Naomi J. Wangen, 90, of Rushford, died July 11, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Naomi was born September 4, 1932, to Herman, Sr. and Beulah (Vickerman) Hermanson, at her grandmother’s home in the Big Woods of Preble Township in Fillmore County. She grew up and attended school in the Black Hammer area. On March 13, 1948, she was united in marriage to … [Read more...]
Lanesboro makes a statement with new mural
As a town known for its arts and culture, Lanesboro has now made a large statement in the form of a colorful Theatre District Mural. The mural, located at the corner of O’Koren Law Office, 204 Parkway Ave. N., was a collaborative effort between Lanesboro Arts and Commonweal Theatre, who partnered with Joe O’Koren who owns the building. Lanesboro Arts and Commonweal Theatre … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board hears update on potential HVED building purchase
Board Chair Christine Troendle, who is the board representative to HVED (Hiawatha Valley Education District), reported to the Lanesboro School Board at their regular meeting June 14 that HVED was moving forward to purchase the entire former Winona Mall in Winona. Board members had received a draft joint powers agreement via email to review. All 12 HVED member districts will … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council continues walking bridge discussions
The June 5 Lanesboro City Council meeting opened with a public hearing discussing ordinance 35.02 regarding Rural Service District and ordinance 150.06 regarding Historic Preservation. One Lanesboro resident addressed the council about her thoughts on the proposed change to the rural service district ordinance. She felt that it wasn’t fair that residents who own more land … [Read more...]
John “JD” David Munter
John "JD" David Munter, 77, of Lanesboro, Minn., passed away on May 18, 2023, after a battle with cancer. JD was born in December 1945, in St. Paul, Minn., to George and Mary Munter, joining his older sister Georgeann. He grew up on Tanner’s Lake in Oakdale, and then attended North St. Paul High School. He received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in engineering from … [Read more...]
Lanesboro residents address bridge closure
Several Little Norway residents spoke at the May 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting about the recent closure of the Little Norway walking bridge due to safety concerns. “We use the bridge everyday,” Melissa Johnson stated. “I understand if it needs to be closed to the general public, but for us, we don’t have any other option.” As long as the bridge is closed, Little Norway … [Read more...]
John L. Gorrilla
John L. (Larry) Gorrilla. Presque Isle, Wis., died suddenly, March 20, 2023, during a single person skiing accident at Winter Park Ski Resort, Winter Park, Colo. He was 81 years old and was known in the Lanesboro area as the first son-in-law of Bill and Marjorie Horihan and wife of their daughter, Colleen Horihan. He was also known in the area as the construction manager who … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board discusses attendance policies
At their regular meeting April 12, the Lanesboro School Board discussed the current attendance/semester test policies of the school. In effect for many years except for a hiatus during the pandemic, the policy requires any student with more than five excused absences per semester to take semester tests in all of their classes. Students with any unexcused absences or who have a … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council approves engineering fee amendments
At the April 4 Lanesboro city council meeting, City Engineer Brian Malm presented more details on the fee amendment requests for the wastewater treatment facility and the 2022 street and utility improvements projects. A list of the services the engineering firm Bolten & Menk are providing to the City of Lanesboro for each project was reviewed. Both are running longer than … [Read more...]
James Ostrem
James Ostrem, longtime resident and native of Lanesboro, Minn., died peacefully April 4, 2023, at Spring Valley Care Center, aged 88. Jim was a veteran of the Vietnam War and other conflicts, a career U.S. Air Force pilot who retired as Lieutenant Colonel, then returned to Lanesboro to farm and serve the community in many ways. Born in 1934, Jim grew up farming with his … [Read more...]