By Maddie Smith You pass the sound of bells, see wrapped presents under Christmas trees, and hear of people spending their holiday evenings serving food at a local food shelter. Most people tend to associate volunteering with the holiday season, but why limit committing good deeds to only a select time of the year? Organizations such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, and the American … [Read more...]
Free health and wellness program to those 55 and older
Active Aging in Fillmore County is pleased to announce that we will be offering a free eight-week health and wellness package to residents 55 and over. The program is called the Aging Mastery Program®. It was developed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). The goal of this program is to empower older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes. The classes will … [Read more...]
Florence Kuhl Henkels
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and stepmother, Florence Kuhl Henkels, on March 10, 2019. Mom would have been 99 on June 25, 2019. Mom cherished her faith, family and friends and she made sure that they were a part of her daily life. Mom was born in Imogene, Iowa, the daughter of Bernard Maher and Mabel Foutch. She married Leonard Kuhl on August … [Read more...]
Stanley A. Nelson
Stanley A. Nelson, age 72, of Mabel, Minn., died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. Stanley was born May 2, 1946, in the Big Woods area near Amherst to James and Norma (Blagsvedt) Nelson. He was confirmed at Mabel First Lutheran Church and attended Newburg and Mabel schools. He served four years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam … [Read more...]
Thelma O. Ellingson
Thelma O. Ellingson died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, Iowa. Thelma Othilda Stoen was born March 23, 1921, the Wednesday of Holy Week, in Spring Grove, Minn., the daughter of Henry J. and Martina (Sollien) Stoen. She was baptized April 17, 1921, and confirmed June 3, 1935, both at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, Iowa. Her … [Read more...]
Patricia Ann Carlin
Patricia Ann Carlin, age 86, died peacefully on March 10, 2019, in Albert Lea. She was born October 3, 1932, to Thomas Martin and Mary Elizabeth Carlin in Preston, Minn. Patty spent a lot of time in her younger years at the Gillette Hospital in St. Paul for surgeries on her legs to help her walk. She attended Preston High School until she could not make it up the stairs for … [Read more...]
Karen Sue Erath
Karen Sue Erath, 58, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Dexter, Minn., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Karen was born on October 5, 1960, to Keith and Norma (Johnson) Koch in Maquoketa, Iowa. She graduated from Wykoff High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Jeffrey Erath on June 30, 1999. Karen settled in rural Sargeant for 28 years, … [Read more...]
Snow days and eLearning in Fillmore County schools
This is the kind of winter we’ll brag about surviving – a winter where a kid’s wish for an unexpected day of freedom from the school routine becomes reality… again and again. But snow days don’t necessarily mean a day off like they used to. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently authorized the use of up to five eLearning days that count as official student contact … [Read more...]
Thoughts about immigration
A woman who sought refuge in a church sanctuary stated simply “I deserve to be free.” She has lived illegally in this country for ten years and has two children who were born here. Her story has stayed with me. I love my freedom. I can say what I want, go where I want and do whatever I wish to do. I have given up nothing. I haven’t in any way “earned” my freedom. I was born in … [Read more...]
Government this week
Monday, March 11 • Whalan City Council, City Hall, 5 p.m. • Houston City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. • Spring Valley City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. • City of Rushford City Council, City Hall, 6:30 p.m. • Chatfield City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. • Wykoff City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 • Fillmore County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m. • Harmony City … [Read more...]