By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) I love to walk in the woods. I love to listen to the birds. I love to hear the wind blow through the trees. I love the beauty and wonder of God’s Creation. The other day I went for a walk and in a field near our house a deer was standing quietly in the … [Read more...]
Bluff Country Singers Christmas concert
This year’s lineup for the Bluff Country Singers annual Christmas concerts on Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. should dispel any lingering doubts you may have about whether or not to attend. The mixed choral group, performing at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, has grown to an all-time high of 54 voices and features a dynamic mix of traditional and … [Read more...]
Amber Sue Freimark
Amber Sue Freimark, 60, of Spring Valley, died November 23, 2022, at Spring Valley Living Memory Care. Amber was born January 27, 1962, in Rochester to Erhard and Frances Freimark. She was welcomed home to rural Wykoff by her siblings, Avery, Allerd and Aleta. Although born with Down syndrome, Amber’s family – and especially her mother – made sure she had every … [Read more...]
Volunteer of the Year recognized at Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting
The annual Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting was held at the Five Wynds Event Centre in Spring Valley, Minn., on Wednesday, November 16. With more than 30 local business people and community leaders present, there was a special presentation made by Chamber President Stacey Rath. Rath opened with, “What does Spring Valley mean to me? I have lived in this town for … [Read more...]
Groundbreaking for new Penz Automotive Building
Saturday, November 5, was indeed a groundbreaking day in Spring Valley for Penz Automotive Group. Penz has owned the Spring Valley Chevrolet Buick in Spring Valley for about a year and is currently leasing the building they are using. Groundbreaking was held at a new location at 1100 N. Broadway Street on the northside of Spring Valley just off of Highway 63, for the brand new … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Spending some time out in the woods reading Psalm 23
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Have you ever had one of those days when you find yourself running here and running there and and just having too many commitments and things that require your attention, along with other things that cause stress, pressure and anxiety? I had one of those … [Read more...]
Kenneth “Kenny” Ernest Schultz
Kenneth “Kenny” Ernest Schultz, age 93, of Wykoff, Minn., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Spring Valley Senior Living in Spring Valley, Minn. Kenny was born in Preston, Minn., on July 30, 1929, the son of Richard and Pauline (Bender) Schultz. He was the second youngest of 16 children. Kenny was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran … [Read more...]
Dorothy JoAnn VanTries
Dorothy JoAnn VanTries, born August 13, 1937, of Spring Valley, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2022, surrounded by loved ones after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was married to Donald VanTries on August 21, 1955, in the Spring Valley Baptist Church, where they were members for many years. They were together the rest of Dorothy’s life – over 67 years of … [Read more...]
Gary “Bohunk” Ptacek
Gary “Bohunk” Ptacek, age 68, of Spring Valley, Minn., lost his battle with cancer on October 14, 2022, at home on his family’s farm, surrounded by loved ones. He is survived in death by his sweetheart Michele Nagele, children Jesse (Raychel) Ptacek and Abby (Jak) Fessenden; grandchildren Olivia, Milly, Teddy, Nelson, and Sameen; mother Millie Ptacek, siblings Kathy Ruesink, … [Read more...]
Kingsland adding after-school options and transportation
The Kingsland School Board met in regular session on October 17. Members present included Cindy Seabright, Maranda Emig, and Kyle Rader. Superintendent Scott Klavetter also participated. Natasha Howard was absent. “We are going to be starting after school programs, much like we did last year, starting here after MEA. So Dusty’s been working on, and is pretty much ready to … [Read more...]
Kingsland new teachers
Kingsland School welcomes seven new teachers this school year. Each shared a little about themselves so you can get to know them. Collin Boekhoff is the new 4th grade teacher at Kingsland Schools. Boekhoff says he was drawn to a teaching career because he wanted to make an impact on children. He shared he has always enjoyed spending time with children and wanted to find … [Read more...]
Gerald R. Hanf
Gerald R. Hanf, age 71, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away at home on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Jerry was born on June 10, 1951, to Raymond and Elsie (Fjerstad) Hanf in Rochester, Minn. He and his siblings grew up in Rochester, where he graduated from Mayo. Jerry married Jan Kruger and started a family. Shortly after they married, Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army. … [Read more...]
Spring Valley discusses fires and rooster
Fires, noise, and a rooster were among the main discussion items during the Spring Valley city council’s regular meeting on October 10, with all council members present (Mayor Tony Archer, John Dols, Chris Danielson, Luan Ruesink, and Greg Brooks). City Clerk Deb Zimmer also participated. There was “standing room only” as roughly twenty citizens were on hand to listen and/or … [Read more...]
Kingsland Board to appoint new member
During the Kingsland School Board meeting on October 6, it was noted that board chair Jackie Horsman resigned from the board, effective September 30. Kyle Rader led the meeting, with all members present. The board discussed how to fill the board position vacated by Horsman’s resignation. Rader and Superintendent Klavetter discussed the general process and timelines. … [Read more...]
John Edward Freiheit
John Edward Freiheit, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away on Friday, September 23, 2022. He was 65 years old. John was born to parents, Darrell and Shirley Freiheit, on December 13, 1956. John graduated from Wykoff Public School in 1975. After graduation, he continued working with his parents on the family farm in rural Preston, Minn., for nearly 25 years. In 1977, … [Read more...]