The community of Caledonia reeled in disbelief after the Pine View Rehabilitation and Senior Living closed at the end of last year. The town was left with unanswered questions, residents without a home, and employees without jobs. Founder/CEO Nathan Hertzel, of the nursing home management company Nava Healthcare, was quoted on January 16, 2023, as saying that the facility was … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board listens to a number of guest speakers
Caledonia School Board members met on Monday, April 17, from 6-8:52 p.m. Board members present were Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, Daniel Small, and Spencer Yohe. Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Elementary Principal Sue Link, Middle/High school Principal Nathan Boler, and Community Education Director Gretchen Juan also attended. The board … [Read more...]
Brandon Tornstrom
Brandon Tornstrom, age 26, of Caledonia, passed away April 16, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Saturday, April 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be from 10-10:45 a.m. before the service at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall. … [Read more...]
Caledonia City Council hears from landowners
After a lengthy public hearing during the Caledonia City Council meeting on April 10, the board approved creating a seven-person ad hoc planning committee to discuss the proposed changes to the town’s zoning map as it relates to agricultural and residential land use. Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. He led his fellow council members and … [Read more...]
Audrey Jean Comstock Gardner
Audrey Jean Comstock Gardner went to her Heavenly home on March 4, 2023, after a battle with cancer. She was born June 24, 1944, in Caledonia, Minn., to Neil and Marie Comstock. Audrey had an adventurous spirit and wasn’t afraid to take risks. While raising her three children in Stewartville, Minn., she decided to move across the country to McAllen, Tex. Once there, she … [Read more...]
Elden Ronald Pohlman
Elden Ronald Pohlman, 72, of Caledonia, passed away March 29, 2023, after a five-year battle with ALS. Elden was born at the Caledonia Hospital on January 16, 1951, to Wilfred and Lucille (Albrecht) Pohlman. He was their third child. At an early age, he learned the importance of working hard on the family farm in Crooked Creek Valley near Freeburg. He drove Allis … [Read more...]
Steven A. Deters
Steve Deters was born March 17, 1943, in Caledonia, Minn. He passed away on March 31, 2023, at home in Foley. Steve is survived by his wife Melanie, sons Andrew and Benjamin, daughters Karen Sanchez and Lisa Wheeler, brothers Terry, Tom, John and Mark and sister Ruth Mazurka; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Olga … [Read more...]
Thomas J. Jennings
Called home by our Lord, Father Thomas J. Jennings, age 78, died peacefully on March 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on August 12, 1944 in Caledonia, Minn., to Lloyd and Wilma (Ernster) Jennings. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Caledonia. Father Tom graduated from Loretto High School and studied philosophy at … [Read more...]
Mary Lou (Amundson) Sailor
Mary Lou (Amundson) Sailor, age 92, of Eitzen/Caledonia, went into the loving arms of her Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Valley View Healthcare in Houston, Minn. Mary was born on May 20, 1930, in Waukon, Iowa, to Roy and Inez Walters, the elder of two children. Growing up in Waukon, she met Charles A. Amundson, her neighbor who often walked her to school. They were … [Read more...]
Caledonia schedules public hearing
Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led the council, staff, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the minutes from the March 13, 2023, regular city council meeting. Council members in attendance included Mayor Schroeder, Robert (Bob) Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Stenzel. The consent … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board moves forward with Strategic Plan
Caledonia School Board members met in Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, March 20, from 6-8:15 p.m. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, Daniel Small, and Spencer Yohe. In addition, Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Elementary Principal Sue Link, Middle/High School Principal Nathan Boler, Business … [Read more...]
Ag zoning moratorium comes to an end
With the one-year ag zoning moratorium study period ending, the Caledonia City Council spent considerable time at the March 13 meeting discussing the city’s comprehensive land use plan, reviewing zoning maps, and the four options presented by City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson. The four options are: 1. Rezone based on the land use map in the comp plan. 2. Create a … [Read more...]
Caledonia awards Grove Marshall street contract
Zenke Incorporated, La Crescent, was awarded the Grove Marshall street and utility improvement project contract at the Caledonia City Council meeting on Monday, February 27. City Engineer Matthew Mohs, Bolton & Menk, Inc., reported that the city received five bids for the Grove Marshall street and utility improvement project. The bids ranged from $1,110,645.51 to … [Read more...]
Ruth Elaine (Uischner) Pongratz
Ruth Elaine (Uischner) Pongratz, age 93, passed away February 27, 2023, at the Onalaska Care Center. Ruth was born October 23, 1929, in rural Warrens, Wis., to Oscar William and Emma Ella (Kastens) Uischner. She grew up in rural Warrens and was the valedictorian of the Tomah High School class of 1947. Ruth graduated with a teaching degree from UWL on June 3, 1951, and … [Read more...]
Marvel Angela Albert, 1925-2023
Marvel, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed to be with her Lord on February 28, 2023. Born on May 5, 1925, in Caledonia Minn., to Herman and Agnes Ratonde, she was 97 years old. Marvel graduated from Loretto High School and attended The College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minn. She taught elementary school in Owatonna Minn., for two years before returning to … [Read more...]