Valeria J. “Val” Braun

Valeria J. “Val”

Braun, age 102 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, (just ten days before her 103rd birthday) surrounded by her family on Friday, March 31 at Fairway Pines Assisted Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, April 5 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Greg Paffel concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

Valeria Johanna Mader was born on April 10, 1920, in Greenwald, Minnesota, to Christ and Agnes (Kramer) Mader. She was united in marriage to Alfred Braun on June 18, 1940, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald. Val was a loving wife and mother and served as a homemaker most of her life. Her family was her priority, and until her dying day, she enjoyed many visits from her children and grandchildren. Her listening, non-judgemental spirit, positive attitude, sense of humor, and fantastic memory drew many to love her.

Before marriage, she worked as a telephone operator. After raising her family, she was employed at St. Michael's Hospital. She was a Saint Paul's Catholic Church member in Sauk Centre, Christian Mothers, and the St. Theresa Mission Group and enjoyed volunteering at Holy Family School. Val had a knack for making many crafts and enjoyed crocheting afghans and prayer shawls for others. Raising African Violets and other plants was another talent in which she excelled. Her loving touch included her companion dogs, especially her poodle, Piper, and schnauzer, Alex.

Survivors include her children, Robert Braun of Melrose, Sister Janine Braun, OSB of Sauk Centre, Kathleen (Theodore) Anderson of Kimball, Beth Thieschafer Sieben (Kevin) of Melrose, and John (Patricia) Braun of Lakeville, daughter-in-law, Rita Ritter of Sauk Centre; 15 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Val was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, on November 14, 1985; parents, Christ and Agnes Mader; son, Ronald Braun, on March 5, 1993; brothers: Elmer and Stanley Mader; sister, Marcella Fuchs; son-in-law, Glen Thieschafer; daughters-in-law, Mary Braun and Irene Braun; granddaughter, Mary Braun; and great-grandson, Logan Braun.

Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.

Herbert S. Gerads

Herbert S.

“Herbie” Gerads, age 84 of St. Francis, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, April 3 at the Upsala Senior Living in Upsala, Minnesota. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with Rev. David Grundman officiating. A family inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the Albany American Legion. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church.

Herbert Steven Gerads was born July 4, 1938 in Freeport, Minnesota to Charles and Loretta (Harren) Gerads. He entered the U.S. Army in 1963 and was honorable discharged in 1965, serving most of duty in Germany. Herbie farmed and later started his own business installing drain tile for farmers. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Herbie enjoyed riding snowmobile and motorcycle, and loved playing pool in the pool league in St. Anthony.

Survivors include his brothers and sisters, Magdalen “Toots” Schwanke of St. Cloud, Frank (Doreen) Gerads of Freeport, Loretta (Herbert) Thull of Melrose, Jake (Judy) Gerads of Freeport, Dolores Linn of St. Cloud, Bertha Herdering of Upsala, and Gilbert (Carol) Gerads of Freeport.

Herbert was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Martha Gerads, Sister Marie Gerads, O.S.B., and Elizabeth Bechtold; and brothers, Martin, Jerome, Joseph, Bernard, John, and Norbert Gerads.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.

Mildred M. Poepping

Mildred M. “Millie” Poepping, age 86 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, April 3 at the CentraCare Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 11 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Church. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Holy Thursday: April 6

St. Mary's-Upsala: 6 pm

Immaculate Conception-St. Anna: 7 pm

St. Francis: 8 pm

Good Friday: April 7

St. Mary's-Upsala: 12 noon

St. Columbkille-St. Wendel: 12 noon

St. Edward's-Elmdale: 3 pm

St. Hedwig's-Holdingford: 3 pm

Easter Vigil: April 8

St. Edward's-Elmdale: 8 pm

St. Hedwig's-Holdingford: 8:15 pm

Easter Sunday: April 9

Arban Cemetary: 6:30 am (Outdoor)

St. Francis: 8 am

St. Columbkille-St. Wendel: 8:15 am

St. Mary's-Upsala: 10 am

Immaculate Conception-St. Anna: 10:15 am

Rick’s Painting

Mildred Martha Walz was born April 20, 1936 in Lake George Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Leo and Margaret (Bösl) Walz. Millie graduated from Sauk Centre High School. She was united in marriage to Ralph Poepping on June 19, 1956 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Millie waitressed at the Theatre Café and Fran’s Corner Bar, and later worked at Fingerhut. She also sold Celebrity Jewelry and eventually retired after working for Bruce Rindahl at Lutheran Brotherhood.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre and the Christian Mothers. Millie enjoyed dancing, bowling, playing cards, and making an occasional trip to the casino. She also enjoyed cooking, baking Christmas cookies and apple pies, and loved making potato dumplings with her sister, Evelyn.

Survivors include her children, Mike Poepping of Sauk Centre, Ron (Diann) Poepping of Hutchinson, Cindy (Rick) Jensen of Westbrook, Jerry (Dawn) Poepping of Sauk Centre, Cheryl (Wayne) Bauer of Sauk Centre, Randy Poepping of St. Cloud, and stepdaughter, Teri (J.R.) Paige; 23 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and brother, Donald (JoAnn) Walz of Sauk Centre.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Poepping on March 9, 2011; parents; granddaughter, Michelle Poepping; sisters, Marie Vornbrock, Carol Prodinsky, and Evelyn Schmidt.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.

On March

House budget process faces high expectations amid historic surplus

By State Rep. Paul Anderson

As the Legislature heads into its traditional Easter/Passover break this week, finance bills to fund state government for the next two years are taking shape. What makes the process different this time is how the state's $17.5 billion surplus is impacting how these bills are put together.

All areas of operation have been given increased spending targets, some much higher than others. Agriculture, for example, was given an extra $48 million over its base funding, and some are saying it's not enough. It's human nature when there's that much "extra" money lying around with the surplus. Expectations are high as visions of expanded program offerings build. Then, when the revenue is spread around, there are winners and some that are disappointed. The areas of education and housing appear to be the two that received the largest increases in funding.

On the ag side, my concern isn't so much the lack of increased funding, it's the policy items included in the omnibus finance bill. For example, there's an effort to curtail the use of treated seeds farmers utilize to protect their crops. "Verification of need" was included in earlier versions of the bill, meaning that farmers would have to prove the treated seed was needed before being allowed to plant it. And how that would all happen if seed was purchased in the fall for the upcoming spring season wasn't totally worked out. In the end, that wording was removed from the bill, but the Department of Agriculture would still be mandated to study how and when treated seeds could be utilized.

There is also language that changes the make-up of the Board of Animal Health. That board plays a key role in the fight against animal diseases such as Avian Influenza. They have a great deal of power in dealing with issues such as that, including the ability to quarantine areas

Morrison Co. Sheriff’s Office

Accident: March 30, 2023: At approximately 7:25 pm, their office received a report of a two-vehicle accident on the Mississippi River Bridge, approximately two miles east of Bowlus, MN in Two Rivers Township.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, 54-year-old Robert Bartkowitz of Little Falls, MN was traveling east on Nature Road approaching the Mississippi River Bridge. A 16-year-old juvenile female of Bowlus, MN was traveling west on Nature Road, on the Mississippi River Bridge. The two vehicles collided on the bridge due to the icy road conditions. Bartkowitz and his 66-year-old passenger, Dennis Lively of Royalton, MN were transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance with serious injuries. The 16-year-old juvenile female was transported to St. Cloud Hospital by private vehicle with unknown injuries.

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Bowlus First Response Team, Royalton Fire and Rescue and Mayo Clinic Ambulance.