By Jolene Farley
Luella Schlueter has contributed to the Hills Crescent in one way or another for more than 45 years.

Luella's column, Hills Local News, appears in the Crescent every week. "I like meeting the public and keeping alert to what is going on in town," said Schlueter.

Luella grew up in Marion, S.D. After graduating from high school, she attended Eastern Normal School, now Dakota State College, in Madison, S.D.

While teaching country school near Canistota, S.D., Luella became acquainted with George, her future husband. Luella boarded with George's family.

After teaching positions in Hetland, S.D., and Larchwood, Iowa, Luella trained to become a Morse code instructor at the Air Force Base in Sioux Falls during World War II.

While in Sioux Falls, Luella recalls singing with the Civilian Glee Club of the Army Air Field. The Glee Club cut a record and performed at the Arkota Ballroom. Five other women instructors and Luella formed a sextet and sang on various occasions.

After the Sioux Falls air base closed in 1945, Luella married George and moved to Hills. George was already publisher of the Crescent.

Luella teasingly said she followed her college roommate, Clara Clemetson, to Hills. Clara's husband, Merle, operated the Hills Creamery at the time.

Luella became the Hills "correspondent" after deciding to assist her husband by seeking out more local news items for the paper.

"I decided to help, so I went around to businesses and asked for news," said Luella.

She attended clubs and social meetings, keeping an ear open to learn who in the community was entertaining out-of-town guests, who was traveling, who had a birthday or a baby or any information she could use in the Crescent.

Besides raising four children, Bonnie, Gerry, Wayne and Laurie, Luella helped in many areas at the paper. In addition to her column, she proofread stories and handled the bookwork for the Crescent.

Luella remembers hearing employees emphatically say, "We can't put the paper to bed yet (meaning it couldn't be printed) because Lily Sjolseth hasn't called in yet," said Luella. "We appreciated her contributions and loved her for it." Sjolseth was a frequent contributor, but not very prompt, according to Luella.

One of the highlights of "those years" was attending press conventions in the Cities, according to Luella.

After Crescent Publishing printed its first cookbook in 1960, Luella helped in that area of the business also. She remembers a crew of women around a table each gathering a page at a time until the books were completed.

Luella has seen big changes in the publishing industry. "I've seen type set by offset printing; then we went to Justowriters. Now it's another phase... computers."

Besides her weekly Crescent column, Luella has a radio show broadcast at 9:25 a.m. Monday through Friday on KQAD, Luverne.

In 1971, Harold Norman, the station's owner, came to the Crescent office to ask George to go on the air to talk about area happenings. Instead, George offered Luella's services.

Luella said writing her column has been "really interesting."

She doesn't hesitate to say how "truly blessed" her life has been.

Hills-Beaver Creek football players practice line drills during practice Tuesday. The start of Patriot football practice is another sign that fall is fast approaching. The Patriots travel to Lakeview on Friday, Aug. 31, for their first game. For a preview of Patriot football, in addition to a peek at the volleyball team, see the Aug. 30 issue of the Crescent. Cross country is featured in this issue.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Services for Gladys Chapin were Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Redeemer Residence in Minneapolis. The Rev. F. Andrew Boyer, and Chaplains Gil Maple and Ed Bender officiated. Burial will be at 1 p.m Friday, Aug. 24, in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Gladys M. Chapin, 95, Redeemer Residence, Minneapolis, formerly of Jasper, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, in Minneapolis.

Gladys M. Chapin was born to Clyde and Millie Chapin in Jasper. She worked as a housekeeper in private homes.

Ms. Chapin was a longtime member of Central Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis.

Ms. Chapin was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

Memorials are preferred to Central Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis.

Albin Funeral Chapel, Eden Prairie, is in charge of arrangements.

John William Brockberg, 90, Pipestone, died on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001, at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone.

Services were Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky. Burial was in Trosky Cemetery.

John Brockberg was born to Louis and Margaret (Frieck) Brockberg on May 11, 1911, on the family farm in Rock County. He was raised on his parents' farm and attended country school. Upon completion of his education, he farmed with his father.

He married Alvina Bartels on June 15, 1938, at St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky Following their marriage they lived on his parents' farm. They continued to live and farm there until he retired at 62. After their retirement they sold the farm and moved to Trosky in February 1973. They remained in Trosky until January 2001 when he became a resident at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone. His wife became a resident at Storybrook Apartments in Pipestone in April 2001.

Mr. Brockberg was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky. He enjoyed fishing as a pastime activity. Above all, he loved farming the land, driving through the countryside and watching the crops grow and being harvested.

Survivors include his wife, Alvina Brockberg, Pipestone; one son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Marlys Brockberg, Sioux Falls, S.D.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Dianne Brockberg, Sioux Falls, and Jane and Douglas DeMuth, Marshall; five grandchildren, Ryan DeMuth, Wendy DeMuth, Bethann DeMuth, Lacey DeMuth and Jason Brockberg; stepgrandchildren; stepgreat-grandchildren; and one brother, Henry Brockberg, Pipestone.

Mr. Brockberg was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Lyle, one brother, Carl Brockberg, and two sisters, Nora Niemann and Evelyn Willprecht.

Hartquist Funeral Chapel, Pipestone, was in charge of arrangements.

Vernon H. Nolte, 85, Worthington, formerly of Ellsworth, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001, at Crossroads Care Center in Worthington.

Services were Wednesday, Aug. 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. The Revs. Andrew Beerman and James Seitz officiated. Burial was in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Ellsworth.

Vernon Nolte was born to Fred A. and Martha (Heikes) Nolte on March 14, 1916, in Grand Prairie Township, rural Ellsworth. He attended country school in Nolte School House, District #39, in rural Ellsworth.

He married Florence Seitz on Nov. 28, 1951, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. After their marriage the couple farmed northeast of Ellsworth. In 1990 they retired to Luverne. In 1999 they moved to the Homestead in Worthington.

Mr. Nolte was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Worthington and a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. He enjoyed fishing and farming.

Survivors include his wife, Florence Nolte, Worthington; two sisters, Doris (R.J.) Henrichs, Ellsworth, and Evelyn Pickney, Little Falls; one sister-in-law, Bernadine (Dick) Wagner, Hartland, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Nolte was preceded in death by his parents.

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

Floyd V. Madison, 96, Adrian, died Friday Aug. 17, 2001, at Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in Adrian.

Services were Tuesday, Aug. 21, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse officiated. Burial was in St. Adrian Cemetery.

Floyd Madison was born to William T. and Lena (Meyers) Madison on Sept. 21, 1904, in Cushing, Iowa. He attended rural school in Iowa. In 1917 he moved with his family to a farm northwest of Adrian. He attended barber school at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. After his schooling he was a barber in Rushmore. He also worked for various farmers for a short time.

He married Alma M. Wieneke on June 2, 1931, in Lismore. They made their home in rural Adrian all of their married lives. Mrs. Madison died on Aug. 5, 1972.

Mr. Madison was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church. He enjoyed farming and traveling.

Survivors include 11 children and their spouses, Edward H. and Victoria Madison, Madison, S.D., Joan and Jim Taylor, Gerald and Karen Madison, Earl and Marilyn Madison, all of Adrian, Joyce and Phil Faragher, Worthington, Leroy W. and Alverna Madison, Wilmont, Rita and Richard Becker, Henderson, Nev., Morris Madison, Aurora, Colo., Agnes and Harold Beckmann, Iona, Dianne and Joseph Beckmann, Wilmont, and Margaret and Jerry Pick, Luverne; 47 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Olga Madison, Luverne; and his special friend, Lucy Wieneke.

Mr. Madison was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Alma, one daughter, Janet Madison, one granddaughter, Paulette Madison, two brothers and two sisters.

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

Albert Lux, 83, Pasco, Wash., died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001 in his home after a long struggle with cancer. Alice Britz, Luverne, is his sister-in-law.

Inurnment with memorial services were Wednesday, Aug. 8, at City View Cemetery, Pasco. Father Daniel Barnett officiated.

Albert Lux was born to Andrew and Renata Lux on Sept. 15, 1917, in Havre, Mont. They were immigrant farmers. Later they moved to Lindstrom, Minn.

He married Clara Johnson on June 22, 1941, in Luverne. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served in the areas of Iwo Jima and Okinawa during World War II. He received his honorable discharge in Bremerton, Wash.

They moved to the Tri-cities area in 1947. He worked at construction and helped build the large trailer park in North Richland. In 1950 they moved to Pasco where he worked in construction and started his own construction company. He built several houses in Pasco. He joined forces with Hoopers Plumbing and Garrison Construction to develop Beverly Heights in Richland. He also worked with C.C. Mackner. In 1969 he went to Fairbanks, Alaska, to be a superintendent of building several apartment dwellings for the U.S. Air Force.

During the 1970s Mr. Lux was involved with building several restaurants and commercial building projects all over the U. S. In 1977 they retired to Santa, Idaho. They moved back to Pasco in 1990.

Mr. Lux was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Master, Pasco Masonic Lodge #34, F& A.M. Pasco Shrine Club, and the Pasco Senior Center where he enjoyed playing pool and cribbage and was very active in volunteer services for the Shriners and the Senior Center.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Lux, Pasco; two daughters and one son-in-law, Caryl and Joel Story, Pasco, and Sr. M. Clare Anne, MC (Cathy) of Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Missionaries of Charity, currently missioned in Piombino, Italy; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Lux and Alice Vollman, both of California, and Alice Britz, Luverne; and several nieces and nephews.

Bruce Lee Memorial Chapel, Pasco, was in charge of arrangements.

Gary Charles Luft, 57, Luverne, died Tuesday, Aug. 14 2001, at Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Saturday, Aug. 18, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The Rev. John Pehrson officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Gary Luft was born to Wilbur and Mildred (Radditz) Luft on Nov. 12, 1943, in Jackson. He graduated from Okabena High School in 1961.

He married Carolee Untiedt on March 4, 1972. He spent 23 years at Watland International in Worthington with 10 of those years as a salesman selling farm machinery. In 1985 he went to work for Worthington Ag Parts as a buyer and sales representative. In the summer of 2000 he went to work for All States Ag Parts of Sioux Falls and Salem, S.D.

Mr. Luft was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. He was also a member of the Eagles Club and Luverne Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Carolee Luft, Luverne; his father, Wilbur Luft, Heron Lake; four children and their spouses, Debbie and Steve Hill, Cook; Shawn and Rob Flegel, Willmar, Steven Luft, Minneapolis, and Michael and Eileen Luft, Worthington; seven grandchildren, Stacy, Stephanie and Krystal Hill, Taylor and Trenton Flegel, Jesse Luft and Sydney Luft; two brothers, John (Roberta) Luft, and Jim (Deb) Luft; three sisters, Diane (Bill) Bosch, Judy Pierson and Sharon Sutliff; a special family "daughter," Ann Schneekloth; and his golfing boys.

Mr. Luft was preceded in death by his mother and a daughter, Tami Hatting Bovitz.

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

By John Rittenhouse
A Rock County man emerged as a double champion during Friday's races at Rapid Speedway Friday night.

Todd Wessels, who lives south of Luverne, took a pair of checkered flags at the track in Rock Rapids, Iowa, that evening.

Competing in the 360 sprint class, Wessels won his heat race before making it a nightly sweep in the feature event.

Other area drivers placed in the late model street stock and hobby stock classes at Rapid Speedway.

Ellsworth's Mark DeBoer and Hills-Beaver High School graduate Darren Korthals placed third and fifth respectively in the street stock feature.

Luverne's Anthony Mann posted a heat win before finishing fourth in the hobby stock feature.

DeBoer, Korthals and Luverne's Jesse Akkerman had strong showings in the late model street stock class at SturdevantÕs I-90 Speedway in Hartford, S.D., Saturday.

DeBoer was a double victor after posting heat and feature wins.

Korthals placed second in his heat race and sixth in the feature, while Akkerman placed third in his heat race and fifth in the feature.

Area drivers also competed in the hobby stock class in Hartford.

Magnolia's Larry Kracht won his heat race and Luverne's Bobbi Kracht placed third in her heat race, but neither driver could complete the feature event.

Steen's Tammy Kracht, who was unable to finish her heat race, placed second in the B feature before being unable to complete in the A feature.

During Friday's races at Murray County Speedway in Slayton, EdgertonÕs Al VanÕt Hul won the pure stock feature.

The street stock and outlaw modified features were rained out Friday in Slayton.