Feature Stories from the Star Eagle pages.
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All Saints priest accepts calling in Winona
HE’LL BE MISSED — All Saints Church’s Mike Cronin has accepted a calling in Winona. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
For the second time in less than a month, it appears New Richland is losing one of its finest.
Father Mike Cronin of All Saints Church is leaving the parish, along with St. Ann’s in Janesville and St. Joseph’s in Waldorf, to accept a calling in Winona, closer to his roots. It follows the announcement that Pastor Brian Gegel is moving to Illinois, leaving LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran of rural New Richland.
All Saints parishoners are glad they have a new priest coming in, but they know they’ll miss Cronin.
“We’ll miss him a lot,” said church trustee Gretchen Supalla. “He’s very enthusiastic and has a really positive attitude. He really got our parish going. He wanted to get things done.”
“I think he has done so much good for our church,” said Kris Pfeffer. “He’s been a real asset to our church and our communities. He’s so sincere. We’re sorry to see him go.”
The feeling appears mutual.
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Meet the mayor
FAMILY TIES — New Richland Mayor Mike Shurson is following in the footsteps of his father, former NR Mayor Merle Shurson. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
For most of his adult life, Mike Shurson’s mind was set: he was not interested in becoming mayor of New Richland. But it was always in the back of his mind. So finally, in 2018, he decided to throw his hat into the ring, and got elected.
So far, the stint as mayor has been enjoyable for Shurson, who served 30 years on the New Richland Fire Department, despite the fact that it’s more time-consuming than he originally thought.
“It’s more work than I expected,” he said, “but it fits my style. So far I think it’s working fine.”
Shurson follows in the footsteps of his father, Merle, who served as the town’s mayor from 1964-1971. With Merle Shurson as mayor, New Richland implemented Waseca County’s first volunteer ambulance service and built a new city hall. Shurson remembers listening to his dad practice his dedication speech for the new city hall, and recalls the police chief knocking on their door asking what to do when the historic tornados of 1967 slammed the area.
“I remember a knock on the door, and it was the chief of police,” Shurson said. “He said, ‘There’s a tornado outside of town. What do we do?’”
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66 NRHEG seniors earn their diploma
IT’S OFFICIAL — Seniors move their tassels from left to right to signify their graduation. Front: Karenna Strom, Jadyn Surat. Back: Dylan Mosher, Shaun Gullickson, Krista Myers. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Together they stood for the final time.
One by one, they walked out into the world.
The NRHEG High School class of 2019 graduated Sunday afternoon in a nearly packed high school gymnasium in New Richland. Sixty-six received a diploma.
“It’s a privilege and honor to be part of your celebration today,” said superintendent Dale Carlson, who thanked everyone who made it possible: the school board; parents and guardians, “your child’s most important teacher,” along with teachers and support staff.
Carlson encouraged the graduates to change the world, cherish friendships, and follow their hearts and intuition.
“We’re proud of you,” said Carlson. “I wish you the best, and job well done.”
High school principal David Bunn introduced director Miles Otstot and the NRHEG Band, which traditionally chooses one song to play during commencement. This year’s selection was “Call of the Wild,” by Brian Balmages.
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Gegel leaving LeSueur River, Vista Lutheran
SO LONG, PASTOR GEGEL — Though he’s putting the church behind him for now, former LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Pastor Brian Gegel has not ruled out a return to ministry at some point. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It was late March when Pastor Brian Gegel got the call. His father was in the hospital — in Southern Illinois, where Gegel was born and raised.
Gene Amley, an elderly member of the parish Gegel served, was one of the first to offer advice.
“He told me, ‘Pastor, you’ve got to get down there,’” said Gegel. “I said, ‘Well, thank you Gene. You’re the voice of God.”
The visit led to a gut-wrenching decision for Gegel: to leave LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Church after nearly seven years.
“It’s actually something I’ve been wrestling with since last year,” said Gegel, 61. “It was a very difficult decision.”
Amley seemed to echo the thoughts of parish members: it’s something Gegel had to do, but it’s awfully sad to see him leave.
Gegel is also leaving behind the memory of losing his beloved wife, Jane, who died in May 2017 after a 10-year battle with cancer. She rests near where Gegel is moving.
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Former NRHEG wrestling coach named to hall of fame
A LITTLE OLDER, A LITTLE WISER — Former NRHEG coach Paul Cyr was inducted into the Minnesota chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame April 27. (Submitted photo)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Like your favorite old retired ballplayer, the memories of Paul Cyr at NRHEG seem to get sweeter with age.
Only with the passage of time can we fully appreciate the daily enthusiasm and genuine joy he brought to the job, not only as head wrestling coach, but as a teacher and principal.
But it’s in wrestling he truly shined. And it’s where he’s been honored at the national level.
Cyr, who retired from NRHEG in 2013 after 27 event-filled years, was inducted into the Minnesota chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame April 27 at the Austin Holiday Inn.
Spencer Yohe, chairman of the NWHOF Minnesota chapter, described Cyr as one of the truly likeable, enthusiastic and successful coaches in Minnesota high school wrestling history.
“It’s an honor,” said Cyr. “It’s great, and I appreciate it.”
But it wasn’t the highlight of his weekend.
“For me, it was so much more fun to see so many people from New Richland there,” said Cyr.