Cleon Ordell Brenno, 88, of rural Canton, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family. Cleon was born December 10, 1934, at home on the family farm in rural Canton, to Orval and Clara (Ramlo) Brenno. He attended the Newburg School and graduated from the Mabel High School in 1952. He moved to El Paso, Tex., where he worked as a security guard for ADT … [Read more...]
Arlene B. Blaess
Arlene B. Blaess, age 85, of Harmony, Minn., formerly of Burr Oak, Iowa and Canton, Minn., died Sunday, January 1, 2023, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. Arlene was born in Ossian, Iowa, to Selmer and Alice (Barnes) Reinertson. She attended country school and Bethany Lutheran Church. On July 31, 1959, she was united in marriage to Darold Blaess at Bethany Lutheran. They … [Read more...]
Kevin Richard Hansen
Kevin Richard Hansen, 61, of rural Canton, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 16, 2022, at his home. Kevin was born October 17, 1961, in La Crosse, Wis. to Harold and Janiece (Peckham) Hansen. He graduated from La Crescent High School. He lived in South St. Paul, operating Diversified Communications. In 2003 he moved to rural Canton where he worked for Mediacom. In 2005 … [Read more...]
Canton acknowledges endings, new beginnings at city council meeting
The city of Canton acknowledged a few newcomers at last Wednesday’s Canton City Council meeting. It was the first meeting for new city clerk Anne Koliha, who joined the city on November 30. Also new, sitting in the audience, were recently-elected council members who will take office in January, Jason Magnuson and Jennifer Dowling. The December council meeting also marked the … [Read more...]
Moving Canton forward is priority for new city clerk
Anne Koliha is familiar with local government and has great affection for small towns. As the new city clerk in Canton, she feels her abilities, knowledge and experiences will help the community move forward to achieve current goals as well as prepare her to work with the council to set new priorities for the years to come. Joining the Canton team on November 30, Koliha said … [Read more...]
Kenneth S. Peterson
Kenneth S. Peterson, 96, of Canton died Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the Harmony Care Center. Kenneth was born August 16, 1926, in rural Lanesboro to Peter and Mamie (Lawstuen) Peterson. He attended country schools and graduated from the Lanesboro High School in 1944. He started working on the family farm while he was in high school and continued until 1975. In 1952 he … [Read more...]
Vernon “VR” Abrahamson
Vernon (VR) Abrahamson, age 94, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2022, at the memory care home he has resided in since 2019 in Owatonna. VR was born November 19, 1928 to Bernice and Vernon Abrahamson. He graduated from the Canton school and then went to the University of Minnesota where he got a degree in Agriculture. Upon graduation VR worked as a county extension … [Read more...]
Gloria Lucille Bergey
Gloria Lucille Bergey passed away peacefully at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., on November 17, 2022, at the age of 91. Gloria was born on August 10, 1931, to Obert and Leona (Thompson) Garness in Spring Grove, Minn. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Newburg, MN, and confirmed at Henrytown Lutheran Church in rural Canton, Minn. She graduated from Lanesboro … [Read more...]
Canton reviews variance request, approves job offer for new clerk
The Canton City Council held a special meeting on November 9, prior to its regular meeting, to consider a variance request from property owners Lindsi Poppe and Michelle Hanson. The variance permit application stated they would like a variance to install a shed to hold ATVs and lawnmower and snow blower. Council Member Josh Nordsving reviewed the application and visited … [Read more...]
John J. Halloran
John J. Halloran, 92, of Canton, Minn., and most recently under the care (and spoiling) of his daughter Diane, outside Big Canoe, Iowa, died Saturday, October 22, 2022, just shy of 93 years young. “Johnny” was born November 7, 1929, in Canton, Minn., to Paul and Gertrude (Ryan) Halloran. He was a member of the Canton High School graduating class of 1950. In May 1963, he … [Read more...]
Richard Eiken
Richard Eiken, 60, of Canton, died Monday, October 17, 2022, at his home. Richard was born in Harmony Minn., to Roger and Winifred Eiken. Graduated Harmony High School in 1980. In 1985 married Diane Gillund (later divorced). They had four children: Whitney Keene (Connor Keene), Dexter Eiken (Heather Nordsving), Hilary Eiken, and Addy Esser (Dalton Esser). Richard had three … [Read more...]
Search continues for new Canton city clerk
The Canton City Council discussed ways to publicize its search for a new city clerk at last Wednesday’s meeting. The council also discussed ways in which to make the position more attractive by adding hours and noting benefits that could be offered. After the resignation of its former clerk Brock Bergey, in late August, the city posted a job ad in a local newspaper, but has … [Read more...]
Debby Kvam
Debby Kvam, 56, of Green Bay, Wis., passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Green Bay, after a brief illness. Debby was born on August 29, 1966, in Milwaukee, Wis., to James & Sharron Schenker. On May 11, 1996, she married the love of her life, Allan E. Kvam of Canton, Minn., and together they raised two boys, Michael and Kevin, … [Read more...]
Canton mayor opens city council meeting with statement thanking former clerk
As Mayor Cindy Shanks opened the September 14 Canton City Council meeting, she took the opportunity to thank former clerk Brock Bergey and give him credit for the role he played in the city recovering from misdeeds by his predecessor. She admitted to being unprepared at the special meeting held in late August where the council had accepted Bergey’s resignation. “Everything … [Read more...]
Canton city clerk resigns, community voices frustration during special council meeting
The Canton City Council met in special session on Thursday evening, August 25, following the resignation of its city clerk, Brock Bergey. In a brief letter, dated August 22, Bergey stated his resignation would be effective September 5, however his last day in the office would be August 24, using accrued leave time and the legal holiday on September 5, for the remainder of his … [Read more...]