For many decades the first thing visitors would notice while driving into the Lanesboro Cemetery was the same – 11 large pine trees providing not only shade, but offering solace and peace as well.
Over the past several years as the condition of the trees deteriorated, it was time for the Lanesboro Cemetery Association Board of Directors to make a decision on the future of the trees. The board includes Steve McCallson (president), Ed Taylor (treasurer), Kathryn Wade (secretary), Darrell Hummel (member at large), Lee Peterson, Tim Ruen and Kim Wagner. Walter Bradley is the sexton for the Lanesboro Cemetery.
After careful consideration, it was decided that the trees would need to come down. Norby Tree Service of Mabel, Minn., cut down the 11 pine trees last fall and also ground the stumps. As the Cemetery Association has limited funds and since Norby Tree Service is very community-oriented, they were very gracious with their bid. “They did a great job,” noted Bradley. And, their hard work was very much appreciated.
Bruening Rock then donated a truckload of black dirt for the project. “It was nice, because we don’t have any black dirt here,” Bradley commented. The dirt was put down and seeded.
Once all of that work had been completed, the board met this spring and contemplated what to do with the area, whether to plant new trees to replace the ones that had been removed, or to leave it as an open, grassy area.
“It looked nice without the trees; it looked clean,” stated Bradley. But, it also looked plain after having the towering pines there for as long as residents can remember.
Another consideration was the cost to purchase the trees. The board decided that if a family or someone asked if there was anything the cemetery needed, the board would suggest possibly donating a tree.
A short time later, Bradley was talking to Rick and Cheryl Lamon, who are huge supporters of Lanesboro, about the ongoing improvements at the cemetery, and the couple graciously offered to purchase trees for the project.
The cemetery board discussed the offer at their next meeting and approved accepting the gift of seven pine trees, with great appreciation.
The next step in the process was to get the trees planted. As the ground is so full of rock, it would have been a difficult job to dig the holes by hand.
Bradley knew that Jay and Caryl Jermier own a tracked Bobcat with a post hole digger attachment and he approached them about the possibility of having the holes for the trees dug. Jay was there the next weekend and had the holes dug and ready for tree planting.
The Lamons then went above and beyond and planted all seven trees in a line, reminiscent of the past line of trees, just a few less, due to the fact that as the cemetery grows, another road will need to be added in that area.
Another change at the Lanesboro Cemetery is the placement of the bulk water tank which supplies water for visitors to water flowers placed on gravesites. The tank used to sit under the pine trees and it has now been moved to another area of the cemetery where it is less conspicuous, giving the area around the new trees more green space.
The Lanesboro Cemetery Association is very thankful to the Lanesboro Fire Department for its long-standing support of the cemetery by filling the bulk tank with water as needed. This is just one more example of the community involvement by the fire department that often goes unnoticed.
The Lanesboro Cemetery is not a church-affiliated cemetery. It is owned by the Lanesboro Cemetery Association which is a 501(c)(3) organization. It is a city cemetery, although the city does not fund the cemetery. According to Bradley, the cemetery dates back to the 1800s.
The Lanesboro Cemetery is funded by donations and the sale of lots. The only paid position at the cemetery is for grounds maintenance which is done by Tom Dybing. The board very much appreciates Dybing’s hard work and meticulous attention to detail.
Many people volunteer their time and effort to ensure that the cemetery continues to be taken care of until it is time for the coming generations to take over the duties. Some of the current board members have been on the cemetery board for decades, and the hope is to get some younger residents interested and involved in the future of the cemetery.
“We are always looking for donations and memorials,” shared Bradley. Donations are in great need to keep the cemetery maintained as well as other expenses that the board may encounter. People take for granted that a cemetery will always “be there” and of course it will be, but what do you want your cemetery and the final resting place of your loved ones to look like? And how many of us consider how those costs are covered?
The cemetery board has a “Save the Stones” campaign taking place currently to raise funds to have several stones fixed. They have contracted with Winona Monument Service of Winona, Minn., to have the stones repaired.
“It’s a costly experience and if there are any family members that want their parents, great-grandparents or great-great- grandparents stones straightened, they can sure give us a call to help defer with some of the cost,” notes Bradley.
“We have some old Civil War stones and World War I stones that are ready to slide off their foundation. You know, we need to have a little dignity there and treat them with respect. Even if there is no family, they are still buried there, so I still think we should take care of them,” explained Bradley.
Donations and memorials can be sent to Lanesboro Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 34, Lanesboro, Minn. 55949.
If you or a loved one are interested in burial plots the board would be “more than happy to assist anyone with their needs,” stated Bradley. He can be contacted at walterg.bradley@gmail.com or call (507) 273-6123.
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