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

On December 30, 2022, David (Dave) Richard Wentland died peacefully after ongoing medical issues in Minneapolis. David was 44 years old. David was supported by his mother, Lori Wentland, and her partner, Sam Gordon, until his passing.

David is survived by his mother, Lori Wentland, of Rochester and her partner, Sam Gordon, of Eyota. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle, Melanie and Paul Hoppenworth, of Rochester, and cousins, Ashton Jacob and Ethan Hoppenworth, both of Byron. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Janette Wentland.

Cheryl Lynn (Wayne) Kalakian, 75, of Madison Lake, MN, passed away with her daughter at her side on January 5, 2023 at Birchwood Cottages in North Mankato after a long battle with dementia.

Cheryl was born May 9, 1947 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Eunice and Loren Wayne. She grew up in Geneva, MN with her parents and brother, Howard. Cheryl graduated from Ellendale High School in 1965 and entered Mankato State College that fall. After graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Mankato State in 1969, Cheryl taught at the Wilson Campus School for several years. When that facility closed, she became one of the newly established Student Relations Coordinators who represented each of the colleges at Mankato State. Cheryl played a crucial role in supporting students enrolled in the College of Education. She was wholly dedicated to the students she served and to her fellow faculty members in the College of Education. As a lifelong learner, Cheryl earned her Master’s Degree, and later, a Specialist Degree in Education.

Robert Gerald Kipp, age 75 of Waldorf, died on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at the Mayo Clinic-Methodist Campus in Rochester.

Born on February 4, 1947 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, he was the son of Gerald and Ethel (Roberts) Kipp. Bob graduated from Waldorf-Pemberton High School in 1965. Following his schooling, Bob served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany. Bob was united in marriage to Susan Brandt on August 16, 1969. Following his discharge, Bob began his career driving milk truck with Plum Valley Creamery. After the creamery closed, he continued to drive truck for Le Sueur Cheese Co. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and being in the outdoors. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Waldorf and American Legion Post #587.

Hilding, L. Johnson, age 95, of rural Owatonna, died on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the New Richland Care Center.

Hilding Lowell Johnson, the son of Harvey and Alice (Tollefson) Johnson was born in Lemond Township on October 19, 1927. He attended rural school district #35 through the eighth grade and then Went to Owatonna High School, graduating in 1945. He played drums in the high school band for three years. After school he joined the US Navy and served from 1945 until 1948 and was then in the reserves. He was called back into service from February of 1951 until July of 1953. Hilding married Joyce Spatenka on April 16, 1951 in Washington D.C. Together they had 5 children: twins

Dale and Daryl, Denise, Kristine and Craig. Joyce passed away on April 30, 1973. Hilding farmed his entire life, raising dairy cows, hogs and chickens. He was a lifetime member of Pontoppidan Lutheran, where he was very active serving on several boards, including the cemetery board. He was active with the rural school board, the creamery board and township board. On March 31, 1986, he married Eloise (Miller) Pobanz. Hilding enjoyed gardening and mowing the lawn.

Larry H. Otto met Jesus face to face the evening of Saturday, December 31, 2022. He was called to his Heavenly home from his earthly home in Ellendale, where he and his wife lovingly shared the last 23 years of their 51 year marriage. Larry’s strong heart weakened, and he passed with no lingering pain or brain injury. For that, we, his family, are thankful.

Larry is survived by his wife Emily (Busho) Otto, their daughter Bethany Boswell, her husband Curt, and daughters Kiyah and Hope. Larry and Emily’s son, Josh, his wife Kristin and their children Peyton, Kayedence, Kyah and Kenley, sister-in-law Pam (Busho) Poston and husband John, along with his sister-in-law Mary (Waage) Busho. Preceding him in death were his granddaughter Avery in 2018, along with his mother and father-in-law, Robert and Virginia Busho and brothers-in-law, Duane Wachholz and Vern Busho.