Combined, their win streaks are 18. Caledonia’s basketball teams kept rolled to a combined 5-0 week. The girls beat L-A 67-45, Kingsland 64-28, and Cannon Falls 60-47 all on the road. Versus the Cardinals, Cal led 44-28 at halftime. They hit nine three-pointers. Alexis Schroeder (19 pts, five threes) led the way. Josie Foster (14 pts) and Ava Privet (12 pts, three threes) … [Read more...]
Gene Rick
Gene Rick died on January 15, 2022. Born on December 8, 1942, to Fred and Louise Rick, he grew up on the Spring Valley family farm. Gene was a United Methodist pastor for 33 years. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Willard and Louis. He is survived by loving wife Mary Ann, daughters Suzanne (Jon) Palmen of Kenosha, Wis., and Kimberly (Shane) Morris … [Read more...]
Loren William Smith
Loren William Smith, 78, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away on January 13, 2022. Loren was born on July 17, 1943, in Chatfield, Minn., to Harold and Iva (Finley) Smith. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1962 and started two local businesses, including Busy Bee Apiaries and Valley Restoration. Loren was married to Linda (Rentschler) Smith from 1966 until 1986, … [Read more...]
Ramona A. Gilbert
Ramona A. Gilbert, 84, of Spring Valley, Minn., died on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Ostrander Care and Rehab, from Alzheimer’s. Ramona Angeline Ruud was born June 7, 1937, to Albert and Vivian (Hegg) Ruud. She graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1955 and the same year on August 1 she married George “Roger” Gilbert. Ramona spent her life as a homemaker and was a … [Read more...]
Four-way stop improves safety in Spring Valley
During the Spring Valley City Council’s regular meeting on January 10, the council heard from Ambulance Director Sue Puffer. Puffer stated, “Last year, we had a total of 482 calls, down a bit from the year before.” In explaining the reason for the decrease, she added, “I think it had a lot to do with the new four-way stop at the Kwik Trip intersection, because we had a number … [Read more...]
Georgia “Georgie” Hall (House) (Bailey)
Georgia “Georgie” Hall (House) (Bailey) received her angel wings on January 8, 2022, at Cottagewood in Rochester, Minn. She was born on November 1, 1932, in Anne Arundel County, Md., to William Hall Senior and Pauline (Thomas) Hall. She was the third of four children. Georgia graduated from Washington D.C. High School and received her license in cosmetology. She met Marvin … [Read more...]
Hecimovich to retire from Kingsland
Kingsland School Board held a work session meeting on January 3. New board member Cindy Seabright was welcomed onto the board, and took the ceremonial oath of office. Superintendent (and grades 7-12 principal) Jim Hecimovich has submitted his letter of retirement. His leter stated, in part, “I am announcing my forthcoming retirement from Kingsland Public Schools after … [Read more...]
Kingsland sets levy, increases sub wages
Kingsland School Board held a regular meeting on December 20. Immediately prior to the regular meeting, the board held their annual Truth in Taxation hearing. Business Manager Amber Herbrand stated that revenue formulas for schools are set by the State Legislature, except for voter approved referendums. She also gave a summary of the school’s proposed final levy, and a … [Read more...]
Marilyn Carol (Gilbert) Gehrking
Marilyn Carol (Gilbert) Gehrking, 81, of Spring Valley, Minn., died on Monday, December 27, 2021, at the Spring Valley Care Center. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2021, at Hindt Funeral Home Spring Valley, Minn., and will continue Wednesday, January 5, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church an hour prior to the service. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., … [Read more...]
Spring Valley property valuations discussed
The Spring Valley City Council held a regular council meeting on December 13. All members were present (Mayor Tony Archer, Chris Danielson, John Dols, Luan Ruesink and Greg Brooks). City Administrator/Clerk Deb Zimmer also participated. Immediately prior to the regular meeting, the city’s annual “Truth in Taxation” public hearing was held. Jason McCaslin gave a summary of … [Read more...]
Jimmy “Jim” Ptacek
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jimmy “Jim” Ptacek, 83, a longtime Pleasant Grove Township area farmer, took place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Stewartville, Minn., with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Mr. Ptacek died on Friday, December 3, 2021, of natural causes while surrounded by his loving family at The Waters on Mayowood … [Read more...]
Linden “Lin” J. July
Visitation for Linden “Lin” J. July will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. December 18, 2021, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, Minn., with burial and military rites following at the church cemetery. Linden “Lin” July, age 74, of Independence, Minn., died Friday December 10, 2021, at his home. He was born August 20, 1947 in Austin, Minn., to Milford and Jeannette … [Read more...]
Ronnie (Ron) Allen Lund
Ronnie (Ron) Allen Lund, 68, peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at St. Marys Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born April 23, 1953 ,to Milton and Leona (Olsen) Lund in the small town of Spring Valley, Minn. He attended school at Wykoff, Minn. Ron was always a hard worker building silos and then switching over to fencing which he continued to do … [Read more...]
Penz Automotive Group already passionate about Spring Valley community
When Rochester-based Penz Automotive Group purchased the Buick Chevrolet store in Spring Valley earlier this year, owner Todd Penz and his team immediately focused on becoming involved in the community. “We’re in Spring Valley, and we want to be part of Spring Valley,” he says. He is already researching sponsorship opportunities, and it’s not uncommon to spot Penz, general … [Read more...]
Hop & Barrel aims to be “community center with beer”
Jason Pahl calls Hop & Barrel – the new craft brewery in Spring Valley – his playhouse. That’s because he is the head brewer and loves his job. “I’m a research nut,” he says. “I love figuring out how styles were traditionally done, trying to adapt that to modern ingredients and then finding a way to make a style that is true to style, and finding some ways to play with it … [Read more...]