Pearl Tuff, 80, Luverne, died Friday, Dec. 7 at the Luverne Hospice Cottage. Services will be Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Maurice Hagen and Rev. Del Sanderson officiating. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 10 from 3 to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne.

By Lori Ehde
Some people have a gift for details, and some people have gift for seeing the big picture.
Former Rock County Commissioner Willis J. Brakke, who died Tuesday, New Year's Day, will be remembered as a visionary.

"He was one of those who could see the forest for the trees - and he could sell his plan to people," said County Board member Jane Wildung.

"That's probably his legacy. I think that's why he was so instrumental at the state level, particularly in the Department of Health."

His personality, she said, also made him a valuable public servant. If discussion got heated, the board could often rely on Brakke to ease the tension.

"He always had a sense of humor," Wildung said. "He was a wonderful man."

Brakke served on the Rock County Board of Commissioners for 18 years - a relatively small portion of his 79-year life.

But those are the years that brought out the best in "Bill," and the years he spoke most fondly of.

Tom Brakke said his father enjoyed a rewarding 35-year career with Investors Diversified Services, but his proudest accomplishments were in public service.

"All he said was 'I wish I would have found my calling earlier,'" Tom Brakke said. "When he started (with the County Board) he just thrived. He said to me many times that that was the high point of his life."

One of Brakke's fondest memories of his service on the board is the completion of the courthouse remodeling project in 1989.

"There was nothing like the elation and sense of accomplishment in chairing the building committee in remodeling of the courthouse," he told the Star Herald in a December 1996 interview.

"I lay awake at night wondering what this was going to turn out to be. It was beyond my highest expectations."

Brakke said the courthouse put Rock County on the map in terms of tourism and beauty.

"I was practically giddy when we had our open house and dedication. That was a heady time as far as how proud we were to show it off," he said.

Far-reaching influence
Brakke's love of government involvement extended far beyond the borders of Luverne and Rock County.

There are countless affiliations, committees, task forces and boards that Brakke started, chaired or served on as a member.

He was perhaps most influential in the areas of health and human services. Brakke worked with the state commissioner of human services to establish the County Commissioners' Advisory Committee. He chaired that group, which was set up to provide better contact with the Department of Human Services and input in the state administrative policies.

With the Department of Health, Brakke worked to establish County Commissioner education tracks at the Annual Health Conference, and he served as moderator for these forums.

He was invited in 1988 to testify before Surgeon General C. Edward Koop. He was the only County Commissioner in the nation invited to the conference for state legislators in New York.

Brakke's influence at the State Department of Health came sharply into focus when several state officials attended a playful "roast" in his honor at a county holiday party. State Epidemiologist Mike Osterholm emceed the event.

Brakke was involved with mental health for 37 years. When Rock, Nobles and Pipestone counties were establishing the Southwestern Mental Health Center in 1959, he and Mort Skewes were Rock County's representatives in that effort.

Brakke was the only County Commissioner to be asked to work on a national report of the Mental Health of Rural America during the farm crisis of the mid-'80s.

In 1991, he won the Region V Distinguished Service Award for his significant contributions to community mental health.

Retiring with honor
At age 74, Brakke decided not to file for re-election to the board. In a December 1996 interview with the Star Herald, he said it was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

"The past 18 years have been the most enjoyable years of my life," Brakke told the Star Herald in an interview for a story about his retirement.

"I enjoyed government service and the satisfaction that I might be doing some good for others. I'm going to miss the feeling of belonging to the county family. I was a commissioner, and I was proud of it," he said.

Brakke capped his government career by earning the Association of Minnesota Counties Outstanding Service Award. In nominating him for the award, his fellow Rock County Commissioners proudly supported him.

"He has waved the banner of accomplishments of county government through his myriad of responsibilities in civic organizations as well as his church," the nomination read.

"Bill makes everyone aware of the wonderful job county government does in delivering services to the people of the state. His commitment to county government is well-known as he meets with city, county, regional, state and national officials. He is a true 'cheerleader' for county government."

When asked about his retirement plans, Brakke said he looked forward to traveling more, "and hopefully our health will permit us to continue that," he said.

Sadly his health did not permit much in the way of any significant retirement plans. The following summer, in June 1997, he underwent surgery for an ulcerative stomach, and last year he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

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By Sara Quam
Rock County and the city of Luverne both finalized their 2002 budgets and levies Tuesday, Dec. 11.

The Rock County Board of Commissioners set the 2002 levy at 2.99 percent more than last year's. The final budget for the county is $3,455,242, but property taxpayers are responsible for $2,864,813.

Although the county set the budget and levy, some things are still unsure. Union negotiations aren't settled, and state money might not flow as freely as it has.

Administrator Kyle Oldre said, "Whatever happens at the state, I think the concern is there."

The board foresees the state setting levy limits for at least the next two years and doesnÕt want to under-budget. Instead, the board has worked on trimming where possible.

Ron Boyenga, who sits on the budget committee, cast the only vote against the levy.

The city of Luverne also passed its final levy and budget. It has a total governmental budget of almost $4.29 million - or $800,000 more than the 2001 budget. The city has a separate budget for operations such as utilities and the liquor store that get funds from user fees.

The Luverne City Council unanimously passed the levy, which is actually a slight decrease from last year's. The collectible dollar amount from city taxpayers is $550,933.

Both the city and county are heavily dependent on state aid as evidenced by how much of the budgets are actually collected from property taxes.

By Sara Quam
A Christmas Day accident north of Luverne left Harvey Kemerling's daughter paralyzed from the hips down.

Lynette Kemerling, 44, Alexandria, is listed in fair condition at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

The Minnesota State Highway Patrol described the 11:30 a.m. accident as a rear-end collision.

Drivers were Mark Duane Lafrenz, 19, Luverne, driving a 1992 Oldsmobile; Harland Kemerling, 43, Granite Falls, driving a 1992 Chevy Astro van with his sister, Lynette, and Roger Leonard Erickson, 68, Luverne, driving a 2000 Buick LaSabre.

Lynette, who never lost consciousness, recalled the accident to Harvey. They were on their way home for Christmas when she said Harland slowed down to allow Erickson to make a left turn. That's when they were rear-ended by Lafrenz.

When they were hit, the Kemerlings' bodies were first thrust forward and then backward, the force of their weight breaking the car seats and laying them flat.

"She flew out of the left rear window of the van and it drug her, from what we can tell," Harvey said.

Harland was wearing his seat belt. Lynette was not.

His active daughter knows there's slim to no chance that there'll be a change in her condition, but Harvey said she's being strong.

"She comforted me when I was telling her she would be paralyzed," Harvey said.

Lynette is a Luverne High School graduate. She began attending college for a degree in law enforcement but fell in love with the Alexandria area and kept her job with the Alexandria Extrusion Company.

Harland is back in Granite Falls with minor injuries.

Harvey expects his daughter to be in Sioux Valley for some time and continues to stay with her until about 10 every night.

By Jolene Farley
Construction is proceeding as planned on the Beaver Creek Entertainment Facility and Golf Course, according to investor Rod Scholten of Steen.

"We're right on schedule. The little bit of snow we had really didn't slow us down," Scholten said.

Limited liability corporation investors Rod Scholten, Mike Blank, Ben Davis, Leonard Scholten and Dan Van Otterloo are pleased with the progress on the project, according to Scholten.

Sewer and water work is done on the entertainment facility, and crews are ready to begin work on more complex projects such as a tower structure planned for the top of the building.

Crews are waiting on the arrival of the doors and windows for the structure.

"We slowed down through the holidays," said Scholten. "We got as far as we really wanted to this year."

Investors hope the entertainment facility will be completed in April and open in May.

They plan to hire a general manager in February who will assist in hiring employees for the banquet facility.

About 15 to 20 year-round full or part-time employees will be hired for the restaurant and about 10 to 15 year-round full- or part-time employees will be hired for the banquet facility, according to Scholten.

In addition to the entertainment facility, residential lots bordering the golf course are for sale for home construction.

"It's going very well," said Scholten. "We have been closing on lots the last few weeks."

Four lots are sold, with one more sale scheduled to close next week.

"We are hopeful we can get some work on the course done this spring, but it depends on the weather," said Scholten.

Course builder John Reardon, who has built courses for some northern Minnesota resorts, has been retained to shape the greens and tees and do the necessary adjustments on the fairways.

Reardon will seed the course with grass, and partner Mike Blank will be the course groundskeeper, according to Scholten.

Henning Construction, Adrian, has been hired for the dirt work on the course.

"It's not going to be the easiest course," said Scholten. "There are going to be some hazards people are going to have to play over."

He added the complexity of the course could be adjusted by moving pins and tees, but there will be water hazards everyone will have to work around.

Family memberships for the course are priced at $450 per year, single memberships are $350, and lifetime memberships are $4,000.

Anyone interested in more information on becoming members of the course or on use of the banquet facilities should contact Rod Scholten or Mike Blank.

By Sara Quam
Rock County Commissioners spent much of their time dealing with salaries during their Dec. 26 meeting.

The board finalized the elected county salaries at:

$47,528 (same as last year) for the auditor/treasurer, Margaret Cook;

$44,250 (increased from $42,924) for the recorder, Jere Ohme;

$54,000 (increased from $52,319) for the sheriff, Ron McClure;

$12,000 (same as last year) for commissioners, and

$65,000 (increased from $63,000) for the county attorney's office, which is shared among four attorneys.

Rock County salaries are less than Minnesota averages in most cases. Recorders in the state make an average of $47,923; treasurers make an average of $47,244; auditors earn an average of $57,000; and sheriffs take home $64,623 on average.

For a more local comparison, Pipestone County finalized its elected personnel salaries last week as well. Their salaries are: recorder, $43,500; treasurer, $48,500; auditor, $44,000, and sheriff, $59,400.

Other payroll issues were on the table when the board approved union contracts, which won't affect the budget thatÕs already been certified.

The union contracts from three bargaining units were approved on three-year contracts. The highway, deputies and dispatch unions will all receive the same cost-of-living pay increases: 2.75 percent in the first year, 2.5 percent in the second year and 2 percent in the third year of the contract.

In other business the commissioners:
Voted unanimously to advance the Southwest Regional Development Commission $18,000. The advance will be paid back when future tax levies come in and is intended to keep the organization afloat.

The board finally approved the advance because the SRDC put in writing that it won't again borrow money without the permission of the nine member counties. The board requested that statement because of the financial hardship the Prairie Expo project brought the SRDC.

Voted unanimously to ask local legislative representatives to carry a bill that would allow Rock County to appoint the auditor/treasurer and recorder rather than leave them as elected positions.

The state bill would allow the board to pass a resolution making the offices appointed. There is a system of checks and balances to keep the public in some position of control, though. Through petitions and ballots, the board's appointments could be discarded.

The board reasoned that the move toward appointments is appropriate because the positions have changed so much in recent years with advances in technology. As of now, anyone, without specific, minimal qualifications, can run for the offices.

The board said that when the current staff retires from their positions, they want to make sure someone qualified fills their shoes.

Technology and state requirements on counties are major reasons the board would like to have more control over who gets into the offices.

By Lori Ehde
It was a Christmas homecoming like no other for Brian and Maria (Harrison) Kremin last week.

Their dog, Montana, a 140-pound mastiff, had been missing for months, and they were starting to wonder if they'd ever see her again.

The couple lives in Kansas City but had the dog with them in September for a visit to Brian's family near Kanaranzi. During that visit, Montana got lost after Brian took her for a walk near the river.

In the weeks and months since then, the Kremins have been beside themselves looking for 3-year-old Montana.

"She's our baby," Maria explained in a phone call from Kansas City. "Every single weekend we came back to look for her. We put over 20,000 miles on our cars."

They also aired regular radio announcements about the lost dog, Dave Paquette flew them in his plane to see if they could spot her from the air, and they offered a $200 reward for Montana's safe return.

Every week, they'd hear from residents between Rock Rapids and Kanaranzi that they'd spotted the dog but couldn't get their hands on her.

"She's very skittish," Maria said. "One time, we got a call from a guy who said, 'I'm standing here looking at your dog. What can I do to get her in my garage?'"

She said when time passed without sightings, they feared Montana was dead.

Then, on Christmas day when the couple was back home for the holidays, another call came in about Montana.

Several Rock Rapids area residents, plus the Kremins in their two cars and Maria's parents, Lowell and Shirley Harrison, all drove to the area where Montana had been seen.

"When I saw her, I started to bawl, because she was just skin and bones," Maria said.

After roaming for months with little nourishment the dog had lost 40 pounds.

"She was just wild," Maria said. "But once I got her collar, she sat down and kind of melted into me."

The dog had been shot with a tranquilizer dart, but Maria said Montana still managed to wag her tail.

"I was totally bawling, Brian was bawling, and people stood around and just looked at us," she said. "All I wanted for Christmas is to have Montana back."

She said she and Brian are grateful for all the help they had finding Montana, who appears to be recovering well from the trauma.

"People were so wonderful - all of them," she said. "These were strangers that we didn't even know."