Craig Britton, Widseth, reported on the progress of both the Drainage Project and the 2023 Street Improvement Project at the city council’s September 11 meeting. Councilors Paul Novotny and Josh Broadwater were absent. Work began on the West Chatfield Drainage Project in July, and it was substantially completed by the middle of August. Pearson Backhoe Service, Inc. still has … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Looks at MCA Results and Enrollment Decline
At the September 13 school board meeting, board members,Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Rinnea Kreter, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Also present were Student Senate members Kiera Kobs and Mary Halvorson. Board … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves IT Upgrades
Finance and information systems director Kay Wangen reported that the Personnel/Budget Committee supports replacing/upgrading the city’s server at the August 28 meeting of the Chatfield city council. Replacement of the 2018 server is necessary as it will no longer be supported by HP as of January 6, 2024. The replacement of the server is part of the Capital Improvement Plan … [Read more...]
Marjorie Ann Judd
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mom. Marjorie Judd, 95, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away on August 20, 2023. Marge was born in 1927 to Helen and Forest Busher in Rochester, Minn., and then moved to Chatfield, where her father owned the dry cleaning business. She graduated from Chatfield High School in 1945 on a Friday and started working on … [Read more...]
Chatfield Creates TIF District for Apartment Complex
Chris Giesen, EDA coordinator, detailed the request from Main Street Properties LLP (partners Mark Welch and Mike Sogla) for assistance through redevelopment tax increment financing (TIF) at the city council’s August 14 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. The former apartment building located on Grand St. was destroyed by a fire in November 2022. The damaged structure … [Read more...]
Chatfield Alum Frye Finishes Fourth in 100-mile Race
By Patrick Mader A native of Chatfield in the Bluff Country of southeastern Minnesota, Adam Frye was introduced to running as a youth of five or six years of age when he ran a mile race at Plainview Corn on the Cob Days with his father Chris, a former high school runner who later co-founded and coached a running club. Adam later joined the running club and joined the … [Read more...]
Melvin Emery
Melvin Emery, age 91, of Chatfield, Minn., died on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Wellington Place nursing home in Decorah. Graveside service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Burr Oak Cemetery, with Rev. Michael Wilker presiding. Melvin Emery was born on February 17, 1932, on the family farm in Winneshiek County near … [Read more...]
Mary Ann Ward
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...]
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...]
Chatfield decertifies three TIF districts
Three resolutions were adopted at the July 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council decertifying three tax increment financing districts. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Chris Giesen, EDA director, explained the three TIF districts have run the course of their agreements. They are all on the Fillmore County side of Chatfield. District 3-2 was created in 2003 to assist … [Read more...]
Chatfield honors Joel Young for serving his community well
At the July 10 meeting of the Chatfield city council, Luke Fischer, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), began with a presentation in honor of retiring city administrator Joel Young. The League represents 838 cities in Minnesota. LMC advocates for cities at the state capital, provides resources, training, policy development and other services. Justin … [Read more...]
Harriet M. Herrick (née Bondeson)
Harriet M. Herrick (née Bondeson) passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2023. She was 85. Born June 10, 1938, in Marshall, Minn., to Peter and Minnie Bondeson, she lived in Wabasha and then Chatfield, Minn. Her father was the Chatfield baker in the 1940s and ‘50s. She married Donald Herrick on June 15, 1957. She taught elementary art education until 1974, then pursued … [Read more...]
Bernard “Bernie” Bandel
Bernard “Bernie” Chad Bandel, 66, of Rochester, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Methodist Campus in Rochester. Bernie was born April 2, 1957, in Rochester. He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1975. On September 22, 1979, he married Cindy K. House in Chatfield. The couple eventually settled in rural Chatfield while raising their family. Bernie … [Read more...]
James “Jim” Hagen
James “Jim” Hagen, 82 of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Mabel, died June 19 in Tampa. Jim was born July 17, 1941, in Spring Grove to Knute V. and Lillian (Haakenson) Hagen. He was baptized in Riceford, confirmed at the Mabel First Lutheran Church, and graduated from the Mabel High School in the Class of 1959. On November 28, 1959, Jim married Mary Jane Hovey. They were later … [Read more...]
Betty Finley
Betty L. Finley, 83, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, with her husband and daughter be her side. Betty Louise Theel was born March 22, 1940, in rural Chatfield to Richard and Irene (Eickhoff) Theel. Betty graduated from Chatfield High School in 1957 and was the class valedictorian. Betty went to work … [Read more...]
