Robert “Bob” Owen Connaughty was born January 6, 1931, on a farm in Utica Township, Minn. Through the years, he moved to different farms with his family. While growing up, he milked cows and worked in the fields. He started working in construction (Koepp Company) building water towers, etc. He then moved to Lake Zumbro and built a house on the lakefront. He married Jeanette … [Read more...]
Lilas Marie Herrick
Lilas Marie Herrick, age 88, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away on May 2, 2023, at her home in rural Chatfield surrounded by her family. Lilas had been ill with Parkinson’s for over 10 years. She was born in Wykoff, Minn., on November 14, 1934, to Bernice (Heidtke) and Glenn Greenlee. She grew up in rural Chatfield and graduated from Chatfield High School. Lilas married … [Read more...]
Joann Elizabeth Gillespie
Joann Elizabeth Gillespie, age 87, of Chatfield, Minn. passed away at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., and was welcomed with open arms into Heaven on April 27, 2023. Joann was born on March 2, 1936, to Fred and Lucy (Farmer) Madison in Marengo, Iowa. She graduated as salutatorian from the class of 1954 in Goldfield, Iowa. On August 15, 1954, she married Howard … [Read more...]
Chatfield to amend parking requirements for multiple dwellings
The Chatfield city council met on April 24. Councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban were absent. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the adopted language to amend the zoning ordinance regarding parking requirements for multiple dwellings at an early April meeting. The recommended changes include one space for a one-bedroom apartment, one and a half spaces for a … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board hears from the Class of 2023
At the April 12, 2023, 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, Trista O’Connor, business manager; and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Board member Josh Thompson was not present. Also present were Student Senate … [Read more...]
Chatfield seeks bids for 2023 Street Improvement Project
At the April 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Vanessa Hines, Widseth Smith Nolting and Associates, Inc., presented plans and specifications for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. The 2023 project includes the reconstruction of Grand St. SE from Seventh St. SE to Prospect St. SE, Hawley St. SE from Grand St. SE to the cul-de-sac, and … [Read more...]
Kendall Hammell’s fight
On February 16 after a seven day hospital stay, kindergartener Kendall Hammell and her family finally found out their opponent in their upcoming fight. Kendall had been doctoring on and off for a fever for about a month. Her doctor had decided to keep her hospitalized until he could get to the root of her problem. A PET scan showed abnormalities in her bone marrow. At first, … [Read more...]
Chatfield searching for city administrator
The Chatfield City Council, at their March 27 meeting, acknowledged the receipt of a notice of retirement from City Administrator Joel Young and approved the recommendation to retain DDA Human Resources, Inc. to search for his replacement. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Young intends for the retirement to be effective sometime between mid-July and mid-September 2023. He has … [Read more...]
Chatfield takes step to improve Haven Wall access
City Engineer Craig Britton was authorized at the March 13 meeting of the city council to provide landscape design services to improve access to the historic Haven Wall. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. The Heritage Preservation Commission is driving this project to provide a plan to improve access to the city owned site located at 212 Winona St. SE. The intention is to … [Read more...]
Marvin “Marv” LeRoy Gathje
Marvin “Marv” LeRoy Gathje, 86, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Oak Lawn Rehabilitation Facility in Mankato, Minn., following a couple months of illness. Marvin was born February 16, 1937, in Chatfield, Minn., to LeRoy and Helen (Dushek) Gathje. Marvin joined the Navy in 1955 and earned the title of Boilerman Third Class. He served on the USS … [Read more...]
HVED director meets with Chatfield School Board
At the March 8 school board meeting, board members Josh Thompson, 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 and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Athletic Director Dan Schindler was present along with Student Senate members Tristen O’Connor and Hunter … [Read more...]
Maureen S. McMahon
Maureen S. McMahon, 65, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 23, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. Maureen Suzanne Idso was born March 15, 1957, in Rochester, Minn., to Wayne and Suzanne (Nicklay) Idso. She grew up on the family golf course and graduated from Chosen Valley High School. Maureen was married August 24, 1974, at St Bridget’s Catholic Church … [Read more...]
Chatfield accepts proposal for 2023 Street Improvement Project design
City Engineer Craig Britton reviewed the proposal for plans and specifications and construction services for the 2023 Street Improvement Project at the city council’s February 13 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The hourly rate contract with Widseth to prepare plans and specifications is estimated to cost $262,870. Full reconstruction is scheduled for Grand St. … [Read more...]
Laurald Joseph (Larry) Afseth
Laurald Joseph (Larry) Afseth Sr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in the presence of his wife and family in Chatfield, Minn. Laurald Joseph Afseth Sr. was born on September 15, 1937, to Julius and Beulah Afseth (Kemple) in Preston, Minn. Larry grew up on the family farm just west of Preston, Minn. He attended school in Preston, Minn., before leaving to … [Read more...]
Dicky D. Deyo
Dicky D. Deyo, 78, of Chatfield, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023. Dicky Dale Deyo was born April 9, 1944, in rural Chatfield, to Bernard and Alice (Chermak) Deyo. Dicky graduated from Chosen Valley High School in 1962. On December 22, 1960, he married Ada Batt. Together they had two sons; they later divorced and he met the love of his life, Carolyn Batt. They married … [Read more...]