NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

 Lindell Ray Motley, 77 of New Richland, MN passed away on February 21, 2024. Ray was born in Carrollton, IL on May 14, 1946 to Leo Motley and Ruth (Garner) McBride.

After completing his education in Roadhouse, IL, Ray was drafted into the US Army and served his country with dedication, continuing his connection with his Army buddies throughout the years. Upon returning home in 1969, he met the love of his life, Lorna Besser, and together they built a life filled with love and companionship. Their marriage on July 28, 1970, one day before Lorna's birthday, was a testament to his thoughtful nature and his commitment to their shared journey, and Lorna’s wish not to share her birthday with their anniversary and forcing Ray to purchase two gifts to celebrate instead of a shared gift to celebrate both occasions. In 1975 they decided to return and settle down in New Richland, MN. Ray and Lorna spent countless summers on Leech Lake in Walker, MN, where he indulged in his passion for fishing, and together they enjoyed spending time on their houseboat with family and friends.

Ray had a remarkable devotion to his family, finding great joy in spending time with his nieces and nephews. He had a sweet tooth and a love for card games, particularly enjoying a round of Crazy 8s at their kitchen table, though victory often eluded him. Throughout his 42 years as a truck driver, Ray found joy in the open road, relishing the camaraderie of his fellow drivers and the simple moments of coffee and conversation that marked the beginning of his day. He and Lorna shared a special bond both on and off the road, with Lorna joining him on his travels following her retirement, making each mile a little sweeter with her culinary creations.

Adam Loren Finseth, aged 40, of Savage, tragically passed away in the line of duty on February 18, 2024.

Adam was born in Faribault, MN, on March 12, 1983 to parents Brad and Brenda, the oldest of two children. Shortly after Adam’s sister Amber was born, they moved to Rochester, MN. Even from the start of Adam’s life, he was a daredevil! He was extremely strong willed and would never take “no” for an answer. He could truly do it all. He would go deer tracking with his dad through the woods, snowboard, play soccer, baseball, hockey and was even a lifeguard. While playing baseball one day with his friends, he got struck in the nose, breaking it. But, of course, that didn’t stop him for a second. All he cared about was being a pitcher for the next game!

Adam found his calling in high school when his friend got into an accident while snowboarding together. Adam didn’t hesitate for a second to be there and care for his friend. He made sure to be there every step of the way and continued to check on his friend during his recovery. Once Adam had graduated from high school, he decided to go to technical school. He found that it wasn’t for him at the time and promptly joined the Army.

Elmer Emil Schmidthuber, 88, of Le Center, MN, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024 in the evening.

He was born on October 29th, 1935, in New Prague, MN, to Emil and Marie (Schulz) Schmidthuber. He graduated from Le Center High School and later worked at the post office for 26 years until his retirement. Over the past four years, Elmer made many friends at the New Richland Care Center. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and gardening all his life. He also enjoyed traveling in his motorhome and playing cards with his friends and family. He was a quiet and kind man who laughed and joked with everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Evelyn and her children; Deb Clark, Kathy (Doug) Fauver, Ken (Mary) Jackson, Beth Jackson, Lynn (David) Coldren, Sue (Scott) Swanson, Kris Forster (Bob Bauer), and Matt (Mai) Jackson along with Evelyn’s 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. His children, LuAnn (Gene) Hintze, Cindy (Tom) Smith, and Rick Schmidthuber, along with their 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Marie (Schulz) Schmidthuber; his brother, Harvey Schmidthuber; his son, Michael Schmidthuber, his grandson, John Fauver, and great-granddaughter Peyton Johnson

 A funeral service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN, on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service. Internment will take place at a later time at Woodlawn cemetery in Le Center. The service is open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Elmer’s memory to the New Richland Care Center 312 1st St NE, New Richland, MN 56072, or the Waseca Food Bank, 113 2nd Ave NW, Waseca, MN 56093.

Brooke Elsa Spurgeon, age 42, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at her home in Ellendale, MN. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden (2782 SW 92nd Ave., Meriden, MN  56093) with Pastor Billi Jo Wicks officiating.    Burial will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery in rural New Richland, MN. Visitation will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 4-7 p.m., and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Please see www.nasinecfh.com to leave online condolences.

**In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Rilyn Spurgeon’s Education Fund**

Brooke was born June 3, 1981, the eldest daughter of John W. and Linda A. (Cornelius) Olson in Albert Lea, MN. She grew up on the family farm in rural Ellendale, with her brother Bud and sister Bobbi-Jo; and after her high school graduation from NRHEG, the class of 1999, she moved into Ellendale. Her infectious smile and fierce independence (and the occasional cuss word or five), were such a part of her that you can’t have one without the other. After high school, she worked several years in Owatonna at Jostens. She was united in marriage to Matt Spurgeon in 2008 and to this union came Rilyn, and Brooke became the proudest momma around. She enjoyed giving her brother Bud a “bushwacker” and anyone else in her vicinity. She loved her wild adventures on the water with her sister Bobbi Jo. (Hey, if you know, you know).  

Elroy Robert Verplank of Bloomington, MN was called home to Jesus on January 16, 2024 at the age of 83. He was born January 4, 1941 to Elroy S. and Bertha N. (Teatro) Verplank in Detroit, Michigan. His family moved to New Richland, Minnesota in 1948 where he grew up and went to school. He attended Rochester Junior College and Dunwoody Industrial Institute where he studied drafting and architecture. After college, Elroy served in the Army National Guard for six years. He then worked for Harmon Glass for 46 years as a salesman of commercial glass and glazing.

Elroy and Judy were married on March 19, 1977 and moved to Bloomington, Minnesota where they raised their three children. Elroy enjoyed fishing at his lake home on Lake Sullivan, as well as taking many fishing trips to Mille Lacs Lake, Canada, and the Great Lakes. He also loved deer and pheasant hunting with his friends, reading, building projects, coaching football and baseball, assisting with Cub Scouts, bird watching, traveling, and most of all, spending time with his family at their lake home. During retirement, he and Judy enjoyed visiting the North Shore and going on several cruises and bus trips.