100 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 26, 1924

The first cross word puzzle appeared in the last issue of the Times and excited a great deal of interest. So far as we have learned no one has completely worked out the puzzle, some succeeded corner. Mr. and Mrs. Knute Hidem worked until midnight Monday night. Knute was puzzling over it all day Tuesday. Alfred Erickson and Pearl Heegard succeeded in working all but a small part of it on Sunday.

Rev. and Mrs. T. Kleven moved into the new parsonage last Monday and just got comfortably settled for Christmas. The erection of the new parsonage for the Minnewaska church commenced last summer. The construction work was done by O. E. and Victor Larson and C. T. Kirkwold. It is a fine 8-room house with bath and complete cost is about $5,500.

Miss Ida Ranum of Decorah, Ia. came Saturday to spend Christmas with the folks. She has been night supervisor at the City hospital there.

A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tollefson last week. Peter has been wearing a broad smile ever since.

Miss Lillian Gorder, who has been employed by a newspaper at Waterloo, Wis., for the past year and a half resigned her position and came home to spend the holidays at her parental home.

90 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 27, 1934

Announcements were received here this week of the marriage of Miss Agnes Nelson, formerly of Starbuck, to Arthur Johnson of Minneapolis on Dec. 20. Miss Marion Nelson and Eldred Nelson, sister & brother of the bride were their attendants.

Mr. and Mrs. P.O. Lysen of Hoff Township were honored at a dinner at West Zion church last Sunday, the occasion being their golden wedding anniversary. The Lysens were married in Benson on Dec. 5, 1884, by the late Rev. Chr. Pederson. Fifteen children were born to them, fourteen of whom are living.

Funeral services for Mrs. A.P. Nygaard were held at the Fron church on Sunday, Dec. 23, Rev. A.H. Belgum and Rev. M.C. Johnshoy officiating. Mrs. Nygaard is survived by her husband and the following children: Constance (Mrs. William Erickson), Petra (Mrs. Conrad Sletter), Borghild (Mrs. Eilert Solvie), Nora (Mrs. Herman Nordgren), Ruth (Mrs. Erick Landgaard), Ellwood, William and Ada; also, five grandchildren, Pearl and James Erickson, Kenneth and Hubert Nordgren and Arden Solvie.

A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Chan of Lowry on Dec. 21.

A fine Christmas program was given in District 51 on Friday evening and much credit is given Miss Maria Nelson for the fine training she has given her pupils.

The pupils of District 3 and their teacher, Miss Jeanette Brenden presented a very good program Friday evening. Music was furnished between acts by Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Forde, Rev. G.O. Forde and Helen Hustad. Miss Magdalene Aslakson received a five-pound box of candy which was given away.

Twin girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ingvald Aslakson on Christmas Day.

80 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 28, 1944

C.E. Nordaune had taken over the Phillips 66 bulk agency, formerly occupied by Clarence H. Johnson and would start the route on January

Ovid H. Branby, for two years second driver for the Standard Oil bulk agency in Glenwood, took over the Standard Oil bulk agency here on Dec. 15.

Cpl. Dicky Bordewick, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Bordewick of Hancock, had been reported missing in action. He went out on a mission Nov. 28 to Negros Island and he had not been heard from since.

Cpl. Boyd Hofstad returned home last week from service in the Mediterranean area on a furlough.

Word had been received that S/Sgt. Herman Carlson was now in Belgium. Pvt. Adolph Carlson was now on Leyte in the Philippines.

70 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 23, 1954

A Christmas concert was given December 29 in the school auditorium by the Fron and Minnewaska church choirs. Mrs. N.O. Dversdall directed, with Mrs. Andrew Thorstad as accompanist. Soloists were Mrs. Deloris Womelsdorf, Mrs. Hubert Nordgren, Mrs. L.W. Brown and Noel Johnson.

Minnesota motorists turned in one of the nation’s outstanding performances on S-D day, according to the state director of highway safety. Not a single fatal accident occurred during the entire campaign.

“Bottoms up,” the time-honored toast, is a prelude to disaster when it is followed by getting behind the wheel of a car, Chief of Police George Wesen warned today as he entered Starbuck in a state-wide campaign to reduce traffic deaths during the holiday season.

60 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 24, 1964

In spite of the bitter cold weather on Wednesday last week there was a large turnout to decide the fate of the proposed school bond calling for a $395,000 high school addition to the present building. The bond issue passed by 29 votes. A total of 737 voters went to the polls.

Before an overflowing audience last Wednesday evening, the elementary dept. and the Jr. and Sr. High School chorus presented, “It’s Christmas” under the direction of Miss Kathy Kube. The first half of the program was by the elementary grades. Dale Anderson, dressed as Santa Claus, sang, “While the World is Sleeping.” Next were several dances by children dressed in costumes. A seventh-grade trio, Sharilyn Olson, Susan Landmark and Margaret Opdahl dressed in angel costumes sang, “Lullaby for Mary’s Son.” Solo parts were sung in the Jr. and Sr. Chorus by Mary Boyd, Rosemary Barsness, Mike Smedstad, Dave Rollie, Dan Forde, and Dave Samuelson. Mary Boyd and Elaine Opdahl as a duet sang, “Sing Gloria” The program closed with the entire group singing the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

A large crowd was in attendance at the Norwegian services conducted by Rev. O.A. Olson at the Indherred church Sunday evening. The entire service was conducted in the Norse language.

The Spanish Classes of Starbuck High School celebrated a Spanish Christmas fiesta, “La Pinota”’ on Dec. 15 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Norton Berg, high school Spanish instructor. Two Spanish dishes, tamales and tacos were served along with familiar foods.

50 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 26, 1974

Bill Torgersen, well known and retired Starbuck businessman, was given special honors at the Minnewaska Home last Friday. The Board of Directors had two plaques especially made for Bill in recognition and thanks for all that he has contributed to the Minnewaska Home these past years greatly assisting to making what it is today. In addition, Bill celebrated his 91st birthday. 

Kayo Aslagson of Kimball and Nadine Aslagson of Princeton are spending their Christmas vacation with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Aslagson.

Gary Bredeson, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Bredeson, passed away a little past noon on Saturday. Death was the result of injuries received in a car-train accident the previous Saturday near Hazel Run. He was rushed to the University Hospital in Minneapolis where he remained in a coma until his passing.

40 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 26, 1984

Helen Marie Hagert, daughter of Tom and Marlys Hagert received a Bachelor of Science degree at commencement exercises at St. Cloud State College Nov. 21.

Terri and John Hoff of Alexandria are the parents of a son, Nathan John, born Dec. 19. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Nelson are the maternal grandparents.

Mabel T. Ronnie, 88, former resident of New Prairie and Minneapolis, died at the home of her daughter in Fresno, CA Dec. 19. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. C. Magnus Baukol (Celia) of Fresno, CA and Mrs. Richard Schneider (Mildred) of Edmonds, Washington.

Cathy Odegaard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sewald Odegaard has been named to the Directors List at the Dakota County Area Vocational School in Rosemount. She is enrolled in the Landscape-Horticulture program.

John Lundebrek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Aldon Lundebrek has been accepted for admission at the U of M Technical College, Waseca. He will major in Diversified Agriculture Production.

30 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 28, 1994

Michael Jensen, son of Larry and Diane Jensen of Starbuck graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree at St. Cloud State University at the end of the fall quarter.

Funeral services for Lola Discher, 71, were held Dec. 30 at Fron Lutheran Church. She is survived by her husband, George, and one son, Jon Discher.

Bud Chan of Lowry was seen doing some community service in Starbuck last week. Actually, he was doing a good deed by shoveling snow off the sidewalk while waiting for Harry Blok to return from an ambulance run, to give him a cut.

Funeral services for Conrad “Cornie” Pederson, 81, were held at Fron Lutheran Church Dec. 20. He is survived by one daughter, Mary Bardal of Minneapolis and one son, Bill Pederson of Orange, CA.

Cindy Chan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Chan of Lowry celebrated her “Golden Birthday” Sunday when she was 11 on the 11th.

20 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 22, 2004 

Charlene Jorgenson’s home at Southshore Drive took first place in the local contest. Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual holiday lighting contest. Winners received “Starbuck Bucks” to spend with local merchants. Second place went to Jim Johnson’s holiday lights display at John Street and Third place went to Ruby Aaberg’s holiday lights display at East Fourth Street.

Closing Starbuck Elementary School and Villard Elementary Academy’s elementary programs would be the most efficient way to house elementary students within the Minnewaska Area Schools district, concluded the MAS budget committee at its fourth meeting last Tuesday. The committee made a silent agreement on the issue, which it will recommend to the MAS board once a full budgeting recommendation package is agreed upon.

Starbuck Police Chief Hal Henning presented a certificate of commendation to Officer Bryan Klassen during the Dec. 13 Starbuck City Council meeting. Klassen initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by an armed home invasion suspect who was fleeing a Morris home. Klassen was reportedly not aware of the robbery when he stopped the suspect. Klassen saw uncased firearms in the backseat of the stopped vehicle and arrested the man at the scene. A high-speed chase then ensued through Pope County and law enforcement eventually arrested two other suspects involved in the robbery. No one was injured during the event.