SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, ST. PAUL, MINN. – Preston Veterans Home advocates attended a virtual meeting with officials from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) on September 21 to receive an update on the future Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston. Construction continues on schedule for the facility that is located at 1112 Overlook Drive on a 15-acre bluff-top site … [Read more...]
MaryAnn Heidtke
MaryAnn Heidtke passed away on September 21, 2022, at the Chosen Valley Care Center, where she was currently residing. She was born on December 23, 1944, in Preston, Minn., to Walter and Erna (Busitzky) Heidtke. She attended and graduated as salutatorian, from Wykoff High School in 1962. She then attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minn., majoring in Political … [Read more...]
Preston certifies preliminary 2023 levy
A resolution was adopted at the Preston City Council’s September 19 meeting setting the 2023 preliminary levy at $1,136,218. This is an increase of $55,522, or 5.14% over 2022’s levy. Mayor Kurt Reicks noted final figures will be available, for example insurance costs, before the final levy is set in December, which could result in a downward adjustment. The final levy can be … [Read more...]
Residents expected to be admitted to the veterans home in June 2023
Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke led a virtual meeting on September 21 to provide a quarterly update on the veterans home in Preston. The tentative date for ribbon cutting is after Memorial Day, about June 1, 2023. The Preston facility is about 56% complete. It is the furthest along of the three new veterans homes under construction. The other … [Read more...]
Susan R. Gehrking
On September 16, 2022, Susan (Sue) R. Gehrking passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. Sue was born in Harmony, Minn., on October 25, 1960, to Ronald and Evelyn Gehrking. She was the second of five siblings. She grew up in Spring Valley and graduated from Spring Valley High school in 1980. Sue married Terry Brusse in 1981. They lived just outside of Cherry Grove, Minn., … [Read more...]
Concepcion R. Young
Concepcion R. Young, age 83, died on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at her home in Preston, Minn. Concepcion Rodriguez Young, 83, of Preston, Minn., passed away on September 15, 2022, peacefully in her own home with family by her side. She was born to Carmen Pinto Garcia and Juan Rodriguez Lopez, on August 15, 1939, in Bordeaux, France. She married Frederick T. Young on … [Read more...]
Agnes Cecilia Mulhern
Agnes Cecilia (McNamara) Mulhern passed away August 29, 2022, at Traditions Assisted Living, Preston, Minn., at the age of 101 and nine months. Agnes was born at home in Belle Creek Township, rural Goodhue County, Minn., on November 12, 1920, the eldest of 10 children born to her parents Mary Leona (O’Reilly) McNamara and Raymond McNamara. Agnes attended country school and then … [Read more...]
Joyce Sedell (Alfson) Bremseth
Joyce Sedell (Alfson) Bremseth, 89, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at Gundersen Harmony Health Care in Harmony, Minn. Joyce was born May 11, 1933, to Clarence and Signe (Elton) Alfson in Canton Township. She was the youngest of five children. She was baptized June 11, 1933, at the Henrytown Lutheran Church and confirmed on May 9, 1948 at Greenfield Lutheran … [Read more...]
Betty Knoepke
Betty Knoepke, 89, of Preston, Minn., passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Rochester Methodist Hospital surrounded by family. Betty JoAn (Miller) Knoepke was born on December 18, 1932, in Preston to Howard and LaVina (Ruesink) Miller. She graduated from Preston High School in 1950 and was employed by Northwestern Bell as a service rep for seven years, by Farmers and … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society annual update
At the August 1 meeting of the Preston City Council, Sheila Craig, president of the Preston Historical Society, updated the council as to the ongoing activities of the Society. The Society had received a $10,000 Small Community Grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in the fall of 2021. The funds are being used to study funding options for the … [Read more...]
Lyall Dean Mensink
Lyall Dean Mensink, 79, of Preston, Minn., died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on August 1, 2022, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. Lyall was born July 21, 1943, in rural Greenleafton to Earl and Eva (Termaat) Mensink and grew up in rural Preston/Greenleafton area. He attended Flying Cloud Country School and graduated from Preston High School … [Read more...]
Earl Kinneberg
Earl Kinneberg entered the world on February 12, 1946, then provided love and laughs to friends and family until he died at home in Rochester on July 28, 2022. He was married to his Preston High School sweetheart, Diane, for 55 years and they had two sons. He enjoyed a life full of family activities and cherished time with his six grandchildren who were loved while also … [Read more...]
Preston extends Park Lane development land option
The Preston City Council met on July 5 for their regular meeting. Gabby Kinneberg, in her role as EDA director, reported on two separate option agreements for the possible purchase of 3.7 acres for a Park Lane development. A Housing Committee formed in 2018 worked to compile areas for residential expansion. The Park Lane area was one of these areas; it could possibly be … [Read more...]
New city administrator settles into new position
In early June, the Preston City Council hired Ryan Throckmorton as the new city administrator. He was one of four applicants interviewed for the position. Throckmorton brings both his past experience working with the city of Preston and youth to his new job. He expects the transition to be smoother, due to his years of experience with the city. He is a graduate of Fillmore … [Read more...]
A perfect Dairy Night on the Farm
Eighty degrees with a light breeze made for a perfect night at the picturesque verdant Rumpus Ridge Farms of rural Preston June 18th. The Fillmore County Dairy Association expertly presented an event with activities for everyone. The younger attendees took full advantage of a plethora of kid-friendly activities. Inflatables — both a bounce house and a slide/obstacle course — … [Read more...]