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

Richard Cromwell of Prescott Arizona died on January 14, 2017 at the age of 70. Rick was born in Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Chester and Olga (Bork) Cromwell. He grew up in Geneva, Minnesota with his friends and his horse, Comanche. Rick attended schools in Geneva and Ellendale, MN.

He aced his G.E.D. while in Japan, having enlisted in the Marines prior to graduation from high school. Rick served two tours in Vietnam, and was awarded the Purple Heart for injury in combat, plus multiple other awards.

Rick had two children: Rachelle Neal (Paul) of Alpha, MN and Kevin Cromwell of Alexandria, MN, and two stepchildren: Tim Palmer of Prescott Valley, AZ and Margaret Palmer of Arlington, VA.

Rick owned a sandblasting and painting business in Minnesota. He left Minnesota to move to Arizona and marry his wife, Merrily (Palmer) Cromwell.

Beverly Mae Miller, 86, of Owatonna, died Sunday, January 22, 2017 at her home.

Beverly was born July 26, 1930 in Albert Lea, Minnesota the daughter of Carlos and Doris (Nielsen) Holleschau. She graduated from Freeborn High School in 1948. She then worked at the Freeborn Egg Hatchery in Albert Lea. Beverly married LaVerne Miller on May 12, 1973 in Owatonna and in their union had a daughter, Linda. Beverly was a stay-at-home mom, caring for her 12 children, along with helping on the family farm.

Beverly loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her dog, Reese. She enjoyed caring for her chickens and feeding calves, driving around on her “mini truck”, mowing lawn on her John Deere riding lawn mower, driving her 1964 Chevy Impala, attending dances at the ballroom, along with watching and listening to polka music and shows. Beverly also raised a beautiful flower garden, strawberry patch and vegetable garden.

O.H. “Buzz” Hagen, 74, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2017, at the Cedar Ridge Winery, 1441 Marak Road NW, Swisher, Iowa 52338. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion is assisting the family.

Buzz is survived by his wife, Bobbie of Marion; three children, Tammie Hagen of Nevada, Kim (Steve) Flaa of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and Keli Hagen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five grandchildren, Samantha (Jeff) Hopp of Des Moines and their children Caleb, Grady and Owen, Ethan (Megan) Moyer of Thorton, Colorado, Maxx Flaa of Eagan, Minnesota, Hannah Moyer of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Elizabeth Obst of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and siblings, Neom (Ken) Johanson of Minnesota and Ordean Hagen of Nebraska.

Memorial services for Wallace Everett Wobschall, age 96, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. Eileen Woyen will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the V.F.W. and American Legion Honor Guard. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Wallace Everett Wobschall died peacefully at his home on January 18, 2017 from complications of Alzheimer’s. Wally was born January 30, 1920 in Wilton Township, rural Waseca, Minnesota to Erick Danial and Clara Dorothy (Reick) Wobschall. He lived there until 1930 when his family moved to rural Ellendale where he farmed until 1954 when he moved to Austin and in 2013 he moved to Albert Lea; living his whole life in Minnesota. Wally served for three years and nine months during World War II in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in North Africa, Italy, and India. He returned to the family farm upon discharge. 

James B. Borchert, 57, Fargo, N.D., died Thursday, January 12, 2017, in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Visitation from 5–7 p.m., with a Life Celebration Service at 7 p.m., Thursday, January 19, 2017, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, MN.