Mary Elizabeth Smith, age 80 of Waseca, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Lakeshore Inn in Waseca.

Teacher. Talker. Tinkerer. Veteran. Reader. Dancer. Fermenter. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Uncle.
Kenneth Lee Schmitt, 87, of Mankato, Minn., died peacefully the morning of Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Mankato. After his daughters, who spent the night by his side, stepped out for a bite to eat, he slipped away in the presence of caregivers. He always liked an audience.

Berneda “Neda” (Thompson) Becker, age 91, of Elysian, formerly Minnesota Lake, MN, died Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at the Mapleton Community Home. Funeral Services will be private with family. Public visitation will be Wednesday, September 23, 2020 from 4-7 PM at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN. Interment will be in Danville Township Cemetery, rural Blue Earth Co., MN. Face masks must be worn and social distancing will be observed at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com

On Monday, the Minnesota State High School League board of directors voted to reinstate both the fall football and volleyball seasons this fall.
The decisions came after the league surveyed nearly 400 member schools, most of which wanted to have the seasons played out in the fall rather than a spring “flex season.”
Last month, the league postponed the football and volleyball seasons to spring due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The league reconsidered the decision after hearing from athletes and families.

Delores “Dee” Balfe, 82, of Waterville, died on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Kilkenny.

Delores “Dee” Balfe, 82, of Waterville, died on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Kilkenny.

Rose Hollermann, daughter of John and Michele Collerman of Elysian, is currently playing wheelchair basketball in a men’s Champions League in Spain for the second year.
Hollermann recently graduated from the University of Texas, Arlington with a degree in Elementary Education Below are some of her thoughts from an interview on playing with the BSR Econy Gran Canaria team.

Community members gathered under gray skies Saturday morning, September 12, to dedicate the new Veterans Memorial in Waterville.
Pastor David Mumme welcomed everyone to the ceremony and led the group in prayer.
Le Sueur County Veterans Service Officer Mark Roemhildt addressed the crowd, praising the community for working together to raise more than $70,000 and build a beautiful and long-lasting memorial for all veterans, including those whose names appear on the 192 pavers that line the memorial. (More pavers are available for purchase.)

The Morrristown City Council evaluated City Clerk Sheri Gregor during the council’s September 8 regular meeting.
Gregor, who has been the city’s clerk since October 2015, chose to have the evaluation open to the public. A 3 to 2 vote saved her from termination.
City Administrator Michael Muller presented the council with concerns regarding Gregor’s performance. The concerns include: insubordination, disorganization, being unprofessional, failing to apply for a grant, and not providing public data to a citizen after it was requested, which is required by law.

More than five dozen luminary bags were decorated and recognized those who have passed, those who are currently fighting cancer, and those that have beat the disease during the Relay for Life held Saturday night in Waterville at The Village.

A public visitation for John and Audree Wagner was from 12:00PM – 2:00PM on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Salem Lutheran Church – Albert Lea. Pastor Erica Cunningham officiated. The memorial service was private. Burial was also be private. Their memorial service was also livestreamed on the Bonnerup website.  To view the livestream, simply go to www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com, go to their obituary pages, and click the livestream link below the wording of the obituary.

Shelley Rae Geyer, age 53 of Waterville died on Friday, September 11, 2020 at her home.

John Wagner, 88, died Monday, September 14, 2020 at Prairie Senior Cottages. Born Feb. 13, 1932 – died  September 14, 2020 in Albert Lea, MN
Arrangements by Bonnerup Funeral Service.

Audree (Schultz) Wagner,  89,  died Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Prairie Senior Cottages. Born Aug. 27, 1931 - died September 13, 2020 in Albert Lea, MN.
Arrangements by Bonnerup Funeral Service.

UPDATED to include information on Celebration of Life
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 27 for Carol Freid, who passed away February 28, 2020. A visitation will be held at the Montgomery American Legion from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. A service will be held at 3 p.m. Lunch will follow.

UPDATED to include information on Celebration of Life
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 27 for Carol Freid, who passed away February 28, 2020. A visitation will be held at the Montgomery American Legion from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. A service will be held at 3 p.m. Lunch will follow.