Bernadine "Dena" Aanenson, 84, Luverne, died Monday, July 30 at Mary Jane Brown Home. Services will be Friday, aug. 3 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Luverne Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 2 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne.

Russell E. Cattnach, 87, Luverne, died Wednesday, July 18, 2001, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Saturday, July 21, in United Methodist Church, Luverne. The Rev. Burton Blair officiated. Burial was in Old Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone.

Russell Cattnach was born to Jesse and Katie (Slack) Cattnach on Sept. 9, 1913, in Woonsocket, S.D., where he was raised. He attended the Sioux Falls School for the Deaf until the 9th grade. Following his education he worked for various farmers in the area. In 1942 he moved with his parents to Walla Walla, Wash., where he worked for a lumber company driving a CAT. When he retired in 1988 he moved to Luverne to be closer to his family He moved to Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Ellsworth, in June 2001.
He entered Luverne Community Hospital on July 12.

Mr. Cattnach enjoyed playing pool and shuffleboard.

Survivors include one brother, Lyle Cattnach, Ravensdale, Wash.; one sister, Fern Keeton, Anderson, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Marian Cattnach, Luverne; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Cattnach was preceded in death by two brothers, Wallace and Lynn Cattnach, and one sister, Margaret Holmgren.

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

Irene Esther Barstad, 59, rural Luverne, died Saturday, July 21, 2001, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Wednesday, July 25, at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sioux Falls. The Rev. Richard Todden officiated. Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Steen.

Irene Kitchenmaster was born to Wesley and Alma (Funck) Kitchenmaster on Feb. 28, 1942, in Luverne. She attended elementary school in Steen. She graduated from Hills High School in 1960. After graduation she worked at A.R. Wood Manufacturing Co. in Luverne.

She married Noralf Barstad on July 7, 1963, in Luverne. After their marriage the couple lived on the family farm southeast of Luverne. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Barstad attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sioux Falls. She was active in Rock County extension clubs and Bible Study Fellowship in Sioux Falls.

Survivors include her husband, Noralf Barstad, rural Luverne; one son, Matt Barstad, Spencer, Iowa; her father, Wesley Kitchenmaster, and his wife, Mary, Luverne; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary Kitchenmaster, North Mankato; one brother-in-law, David Gehrke, Beaver Creek; aunts; uncles; cousins; and many friends.

Mrs. Barstad was preceded in death by her mother, Alma Kitchenmaster, and one sister, Lucille Gehrke.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Verlyn Junior Arp, 78, Hills, formerly of Beaver Creek, died Sunday, July 22, 2001, at Avera McKennan Hospice in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Wednesday, July 25, at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. Burial was in Beaver Creek Cemetery, Beaver Creek.

Verlyn Arp was born to William and Blenda (Hass) Arp on Sept. 11, 1922, in Lyon County, Iowa. As a child they moved to a farm near Edgerton where he attended country school. Following his education he helped on the farm.

He married Luetta Scott on Aug. 16, 1942, in Luverne. Following their marriage they farmed near Jasper for two years. In 1944 he entered the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Arkansas and Japan. He returned from the service in 1946 and they moved to a farm near Hardwick. In 1951 they moved to Beaver Creek where he worked for A.R. Wood Manufacturing Co. in Luverne and was also manager of the Municipal Liquor Store in Beaver Creek until 1962. They then purchased the Phillips 66 station and cafŽ which they operated until 1975. He also was a rural mail carrier during this time. In 1978 he retired from the Post Office. Mrs. Arp preceded him in death on March 22, 1998. He continued to live in Beaver Creek until the spring of 2000 when he entered Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. On July 21 he entered Avera McKennan Hospital.

Mr. Arp was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. He was a lifetime member of the Luverne V.F.W., Rural Letter Carrier Association, and was a member of the volunteer fire department for 25 years. He loved to fish and play cards.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Roxy Arp, Valley Springs, S.D., and Jerry and Becky Arp, Sioux Falls; one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Rodney Hadler, Hills; 13 grandchildren, Brad, Danette, Mark, Tracy, Kelly, Rob, Jodi, Nathan, Dustin, Jessica, Rebecca and Lee; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Arp was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Luetta, and one son, William.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

By Jolene Farley
Hansel Plumbing opened for business July 1, serving the Hills, Beaver Creek, Steen and Luverne areas.

With seven years of plumbing experience, Dave Hansel isn't scared to tackle projects of all sizes including water heaters, gas piping, remodels, service and boilers. He stresses that service is his No. 1 priority.

When asked what made him decide to start his own business Hansel said, "I just felt the way this area was growing, this is the time a person could make a living." He added that he has always wanted to be in business for himself.

Hansel, licensed in the state of Minnesota, has been happy with the support he has received from the local community for his business so far.

Hansel currently works out of his home, at 962-3600, but hopes to add an independent shop some day.

Hansel and his wife, Brenda, have four children, W. Scott, 18, Kelsey, 16, Caleb, 11, and Heather, 9. The Hansels have lived in Hills for eight years.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8

Friendship Days Golf Tournament - 2:00 p.m. - Rock Rapids Country Club (Contact Amanda Rozeboom at 962-3195 for registration)

Country Cruisers Poker Run - 7:00 p.m. start in Brandon - end at Hills Main Street.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

Health Screening - 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Hills Fire Hall

FFA Alumni Pancake Breakfast - 7 - 9 a.m. Hills American Legion

AN AFTERNOON OF FUN

Concessions in the Park- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.(sponsored by Hills Christian School)

Crafts and Bake Sale -9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (contact Sandy Feucht at 962-3357)

Co-ed Volleyball Tournament - 9 a.m. Hills City Park

Kiddie Parade - 10 a.m. start at Tuff Home, end at City Park

Country Cruisers Car Show - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ball Diamond adjacent to City Park

Airplane Rides - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Doug Chapman, pilot. 1/2 hour rides leaving from Larchwood. Call Amanda Rozeboom at 962-3195 to schedule your flight in advance. $25 adult/$15 kids (weather permitting, weight limits apply for groups)

Kids Tractor Pull - 11 a.m. - City Park

Accordian Music by Fritz Lupkes - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Hills City Park (sponsored by: Sundem Oil)

Bingo & Kids Games in the Park - 1 p.m. - Activities for Kids, 1 - 3 p.m. Jump Tent (sponsored by Hills Lions Club), Kiddiel train Rides (sponsored by Cargill), Bingo - under the picnic shelter.

Baseball Association Evening Meal - 5 - 7 p.m. Hills American Legion (pork burgers, chips, beand, drink & dessert - cost $3.50)

H-BC Dance Line & Lions Club Homemade Ice Cream - 7 p.m. Main Street before the parade.

Parade Start - 7:30 p.m. (register before June 6th with Brenda Plimpton at 962-3799)

Sumo Wrestling - following the parade. $5 per person, best of 3 matches (coordinated by Robin Spath, call ahead to schedule your match - 962-3743)

Accordian Music by Fritz Lupkes

Community Club Raffle Tickets - Stop at an area business or purchase your raffle tickets before the parade for a chance to win: Craftsman Tool Set (donated by Sears), One Boys & One Girls 20" bike (donated by Luverne True Value), Two $25 Makin' Waves Gift Certificates, Additional Cash Prizes. $1 each or 7 for $5 Drawing to be held following the parade. Need not be present to win.

Worthington 3, Luverne 2
Worthington used three unearned runs to nip the Cardinals by one counter during Saturday's championship game at Redbird Field.

Luverne made six errors in the game, and three of them led to runs for the District champions.

Three errors by Luverne in the bottom of the third inning allowed Worthington to take a 2-0 lead.

After the Cards battled back to knot the score at two, Andrew Harberts singled and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a wild pitch.

Harberts, who limited Luverne to a pair of hits while tossing a complete game, blanked the Cardinals through four innings before allowing single runs in the fifth and sixth frames.

Adam Kurtz walked, stole second, advanced to third on Kuhlman's sacrifice bunt and scored Luverne's run in the fifth when Tim Boen bounced into a fielderÕs choice.

Schmidt reached base on a fielder's choice, went to second on a passed ball, stole third and tied the game at two when Jordan Kopp got caught in a run-down between first and second base in the sixth inning.

Schmidt started the game on the mound and pitched into the seventh inning before giving way to Kuhlman. Schmidt took the loss.

Box score AB R H BI
Studer 3 0 0 0
Pick 3 0 1 0
Schmidt 3 1 1 0
Kopp 2 0 0 0
Reisch 3 0 0 0
Kurtz 2 1 0 0
Kuhlman 3 0 0 0
Goembel 1 0 0 0
Boen 2 0 0 1

Luverne 7, Edgerton 5
The Cardinals advanced to Saturday's championship game by besting Edgerton by two runs at Redbird Field Thursday.

Luverne never trailed during its tournament opener, but Edgerton remained close enough to the Cardinals to keep things tense for most of the game.

In the end, a two-RBI performance by Jordan Kopp and a nice pitching effort from J.T. Top gave the Cardinals a berth in the championship game.

Top worked six and one-third innings in extreme heat while picking up the win. He allowed five runs. Kopp replaced Top in the seventh inning and recorded the final two outs of the game to earn a save.

Kopp singled home runs in the first and sixth innings, joining Jake Studer as the Cardinals who had two hits in the game.

Luverne opened a 4-0 lead through four innings by plating single runs in the first and fourth frames while adding two more in the third.

Studer singled and gave the Cards a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Kopp slapped an RBI single.

Luverne loaded the bases in the third with walks to Jesse Kuhlman and Adam Kurtz, and Aaron Schmidt being hit by a pitch. Top drew a walk to force home Kuhlman. Schmidt scored on a wild pitch.

Tim Boen walked, advanced to second base on a fielder's choice, moved to third on a balk and made it a 4-0 game in the fourth when he scored on a wild pitch.

Edgerton broke through for a run against Top in the fifth inning, but the Cards got the run back in the bottom of the fifth.

Top walked and scored on Boen's RBI single to make the difference 5-1.

Edgerton climbed to within one run (5-4) of the Cards in the sixth inning. Luverne, however, answered the challenge again by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 7-4 game.

Studer tripled and scored on Schmidt's triple for the first run in the sixth. Schmidt trotted home on Kopp's single.

Edgerton scored once before Kopp closed the door on the guests in the top of the seventh.

Box score AB R H BI
Studer 3 2 2 0
Kuhlman 3 1 1 0
Schmidt 3 2 1 1
Kopp 4 0 2 2
Reisch 3 0 0 0
Kurtz 2 0 1 0
Top 3 1 1 1
Goembel 3 0 1 0
Boen 2 1 1 1

By John Rittenhouse
Luverne qualified for the Third District VFW Baseball Tournament by going 2-1 during the District 3 Southern Division Playoffs that were staged last week.

Luverne, the tournament's No. 2 seed, beat Edgerton by two runs during the tournament opener in Luverne Thursday to earn a shot against No. 1 Worthington in the championship game Saturday at Redbird Field.

Worthington nipped the Cardinals by one run in the title tilt, but Luverne edged Pipestone by one run in Sunday's second- and third-place game played at Redbird Field.

The top two teams from the Southern Division advanced to the District 3 Tournament, which will be played in Worthington Saturday and Sunday.

Luverne, 18-11 overall, will play Marshall Blue, the Northern Division champion, at 2 p.m. Saturday to open the double elimination event.

Luverne 3, Pipestone 2
The Cardinals prevailed by one run during a must-win situation at Redbird Field Sunday.

Both teams entered the clash with one loss, and the prize awaiting the winner was a berth in this weekend's District Tournament.

Behind the pitching of Jesse Kuhlman and some key hits by Adam Reisch and Aaron Schmidt, Luverne emerged as the victor in the game for second and third place.

Kuhlman turned in a complete-game performance that featured him blanking Pipestone through the first six innings.

Pipestone did produce a pair of runs against Kuhlman in the top of the seventh, but the Cardinal pitcher recorded the final out before the Arrows could tie the game.

Reisch and Schmidt stroked RBI singles in the fourth and fifth innings respectively, when Luverne scored its three runs.

Jake Studer walked and scored the game's first run when Reisch singled in the bottom of the fourth.

Consecutive singles by Studer, Nick Uilk and Schmidt made it a 2-0 game in the bottom of the fifth. Studer scored on a passed ball as the inning progressed.

Box score AB R H BI
Studer 2 2 1 0
Pick 2 0 0 0
Schmidt 3 0 1 1
Kurtz 3 0 0 0
Reisch 2 0 1 1
Kuhlman 2 0 0 0
Uilk 2 1 1 0
Goembel 2 0 0 0
Boen 1 0 0 0
Boelman 1 0 0 0

By Katrina Vander Kooi
It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was out, the sky was clear, and everyone surrounding the newly sidewalked building smiled with exhilarated anticipation.

Sunday was the first day of worship in the newly remodeled First Presbyterian Church, Luverne.

"It was exciting," said the Rev. John Pehrson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. "There were a few bugs, but I think everything went really well."

Some people came a half hour early to examine the new church, just as a child would get up early on Christmas morning to open presents. The church was almost full with 233 attending; full capacity is 260.

To build a church
The $1.2-million renovation started in 1998, when the congregation voted in favor of it.

There were several reasons for renovation. First, the church needed to be made accessible to all people. Second, there were a few deferred maintenance issues that needed to be addressed, and third, the sanctuary needed to be turned around for better flow of traffic.

The Presbytery then approved a loan that the church needed to fund the construction. After that, a committee was formed to work on the design of the new building and oversee the construction process. The group was called the Master's Building Team.

Jane Wildung leads the Master's Building Team.

"We were formed to do a research project to see how much we could get done using $1 million," Wildung said. "We visited churches and talked with the architects."

The planning process went through many drafts, but finally, a plausible draft was set, and construction began in May 2000.

"Last Sunday was a blessed relief and a happy occasion for everyone," Wildung said.

God's living room
Walking into the church, the brilliance of the stained glass window immediately hits observers. The window, installed in the back of the sanctuary when the church was first built more than 40 years ago, is now the focal point of the front of the sanctuary.

"We designed the chancel to highlight the cross," Wildung said.

Simple white walls contrast with the colorful stained glass windows and the burgundy, lavender, and pale blue banners. The dark wood warms the sanctuary and invites worshipers to feel at home.

In the sermon, Pehrson referred to it as "God's living room."

The chancel is open, and every piece on it is easily moveable. "It's to accommodate and encourage various presentation styles," Pehrson said.

There is more lighting, and the pews are angled instead of straight.

The construction added an elevator that stops at all floors, more classrooms, a multi-purpose room, additional storage, a drive-up on the west side, and an office complex .

At the moment, the sanctuary is the only place that is finished. The construction company, Mills Construction, Brookings, S.D., is contracted to have the church fully completed by Aug. 27.