10 years ago (2012)
•A sense of jubilation accompanied the small group gathered to celebrate the reopening of the 24-hour self-serve gas pump in Hardwick last week.
It’s been three years since locals have been able to get gas in town, and they are thrilled by the amount of time they will save not driving 10 miles to a Luverne gas station every time they need gas for a car or truck or boat or lawn mower or a snow blower.
City Clerk Tammy Johnson said not having a gas pump in town was inconvenient in all sorts of ways.
 
25 years ago (1997)
•Hills-Beaver Creek sophomore Tara Boeve successfully defended her 1996 championship in the long jump during the Section 3A Track and Field Meet in Benson Thursday.
Tara Boeve won the section meet as a freshman last year and went on to place second in the state with a distance of 17-9 1/2. She captured her second straight section title this year with a distance of 16-9 3/4.
Boeve, who missed most of her team’s regular season meets with a quad muscle injury, will return to the National Sports Center in Blaine for tomorrow’s long jump competition. The even begins at 3 p.m.
 
 
50 years ago (1972)
•Mrs. Myrtle Kleine retired last week from the hot lunch staff at the Magnolia school. She had served 16 consecutive years, plus one additional year at the inception of the program. One of her co-workers summed up the feelings generally felt by the students and those who have been associated with her over the years when she said, “She’s a very special woman to work with. She is one of those who gives of herself all of the time.”
 
75 years ago (1947)
•Temperatures dipped to 28 degrees above zero here last Thursday, following last Wednesday’s snow, and caused damage in varying degrees in the county.
County Agent Golla reports that corn which was planted shallow was hit the hardest, and some farmers are replanting. Damage by frost in these fields, he said, might run as high as 25 or 30 per cent. There are also a few fields in the northwest corner of the county which seem to be harder hit than others and some farmers are reported replanting there.
The corn that was planted deep in the ground and was nipped seems to be coming back, although maturity might be delayed somewhat.
 
100 years ago (1922)
•At a regular board meeting of the board of education last week, E. M. Hawes was appointed by the board to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Herman B. Nelson.
Mr. Nelson’s resignation followed his retirement from business in Luverne and his decision to resume his former work of traveling salesman for a wholesome grocery house, which would necessitate his being away from home to a greater extent than his duties as a member of the school board warranted.

The Rock County Historical Society will present its 10th annual “Tales from the Graves” and pie and ice cream social from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Maplewood Cemetery. 
History Center Director Wendel Buys said he’s looking forward to the 10th anniversary of the event and the first one since the Covid pandemic.
“We have new tales this year from many perspectives,” Buys said. “Our featured guests will be from a wide variety of backgrounds and areas of interest.”
Local actors will play the roles of featured “guests” who were prominent in Rock County history and help to tell the story of the community’s past.
The stories this year include the lives of newspaperman Irid Bjerk, probate judge Helga Skyberg, architect and contractor W.E.E. Greene, farm boy and tractor accident victim Elroy Sievert, businesswoman Adahlia Wildung, Luverne Automobile founders Al and Ed Leicher, Civil War Veteran and early settler Morris C. Smith and Army nurse Tilda Rossum.
The event will also highlight the move of the Old Luverne Cemetery to Maplewood and information about the challenges and discoveries during that move.
The rain location is the History Center on East Main Street. Call 507-283-2122.
The event is free, but donations are accepted.

Two longtime Blue Mound Quilt Guild members will be featured during the group’s annual show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hinkly House in Luverne.
Quilts made by Arlene Bendix and Leola Sweeney will cover the main floor of the Hinkly House, and 15 other quilters will have their work displayed throughout the rest of the house.
 
Arlene Bendix
Arlene Bendix is one of the winners of the Blue Mound Quilt Guild “Quilter of the Year” award for 2022. She has been a longtime member of the Guild.
Arlene has brought her talent of teaching, color expertise, sharing and encouraging to improve members’ quilting skills.
She starting sewing by making her own clothes and over time transferred her skills to quilts. Arlene comes from a family of quilters that included her mother and grandmother.
She has maintained this family tradition by introducing her daughters and granddaughters to the wonderful world of quilting.
Arlene never makes the same pattern twice because there are so many different patterns to try. She enjoys the challenge of choosing colors and piecing patterns to create the impression she wants the quilt to make. She also likes incorporating fabric received as gifts from families and friends.
One of her quilts is displayed in a room at the hospice cottage where it provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for patients and families.
Arlene also shares her talents with the church in preparing their missionary quilts and other projects.
 
Leola Sweeney
Leola Sweeney also was named “Quilter of the Year” for 2022. She likes to sew, a talent she learned from her mother, who made most of the clothes and coats for Leola and her siblings.
She has made Cabbage Patch dolls and clothes plus other items for her nieces when they were little and sewed her own garments, especially suits, during her working career.
Leola also enjoys crocheting and tatting and didn’t start quilting until she retired.
Her favorite quilt pattern is the log cabin, and the most challenging has been Native American quilts.
When Leola makes quilts for others, she works with them on selecting the pattern, size and color.
A love of family has inspired her creations, which include baby quilts for great-nieces and nephews and big graduation quilts for her grandchildren.
Almost all of the quilts that Leola has done have been machine-quilted on a regular sewing machine.
Leola joined the Blue Mound Quilters in 2000. She has been president of the organization. She has helped with sewing of the Hospice quilt projects and the pillowcase project.

Steven Carlson, 82, Luverne, died Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A visitation was Monday, May 16, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. A private family funeral service will be at a later date. Memorials may be given to Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne or to the American Cancer Society.
Steven Carlson was born Jan. 14, 1940, to Harvey and Ella (Newberg) Carlson in Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1958 and later attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls.  He worked for Hanson Silo and also worked with his father doing custom farming.
Steven married Dianne Heckt on March 27, 1982, in Hardwick.  The couple lived in Luverne, and Steven continued to work with his father and eventually managed the family farm near Hardwick until he retired.
He enjoyed racing cars, restoring cars and antique tractors, and going to auction sales and swap meets.  He was a member of Tri State Chevy and State Line 2 Cylinder Club.  He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick for many years and was baptized and confirmed there.
Steven is survived by his wife, Dianne Carlson of Luverne; six children, Chris (Jeni) Zewiske of St. Paul, Joseph (Nancy) Zewiske of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Ann Marie (Ola) Bildtsen of Roseville, Wayne Zewiske of Luverne, Robert (Ashley) Carlson of Hardwick, and Mary Ella Carlson of Seattle, Washington;  12 grandchildren, Ian, Zach, Katie, Jacob, Elsa, Isak, Jenna, Gracie, Nick, Erica, Garrett, and Guinevere; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Judith Carlson of Luverne and Jewell Gimble of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Rusty Gimble; brother and sister-in-law David and Mary (Heckt) Maroon, sister-in-law Virginia (Heckt) Wessels, and brothers-in-law Donald and David Heckt.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(0602 F)

Elaine Garnet Snyders, 81, formerly of Luverne, died peacefully under hospice care Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society – Prairie Creek in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. A committal service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Elaine Cragoe was born on Jan. 7, 1941, to Charles and Garnet (Hetrick) Cragoe in Luverne and raised on the family farm northwest of Magnolia. She attended Magnolia High School, graduating in 1959. She then attended beauty school in Minneapolis. She traveled to California and worked in a beauty shop for her aunt.
Elaine was married Dec. 29, 1961, to Gary Mark at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The couple was blessed with two sons. Elaine and Gary later divorced.
On Aug. 14, 1976, Elaine married Dennis Snyders in Larchwood, Iowa. They raised their family of now five children in Luverne. Elaine was employed by the Luverne School District for a number of years and worked as a library assistant. She later worked at the Sanford Luverne Hospital in the kitchen.
In 2017 she moved to the Oaks Apartments in Luverne. A short time later she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and transitioned to the Good Samaritan Society – Prairie Creek in Sioux Falls.
Elaine attended St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. She was a devoted Elvis Presley fan and even traveled to Graceland. She loved her dog, Bella, and enjoyed spending time with friends while camping at Lake Shetek.
Elaine is survived by her two sons, Duane (Phyllis) Mark of California and Scott (Michelle) Mark of Luverne; stepchildren Bradley (Michele) Snyders of Sioux Falls, Brenda (Tim) Welbig of Sioux Falls, and Bridget (Ken) Rist of Brandon, South Dakota; daughter Rhonda (Howard) Farrell of Florissant, Colorado; siblings Eugene (Colleen) Cragoe of Luverne and John (Patsy) Cragoe of Luverne; sister-in-law Doris Cragoe of Hastings; and other family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dennis Snyders; and a brother, Charles Cragoe.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0602 F)

John David Thies, 81, Luverne, died Friday, May 20, 2022, in his home.
A funeral service was Friday, May 27, at the United Methodist Church in Luverne with burial at Salem Cemetery in rural Pipestone.John Thies was born on Dec. 16, 1940, to Lawrence and Julia (Sutherland) Thies in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Methodist Church in Salem, South Dakota. John attended a small country school for his elementary grades and then Egan High School in Egan, South Dakota, where he graduated in 1958. John was very active in high school sports, and his nine-man football team won the state championship.
On Aug. 9, 1959, John married Judy Jones at the Presbyterian Fireside Room in Pipestone. John was a resident of Pipestone for 38 years and Luverne for 40 years.
John never retired. He worked for Ford Motor, Dars Texaco Gas, Robson Grocery Store, Pepsi, Sturdevants Automotive, and Jaycox/Titan.
John was a member of United Methodist Church in Luverne where he was involved as a choir member, played on the church softball league, and was active with the couples club. John loved music. He was involved in the Luverne Community Choir and was a member of Caballeros Del Norte. He and Judy were active with AFS for 25 years, connecting many foreign exchange students with local families. John was a member of the Lions Club and an avid supporter of Luverne sports and school events.
John loved the outdoors and horseback riding. He had a love for growing plants, especially African violets. He enjoyed car shows and was a car enthusiast, especially antique cars. He was an avid Louis L’ Amour book reader and enjoyed western movies. He often would be seen riding his fat tire bike around town.
His life revolved around his family. He spent a good deal of time taking walks with his family. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his four children, Terry (Lisa) Thies of Minnetonka, Jeffrey (Jeanne Sadecki) Thies of Chaska, Kimberly (Jonathan) Mulder of Katy, Texas, and Shelly (Rolland (Marty)) Wold of Burnsville; seven grandchildren, Joshua Mulder, Maisey Wahlquist, Colin Thies, Cody Thies, Josie Wold, Rylie Wold, and Marissa Wold; three great-grandchildren; siblings Jim (Dell) Thies of Pipestone, Judy Jansen of Pipestone, and Mark (Diaine) Thies of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and AFS children, Anna, Paolo and Angela, Arias, Maria, Aparicio, and Rhonda Scully.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy; and siblings William (Bill) Thies and Mary Hargens.
Memorials are preferred to the Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0602 F)

Barbara Ashby, 70, Luverne, died peacefully Monday, May 23, 2022, at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, and at 1 p.m. until the service at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the United Methodist Church in Luverne.
Barbara Jean Ashby was born on October 17, 1951, to Ralph and Margie (Wild) DeGroot in Luverne, Minnesota. She grew up on the farm near the Ash Creek/Steen, Minnesota area. In her youth, she was active in 4-H with sewing and baking, and had regular attendance at church in Sunday school and youth group. Barb graduated from Luverne High School in 1970. She furthered her education at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.
That same year, she began her career with the Social Security Administration where she would remain for the next 34 years. Barb spent a brief time in Omaha, Nebraska, and St. Louis, Missouri, before returning to Luverne in 1974.
On August 24, 1974, Barb was united in marriage to Gene Ashby in Luverne. During her employment with SSA, Barb worked up the ranks starting as a claims representative, field representative, supervisor, and then assistant manager until she officially retired in 2007.
In 2013 Barb was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but she worked hard not to let it slow her down. She continued her active lifestyle until an injury in 2020 caused a loss of mobility. Gene continued to care for Barb in their home, but she struggled with not being able to continue with her hobbies and activities.
In December of 2021, Barb moved into the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota where, on Monday, May 23, 2022, she died peacefully at the age of 70 years, 7 months, and 6 days.
Barb was a member of the United Methodist Church in Luverne. She was involved with the University of Minnesota Extension and Mrs. Jaycees. The untimely death of Barb and Gene’s son, Chris Ashby, brought about avenues in which to keep his memory alive. Barb was invited to be the commencement speaker for the Luverne High School class of 1989. Barb and Gene provided scholarships to all graduating seniors for the Luverne class of 2008. They also developed and financed the Chris Ashby Bike Trail in Luverne in memory of their son. Barb enjoyed biking and walking around town, boxing, exercising, croquet and croquet tournaments, playing cards, baking (especially pies and popcorn balls), movies and dinner on Saturdays, and traveling. Her travels included visiting all 50 of the U.S. states, trips to Egypt, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Austria, and Cuba. Barb and Gene spent 10 winters in Florida and went on many cruises together.
Left to cherish Barb’s memory are her husband, Gene Ashby of Luverne; brother Dean (Liz) DeGroot of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and nieces, Sarah and Anna DeGroot of Minneapolis.
Barb was preceded in death by her son, Chris Ashby; parents, Ralph and Margie DeGroot; in-laws, Howard and Ruth Ashby; grandparents; aunts; uncles; and cousins.
Memorials can be directed to the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0602 V)

Luverne will again represent Section 3A at the Minnesota boys’ tennis state tournament next week in Minneapolis. 
The Cardinals won their 12th consecutive Section 3A team championship on Tuesday, May 24, in Redwood Falls, continuing a streak that began in 2010 (excluding the 2020 no-sports pandemic year).
After defeating MACCRAY in the tournament quarterfinals 7-0 May 23, Luverne took down Redwood Valley 5-2 in the semifinal round Tuesday morning.
The Cards then defeated Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sundberg 4-3 in an exciting section championship contest to keep one of Southwest Minnesota’s most impressive state tournament appearance streaks alive for a dozen years. 
“This is always one of our team goals,” said No. 1 singles player Pierce Cunningham.
“No one wants to be on the team that loses the streak. … We’re looking forward to having fun up at state and getting the chance to compete with the best teams in the state.” 
The Cardinals also began play in the section individual tournament Thursday, May 26, with two entries in the singles competition and two teams in the doubles competition. 
Cunningham won two singles matches and Griffen Jarchow and Blake Frahm won two doubles matches to advance to the semifinals that were played Tuesday, May 31, after this edition of the Star Herald went to press. 
State tournament play will begin Tuesday at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis with team quarterfinals and consolation semifinals. 
First rounds of singles and doubles play at the state tournament begin on Thursday, June 9. 
“Twelve straight appearances is a credit to the players now and before,” Larson said. “They are the ones who play the matches and the success is squarely on their shoulders.”
Larson is coaching his second and final season for the Cardinals. He has resigned his teaching and coaching positions at LHS after accepting teaching and coaching positions at Waconia High School for next school year. 
“I’m very excited for one last state tournament opportunity,” Larson said. 
 
LHS 5, Redwood Valley 2
The Cardinals won all of the five contested matches to secure a victory over Redwood Valley in the semifinals of the Section 3A team tournament March 24 in Redwood Falls. 
Cunningham remained undefeated on the season by winning over Andrew Muetzel 6-4, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. 
Jarchow, who has also not lost a match this year at No. 2 singles, defeated Jacob Zollner 6-1, 6-0. 
In doubles play, Logan Ommen and Chance Tunnissen defeated Kanyon Hicks and Marco Ramos 6-3, 6-1 in the No. 1 slot. Kyle Ferguson and Jase Arp bested Joe Davila and Melayna Nez 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles. 
At No. 3 doubles, Luke Bosch and Spencer Kracht defeated Yzykiel Rendon and Ben Jorgenson 6-2, 6-1. 
With the five match victories and overall semifinal team win secured, LHS forfeited the No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches. 
 
LHS 4, Benson/KMS 3
If a section team was going to defeat Luverne and end the Cardinals’ 12-year state tournament streak, it was probably going to take some creative strategies. 
That’s exactly what Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sundberg attempted to do, by moving their best singles players to doubles play against Luverne in the section championship meet. 
“Benson tried to stack their doubles and, credit to them, it was a clever strategy,” said LHS head coach Lucas Larson.
“But our guys held their own. We have a strong roster and letting them play their own positions is our method of success.”
Using this “stacked doubles” strategy, Benson/KMS won all three doubles matches. 
Hunter LeClair and Tyler Hadfield defeated Ommen and Tunnissen 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles.
At No. 2 doubles, Ferguson and Arp lost to Mason Bakke and Matthew Thompson 6-1, 6-1. At No. 3 doubles, Blake Brehmer and Alberto Vargas defeated Bosch and Kracht 6-2, 6-2. 
The Cardinals’ singles players held strong, however, and swept all four singles matches to secure the team championship. 
At No. 1 singles, Cunningham defeated Taylor Duncan 6-4, 6-0 while Jarchow came out on top of Harold Habben 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. 
Blake Frahm swept Alex Carlson 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles to tie the team score 3-3 before Ethan Nath defeated Isaac Carlson 6-4, 6-1 to earn the Cardinal section championship. 
“It came down to Ethan at four singles,” Cunningham said. “He played very well and did not let the fact that everyone was watching him get to his head.”
 
Individual tournament
Luverne entered two singles and two doubles teams in the Section 3A individual tournament, which began Thursday, May 26, in Redwood Falls. 
Cunnigham was awarded the No. 1 seed for singles play. Jarchow and Frahm, who normally play No. 2 and No. 3 singles for the Cards, entered the tournament as a doubles team and also earned the No. 1 seed. 
Nath also entered the tournament seeded seventh in singles play while Tunnissen and Ferguson formed a doubles team that also earned the No. 7 seed. 
Cunningham swept Brent Rassat of MACCRAY 6-0, 6-0 in Round 1 and Ryan Syring of Yellow Medicine East 6-0, 6-0 in Round 2 to qualify for the semifinal round played on Tuesday after this week’s newspaper deadline. 
Nath defeated Matthew Martinson of Dawson-Boyd/Lac Qui Parle Valley 6-2, 6-2 before falling to Taylor Duncan of Benson/KMS 6-1, 6-0 in Round 2. 
In doubles play, Frahm and Jarchow swept Josiah Seehusen and Daniel Seehusen of MACCRAY 6-0, 6-0 before defeating Jackson Buer and Liam Risch of D-B/LQPV 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals. 
Tunnissen and Ferguson bested Derrick Lien and Isaac Olevson of YME 6-1, 6-2 and then lost 6-0, 6-0 to Andrew Muetzel and Drew Lundeen from Redwood Valley

The Luverne boys’ golf team played in the first round of the Section 3AA Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 26, at Buffalo Lake Golf Club in Oakdale.
The Cardinals shot a team score of 325 to place fourth out of 16 teams in the tournament.
The top five teams in the section advance to Round 2 on Wednesday, June 1. New London-Spicer currently sits at the top of the leaderboard after shooting a team score of 311 on Day 1.
“Our goal coming in was to be one of the five teams moving on to Day 2 and we accomplished that,” said Luverne boys’ coach John Sichmeller.
“It was a cold and windy day, and we were still able to shoot our lowest team score of the year. If we can have a good day in Round 2, you never know what can happen.”
Leading the Cardinals was sophomore Owen Sudenga, who shot a 76 to place him tied for third individually and only one stroke off the tournament lead.
“Owen had a rough start to the season but he is starting to play some really good golf. It has been fun to see him figure things out and play the way that we know he can,” said coach Sichmeller.
Sophomore Henry Hartquist had a solid round for the Cardinals as well with a 78 to tie for 10th place individually. Junior Brady Bork fired an 82 and senior Colin Schoeneman shot an 89 to contribute to the Luverne team score. Also competing for Luverne were freshman Levi Gonnerman (100) and sophomore Tyler Arends (101).
The winning team after Round 2 and the Top 5 individuals will advance to the state meet later this month.
The LHS girls’ team had round one postponed due to weather and was scheduled to compete Tuesday, May 31, after the Star Herald press time.
Top teams and individuals from Round 1 will move to Round 2 the following day.