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

Carol Jean Fitterer, 77, of Owatonna, Minnesota died Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Owatonna Hospital. 

Carol was born November 25, 1939 in Mankato, Minnesota the daughter of Albert and Agatha (Oftadahl) Bollman.  She graduated from Pemberton High School in 1957.  Carol married Lewis Fitterer on October 5, 1957 in Mapleton, Minnesota.  They lived in Claremont and Owatonna prior to moving to the Litomysl area in 1964 where they farmed.  Throughout the years, Carol also worked at Gibson’s, Woolworths, Owatonna Manufacturing Company, and as a bookkeeper as Perkins.  

Carol was a longtime member and active supporter of Al-Anon.  She enjoyed flea markets, reading, crocheting, and the casino.  She loved playing cards and board games with her grandchildren, and was recently learning Facebook.   

 

Irene May (Brown) Wiesjhan, 96, of Owatonna, Minnesota, died Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

Irene was born May 18, 1920 in Somerset Township, Steele County, Minnesota the daughter of Frank and Olga (Johnson) Brown.  She was baptized by Rev. O.G. Dahlager, June 20, 1920 at the parsonage in Lemond Township and confirmed at First Lutheran Church of Hope by G.J. Bretheim on October 21, 1934.  Irene attended all eight grades at District #12 and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1938.  Irene worked as a waitress at Mac’s Café, Owatonna Hotel, Arnold House, Enterprise Laundry and Jostens doing defense work during WWII.  On September 4, 1944, she was united in marriage to George Wiesjhan at the First Lutheran Church of Hope by Rev. C.T. Olson.  In 1951, they moved to a farm by Hope.  She also was a bookkeeper at the Speltz Elevator and Hope COOP Creamery.

Syvilla Marie Stenzel, age 74, of New Richland, MN, died Saturday, February 4, 2017 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 10, 2017 at 10:30 AM, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN, with Fr. Andrew Vogel officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN, and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Casimir Cemetery. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family.  To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com.

Elsie “Ellie” Caroline Becker was born on February 7, 1933, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Carl and Clara (Thofson) Knudson. Ellie grew up on their family farm in rural Hartland, Minnesota. At age 7 her father passed away suddenly and her mother became ill, unable to care for the family. Ellie and some of her siblings spent that first summer living with aunts and uncles while her three eldest brothers maintained the farm. In the fall they all returned home. Her large extended family wrapped their arms around her and her siblings to provide the support, love and guidance during those years, so they could stay together as a family. Ellie was baptized as an infant in 1933 and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth in 1941 at Hartland Lutheran Church in Hartland, Minnesota. She was a graduate of the New Richland High School Class of 1951. Ellie furthered her education at the University of Minnesota after receiving a scholarship to study nursing. She graduated with an LPN degree in nursing. Ellie had always dreamed of being a flight attendant, but needed to wait until she was a year older. However, her first nursing assignment would introduce her to Charles Becker while his mother was recovering from surgery at the Hutchinson Community Hospital.

Delbert C. Johnson, age 80 of Owatonna, died Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault.

Delbert Carl Johnson was born on February 25, 1936 in New Richland, Minnesota the son of Carl and Edith Johnson and attended country school. On March 19, 1953, Delbert enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army on March 2, 1956, and served in the National Guard Reserves for a number of years. He was united in marriage to Henrietta DeSchane on October 3, 1959.  The couple was blessed with four children, Kevin, Kristine, Dawn and Darren. They later divorced.  Delbert worked at Owatonna Manufacturing Company and Fretham Brothers Excavating for a number of years. On December 11, 1976, he married Marie Louise Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. The couple made their home in Owatonna where Delbert owned and operated Dell’s Trucking until 2006. He was an avid hunter and fisherman taking many trips up north. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, going for drives, horses and especially loved polka dancing.