April 5, 1933 - July 26, 2033 Mary Ann (Ilgen) Ward passed away July 26, 2023, at her residence in Harmony Place of Harmony, Minn., at the age of 90 years and three months. Mary was born April 5, 1933, in Pepin County, Lima Township, Durand, Wis. She was the sixth child of Frank and Mabel (Hansen) Ilgen’s family of nine daughters and one son. Mary Ann attended St. Mary’s … [Read more...]
Harry Franklin McConnell
Harry Franklin McConnell, 88, of Spring Valley, Minn., died in his home on Monday, July 31, 2023. Harry was born on August 24, 1934, to Lloyd and Fanny (Holets) McConnell. Harry married Rita Stein on May 11, 1963. They were later divorced. Together they had two sons, Gust and Scott. Harry worked for the family business, McConnell Electric, aside his dad and then later … [Read more...]
Allen Van Gundy
Allen R. “Al” “Gunner” Van Gundy, age 80, of La Crescent, Minn., died Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., with his daughters by his side holding his hands. Allen was born November 9, 1942, at home, in Houston, Minn., the son of Carl and Luellen (Olson) Van Gundy. He was united in marriage to Loretta Leifeld on September 17, 1965, in La … [Read more...]
Mildred O’Byrne-Fuchs
(Millie) Marie (Grant) O’Byrne-Fuchs, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2023, at Olmsted Medical Center Hospital in Rochester, Minn., following a short illness. She was 93 years old. Mildred was born on April 2, 1930, on a farm in Brownsdale, Minn., to Roy and Nora (Back) Grant. She had four siblings: Donald, Marvin, Gail and Carol. Mildred graduated from … [Read more...]
Karen Laganiere
Karen Marie Laganiere, 80, died peacefully on July 21, 2023, at the Chatfield Chosen Valley Care Center with her family by her side. Karen was born on August 5, 1942, in Rushford Minn., to Adolph and Elva (Halverson) Evenson. Karen married Louis “Louie” Laganiere of Rushford, Minn., at the Rushford Lutheran Church on September 19, 1959, and began raising their five … [Read more...]
The way, and the truth, and the life
Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church On the night when our Lord Jesus was betrayed, the hearts of His disciples were troubled. He had been explaining to them yet again that it was necessary for their own sakes that He depart from them, and that they themselves knew the way to where He was going. But the hearts of the disciples were troubled. So an … [Read more...]
Government This Week
Monday, July 31 • Caledonia School Board Special Meeting, via Google Meet, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 1 • Fillmore County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m. • Houston County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m. • Hokah City Council, Fire Station, 6 p.m. • Ostrander City Council, Community Center, 6:30 p.m. • Rushford Village City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. Wednesday, … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Kalee Paige Bigler, 24, Decorah, Iowa; 7/12/2023, Speeding (67/55), Fine $50, Total Fees $125. Vernon Richard Chapel, 88, Houston, Minn.: 6/24/2023, Driver Approaching Intersection Fails to Yield Right of Way, Fine $50, Total Fees $125. Olivia Ann Christianson, 21, Houston, Minn.: 7/12/2023, Speeding - Exceed Limit of 30 mph - Urban District … [Read more...]
Geraldine “Gerrie” Webster
Geraldine “Gerrie” Webster, 85, of Spring Valley, Minn., died on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Spring Valley Living Center. Geraldine Ann Hovey was born July 30, 1937, in Spring Valley, Minn., to Gilbert and Marian (Sattler) Hovey. She graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1955. Following high school, she went to work for Mayo Clinic for a short time. Gerrie married … [Read more...]
Carolyn (Kelly) Sethre Hymes
Kelly, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at age 91, on May 24, 2023, in Capitola, Cali. Kelly was born in Simpson, Minn., on November 6, 1931, on the family farm. Daughter of Ella and Martin Sethre, she grew up in Preston, Minn., graduating from Preston High School in 1949. She attended St. Olaf College for a year, then transferred to a Nursing Program in … [Read more...]