Christopher Charles Austad, 58, of Viroqua, Wis., died of sudden but natural causes on August 7, 2020. Chris was born on May 8, 1962, in Cambridge, Minn., to Charles and Ann (Ferden) Austad. He grew up in Bemidji, Minn., and was a graduate of Bemidji High School and North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N. Dak. He was the proud father of three children: his son … [Read more...]
Alice A. Jorde Olson
Alice Ann Jorde Olson passed away at Cottagewood Senior Communities on Sunday, August 9, 2020. Alice was born on February 4, 1933, to Theodore (Ted) and Helen (Burfield) Jorde in Money Creek Township, Houston County, Minn. She attended Houston Public School, Looney Valley Country School near Houston, Baker Country School near Rushford, and graduated from Rushford High … [Read more...]
Rushford receives update on legislative action
Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability of the Minnesota legislature to pass a bonding bill for 2020, determining the assistance for non-metro areas of the state is challenging. That was the sentiment shared by Elizabeth Wefel, attorney and lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, at the July 27 Rushford Council meeting. Wefel summarized a … [Read more...]
Olive Mindrum Bailey
Olive Gertrude Mindrum Bailey died in Manchester, N.H., July 9, 2020, at the age of 99. She was born in Norway Township, Minnesota, on November 14, 1920, daughter of Otto and Olga (Overland) Mindrum. She graduated from Rushford High School in 1938. On July 16, 1940, she married Merlin Johnson in Norway Township. That marriage ended in divorce. On February 22, 1952, she married … [Read more...]
Richard E. Fogal
Richard E. Fogal, 84, of Rushford, Minn., died on Tuesday July 21, 2020, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Dick was born October 17, 1935, on a farm near Waldorf, Minn., to Edward and Agnus (Habeck) Fogal. He graduated from Peterson High School in 1953. Following High School, Dick joined the United States Navy and served his country for 20 years, where he retired … [Read more...]
William “Bill” Michel
William “Bill” Michel was born on June 27, 1962, to George D. and Dolores Michel of rural Harmony, Minn. Bill was quite a character with a heart of gold. He will be missed by his family and many friends. Bill is survived by his three beautiful daughters, McKayla, Kendall, and Morgan. He was also blessed with two grandchildren, James and Irys. He is also survived by five … [Read more...]
Eileen M. Johnson
Eileen M. Johnson, 96, of Rushford, died peacefully Sunday, July 19, 2020, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, surrounded by her family. Eileen was born November 8, 1923, in Rushford to Harris and Esther (Hein) Svenningson. She was raised on the Svenningson family farm, north of Rushford, and graduated from Pine Creek Country School. On November 14, 1953, Eileen was … [Read more...]
Rushford pool operation good amid precautions
The Rushford Aquatic Center got the green light to open for the season June 22. At the time, city staff cautioned the public, eager for summer fun, that opening could take 30 days. The city’s public works department and aquatic center staff had it open in 28, welcoming patrons July 6. Phase III modifications of the governor’s reopening plan put several restrictions in place … [Read more...]
John Yonts
John M. Yonts, 86, of Rushford, Minn., died on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. John Mason Yonts was born on August 13, 1933, in Groseclose in Smyth County, Va., to William Grady and Ora Mabel (Lindamood) Yonts. He was raised at Groseclose, Va., in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. John attended high school in Marion, Va. He entered … [Read more...]
Arless Raymond Markegard
Arless Raymond Markegard passed away July 2, 2020, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, surrounded by family. Arless was born in Rushford, Minn., on November 29, 1928. He was the son of Roy and Anna (Tveten) Markegard. Arless lost both parents at an early age. He attended Big Spring and Rushford Public Schools. In 1947, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States … [Read more...]