110 YEARS AGO

From March 5, 1915

Resolutions by Farmers Club: “Resolved by us, the Minnewaska Farmers club, that we commend the work of the county agent. He has attended all our meetings and given good assistance. We believe that the county cannot take a step backward, so we urge the people to vote for their own interest by retaining the county agent.” — Casper Gorder, president; L.G. Solhaug, secretary.

Milo Helland and Leo Torgerson have formed a partnership and will start a grocery store in the building formerly occupied by A.N. Thorstad. Mr. Helland was with the Wells-Hanson company for a short time, and Mr. Torgerson is at present employed at the Farmers Store.

We have received word that Hannah Lysgaard died at Williston, N.D. The funeral will be on Wednesday.

The Du Gladas provided a number of good entertainments last week. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, the Gilpins Hypnotic Comedy company provided the entertainment. One of the members of the company was hypnotized and pumped a bicycle for several hours in the show window of A.N. Thorstad’s store. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings the McKenzies did some very clever Scotch war dances.

The school board held its annual meeting on Monday evening. The only matter of interest taken up was the election of teachers. The following were elected as the $111.11; Miss Guy, $75.00; Miss Schoen, $85.00; Miss Cadwell, $75.00.565.00 posts salary was raised by $2.50.

100 YEARS AGO

From March 6, 1925

Miss Clara Hedvig Lien and Knute Urke were married Sunday evening, February 22, at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Nils Lien, in Langhei. Rev. K.R. Palmer read the service. Her bridesmaid was Miss Myrtle Dokken. The groom was attended by Noel Dokken.

Olaus R. Signalness, a Blue Mounds pioneer, passed away on February 27, 1925. Mr. and Mrs. Olaus R. Signalness and Mr. and Mrs. Rasmus Signalness were among the organizers of the Fron church in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Olaus Signalness have been loyal and true supporters of the church. All their children have been confirmed by the Rev. H.O. Koefod, pastor of the Fron church from the early period down to 1922. At the bedside when Mr. Signalness passed away were Mrs. Signalness, Mrs. Lewis Haldorson Mrs. J. Williams and Oscar, Bennie and Hilda Signalness. Richard and Louis arrived from North Dakota on Saturday.

Casper Forbord and Leonard Pederson sold out the entire stock in the Minnewaska Oil company to the Northern States Oil company of Alexandria. The new owners took possession at once. Mr. Forbord will remain with the new owners, and will drive a truck for them. Mr. Pederson plans to go with the Starbuck Oil company, which plans to enlarge its business this year.

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Pederson at the hospital Saturday morning.

90 YEARS AGO

From March 7, 1935

What promises to be the biggest basketball drawing card of the season will take place at Starbuck next Saturday evening when the University of Minnesota Gopher All-Stars play the Starbuck Midgets. The Gopher All-Stars are considered one of the strongest traveling teams in the state and is made up of some real stars, including Franklin Noyes, formerly a member of the Starbuck High School 1932 district champion team.

In a thrilling basketball game played as a preliminary to the Sauk Centre-Starbuck game last week the Fats won over their opponents, the Leans, by a score of 21 to 20. Harry Morgan acted as referee.

Miss Margaret Bennett and Henry Harding were married at the home of the bride’s father, R.G. Bennett of Lowry Saturday afternoon, Rev. J.G. Vaage officiating. The bride was attended by her sister, Mrs. Russell Smith, and the groom by the bride’s brother. Robert Bennett, Jr.

Farmers owning tractors can collect drought relief for them to purchase oil and gasoline for operation, just as farmers with horses may collect relief with which to purchase feed.

Funeral services for Bernt Wold were held at the Immanuel church March 2, Rev. G.O. Forde and Rev. M. Casper Johnshoy officiating. He is survived by four sons, Andrew, Theodore, Bennie and Joseph; one daughter, Mrs. Olaus Olson; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; two brothers; and one sister.

Ida Bogen, daughter of Mrs. Ina Bogen of Cyrus, and Thomas A. Rosten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert S. Rosten, were united in marriage at the Indherred parsonage on Monday. February 25 by Rev. G.O. Forde. Their attendants were Miss Agnes Rosten and Earl Bogen.

Oliver Clifford Anderson and Lizzie Marie Kvilhaug were married at Holmes City by Rev. A.B. Walfrid on March 2. Their attendants were Selma Kvilhaug and Melvin Anderson.

Sunday night this section experienced a severe sleet storm which made driving extremely hazardous. On Monday night it rained so the ice melted, but that brought more problems. At the corner one mile south of Villard there is four feet of water covering the road; one basement in Glenwood was filled with water and mud Monday morning, while at Lowry a crew pumped water all night to prevent the basements of homes there from being flooded.

80 YEARS AGO

From March 8, 1945

Registrants from Starbuck ordered for induction on March 9, 1945 are Leroy E. Halvorson, Edwin J. Olson, Orville Dahlseng, Gordon Anondson and Norman O. Aslakson.

Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Anderson received a telegram Friday stating that their son, Pfc. Arthur H. Anderson was seriously wounded in action in Luzon Feb. 5. He is in the hospital having been wounded in his shoulder, arm and ear.

A baby boy, John, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Thorstad Friday last week at the Glenwood hospital. 

Funeral services for Mrs. Andrew Quitney, 72, were held from St. Pauli Church of Lowry Feb. 28. She is survived by five children – Gerhard, Elmer, Roy, Jennie and Myrtle.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Jackson had their infant son, Roger Elmer, baptized Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Johnshoy and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wold.

Norman J. Tangen, who has been instructor in Ortonville for the past few years, was elected Superintendent of Schools recently, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Supt. Lester Brown. Mr. Tangen is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Tangen of New Prairie and Mrs. Tangen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Dreyer of Starbuck. Supt. Brown’s resignation was to be in effect April 6, 1945, when he expects to go into business. 

70 YEARS AGO

From March 10, 1955

Decorah, Iowa.—Colleen Smedstad, Luther college junior from Starbuck, was named on the honor roll on the basis of first semester grades (a B-plus) average. An elementary and music education major, Miss Smedstad is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Smedstad. David Ranum, Luther college junior from Starbuck, was also named to the honor roll on the basis of first semester grades, a B-plus average. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Ranum.

Miss Heidi Jane Hagen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.R. Hagen of Minneapolis, became the bride of David Clarence Hawkinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hawkinson of Minneapolis. Rev. Kraabel performed the double-ring ceremony. After a wedding trip to Lutsen Resort, the couple will make their home temporarily at 2429 Irving Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Brent Michael, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Pederson, was baptized a week ago Sunday at the East Zion church by Rev. L.C. Anderson. The sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Adore Forbord and Harold Knutson.

Mrs. Ellen Pederson left from Minneapolis on Tuesday with Alfield Forbord for California and the western states. She plans to spend a month visiting relatives.

Maurice Amundson of Starbuck led the Pope County Dairy Herd Improvement association for the month of February with an average of 42.5 pounds of butterfat from his herd of 25 Holstein cows. Magnus Nygaard of Starbuck was in second place with an average of 38.33 pounds of butterfat from his herd of 17 Holsteins.

60 YEARS AGO

From March 11, 1965

Mrs. William Merrill attended the impressive memorial service help at the House of Representative state capitol, St. Paul on March 4, for all past house members who have passed away since the 1963 session. The late William Merrill was one of the 19 members honored.

The Langhei Aces 4-H Club was presented the “Club of the Year” award at the Pope County 4-H council meeting. The award was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Rundgren, adult leaders of the Langhei Aces 4-H club.

Funeral services for Wm. A. Anderson were held at the Minnewaska church on March 4. Rev. Delano Lind officiating. Mr. Anderson is survived by his widow, Ida, two daughters, Dorothy Carol and Jean (Mrs. Walter Schwen Jr.); two sons John and Donald; also three brothers, three sisters, seven grandsons and eight granddaughters.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Johnshoy of St. Paul announce the birth of their second son, Scott Michael, on March 3. Mr. and Mrs. Thorwold Johnshoy are the paternal grandparents.

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Orlin Swensrud last week.

50 YEARS AGO

From March 6, 1975

Villard Creamery was robbed of over $9,000 in what has been reported as one of the largest thefts ever pulled off in Pope County. Robbery estimated to have happened about 4:30 a.m. Sheriff Emmons said, “We have suspects but as of press time, no arrests have been made.”

During the past winter, Mr. and Mrs Chester F. Peterson visited their daughter and son-in-law in Ghana, Africa. While there, Mr. Peterson was presented with a 18-36 inch hand-carved masonic plaque. The plaque is made of African mahogany and the masonic emblem is hand carved by a Ghanian native. On Thursday, Nov. 6th, Mr. Peterson will formally present the plaque to Valley Lodge No. 174. Following the presentation, he will show a number of slides depicting the lifestyle of the Ghanian people. Masons are urged to attend.

A son, Michael Jared, 7 lbs. was born Feb. 28th to Mr. and Mrs. Myron Kallenbach of Maddock, N.D. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Julian Pederson of Starbuck and Mr. and Mrs. John Kallenbach of Esmond, N.D. Great-grandmother is Mrs. Josie Ronnie of the Minnewaska Home. He joins a brother, Bradley, 2 years old.

The engagement of Miss Susan Landmark, daughter of Mrs. Lloyd Landmark and the late Lloyd Landmark to Todd Brenden, son of Mr. and Mrs Reuben Brenden of Starbuck is announced by the bride’s mother. An August 9th wedding is being planned.

40 YEARS AGO

From March 6, 1985

Five students, presently seniors, at Starbuck High School, have been accepted to enroll at Moorhead State University this fall. They are Gail Aaberg, Marie Opdahl, Daniel Ranum, LaDona Anderson and Jerry Kerkvliet.

Melvin Heggestad of Starbuck has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Lakeland Mental Health Center in Fergus Falls.

Starbuck girls basketball teams won their third straight District 22A championship last Saturday when they defeated the Osakis Silverstreaks 82-33. High point scorer for the evening was Brenda Holten with 20 points.

Funeral services for Roy Showalter, 84, were held from St. John’s Lutheran Church March 9. He is survived by seven children, Ida Pooch of Farwell, John of Embarrass, Donald of Glenwood, Norma Engebretson of Cyrus, James of Minneapolis, Jeanette Ellingson of Willmar and Douglas of Starbuck. 

30 YEARS AGO

From March 8, 1995

The Minnewaska Area High School Lakers girls downed the Browerville Tigers on Saturday night at Alexandria to claim the Sub-section II championship. Members of the team pictured in the Times are Sarah Wilson, Bekah Moe, Abby Domier and Tracey Stein, Carrie Cooley, Renee Stammer, Hollie Johnsrud, Heidi Mueller, Missy Kath, Jenny Johnson, Jenny Neumann, Christine Moen, Tennille Ring, Michelle Wendt and Kara Hippe. Also pictured are Athletic Trainer Karla Heinrich, Assistant Coach Jeff Mensing, Head Coach Arden Hyland, Assistant Coach Jim Wendlandt and stats keeper Stacy Willprecht.

Former Starbuck police chief, Stephen J. Thorstad recently received a service award from the U.S. Forest Service. Thorstad, who has been with the Forest service for four years as a law enforcement officer, was sent to six major fires that burned through the Northwest, including the Idaho City fire which was the largest fire in the U.S. last year.

Dan Guggisberg captures third at the Minnesota state wrestling tournament. MAHS senior heavyweight Dan Guggisberg placed third at the state wrestling tourney last weekend in St. Paul. He finished the season with a fine 34-4 overall record.

20 YEARS AGO

From March 9, 2005 

“The bike path is another asset that Starbuck can be proud of,” Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce director Nancy Rapp said Thursday after hearing news of a $280,000 grant that will be used to reconstruct the bike trail that connects Starbuck to Glacial Lakes State Park. After nearly two and a half years of local efforts, the current stretch of five-mile bike trail south of town is about to receive an extreme makeover. No more exposed turf to bounce along or hike upon; blacktop and drainage are on the way in 2008.

Alexandria Technical College recently recognized several students from the area at the Local SkillsUSA Awards Ceremony. Students receiving top awards are eligible to compete at the state SkillsUSA competition held in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area on April 8-10. Mark Mitchell of Starbuck is enrolled in the Concrete Mason program and placed second in the Masonry event. He is the son of Bruce and Terri Mitchell. D. Willy Pasche, son of Daniel and Jeanette Pasche of Starbuck, a post-secondary enrollment options student in the Mechanical Drafting Design and Engineering Technology Program received four first-place awards in the secondary division. They were in Machines Trades Blueprint Reading, Trade Math, Technical Math and Technical Drafting. He will graduate from Minnewaska Area High school in 2006.

10 YEARS AGO

From March 11, 2015 

The Starbuck City Council approved interim city office staff on Monday evening, selecting Joan Kerkvliet as interim clerk/treasurer, Jan Norby as interim deputy clerk and Bonnie Rasche as assistant (when needed). The interim staff was needed due to the resignation of city clerk/treasurer Andrea Swenson; the council accepted Swenson’s resignation at the same meeting.

After redshirting at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, last season, former Lakers basketball standout Shane Bosek has made a big impact on the Statesmen’s team this year. In a game played on Dec. 9 in Oskaloosa against Grinnell College, Bosek racked up 52 points, a new school record, in Penn’s 151-134 win. Bosek shot an eye-popping 25 of 21 from the field, all 2-point baskets and made two of four free throws. The William Penn team shot 78 percent for the game from the field, while, oddly, only making 50 percent from the free-throw line (19-38).