The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village (continued from 01-07-20 edition of the Star Herald)
 
Ashcreek
         The little village of Ashcreek, the first  station south of Luverne on the Doon extension of the Omaha railway, is one of the two Rock county hamlets in Clinton township. The platted town is on section 23 of that precinct. Though it has never assumed proportions that would warrant its being set off as an independent municipality, Ashcreek for many years has justified its existence as a trading point and grain market for a rich farming community.
         The building of the Doon branch and the subsequent location of a station on section 23, Clinton, were conditions undreamed of when Ashcreek was first placed on the map as a country postoffice, the second postoffice established in the county. The southern part of Rock county, especially Clinton and Martin townships, was an early field for settlement. By the summer of 1871 the population of these two precincts exceeded that of all the rest of the county, and a demand was made for better postoffice facilities. The only office in the county at that time was located at Luverne, and the trip to that point was much of an undertaking for a majority of the settlers living in southern Rock county in the days when ox teams were practically the only mode of conveyance.
         The agitation for a second postoffice bore immediate fruit. Out of several applicants for the position of postmaster, Mrs. L. B. Kniss was chosen and the office was established on the George W. Kniss homestead, one half mile distant from the future Ashcreek station. The office was named for the creek flowing near by. To members of the pioneer Estey family was given the naming of this stream. The incident of the christening, which occurred on Christmas day, 1867, has been told in Colin J. Estey’s own words:
         In the afternoon Byron and I went to tend our traps. He had one set for a fox near where Saint’s Rest now stands, and on that day he caught a coyote. Byron was about eight years old then. As we went out to look at the traps we crossed Rock river at a point about where M. C. Smith’s ford was eventually located and followed up what is now known as Ash creek. Byron, boy-fashion, asked the name of the creek, and I told him it had no name and that he might name it. He looked the surroundings over carefully and said: “Well, there is a lot of small ash growing at the mouth, so I guess we will have to call it Ash creek.” Next summer when the government surveyors were sectionizing Rock county we gave the name in to them and the stream has been so called ever since.
         The Ashcreek postoffice was located on the mail route connecting Luverne with Doon and LeMars, Iowa, which was first operated by Sam Bellesfield. Mrs. Kniss continued in charge of the office until 1873,8 when she removed from the locality and was succeeded as postmistress by Mrs. Susan M. Brown, who held the office seven years.
         So, Ashcreek, which nominally came into being in the early seventies, advanced no further than the country postoffice stage until about a dozen years later. Then it was through the agency of the railroad that it was enabled to assume a more pretentious air.
         The branch road from Luverne to Doon was built in 1879, the first trains being operated in November. The rudiment of a station was established on what then was the Kniss & Brown farm, on section 23, Clinton, which was to develop gradually, but with a certainty, into the village of Ashcreek. The initial improvement in the town-to-be, and the only one recorded for the year 1879, was a small grain warehouse erected by Traux & Co. This firm had extensive farming interests in the immediate vicinity, and the warehouse erected was solely for the purpose of taking care of the products of its own farms.
         8Mrs. Kniss has given some interesting statistics relating to this early day postoffice:
         “Our local paper was then the Jackson Republic, as those who wished to prove up on their claims had to go to Jackson, the nearest land office, and so their names and their witnesses were published in the paper. A paper was also printed at Rock Rapids. There were six subscribers to the paper and nine to the Jackson Republic. The total number of regular subscription papers was twenty-three and one magazine was taken by a patron of the office, although a great many were sent by friends in the east.
         “The receipts for stamps sold during the quarter ending September, 1872, were $6.47, and that was when postage on a letter amounted to three cents. Notwithstanding the fact that the postmistress was expected to be at home any time a patron should happen to call, the department paid the munificent sum of $12.00 a year for services rendered.”
        
         The story of the village of Ashcreek will continue in the Jan. 21 edition of the Star Herald.
         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)
•On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Rock River Shivers will plunge into the polar-cold Minnesota water, and they are looking forward to “freezen’ for a reason.”
That reason is to raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota.
Shiver team members Evan Verbrugge, Daryl Fuerstenberg, Dan Nath, Chris Harnack and Michael DeJong will participate in the 14th annual Polar Bear Plunge when they leap into Hallet’s pond in St. Peter.
DeJong’s first Polar Plunge experience was in 2008; he jumped in on a negative-four-degree day.
“The water was actually warmer than the air,” he said.
Even though the team joked about DeJong’s willingness for a second jump, all agree that the plunges into freezing water are worth the significant funds raised for Special Olympics Minnesota.
The Rock River Shivers are making pledges for their upcoming jump, and they have so far raised $505 with the goal of $750 before the event.
 
25 years ago (1996)
•Luverne School Board members have signed a contract with Millennium Communications Inc., Minneapolis and Rochester, to provide Internet relay service to Luverne schools. The district plans to be on-line by the end of the month.
The school will have a T-1 connection that will enable to sell space to other school districts, the county and the city. The district had considered a smaller 56K line, but, according to Superintendent George Maurer a 56K line would not meet the needs of the district.
“With 75 people, we’ll pay for (T-1) equipment and break even after one year”, Maurer said.
By signing the contract, the district has agreed to pay $15,784 for installation, hardware and the first six months of service. Following that time, the district will pay for service on a month-to-month basis. The monthly fee to MillComm is $899.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•The year 1970 may have been a recession year generally, but the publicized money shortage is not reflected in the deposits in Rock County’s seven banks.
Deposits jumped $3,769,769 from January 1, 1970, to Dec. 31, 1970, to bring the total on deposit in the banks up to an all-time record of $33,670,056, according to figures in published statements of condition in this week’s Star-Herald.
During the same time period, loans increased $1,060,153 to hit the $19,023,456 mark.
Depositers weren’t just putting their money into checking accounts, the figures show. They had more in savings accounts, denoted in the statements as time deposits, than they had in demand deposits. Time deposits accounted for $19,549,443 while demand deposits totaled $14,120,612. Demand deposits were higher than they were a year ago by $2,008,114, while time deposits went up by a smaller margin, $1,256,659.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•Jasper—(By Jacqueline Tweeton)—A loud rumble heralded the fall of the stone facing from the entire west and part of the north sides of the frame building owned by Dr. E. D. Merkley, Jasper veterinarian, about 4 p.m. Friday. The east wall of Zenor’s Pool Hall, west of the Merkley building was bent inward by the force of the falling stone.
Dr. Merkley and another man had just entered Merkley’s office in the building when they heard the rumbling noise start in the back structure. It is thought that the freezing and thawing of the last few days caused the stone to loosen and fall. The Arlen Holiens who live upstairs were out of town at the time. A new facing is being planned for the Merkley building, which was not basically harmed.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•At a meeting of the directors of the Luverne Co-Operative Live Stock Shipping association held Tuesday afternoon, Fred Lutgens, for eleven years live stock buyer for Herman Fitzer, was elected manager of the shipping association.
Eight votes were cast in the selection of a manager, and Mr. Lutgens was elected on the first ballot, five votes having been cast for him, two for A. J. Leech, and one for W. E. Loose. Following the action of the directors Mr. Fitzer announced that he would retire from the live stock market in so far as buying hogs is concerned, if Mr. Lutgens could be induced to accept the appointment.
It was also voted that the association would transact its business at the Farmers National bank, and that if shippers desired their checks placed elsewhere, they should so instruct the manager.
Mr. Lutgens has accepted the managership of the shipping association and will assume his new duties next Monday.

JoAnn Van Engelenhoven, 90, Luverne, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
Arrangements are pending with Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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Marvin M. Rozeboom, 95, Leota, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, with visitation one hour prior to the service, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Burial will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.
Arrangements are provided by Dingmann Funeral Home (dingmannandsons.com) and the Leota Burial Association.
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Lillian “Kitty” Gruis, 78, Slayton, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton.
Arrangements are provided by Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton, totzkefuneralhome.com.
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Sandra Boyenga, 57, Mankato, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth while under hospice care.
A funeral service was Monday, Jan. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Iowa. Interment was at Ebenezer Stateline Cemetery in Luverne Township, Rock County.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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Burdell Dunruf Willers, 95, Beaver Creek, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, of natural causes at his son’s home on Blind Lake.
A funeral Mass was Monday, Jan. 11, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Burial with full military honors provided by the Luverne American Legion and VFW was at St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
Burdell Willers was born Aug. 18, 1925, to Alex and Nellie (Kothe) Willers in rural Beaver Creek. He graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1943. He then served in the Army from April 1945 until December 1946. On their way to Japan, his unit learned that the war in Japan was declared over. They were relieved of their guns and became occupied forces. Burdell was baptized and joined the Catholic Church in August of 1946 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yokahama, Japan.
Burdell married Angeline “Angie” Deitermann on Sept. 7, 1949, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The couple moved to the family farm near Beaver Creek where they lived for the next 45 years. After retiring from farming, they lived in Beaver Creek and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Burdell was an active member of St. Catherine Catholic Church for 73 years, serving in many capacities. Burdell was also a Hospice Foundation Board member and volunteer. After moving to Sioux Falls, he enjoyed establishing new friendships at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the Avera Fitness therapy pool. Burdell and Angie enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad. Burdell loved being surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching the geese and the ducks and the loons on Blind Lake. He kept up with all the farming developments. He also enjoyed watching all sports; football and basketball were his favorites.
Burdell is survived by his nine children, James (Jill) Willers of Luverne, Steven (Nancy) Willers of Fairmont, David (Cheryl) Willers of Beaver Creek, Robert (Annetta) Willers of Aitkin, Theresa (Dale) Hoogeveen of Carver, Bryan (Denise) Willers of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Lisa (Roger) Hoff of Steen, Mary (Roger) Turner of Vermillion, South Dakota, and Jeffrey (Lana) Willers of Waunakee, Wisconsin; 27 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Bonnie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Angie, on June 17, 2018; and a sister, Darlene.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
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Marlys DeVries, 85, Luverne, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Due to concern for the public’s health, a private family graveside service will be at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.  
Marlys G. Wulf was born Oct. 18, 1935, to Harry and Irene (Reese) Wulf in Garretson, South Dakota. She grew up in Beaver Creek and graduated from Beaver Creek High School.
Marlys married Delmar DeVries on March 19, 1955. They farmed west of Beaver Creek for a few years, then northeast of Kenneth for a short time, until they bought a farm west of Luverne where they lived and farmed until moving into Luverne in 2005. In addition to helping on the farm, Marlys also had other occupations over the years including grocery clerk, dental assistant, custodian at a local bank, and Luverne School District bus driver for 25 years. Marlys loved gardening, sewing, baking, cards and crafts. Her love of gardening led her to start a vegetable farm, “Del-Mar Gardens.” Marlys’ artistic flair was evident in the wood and floral creations she sold at local craft fairs.
In retirement she continued to enjoy vegetable gardening, quilting and baking. She also enjoyed cards and learned to play Texas Hold ’em. She played in many local and state tournaments.
Marlys is survived by her husband, Delmar DeVries; three daughters, Jacqueline DeVries of Champlin, Jolene (Alan) DeVries-Johnson of Blaine, and Jeanette (Ajay) Hatle of Luverne; one grandson, Nicholas Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, James and Melanie Johnson.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Betty Ann (Wulf) Matus and Marian Wulf.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Macular Degeneration Research, www.support.brightfocus.org/macular/donate.
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Jean Barclay, 98, Luverne, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
A private graveside service will take place at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne, per Jean’s wishes.
Jean Erickson was born on June 21, 1922, to Melvin and Edna (Hallsten) Erickson in Sheyenne, North Dakota. She spent her childhood years in Sheyenne. At age 14, she moved with her family to Bismarck, North Dakota. She graduated from Bismarck High School in 1940. She attended Bismarck Junior College for two years and then studied at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She worked for a couple of years at a government school in North Dakota before moving to Magnolia, Minnesota, for a teaching job.
Jean met Pat Barclay at the local café in Magnolia, and they were married on June 27, 1946, in Sheyenne. They lived in Luverne, where Pat had a plumbing and heating business and Jean was a homemaker.
When Pat retired, the couple enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida and their summers at home in Luverne. Following Pat’s death in 1988, Jean continued to spend winters in Florida for the next 14 years.
Jean was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, where she taught Sunday School and Bible Study and was a part of Luther League. Jean was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge with friends. One of her passions was travel. Her travels included many U.S. states as well as trips to Africa, Australia, Russia, Central America and Europe.
Jean is survived by her son, John David (Vicki) Barclay of St. Charles, Illinois; her son-in-law, David Gaona of Bluffton, South Carolina; two granddaughters, Patricia and Camille Barclay; a brother, Donald Erickson of New Rockford, North Dakota; a special brother, Robert Cook of Fargo, North Dakota; and other family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Pat; her daughter, Barbara Barclay; and a brother and his wife, Mayo and Elaine Erickson.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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