You are where you live … and we’re pro-wrestling fans

It’s probably not the most popular belief, but we in Rock County are a pretty homogenous bunch.

We might enjoy noticing our unique qualities, but we mostly look alike and act alike.

That’s not a generalization that I formed, either — it’s a statistical judgment that professional demographers came up with.

There are marketing firms that research demographics and trends to find target audiences for products. I looked into what national advertisers think of us in Rock County.

According to one study, we fall mostly into a few groups: rural white, blue-collar farm families; farm owners and tenants; low-income, older rural couples; and families in isolated areas.

Those group titles don’t say much on their own, but this is how the marketing gurus generalize us:
oWe generally earn between $18,000 and $39,000 a year.

oWe cross-country ski, refinish furniture, belong to a veteran’s club, own a dog or cat, own a tractor, go hunting, add a bathroom to our homes and enter sweepstakes.

oWe watch Jeopardy!, CNN, Court TV, auto racing and pro wrestling.

oWe read Prevention, Outdoor Life, Country Living and True Story.

As much as I would like to contradict these findings, it’s probably close to the mark. We’re a predictable group, whose different sub-sects actually have very few differences.

We can take some pride in the fact that we are a true minority in the country, being similar to just about 5 percent of the population.

I’m off the market, so bring on the muu muus
I think I’ve grown into my new look: it says, "I’m comfortable eating hot dish with my husband even though I could use a salad."

We celebrated our one-year anniversary last weekend and talked about how lovely our year together has been. We even had the customary bite of our wedding cake topper that had been frozen for a year. (It tasted surprisingly fresh.)

The day after our anniversary, I got to thinking how my life hasn’t really changed much since marriage.
Everything’s pretty much the same except the fact that I’m now truly off the market.

Even before we married, we were steadily committed, so it’s not like I dated up to the moment I walked down the aisle. But being totally "off the market" has a slightly different feel, like it’s all right to leave the house without mascara and wear ill-fitting clothes, because no one will notice me anyway. I’ll just go grocery shopping after dark from now on.

Some may think my statements sound defeated or hopeless, but it’s great. Even though the experts warn us against letting ourselves go, I can’t say I’m fighting it as much as I should.

Maybe that’s what true love’s meaning really is, though: it isn’t about finding a soul mate or perfect partner. It’s a little bit about dim lighting and good hotdishes and seeing a house dress as a step up from sweatpants.

GEP sponsors fund-raiser for Palace Theatre
In a continuing effort to help save and restore the Palace Theatre, the Green Earth Players will present a 25th Anniversary fund-raiser variety show.

To honor its past 25 years of productions, the local theater troupe is trying to come up with acts from as many as possible of its past shows, using original cast members.

The emphasis will be on the musicals, according to GEP president Fred Manfred.

The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.

Tickets for the show will be sold at the Carnegie Cultural Center, Luverne, beginning Friday, Jan. 31.

The box office hours are 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturdays

34th annual World Championship Pinochle Tournament held
Denis Schnieder, Avoca, Minn. was crowned the 34th annual World Champion Pinochle player, at George McDonald’s annual event.

This year’s runner-up honors went to veteran player Randy Scott, Hardwick.

Sioux Falls resident, Don "Pete" Peterson, took third place honors. Jim Hoh was the "Best Qualifier" for the night with a 289.

Other winners who didn’t make the final three championship table include:
4th: Gary Halvorson
5th: Alvy Boomgaarden
6th: Marv Holte
7th: Terry Finch

The team championship went to Marv Holte, Dick Kettelson and Pete Peterson, with a team score of 83 points.

The dubious distinction of last place this year went to J.R. Scott, Hardwick, with a total of 4 points.

A total of 27 players competed for the various honors.

Sundance film has Luverne connection
One of the films being shown at this year’s Sundance Film Festival had the participation of one of Luverne High School graduates in its making.

The movie’s name is "Detective Fiction," and the Luverne connection is ’71 graduate, Greg Winter.

The film was written, directed, and stars a Minneapolis actor, Patrick Coyle.

Greg Winter served as the Director of Photography on the project.

One hundred, twenty films are accepted for exhibition at Sundance, out of approximately 800 that are submitted.

According to Winter, "Detective Fiction" was placed in the American Spectrum division, which means it is eligible for the Audience Award, and is considered to be in the top 32 films of the 120 accepted.

"Detective Fiction" was expected to have four showings throughout this week.

Ben Vander Kooi, a high school classmate of Winter, attended the film festival with his son, Bill.

Moving day for Tri-State
Friday and Saturday will be moving day for employees of the Tri-State division of the Continental Western Group.

According to Nadine Schoep, the department managers will be the first to move, with the phone computer system moved at noon Friday.

The company will be shut down from then until sometime on Saturday afternoon, when things are expected to be back up and running.

The move affects 110 Tri-State employees who will move from the current Tri-State building, which was built in 1974, to the now expanded building, originally built for Berkley Information Systems, a sister company to Tri-State.

The original Berkley Technology Services (BTS) building was 20,000 square feet, and is now 28,500 with the recent addition.

Of that space, the 30 BTS employees will use 5,000 square feet and Tri-State will occupy the other 23,500.

The city needs to find a new tenant for the former Tri-State building, which it now owns.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Dolores "Dode" Wagner, 83, Luverne, died Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Minnesota Veterans Home. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Gary Klatt officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery at a later date.

Joseph Henry Clercx, 84, Jasper, formerly of Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003, at Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Services were Thursday, Jan. 23, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Burial was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Jasper.

Joseph Clercx was born to Peter and Margaret (Snyders) Clercx on July 20, 1918, in Larchwood, Iowa. He was baptized on July 21, 1918, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood. He was raised on the family farm southwest of Larchwood, near Klondike, Iowa. He attended country school and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Larchwood. After his graduation from high school in 1936, he worked as a carpenter. He also worked as a musician, playing his trumpet with his family in the Clercx Family Dance Band for many years throughout the area. On April 18, 1941, he entered the U.S. Army in Omaha, Neb. He served during World War II in England, Italy, Northern Ireland and North Africa. After his discharge from the service on June 11, 1945, he returned to Larchwood. He worked installing refrigeration units for Gustafson & Larson Refrigeration in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1951 he moved to Ortonville where he worked as a car salesman.

He married Leola Rabey Wade on May 9, 1953, in Ortonville. Following their marriage they moved to Marshall and then Ihlen. In 1956 they moved to Jasper where he sold automobiles for Scheppmann Motors. In 1958 he worked for Connell Chevrolet in Luverne where he remained until retiring in 1982. During this time he also worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural carrier from 1964 to 1983. After his retirement he obtained his real estate license and sold real estate for Quartzsite Realty in Jasper until this past year. He was admitted to Luverne Hospice Cottage on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Mr. Clercx was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, where he had served on the parish council and was also a Eucharistic minister and a trustee. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, serving as financial secretary for more than 35 years and the Oscar Iverson American Legion Post #133 in Jasper. He had served as a peer counselor for the Southwest Area Agency on Aging. He was active in the DFL Party and in 1980 attended the National Democratic Convention. He loved playing his trumpet and until recently he played with the Jasper Blowhards. His hobbies included cars, stamp collecting and coin collecting.

Survivors include his wife, Leola "Toots" Clercx, Jasper; three children, Rick (Diane) Clercx, Slayton, Jolene (Doug) Hookie, David City, Neb., and Marla Clercx, Florence, Wis.; one stepdaughter, Judy (John) Rosa, Junction City, Kan., and one stepson, David (DeAnn) Wade, Elwood, Neb., nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Al (Frances) Clercx, and Greg (Vicki) Clercx, all of Sioux Falls; and one sister-in-law, Mary Clercx, Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Mr. Clercx was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John and Frank Clercx; and two sisters, Ann Simons and Mary Agnes Kramer.

Foster-Hartquist Funeral Home, Jasper, was in charge of arrangements.

Elaine H. Smedsrud, 72, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Hills, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Friday, Jan. 3, at Faith Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. The Rev. Scott Sailer officiated. Burial was in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Hills.

Elaine Meents was born to Adolf and Amelia (Nentwig) Meents on Oct. 7, 1930, in Varina, Iowa. As a child she moved with her family to the Newell, Iowa, area where she grew up and received her education. She then worked as a hairdresser for a funeral home and as a meat cutter.

She married Eugene Christenson in 1953 at Wagner, S.D. The couple lived in the Pickstown, S.D., area before moving to Sioux Falls. She owned and operated the Home Café and later the Main Cafe both in Sioux Falls.

She married Morris Smedsrud on March 5, 1964, in Pipestone. She continued working in Sioux Falls until they bought the Corner Café in Hills. In 1980, they moved to Sioux Falls where she worked as night manager at Rentschler’s Truck Stop Café until ill health forced her retirement.

Mrs. Smedsrud was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was currently a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

Survivors include her husband, Morris Smedsrud, Sioux Falls; five children, Allen (Jolene) Christenson, Nunda, S.D., Paul (JoAnn) Christenson, Ed (Shelly) Smedsrud, Chloye Smedsrud, all of Sioux Falls, and Todd Christenson, and his fiancée, Josette Chaban, Vermillion, SD.; 12 grandchildren; her sister, Irene Pearson, Sioux Falls; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Smedsrud was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Ira Meents, and six sisters, Agnes Meents, Leona Meents, Marie Meents, Nova Meents, Ellen Jensen and Harriet Schnetter.

George Boom Funeral home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

Nellie Vis, 92, Hills, formerly of Luverne, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.

Services were Monday, Jan. 13, at Steen Reformed Church in Steen. Burial was in East Side Cemetery, rural Steen.

Nellie Vis was born to John R. and Lily (Doornwaard) Vis on Feb. 3, 1910, in Sioux Center, Iowa. In 1916, the family moved to a farm near Hills. She attended school in Hills. She helped out on the farm and cared for her aging relatives as she was growing up. When she was older, she devoted her time caring for elderly and sick people in their homes. In 1972, she moved to Blue Mound Tower in Luverne. In 1992, she moved to Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.

Ms. Vis was a member of the Reformed Church in Luverne and Steen. She loved spending time reading and writing letters.

Survivors include nieces, nephews, cousins; and other relatives and friends.

Ms. Vis was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Harry, Richard and Bernard, and two sisters, Gertie and Jennie.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Frank McClure, 89, Luverne, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Monday, Jan. 13, at United Methodist Church in Luverne. The Rev. Bart Fletcher officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Frank McClure was born to Charles and Angie Rebecca (Henderson) McClure on Dec. 5, 1913, in Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School.

He married Almira Friestad on Sept. 15, 1938, in Sioux Falls, S.D. After their marriage, they lived in Luverne. In 1942, he entered the U.S. Navy. He served overseas during World War II. After he was honorably discharged in 1945, he returned to Luverne. He worked as an electrician. He owned and operated Thermal King in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was also associated with McClure Electric in Luverne for more than 50 years. He retired in 1985.

Mr. McClure was a member of United Methodist Church in Luverne, Blue Mound Woodcarvers, Luverne American Legion and VFW. He was a past member of Luverne Rotary, American Foreign Exchange Students, PTA and Luverne City Council. He was a former mayor of Luverne.

Survivors include his wife, Almira McClure, Luverne; one son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Kathy (Vanden Hoek) McClure, Edina; one daughter, Julie McClure, Omaha, Neb.; and two grandchildren, Matthew and Charise McClure.

Mr. McClure was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Mike, Hobart, George, Les and Mark "Shorty" McClure, and three sisters, Mary Rossmiller, Stella Martin and Bertha Fuller.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Parkinson’s Disease Association.

A tree will be planted in memory of Frank McClure by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth sophomore Jose Saravia records a pin against Sioux Falls Lincoln’s David DeWitt during wrestling action at the Cardinal Tournament in Luverne Saturday. The Cardinals beat Lincoln before dropping three straight matches and finishing sixth in their annual tourney.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth wrestling team notched its second win of the season during the Cardinal Tournament staged in Luverne Saturday.

The Cardinals opened the tournament by posting a dramatic, 38-36 win over Sioux Falls Lincoln.

Losses to Wabasso (63-14), Montevideo (40-34) and Worthington (39-36) followed the win, leaving the Cards with a 1-3 record for the day and a sixth-place finish in an eight-team field.

Seniors Joel Evans (189 and 215) and heavyweight Cody Jagow both experienced perfect 4-0 days for L-H-BC-E.

Jagow opened the tournament by pinning Lincoln’s Mike Thorson in 5:05 to erase what was a 36-32 deficit and give the Cards a two-point win.

Jagow then pinned Wabasso’s Clayton Rudenick before receiving forfeits against Montevideo and Worthington.

Evans saddled Lincoln’s Eric Boehm with a 9-1 major decision setback before winning by technical fall over Wabasso’s Tyler Maertens.

After receiving a forfeit from Montevideo, Evans pinned Worthington’s Carl Zishka in 30 seconds.

Canaan Petersen (152-160) and Justin Mann (140-145) both with 3-1 for the Cards.

Petersen won by technical fall over Lincoln’s Justin Lohan and nipped Wabasso’s Dan Matriowetz 3-1 before dropping a 2-1 decision to Montevideo’s Tom Halverson. Petersen ended the day by beating Worthington’s Bryant Schroeder by technical fall.

Mann received a forfeit from Lincoln before being pinned by Wabasso’s Derek Jenniges in 2:33. Mann bounced back to hand Montevideo’s Tom Peterson a 15-7 major decision setback before pinning Worthington’s Pat Cummings in 3:56.

L-H-BC-E’s Jeff Cronberg (189 and 215), Jose Saravia went 2-2 at 171, Ruston Aaker 2-2 at 130 and Dusty Seachris 2-2 at 135 and 140. Aric Uithoven (119) and Kerry Fink (125) both went 0-4.

The 2-12 Cardinals wrestle in Tracy tonight and in Adrian Tuesday.

Match wrap-ups
L-H-BC-E 38, S.F. Lincoln 36
103 (N) Double forfeit.
112 (S) Dutcher by forfeit.
119 (S) Kirstein pins Uithoven.
125 (S) Wratz pins Fink.
130 (L) Aaker m.d. Kirstein.
135 (L) Seachris by forfeit.
140 (L) Mann by forfeit.
145 (S) Forster by forfeit,
152 (S) Dowling by forfeit.
160 (L) Petersen t.f. Lohan.
171 (L) Saravia pins DeWitt.
189 (S) Axtell pins Cronberg.
215 (L) Evans m.d. Boehm.
275 (L) Jagow pins Thorson.

Wabasso 63, L-H-BC-E 14
103 (W) Jenniges by forfeit.
112 (W) Schunk by forfeit.
119 (W) Altermatt pins Uithoven.
125 (W) Guetter pins Fink.
130 (W) Irlbeck pins Aaker.
135 (W) Altermatt pins Seachris.
140 (W) Jenniges pins Mann.
145 (W) Schroepfer by forfeit.
152 (W) Schunk by forfeit.
160 (L) Petersen dec. Matriowetz.
171 (W) Frericks dec. Saravia.
189 (W) Johanneck pins Cronberg.
215 (L) Evans t.f. Maertens.
275 (L) Jagow pins Rudenick.

Montevideo 40, L-H-BC-E 34
103 (M) Kanten by forfeit.
112 (M) Halverson by forfeit.
119 (M) Klosterboer m.d. Uithoven.
125 (M) Wald dec. Fink.
130 (L) Aaker m.d. Tadd.
133 (M) Reuss pins Seachris.
140 (L) Mann m.d. Peterson.
145 (M) Baldwin by forfeit.
152 (M) Halverson dec. Petersen.
160 (M) Gallagher by forfeit.
171 (M) Bakker m.d. Saravia.
189 (L) Cronberg by forfeit.
215 (L) Evans for forfeit.
275 (L) Jagow by forfeit.

Worthington 39, L-H-BC-E 36
103 (W) Poppema by forfeit.
112 (W) Wajer by forfeit.
119 (W) Hva pins Uithoven.
125 (W) Rall dec. Fink.
130 (W) Langseth pins Aaker.
135 (W) Sowles by forfeit.
140 (L) Seachris m.d. Solem.
145 (L) Mann pins Cummings.
152 (L) Petersen t.f. Schroeder.
160 (W) Rentele by forfeit.
171 (L) Saravia dec. Cowdin.
189 (L) Evans pins Zishka.
215 (L) Cronberg by forfeit.
275 (L) Jagow by forfeit,

Laura Ann Kennedy, 101, Luverne, formerly of Hardwick, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, at Sunwood Good Samaritan Home in Redwood Falls.

Services were Tuesday, Jan. 14, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Laura Appel was born to John and Louise (Pietsch) Appel on Aug. 17, 1901, in Fulda. She graduated from Fulda High School. She later graduated from Normal School and became a teacher. She taught in Kimbrae, rural Rock County, Hardwick and Kenneth.

She married Leo Kennedy on Aug. 16, 1927, in Fulda. After their marriage, the couple lived in Luverne and later, Hardwick.

Mrs. Kennedy was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne and Hardwick Senior Citizens. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan.

Survivors include two daughters, Joann (Bill) Fay, Plymouth, and Marlee Kenney, Redwood Falls; eight grandchildren, Terri (Tom) Cohn, Steve (Cathy) Fay, Mary Fay, John (Ruth) Fay, Patti (Shawn) Chatta, Julie (Brian) Seedorf, Susan Kenney (fiancée, Cory Bonnema), and Paul (Roxanne) Kenney; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Kennedy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leo, in 1967, son-in-law, Bob Kenney, in 1997, and 11 brothers and sisters.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.