“The Good Old Days” -By Tom Kuehne Thoughts 2

Our Minnesota government has been very busy lately discussing and passing a couple of bills that are likely to effect your families. One of the bills discussed was abortion and the other was regarding the free distribution of a drivers license to illegal immigrants. There are several unmentioned factors that need to be considered regarding both laws.

We have been made aware that by the end of the first trimester an infant has a pulse and is able to create movement of their limbs. The discussion regarding the age of the child involved included a statement by one of the legislators that 90 percent of the abortions were done during the first trimester, irregardless of the development of the child. The rest of the statement gave the impression that since only 10 percent were done in the second and third trimester, the numbers were so small that they were insignificant. In 2021, there were 10,136 abortions done and if only 10 percent were performed in the second and third trimester, that means 1014 babies were involved. These were well along in their development. By comparison, in 2021 there was a great deal of concern expressed regarding the number of traffic deaths that year, which was 497. Interesting!

The drivers license issue involves several important questions. First, on the positive side, these new arrivals need to be able to go from their residence to their employment to meet their financial needs. They need to get groceries, go to the bank, get to the source of their medical care, etc. The concern is whether they are capable of driving a car. Many newly arrived immigrants are unable to read our road signs. Are they required to attend classes to learn the traffic laws like we had to do? Should we be concerned about the safety of the new drivers and ourselves?

Statements were made regarding whether the new license will allow them to vote. Perhaps the polling places should have an additional method of identifying those wanting to vote. Some of these potential problems will need to be addressed during the next couple of years.

Life was so much easier when our primary concerns involved the kids' ball games, whether we would be able to get to Uncle Jim's on Sunday afternoon, along with helping with the service on Sunday morning. We didn't have the radio on to continually tell us what we should be concerned about this week. We didn't ignore the rest of the world, we just wanted to hear how the war was going and if there had been any local fires, births and deaths. We didn't want to know if some entertainer was having marital problems. These things we ignored, since they really didn't affect us.

On the farm, we were concerned about the fence keeping the young stock confined to the back pasture. If the neighbors cattle got out again. If the heifer was dropping her calf. If one of the hens had a blowout and you would have to butcher a chicken that day. If the potato bugs had reduced after the last spraying. Our concerns usually involved problems that you were able to solve, not problems that even those that were elected to solve would be able to do anything about.

Today if you went to a cabin away from civilization, would you sit in the shade after a couple of days and honestly say how relaxed you feel, or would you be getting nervous

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Lumber Company, Inc. Freeport 320-836-2135 www.hennenlumber.com about what's going on in the world. Actually, it's your decision.

For feedback or story ideas, email Tom at tom@swanvilleinsurance.com.

If you need help with Health or Life Insurance or for Senior Health Solutions Contact: Tom Kuehne 320-360-0343

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Race On Trace

Dale J. Haffner

Dale J. Haffner, age 61 of Grey Eagle, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at his home in Grey Eagle, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 11 at the Community Covenant Church in Upsala with Rev. Steve Weihsmann officiating.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Dale John Haffner was born March 24, 1961 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to John and Joan (Atwood) Haffner. He grew up in Avon, Minnesota and moved around to various towns around the area and up north. He was united in marriage to Sandra “Sandy” Hanson on April 25, 1997 in Brainerd, Minnesota. Dale settled down in Grey Eagle, Minnesota with his wife and youngest daughter.

Dale loved cooking and worked at various restaurants as the head cook. His latest place of employment was at the Ding Dong Café in Sauk Centre. Dale had a sweet tooth and loved to cook and make bake goods. He worked hard at his job and at home. His favorite pastime was being with family and fishing. Dale made lots of memories while on the water, having good conversations, and cracking jokes. Over the past ten years, his greatest joy was being a grandpa and doing what grandpas do best, “picking on” and spoiling his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra “Sandy” Haffner of Grey Eagle; children, Ryan Boyland of Sauk Rapids, Melanie Cruz of Sauk Rapids, and Heather Elias of Albany; five grandchildren, Natalya Goulet, Oliver and Millie Preusser, Whitney and Zoe Elias; brothers and sisters, Kevin, Rodney, Mike, Brian, Michelle, and Colleen; and many loving relatives and friends.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Grey Eagle.

Catherine Fellbaum

Catherine Fellbaum, 71 year old resident of Swanville, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at her residence. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN, with Rev. Kevin Zellers officiating. Burial was in Springbrook Cemetery in Swanville. Caring for Catherine and her family is the Shelley-Gibson Funeral Chapel in Swanville.

Catherine was born on November 2, 1951 in Long Prairie, Minnesota to Kenneth and Mary Lee (Martin) Becker. She graduated from Staples High School in 1969 and then from Wadena Technical School with a degree in Cosmetology in 1970. On September 8, 1973, she married Lloyd Fellbaum in Staples, Minnesota. During the majority of her life, she raised a family with her husband on a dairy and hog farm in Culdrum Township, Morrison County. After retiring from farming, she worked in the home healthcare field for several years. Throughout her life, she always cherished time spent with all of her family.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Lloyd of Swanville; children, Stacy (Mark) Mosher of Cambridge, Loren (Sonja) Fellbaum of Grey Eagle, Kevin (Amanda) Fellbaum of Fergus Falls, and Darin (Louisa) Fellbaum of Wadena; grandchildren, Kyle, Rachel & Julia Mosher and Dirk & Ian Fellbaum and Marshall, Hadlee & Milo Fellbaum and Ellie & Lyla Fellbaum; mother, Mary Lee Becker; siblings, Jeanne (Larry) Odden, Scott (Sheila) Becker, Barb (John) Reese, Connie (Mike) Odden, Terry Kavanaugh, Judy (Don) Lisson, Carol (Al) Lisson, Mike Becker; and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine was preceded in death by her father, Ken Becker; sisters, Sue Pearson and Kristi Becker. She is also preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Earl and Esther Fellbaum; brother-in-law, Lyle Fellbaum.

Catherine loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Irene M. Braun

Kenneth L. Wolters

Irene M. Braun, age 78 of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, February 6, 2023 at her home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 10 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the church’s YouTube channel: Church of St. Mary Melrose.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.

Irene Marcella Stalboerger was born May 22, 1944 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Edmund and Selma (Eibensteiner) Stalboerger. She grew up in rural Elrosa and graduated from St. Francis High School in Little Falls. On August 22, 1964 she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Braun at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. The couple farmed near Spring Hill, and then continued to raise their kids in Greenwald. Later moving to Melrose where she worked for many years in Housekeeping at the Melrose Hospital spreading her loving kindness from room to room until her retirement.

Irene was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she taught religious ed classes, was president of Christian Mothers, was a Eucharistic minister, and sang in the Resurrection Choir. She enjoyed biking, visiting with friends, bird watching, caring for her houseplants, and most of all spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Bob Braun of Melrose; children, Jim (Sheryl) Braun of Greenwald, Joe (Karen) Braun of Shoreview, Lori Campagnola of Minneapolis, Barb (David) Digerness of Plymouth, Emily (Joe) Langel of Brooklyn Park, Jason (Kristie) Braun of Melrose, and Brenda (Robb) Enslin of Duluth; 29 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother and sisters, Stanley Stalboerger, Marilyn Schoenberg, Sharon Hemiadan, Ramona Stalboerger, Barb Barten, and Roxane Kampsen; and mother-in-law, Val Braun.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Stalboerger; sister, Pat Seitz; stillborn brother, Joseph Stalboerger; grandson, Logan Braun; and son-in-law, Stephen Campagnola.

Memorials are preferred.

Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.

Kevin John Gallus

Kevin John Gallus, 42 year old resident of Paynesville formerly of Little Falls died, Friday, January 27 at Centra Care Hospital in Paynesville, MN. A memorial service was held on Friday, February 3 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. A

Kevin John

Gallus was born July 24, 1980 to the late John and Vivian (Loback) Gallus. He grew up in the Swanville area, where he attended Swanville High School and the CEC. He worked various jobs throughout his life. He was currently working as a welder and at Kwik Trip in Paynesville. Kevin enjoyed fishing, camping, grilling, working on vehicles and spending time with his children, Jaiden and Amiliya.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Jaiden (Macy Franseen) Gallus-Kanieski and Amiliya Gallus-Kanieski both of Little Falls; siblings, Kurt (Melissa Holst) Gallus, Krista (Joe Welinski) Bauch, Dave (Rose) Jensen, Judy Jensen all of Little Falls and Matthew Gallus of the Philippines; stepmom, Edna Gallus of Little Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Vivian Gallus; brother, Larry Jensen and niece, Vivian Bauch.

Kenneth L. Wolters, 80 year old resident of Bowlus, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, surrounded by his family. Funeral Services were held Monday, February 6, 2023, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN with David Sperstad officiating. Burial was at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Kenneth Leroy Wolters was born April 26, 1942 in Little Falls, Minnesota, Morrison County, the son of Frederick and Agnes (Miller) Wolters. Kenny attended Little Falls High School. He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1963 as a track vehicle repairman. He began working at Camp Ripley in MATES in 1965 and retired from CSMS in 1995, after 30 years of service. He was united in marriage to Irene on June 8, 1984, and became the loving stepfather to Lisa, Tim and Juanita. The family made their home on a large farmland in Bowlus. Kenny enjoyed farming, woodworking, fishing and being a Papa. Most of all, he loved taking all of his grandkids on four-wheeler rides. Kenny was a member of the American Legion Post 642.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Irene of Bowlus; children, Lisa (Colin) Brown, Timothy (Jeannie) Blake and Juanita (Dennis) Rhode; grandchildren, Courtney, Morgan, Nathanial, Hannah, Kendra, Allison, Isaac, Emily and Alaina; siblings, Harold, Dennis and Betty, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Agnes (Miller) Wolters; brother, Jacob Wolters; sister-in-law, Marie Wolters; father-in-law Arnold Carlson; siblings-in-law, Bev Fosler and Kevin and Gloria Roth.

James "Jim" Prodinsky

James “Jim” E. Prodinsky, age 75 of Melrose, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at CentraCare Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, February 16 at the PattonSchad Funeral Home in Melrose followed by graveside prayers at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Jim was born May 4, 1947 in Seattle Washington to James Prodinsky and Dorothy (Berscheid). When he was a child, his family moved back to Dorothy’s hometown of Grey Eagle Minnesota where Jim attended school. After high school Jim started at Jennie O Turkey store where he continued to work for many years. On February 20, 1971, he was united in marriage to Carol M Walz at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Together, they raised a family of five boys in Sauk Centre and Melrose, Minnesota. Jim was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and following the MN Twins and Vikings.

Survivors include sons, Brian Prodinsky of Sauk Centre, Joe (Amy) Prodinsky of Sartell, Jason (Emily) Prodinsky of St. Cloud, Mike Prodinsky of Melrose, Kevin Prodinsky of Rochester; sisters, Jane (Dale) Ilgen and Carol Bhagroo; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James Prodinsky and Dorothy Jacobs; wife, Carol Prodinsky; and brother, Martin “Marty” Prodinsky.

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