Marion Jean Griffin, 86, of Chatfield, died Friday, April 1, 2022, at her son’s home in Sparta, surrounded by her family. Marion was born November 10, 1935, in Forestville, Minn., to Herman and Mary (McRae) Hanson. She graduated from Wykoff High School. On November 28, 1959, she married Lyle Griffin. Marion worked at the Fountain State Bank from 1957-1962 and Dairy & … [Read more...]
Chatfield Charter Commission recommendation for city administrator fails
At the March 28 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, councilors voted on the second consideration of two ordinances recommended by the Charter Commission. In order for the recommended amendments to become part of the city’s charter, there must be a unanimous vote on the second consideration. Ordinance 458-Elimination of the position of Health Officer was approved with a … [Read more...]
Vernon Arthur Anderson
Vernon Arthur Anderson was born March 7, 1932, to Arthur and Anna Anderson in Lakefield, Minn. He grew up in Lakefield, graduating high school in 1950. From a young age he was involved in music. He was also involved in many sports, but especially excelled in music (trumpet and singing). At Luther College he continued his love of music in touring the country with a male … [Read more...]
Chatfield to hold public hearing for TIF District
Chris Giesen, EDA director, discussed a proposal to construct an athletic club on the south side of Chatfield along Highway 52 at the city council’s March 14 meeting. In order to make the project financially feasible, tax increment financing (TIF) has been requested. Jill Harstad and Lindsay Eide are looking at a vacant property on which to build a new athletic club. They plan … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Reflecting the Light
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield Lutheran Church Chatfield, MN “The next day (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and declared: ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) The Gospel of John makes it very clear that Jesus, God’s Son, is the life and light of all people (John 1:4). John the Baptist told everyone he was not the … [Read more...]
Lawrence Riess
Lawrence Rienhold Riess, 88, of Chatfield, Minn., went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 11, 2022. He was born in Marshfield, Wis., on May 24, 1933, to Henry and Frieda (Schauer) Riess. Lawrence graduated from Rochester High School in 1952. Lawrence served in the Army from 1954-1956. He was married to Betty Moore on September 8, 1956. Lawrence ran multiple successful … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board approves new high school schedule
At the March 9 Chatfield School Board meeting, Katie Priebe, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Josh Thompson were present as well as Principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Student Senate members Pete Hebrink and Brayden Fretland were also present. Matt McMahon joined through Zoom. Lanny Isensee was not present. Student … [Read more...]
Lucille M. Tangen
Lucille M. Tangen, 88, of Chatfield, passed away Monday, March 7, 2022, at Chosen Valley Care Center with family by her side, which was her dying wish. Lucille Marlene Rathbone was born March 7, 1934, in rural Chatfield to Archie and Ella (Bothun) Rathbone. Lucille graduated from Chatfield High School in 1951. She attended Austin Junior College and obtained a teaching … [Read more...]
Chatfield City Charter amendment recommendations
At the February 28 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, two public hearings were held to gain public input on two amendments recommended by the Charter Commission. Curt Sorenson, chair of the Charter Commission, said both recommendations had been unanimously approved by the Charter Commission. The first recommendation was the elimination of the position of Health Officer. … [Read more...]
Roderick M. Welch
Roderick M. Welch, 87, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away peacefully at the Chosen Valley Care Center on February 24, 2022. Roderick was born on June 1, 1934, to Marshall and Ella (Herrick) Welch. He attended Pleasant Grove rural school and Chatfield High School, graduating in 1953. After high school, he drove dump truck before enlisting for two years in the Army, most of … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Empathy and sympathy, both needed in this world
By Trevor Garner Sympathy and empathy are two different emotions with two different ways of expressing them. Sympathy is judging how a person feels, meanwhile empathy is when you can imagine yourself in this person’s shoes. Now I ask you to imagine what this world would feel like without these two things, looks pretty bleak doesn’t it? No light, just a cold empty place. … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Lamenting with God
By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches February is always a tough month. We get through the anticipated cold and ice of January and we are emotionally ready for spring. Enter February. Although it’s short in days, February is often cold, dreary, and drags on for approximately a million years. This year we don’t even have Lenten Wednesdays at … [Read more...]
Chatfield Center for the Arts ongoing construction
At the February 14 Chatfield City Council meeting, the second pay estimate to Benike Construction was approved in the amount of $436,271.75. The total payout so far for the ongoing renovation project is a total of $1,027,525.92. Councilors Mike Urban and David Frank were absent. Other business in brief •The donation of a bench for the swimming pool in honor of Jeff Buss was … [Read more...]
Bernard Bus — family-owned business for 75 Years
Locally owned in Chatfield, Bernard Bus Service is celebrating 75 years of family-owned business. Mike Bernard’s grandparents, Art and Evelyn, opened the business in 1947. Mike’s uncle was in charge when they retired with Mike’s parents, Chip and Lana, taking over the business in 1985. At that time, they had 9-10 routes in Chatfield with all the buses running on LP; they worked … [Read more...]
John “Tom” McMahon
John Thomas “Tom” McMahon passed away on February 1, 2022, at Saint Marys Hospital, due to a hemorrhagic stroke. Tom was born April 9, 1942, to James and Elizabeth (Dempsey) in the Chatfield Hospital, and was a part of the first graduating class of the new Chatfield High School in 1960. After high school, Tom worked at Morris Hanson Concrete, and with Eugene Jack … [Read more...]