For our complete lineup SCAN HERE
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
No. 39 • Volume 134
CentraCare transitioning ownership of local long-term facilities to Cura Care centers, housing in Melrose, Monticello, Sauk Centre, Willmar affected Melrose researching policing options ... pg. 3
ATKINSON TO TALK ABOUT SPACE MISSIONS BOOK AT MELROSE LIBRARY
Hiltner happy to carry on legacy ... pg. 7 ST. CLOUD — CentraCare and Cura announced Sept. 22 they have signed a non-binding Letter of‘A Team’ has first baby boy in 2017 ... pg. 16 pg. 6 Gymnasts scoring with the best ... pg. 10 Intent to transfer ownership of the following facilities to Cura, a nonprofit leader of senior housing and care services: CentraCare-Monticello Care Center, CentraCare-Melrose Care Center, CentraCare-Melrose Park View Place, CentraCare-Sauk Centre Care Center, CentraCare-Sauk Centre Lake Shore Estates and CentraCare-Willmar Care Center & Therapy Suites Earlier this year, CentraCare shared a new vision for long-term care and senior housing services in the region. Following a vigorous search for an organization that could continue supporting the needs of each of these communities, and to provide the best future care PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN options for residents, CentraCare chose Cura because of Jeff (from left), Owen and its exceptional reputation and its commitment to caring Melissa Gerads hold a for seniors in rural communities. homemade rosary before Cura collaborates with Premier Healthcare Managethe living rosary is recited ment to provide operations and management support to in memory of their son and long term care facilities throughout the state including Gerads COMMUNITY COVERAGE 127 YEARSbrother, Ethan, Sept. 3 outside Seven Dolors Catholic skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Watkins, remembered Church in Albany. Ethan St. Joseph, Sandstone, Paynesville, Albany, Benson, and Owen helped their dad Long Prairie and Le Sueur. for big heart, assemble the rosary. “The mission of each of our facilities is to provide gentle soul — high quality, person-centered care with dignity, respect, compassion and integrity,” said Tom Opatz, Cura and bear hugs a big heart and gentle soul. president. “We are committed to providing the best care “He’s probably been for our seniors in the communities they call home and on a hunting excursion BY CAROL MOORMAN we’ll put the residents, families and staff first during this with Grandpa, but Grandpa STAFF WRITER transition.” wasn’t very good at hunt“We feel very confident that Cura will provide ing,” Jeff said. The tip of an arrow the best possible service to residents in Willmar, Sauk They appreciate conpeaks out from behind a Centre, Melrose and Monticello, and that they will work tinued prayers and support bulletin board in Jeff and to sustain quality senior living services for our commufrom family, friends and Melissa Gerads’ rural Albanities,” said Ken Holmen, MN, CentraCare president Harvest of Hope Area ny home. and CEO. “We look forward to building on our mutual Catholic Community-AlbaIt is a sign to Jeff and commitment to enrich the lives of those we serve.” ny, Avon, St. Martin and St. Melissa, daughter Emma Both organizations recognize the important role Anthony parishioners. That and son Owen that son and As thecare sunplays was instarting risecommunities Monday, Commercial health keepingtorural vibrant. includes praying a living brother, Ethan, is in good Contractors Company workers from Melrose were in- hands in heaven — with PHOTO SUBMITTED This shared understanding and collaboration will help rosary in memory of Ethan side the On Main building working on securing Ethan Gerads drives a tractor May 23, on Tractor Day, to ensure theLisa’s long-term success of senior living services in Sept. 3 at Seven Dolors God and Grandpa Jerome — Albany Area High School in Albany. His goal in life was to the region west wall. BY CAROL MOORMAN their faith telling them life the today and intoPHOTO the future. Catholic Church in Albany, become a farmer. “We believe this change in strategy that transfers where the Gerads family are is eternal. They figure Ethan ownership to an exceptional organization that specialmembers and where Ethan may have already bagged a izes in senior services will open the door for even more was a Mass server, Owen deer with his bow. services and support for residents, families and staff,” injuries sustained in an acci- taking over his server duties “This time of the year with Melissa and Owen. Holmen said. “This also allows CentraCare to maintain dent southwest of St. Franwhen he became an usher. Ethan would be in the deer They share fond mema focus on the primary and specialty care we deliver as a cis; tears mixed with smiles stand,” Jeff said Sept. 12 sit- ories of Ethan, 16, who healthcare organization.” Remembered page 3 about a young man who had ting around the kitchen table passed away July 21 from
In good hands
in heaven
400 Block update
CentraCare page 3
Faith, family in farming community Overcoming the stigma together
Church of St. Rose of Lima celebrates 125 years
September recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
As a child, Marilyn (Klasen) Bergmann remembers cooking for the Church of St. Rose of Lima parish priests and washing windows at the rectory. “Mom used to make bread, and we had to bring a loaf of homemade bread every Saturday to the priest, and Mom got a quarter,” Bergmann, a life-long parish member, said Sept. 20. The St. Rose of Lima Parish in St. Rosa was formed 125 years ago, in 1898, by 22 German families, most who farmed the land. Last names included Wiechmann, Butkowski, Arnzen, Boeckermann, Rohe, Herzog, Klasen, Toenies, Tschida, Hollenkamp and Bergmann, most still prominent in the parish today, which has grown to more than 200 families. “It was the first Benedictine parish to be named after a woman saint,” Cheryl Wiechman, church historian, said sitting in the church
ST R
Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Anniversary committee members — Marilyn Bergmann (front, from left) and Cheryl Wiechman; (back, from left) Julie Toenyan, Lillian Arnzen and Bonnie Stangler — gather Sept. 20 in front of the Church of St. Rose of Lima in St. Rosa. The parish is celebrating 125 years in 2023. Not pictured is committee member Beth Arnzen.
basement with anniversary committee members Bergmann, Bonnie Stangler, Lillian Arnzen and Julie Toenyan. Beth Arnzen is also a committee member. Current and former members are invited to a 125th anniversary celebration of the parish Sunday, Oct. 1, starting with a 10 a.m. Mass, followed by an 11 a.m.-2 p.m. lun-
Scan me to START or RENEW your subscription!
cheon. A history book of the Church of St. Rose of Lima, “An Epoch In Time. Celebrating 125 Years 1898-2023,” is in the final stages of completion. The main body of the current church structure dates back to the late 1800s. In the early 1900s the frame building was moved from Freeport to St. Rosa.
PUBLIC NOTICES
“Sacred Heart in Freeport was going to build a new church, and they ended up moving the rectangular part of the wood church, minus the bell tower and sacristy, to St. Rosa,” Wiechman said.
St. Rose of Lima page 3
People in every community across the globe have their own challenges with mental health. Facing internal battles is part of the human condition, yet the topic is often stigmatized and not spoken about openly. The Central Minnesota Mental Health Center recently launched a campaign to raise awareness about its crisis service hotline for individuals in Benton, Stearns, Sherburne and Wright counties. The crisis number, 320-2535555, is available to anyone seeking help, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. CMMHC wants individuals struggling with mental health to know they are not alone. The project’s tagline clearly depicts its mission: “If life is not OK, it’s OK to call. Any time. Any reason.”
Prevention page 4
BIRTHS page 3 Reece Arlene Arnzen
Stearns County Notice of Public Hearing ........... pg. 6 City of Melrose Ord. No. 09-21-2023 ................. pg. 6 Holdingford School Board Briefs........................ pg. 6 Albany Area Schools Agenda, Sept. 27 .............. pg. 6 Probate Notice - Gustafson ................................ pg. 6
OBITUARIES page 4 Don A. Dinndorf Florence A. Hoppe Angela Grewe Laverne (Rassier) Woidylla
$1.50