Donald Dean Narveson, known to his loved ones as Dean, passed away on October 12, 2023, at the age of 85 in Chatfield, Minn. Dean was born on December 22, 1937, to Baldwin and Mildred Narveson in Chatfield and spent his entire life in the community he cherished. Dean leaves behind a loving family, including his devoted wife of 64 years, Teresa Halloran Narveson. He is … [Read more...]
Donna Jean Meyer
Donna Jean Meyer, 82, went home to her Savior on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn., surrounded by her family. Donna Jean (Galster) Meyer was born on January 22, 1941, in Jamestown, N. Dak., to John and Ruth Galster. Donna spent her growing up years in Sioux Falls, S. Dak., where she graduated high school in 1959. She then traveled … [Read more...]
Michael Clifford Bernard
Michael Clifford Bernard, 54, of Chatfield, died October 7, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester – Methodist Campus after fighting a battle with cancer, the only situation he ever had that was out of his control. Mike was born April 10, 1969, in Rochester to Clifford and Lana (Erickson) Bernard. Mike graduated from Chatfield High School in 1987 and attended Riverland … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies Levy for Taxes Payable in 2024
The 2024 preliminary budget and tax levy was adopted in the amount of $2,588,325 at the Chatfield, Minn., city council’s September 25 meeting. Councilors David Frank and Paul Novotny were absent. The preliminary levy for 2024 represents a 5.873% increase over 2023. The final levy to be adopted in December can be lower but not higher than preliminary numbers. The Truth in … [Read more...]
Sandra “Sandy” Hulbert
Sandra “Sandy” Hulbert, 82, of Chatfield passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 25, 2023, in Chatfield. Sandra Jane Root was born February 7, 1941, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Ernest and Mirriam (Justice) Root. She graduated from Burnt Hills, Ballston Lake Central School in New York. After High School she attended State University of New York at Potsdam, where she earned … [Read more...]
Rosemary “Rosie” VonWald
Rosemary “Rosie” VonWald, 83, of Chatfield died peacefully at the Chosen Valley Care Center on Monday, September 25, 2023. Rosemary Adams was born on May 29, 1940, in Palestine, Ill., to Milo and Ruby Adams. Rosie attended Palestine High School, where she graduated at the age of 16. After graduation, she took a job as a secretary at the VA in Chicago, where her sister … [Read more...]
West Chatfield Drainage Project Nears Completion
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...]