At the July 16 Preston City Council meeting, the implementation of an area fundraising effort for the proposed veterans home was discussed. This is fundraising over and above commitments that have already been made by the city and the city’s utility. Funds raised or pledged prior to August 24 will be counted for a 2:1 federal match. The goal is to raise $750,000 or more for … [Read more...]
James A. Simonson
James A. Simonson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 17, at his home, surrounded by family and friends. He was born March 16, 1936, to James A. and Lucille Simonson. He attended a country school in rural Preston. On February 14, 1955, he enlisted into the Army and was honorably discharged in 1957. Once he returned from the service he began farming and he never stopped. On … [Read more...]
Donald N. Cummings
Donald N. Cummings, 80, of Chatfield, Minn., died Sunday, July 15, 2018, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield. Donald Neil Cummings was born November 1, 1937, to Elvyn and Corcella (Oftedal) Cummings in Preston, Minn. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955. Donald’s basic training was completed in Great Lakes, Ill. He served on the USS Lexington and he was … [Read more...]
Delone E. Mandelko Langum
Delone Langum passed away peacefully on July 5, 2018, at the Ramona Senior Manor in Ramona, Calif., surrounded by her family. Delone was born November 6, 1927 at home in Bristol Township, Minn., to Carl and Vilda (Krueger) Mandelko. Delone attended Preston High School in Preston, Minn. She was active in various school and church activities, band and she was the 1945 … [Read more...]
Robert D. Utley
Robert D. Utley, 89, of Reedsburg, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Robert was born on July 26, 1928 the son of J.D. and Mildred (Hovelson) Utley, of Preston, Minn. Robert attended high school in Preston, where he met Arlene L. Norgaarden. They were married on August 29, 1953. Robert served two years in the U.S. Army in Augusta Ga., as an instructor in the power … [Read more...]
Five churches, two pastors
The Bible has many stories of people who were called to serve God in new and different ways. These believers were asked to take a “leap of faith” to answer the calling. This is also the case for two new pastors in the United Methodist Church, Pastor David Stoeger and Pastor Pam Seebach. They recently sat down to explain the calling they have answered to serve five Methodist … [Read more...]
Preston funds its donation for veterans home
The source of funding in the amount of $320,000 from the city was identified at the June 18 city council meeting. The funds will cover the land purchase and the cash donation to be included in the application so the veterans home can be entered into the federal queue in April 2019. City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained there had been a conference call with the Minnesota … [Read more...]
Warren H. Madson
Warren H. Madson, age 83, of Bandera, Tex.,, formerly of Calmar, Iowa, died on June 15, 2018, at home, following a stroke. Warren Helgeson Madson was born March 22, 1935, on a farm in Newburg, Minn., to Talbert and Helen (Helgeson) Madson. He was baptized and confirmed in Fountain Lutheran Church. He graduated Preston High School in 1953. He was captain of the football team. … [Read more...]
Flooding in Fillmore County
On the evening of June 9, Emergency Manager Don Kullot was out and assessing the flooding situation in Fillmore County. The areas that seemed most affected were west of Preston, south of Stewartville-Spring Valley-Wykoff, and to the Ostrander areas. At one time earlier in the evening, a Fillmore County Deputy was stranded between County Road 30 and Klondike Road, moving to … [Read more...]
Preston street projects delayed until 2020
At the June 4 city council meeting, a number of issues pertaining to the city’s future were on the table including housing, street improvements, and the proposed veterans home. City Administrator Joe Hoffman, Public Works Director Jim Bakken, and City Engineer Brett Grabau led a discussion on potential street projects for 2019 or 2020. The Pleasant St. area project was divided … [Read more...]
Merrill Pickett
Merrill Pickett, age 80, of Preston, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018, at his home. Memorial services for Merrill Pickett will be held 2 p.m. Thursday June 7, 2018, at Preston United Methodist Church, with Pastor Michael Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Preston United … [Read more...]
A step closer to the dream
Veterans, local officials, and community members gathered at the entrance of a soybean field on a sunny May 31 morning to celebrate the inclusion of veterans home funding in the 2018 Minnesota bonding bill. Preston Mayor Kurt Reicks welcomed everyone to the future site of the veterans home, calling it a great day for veterans in southeast Minnesota. Since 2013 there has been … [Read more...]
Maxine Redmann
Maxine (Kiefer) Redmann, age 83, of Roscoe, Ill., formerly of Preston, Minn., died November 13, 2017. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston, Minn., with Pastor Michael Smith presiding. Fellowship to follow the burial at the Preston United Methodist Church. Maxine is survived by her daughters Nanette Hesseltine of … [Read more...]
Preston awaits governor’s decision
At the May 21 Preston City Council meeting, City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported the state legislature passed the 2018 public works construction/bonding bill which includes $10.2 million for a veterans home in Preston. The $825 million bonding bill passed the Senate with a 42 to 25 vote and the House with a 113 to 13 vote in the last half hour of the 2018 session Sunday … [Read more...]
Preston pop-up markets for 2018
Ilene Edwards addressed the Preston City Council at its May 7 meeting regarding the schedule for pop-up markets in 2018. She noted that last summer there were three markets with an average of 11 vendors participating. This year five pop-up markets will be held on the second Saturday of each month, beginning on June 9 and ending on October 13. Markets will run from 9 a.m. to 1 … [Read more...]