Swanville Senior High Student of the Month

Swanville Public School is pleased to announce the May Senior High Student of the Month, sophomore Emma Kurowski.

Emma is the daughter of Michelle and Frank Kurowski. Emma has many interests including playing and watching sports, lifting weights, hanging out with family and friends and playing with her dog. Emma has plans to attend college for something in the medical field, possibly a physical therapist.

Emma is in a number of school activities, including being in band and softball through ninth grade, playing volleyball and basketball since starting junior high and joining student council as an eighth grader and continuing on. Outside of school she volunteers whenever possible through various church and community opportunities. Her favorite thing about school is having fun with her friends. She advises other students “to work hard, treat people with kindness and to always make sure to create memories.”

Physical Education Instructor Nicollet

Gammon says, “I don’t have enough good things to say about Emma. Emma is self-motivated, determined, passionate and a light to those around her. Whatever the task may be, Emma will get it done. Despite her minor setback with an injury earlier in the year, she bounced back and was determined to better herself because of it. Emma remains a kind and enjoyable friend, student, athlete 100% of the time. I look forward to seeing Emma thrive in her years left at Swanville High School and after.”

Mathematics instructor Liza Hasse adds, “Emma is a hard-working student that puts forth great effort into learning the material and doing her best work. Even when she is faced with events that challenge her, Emma finds a way to overcome the obstacles and still be successful. Emma is honest and trustworthy in her dealings with others. She is reliable and can be counted on to accomplish a task. I enjoy working with Emma and look forward to working with her over the next couple years!”

Emma is a former student of the month, was selected as the 7-9 Grade Social Studies Student of the year, was the Spanish Student of the Year last school year and has won the Bulldog Award for basketball and softball.

Wayne R. Zenzen

Wayne R. Zenzen, age 69 of Melrose, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Arockiya Newton officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Wayne Richard Zenzen was born October 4, 1953 in Melrose, Minnesota to Edwin and Selestia (Enneking) Zenzen. Wayne graduated from Melrose High School in 1971 and graduated from Alexandria Technical College in 1973 in the field of Accounting. Wayne farmed all his life, taking over the family farm which was in the family since 1890. He took pride in his crops and his dairy/beef cows.

He married Shirley Habiger on September 9, 1978 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Wayne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Wayne enjoyed traveling out west, reading, especially when it came to history, and drawing up plans for building projects.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Shirley Zenzen of Melrose; children, Matt (Missy), Mark, Beth and Ashley (Jens); granddaughters, Julia and Amy; brother, Art (Marilyn) Zenzen; sister, Carla (David) Peschel; sister-in-law, Sharon Slack; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Selestia Zenzen.

Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic School or Cancer Research.

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

A Graveside Burial will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 12-noon at Lakeview Cemetery, Grey Eagle, Row 29, Lot 47 at the George Clear gravesite. A luncheon will follow at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grey Eagle.

RSVP to Bob Morse at 715-577-6700.

Todd County Council on Aging Meeting

The public is invited to attend our meeting on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Senior Center, 129 Main St., Grey Eagle.

The Grey Eagle Senior Center Board will meet at 4:00 p.m. followed by an informational session with Jurnee Bruggenthies who will present information on PEARLS.

At 5:00 p.m. pot luck will be served followed by Bingo. Todd County Council on Aging will furnish dessert for all.