Hailey Alfson of Houston not only hopes to be an inspiration for other young girls, but has committed to being a mentor to help them achieve their goals. As one of America’s first female Eagle Scouts, Alfson sees the importance of being a leader and paying it forward. At 17, she is a junior at Houston High School, where she is involved in basketball and soccer. While in the … [Read more...]
Ralph W. Lind
Ralph W. Lind, 89, of Houston, Minn., died on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Mayo Clinic - St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minn. Ralph was born on August 18, 1931, in La Crosse, Wis., to Alvie and Judith (Louve) Lind. He was raised in the Houston area. On July 17, 1954, Ralph was united in marriage with Maxine Gabrielson in Houston. Ralph was a “49er” twice. He was a member … [Read more...]
Julie Ann Wilbright
Julie Ann Wilbright, 58, of Stockton, Minn., died on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab in Houston, Minn. Julie was born the third of triplets on May 10, 1962, in La Crosse, Wis., to Gynther and Grace (Moos) Carlson. She was raised in Rushford and was a 1980 graduate of Rushford High School. On July 20, 1981, Julie was united in marriage with … [Read more...]
Houston school to consider purchase of St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the Houston School Board at their meeting on February 11 that the school had been approached about the possibility of purchasing the St. Mary’s Catholic Church building. Abraham told the board that the church will be available after June 30; the church’s roof has been recently done and the kitchen and bathrooms are handicapped accessible and … [Read more...]
Karsten C. Kinstler
Karsten C. Kinstler, 42, of Houston, Minn., died on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wis. Karsten was born on September 26, 1978, in Winona, Minn., to Dennis and Bonnie (Anderson) Kinstler. He was the youngest of five children and was raised on the family farm at Perkins Valley in rural Houston, Minn. Karsten graduated from … [Read more...]
Donald “Donnie” Edwin Carlson
Donald “Donnie” Edwin Carlson, 76, of Houston, died Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, following a recent illness. Donnie was born July 26, 1944, in La Crosse, to Edwin and Marie (Ellefson) Carlson. He played Hurricane football, basketball, and baseball and graduated from Houston High School in 1962. Following high school Donnie … [Read more...]
Supt. Abraham announces retirement
At the very end of the January 21, 2021, Houston School Board meeting, Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the board that she will be retiring in June. Abraham declared, “I love this place; I love this district, but I need to be done. I want you to be able to start looking now.” Board member Arlin Peterson, who has had a relationship with Abraham both as a fellow teacher … [Read more...]
Houston School Board organized and ready to work
The Houston School Board quickly chose its officers, calendar, committees and other official elements as they met for the first time in the new year on January 7, 2021. Officers are: Tom Stilin, chair; Mimi Carlson, vice chair; Josh Norlien, clerk; and Gene Lundak, treasurer. Meetings will remain on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bremer Bank was again chosen as … [Read more...]
Houston citizens speak in favor of the OHV trail
As the Houston City Council began the new year with their meeting January 11, 2021, they heard from several citizens regarding the planned OHV Trail. Reacting to earlier statements made in December against the trail, John and Eileen Loken, owners of Loken’s Sawmill Inn, appeared to speak in favor of the trail. Eileen Loken commented that the number of visitors had dropped at … [Read more...]
Glenn Raymond Peterson
Glenn Raymond Peterson, 89, of Canton, Minn., formerly of Stewartville, Minn., died at home in the Big Woods on Sunday, December 13, 2020, surrounded by his family. Glenn was born on July 8, 1931, in Houston, Minn., to Elmore and Delia (Britson) Peterson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Houston, Minn., graduating at the age of 16 from Houston High School in 1948. He … [Read more...]
Frederick Carl Huhn
Frederick Carl Huhn, 84, passed away peacefully at home on November 14, after suffering a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family. Fred was born at home on September 3, 1936 on the family farm in Bangor, Wis., to Karl & Viola (Schafer) Huhn. In his younger years, he attended Rockland Elementary and in 7th grade he attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church School. During … [Read more...]
Houston Area Community Foundation awards $11,250 for their first year
The Houston Area Community Foundation (HACF) recently awarded $11,250. Fundraising efforts started after the Bright Ideas Workshop last November. HACF has had 23 supporters giving from $100 to $1000. In addition to the first-year incentive matches from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, SMIF also provided a pandemic matching grant, which provided four dollars for … [Read more...]
Houston County receives 26% of ballots, thus far
Whether by mail or in-person voting, according to Auditor-Treasurer Donna Trehus, overseeing the election process in Houston County, Minn., a total of 3,242 ballots have already been submitted by registered voters. Out of 12,406 registered voters in the county, that amounts to roughly 26%. Between mail-in ballots and registered absentee ballots, Houston County mailed out … [Read more...]
Soccer (Section 1A Tournament, 10/12 – 10/16)
(B) Cal/SG/Hou 2, Lourdes 1 (With the 13-seed, the Warriors pulled off the upset over 4-seed Rochester Lourdes on a windy night in Rochester – reported to be the program’s first-ever win over the Eagles. It is also the boys’ first playoff win in at least 10 years or more. The Warriors never trailed after Nick Schmitz scored the night’s first goal. After Lourdes tied it up … [Read more...]
Ruth Evelyn (Chapel) Boyum
Ruth Evelyn (Chapel) Boyum, 87, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2020 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Ruth was born to Lloyd Sr. and Lula (Ray) Vix on April 25, 1933 in Hokah, Minn. She grew up and lived the majority of her life in the Houston area where she graduated from Houston High School. She had four children with her first husband Richard Chapel. She … [Read more...]