Caledonia Argus

The Year in Review continues

Posted: 1/21/03

Week of February 13........Jesse Lee OíBieglo, 18, and Keith Allen Schroeder, 18, were charged in Houston County District Court Friday, with causing $18,500 in property damage to a shelter at Beaver Creek Valley State Park and the new school. Judy Koch announced she will be closing the Phyllis Shoppe at the end of the month. The city council approved up to $4,500 for equipment and software to get Channel 3 local access station back on the air. Robert Klug has been elected President of the Farm Equipment Association of Minnesota and South Dakota. Deaths: Paul Troendle, 63, Bluffton, IA; Selma Trehus, 89, Spring Grove; James Schansberg, 95, Spring Grove; Raymond Dunn, 84, Caledonia.

Week of February 20........Ivy Grove Cafe owned by Tammy Diersen and Steve Schiltz, takes root in the former Hillman Clothing Store building, located in Spring Grove. Caledonia, Eitzen and New Albin firefighters responded to a fire at the Joel Lidstrom residence. Deaths: Susan Britain, 24, Caledonia; Fern Mitchell, 93, Caledonia; A. Milo Omodth, 91, Spring Grove.

Week of February 27........The city council agreed Monday evening to join the Houston County Economic Development Authority. The school board accepted nearly all of the recommendations of the district budget committee on Tuesday evening, cutting nearly $222,000 from its budget. On Highway 16, one mile east of Spring Grove, Terese Solum lost control of her vehicle and collided with a truck driven by Jennifer Zilly. Deaths: Doris Waldron, 89, Lewiston, MN.

Week of March 6........Sisters Sarah Wilkins, 103 and Marcella Strub, 95 felt honored and happy to be cutting the cake for the wedding reception of their good friends, Bonnie (Bakewell) and Raymond Mulholland. Caledonia High School seniors Nathan Renk and Stephanie Jandt were chosen for the AAA award, recognizing them for their participation in athletics, academics and arts. Diane Wilson of Caledonia retired as treasurer of Lutheran Brotherhood Ridge Country Branch #8681. Deaths: Agnes Bjergum, 85, Spring Grove; Florence Lorenz, 89, Wabasha, MN.

Week of March 13........The Caledonia Fire Department recently purchased a thermal imaging camera designed to locate people in the dark, smoke-filled areas. Wanda and Terry Steele open Caledonia Video. Merchants Financial Group of Winona and Merchants Bank in Caledonia have announced the promotion of Polly Betz to the position of Assistant Vice President/Operations Officer with the Winona corporation. Deaths: Duane ìDeweyî Doering, 72, Caledonia; William ìBillî Peterson, 86, Houston.

Week of March 20........Bonnie Felten recently opened ìShapesî on Main Street. Houston County Sheriffís Office received the award of a radar detector for their efforts in promoting the Operation America Buckle Up Children program. Deaths: Norma Schroeder, 86, Caledonia; Joanne Brague, 61, Onalaska; Sara Jo VanGundy, 21, Houston; Enoh Anderson, 81, Spring Grove; Emma J. Britson, 102, Houston; Carl H. Ask Sr., 86, Houston; Elizabeth ìJudyî McCallson, 80, Caledonia; Luella Smith, 97, Spring Grove.

Week of March 27........Vanessa Fleischmann was named ìScot of the Yearî at Caledoniaís eighth annual Scottish Heritage dinner. The school board cut $12,000 from the business manager position. Minnesota now has three rural and five urban districts as compared to four predominantly rural and four urban districts before redistricting. Deaths: Lloyd Duxbury Jr., 80, St.Paul; Gordon Roble, 74, Spring Grove; Fern Mitchell, 93, Caledonia; Leve G. Johnsrud, 89, Spring Grove; Virgil Wohlwend, 69, Brownsville; Dwayne Kumpf, 49, New Albin; Ronald J. Thompson, 70, Minneapolis; Robert Renslo, 62, McFarland, WI.

Week of April 3........Mary Ann Schmitz, of Mary Annís Floral, celebrated 50 years in the floral business. Georgia Rosendahl and Lee Grippen are preparing for the unveiling of ìOla and Perî in Spring Grove. Eitzen Lion Ted Kruse was presented with the Hearing Fellow Award. Installation of cabinetry, windows and lighting is now in progress at the new middle/high school. Deaths: Clarence Driscoll, 93, Brownsville; Mabel Omodt, 91, Spring Grove; Gladys Inglett, 88, Caledonia; Rev. Neal Floberg, 75, Auburndale, FL.

Week of April 10........Mark Steven Speltz, 36, of LaCrescent appeared in Winona District court charged with six counts of possession of pornographic work involving minors. Governor Jesse Ventura refuses to discuss the budget with Senate and House leaders, explaining that a political trap awaits him if he does. Allison Wagner, daughter of Curt and Maureen Wagner of Caledonia, took 1st in the Regional Knights of Columbus Free Throw contest. Deaths: Henry William Beneke, 89, Waukon, IA; Mary Dunn, 87, Caledonia.

Week of April 17........Caledonia area public schools will be sending two teams and one individual to compete against 19 other schools in the senior high division of the Future Problem Solvers State Bowl. 14 year-old Michael Kutina became the second youngest person to hit a hole-in-one at MaCal Grove Golf Club Wednesday, April 10, on hole #6. Dan Schnedecker retires after 30 years at the Hokah Post Office. Deaths: Pamela Salis, 38, Waukon, IA; Purity Massman-Welch, infant daughter of Bridgette Massman and Brent Welch, Caledonia; Lillian Myhre, 84, Cyrus; James Mulvenna, Chicago.

Week of April 24........First week of turkey hunting saw extremes as temperatures climbed to almost 90 early in the week, and sunk to the 30s over the weekend. Air Force Airman 1st Class Abram Merkl has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Navy Lt. Bruce Bronk is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, based out of Naval Air Station Oceana. Connie Hesse, Caledonia Elementary School principal, earns her doctorate degree in elementary administration. Deaths: Thelma Flatten Leine, Northfield; Robert J. Schwebach, 75, Bernardino, CA; Clara Sophia Myhre, 79, Spring Grove; Dale OíBieglo, 41, Mabel; Orinda Stehr, 87, Caledonia; Robert ìBobî Schlemmer, Volga, SD.

Week of May 1ÖÖLaura Runningen and Michael Bubbers were chosen CHS Prom Queen and King. Author Peter Razor will visit Caledonia Library. Bob Kierlin will seek GOP endorsement for State Senate. Mabel Guillien of Caledonia was honored by the Most Rev. Bishop Harrington for her dedication in teaching religious education. Bonnie Goetzinger awarded for her work with crime victims. Deaths: Palma Fritz, 83, formerly of Caledonia.

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