The following appeared in The Rock County Star-Herald on Jan. 17, 1946.
 
Rock County’s New Extension Agent and Soil Conservationist Are Named
George Golla, 27, Shevlin, Minn., arrived this week to begin his duties as Rock county’s new extension agent. A native Minnesotan, he was graduated from Mahnomen high school in 1936, and from the College of Agriculture, University of Minnesota in 1942. He was an active 4-H club member and spent three summers serving as county 4-H club agent in Carlton county, which had a membership at that time of about 800 boys and girls.
He entered the armed forces, and served as a pilot of a B-24 with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific, flying 40 missions against the enemy in the Philippines, Borneo, Formosa and China. He was discharged on December 15, 1945, at which time he had the rank of first lieutenant.
He is married, and the father of one and one-half year old daughter, Vikki Jean.
He and his family will reside in the home in Beaver Creek vacated by the Fred Haverland family. Mrs. Haverland and daughter have gone to live with her parents until Mr. Haverland locates a place to live in St. Cloud. The Haverlands have sub-let the home, furnished, to Mr. and Mrs. Golla until that home.
 
Jerry Simpson, 34, will succeed Fred Haverland as county soil conservationist.
He will come here the first week in February from Rochester, Minn., where he is presently located, and he plans to move his wife and two small sons here as soon as living quarters are available.
Mr. Simpson has been in soil survey work for the past 10 years most of the time in Minnesota. He attended Kansas State college at Manhattan, Kansas.
Mr. Haverland, who purchased a business in St. Cloud in partnership with Kay Aanenson and Clifford R. Simon, will assist Mr. Simpson in getting started with the work here.
The soil conservation office will hereafter be located in the former Gildemann building, on Main street, directly across from Nelson Brothers.
 
 
         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)
•Dan and Amy Leuthold and their sons, Mitch, 15, and Jared, 13, Luverne, were recently named the 2011 Rock County Farm Family of the Year.
They were recognized during the Rock County Fair on July 21 and will be honored in a ceremony at Farmfest in Redwood Falls on Aug. 4.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for the work that we love to do, and we thank those that were involved in giving us this award,” Dan said about their Farm Family of the Year designation.
Dan and Amy are both 1988 Ellsworth High School graduates and have deep roots in the local agricultural community.
 
25 years ago (1996)
•Education Consultant Roger Worner met with Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members before their regular monthly meeting Monday night to introduce himself and discuss possible cooperation efforts between H-BC and Luverne.
Worner was assigned by the Commissioner of Education to serve as a liaison between the H-BC and Luverne school districts as cooperation efforts are considered.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•Shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, firemen were called to Tony’s IGA supermarket on S. Kniss where a fire had ignited in the trash box at the rear of the building. Firemen were able to confine the blaze to the outside of the building, but there was some roof damage and the power lines leading into the building had been badly burnt. Daryel Buss, manager of the supermarket, gave no estimate of the damage, but said that without alert people in the area and the competence of the Luverne Fire Department, the fire could have done extensive damage. Authorities were sure that the origin of the fire was in the trash box which had been emptied just a couple of hours before the fire and only contained a few boxes gathered before the store closed.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•As the threat of polio spread through the state this week, city health officials here were taking no chances.
Dr. C. O. Wright, Evan Paulsen and Charles J. Larson, members of the board of health, as their first step, ordered the municipal swimming pool closed Friday for an indefinite period, and this week sounded warnings to parents to keep their children away from crowds everywhere.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•During the warmest days of the past month from four to six hundred adults and children daily made use of the bathing pool at the Luverne public park, according to the estimate of E. L. Leicher, who was instrumental in opening the pool.
The swimming place, which is located at the southeast edge of the park, was first opened June 27th, and has since steadily grown in popularity.
As the pool is especially well adapted for the use of children, the great majority of those who frequent the place are children. That there has been no serious accident at the pool is attributed largely to painstaking attention given to the place by Ed. Giedemann, as special park policeman.

Hansen graduates from St. Cloud State University
 Molly Hansen of Magnolia graduated cum laude from St. Cloud State University following the Spring 2021 semester. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training.
 
Area students named to MSU Mankato dean’s list
Several area students were named to the high honors or honors list for the Spring 2021 semester at Minnesota State University Mankato. To qualify, students must earn a 3.5 or higher. Students with high honors with a 4.0 are indicated with an asterisk following their name.
The following were named to the honors list:
Adrian: Jordyn Gyberg; Nathan Varley.
Beaver Creek: Dylon Taubert.
Hills: Faith Mounce.
Luverne: Griffin Ahrendt*; Janae Kopp*; Meghan Mollberg; Kaitlyn Roberts; Ann Rogers; Emilie Staeffler.
 
U of M releases spring dean’s list
Several area students were named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2021 semester at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. To be eligible, students must earn a minimum of 12 graded credits with at least a 3.66 GPA.
The following students from Luverne were named:

Hans Bakken, senior, College of Science and Engineering; Makayla Huisman, senior, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Science; Sophia Jungers, senior, College of Liberal Arts; Sierra Schmuck, senior, Carlson School of Management; Grace Sweeney, junior, College of Liberal Arts.

The Hills-Beaver Creek Class of 1971 recently gathered for a 50th reunion. Attending the event were (front, from left) Marlene (Feucht) Stueven, Wannetta (Fey) Lloyd, Linda Hoeck, Yvonne (Severtson) Hoffman, Susan (Castor) Boeve, Linda (Rens) Aukes, Roxanne Rauk, Dan Sells, Jim Sammons, Mark Sandager, (back) Clair Crawford, Neal Hoyme, Dennis Olson, Mel Van Batavia, Ed Boeve, Doug Lunstra, Tony Bosch, Allen Kuehl, Gene Sandager and Rick Tatge.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Aug. 9: Sloppy Joe on a bun, broccoli salad, baked beans, cookie.
Tuesday, Aug. 10: Sub sandwich, peas and cheese salad, fruit, dessert.
Wednesday, Aug. 11: Roast beef and mashed potatoes with gravy, California Normandy, bread, bar.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Luverne Mayor and City Council.
 Thursday, Aug. 12: Ham and pasta salad, creamy cucumbers, fresh fruit, bar.
Friday, Aug. 13: Chicken alfredo, fettucine pasta, mixed vegetables, mandarin oranges, Rice Krispie bar.
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.

August is the month to thin or transplant German bearded iris and peonies.
Dividing fern leaf peonies is a bit more complicated than regular peonies in that they have a “neck” between the eye of next year’s growth and the tuber. Just cutting into the clump with a spade will often ruin a lot of the potential new divisions because of the way they intertwine.
The safest way to divide fern peonies is to dig the entire clump and use a strong stream of water to wash the soil from the tuber mass.  Then it is easier to see how to divide single or groups of the tubers with eyes attached.  If a tuber breaks off without the eye, it most often will not produce a new plant.
When replanting, be sure the eye is within one inch of the soil surface. If planted too deep, this type of peony will grow but will not bloom.
It may take a year or two for the peony to establish enough to resume blooming. Be sure to plant in an area that will receive a minimum of six hours of direct sun per day.
Regular peonies have the eye for next year’s growth directly above the tuber so that clump can just be cut into sections to replant. Same planting depth and sun light requirements.
Iris, either Siberian or German bearded, are also divided or transplanted now in order to give them time to get established before winter. Both types of iris clumps tend to get too thick or too big, and dividing results in more flowers.
The German bearded type grows from a rhizome that lies on the surface of the soil, and it is important that they be planted that way when you work with them. Rhizomes planted too deep will rot.
We cut the fan of leaves back to about 6 inches so they don’t get floppy in the wind, which would make it difficult for them to root in.
Looking at the rhizome, you will notice that the new growth projects forward each year, so plant it pointing in the direction where it can do that without becoming a problem later.  That is one reason that these iris do not work well in a landscape that is mulched with plastic or fabric and rock.
Siberian iris grows in a clump form, and that clump can just be cut into sections for replanting with a spade or knife.
If you have clumps of daylilies that have not been divided for several years – or maybe ever – this is also the best time to divide them. They have time to get established prior to winter and will present a much stronger bloom cycle as a result.
I prefer not to use fertilizer at the time of transplanting because there is not an established root system to utilize that fertilizer. Also, we do not want to encourage new growth this late in the season. It is more important that the roots get established, and then give them a treat of fertilizer in the spring to encourage the new growth.

Ramona A. McDowell, 91, Luverne, died Friday, July 30, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
Ramona Watts was born Jan. 7, 1930, to Ralph and Hilda (Hoveland) Watts. She owned the Hardwick Grocery Store for 25 years, retiring in September of 2007.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Luverne.
Ramona loved to crochet, and while she lived at the Centennial Apartments, she enjoyed bingo, jigsaw puzzles, walking and going over to the Senior Center and volunteering.
She is survived by her son, Terry (Mary) McDowell, Brandon, South Dakota; two grandchildren, Jodie (Scott) Swain, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Dr. Jason McDowell, Minneapolis; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Connie (Gary) Heldt; a brother, Ralph Watts Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.
Ramona was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, LaVonne Gingerich, Beverly Sona and Ruby Dobson; sister-in-law Lorna Watts; two brothers-in-law, Bernard Dobson and Bernard Gingerich; and a special friend, Ray Hueser.
A private family service will take place at a later date.
Arrangements are provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
(0805 F)

Loretta Mae Petersen, 93, Luverne, died Sunday, July 25, 2021, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A funeral service was Friday, July 30, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial was at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Loretta DeBoer was born to Henry and Katie (Kickert) DeBoer on Feb. 15, 1928, in South Holland, Illinois. The family moved to Leota when Loretta was six years old. Loretta grew up with her sister Elaine next door to her grandparents and worked at the family store. She attended high school in Edgerton and went on to college to get her teaching certificate.
Loretta’s first year of teaching was at the District 21 country school, and she boarded with the Petersen family where she met Ralph. They were married on Sept. 2, 1948. Loretta worked with Ralph on the farm. She was also an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sharing their home and entertaining guests.
Ralph and Loretta were charter members of the American Reformed Church. Loretta helped start Girls’ League, attended Circle, taught the same Sunday School class for more than 35 years, and she also played organ for many years. Her Christian faith was also an integral part of her personal life.
Ralph and Loretta were snowbirds who went to Texas every winter. They also enjoyed camping and traveling. Loretta continued going to Texas for several years after Ralph died.
Loretta enjoyed cooking and was known for her legendary buns. She loved to try new recipes. Her kids and grandkids never left without gifts of food. She also loved to play all kinds of cards and games and have fun.
Loretta is survived by her children, Darrell (Debbie) Petersen and Paula (Dan) Giles; grandchildren and their families, Lon and Sonya (Petersen) Bjornrud (Sage and Maisy), Craig and Holly Petersen (Davis, Jace, Calla and Brennan), Justin and Vonny (Petersen) Kleinman (Hank), Dustin Schneekloth, and Cody Schneekloth (Avery, Oakley, and Eli); a sister, Elaine Bolt Petersen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Carol Drews; sister-in-law Dorothy Petersen; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her parents; son-in-law John Schneekloth; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Harold Bolt, Gordon and Gwyn Petersen, Kurt Petersen, and Silver and Elaine Reker.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
(0805 F)

Joan Mary Heeren, 88, Luverne, died Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the Luverne Medical Center.
A memorial Mass was Tuesday, Aug. 3, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. A private burial of cremains will be at a later date at the St. Adrian Cemetery. Memorials will be given to St. Catherine Catholic Church.
Joan Steffensmeier was born on Dec. 3, 1932, to Joseph and Philomena (Kluthe) Steffensmeier on the family farm near Dodge, Nebraska. The family later lived on a farm near Scribner, Nebraska, and in 1945 moved to Salem, South Dakota. Joan attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Salem and worked for the Salem Special weekly newspaper as well as helping her father with bookkeeping and bill collecting for his newly started plumbing business.
Following graduation, Joan moved with a classmate to Rock Rapids, Iowa, where she began working for the Rock Rapids State Bank and where she met Marlyn.
Joan married Marlyn Heeren on June 2, 1952, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salem. They first lived on Marlyn’s parents’ farm south of Ellsworth. In 1954 they purchased and moved to their own farm east of Magnolia in rural Nobles County.  There they raised their five children. Joan helped primarily with bookwork but also supplemented the farm income by waitressing at the Magnolia Steak House starting in 1957. Joan and Marlyn moved to Luverne in 1994. Joan continued waitressing until 2011 after 54 years with the same business. Joan’s greatest pleasure included developing many friendships throughout the area with coworkers and multiple generations of customers of the Magnolia Steak House.
Joan was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church and later St. Catherine Catholic Church. She was a longtime member of the Ladies Aid and participated in pilgrimages with St. Catherine members. She and Marlyn enjoyed travel, playing pinochle with neighboring farm couples, and driving around the countryside viewing crops and checking out all the local restaurants.
Joan later joined several pinochle clubs in Luverne. Her lifetime hobby was sewing Christmas stockings and many other types of Christmas fancywork that was personalized for the recipient.  
Joan is survived by her children Deborah Sunderlin, Magnolia, Patricia (Kraig) Rust, Kenneth, David (Tammie) Heeren, Lakeville, and Pamela (Roger) Talsma, Chandler; two sisters, Marilyn Eichacker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Rita (Eugene) Zinnel, Brewster; a brother, James Steffensmeier, Sioux Falls; 13 grandchildren, Amanda (Tim) Haberman, Steven (Kala) Talsma, Eric Talsma, Mariah Talsma, Nicholas Weets, Zechariah Weets, Tiffany Heeren, Jacob Heeren, Marie (Tony) Smook, Nathan (Darlene) Rust, Justin (Judith) Rust, Sierra (Steven) Beardsworth, and Chantel Heeren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merlyn, in 2008; her son Douglas in 2017; her parents-in-law; and a brother-in-law Leonard Eichacker.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
         (0805 F)