Audrey S. Morken was born to Tilford and Hilda Morken at their Blackhammer farm home on March 13, 1938. She was baptized and confirmed at the Faith Lutheran Church in Blackhammer. After attending country school in Blackhammer, she graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1955. She met Lowell Vatland - the love of her life - the year before she graduated. They married … [Read more...]
Evelyn Jeannette Arneson Blegen Langland
Evelyn Jeannette Arneson Blegen Langland, age 105, of Mabel, Minn., formerly of Spring Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully into her Lord’s arms on August 12, 2022, at Franciscan Skemp hospital in La Crosse, Wis. Evelyn was born on September 21, 1916, at home in Winneshiek County to Theodore and Ella (Forde) Arneson. She was the second of four children. She lived in the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School participates in CIRD visioning workshops
Superintendent Rachel Udstuen updated the school board on the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) workshops at the board’s regular meeting on August 15. The visioning workshops took place in Spring Grove August 3-5. The workshops are a part of the Spring Grove 2030 initiative to gather community input on the next steps. The visioning workshops are a result of the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Ambulance Department seeks volunteer EMTs
Recruiting volunteer EMTs in Minnesota face an uphill battle as EMT certification numbers decline. However, at the August 16 city council meeting, member Karen Folstad said she wanted to make her colleagues aware of the situation, emphasizing that she is not saying it will happen in Spring Grove, but the council should be ready for it in case it happens. The Spring Grove … [Read more...]
From relationships to partnerships
In 2021, deep into a world pandemic, Spring Grove School Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz planted a seed. With frequent watering and nutrition, the seeds grew and formed community partnerships. Seventh graders at Spring Grove School were in for a school year that they could not envision. English teacher Julianna Lile and her colleagues contacted local farmer Dayna … [Read more...]
Girls softball program coming back to Spring Grove School
By Charlene Corson Selbee The Spring Grove School Board heard the girls and approved their request for a girls softball team. “It is very exciting. I also really like the way the process went about. Our students talked about and advocated.” Superintendent Rachel Udstuen continued, “What I really like about it, is our girls thought about it in exactly the right way and … [Read more...]
Spring Grove continues negotiations with the Houston County Sheriff Department
The Spring Grove City Council met Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. at the Fest Building. Mayor Scott Solberg led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present include Mayor Solberg, Travis Torgerson, Chad Rohland, Trent Turner, and Karen Folstad. Also present were City Clerk/Administrator Julie Amundson, CEDA Courtney Bergey Swanson via Zoom, and … [Read more...]
Roger Albert Henry Tollefsrud
Roger was born in Spring Grove, Minn., on April 2, 1927. He attended country schools. He took off on his final flight July 5, 2022, at the age of 95. He entered the U.S. Air Force as a medic in 1945, spending his time in Japan, and discharged in 1947. He took flying lessons under the G.I. Bill, getting his pilot’s license in December 1947. He had his own personal planes … [Read more...]
2022-23 Spring Grove coaching staff named
Spring Grove School Board members met in the school’s Learning Resource Center on Monday, June 20, from 7-7:50 p.m. for the regular school board meeting. Board members present included Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Aric Elton, Kelly Rohland, and Jenny Stender. Member absent was Rhan Flatin. The board approved the meeting agenda, minutes from the Monday, May 16 … [Read more...]
Darrell W. Sinclair
Darrell W. Sinclair, age 95, of Spring Grove, formerly of Mabel, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Darrell W. Sinclair was born on July 8, 1926 to Lester and Alma Sinclair in Brookings, S. Dak., the second of four children. He attended Mabel High School and graduated in 1944. During high school, he worked at the Castle Theatre as the … [Read more...]








