Anglers in some parts of Minnesota have been venturing onto the ice for several weeks, while water remains open in other parts of the state. So far in December, weather in the state — which has included rain, snow and fluctuating temperatures — has affected ice-making and impacted ice that’s already formed.
As a result, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stresses the importance of checking ice thickness with a spud bar, auger or other device before stepping out onto it. Do not rely on other people’s footprints, tracks or social media posts.
Anglers and others who recreate on the ice should stay on shore until there’s at least 4 inches of new, clear ice.
A minimum of 5 to 7 inches of ice is necessary to support an all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile, and there should be at least a foot of ice before hauling out a truck or wheelhouse-type fishing shelter.
People should check the thickness of the ice regularly, since it can be highly variable even on the same body of water.
“The week between Christmas and New Year’s is typically the kickoff of the ‘wheelhouse season,’ and we anticipate it’ll be the same this year, especially in the northern part of the state,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director.
“Whether you’re walking onto the ice or hauling out a shelter you’ll sleep in, checking the ice thickness regularly is absolutely vital and one of the easiest ways to ensure tragedy doesn’t strike before you arrive at your fishing spot.”
Each year, unexpected falls through thin ice lead to serious injury or death. Wearing a life jacket is the best way to avert tragedy should someone fall through the ice, since the initial shock of falling into cold water can incapacitate even strong swimmers. A good set of ice picks will help a person get out, and a cell phone, whistle or other communications device makes it more likely they’ll be able to call for help.
 
General ice safety guidelines
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following these guidelines can help minimize the risk:
•Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).
•Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
•Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
•Bring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
•Don’t go out alone; let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
•Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
The minimum ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice are:
•4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.
•5-7 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
•8-12 inches for a car or small pickup.
•12-15 inches for a medium truck.
•Double these minimums for white or snow-covered ice.
For more information, visit mndnr.gov/icesafety and mndnr.gov/boatingsafety.

Card Shower
Larry Sherwood will celebrate his 80th birthday on Friday, Dec. 31. Greetings may be sent to him at 308 S. Chestnut Street, Ellsworth, MN 56129.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Dec. 27: Salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.
Tuesday, Dec. 28: Baked chicken, baked potato with sour cream, broccoli florets, bread, dessert.
Wednesday, Dec. 29: Lasagna, California Normandy, peaches, breadstick, dessert.
 Thursday, Dec. 30:  Turkey stuffing casserole, mixed vegetables, sliced apples, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by American Reformed Church.
Friday, Dec. 31: Beef chili with beans, Romaine salad with dressing, corn muffin, pears.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846 to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

U of Sioux Falls releases dean’s list
Several area students were named to the University of Sioux Falls dean’s list for the Fall 2021 semester. To be eligible, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Honor students with home town and major area of study are as follows:  Angela Martinyuk, Beaver Creek, nursing; Cade Ver Steeg, Bemidji, business administration; Angela Boyenga, Ellsworth, nursing; Mandie Petersen, Hardwick, elementary education; Grace Bundesen, Hills, business administration and accounting; Abby Knobloch, Hills, pre-nursing.

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on March 10, 1905.
Open Automobile Livery
New Project by Hulett Bros
Up-to-Date Livery Establishment for Luverne Will be Installed this Month—Luverne Automobile Company’s Machines to be Used
Hulett Brothers are now completing arrangements to open an automobile livery in this city some time during the present month. They have purchased one of the Luverne Automobile company’s large machines to start with and if their business warrants it will add as many more of this make as necessary, using both runabouts and surreys. The machine they have purchased is one of the late models built by the Luverne company. It is of 16-horse power, with double cylinder engine and is a very powerful machine. The establishment of a livery of this kind fills a long felt apparent want. Since the Luverne Automobile company first began making machines they have received almost daily requests from traveling men and others for machines to be used in trips to other towns, as well as for pleasure trips, but as this was entirely out of their line they were unable to meet the demand. Messrs. Hulett are well qualified to conduct an establishment of this character, and as the Luverne machines have proved to be without an equal in medium priced autos, the success of their proposed enterprise is already well assured.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

10 years ago (2011)
•It was 1968. Magnolia High School graduate Jerry Hoff had been home from Vietnam for three days when Smith Furniture owner Larry Brinkman called him with a job offer.
Hoff learned how to install flooring while working at Smith Furniture for the next five years.
When Bob Davis was looking to sell his floor covering business in 1973, Hoff was the buyer. “I’ve been in business ever since,” Hoff said.
Industry veterans warned him that flooring installers can expect their knees to tolerate no more than two years in the business, but Hoff said he’s been fortunate.
“I’ve lasted more than three times that. My knees are still good and I don’t have any back trouble,” he said, “but I don’t have the strength I used to have.”
“I’ve been trying to slow down over the last couple of years,” he said. “Quitting was a hard decision, because people keep calling me, but I just feel it’s time to quit.”
 
25 years ago (1996)
•After 18 years on the Rock County Board of Commissioners, Willis J. Brakke will retire at the end of the month.
“The past 18 years have been the most enjoyable years of my life,” Brakke told the Star Herald in a recent interview. “I enjoyed government service and the satisfaction that I might be doing some good for others.”
At age 74, Brakke decided not to file for re-election to the board. In a three-way race for his seat, Bob Jarchow was elected in November and will assume Brakke’s duties in January.
He said the decision not to run again for election was one of the hardest things he’s ever done. “I’m going to miss the feeling of belonging to the county family. I was a commissioner, and I was proud of it,” Brakke said.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•Beaver Creek’s new village well was completed the past week, Mayor Robert Melton announced. This is the first phase of the sewer-water improvement project begun this fall by the village.
A temporary pump and motor are now in place, and the well is now producing in excess of 100 gallons per minute, with water being pumped from the 185-foot level. The water is now being tested by the State Department of Health, and while results have not been returned, it appears that the quality will be comparable to the excellent water quality the village has enjoyed from its other wells, Mayor Melton said. A pump house will be built and fluoridation equipment installed before the water will be used.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•It wasn’t bad enough that Pete Gibson’s car had been laid up in the garage for repairs for a week. To add to the troubles of the Beaver Creek rural mail carrier the car caught on fire, when garagemen were working on it, and another week’s time will be required to repair the damage.
While being pushed last Thursday afternoon, some gasoline ignited and the car caught on fire on Beaver Creek’s Main street. Flames shot fifteen feet and more in the air before the blaze could be extinguished.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•The Omaha depot and the offices of the two farmers’ elevators at Beaver Creek were entered by thieves Monday night, but so far as is known they secured only two dollars in cash, which was taken from the cash drawer in the depot office.
A sack of mail in the depot that had been received from the east-bound night train was cut open and the contents rifled, but it is not obtained. The checking of the mail in the sack, however, has not yet been completed.
While the offices of the elevators were thoroughly ransacked, no money or articles of value were obtained.
A box car was broken into by the thieves, but the only thing taken was a box of Christmas candy.
The robbery was discovered Tuesday morning by W. C. Lenz, station agent at Beaver Creek, and the general opinion is that it was the work of “local talent.”

Gerald Lee Pommer, 73, Ellsworth, died peacefully at Helping Hands Assisted Living in Brandon, South Dakota, on Saturday Dec. 18, 2021.
A funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at Grand Prairie Cemetery following the service.
Gerald Pommer was born March 23, 1948, to Lester and Darlene (Larson) Pommer in Adrian. He was baptized at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, where he remained an active member throughout his life.
He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1966 and then joined the Air National Guard. He was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and Lowry, Colorado. He continued his education, obtaining a degree in electronics from Dunwoody Institute in 1969. After graduating from college, Gerald moved to Rochester to work for IBM until 1972 when he returned to the family farm just north of Ellsworth.
In 1982 Gerald married Linda McGinty, and the couple made their home on the farm. They raised two daughters, and Gerald loved teaching them how to drive a tractor, work with tools, change oil/tires, and how to care for their many animals.
He loved working on the farm and raised Black Angus cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, horses and several farm dogs, mostly corgis. In 2014 Gerald retired from farming and later moved to Helping Hands Assisted Living in Brandon, South Dakota. He was very appreciative of the staff and enjoyed sharing his many jokes with them.
Gerald was an active member of the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth throughout his life. He served as an elder and a deacon in the church He was a very hard-working but easy-going and patient person, always looking for ways to help those around him. He admired old tractors and cars.
The family spent many summers on Lake Shetek fishing, boating, and water skiing. Gerald enjoyed traveling, attending county fairs, listening to piano music and church hymns, and watching his favorite football teams, the Vikings and the Bears.  His favorite thing to do, though, was spend time with his family.
Gerald is survived by his daughters, Julie (Tony) Lanoue of Garretson, South Dakota, and Ann Pommer of Brandon, South Dakota; three grandchildren, Abigail, Gerald, and Hannah Lanoue of Garretson; and siblings Bernie (Marilyn) Pommer of Ellsworth, Janice (Larry) Heidebrink of Adrian, Shirley Huiskes of Luverne, and Carol (Tim) Chapa of Ellsworth; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Dave Huiskes.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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Leland Jay Vlastuin, 58, died unexpectedly from an undiagnosed heart condition on Nov. 28, 2021.
A memorial service was Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Spirit of Peace UCC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Leland was born on Oct. 16, 1963, to Gerrit and Ramona Vlastuin in Canton, South Dakota. He grew up on a farm near Beaver Creek and graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School. He then attended college at the University of South Dakota where he graduated with a degree in business administration.
Leland married Lynette Haagenson on June 7, 1985, and they built their home in the Sioux Falls area. They were blessed with four children, Jordan, Jared, Melissa and Madysen. Leland was incredibly proud of them and enjoyed his grandkids, Kylie, William and Kellan.
Leland enjoyed watching his kids play sports through the years. His biggest sports love was basketball, and he was looking forward to following his grandkids as they started playing sports.
He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking trips to Bitter Lake, Waubay, and Canada with his sons and friends. Leland also enjoyed pheasant hunting. He very recently enjoyed taking his yearly fall trip to northern South Dakota to hunt and fish with his friends. He still loved to play a game of ball and loved riding his bike all over Lennox.
Leland was a jokester and prankster. He possessed an easy laugh and put those around him at ease. He enjoyed talking to people and making people laugh.
Leland is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lynette; his children Jordan (Noelle) of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Jared (Abby) of Worthing, South Dakota, Melissa Bauder (Eric) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Madysen of Lennox, South Dakota; his grandchildren Kylie, William and Kellan; his mother, Ramona Vlastuin of Sioux Falls, and sisters Linda (Chuck) Wattier, Eagle River Alaska, and Lorae (Gene) Lodes of Sioux Falls, and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gerrit Vlastuin, and his father-in-law, Bill Haagenson.
Arrangements were provided by Heritage Funeral Home of Sioux Falls, www.heritagesfsd.com
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Memorial services will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville for Bernette Maxine “Ben” Helling, age 88, of Paynesville.
Ben passed away December 17, 2021, at the Paynesville Health Care Center. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Wednesday. Services will be live-streamed.
Bernette was born April 22, 1933, to Ben and Agnes (Atzl) Bauman in Paynesville, Minnesota. She graduated from Paynesville High School and St. Cloud Teachers College. Bernette retired in 1990 after teaching 39 years in Luverne and Adrian, Minnesota.
She married Howard Helling on October 9, 1955. They shared their lives in Luverne, Battle Lake and Paynesville.
Bernette enjoyed spending her time with her family (especially at their lake home). She enjoyed reading, playing cards and coffeeing with her friends. She spent time taking friends on their errands, etc.
Bernette is survived by her two daughters, Jill Meents of Minneapolis and Karn (John) Fleming of Bloomington; two grandchildren, Cash Rodamaker and Kacy Rodamaker; six step-grandchildren, Matt (Amanda) Meents, Claudia Boot, Jake Fleming (Matt Hiltner), Emily (Chuck) Unhjem, Hanna (Shane) Murphy and Ellen Fleming; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Howard in 2004, brother Leo Bauman and sister Delores Stickney.
Arrangements were provided by Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home of Paynesville, www.danielfuneralhome.com.
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