Employees from Stearns Electric Association recently visited fourth graders from Holdingford Elementary to provide interactive presentations on energy efficiency and electrical safety.

Throughout the one-hour sessions, students learned about the different types of electricity, conductors and insulators, and sources of energy. Students also participated in an allclass knowledge check and provided ideas on how they can conserve more energy at home.

Stearns Electric’s live, energized home and farm model was the highlight of the presentation. Used as a tool to show students what can happen when they get too close to electrical equipment, students were fascinated with the electrical sparks and arc flashes demonstrated on the model.

The most important piece of knowledge students walked away with was information on how to react in a vehicle accident involving any electrical equipment. As the fourth grade students can tell you, you should always stay in your vehicle if it hits a power pole, unless your vehicle is on fire. If your vehicle is on fire near a power pole, you should jump out of your vehicle, keeping your feet together, and shuffle as far away from the accident as you can.

Following the live demonstration, one lucky student from each presentation was selected to dress up as a lineworker. Donning a hard hat, rubber gloves, pole climbers, safety glasses and a utility belt, these students got to experience the real-life equipment line workers use on a daily basis.

Jeanette M. Waletzko

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at All Saints Catholic Church, St. Hedwig Campus for Jeanette M. Waletzko, age 85 of Holdingford who passed away at her home on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Reverends Gregory Mastey and Ben Kociemba concelebrated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Jeanette was born in St. Anna to Stanis and Victoria (Wiatrak) Kociemba. She attended District 208 School (grades 1-8) and then Holdingford High School (graduating in 1955).

She lived on a farm with nine siblings (Roman, Sophie, Alois, Edward, Virginia, Alice, George, Vanda, and Stanley). She was employed by IDS in Minneapolis and Dairy Craft, Inc. (DCI) in St. Cloud for 28 years as a sales secretary/sales coordinator.

Jeanette was the image of strength, grace and strong faith. She lived a long and wonderful life, full of happiness and fulfillment. She married the love of her life and raised a beautiful family. She was a master baker and cook. You could always count on having something wonderful waiting for

Jaxon Jason Pirttila

Breanna Rivera and Corey Pirttila of New Munich are proud to announce the birth of their son, Jaxon Jason Pirttila, born on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 7:48 a.m. at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital.

Jaxon weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

He has a big brother Peyton 8 years old, and a big sister Kaia 6 years old, both at home.

Grandparents are Shelly and Jason Hedeen of Avon, and Shelly Pirttila of Albany. Great-grandparents are Jo and Bill Hedeen of St. Anna.

Clay Duane Anderson

Holly and Nolan Anderson of Albany are proud to announce the birth of their son, Clay Duane Anderson, born on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:50 a.m. at CentraCareMelrose Hospital.

Clay weighed 8 pounds, and measured 22 inches long.

He has a big brother Liam 3 years old, at home.

Grandparents are Steve and Lisa Anderson of Albany, and Duane and Joan Schmitt of St. Martin.

As part of Stearns Electric’s commitment to safety and community, the Cooperative presents an annual one-hour energy efficiency and safety demonstration to fourth grade classrooms throughout its service territory. For more information on these presentations, visit www.stearnselectric.org.

Sam Primus is the Little Falls Flyer Wrestler of the Week. Sam is a senior at Swanville High School who has wrestled at 220 pounds and heavyweight. He is the son of Brian and Sandra Primus. The week of January 29, Sam earned his first varsity pin of the season with a win at heavyweight vs. Pine City-Hinkley-Finlayson. Sam also went 2-0 with 2 pins for the JV. Sam’s varsity record is now 5-10 on the season.

you (homemade breads, cookies and coffee cake). She not only baked, but showed so many the craft of making coffee cakes, so the tradition carries on. She always had the perfect soup when you were sick. When you stopped at their house, you never left empty-handed. Whatever she baked, or cooked that day, part of it always was sent home with you. She was also a great gardener, growing many types of flowers and plants. She loved watching sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves, Lynx and Gophers. She loved being on the lawn mower cutting grass, until her back said she had to stop. She played piano and even taught herself a few songs on her concertina.

Our hearts will forever have a void with her gone, but knowing she is in a better place and free of pain brings us all peace.

Survivors include her husband, Wally, her children, Greg (Kathy), Gerry (Kathy Jo), Karen (Dale) Korneck, David (Patty); 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

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