The last surviving member of Luverne’s “Last Man Club” died Saturday in the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne at the age of 102.
He was among an endearing group of World War II veterans who found comfort in each other’s coffee company in the grocery deli and in hearing each other’s familiar war stories.
They established their Last Man Club in 2010 to honor their fellow “Greatest Generation” veterans and to enjoy the freedoms they had fought to preserve. There were 24 original members.
Haakenson, known affectionately as “Haaky,” rarely missed a gathering of their “Glen’s Coffee Clique,” which attracted the attention of former First Lady Mary Pawlenty who visited them in Luverne to thank them for their service.
She invited them for coffee at the Governor’s Mansion in 2005 and returned on several occasions to Luverne to see “her guys” and to shake hands and offer hugs.
Haakenson enjoyed several First Lady hugs over the years.
He also joined his fellow Last Man Club members on the 2010 Southwest Minnesota Honor Flight to view the war memorials in Washington, D.C.
And he gathered with his local comrades for annual Veterans Day Banquets, which over time featured fewer Last Men and more empty place settings at the table for remembered veterans.
Per Article 10 of the club’s bylaws, “The Last Man will remove the official bottle from the cabinet and put it in front of his own place at the banquet table. At the conclusion of the meal the Last Man will unseal and open the bottle … and propose a toast to the members who preceded him in death, with a salute to them before taking the first drink from his glass.”
In 2017, Last Man Club organizer Warren Herreid found that he and Haakenson and LeRoy Luitjens were the remaining three Last Men in the club.
Herreid spoke of inviting Pawlenty to the banquet that year to open the bottle with them and toast their comrades.
She obliged, but Herreid died on Oct. 26, 2017, two weeks shy of the banquet.
Pawlenty said she was blessed to have known the World War II veterans from Luverne who drank coffee together in Glen’s Deli.
“I can’t describe how honored I am to be here tonight,” she said from the head table where Haakenson and Luitjens were seated with their empty glasses.
She helped Haakenson and Luitjens open the bottle and poured their drinks.
They first toasted the Last Man Club members who pre­ceded them in death.
“We will never forget the hours spent together at our Glen’s Coffee Clique — cherish­ing the stories, knowledge and wisdom they shared with us over the years,” Luitjens said, reciting the words that Herreid had traditionally read. “We salute you comrades.”
The names of the 22 deceased members were read aloud, with the ringing of a bell after each name was read.
Those names included Ted Anderson, Lawrence Akkerman, Floyd Goembel, George Gabri­elson, Harvey Ball, Darwin Rog­ness, Charles Mann, Lawrence Overgaard, Bill Veenhof, Ray Slieter, Johnny Johnson, Big Carrigan, Bob Juhl, Conrad Tofteland, Tim Tangeman, Ray Anderson, Jake Boomgaarden, Earl Glaser, Casey Van Engelenhoven, Russ Swenson, Bob Anderson and Warren Herreid.
And then, raising their glasses high in the air, the Last Men Standing toasted each other and quietly left the stage.
Luitjens died later that year at age 93, and Haakenson lived on to mark his 100th birthday in 2019.
Until age 98, he was an avid golfer, swam and exercised regularly.
At his 100th birthday party, he attributed his longevity to genetics and living “one day at a time.” His mother lived to age 105.
Haakenson’s full obituary appears on page 7A.

More than 1,000 people flooded downtown Luverne this Monday night for the return of Trunk 'N Treat, the Chamber's ninth annual Halloween get-together for the community.
Last year, the pandemic prevented the downtown activity, which moved to the school campus as a drive-through “Street of Treats” event.
On Monday for the 2021 Trunk ‘N Treat, 48 businesses and organizations set up creative Halloween-themed booths out of their vehicle trunks, pickup beds and free-standing booths to hand out candy.
A 42-degree northwest breeze prompted costumed trick-or-treaters to bundle up as they made the rounds in a two-block area of Main Street.

A new barbershop is opening soon on North Freeman Avenue in Luverne.
Eric Oye recently retired from a 25-year career in the Minnesota Army National Guard and graduated Oct. 29 from the Minnesota School of Barbering in St. Paul.
He’s opening Honor Barber Shop, a nod to his military background, in the building just north of Rock County Eye Clinic.
“Eric has shown people his passion and commitment in serving his country and local communities,” the Honor Barber Shop website states.
“These qualities naturally flow into his work as a barber and serving the people in and around his community. His barber shop is a place of honor, optimism and equality.”
Oye, a 1997 LHS graduate, received his state licensure this week so he can start taking appointments. “Everybody’s been asking when I’ll be open,” he said. “There’s definitely a need for a barber in town.”
Oye said it’s been a dream of his to be a barber and operate his own shop.
“I like to talk to people,” he said. “As a barber you get to talk to people.”
He said he grew up going to Chuck Tweet and Marlyn Roberts for haircuts, and he enjoyed having James Fisher in town when he opened Fish and Clips downtown.
“Small towns need a barber,” Oye said. “Most guys like to go to a barber. … Maybe they feel more comfortable talking to a male. And I think guys know how to cut guys’ hair.”
For one thing, Oye specializes in facial hair.
“I like to do beards. They’re really intriguing to do,” he said. “I learned a lot about that … how to trim them based on facial structure and how to accentuate facial features.”
He’ll use a straight razor, and most of his services include a neck shave and hot towel treatment.
Even though he specializes in men’s services, Oye said he also welcomes women and children for hair services. “I’m here for everyone.”
He said part of the allure of barbering was having his own barbershop and running his own business.
“I don’t want to work for anybody anymore,” he said. “I did that for the last 22 years. It’s always been a dream to have my own business.”
Oye said he looks forward to flexible schedules to keep up with his children’s events.
He and his wife, Charissa, live in Luverne and have eight children between them — three of his, four of hers and one together.
Honor Barber Shop is taking appointments online at honorbarbershop.com where it lists hours of operation and special services.
Oye can be reached at 507-220-0944 or by email at honorbarbershop@outlook.com.

On a sunny Oct. 30 afternoon, the No. 2-seeded Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots hosted the No. 3 Edgerton Flying Dutchmen in a Nine-Man Section 3 Semifinal matchup.
After securing a 44-8 victory Saturday, the Patriots earned a ticket to the Section 3 championship game for the fourth time in four years. The game will be Friday, Nov. 5, at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.
As in the previous games, the Patriots offense struck first Saturday after an impressive start by the Patriots defense. Although Edgerton did manage one first down on their opening drive, the Patriots forced a Dutchmen punting situation after only five Edgerton offensive plays. 
From their own 37-yard line the Patriots put together a seven-play, 63-yard drive culminating with an Oliver Deelstra one-yard run for six points. 
For the ensuing two-point conversion the Patriots dug into the playbook for their version of the “Philly Special,” made famous in the Super Bowl by the Philadelphia Eagles a few years back.
The H-BC version of the play started with a Deelstra-to-Cole Baker hand-off going to Baker’s left. He in turn pitched the ball to wide out Ty Bundesen, going to his right. 
Bundesen then threw a pass, while rolling right, to Deelstra who had slipped into the right corner of the endzone after his handoff to Baker. The Patriots’ successful “Philly Special” put the score at 8-0 with 5:07 left in the first quarter.
After a Patriots defensive stop, HBC capitalized on an Edgerton special teams miscue. A bad long snap to the Dutchmen punter resulted in great field position for the Patriots. 
A Deelstra-to-Baker pass of 22 yards extended the score to 14-0 with 2:33 left in the first quarter. That same combination of throw and catch was not done for the first quarter. 
With 13 seconds left in the first quarter, a 21-yard touchdown pass from Deelstra to Baker widened the score to 20-0. The two-point conversion run made it 22-0 in favor of the home squad Patriots, heading into the second quarter.
The Patriots defense continued to give a dominating performance throughout the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Patriots offense put up another 14 points. Deelstra and Baker each had touchdown runs of four yards in the second quarter. 
The two-point conversion was good after the Deelstra touchdown, a pass from Deelstra to Andrew Harris. The score stood 36-0 at the half.
Patriot Justin Roelfs scored the final Patriots touchdown with a nifty run of 39 yards. He also tacked on the two-point conversion run. The Patriots led 44-0 with 9:26 left in the third quarter. 
The Dutchmen answered with their only touchdown on a five-yard run, and with the two-point conversion pass good, the scoring closed at 44-8. Reserves were able to contribute on the field of play throughout the second half until the game ended. 
“I’m very happy with how physical we played in all three phases of the game,” said Patriots head coach Rex Metzger. “I thought our O and D lines played really well and controlled the game.”
The No. 2-seeded Patriots will face the No. 1-seeded Mountain Lake Area Wolverines in the Section 3 Nine-Man Championship game scheduled for Friday, Nov. 5, at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. Game time is at 11:30 a.m. 
 MLA has won two of the last three section titles. The Wolverines won the first meeting of these two teams back on Oct. 8 by a 24-6 final score. 
“Anytime you get a chance to play for a section championship is a great opportunity for our kids,” Metzger said in anticipation of the upcoming game. “We look forward to the challenge.” 
Team statistics
HBC: 262 rushing yards, 123 passing yards, 385 total yards, 22 first downs, five penalties for 40 yards, zero turnovers.
Edgerton: 81 yards rushing, nine yards passing, 90 total yards, six first downs, three penalties for 15 yards, one turnover.
Individual statistics
Rushing: C. Baker 11-104 yards, J. Roelfs 7 for 52 yards, Sawyer Bosch 3 for 39 yards, O. Deelstra 6 for 33 yards, T. Bundesen 2 for 21 yards, Luke Fuerstenberg 6 for 14 yards, Brock Harnack 1 for 2 yards, Team 3 for Minus 3 yards.
Passing: Deelstra 12-17- 110 yards, S. Bosch 2-3-13 yards.
Receiving: C. Baker 3-50 yards, Bundesen 5-32 yards, Andrew Harris 1-12 yards, Gideon Taubert 2-12 yards, Drew Leenderts 1-8 yards, Brock Harnack 1-8 yards, Casey Kueter 1-1 yard.
Defense:C. Kueter four tackles & one sack, G. Taubert four tackles, C. Baker 2 ½  tackles & ½ sacks, Max Scholten one tackle & ½ sack.

The Green Earth Players return to the stage next week with their performance of “Mamma Mia,” the musical written by Catherine Johnson.
“With Covid canceling our Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 shows, we wanted to come back with a real big hit,” said GEP director Shawn Kinsinger.
“We also wanted to get new people involved in the production of community theater, and a well-known show brings people out to participate.”
One of those new participants is Shannon Baack, who is a member of the musical’s ensemble. Baack and her husband, Denny, moved to Luverne from Sheldon, Iowa, in July.
She frequently participated in the Sheldon community theater and once settled in Luverne, she joined the GEP.
“This is the best way to meet people,” Baack said.
The production of a musical was also to her liking.
“I think music is a lot easier to memorize than lines,” she said.
Baack is joined in the all-singing ensemble by Dani Sunny Handy, Janet Hanson, D.J. Luethje, Katrina Brown, Holly Anderson, Bergen Ask, Chris Nowatzki and Martha Nowatzki.
David Vis is the assistant director. Carol Ceynowa is in charge of costumes, props and set design. Xavier McKenzie is in charge of sounds.
The musical’s plot is written around the songs by the Swedish pop group, ABBA.
Twenty-five of the band’s popular songs are used in the local production including “Mamma Mia,” the title song.
Other songs include “Dancing Queen,” “The Name of the Game,” “S.O.S,” “Does Your Mother Know,” and “The Winner Takes It All.”
Kinsinger said the hardest aspect of the musical’s production has not been the music.
“The set for ‘Mamma Mia’ is ambitious and the biggest GEP has had on stage in a while,” he said.
The musical takes place in the Greek islands at a tavern/hotel operated by Donna Sheridan (played by Rachel Ask).
Sheridan’s daughter, Sophie (Berty Stearns), is getting married to Sky (Cody Henrichs) and wants her father to walk her down the aisle.
However, there are three possible men and Donna doesn’t know if Sam (Casey McKenzie), Bill (Jim Harsma) or Harry (Shane Amborn) is Sophie’s father.
After reading her mother’s journal to her friends Ali (Lexi Drake) and Lisa (Karis Gust), Sophie invites all three of her mother’s boyfriends to the island in hopes of finding out who really is her father.
Other characters include Donna’s best friends, Tanya (Anissa Vis) and Rose (Tory Bohlke), hotel employees Pepper (Chris Brown) and Eddie (Scott Wessels), and Father Alexandrios (Joseph Stearns).
The GEP will perform “Mamma Mia” in five evening performances and two matinees.
Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 12-13, and Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 18-20, at the Palace Theatre in Luverne.
The matinees are at 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 14 and 21.
Tickets are available at The Palace box office, 507-283-4339, or online at palace theater.us. Cost is $14 for adults and $7 for students.

The Christopher Martin Ashby Memorial Trail is more than just a biking and walking trail.
The 1.95-mile paved trail is the family’s lasting legacy to the community that has supported them through one of the hardest experiences of their lives.
Friday afternoon Barb and Gene Ashby of rural Luverne were surrounded by family, friends and individuals who worked behind the scenes to make the trail a reality.
The Ashbys unveiled the metal sign designating the trailhead and officially dedicated the trail to their son, Chris, who died at age 16 in a car accident in 2006.
United Methodist Church pastor Dorie Hall, Luverne, offered a prayer blessing the new trail.
“May those who travel enjoy this path — as it may be by the many manners we have available: feet, big and small; and wheels of all sizes, paws and strollers,” Hall said.
“May this trail be a blessing. May those who enjoy the time upon it feel peace, protection, safety, a deep sense of joy and the beauty of your gifts in the nature which surrounds them.”
Emily Crabtree, executive director with the Luverne Area Community Foundation, organized the event that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Crabtree helped the Ashbys invest $1 million toward the trail almost six years ago. She said the couple started planning the trail four years before they entered her office.
“About 2 1/2 years ago they said it was time to start doing this,” Crabtree said. “They said ‘We need to do this. How do we do this?’”
DGR Engineering out of Rock Rapids was hired to design the trail, which at Gene Ashby’s request, now ties into two existing bike and walking trails, The Luverne Loop and the Blue Mound Trail.
The Ashby trail starts near the Rock River and goes west goes through Luverne City Park and to County Road 9 near the Luverne Country Club.
In an agreement with Rock County commissioners, the county will maintain the trail.
Crabtree said if landowners were not willing to give up a portion of their land, the trail wouldn’t have been possible.
The Ashby trail winds through farmland owned by Jennifer and Dean Tofteland, a campground developed by Mike Davis and Billy Cowell, and around the north border of the Rock County Sportsman’s Club.
Henning Construction of Adrian completed the work.
“It starts with taking risk,” Crabtree told the group gathered for the dedication. “You don’t know what you can do until you try.”
On the trailhead sign the Ashbys (working with Luverne Economic Director Holly Sammons and sign fabricator Scott Viessmen with A-1 Jet of Luverne) include pictures of Chris and share how they enjoyed biking as a family.
In part the sign reads, “This gift allows them to share this recreation and experience with other individuals, families and bike enthusiasts.”
The sign’s other side contains information in remembrance of the Luverne High School sophomore.
Barb, whose Parkinson’s Disease confines her to a wheelchair, thanked everyone who helped the memorial trail become a reality.
Gene also thanked everyone, hinting that the couple’s legacy is not done. “I’m glad we have this part at least done,” he said.
Currently the Christopher Martin Ashby Memorial Trail ends at County Road 9, near the Ashby home on County Road 4 east of Luverne.
Original plans had the trail looping north to County Road 4 and past the Ashby home as it turned back to Luverne, but a safe pathway along the busy road wasn’t found.
However, shoulders along County Road 4 will be paved during next year’s reconstruction project. They will not be marked as a bike path.

The Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne on Tuesday reported 42 positive Covid cases among its residents and staff.
That’s up from 36 reported cases last week at the same time a week ago.
The facility managed to stay Covid-free during the height of the pandemic, but the current outbreak in the local facility is prompting state attention.
Local facility management isn’t allowed to comment on the situation, but a state spokesman has said back-up nurses and other assistance has been dispatched to the Luverne veterans home to help.
According to state spokesperson Anne Sonne, the increasing number of positive cases is not unexpected. 
“While we continue to follow all infection prevention protocols, this COVID variant is highly contagious and difficult to contain once in a facility,” she said Tuesday.
 Luverne Administrator Scott Buchanan said Tuesday, “We are turning the corner and have had no new positive cases in the last two days.”
 The 42 cases include staff who are on a 10-day quarantine and residents who are on a 14-day quarantine, so some may be coming off of quarantine soon.
Some residents in the home have passed away in recent days, but there’s no confirmation as to whether they were covid-related.
Buchanan last week praised staff and health care workers.
“Staff and leadership are doing a remarkable job responding to this situation, and we are confident in the response we are providing,” he said. 
“I am truly proud of the staff. They are dedicated to the health and safety of our veterans.

Papik Motors has purchased the Ford dealership in Sibley, Iowa, adding a third Papik location to its Luverne and Rock Rapids dealerships.
As of Monday, Nov. 1, Papik Motors purchased Jeddeloh Ford from Larry and Deb Jeddeloh in Sibley, Iowa.
“We are really excited about this new adventure and are looking forward to adding another franchise to our dealership’s organization,” Gary Papik said.
He said the Sibley deal has been in the works since Papik Motors bought Rock Rapids Vander Lee Motors two years ago, but the timing wasn’t right until now.
 Justin Weidert will move from Rock Rapids to oversee operations in Sibley along with Rick Reed.
“It’s a good fit all around,” Papik said. “It was meant to be.”
He said adding a Ford dealership to his Chrysler and General Motors locations will be appropriate.
“This will be a nice addition to round out ‘The Big Three’ of auto makers,” he said.
Papik said buying the Rock Rapids dealership has been good for Papik Motors, and adding Sibley makes sense for the same reasons. “It’s nice to be in a smaller community where you can get to know everybody,” he said.
Some inventory has already moved from Luverne to Sibley, and temporary Papik Motors signage went up Monday.
Papik said the building needs no renovations or remodeling.
 
About Papik Motors
Schoon Motors dates back to 1914 when Jake Schoon started a garage in Steen and in 1928 opened Schoon Motors in Luverne.
In 1950 his son Warren Schoon became a partner, and in 1977 Gary Papik joined the Schoon Motors team. Warren later bought the business and Gary became vice president and general manager.
In 1989 Schoon and partner Arnie Tofteland were killed in a plane crash.
Gary continued running the business and in 1990 bought the dealership along with Steve Schoon and Carolyn Tofteland.
In the fall of 1994, Gary became full owner and on Jan. 1, 1995, the business became Papik Motors. Later that year it moved to its new location on I-90.
 Papik Motors in Rock Rapids Iowa began doing business in January 2019.

Meetings
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in the township hall.  
Vienna Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, in the Kenneth Community Center.
American Legion Auxiliary # 123 will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Pizza Ranch. Contact Dianna Tomlinson, 507-283-1934, with questions.
 
Choir concert Nov. 4
Luverne High School choir concert is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the new school Performing Arts Center. Both the Luverne High School Concert Choir and the 9/10 Treble Choir will be performing for the first time in the new space. There is no charge for this concert and the public is invited to attend.
 
Veterans Day events Nov. 11
Hardwick American Legion Post #478 will host a Veterans Day Banquet Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Legion Hall in Hardwick. Social Hour is at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Guest Speaker is Vietnam veteran Keith Schmuck. Patriotic music is by Madi Oye.
A Rock County Veterans Day program will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Luverne Public Schools new performing arts center. Speaker will be Jeff Thacker, Minnesota National Guard.
The Herreid Military Museum in Luverne will host a Veterans Day open house and tours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11.
HBC Veterans Day program will be 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Hills-Beaver Creek High School, Hills. Performing will be the elementary school choir and the high school band and choir groups.
A virtual State of Minnesota Veterans Day event will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at MinnesotaVeteran.org/VeteransDay2021. The 30-minute recorded program will feature Gov. Tim Walz, veterans affair commissioner Larry Herke, Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke with the Minnesota National Guard, Ron Haugen, chair of the state commanders’ task force, country music artist Rockie Lynne and the 34th Infantry Division Red Bull band.
 
Community Education offerings
Luverne Community Education will offer the following classes and activities. Call 507-283-4724 or visit the website: comed.isd2184.net
Beginner Defensive Driving Class on Nov. 11 and 18 (four hours each evening) for $38. Adults 55 years of age and older taking this class can save up to 10 percent on insurance premiums for three years. After that, a four-hour refresher class keeps the discount in place. Check with insurance agents for details.
Cooking Under Pressure class on Nov. 13. Learn how to use the electric pressure cooker to make foods, and sample them too. Fee is $24.
 
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection week is Nov. 15-22, and boxes can be ordered online at samaritanspurse.org or picked up at the American Reformed Church where they can be dropped off Nov. 15-22. Call Karen Bosch, 605-413-9676, or Charla Sandbulte, 507-227-1722, with questions.
 
Library happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email at rockcountystaff@gmail.com
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.
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 10:30 a.m. Fridays through Nov. 19. As the weather permits, the event will in one of Luverne’s city parks. See the library’s social media page for info.
October’s Take-and-Make Project, DIY mini pumpkin, is available. Those who email a picture of the completed craft will be entered into a drawing to win a prize.
 
SHARE applications accepted through Dec. 8
Rock County S.H.A.R.E applications are due by Nov. 24. forms are available on the Luverne Chamber website home page (in English and Spanish). Distribution is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8. The S.H.A.R.E. program distributes groceries, clothing and toys to Rock County residents who are in need of support.  Donations of used items are not accepted. Monetary, tax-deductible donations can be mailed to SHARE at PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.
 
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents. Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota. Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.