110 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 12, 1915

The directors of the Farmers Store held their regular February meeting on Friday and Saturday of last week. The following are the directors at the present time: Hans Gorder, Carl Nelson, Olaus Pederson, H.M. Tessem, O. Tharaldson and O.E. Kamrud. The past year was a very successful one for the store —in fact, the best that it has ever had. A dividend of 6% was declared on all the stock. A.G. Fossen was reelected manager. No change was made in the clerical force.

Smedstad and Wesen have just procured a new set of harness (double) from J.C. Norby. The harness is all brass trimmed, and was made to order. It cost in the neighborhood of $100.00. They are using it on their big black team on the dray. The team and harness make the swellest outfit seldom seen outside the Twin Cities.

A.H. Dreyer has just completed wiring of the Wells Hanson Company’s big store. They now have an excellent system of electric lighting.

Miss Marie Larson of Cyrus enjoyed a couple of days visiting friends in Glenwood last week. She also took in the St. Olaf band concert and the ski tournament.

100 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 13, 1925

Sigurd Schefloe speared a 23-pound pickerel, one of the largest fish caught here for some time. It was 43 inches long. Sigurd took it in to Dr. Christenson, who had it prepared for the patients in the Minnewaska hospital. Miss Wrolson will have to suspend the rules, as there will be no sick patients when that big pickerel comes out of the oven.

About 600 people were served at the Fron Men’s Supper in the church parlors last evening. Before 6:00 o’clock the first diners began coming, then the men were kept busy waiting on tables and washing dishes until after 9:00 o’clock. They served about 125 at each setting. It took about five settings before they could all be served. The men had cooked 175 pounds of meat, six bushels of potatoes and had 200 lefse, 500 rolls, 85 pies, 60 cakes and loaves of bread. The receipts from the sale of tickets amounted to $280.00.

The pupils of Districts 32, 33 and 3 met in District 3 last Friday afternoon for a spelling contest. Honors were won by Alice Bagne, District 32, in oral, and Gladys Nelson, District 3, in the written test. The teachers, Misses Kaisa Anderson, Ellen Troen and Ellen Sansness, served cocoa and marshmallows.

90 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 14, 1935

A deal was transacted on Monday whereby M.B. Stoen purchased the local Phillips Service station located at the intersection of highways 28 and 29 from Ray Olson, taking possession at once. Ray Olson expects to leave soon for the West Coast to make his home in Seattle.

Five local boys, members of the basketball team, narrowly escaped injury Tuesday evening when the car in which they were riding met with an accident just west of Starbuck. Glenn Rundquist, Thomas Olson, Dorvan Skoglund, Philip Hagert and Lloyd Landmark were riding with Olaf Engen on their way to Alberta when they collided with a car driven by Ingvald Vegoe of Glenwood. No one was seriously injured.

Mr. and Mrs. Alex Kapsner are the parents of a baby boy born to them on Sunday.

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jackson on Monday.

The Drought Relief office at Glenwood reports that 20 carloads of roughage will be received in the county. The distribution will be as follows: 1 carload of hay and 3 of straw at Hancock, the same amount for Glenwood and Starbuck, 2 cars of straw to Cyrus; 1 car of hay and 3 cars of straw to Sedan and 2 cars of straw to Brooten. The dealers will be empowered to sell the roughage at 50¢ a ton.

80 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 15, 1945

Miss Adeline Rorvig, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rorvig and Leander Berg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Berg were married at the Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage in Benson February 2. Attendants were Doris Rorvig and Ellsworth Berg.

Pvt. Richard Teigen was killed in action January 31 in Northern Germany, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lars Telgen.

A muskrat strayed into Starbuck on Saturday figuring Ernie Stensby would have something for him to eat. Leo Hagen was too quick for him and caught him from under a parked automobile. He released him in the alley back of the cafe and told him to get out of town in a hurry before he became part of a fur coat.

Miss Lucille Voight, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otto E. Voight and Mr. George W. Harvey, United States Naval Reserve, were married at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis November 18. 

70 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 17, 1955

A host of friends and relatives attended the consecration services of Mary Elizabeth Andert as deaconess, held at Calvary Lutheran church at Glenwood a week ago Sunday. Beth is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Andert.

Rev. and Mrs. Norman Dversdall, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Larson, Mrs. Olava Johnshoy, Mrs. B.C. Helgeson, Mrs. Johanna Rio, Mrs. Martha Johnson, Mrs. Constance Erickson and Mrs. Carl Krause of Morris helped Mrs. Hulda Siverson celebrate her 87th birthday at the Bethany Home at Alexandria on Sunday. Rev. Dversdall conducted devotion, and Mrs. Dversdall sang several solos.

George Noyes is happily boasting of being great grandfather. His granddaughter, Mrs. Dean Jenson of Holmes City, gave birth to a 7-pound boy February 6. She of the former Laurel Gaarder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gaarder of Glenwood. While employed at the Pope County State bank, prior to her marriage, she made her home with her grandfather.

Mr. and Mrs. Luvern Barsness and LouAnn and Diane spent Friday and Saturday in Minneapolis. On Saturday they attended the wedding of Miss Carol Perkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Perkins, former managers of the Nod-Land hotel and cafe, to LeRoy Muellner of St. Paul.

Dr. A.F. Giesen is convalescing at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Dr. and Mrs. Giesen drove down there earlier this month, and expect to remain there through February.

60 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 18, 1965

At the 11:00 o’clock service at Fron last Sunday, Pro Det et Patria awards were given to two Star Scouts, Gary Landgraf and Paul Olson. In order for a scout to be granted this highest award for Scouting in the Lutheran Church, he must have given 150 hours minimum of work and service in the church under the supervision of the pastor. 

Mark Deaner, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Deaner of Starbuck had the honor of catching the first bass in the Boys Scouts Fishing Derby on Lake Minnewaska on Feb. 6. Mark landed a 2’4 pound bass minutes after the contest got underway.

Rick Anderson, Starbuck, was among the state’s high school basketball players picked on the Minneapolis Morning Tribune’s “Cage Stars of the Week” column which appears each Tuesday.

Miss Janet Smedstad, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Odell Smedstad and Mark Bjorge, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Bjorge of Windom were united in marriage at the Indherred church on January 1, Rev. James Sumption officiating. Mrs. Jim Ozbun, sister of the bride, was matron of honor and Mary Smedstad, also a sister of the bride, was bridesmaid. The groom was attended by David Hyland and Michael Smedstad. January 1 also marked the 37th wedding anniversary of the bridegroom’s parents.

Mr. and Mrs. George Granzow, Eldora, lowa, announce the engagement of their Sarah to Ronald Bardal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bardal of Starbuck.

Two girls from Starbuck are on the dean’s list at Concordia College. They are Linda Otteson, freshman, and Susan A. Stevens, sophomore.

Funeral services for Mrs. Anna Marie Edmonds were held at the First Methodist Church in Glenwood on Wednesday. She is survived by her husband, Walter H. Edmonds, two daughters, Myrtle (Mrs. Otteson) and Dolores (Mrs. William Blair); three sons, Howard, Melvin and Norman; two brothers, two sisters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.

50 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 13, 1975

David and Ellsworth Thompson take honors at annual DHIA banquet Monday evening at the Minnewaska House.

Funeral services for Reuben (Bob) Thompson, former Starbuck businessman, were held from Fron Church on Monday, Feb. 10, 1975 at 11:00 a.m.

The Alvarado School Board elected Lloyd Wilke, son of Elmer Wilke of Starbuck, as Alvarado Teacher of the Year.

Rosann S. Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Anderson of Starbuck and Neal L. Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Anderson of Rockwell City, lowa were united in marriage Dec. 21 at Fron Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. The Rev. Arvin Halvorson officiated at the double ring ceremony.

Kathie Branch and Bruce Jergenson were united in marriage on Nov. 16, 1974 at Glenwood Lutheran Church in Glenwood, Pastor Harold Vold officiating.

Ivalou Thorstad, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thorstad of Big Lake was united in marriage to Alan Moll, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Moll of Atwater, at the Saran Lutheran Church, Big Lake, on Sat., Sept. 4th at 2 p.m.

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Thompson of Fridley are the parents of a seven week old baby boy, Chad Douglas. He joins a brother, Cory Allen. Gary is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lelan Thompson of Lowry. Chad is an adopted son.

A pink and blue shower honoring Mrs. Arlen Long will be held at the home of Mrs. Virginia Signalness on Friday, Feb. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. Everyone welcome. 

40 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 13, 1985

Starbuck Boy Scout Troop 491 celebrated the 75th anniversary of Boy Scouting in America with a bean feed and meeting held Wednesday at the Fron Church. Walter Larson, president of the Central Minnesota Council of Boy Scouts was the guest speaker at the event. Larson is pictured with past scoutmasters Chuck Wahlquist and Cornie Pederson. 

The Starbuck Fire Department was the recipient of revenue sharing money from the City of Starbuck to purchase a new pressure demand air pac for the department in order to replace outdated equipment. City Councilman Harlan Medalen and Mayor Gerald Holten are pictured with Fire Chief Roger Larson and the new air pac which prevents a fireman from breathing in smoke and toxic gases while fighting a fire. The department presently has five such units.

David D. Malenke, son of Marilyn Mortenson of Starbuck and Dale Malenke of West Plains, Missouri, has, been promoted in the U.S. Air Force to the rank of staff sergeant. Malenke is a precision measuring equipment specialist at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., with the 319th Avionics Maintenance Squadron. He is a 1981 graduate of Starbuck High School.

Last Friday, the Starbuck Farmers Union Oil Company honored Elmer Swenson by hosting a public Open House in honor of his “official” retirement. Elmer retired January 1 after thirty-one years as manager of the cooperative business. He was honored by the management and staff at a company retirement party earlier. During his special day, Elmer (shown in the plaid shirt facing the camera) visited throughout the day with many friends and customers. Coffee and “retirement” cake were served.

30 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 15, 1995

At ceremonies held last Saturday evening in the Minnewaska Area High School Auditorium, seniors Heidi Mueller and Jason Bosch were crowned Queen and King. Queen Heidi is the daughter of Robert and Dineen Mueller and King Jason is the son of Sandy Bosch. Emcees for the evening were Kelly Nichtern and Matt Shea.

February 4 Teresa Davis and four of her friends enjoyed a Bison basketball game in Fargo, North Dakota. Why is this so special? Because the eleven-year-old Starbuck girl was chosen to be the spokesperson for the Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive in conjunction with United Blood Services. Prior to the blood drive. Teresa, with several members of the mens and womens’ basketball team make public service announcements which will be aired on the radio and TV stations in Fargo.

The MAHS one-act cast and support crew received a star rating and drew rave reviews from the judges at the State Class A One-Act Play competition level held last Thursday, February 9.

Pictured in the Times are the 1995 Snow Week Royalty at the Minnewaska Area High School. They are Rachel Kuhn, seventh grade princess; senior attendants Cheryl Moorer, Tami Hoium, Jami Anderson, Jennifer Smith, Marin Hustad, Charity Torguson, Laura Willprecht and eighth grade princess Kati Shea, Curt Ogdahl, Travis DeBoer, Mike Linde, Queen Heidi Mueller, King Jason Bosch, Dan Wold, David Jergenson, Rick Petersen, Brad Nelson and Jonathan Buysse, eighth grade prince. Not pictured is Mike Lundebrek, the seventh grade prince. 

20 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 16, 2005 

The nine students above, holding their inventions, were chosen as winners of the Starbuck Elementary School Inventors Fair. (In ascending order- name & invention title) Ana Billehus, “Ding-dong”; Dani Boutain, “Delicious Envelopes”; Brittany Opdahl, “Bright Buckle”; Brandon Manderscheid, “Snowmobile Kit”; Jordan Duvali, “Rear Handlebar Mitts”; Jordan Johnson, “Scrub Glove”; Morgan Olson, “Party Pac”; Kelli Kalina, “ABC Movies”; and Samantha Bergsrud, “Mini Drainer”.

Lyle and Sue Gregersen of Starbuck were the first lucky winners of the $1,500 Vacation Getaway Contest conducted by Tom’s Food Pride of Glenwood and Starbuck. There’s still one winner yet to be announced at the final drawing on Monday, February 28.  

Starbuck police chief Hal Henning presented a proposal to the city council Monday night requesting permission to establish a volunteer police reserve program in Starbuck.

Local residents and law enforcement students would be encouraged to participate in the program.

Queen Olivia Gilbertson and King LeRoy Lanning were crowned Monday evening during Holly Ridge’s Valentine’s Day dinner. Holly Ridge residents voted for the royalty.

10 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 18, 2015 

The Starbuck City Council watched the swearing in of new full-time Police Officer Elliot Draz last Monday. Police Chief Mitch Johnsrud swore him in. The council congratulated Draz on his promotion.

In his police report, Johnsrud said that January was a busy month with 254 calls of service. He said on January 11, Officer Draz found a vehicle parked in the middle of the street where officers found drugs and prescription drugs in the car.

Johnsrud also noted the lockdown training for Glacial Hills Elementary staff has been completed with classroom training to follow.

Local students were honored Feb. 9 at the Starbuck VFW Post 4582 for their winning essays in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy competitions. Madelynn Reichmann, Naomi Dalhoff, Avery Jergenson and Isabella Ortendahl. Back row: Camryn Mithun, Post Commander Bob Friesen and Cole Mercier. Not pictured: Monica Dalhoff and Justine Dalhoff.