MaryAnn Theresa Jack passed away peacefully with her family around her on May 23, 2023, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. MaryAnn was born October 7, 1927, in Rochester, Minn., to George and Ida (Schleusner) Caflisch. She was raised in Simpson Township, attending school there through eighth grade. She graduated from Stewartville High School in 1946. MaryAnn married Eugene … [Read more...]
Chatfield presents 2023 Heritage Preservation Award
At the May 8 city council meeting Chris Giesen, Heritage Preservation Commission chairman, presented the 2023 Heritage Preservation Award to Mike and Julie Sogla. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The commission exists to assist in the preservation of unique/architecturally significant and historic buildings and other projects in Chatfield. This year’s award presented to … [Read more...]
Chatfield board hears from the newly formed Chatfield Education Foundation
At the May 10, Chatfield School Board meeting, board members Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Community Education Director, LuAnn Kleven, and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant were present. Representatives of the Chatfield … [Read more...]
Robert Owen Connaughty
Robert “Bob” Owen Connaughty was born January 6, 1931, on a farm in Utica Township, Minn. Through the years, he moved to different farms with his family. While growing up, he milked cows and worked in the fields. He started working in construction (Koepp Company) building water towers, etc. He then moved to Lake Zumbro and built a house on the lakefront. He married Jeanette … [Read more...]
Lilas Marie Herrick
Lilas Marie Herrick, age 88, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away on May 2, 2023, at her home in rural Chatfield surrounded by her family. Lilas had been ill with Parkinson’s for over 10 years. She was born in Wykoff, Minn., on November 14, 1934, to Bernice (Heidtke) and Glenn Greenlee. She grew up in rural Chatfield and graduated from Chatfield High School. Lilas married … [Read more...]
Joann Elizabeth Gillespie
Joann Elizabeth Gillespie, age 87, of Chatfield, Minn. passed away at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., and was welcomed with open arms into Heaven on April 27, 2023. Joann was born on March 2, 1936, to Fred and Lucy (Farmer) Madison in Marengo, Iowa. She graduated as salutatorian from the class of 1954 in Goldfield, Iowa. On August 15, 1954, she married Howard … [Read more...]
Chatfield to amend parking requirements for multiple dwellings
The Chatfield city council met on April 24. Councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban were absent. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the adopted language to amend the zoning ordinance regarding parking requirements for multiple dwellings at an early April meeting. The recommended changes include one space for a one-bedroom apartment, one and a half spaces for a … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board hears from the Class of 2023
At the April 12, 2023, school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present, as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Trista O’Connor, business manager; and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Board member Josh Thompson was not present. Also present were Student Senate … [Read more...]
Chatfield seeks bids for 2023 Street Improvement Project
At the April 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Vanessa Hines, Widseth Smith Nolting and Associates, Inc., presented plans and specifications for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. The 2023 project includes the reconstruction of Grand St. SE from Seventh St. SE to Prospect St. SE, Hawley St. SE from Grand St. SE to the cul-de-sac, and … [Read more...]
Kendall Hammell’s fight
On February 16 after a seven day hospital stay, kindergartener Kendall Hammell and her family finally found out their opponent in their upcoming fight. Kendall had been doctoring on and off for a fever for about a month. Her doctor had decided to keep her hospitalized until he could get to the root of her problem. A PET scan showed abnormalities in her bone marrow. At first, … [Read more...]