 17-point win over Southwest Star Concept in Okabena Friday.
Adrian, 13-3 overall, plays in Fulda tonight and Luverne Tuesday.

Windom 50, Adrian 46
The Dragons received their first loss since Dec. 21 when they came up on the short end of a four-point decision in Windom Monday.

Twenty-two turnovers plagued an AHS squad that simply didn’t perform well in the game.

"We just didn’t play very good basketball," said Dragon coach Randy Strand. "There was one stretch when we had the ball six straight times trailing 43-37 and didn’t get a shot off. It wasn’t that they were pressuring us into turnovers. It was poor judgment on our part."

The teams battled to a draw at 12 in the first quarter. Adrian led 24-22 heading into a third quarter that belonged to a Windom team that outscored AHS 19-10 to take a 41-34 lead. The Dragons sported a 12-9 scoring edge in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Eagles.

Andrea Lonneman and Ashley Cox scored 20 and 14 points respectively for Adrian. Maria Gengler snatched 10 rebounds, and Jenna Honermann charted 10 assists and four steals.

Box score
Heronimus 1 0 0-2 2, Honermann 0 0 0-2 0, Cox 7 0 0-0 14, Lonneman 8 0 4-6 20, Gengler 3 0 2-2 8, Wolf 1 0 0-0 2.

Team statistics
Adrian: 20 of 49 field goals (41 percent), six of 12 free throws (50 percent), 30 rebounds, 22 turnovers.
Windom: 20 of 49 field goals (41 percent), eight of 19 free throws (42 percent), 19 rebounds, 12 turnovers.

Adrian 62, SSC 45
The Dragons posted their 11th consecutive Red Rock Conference victory when they disposed of the Quasars by 17 points in Okabena Friday.

Adrian won the game handily by outscoring SSC in every quarter, an effort that was made possible by converting 80 percent of the free throws in the contest.

"We had our moments," said Dragon coach Strand. "We did make our free throws."

Adrian posts Lonneman and Gengler played key roles when Adrian opened 14-5 and 29-19 leads at the first two quarter breaks.

Lonneman, who had eight rebounds in the game, scored seven of her team-high 20 points in the first half. Gengler, who finished the game with eight rebounds and three blocked shots, scored seven of her 17 points in the first half.

Adrian increased its lead to 12 points (44-32) at the end of the third quarter before using an 18-13 scoring cushion in the fourth quarter to win by 17.

Kylie Heronimus had 10 assists and seven rebounds for the winners. Honermann charted eight assists and five steals.

Box score
J.Henning 0 0 0-2 0, Heronimus 3 0 1-1 7, K.Honermann 0 0 2-2 2, J.Honermann 1 0 3-4 5, A.Henning 2 0 1-2 5, Cox 2 0 2-2 6, Lonneman 5 0 10-11 20, Gengler 8 0 1-1 17.

Team statistics
Adrian: 21 of 43 field goals (49 percent), 20 of 25 free throws (80 percent), 28 rebounds, 17 turnovers.
SSC: 17 of 53 field goals (32 percent), 11 of 18 free throws (61 percent), 24 rebounds, 21 turnovers.