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

Four-lane highway now continuous from New Ulm to Rochester

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today stood alongside a bipartisan group of legislators and community leaders to open the last stretch of Highway 14 that completes a continuous four-lane highway between New Ulm and Rochester. Photos from the event are attached.

Governor Walz’s advocacy on this project spans back to his time in Congress and the death of his neighbor in Mankato.

“As someone who has lost a neighbor on this road, I know that for the Minnesotans who travel Highway 14 every day, this project is personal. After years of working on this in Congress, I’m incredibly proud to see the final miles of this project completed,” said Governor Walz. “Today, I am keeping all who have lost loved ones on this highway in my thoughts. This expansion will keep Minnesotans safe while expanding economic activity across southern Minnesota.”

Beverly Jean (Kauffman) Dunnette, 89, of New Richland, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023 at the New Richland Care Center.

Born on August 19, 1934 in Pecatonica, Illinois, Beverly was the loving daughter of the late Almer and Helen Kauffman.

Beverly was a proud graduate of Albert Lea High School, class of 1953. On May 5, 1957 in Albert Lea, she was united in marriage to Charles W. Dunnette. Together, they raised three sons: Terry, David and Brian, and built a beautiful life filled with cherished memories.

Beverly embodied the spirit of kindness and generosity. A member of the First Congregational Church in New Richland, Beverly worked as a cook at the former New Richland-Hartland High School and dedicated her time as a volunteer at the New Richland Care Center.

Donald Schuler passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at his home in rural Ellendale, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road, Owatonna, MN). Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Owatonna Memorial Gardens. Military Honors will be provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit.

Donald Duane Schuler was born May 14, 1960 in Owatonna, MN to Kenneth and Gloria (Stoltz) Schuler. He attended school in Medford, MN and was a member of the graduating class of 1978.  Following high school, he immediately enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany for two years. While home on leave, he was involved in a tragic automobile accident, leaving him permanently disabled.   

Don made his home in rural Ellendale. He loved working on cars and could take anything apart and put it back together. He enjoyed attending auctions, riding motorcycle, and spending time with his family.

Don is survived by his siblings: Denise Schuler of Medford, Steve Schuler of Hope, MN, James Schuler of Owatonna, Cathy Brown of Owatonna, Chuck (Sue) Schuler of Owatonna, Joanne Schuler of Medford, and Sara Schuler of Owatonna; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and nephews Justin and Tim.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com

 

Richard Hankerson, age 87, Mesquite, NV, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday night, November 23, 2023 in Mesquite.

Richard was born to Dr. Robert and Mabel Hankerson in Minnesota Lake, MN. He graduated from Minnesota Lake High School and the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture. He married Eileen Mericle, and three sons were born to this union. They raised their family in rural Waldorf, where he was a crop, hog, and sod farmer. Motorcycle racing was a family pastime. In 1975 they moved to New Richland and raised cattle. He was always fascinated with computers, having one of the first home computers, a Commodore Pet. In the late 80s, he left farming and started his own computer business in Albert Lea, selling a software program he designed. Later in life, he retired to New Bern, NC; Hill City, SD; and Mesquite, NV to do the things he really enjoyed: golf, 4-wheeling, sailing, and tennis. His wishes were to have his ashes spread in the Black Hills of South Dakota, which he loved so much.

Richard is survived by his partner Marie Moline; sons Doug (Sarah) Hankerson of Wells, MN, Darrel (Cindy) Hankerson of Auburn, AL, and Danny (Lynette) Hankerson of Black Hawk, SD; grandchildren Brett (Sabrina) Hankerson, Jay (Sara) Hankerson, and Heidi (Tommy) Bindel; and two great-grandchildren Liam & Patricia Bindel; former wife Eileen Hankerson of Wells; nephews Kurt & Eric Frank; cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Alice (Jim) Frank.

 

Darlene Tesch, age 92 of rural Waldorf, MN was called to her heavenly home on November 15, 2023.

Darlene Dorothy, the first-born child of Leonard and Tillie (Gilster) Proehl entered this world on October 16, 1931 on their farm north of Waldorf in Freedom Township, Waseca County. She was baptized on November 29, 1931, and later confirmed in her Lutheran faith on June 18, 1944 at First Lutheran Church, Waldorf. Darlene’s mother wrote in her confirmation Bible, “There is a great day to come when you will be able to join parents, sister, and friends and all who are so dear, in one beautiful land with our Dear Savior Jesus, never to part again.”

Darlene lived within two miles of Waldorf her entire life. As a young child, her family moved to a farm south of Waldorf. While growing up, she enjoyed helping her father in the fields and could drive their team of horses with ease. Darlene was valedictorian of the Waldorf High School graduating class of 1949.