110 YEARS AGO

From March 28, 1913

Tillie Branby of Barsness was married to Louis Stokkenes on Wednesday, March 19 at Rev. Bales parsonage. The young couple will reside on the groom’s farm in North Dakota. 

Victor Larson of Starbuck was out spinning his auto on Saturday. Of course, the car did carry an extra passenger on it’s homeward bound.

About 20 of the high school students had a fudge party on Herman Larson Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Brandon. The evening was spent in playing games. Those present enjoyed themselves ever so much. 

A baby girl came to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Braaten last week. 

100 YEARS AGO

From March 23, 1923

Miss Mabel Swenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Swenson of Glenwood township, and Mr. Oscar Opdahl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Opdahl, of Barsness, were united in marriage at the parsonage in Glenwood on Wednesday by Rev. H.O. Koefod. Miss Olga Opdahl and Mr. Arthur Swenson were the attendants.

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hagen last Sunday Morning.

Alfred Gjerdingen, Theodore Anondson and Oscar Stadsvold were on their way to Johnny Johnson’s Saturday evening when their buggy broke down. They left their horse at Palvin Pedersons and Started out on foot, lost their way, and made a five mile circle in Southern Barsness before they reached their destination. 

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Linder the first part of the week. 

90 YEARS AGO

From March 23, 1933

H.B. Stadsvold, who for a number of years worked for the Farmers Store in the hardware department, has now opened a new Hardware Store in the Chalenburg building. Mr. Chalenburg will have an office in the building but will limit his business to farm machinery. 

A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ole Tharaldson on Saturday.

Warren Mickelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Mickelson of New Prairie, was attacked by a tramp while on his way to school Wednesday morning. The man hit the boy over the head with a stick, ate the boy’s lunch and then forced him to lie on the ground and filled his mouth with snuff, making him very sick.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Otteson are the parents of a baby boy, born on March 17. 

80 YEARS AGO

From March 25, 1943

Dorothy Carol Larson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Larson and Lt. Glenn T. Berge, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Berge were married March 13 at the First Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA. The couple will make their home in Richmond where Lt. Berge will be stationed during the next training period. 

Martin Gorder, butcher at the Starbuck Creamery Locker Plant would like to know if pigs can read or if some of them listen to the radio, as the one he tried to butcher Friday must have heard about the coming meat rationing. Martin grabbed for the pig’s ear, but he sank his sharp teeth into Martin’s right hand. Several Stitches were necessary to close the wound and Gorder is taking a forced vacation.

John Odell Nordaune celebrated his first birthday at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nordaune Friday.

A farewell party was held Monday evening for Mr. and Mrs. Emmuel Ekstrom, who are leaving for Spokane, Washington this week where they will be caretakers of a Covenant Old People’s Home. 

70 YEARS AGO

From March 26, 1953

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Dullum was the scene of a happy event when Perry Dullum and his son, Gerry, celebrated their birthdays which are the same day, Sunday, March 22. Gerry was two years old. 

Pvt. Tommy Finstad has received his orders to go to Europe as recreational director. He will report to Camp Kilmer, N.J., April 1 and expects to be transferred overseas in two weeks. 

Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Brenden and Family moved to the Kenneth Sylvester farm near Cyrus last week. 

Confirmation services will be held Sunday at Indherred Lutheran Church. The following are members of the class: Marvis Sweet, Karen Flack, Peter Gilbertson, Sonja Smedstad, Gary Moen, Howard Opdahl and Arlo Refsal.

60 YEARS AGO

From March 21, 1963

The body of Joseph H. Ronnie, 59, of Starbuck was found in the ditch at the edge of the road along the county road east of Herbert Belgums in Nora township Sunday evening. It is believed he died from a heart attack and exposure. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at the Starbuck Funeral Home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Winge of Minneapolis are the parents of a son, Michael Jon, born Thursday, March 14.

A group of 20 neighbors, relatives and friends helped Diane Barsness celebrate her 13th birthday at the LuVern Barsness home Monday. 

50 YEARS AGO

From March 22, 1973

Maynard “Ole” Olson Alexandria, a resort owner and a strong conservationist was the guest speaker at the regular meeting of the Starbuck Lions Club Monday evening. He has been interested in wild life for years and told of the program he has been involved in, especially in the Douglas County Area. With the aid of colored slides he spoke on carp control, the raising of fish, Canada geese, pheasant and other water projects.

The Minnewaska Lutheran Home had its annual meeting Saturday and the three persons up for re-election to the board were voted in again. They were Palmer Barsness, Irwin Knutson and Howard Teigen.

Many area residents participated in the Starbuck Ambulance service’s open house Saturday and Sunday. The Irwin Stangeland family happened to be inspecting the new ambulance Saturday afternoon when the Times photographer came along. President of the local ambulance service, Larry Kittelson, reports funds have been coming in at an unbelievable rate.  

40 YEARS AGO

From March 23, 1983

Robert and Lynne Zempel of Minneapolis are the Parents of a son, Robert Larence, born March 14. Grandparents are Dr. and Mrs. Alan Zempel.

Airman Shaun Signalness, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Signalness of Starbuck, was commended by the United States Air Force recently for his “outstanding progress in his elected course of electronics.” He carried a grade point average of 96.9 percent.

Kent Amundson, Mike Nelson, Matt Rutledge, Cathy Odegaard and Cindy Vatthauer were selected as All-Conference basketball players for the 82-83 season. Doug Toivonen received honorable mention. 

Kristi Erickson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arlan Erickson, was awarded a third place ribbon in the high school division for her pastel drawing at the Glacial Ridge Art Show held in Glenwood recently. 

Funeral services for Olaf Erickson, 88, were held from East Zion Lutheran Church March 15. He is survived by five children, Mrs. Orville(Thelma) Searcy of St. Louis Park, Orrin Erickson of Starbuck, Mrs. Stanley (Marion) Braaten of St. Louis Park, Mrs. Neal (Norma) Paulson of Champlin and Mrs. Jerry (Janice) Engerholm of Glenwood.

30 YEARS AGO

From March 24, 1993

Greg Kerkvliet, a 6th grader at Starbuck Elementary school was top scorer in his competition level in the Star Tribune State Current Event Contest semi-final competition held recently. Greg will now advance to the state finals on April 17 at the Sheraton Airport Inn in Bloomington. He is the son of John and Elaine Kerkvliet.

Funeral services for Clara M. Naseth, 82, of Willmar were held March 23 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ardell (S. Faye) Moen of Willmar and a son, Carl of West Fargo, ND.

A son, Wesley James, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Klammer (Karen Stoen) March 4.

Funeral services for Lulu Anderson, 91, will be held March 27 at Fron Lutheran Church. She is survived by one sister, Mabel Anderson. 

20 YEARS AGO

From March 19, 2003

Rep. Bud Heidgerken managed to get numerous area residents to come inside on a brisk, spring-like day to discuss the state budget and how they can make their voices heard. Most of those who attended the meeting at Nodland’s Cafe on Saturday afternoon were concerned with surrounding the elderly. 

Despite hearing opposition from a few residents at last week’s public hearing, the city council decided to move forward with plans to add to the city’s multi million dollar storm sewer improvement project. The council made it official on March 11, when they sold over $2 million in bonds to fund the entire project.

The Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce met on March 12 to discuss several issues, including the new map of Starbuck. Work on the map has been a long road for the chamber board, but it seems the end of the road is near. 

10 YEARS AGO

From March 27, 2013

An optimistic Bran Boettcher of BKB Associates told the Minnewaska Board of Education last Tuesday that things are on track for finding the district a new superintendent by the end of April. Boettcher was hired by the school board to seek out candidates after the previous six-month effort of the board to do so ended when the candidate offered the job in February decided no to take it. 

Head coach Steve Hill begins his 22nd year at the helm of the boys’ track and field team. Gordy Moeller is also in his 22nd year, Heading up the girls’ team. Rounding out the staff are Jennifer Johnsrud as the distance coach and junior high coach Susan Van Dyke. The four-person staff works together to coach all the boys and girls in track and field, grades 7-12.

Glenwood’s Morgan Hess, daughter of Jeff and Kris Hess, is a member of the Alexandria Figure Skating Club. Morgan Participated in the Duluth Northland Competition and took fourth place in the intermediate Well Balanced long program. The club has their annual Spring Show, with several local skaters, on April 6, at 7 p.m. and April 7, at 1 p.m.