James “Jim” Hagen, 82 of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Mabel, died June 19 in Tampa. Jim was born July 17, 1941, in Spring Grove to Knute V. and Lillian (Haakenson) Hagen. He was baptized in Riceford, confirmed at the Mabel First Lutheran Church, and graduated from the Mabel High School in the Class of 1959. On November 28, 1959, Jim married Mary Jane Hovey. They were later … [Read more...]
Betty Finley
Betty L. Finley, 83, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, with her husband and daughter be her side. Betty Louise Theel was born March 22, 1940, in rural Chatfield to Richard and Irene (Eickhoff) Theel. Betty graduated from Chatfield High School in 1957 and was the class valedictorian. Betty went to work … [Read more...]
Christine Riggle
Christine Ann (Stevens) Riggle, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023. Chris was born to Adell and Frances (Stinehart) Stevens on January 13, 1953, in Mason City, Iowa. The family relocated to rural Lanesboro, Minn., when Chris was young. Chris spent her childhood helping on the farm and running in the woods with her siblings. She was fiercely independent, … [Read more...]
Bill Clemens
Bill Clemens, 60, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away peacefully at St. Marys Hospital, surrounded by family and loved ones on Monday, July 10, 2023. Bill was born August 28, 1962, to Gerald (Jerry) Clemens and Shirley (Strande) Clemens. He grew up in rural Chatfield, Minn., and graduated from Chosen Valley High School. He resided near his childhood farm with his wife and … [Read more...]
Chatfield authorizes sale of 2023A General Obligation Bonds
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., reported at the city council’s June 26 meeting that S & P Global Ratings assigned its “AA” long-term rating to Chatfield’s $2.3 million series 2023A GO bonds. Four bids had been received this day for the bond sale. The lowest bidder was Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. The average coupon rate is 4% with a net affective rate of … [Read more...]
Variance approved for communications tower in Chatfield Township
During a public hearing at the Fillmore County Board of Adjustment’s June 8 meeting, several residents spoke against the variance application for a communication tower in Chatfield Township. Alex Trueman, North Tower, described the need for this tower to be located in Section 22 of Chatfield Township (property owned by John and Ruth Wendt) to best improve coverage and … [Read more...]
Chatfield Board approves 2023-2024 budget
At the June 14 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Board member Josh Thompson and both principals, Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson were not in attendance. The following items were … [Read more...]
Chatfield awards construction contract for 2023 Street Project
At a special city council meeting held on June 7, the bid from Griffin Construction Co. Inc. in the amount of $1,759,308.26 was accepted for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Four contractors had submitted bids for the project. The project includes the reconstruction of portions of Grand St. SE, Hawley St. SE, and Prospect St. SE and the rehabilitation of a portion of … [Read more...]
MaryAnn Theresa Jack
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...]
