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29442 120th St.
Grey Eagle, MN 56336 320-285-2323
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The Hometown News is a free weekly publication, which is published and distributed every Thursday. Free Distribution In:
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Mail to: Hometown News, 29442 120th St., Grey Eagle, MN 56336
By Harvey Mackay
One of the most difficult tasks in business is offering forgiveness to those who have treated you unfairly.
Forgiveness means to erase; to give up resentment; to wipe the slate clean; to release from a debt; to personally accept the price of reconciliation; to let go of the emotional consequences that someone has hurt you. Forgiveness is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
Years ago, I was involved in a significant business deal where a key partner tried to cut me out of the agreement at the last minute. This partner had been a trusted associate, and their actions felt like deep betrayal. Naturally, I was angry and hurt, and I questioned the integrity of our business relationship.
It was a challenging time, and I had to decide how to move forward. Should I ignore his actions and feel like I was being a pawn? Or should I take the high road and work through my disappointment, hoping the relationship could be repaired?
So instead of letting my anger get the best of me, I decided to forgive him. This is how I approached my change of heart. Although we are unable to change universal physical laws, we can alter our unforgiving attitudes and make things right.
First, I recognized and acknowledged the hurt and anger I felt. It’s important to
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
validate your emotions before you can move past them. Reflect on what happened and how it made you feel. Write it down if it helps to clarify your thoughts.
Try to understand the other side. Look at the situation from the perspective of the person or entity that wronged you. Consider the circumstances they were in and the pressures they might have faced. This doesn’t excuse their actions but can help you empathize.
Release the grudge. Holding onto anger and resentment only harms you. Make a conscious decision to let go of the negative feelings. This might involve talking to the person involved or simply making a mental note to move on.
Focus on the future. Forgiving allows you to focus on what’s ahead rather than what’s behind. Set new goals and work towards them with a positive mindset. Use the lessons learned from past experiences to guide your future actions.
Forgive yourself. Sometimes, the hardest person to forgive is yourself. “How did I not see this coming? Why did I trust this person to begin with? What did I think would happen?” Accept that everyone makes mistakes. Learn from them and give yourself permission to look ahead without guilt.
Forgiving my partner didn’t mean I forgot what happened or that I continued the partnership in the same way. Instead, I set new boundaries and moved forward with a clearer understanding of the business landscape. This experience taught me the importance of resilience and the power of forgiveness in maintaining professional relationships.
Forgiveness in the workplace, or any space for that matter, is facilitated by open communications, setting boundaries and
seeking support.
If possible, have a candid conversation with the person who wronged you. Clear communication can often resolve misunderstandings and pave the way for forgiveness. If you can’t trust yourself to speak without becoming angry, try an email or note. Give yourself time to calm down. Sleep on it if necessary.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to tolerate ongoing negative behavior. Set clear boundaries to protect yourself while maintaining a professional relationship. You must let the offending party know what behavior is tolerable.
Talk to a mentor, coach or trusted colleague about your feelings. They could help you understand if you are being reasonable or too rigid. Sometimes, an outside perspective can help you see things more clearly and move towards forgiveness.
A mother brought her two arguing children together and demanded they make immediate amends. The siblings hesitantly apologized to each other, and then the

• Annual Community Connection Event at First Baptist Church, Long Prairie.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
• 4th Annual Lake Education Day from 8-11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Grey Eagle. See ad on page 5.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
• 54th Annual Swanycake & Sausage Supper from 3-8:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Parish, St. Anthony.
• Knights of Columbus #9307 Chicken & Ham Dinner from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Pelican Lake Ballroom, St. Anna. See ad on page 3.
TUESDAY, MAY 5
• Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting at 2 p.m. at CentraCare West Campus Board Room, Long Prairie.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
• Smart Driver Class 4 Hour Refresher Course from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Word of Life Church, Upsala. See ad on page 2.
• Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
THURSDAY, MAY 7
• Red Cross Blood drive from 12-6 p.m. at Avon Community Church.
FRI.-SAT., MAY 8-9
• Melrose American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Distributions in Melrose & Freeport.
• 3rd Annual Melrose Area Festival of the Arts from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m.6 p.m. on Saturday at the American Legion, Melrose.
AL-ANON • AVON
• Meets every Monday from 5-6 p.m. at the

Avon City Hall. ALBANY SENIORS
• Meets 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center.
ALBANY TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
• Planning Commission meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
BURNHAMVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burtrum City Hall.
BURTRUM CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
CHAIR YOGA EXERCISES
• Meets Tuesday & Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Community Center, Upsala.
FEET FIRST CLINIC
• Freeport: Meets 1st Wednesday of the month at the Freeport Senior Center.
• Holdingford: Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holdingford City Hall.
FREEPORT CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
FREEPORT LIONS CLUB
• Bingo every Saturday thru March at 1:30 p.m. at the Corner Pub, Freeport.
FREEPORT SENIOR MEETING
• Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. with cards/Bingo/coffee/dessert.
GREY EAGLE CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 8 p.m.
LINE DANCING
• Meets Mondays at 4 p.m. & 5 p.m. alternating Mondays at the Melrose American Legion.
MELROSE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
MELROSE VFW #7050 POST/AUX.
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion Clubrooms.
MELROSE LEGION #101 POST/AUX.
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion. (Aux. Sept.-May.)
STEARNS CO. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
• Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany. SUNSHINE CLUB
• Meets every Monday, weigh in starts at 8; meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
ST. ROSA CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Community Park building.
SWANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
• 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
SWANVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Swanville Fire Hall.
UPSALA CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m.






It appears that our weather has become springlike. Although the past few months have again been much warmer and less snowy than those of winters past, it gives a warm feeling to look forward to nature coming back alive. When I remember spring from many years past, some memories are more vivid than others.
We had a pen in the cow barn that was full of calves. It was now warm enough for them to be released into the fenced in outside calf pasture. That was definitely an exciting day for everyone on the farm. The energy that had been withheld in the calves’ bodies suddenly was let loose. The running and jumping that had been stored in their bodies was immediately released. They had never met a fence, so most of them had to run into it after discovering how great it was to have all of that space to run.
One occurrence comes to mind. The calf, one of the larger ones, somehow jumped over the calf pasture fence, went across the cow yard, pushed itself through the cow yard fence, across 300 yards of field, through the line fence, across about 150 yards of the neighbors field and ran into a slew until the water was well up on its neck, when it finally stopped. Dad then had to put the hip boots and a long rope in the back of the pickup and drive out to get the calf. He waded out to the calf, put the rope around its neck with the other end fastened to the back of the pickup. The pickup then dragged the calf out of the slew to dry ground. The calf was loaded on the back of the pickup and although I was back there with it, it made no effort to get up or move around. Evidently all of the stored up energy had been spent. What ever happened to the calf in later years, I don’t know, since it was just part of the herd.
The pigs didn’t mess their barn with manure. They would go outside to do their thing. In spring the pile of manure was quite deep and it was now time for the humans to fork it into the spreader and get it on the field. There was also a rather large pile of cow manure that had accumulated over the winter, since the snow conditions prevented spreading it on the fields. Lots of human exercise.
The aforementioned manure, along with the ugly slop around the cattle feeders needed to be spread on the fields before spring planting began.
Spring was the beginning of a whole season of jobs that always needed to be done yesterday. Our comfort was thinking about “when the work’s all done this fall.”
For feedback or story ideas, email Tom at kuehneins@gmail.com.
Harvey Mackay continued from pg 2
younger said, “I’m apologizing on the outside, Mommy, but I’m still angry inside.”
How childish, we might say. Yet adults too often tend to go through the motions of forgiveness by covering their real emotions with flippant statements. Forgiveness is not child’s play. Adults must learn how to handle difficult personal situations and maintain their professionalism.
Forgiveness in business is not about condoning the wrong but about freeing yourself from the burden of resentment. It allows you to move forward with a clear mind and a renewed focus on your goals. It allows you to act like an adult.
Mackay’s Moral: True forgiveness doesn’t bury the hatchet while allowing the handle to remain exposed.
Reprinted with permission from nationally syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive,” “We Got Fired!...And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us,” “The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World,” and “Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door.”








Watching a loved one pass from this life is one of the hardest things to deal with. Lori’s grandma was cognitive up until the time she passed. We were living in South Dakota serving three churches at the time when she was put on comfort care only. After we got done with the last service we drove the seven hours to the hospital where she was. We walked in the door about 1 O’clock in the morning and the nurse said, “Marie is waiting for you.” We drove home the next day and by Wednesday she was gone.
The real comfort for Lori and I was that she loved her Lord! She knew beyond a shadow of doubt that when she died in this life, it was only the beginning of her eternal life.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 is a huge encouragement to all those who believe. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have
no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.”
Have you turned your life over to Jesus? Are you sure that when your time on this earth is done that you will enter eternity with Jesus?
Make John 3:16 your life verse and live by it. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Live your life with the Hope of eternal life!
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916




















Michael F. Schmidt

Michael F. “Mike” “Spanky” Schmidt, age 73 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Getty Street Assisted Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, April 22 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Inurnment was in Calvary Cemetery.
Michael Francis Schmidt was born April 28, 1952 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Clement and Mary (Rousslange) Schmidt. Mike met Julie Ritter in 1991 through mutual friends and together they had three children, Zach, Michaela, and Noah. After high school, Mike worked in construction with his uncle, Bob Schmidt. He also spent time working at the nursing home in Sauk Centre and from 2007 through 2014, he managed the paint and hardware department at Walmart.
Mike enjoyed counting his coins, hoarding useless items, bowling, playing cribbage, attending his kids’ sporting events, and going to the movies. He loved spending time with his family, especially his kids and grandkids.
Survivors include his children, Zach (Becca) Schmidt of Grey Eagle, Michaela Schmidt of Sauk Centre, and Noah (Nicole) Schmidt of Sauk Centre; stepchildren, Tim (Amanda) Ritter of Sauk Centre, Travis (Terri) Ritter of Sauk Centre, Tyler (Danielle) Ritter of Cold Spring, and Tiffany (Ben) Mayers of Sauk Centre; special companion, Julie Ritter of Sauk Centre; six grandchildren, Lilly Schmidt, Chloe Dalton, William Dalton, Bella Mayers, Slone Schmidt, Julian Schmidt, and two on the way; nine step grandchildren; and many loving relatives and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Judy Denk on October 10, 2025.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.

Cyril M. Illies, age 88, lifetime resident of Elrosa, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026 at the V.A. Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2 at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Sauk Centre with Rev. Joe Korf officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.
Cyril Michael Illies was born September 2, 1937 in Elrosa, Minnesota to John C. and Gertrude (Lesser) Illies. He graduated from Belgrade High School and served in the U.S. Army National Guard. Cyril worked for local farms and was a welder at Clyde Machines in Glenwood. He was also co-owner of Herickoff Dairy Supply where he was a salesman and installer of dairy equipment.
He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Cyril loved listening and dancing to old time music. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking, and reading. Cyril also enjoyed attending stock car races, storytelling, making rosaries, and visiting with the veterans at the Eagles Healing Nest. He loved his family and the time spent with them during the holidays. Cyril cherished his dogs, Tuffy, Squirt, and Snapple.
Survivors include his brother and sisters, Mary Emslander of Sauk Centre, Thomas Illies of Andover, Kathy (Ron) Wischnefski of Sartell, and Betty Freihammer of Sauk Rapids; brother-in-law, Jerry Wischnefski; sister-inlaw, Donna Illies; and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Cyril was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Gertrude Illies; brother, Gene Illies; sisters, Eleanor Maier and Ruth Wischnefski; brothers-in-law, Don Emslander and Jim Maier; sister-in-law, Alice Illies; Godchild and niece, Jackie Warnert; and nephews, James Maier, Jr., John Illies, Brian Wischnefski, and Jason Illies.
Cyril will be fondly remembered and terribly missed by family and friends.
Memorials can be made to the Eagles Healing Nest in Sauk Centre.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.




Douglas Vance Swanson, of Upsala Minnesota, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with his beloved wife, Beth, by his side.
Douglas “Doug” was born on March 28, 1956 to James and Yvonne (Schultz) Swanson in Little Falls. He was the third of three children and loved spending time with his brother Dan and sister Carmen. Growing up in Bloomington, MN, they lived for the weekends when they would travel to Upsala, where Yvonne played the piano at Gethsemane Lutheran Church on Sunday mornings, and time was spent with both sets of Doug’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Summertime brought numerous fishing trips on the many lakes surrounding them; they would then fry up the fresh fish on the shore for lunch. In his junior year of high school, he moved in with his Grandpa George Schultz, in Upsala. The move brought a new love for outdoor sporting adventures. In the fall he was an avid hunter, chasing deer, ducks, grouse and anything else that he could hunt. In the summer he would be up before dawn to make it out to his favorite fishing hole. In the heat of the summer he would slalom and barefoot ski alongside cousins and friends. Doug graduated from Upsala High School, attended one year at the Free Lutheran Bible College and enjoyed singing in their traveling choir while there. He then went on to earn an AAS Degree in Carpentry from the St. Cloud Technical College. He met the love of his life, Beth Knudtson, at a Bible Camp one summer. He immediately knew that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and married Beth on June 12, 1982 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. The couple moved to Burnsville where Doug worked as a carpenter. Shortly after, with a loan from his dad, Doug built his first house. The house became one of many that he and Beth would live in until the next one was built and move-in-ready. Naming his company Tamarack Builders, LLC, he built personal homes in Burnsville, Savage, Lakeville, and Upsala in addition to the houses he built all over metro and rural Minnesota. All the while his family grew. In 1999, he, Beth and their seven children moved to the Schultz farm house near Upsala while their dream home was being built on Pine Lake. This is where their eighth child was born. They moved into their new home in late 2000, where two more children were born to complete their family of 12. His children were everything to him as he took time to teach each child one or more of the many talents and skills he had developed. Whether it was taking his young sons afield hunting, taking his daughters out fishing, or teaching anyone that was willing, how to water ski.
Doug worked hard his entire life, rarely taking days off for himself. One vacation he began to go on with his family, in 1995, was to Canada on a week-long camping trip. They joined Jim and Yvonne, Dan and Marla, Carmen and Carl along with their children, in the fun of catching those monster Northern Pike in August! The trip moved to July in later years for the fantastic Walleye fishing Lake of the Woods had to offer. Doug also loved deer hunting and looked forward to it every fall. It was a cherished tradition he shared with his family, filled with stories, early mornings, and time spent together in the woods. He never missed the opener, prepping late into the night and up so early to get out to that spot he had scouted weeks earlier. He happened to choose the stand farthest from where the truck was parked, hands down. Perhaps that is why he has the biggest and most shoulder mounts of anyone hanging in his basement!


He is survived by his wife Beth; 5 daughters, Kari (Steve) Wolbeck of Maple Lake, Jennifer (Matthew Sterzinger) Swanson, Greta (Dustin) Biniek, Amy (Mike) Hagen and Marta (Mitch Wuebkers) Swanson all of Upsala; 5 sons, Andrew (Bailey) of Watford City, ND, Joseph (Angela) of Albany, Micah (Melody) of St. Cloud, Timothy and Seth, both of Upsala; his brother Dan (Marla) Swanson of Upsala and his sister, Carmon (Carl) Benson of Elk Mound, WI; his sister-in-law Kris (Gary) Temte of Bloomington; sister-in-law Chris Knudtson of Upsala and 17 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Yvonne Swanson; infant daughter Ann Swanson; infant granddaughter, Ivy Swanson, and brother-in-law Craig Knudtson.
There will be a Celebration of Life at 10:00 am Friday, April 24, 2026 at the Word of Life Free Lutheran Church in Upsala. A 9:00 am visitation will precede the 10:00 am service with a luncheon to follow.

Irene M. Roelike, age 87 of Sauk Centre and formerly of Freeport, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. A visitation will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23 at the PattonSchad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. A graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Freeport with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating.
Irene Mary Roelike was born January 2, 1939 in Melrose, Minnesota to Leander and Veronica (Thieschafer) Roelike. She lived on the family farm until her mother passed away in 1986. She then began living with Sister Alice Imdieke in Meire Grove then with Diana Nelson in Sauk Centre until going into the nursing home.
Irene worked as a dishwasher for many years at the Ding Dong Café in Sauk Centre. She loved arts and crafts, playing Bingo, and doing word puzzles. Irene was very witty and had wonderful sense of humor. She enjoyed teasing people and being teased back. She is survived by her sister, Renee Schramel; sister-in-law, Arleen Roelike; halfbrother, Bernard Elfering; nephews and nieces, BJ (Lynette), Roxi Hacker, Sharon, Tom (Laura), Dave, Mark (Kim), Karleen (Jeff) Goebel, Cheryl (Chad) Suter, and Karen (Justin) Banken; and many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert “Bob” Roelike; and nephews, Curt Roelike and Joey Schramel.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Doug had a strong Christian faith that led him to actively serve in each of the churches he attended. He taught Sunday School and served on many committees. He made sure he took the time to instill his Godly values in his family. He shared about Jesus with anyone who would listen. Doug also loved music! Especially hymns, praise and worship songs, or any faith-based music.


Paul R. Mueller

Paul R. Mueller, 90 year old resident of Swanville, MN passed away Monday, April 20, 2026 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN with Rev. Marty Porter officiating. Burial will take place in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Swanville, MN. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Friday and from 10-11 A.M. on Saturday, all at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN. Caring for Paul and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Swanville, MN.
Paul was born on February 3, 1936, on the family farm in Swanville, MN, to the late Robert and Emma (Hartwig) Mueller. He grew up in the Swanville area and attended Country School District #91 before graduating from Swanville High School with the Class of 1954. On June 3, 1956, Paul was united in marriage to Judy Zastrow, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville. Paul was a proud dairy farmer for 50 years, dedicating his life to the land and the animals he cared for so deeply. Farming was not just his occupation; it was his calling that he carried with great pride. In his younger and later years, Paul enjoyed traveling and created memories along the way. He especially cherished trips to Branson, Missouri, a visit to Hawaii in 1982, and what he often called the trip of a lifetime to Alaska. Paul found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved feeding the birds and squirrels, playing cards, bowling in league and spending time in his workshop as an avid woodworker. He also had a deep appreciation for his John Deere tractors. A devoted fan of the Minnesota Twins, Paul remained passionate about baseball throughout his life, even attending a Twins game at the age of 86. He was actively involved in his community, serving many years on the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church board, ADA and DHIA boards. Above all, Paul cherished time with his family and friends. He had a playful spirit and was especially known for teasing and joking with his grandchildren, who brought him immense joy. Paul was a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where his faith remained a guiding force throughout his life. Paul will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his sense of humor, his love of family, and his unwavering faith.
He is survived by wife, Judy Mueller of Swanville, MN; children, Jeffery (Ruth) Mueller of Swanville, MN, Deb (Tim Heinen) Mock of St. Cloud, MN, Rodney (Karla) Mueller of Brainerd, MN, Carol (Paul) Evans of Swanville, MN and Scott (Darence) Mueller of Clarksville, TN; 20 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild on the way.
Paul was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Emma Mueller; sisters, Clara Trampe and Gertie Fellbaum; great-grandchild, Lydia Bakken.
Fire: April 16, 2026: At 10:57 a.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a skid loader on fire in a field south of the address of 35397 375th Avenue in Getty Township. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and Melrose Fire and Rescue responded to the incident location. It was determined a John Deere 2024 333P Skid loader was being driven by Robert Paul Pflipsen, 75, of Albany, when it began to smoke and the engine caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire.
Donald D. Kotzer

Donald D. “Donnie” Kotzer, age 83 of Holdingford, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at his home in Holdingford, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 24 at All Saints - St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Holdingford with Rev. Gregory Mastey officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at All Saints – St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Holdingford. Parish prayers will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the church.
Donald Daniel Kotzer was born July 17, 1942 in Holding Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Paul and Sophie (Herschel) Kotzer. He was united in marriage to Patricia “Patty” Grebinoski on September 24, 1966 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Opole, Minnesota. Donnie farmed with his father after high school and eventually took over the family farm. While farming, Donnie started driving school bus for the Holdingford school district for over 40 years and was employed at Mills Fleet Farm. Donnie and Patty had the opportunity to host three foreign exchange students, two from Germany and one from France. Donnie eventually sold the family farm but kept approximately four acres for homestead.
He was a member of All Saints - St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Holdingford where he served on the parish council. Donnie loved his antique tractor collection and equipment, and his miniature toy tractor collection. He loved traveling to Germany, the Netherlands, Canadian Rockies, the West Coast, and took many trips to Branson along with an occasional trip to the casino with his “casino group.” Donnie mostly loved to be outside mowing his lawn and sitting in his lawn chair watching the cars and tractors go by. He enjoyed his daily drive to town to see who was out and about.
Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Patty Kotzer of Holdingford; and many nieces and nephews.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Alex Kotzer; sisters, Margaret Klein and Ruth Klein; and infant sister, Rosemary Kotzer.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
Congratulations to this month’s People’s Pick Award Winners at The Art of Conversation Gallery!
1st place goes to Debra Johnson for her pastel “Dream of Summer”
2nd place was a tie between Doris Lampert for her “Barn Wood Jam Cabinet” and Charlie Gunderson for his finely crafted red oak “Hall Table/Sofa Table/TV Cabinet” (which also won 2nd place at the State Fair).
3rd place was another tie between Debra Johnson for the pastel “Somebody’s Watching” and Steve Weihsmann for his “Youth Rocking Chair.”
These will be on display for another month at Nana’s Restaurant.
And in May, the gallery will host an all-student show. Any student may submit a piece in any medium around any family-friendly theme. Send submissions to steve@upsalacov.org or text to (218) 4288010. The gallery is located at 105 S. Main, Suite 2, in Upsala. Hours are Friday 4-6 pm; Saturday 10 am-noon; and Sunday noon-4 pm.


Richard
“Richie” J. Lyschik, age 82, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at his residence near Bowlus, MN, where he lived most of his life. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Interment will be at the St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery in Bowlus, MN.
Richard Joseph Lyschik was born on November 23, 1943 to the late Nicholas and Magdelena Lyschik. He attended the District 1182 grade school in Bowlus and graduated from Royalton High School in 1961. Richard was a laborer, a skilled worker, and a handyman of all kinds. He worked as a cook “on the boats” in Lake Superior and lived in Alaska in his twenties. He spent seven years as a cement worker building schools in Wyoming. After returning to Minnesota, Richard worked at Larson Boats in Little Falls, MN, until his retirement. His favorite pastimes were fishing for crappies and sunfish. Richard enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially football, as well as old-time westerns. An avid card player, he treasured the hours spent in good company among friends and family. He had a big heart with helping hands, and always had a story to share.
Richard is survived by his brother, Ronald (Carolyn). He was an uncle to thirteen nieces, two nephews, and numerous grandnephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Magdalena; brother, Leo, and sisters, Mary Forsman and Bernice Liebsch.






Florentine Meier, age 100 years old, a resident at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Florentine was born Sunday, June 14, 1925 on the family farm near New Munich. She was the 4th of 7 children to Mike and Margaret Boeckers. Florentine siblings included: Mary Wycoff (Les), Hildebrand (Luella), Casper (Eileen), Sister Anne O.S.B., Arnold (Lorraine), and Margaret (Norbert) Dockendorf . On June 6, 1946, Florentine married Andrew Meier in New Munich. They cultivated land near Freeport, raised livestock and poultry for food, and gardened vegetables to preserve for the winter. They farmed until they moved to town in Albany. Andrew passed away on January 21, 2000. Florentine then sold the house and moved to Fairway Ridge, then to Memory Lane, and finally to Mother of Mercy Nursing Home, where she passed away. Florentine always greeted you with a gentle, warm smile. She enjoyed remembering life on the farm. Her faith was of utmost importance, and she loved the rosary on KASM. Florentine has inspired us all with her spirit of kindness, gentleness, and grace.



Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain game.


Dear Dave, My husband and I are 38 years old. We’re completely debtfree, we each have great jobs with honest, conscientious companies, and we’re doing very well financially. We tithe regularly to our church, and we try to give wisely to civic groups and non-profit organizations in the area. We don’t talk a lot about this kind of stuff, because we’ve found it sometimes causes others to treat us differently. Believe me, we both understand how incredibly blessed we’ve been. We always try to give God the credit, and not brag as if we did it all ourselves. Do you think there’s a better way we could be handling our situation?
-Amanda
Dear Amanda,
When you start building wealth and achieving some of your goals, you discover pretty quickly there’s a very small group of people you can celebrate with. It sounds like you’ve learned this already.
Lots of times there are friends, and even family members, you can’t celebrate with because it comes off as bragging—even if you’re just happy you’ve reached a milestone. So, you learn to keep stuff private and not even share the good things. Still, if you have a nice car or a beautiful home, these things can indicate you’re successful. Even if they’re a small percentage of your financial world, it will sometimes generate feelings of jealousy or envy in other people.
Jealousy is, “I want what you have.” Envy is, “I don’t think I can have what you do, so I don’t want you to have it either.” These are two really bad spirits, and they’re loose in our country today like never before. Part of the price of making smart decisions, and being wise with your money, is that some people don’t like it when you win or understand why you win. And they don’t think it’s fair that they’re not winning, too.



The truth is you guys have every right to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve earned it. You’re generous, successful people, and you’re under no obligation to explain your income, net worth or the fact that you’re winning.
And you’re not obligated to be ashamed of it, either.
-Dave
* Leadership and small-business expert Dave Ramsey is the CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored eight national bestselling books, including “EntreLeadership,” and he’s a host of “The Ramsey Show” and “The EntreLeadership Podcast.”



From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Dear Motor Medics,
I’ve been saving for my first brand new vehicle for over ten years, and I now have the money to purchase one. I really want a truck but with the miles I drive I’m leaning towards a car even though I could really use the cargo carrying capability of a truck. If I could get over twenty miles per gallon with a truck consistently and still have good power, I could probably go for that. I have been looking at the Ford Ecoboost equipped trucks. Do they really get the mileage they advertise and what is an EcoBoost engine that makes it so different from its regular counterparts?
-Grant in Minneapolis, Minnesota Dear Grant, We have customers who own these trucks and they have been very happy with the fuel economy and reliability so far. EcoBoost is a family of direct injected, gasoline, turbocharged, engines made by Ford. EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque similar to larger displacement, naturally aspirated engines while getting about 20% better fuel economy and lower greenhouse emissions than these same engines. Ford sees a great future in EcoBoost technology and intends to use it extensively in many more applications. If I were to purchase a new truck today for use as a general commuter and use it for light hauling, I would be taking a close look at this model truck as one of my choices. Fuel savings are important and add up.
-Take care, the Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics, I listen to your radio show often and wonder how you guys answer all those questions. Is it true that you don’t use any kind of in-studio computers to reference during a show? My question is about recalls. I have been getting recall notices for my Windstar van for several years. At latest count I have five postcards with recalls on them about my van that say they are safety related but my vehicle is working just fine and I don’t have time to take it in or want them to charge me for a bunch of other work they find. What

happens if I don’t go in? Is it necessary to have it checked?
-Chris in Rock Valley, Iowa Dear Chris, Yes, it’s true that we don’t use any kind of reference to answer questions on the show, and we don’t always know everything. The one thing we don’t need a reference guide to know is safety recalls are no joke. They don’t spend millions of dollars on postcards for no reason. Your life and others can be at risk for some recalls. The check is free and if they suggest other paid work you have the right to just say no. If it’s an important safety item that needs attention don’t neglect it. When you get a recall in the mail follow the contact instructions and arrange to have it checked as soon as you can. Please stay safe.
-Take care, the Motor Medics For entertainment only. Always consult your local shop and follow all safety procedures before repairs. Come visit the Motor Medics® online at Underthehoodshow.com.
Call
Mon., Apr. 27: Meatloaf, whipped potatoes, gravy, beets, rice crispy treat, bun. Tues., Apr. 28: Cheese ravioli, broccoli, peaches, bread, dessert.
Wed., Apr. 29: BBQ chicken, coleslaw, green beans, cake.
Thurs., Apr. 30: Pork tenderloin, cheesy potatoes, vegetable Normandy, cookie, bread.
Fri., May 1: Mexican rice casserole, pineapple, dessert, bread.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.




Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Grey Eagle City • March 10, 2026
The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 10th day of March 2026 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen. No council members were absent. Also in attendance were Dan Berscheid, Lance Chase and Beth Ramacher and guest: Jeremy Freudenrich.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the agenda. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2026 meeting. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to accept Bill Berscheit’s resignation from the Grey Eagle Volunteer Fire and Rescue after 37 years. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve appointment of Garrett Stafki to the Grey Eagle Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department upon a background check. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the purchase of the 2015 GMC for the fire department, upon approval from the fire department members. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. Quotes will need to be obtained to get the truck painted and in service.
Jeremy Freudenrich presented the monthly water and wastewater report. As temperatures warm, the water treatment plant will be cleaned, the chemical room painted as well as the pipes. A quote was received & reviewed for a digital chlorine tester. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to purchase the DR300. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the Development Agreement as corrected by the city attorney, for the project at 327 State Street West. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held on the preliminary plat for the garage condos at 327 State Street West, including comments from Widseth. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the preliminary plat. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The curb stops and standpipes were tabled for the time being.
Construction of a “Welcome to Grey Eagle” sign was discussed coming into town on Highway 287. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the sign. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A quote was approved by Brad Johnson to purchase 4 metal shelves for the maintenance shop. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to donate or discard the old Christmas lantern decorations and metal garbage cans that hung from the light poles. A second was
Information from the Belgrade Library and their library board were shared with the council. This information has been shared with the city attorney; waiting to hear back on next steps. The council would like the Grey Eagle Library and/or Library Board to get quotes for the electrical and internet work that needs to be done for the new circulation desk.
No update on the mower from Melrose Implement. Melrose Implement is waiting to hear back from the maker of the mower.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve moving forward with the Shipping Container Ordinance. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the subscription for Esri/ArcGIS software. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the 2026-2027 Todd County Sheriff Law Enforcement Contract. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the transfer of $4319.50 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer PFA Reserve account for 2025, per the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A copy of the 2025 Unaudited Financials were presented to the council for review, in compliance with Minn Stat §471.98, subd. 1(b).
Discussion was held on a new Sourcewell Community Benefit Funding opportunity that is available. Quotes will be obtained for bleachers, welcome to Grey Eagle signs and additional playground equipment. More discussion to be held at the April meeting. Discussion was held on a citywide cleanup day. The council would like to have this event on Saturday, May 2, 2026. To promote the event, information will be put on the monthly utility bills, on the website, city sign, and in businesses.
Brief discussion was held on National Night Out which takes place on Tuesday, August 4th. Mayor Joe Anrzen will check with the Lions to see if they are interested in hosting this event.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve payment of Claims #3708-3730, totaling $63,723.80 and include additional payments of the following: MN Power $2468.79, MN Pollution Control Agency $505.00, Nelson Sanitation $60.00, Herdering $950.00, Quinlivan & Hughes $528.00 and RMB $20.00. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 pm. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in Council Chambers.
Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
Thought
One of the weirdest things about been an adult is having a favorite stove top burner. No one talks about it, but y’all know it’s true.
The Stearns County Board of Commissioners recently voted to allow the use of rifles for deer hunting in Stearns County, opting not to adopt a shotgun-only ordinance. The decision aligns Stearns County with current Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations, which took effect in January and permit rifle use throughout the state.
The Board’s action follows significant public engagement, including extensive testimony from residents were the majority favored allowing rifles for deer hunting. Residents cited consistency with state rules, hunter preference, and the effectiveness of rifles in deer management as key reasons for support.
By choosing not to enact a local restrictive ordinance, Stearns County will follow Minnesota’s standard deer hunting regulations, meaning hunters in Stearns County will be able to use rifles during the appropriate deer hunting seasons.
“This decision reflects the input we heard from the public and the Board’s consideration of state guidance and local perspectives,” said Board Chair Steve Notch. “We appreciate the time residents took to share their views.”
More information about deer hunting seasons, regulations, and safety guidelines is available on the Minnesota DNR website at www.mndnr.gov.
During Minnesota winters, conifer trees such as pine, spruce and fir provide critical cover that helps wildlife survive cold, wind and deep snow. That’s why the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages the nearly 200,000 woodland owners across the state to consider how conifers fit into their woodland management plans.
By including conifers as one aspect of a broader woodland stewardship plan, woodland owners are supporting wildlife. For example, white-tailed deer use conifer cover to conserve energy during deep-snow periods. Turkey, grouse and songbirds rely on conifers for shelter, nesting and food as well.
“Conifers are a long-term investment in both wildlife and the land,” said Troy Holcomb, a DNR forestry specialist. “When woodland owners manage conifers, they’re helping provide winter cover not just on their own land, but also for wildlife moving across the surrounding landscape.”
Of the more than 17 million acres of forested land in the state, nearly half is private
woodlands. How woodlands connect with surrounding forests can help or hinder wildlife movement and access to winter cover.
The DNR offers resources, seedlings and forestry services to help landowners plan for how a woodland will change over time. Woodland owners can learn more about trees, forests, and what species would grow well on their land through the DNR Woodland Landowner Handbooks (mndnr.gov/woodlands) or by working with a professional forester to develop a woodland stewardship plan (mndnr.gov/foreststewardship/plan-writers.html). The DNR also offers native conifer seedlings through the Minnesota State Forest Nursery (mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery).
Taking great pains to be specific, the new auto-shop teacher on our staff explained to three of his students that he wanted them to clean a car that was parked outside. He gave them two extension cords, the vacuum cleaner, a bucket, rags and the car keys. He mentioned that the car was one to be used in his class.
Later he went out and discovered them sitting in the car, feet up on the dashboard, listening to the stereo. “Why aren’t you vacuuming the car?” he asked.

“Because the extension cord wouldn’t reach,” was the reply.
Exasperated, the teacher stated, “That’s why I gave you two.”
“We tried the other one,” a student said, “but it wouldn’t reach either.”
Burnhamville Township will be applying a dust abatement product on township roads where requested by residents. The cost is $1.02 per foot. The township will pay half and the requesting property owner will pay half the cost. Call by May 11, 2026 to be put on the list.
Payment must be received before spray is applied.
Interested residents may contact the clerk at 320-285-2050. You may also send check directly to: Burnhamville Township, 33624 170th St., Burtrum, MN 56318. Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk



ST. MARTIN: Spring city-wide garage sales, Fri. & Sat., April 24th & 25th. Watch for balloons.
GARAGE SALE: Lots of Tools, something for everyone. Apr. 30-May-2: 7am6pm. Emerald Ave. across from Boomerang Sports, Melrose.
GARAGE SALE: 125 6th St. NE, Melrose. April 30-May 2nd. Craft supplies and miscellaneous.
AVON: Avon Area Garage Sales, May 1-2.
GARAGE SALE: Saturday, May 2: 8-4. Old tools, household goods, furniture, hunting & adult clothing. 28033 County Road 2, Grey Eagle.
WANTED: 15 young laying hens. Call 320429-0149. 4/30
WANTED: Good used freezer, reasonable price. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
WORK WANTED: Local teenager looking for mowing & lawn jobs around Big Birch Lake and surrounding towns. Call/text Tyler 320-250-9815. 5/28
WANTED: Good used refrigerator for garage, reasonably priced. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
FOR SALE: Hewitt boat lift and green canopy, 1800 pound, 110x20 foot. Co Rd 104, passed the Hub, $1800. Call 612-554-2932. tfn-RG
FOR SALE: Like new Dell 22 inch computer monitor, $50. Call 320-360-0343. TK
FOR SALE: Horse Farrier tools, Hoofjack adjustable stand & cradle, Hoof gauge, knifes, RASPS/file, nippers, driving hammer, pritchel. Call 320-493-6387.
FOR SALE: Used 12x24 tan vinyl boat lift cover, excellent condition, $750/best offer. Call 320-360-3921, leave a message.

Michael, “Mike” Odden, 80, of Holdingford, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2026, surrounded by his close family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Michael was also a lifelong educator, accomplished artist, and dedicated community leader whose influence extended across generations.
Mike was born on September 1, 1945, in Tioga, North Dakota. He pursued his passion for both learning and creativity at Minot State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He began and ended his teaching career at Holdingford High School as an art teacher after more than three decades until his retirement in 1999.
Throughout his years in education, Mike inspired hundreds of students to explore their creativity and think independently. Known by many as the “cool teacher”, his classroom was a space where curiosity and artistic expression were encouraged and valued.
Mike worked across a wide range of mediums throughout his life, including pottery, metal sculpture, drawing, and knife making. In his later years, he focused on painting, developing a distinctive body of work that was exhibited in galleries throughout Minnesota. His art reflected a deep exploration of materials, form, and imagination.
His creativity also found expression in more unconventional ways. In midlife, Mike enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and became known among friends for customizing motorcycle tanks with one notable piece featuring the image of King Tutankhamen done in gold leaf. Whether in the classroom, the studio, or completing home landscaping and remodeling projects for his adoring wife, he approached every pursuit with curiosity and craftsmanship.
Mike also contributed to the literary arts, co-publishing Minnesota Fantasy Review, a science fiction and horror magazine that showcased his interest in storytelling and independent creative expression.
Above all, Mike was a beloved family man.
PLANT SALE: Sauk Centre History Museum Annual Plant Sale Saturday, May 16: 10-3, Sinclair Lewis Library. Plants donated by Tree Top Nursery.
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB
WANTED: Cars and pickups from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, in your weeds or sheds. 218-640-3807 or 218-756-2257.
FOR SALE: Wedding dress size 7. Deer mounts. Garden tiller. Two vintage steamer trunks $200 each. Ever bearing raspberry plants. Vintage fishing rods, reels, musky lures. 320-255-9519
FOR SALE: 1991 Dodge van, has bed, TV, 318 engine, $6,800. Call 320-267-5632.
RB-tfn
FOR SALE: Top cover for a hot tub, never been outside, perfect shape, 80”x47”. Call Heidi Salzmann 763-229-8104.
Following his teaching career, Mike brought his analytical mindset and intellectual curiosity to a second professional chapter, working for 13 years as a research analyst at TopRank Marketing, a B2B marketing agency based in Minneapolis.
Mike was committed to bettering his community, serving on the Holdingford City Council for 20 years and as a founding member of both the Holdingford Jaycees and the Holdingford Historical Society. His involvement in the arts extended beyond his personal work through his service on the Central Minnesota Arts Board and his participation in the Resurrected Artists theatre group for many years.
A highly versatile and prolific artist,
for cooking/baking, dining area. Great set up for a coffee shop or retail. Call Ben at 320-290-8373.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth; his children, Lee, Tiffany, and Christopher; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His family was at the center of his life, and he will fondly be remembered for the wagon rides he gave his grandchildren to the “push-up store”, the depth of his kindness, and the generosity of his encouragement.
Michael leaves behind a legacy defined by creativity, service, and meaningful impact on his family, his students, his community, and the broader arts landscape in Central Minnesota.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, June 1st, 2026, at Art in Motion in Holdingford.





