“How sweet it is!” stated Bruce Vonderohe, borrowing a line from Jackie Gleason, as the Mission 66 Playground in Houston, Minn., was about to open to the public at a special ceremony in Central Park on July 21. This magnificent playground became a reality due to the hard work and perseverance of many people that got behind the project spearheaded by the Houston High School … [Read more...]
Artists reveal Houston County-inspired work at capstone event
What do an architectural designer, a poet, and a chef all have in common? Well, for starters, they each spent a week in Houston County, Minn., last year, each exploring their own concept of “home.” Since the conclusion of last year’s residency program, the collection of works created by our 2018 citizen-artists-in-residence (CAIRs) has been distilled into poignant poetry, … [Read more...]
Doris Goss
Doris J. Goss, 83, of Houston, Minn., passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 24, 2019, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. She was born on March 18, 1936, in Winona, Minn., to Henry and Margaret (Grant) Lockwood. She was a 1954 graduate of Winona Senior High School. She graduated from Methodist Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, … [Read more...]
Debbie Skadson
Debbie Skadson, 63, of Houston, Minn., died on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Debbie was born in La Crosse, Wis., on January 21,1956, to Donald and Irene (Senn) Vix. She was raised in Houston, Minn. and graduated from Houston High School in 1974. She married Jim Skadson in 1975, and they later divorced. Debbie attended vocational school and then worked at Winnebago Software in … [Read more...]
Donna Ione Becker
Donna Ione Becker, 73, of rural Houston, died Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Marys Campus. Donna was born January 21, 1946, in Devils Lake, N. Dak., to Walter and Ione (Osland) Youngmark. On January 29, 1962, she married the love of her life, David Becker. She worked at About the Horse in Spring Grove for many years and ran the Semcac Dining site in … [Read more...]
David Gordon Jorde
David Gordon Jorde, 77, of Houston, Minn., died on May 18, 2019, at Valley View Healthcare & Rehab in Houston, Minn., where he was a resident since 2016. David was born May 25, 1941, in La Crosse, Wis. He was the son of Michael Adolf and Olga (Nelson) Jorde. His father died when David was five years old and his mother later married Emil “Lud” Torgerson. David was … [Read more...]
Lowell W. Onsgard
Lowell W. Onsgard, 85, of Houston, Minn., died on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab in Houston. He was born February 16, 1934, in La Crosse, Wis., to Orrin and Winnie (Chapel) Onsgard. He was raised in Houston and graduated from Houston High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army. Lowell married Bernice Von Arx at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in … [Read more...]
Donald E. Range
Donald E. Range, 63, of Houston, Minn., died on Monday, April 29, 2019, at his home. Donald was born January 25, 1956, in Harrisburg, Pa., to Miles and Gertrude “Pinkie” (Layton) Range. Donald graduated from Bentley High School in Livonia, Mich. He received his B.A. degree in Biblical Literature from Taylor University in Upland, Ind. He received an M.A. Degree in Student … [Read more...]
Dale McCaffrey
On March 25, 2019, Dale McCaffrey lost his battle in life but gained his heavenly victory. Dale was born May 29, 1952, to James and Melva (Asleson) McCaffrey. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and Winona. Dale is survived by his brother Michael and the two joys of his life, his niece and nephew Kelly and Ian. He is survived also by his aunts Marge (Richard) … [Read more...]
If you build it, they can play: Houston’s ‘Mission 66’ inclusive playground in need of volunteers
The only thing standing between the city of Houston and an accessible playground that can be used by all children is … you. That’s the message that a group behind Mission 66 want to get out to those in Houston County and beyond who would like to lend their time to help build a playground that’s been years in the making. The project needs 150 volunteers per shift from … [Read more...]