James A. Ranzenberger, 70, of Rushford, Minn., died Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. James Alden Ranzenberger was born on June 30, 1953, in Caledonia, Minn., to Raymond and Gertrude (Blixrud) Ranzenberger. He was raised in Caledonia and was a graduate of Caledonia High School. He worked at Staggmeyer Stave Company in Caledonia and … [Read more...]
Lorraine “Tudy” Feine
Lorraine “Tudy” Feine, 98, of Rushford, Minn., died on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran home in Rushford. There was a memorial service for Tudy at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 21, at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Tudy’s body will be cremated with burial at the St. John’s Brand Cemetery in … [Read more...]
Louise Helen “Tootie” Pruka
Louise Helen “Tootie” Pruka, 89, of Rushford, Minn., died Thursday, August 17, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family. Louise was born August 16, 1934, in Rushford, the daughter of Hilda Eggert. She grew up in the Hart area, and was a graduate of Rushford High School. She was united in marriage to Walter Pruka on June 27, 1953, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hart, … [Read more...]
Offer on Rushford Farmers Win Site
Before the August 14 meeting, the Rushford, Minn., city council held a closed session to discuss the possibility of purchasing the former Farmers Win site in downtown Rushford. The company has had a lengthy back-and-forth with the city. The site remains unsold since the company’s decision to stop utilizing the downtown site and move services to the South Fork site, just south … [Read more...]
Rose Ann Laumb
Rose Ann Laumb, 77, of Rushford, Minn., died on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., with her children at her side. Rose Ann Randall was born on September 14, 1945, in Money Creek Township of Houston County, Minn., to Allen and Rose Mary (O’Donnell) Randall. Rose Ann was raised on Vinegar Hill, east of Rushford, where she attended country … [Read more...]
Marjo Gail (Hovland) Johnson
Marjo Gail (Hovland) Johnson passed away at her home on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Marjo was born June 16, 1941, to George and Adelaide (Marker) Hovland in Winona. Her father died in WWII. She and her three brothers were raised by her loving mother and stepfather Art Halvorson. In 1958, she married Maynard Johnson. They had four children: Tim, Todd, M.T. and Marjo “Jill.” Todd … [Read more...]
Rushford gets SMIF update
At the July 24 meeting, the Rushford Council heard from Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund (SMIF) representative Andi Arnold, who discussed ongoing programs, grants, loans, and investments in communities and future partnerships and programs. Rushford is just one of the cities in Fillmore County benefitting from the SMIF partnership. According to Arnold’s report, for every $1 … [Read more...]
Rose Ann Laumb
Rose Ann Laumb, 77, of Rushford, Minn., died on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. There will be a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rushford. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford and one hour prior to the Mass on … [Read more...]
Paul Sorum
Paul Duane Sorum, 89, of Rushford, Minn., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 22, 2023, following a short battle with lung cancer. Paul was born on July 25, 1933, in La Crosse, Wis., to Carl and Ellen (Ferden) Sorum. Paul attended Rushford High School and was a 1951 graduate. Following high school Paul farmed on the family farm, established in 1882. Paul married Esther … [Read more...]
Rushford development gets new owner
At the July 10 meeting, the city of Rushford entered into an agreement with the Realty Gift Fund, a non-profit organization accepting charitable gifts of real estate. Bluff Country LLC is the former owner of the land, which sits east of Rushford Manufacturing in the Himlie Business Park. The city and Bluff Country LLC Development had an agreement for the Planned Unit … [Read more...]
Derald Wayne Iverson
Derald Wayne Iverson was born March 12, 1932, to Wesley and Dora (Haugen) Iverson. Derald grew up in the area of the Big Woods north of Mabel and attended elementary school in Newburg and graduated from Mabel High School. At age 18, Derald began his working career for Snyder Nursery, planting and delivering trees. From then on, he had many careers and became an accomplished … [Read more...]
Rushford school building to be sold
At the June 26 meeting, the Rushford City Council once again discussed the future of the former Rushford-Peterson School District facilities at 100 North Mill Street during a closed session meeting. The historic site was sold to a private party in 2019 after the district expressed no interest in developing the properties. The city did indicate an interest in assuming control … [Read more...]
El Barco Mexican Restaurant comes to Rushford
The people of the Rushford area have been waiting and hoping for another restaurant to open in the former Stumpy’s location for a long time. Soon the wait will be over. El Barco is scheduled to open mid-July, according to new owner Juan Bacilio Vaca. When Vaca first came to Rushford to look at the available former Stumpy’s restaurant building, he felt, “Something is good in … [Read more...]
Mike Halvorson, DNR Safety Instructor of the Year
Each year the DNR selects one ATV safety instructor as Safety Instructor of the Year; this year, they have chosen Mike Halvorson of Rushford from over 1,000 safety instructors in the 70 ATV clubs across the state. Bluff Country ATV Club president Allen Kirchhof said of Halvorson’s award, “an award truly deserved because of his tireless effort and dedication to what we are … [Read more...]
Rushford eyes downtown beautification
The June 12 Rushford Council meeting primarily discussed notices and miscellaneous reports. Still, two items of general business did garner some comment. First up, new Rushford Ambulance Director Joey Busse was present, along with retiring director Lynn Humble, to meet the council. Humble’s time with the service ends this month after 39 years with the crew and 13 years in the … [Read more...]