Mary Louise Bymers-Van Loon was born on May 18, 1922, in Onalaska, Wis., to John and Leila Bymers. Mary went home to be with the Lord Jesus, her Messiah, while listening to Handel’s Messiah, on December 21, 2022, at the age of 100. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at the Hoff Funeral Home of Houston from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, January 7. Arrangements have been … [Read more...]
James Peterson
James Duane “Jimmy” Peterson, 57, died on December 23, 2022, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse after a brief illness. Jim was born on December 1, 1965, to Duane and Bonnie (Meyer) Peterson in Caledonia, Minn. Jim graduated from Houston High School in 1984 where he played football and was described by his teammates as “Quiet, but ferocious and always a team player.” … [Read more...]
Michael Justin (Mike) Kelly
Michael Justin (Mike) Kelly, 88, of Houston, Minn., died peacefully Friday, December 23, 2022, at the Claddagh Senior Living, Caledonia, Minn. Mike was born April 12, 1934, to George and Aleda (Johnson) Kelly and graduated from Houston High School in 1952. Funeral services for Mike will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 30 at the Hoff Funeral Home of Houston. … [Read more...]
Houston Council approves police camera purchase
The Houston City Council accepted a proposal for the purchase of a camera system for the new community center/police headquarters at their regular meeting December 12. The setup will include a fully wireless system with our cameras on the outside of the building as well as two cameras inside. The package will cost $3,504.93 and will provide the needed security for the … [Read more...]
Sherman Cole
Sherman Cole, 98, of Houston, Minn., died on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Valley View Healthcare in Houston. Sherman was born in Stillwater, Minn., on November 22, 1924. On June 15, 1957, he married Evelyn Hall of Grand Meadow, Minn. He graduated from the Stillwater High School in 1942; he then entered the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and graduated with a … [Read more...]
Fr. David Wechter
Father David L. Wechter, OCSO, 92, returned to the Lord, the second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022, surrounded by his community, the Hermits of St. Mary of Carmel. He was born April 23, 1930, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Vincent and Grace (O’Brien) Wechter. While living in New York, he attended St. Mark’s Church and grammar school, Holy Angels Collegiate Institute for four … [Read more...]
Houston examines budget for street renovations
After being sworn in, the Houston council canvassed the recent election results in a short special meeting prior to their regular meeting November 14. With a total of 382 in-person voters and additional mail-in and early voters, Scott Wallace was elected as the new mayor, and Zeb Bauman and Steve Westby were elected to the council. The new council members will join the council … [Read more...]
Charlotte F. Braniff
Charlotte F. Braniff, 83, of Houston, Minn., died Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Northcrest Care Center in Waterloo, Iowa. Charlotte Florence Happel was born on December 17, 1938, in La Crosse, Wis., to Wesley and Stella (Evans) Happel. Charlotte was raised on South Ridge in rural Houston, Minn., on the family farm. She graduated from Houston High School and from Winona State … [Read more...]
Wayne K. Bestor
Wayne K. Bestor, 90, of Houston, Minn., died on Friday, October 14, 2022, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Wayne Kay Bestor was born on Sunday, December 13, 1931, in Bristol Township of Fillmore County, Minn. He was raised on the family farm near Granger, Minn. He was a 1950 graduate of Harmony High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean … [Read more...]
Opportunities for Houston Schools
Amy Guenther, a 20-year educator working with Access Point, attended the Houston School Board meeting October 6 to present a student opportunity. Access Point helps connect high school students beginning their senior year with jobs that will begin at $50,000 to $60,000 a year. Working with community colleges, Access Point trains students for jobs that have already been set … [Read more...]