Luverne Elementary first-grade students performed “Pajama Party” for their very first singing program for parents and friends Friday afternoon in the school’s performing arts center. Director Beth Capistran told those in attendance that the students began practice six weeks ago, spending 25 minutes each day on the program. “Pajama Party,” with students dressed in sleepwear and holding their favorite stuffed animal, centered around activities at a sleepover that included “staying up all night long,” Capistran said.
 
This year’s third-graders at Luverne Elementary School were learning the songs and movements for “Bada Bing, It’s Spring!” as first-graders in March 2020 when the pandemic prompted state officials to close all schools and begin distance learning. The students were finally able to perform the song, “What has Happened to Spring,” from the program that began two years ago, in front of friends and family Friday afternoon in the school’s performing arts center.

As a student at Luverne High School, Autumn Wenzel gravitated toward the medical profession with thoughts of becoming a registered nurse.
Instead, the 2011 graduate works as a peace officer with the city of Buckeye, Arizona.
She recently used her medical skills to save a young girl’s life.
“I was assisting another agency who received a medical call of a young teenage girl who had stopped breathing,” Wenzel said.
The girl had no pulse when Wenzel began chest compressions.
“I kept wondering where my backup was and hoping, hoping, hoping I was doing the right thing,” she said.
Within a minute, the girl gasped and began breathing on her own just as Wenzel’s backup was arriving. They took the still lethargic girl to the hospital.
Wenzel’s supervisor, Sgt. Darren Smith, recommended her for the life-saving medal for quick medical actions.
“Ofc. Autumn Wenzel is a dedicated and hardworking member of our team. In just a short amount of time she has become a well-respected officer who is known for her willingness to do whatever it takes to assist her community and fellow officers,” Smith said.
“Her commitment and drive are both impressive and inspiring.”
Wenzel graciously accepted the medal.
“It’s definitely an honor,” she said. “I did what any other officer put in that position would have done.”
Wenzel also received a meritorious commendation for her work on two 2021 homicide incidents that happened just a couple of weeks apart.
“I was just doing my job,” Wenzel said. “I was just helping that family whose life was made more difficult through the death of a loved one and who had no understanding of why the homicide occurred.”
And it is not just her superiors who notice Wenzel’s work. Others from the community of 91,502 just west of Phoenix have written comments to the Buckeye Police Department’s social media page.
“She is a sweetheart, too,” wrote Summer Stranges.
“She responded to our neighborhood park where a bunch of teenagers were getting out of hand. She was extremely friendly … as well as professional. Her parents/family should be proud. We’re lucky to have her protecting us here in Buckeye.”
Wenzel’s path to Buckeye began shortly after graduating from LHS when she entered the Minnesota Army National Guard.
She first served with the 224th Transport Company in Olivia and then deployed in 2013 to Afghanistan with the 114th Transport Company based in Duluth.
There they escorted contractors delivering supplies. She retired from the military as a sergeant in 2019.
“I liked the National Guard,” Wenzel said. “I looked at joining law enforcement on the home front for the same military feel.”
She also considered resuming her high school plans to become an RN, but friends encouraged her to enter law enforcement.
Wenzel chose her future retirement designation of Arizona when she was unable to find affordable housing and join the state patrol in Minnesota.
She graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy and joined the Buckeye Police Department in November 2020 and is one of 100 officers on the police force.
Wenzel doesn’t seek recognition for doing her job.
“I honestly came on expecting to do my job and help as many people as possible,” she said, maintaining her “Minnesota Nice” upbringing, as witnessed by Buckeye resident Jenifer Broussard.
“I just saw you helping that older gentleman at Circle K. You are very kind,” Broussard wrote on the department’s social media page.
Wenzel is the daughter of Gayle Wenzel, Luverne, and Kevin Wenzel, Sioux Falls. She is the granddaughter of Russell and Doris Wenzel, Luverne.

The city of Luverne is committed to developing a day care center in the former Total Card Inc. building on Roundwind Road, just off Blue Mound Avenue.
The city purchased the 30,000-square-foot facility in March for $515,000 for child care and will own and maintain the building to be leased to a child care operation.
Now city leaders are seeking financial support in the forms of grants and legislative action.
Rep. Joe Schomacker, Luverne, jacketed a bill relating to capital investment, appropriating money for a child care center in the city of Luverne, authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
H.F. No. 4417 was read at the House Capital Investment Committee hearing on March 31 and the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Committee on April 5.
The draft bill requests $3,477,946 in state funds for acquisition, renovation, furnishing and equipping a facility in which to provide child care services for Luverne and Rock County.
Mayor Pat Baustian and EDA director Holly Sammons testified at both hearings with the following key points:
•Child care is essential to economic development and a critical part of the social infrastructure of a healthy community.
• Employers are having difficulty attracting and retaining staff due to lack of day care.
• In-home day care providers in Rock County are declining rapidly — from 56 providers (662 slots) in 2016 to 37 (572 slots) in 2019 to the current 28 providers (336 slots) in 2022.
•Young families are choosing to live in Brandon and Sioux Falls for more child care options.
Baustian and Sammons said local leaders are committed to facilitating a local child care center that will serve the needs of Luverne and Rock County.
They pointed to the following facts:
•The private sector alone is unable to acquire or build a child care center based on costs, local rates and wages
•The city of Luverne acquired a 30,000-square-foot facility that is well-suited to be repurposed as a child care center.
•Local resources alone cannot support the significant investment needed for one-time capital investment for renovation.
•Luverne is requesting $3,477,946 in state funds for acquisition, renovation, furnishing and equipping a facility in which to provide child care services for Luverne and Rock County.
•The city is committed to supporting the ongoing operations once the center is established to ensure the sustainability and success of the center.
•The city will sign a management contract with a non-profit and lease the building for $1 per year.
•A non-profit will acquire a child care license and carry out daily operations to offer child care services.
•The city and the non-profit will partner with local businesses and organizations to help support the center to address a critical need for child care.
A local non-profit board is working on plans to remodel the building and operate a child care center.
While no specific plans have been approved, two concepts have been developed showing how the open-floor building can accommodate up to 186 children ages 0 to school age and the support staff.
Specific rooms would be developed for infants, preschoolers, toddlers and school-aged children. An indoor gymnasium would also be designed in the facility.
The existing building already has an enclosed vestibule, offices, a kitchen area, a conference room, a bathroom and a garage.
More bathrooms would be added along with outdoor play areas developed on the large green space on the building’s south side.
At Monday’s meeting, the LEDA members discussed the fact that legislative support — if approved — wouldn’t materialize until March of 2023, so local leaders will continue seeking other funding sources.
 
Project timeline
Summer 2022: Engineering plans and specs
Fall 2022: Advertise project.
Winter 2022: Begin construction.
Spring 2023: Substantial completion.
Spring – Summer 2023: Open child care center.

Members of the Luverne Economic Development Authority on Monday approved additional support for V&D Properties LLC for restoration work at 203 E. Main Street, the former Cragoe Building.
Business partners Brant Van Dyke and Stephen Dekker last month purchased the building where Dekker’s wife, Rachael, operates Novo Aesthetics on the second floor.
They applied to the LEDA for Historic Facade Improvement funds to replace four exterior windows and add a projecting sign with lighting.
The custom projecting sign will allow for multiple tenants to be included in the signage. The total project cost is $15,681.
V&D Properties partners requested a grant of $5,490 and are choosing to forgo the loan option.
This LEDA support is in addition to a $5,000 five-year rural business assistance loan to make interior updates to make the building on Main Street Luverne viable for commercial tenants.
Novo Aesthetics is the only tenant currently operating in the building. It’s a medical spa that offers services such as botulinum toxin injections, injectable dermal fillers, microdermabrasion with platelet rich plasma and chemical peels.
Other commercial areas will be available for rent in the two-story building in the future.
The business loan will be used to remodel space in the Cragoe Realty building as well as purchase additional medical equipment and inventory.

Jackie Bird, a renowned Native American singer, has performed on various world stages including the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Monday afternoon she performed several Native American songs and dances for elementary through high school students at Luverne Public Schools for the first time.
She also included the playing of the popular ’60s song, “Wipe Out,” with her son, Sheldon, leading the rapid drum solo with his hands beating on the cajon.
“I am so glad he used to bang on his high chair as a baby, he is so good,” Bird said.
Elementary students imitated the drum solo by patting their hands on their laps.
Bird’s visit and presentation in the performing arts center was the idea of the district’s Native American Parent Advisory Committee.
Sue Reisch serves on the committee and suggested Bird’s appearance in Luverne.
“I used to listen to her as a little girl while I was growing up in Luverne,” the LHS 2000 graduate said.
“(Bird’s performance Monday) made my heart happy to be a part of bringing some Native American culture to Luverne to share with students and staff.”
Reisch used the Lakota word, cantemawaste, which means “my heart is happy” to describe students’ reactions to Bird’s performance.
“Jackie did a wonderful job engaging the students with her laughter, love and light, all the while incorporating our song and dance,” Reisch said. “Overall, it was a message of healing and togetherness. It was beautiful.”
The parent advisory committee was organized late last year as a way to help Native American students in Luverne make a connection with their culture.
Reisch said such introductions were not a part of the Luverne curriculum 20 years ago when she was a student. She learned about the Lakota culture when she returned to her hometown of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, after earning a nursing degree in 2017.
She returned to Luverne this fall and became a member of the parent advisory committee.
Reisch will lead a beading class for interested students as part of the middle school-high flex program.
“In our culture, beadwork is a form of our art and culture,” she said. “A way to be creative and then you wear your art.”
Bird grew up in Pipestone, graduating from Flandreau Indian School. She makes her home in Brookings.
Her upbeat message to students Monday was a simple one: “We are all in this world together to work for world peace and world healing. Come out and enjoy life.”

Mel and Minnie Van Batavia were ready to close the doors on their automotive repair business in Steen when Dylan Tieszen approached the retiring couple.
“Dylan walked in one day … and asked, ‘Do you want to sell?’” Mel Van Batavia recalled. “And I said, ‘Yeah, but I didn’t know anyone would buy it.’”
After 45 years in business, M & M Repair closed April 1 and became Tieszen Automotive LLC on April 4.
As a student at Hills-Beaver Creek High School, Tieszen often thought about operating his own business.
After graduating in 2018, he completed an automotive technology degree at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls and was working at Papik Motors in Luverne when he learned about the Van Batavias’ retirement.
“I took some business courses in school so I always knew what I was doing and kind of wanted to do my own thing — to see what I can do,” Tieszen said.
Van Batavia shares some similarities with Tieszen, including a love of Pontiacs and wanting to work for himself.
“Dylan is the same age as when I started,” Van Batavia said. “He’s going to have the same thoughts that I have that there isn’t going to be enough work.”
That was never the case for the Van Batavias, who through the years became the only auto mechanics located in the Steen and Hills areas.
“He’s going to come in the morning and have 14 cars lined up in front of the shop,” said Van Batavia, who has already given Tieszen a nudge in business among local residents.
“A couple of guys wanted a couple of big jobs done and I said ‘No,’” Van Batavia said. “They talked with Dylan, so he’s got a couple of weeks’ worth of work already.”
Tieszen won’t be alone in the new business adventure, as soon-to-be wife, Jenna, who works in Rock Rapids, will complete most of the bookkeeping, much like Minnie Van Batavia did when M & M Repair opened in 1976.
Minnie also worked in Rock Rapids, retiring from the Rock Rapids elevator earlier this year after 26 years in the bookkeeping department.
Gregory Van Batavia, one of Mel and Minnie’s four sons, sees history possibly repeating as the Tieszens take over the business.
“Hopefully when she is doing your books, it goes a little better than with these two,” he said. “Always — the time when mom’s doing books — we left.”
Minnie said she had a valid reason to scold her good-natured husband, who allowed some repair bills to be charged.
“I put up a sign that reads, ‘Strictly cash,’ and I don’t think it lasted a day,” she said.
M & M Repair also got its start when the newly-wed Van Batavias purchased the auto repair business on Steen’s Main Street from Clarence and Silvia Erickson, who were retiring.
Mel, who grew up in Steen (as did Minnie), worked for Erickson after school and on weekends.
After graduating from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1971, Mel attended the Jackson Vocational-Technical School and earned a two-year degree. Minnie graduated from H-BC in 1974 and also attended Jackson Vo-Tech for bookkeeping.
Three years of working in the repair department for a car dealership convinced Mel to purchase Erickson’s business.
“I was there 13 years and then, guess what, computers came out in cars,” Mel said.
For about 18 months, the Van Batavias lived near Alexandria.
It didn’t take long before Mel enrolled in classes to learn to automotive technology. They returned to Steen in 1990, building and moving into the current shop in 1991.
“I don’t think the money of being your own boss is any better than working for someone else — but it’s the freedom,” Mel said.
“If your kid has a ball game, you just close the door and go to the ball game. If you want to take a vacation, you just take a vacation. If kids come along, they can play and mess around.”
Since the announcement of M & M Repair closing, the Van Batavia boys — Brian, Kevin, Gregory and Joel — have reminisced about growing up in a small-town repair shop.
“It was never a dull moment around here, that’s for sure,” Gregory said.
Mel has also retired as mayor of Steen after 25 years while Minnie continues to be the treasurer for the town of 224 people. They will continue to live in Steen.

The Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums will honor Rock County historian Betty Mann on April 26 with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for her efforts in preserving and sharing local and regional history.
Rock County History Center director Wendel Buys submitted her nomination.
“Betty Mann is a lifetime resident of Rock County, and as such she is a local treasure trove of history. Her 26 years as a public school teacher gave her a love for learning and sharing what she has learned,” Buys wrote.
“This has become invaluable as she has spent many hours in research, and most of what she has learned she retains and shares with others.”
He said Mann’s teaching degree also enabled her to give meaningful history talks to many groups over the years and to provide research results for many people, ranging from those seeking family history to those creating documentaries and television programs.”
Mann retired from teaching in Luverne in 1993 and became the Historical Society president in 1994, retiring from that leadership position this year after 27 years.
“Her love for history is infectious and shows as she gives tours in the Rock County History Center or presents at local businesses or in classrooms in the schools of Rock County,” Buys wrote.
“Her love for collecting has also put Luverne on the map as the home of the third-largest nutcracker collection in the world.”
He said Mann’s experience and wisdom is encapsulated in a quote she often uses: “We can’t live in the past, but we need to learn by it.”
Mann said on Wednesday she was humbled and a bit “uncomfortable” to learn about the award. “I like to do things for other people; I don’t do things for awards,” she said.
“It’s going to be hard for me to accept this. … I’m uncomfortable, but thrilled. … Maybe I have done something to help preserve our history.”
Mann will be honored at a reception at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Alexandria on April 26 during the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums annual meeting and conference.
The organization will honor four local history projects with a Minnesota History Award and Mann as the individual with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Deserving of recognition
The Alliance issued a formal announcement last week about Mann’s award.
“Betty is an important voice for her organization in the community and contributed greatly to the historical research that had a nationwide impact through her work with Ken Burns,” the committee wrote.
Mann helped Burns research local history for the documentary film, “The War,” that featured Luverne as one of three U.S. communities and the effects of World War II on the home front.
Among the considerations for Lifetime Achievement Awards are the honorees’ contributions to history outside their communities.
“She also shared her experiences by forming a regional organization and providing guidance to those historical societies so they could strengthen their operations and physical facilities,” the committee wrote about Mann.
Nobles County Historical Society Board member Jerry Fiola supported Mann’s nomination for the award.
“She helped to shape our operational vision and assisted the members in arriving at a consensus on how best to get started. Since then, we have been holding regularly scheduled meetings three to four times a year,” Fiola wrote to the Alliance.
“This ongoing regional networking group is another of Betty’s many legacies to the history preservation field.”
After Rock County’s History Center was successfully opened, Fiola said Mann shared advice for the Nobles County Historical Society move into the National Guard Armory in Worthington.
“Betty’s invaluable mentoring undoubtedly contributed to our organization’s success in completing this relocation project,” he said about the $4 million Armory renovation.
 
May 1 open house to honor Mann’s 27 years as Historical Society president
Mann recalls that Don Klosterbuer had asked to attend a Rock County Historical Society meeting 27 years ago.
“I went to that meeting and came out president,” she said. “I took the position on one condition — that I would step down after we found a larger space.”
At the time, in 1994, the Victorian Hinkly House was the only local museum in the community and it was overcrowded with artifacts.
She said Jake Boomgaarden once overheard her bemoaning the lack of space and approached his fellow Masons about selling the Masonic Lodge for a museum and the Masons could continue meeting upstairs.
Once the museum was established in the Masonic Lodge, Mann soon discovered that handicap accessibility was an issue, and the search was on for another location.
Along the way she spearheaded several additional Rock County history attractions — the move of two Historical Society buildings to the fairgrounds as well as the building of two others there.
In 2014 the current building — the historic Ford Motors garage — was purchased and remodeled over the course of the year.
“Under Betty’s direction, the funds were raised to purchase the building, the remodeling was completed, and the mortgage was paid off within five years,” Buys said, adding that Mann’s work is never done.
“Betty is at the Rock County History Center every day volunteering her time in collecting and preserving information for our research center, giving tours, doing research in response to requests, caring for and creating displays, archiving, and a multitude of other activities,” he wrote in his nomination letter.
“At 91, Betty is tireless in her efforts to keep things running smoothly at the museum.”
Mann reflected on progress over the past 20-some years and said she’s relieved that local history finally has a beautiful, functional and accessible home on Main Street.
However, she said the collections at the museum are already outgrowing their space and she said an expansion will likely be necessary.
“But,” she qualified, “someone else will have to be in charge of that.”
On the heels of her Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony on April 26, her May 1 open house in Luverne will be from 1 to 4 p.m.
To celebrate Mann’s contributions to history, the Historical Society will accept donations for additional storage space at the History Center.
“Currently the building is overflowing with exhibits and artifacts in storage waiting for their turn to go on display,” Buys said.

Maplewood Cemetery Association annual meeting will be Monday, April 18, in the Atlas Community Room on Maple Street in Luverne. Lot owners meet at 12:30 p.m., board meets at 1 p.m. Use the door on the west side of the building.
Compassionate Friends Support Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the LACF Office in Luverne. Guest speaker Courtney DeBoer will present “Grief and Wellness.” Meetings are free, confidential and open to anyone. The group provides support, understanding and hope to grieving parents and grandparents after a child dies - of any age and any cause. For questions, call 605-254-2072 or email: pat.saum@gmail.com
Luverne Music Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the LHS Choir Room. Everyone is welcome. Contact Heather Johnson with questions, 507-920-6825.
Kenneth Cemetery annual meeting will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in the Kenneth Community Center.
Friendship Club (formerly TOPS) meets Mondays at 9 a.m. at the Luverne Pizza Ranch. New members welcome. Contact Karen at 507-935-2004 for more information.
 
Easter egg hunts in Luverne and Hills April 16
The Blue Ribbon 4-H Club will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, in the Tuff Memorial Home courtyard in Hills for children ages 10 and younger.
Participants will be divided into age groups and complete the hunt at different times. There will be special boys’ and girls’ prizes given away. The Easter bunny will also visit.
The Luverne Area Chamber and sponsoring local businesses will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, on the Courthouse Square at the corner of Cedar and Luverne streets for children 12 and younger.
The Easter Bunny will make a guest appearance. The event will move into the Elementary School commons in case of inclement weather.
 
Free food for seniors at new A.C.E. location
A.C.E. of SW MN will offer free food through its Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) 60 and older from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the new location in the former Grand Prairie Events, now the Generations building.
Enter the east lot from Maple Street and look for the pallet of NAPS boxes by the new ACE of SWMN office door on the northeast corner of the building. Call 507-283-5064 with questions.
 
Food giveaway at ATLAS April 21
New Life Celebration Church’s third Thursday monthly food giveaway is now at the ATLAS building at 101 W. Maple Street in Luverne. The next distribution is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21.
Enter from Maple Street and stay along the WEST side of the building. (Do not block the Redeemed Remnants parking lot.) Food will be loaded into vehicles which will then exit via the alley going WEST toward Estey Street. Call 507-283-4366 with questions.
 
LWML Spring Rally April 23 in Luverne
Pipestone Zone LWML Spring Rally is at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Servant event, “Jesus’ Love ... Our Hands” will be preparing hygiene kits for Orphan Grain Train. Bring a dark-colored bath towel and washcloth; other items will be provided. All are welcome. RSVP for noon lunch count at stjohn@iw.net.
 
Crisis Center open house is April 28
The Southwest Crisis Center will host an open house at its Luverne location, 114 W. Main St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28.
April is sexual assault awareness month. Southwest Crisis Center is committed to sexual violence prevention.
 
Free tax prep at library
AARP volunteers offer free tax preparation for low-income individuals and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays through April 15. Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return, and a form of identification to document social security number. Masks are required.
 
Community Ed
Call Cindy at Luverne Community Education, 507-283-4724, to register for classes. Community Ed’s website is www.isd2184.net, select Luverne Community Education under schools.
 
Rock County Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 10:30 a.m. Fridays through April 29.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Sanford Health accepting scholarships
Students in select Sanford Health Network locations are invited to apply for a health network scholarship. The $2,000 scholarships are for students pursuing a post-secondary degree in a health care-related field. Each participating Sanford network facility will sponsor one student with a scholarship. Email educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org for info.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

The Rock County Hall of Fame Committee has announced a new class of members to be inducted into the 2022 Rock County Hall of Fame.
The following individuals (listed alphabetically) will be inducted into the 2022 Rock County Hall of Fame on July 17. 
Dries “Dutch” Elbers, fast-pitch softball player, a founder of the world fast-pitch league and one of the first commissioners.
Wendell Erickson, ag instructor, Rock County commissioner and Minnesota legislator.
Andy Gabrielson, storm chaser.
Arlen Olson, art instructor and artist.
Sheldon and Elnora Sandager, who worked with the USDA to establish seed farms in third world countries.
Lloyd Voss, professional football player.
The induction ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at the Historic Palace Theatre. The public is invited to attend. 
The Rock County Hall of Fame was formed in 1992 under the auspices of the Rock County Historical Society. 
The Hall of Fame Committee, named by the Rock County Historical Society Board of Directors, is appointed to select the inductees.
The first class was inducted in 1992, with inductions in 1995, 2000 and 2009. 
To select a class for induction in 2022, the Rock County Hall of Fame accepted nominations from July 1, 2021, through Feb. 28, 2022.
The Rock County Hall of Fame Committee has been meeting since the end of February to decide on the candidates who will be inducted into the Class of 2022. 
As per bylaws, nominees who were not selected at this time will be reviewed during the next nomination period. 
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize current and former residents and individuals who have “made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota through their lives and have exhibited such qualities of character and action as to be outstanding role models for our citizens.”
Members of the Rock County Hall of Fame are recognized at the History Center on Main Street in Luverne.
Members of the Rock County Hall of Fame Committee include Greg Burger, Chairman, Everett Brandenburg, Wendel Buys, Ed Elbers, Keith Elbers, Laurie Gangestad, Mary McLaughlin, Larry Nelson, Bruce Olson, Patti Pierson, Dave Smith and Jane Wildung Lanphere.