In January, 2011, three classmates flew from the white winter snows of Minnesota to the warm tropical breezes of Bonita Springs, Florida.  Cheryl Nesseth and Cookie Williams met up with Tenetta Anderson (who had flown in from Wyoming, via Denver, Colorado) at the Minneapolis Airport to begin their adventure.  They arrived later in the day at the winter home of first-time snowbirds, classmate Pat Boudreau and her husband,  Wally.

The four women toured the area for three days, seeing such sights as Sanibel Island and the Everglades, even taking an airboat ride (and surviving “Bubba’s” airboat wheelies!) through the mangrove swamp. They ate a lot of great seafood and tangerines (picked in the Boudreau backyard)and really enjoyed the evening at the Lanai Kai in Ft. Meyers Beach watching the amazing sunset.

Submitted by Cheryl Nesseth and Tenetta Anderson

I have a small (115 acre) farm and raise sheep and chickens. We had 51 lambs born this spring – they are a cross of Finn, Ramboulliet, and Dorset breeds. I try to market the wool and lambs privately and sell eggs. I spin wool and sell to spinners.

The tillable is all on shares with my neighbor so that I don’t have to own any equipment except a sprayer for the pastures, and a wagon to remove manure. I grow most of our food with a huge garden, small orchard, and eating a lot of lamb and chicken. I miss the pork and beef, but don’t have the fence to fatten one, although I keep thinking about it with calves selling for $15 around here.

Farms have consolidated around here in the last 20 years, just like they did around Northfield when we were finishing HS. But these are more hilly, more appropriate for dairy or sheep, and less suitable for grain and big equipment. As a result, my neighborhood has gone from 40 or more dairies down to less than 5 over the 23 years I’ve been here – but one milks 600. However in the last 3 years, these small farms are being bought up by the Amish and revitalized, often as dairies.

By Jean-Margret Merrell-Beech

Posted by Norm Larsen

Enjoy!

Read the rest of the story here: http://somerville.patch.com/articles/beyond-veterans-day-local-vet-combats-veterans-homelessness-year-round

Diane Tibbetts Giese (Jensen) walked to the Northfield News on 02/23/1959 and got this photo. She said it was taped to the window at the Northfield News.

From sources we have determined that the class of 1965 was in the 6th grade. Are you in the photo? Do you know where the party was? For those who can supply the right answers, there are many prizes available.. Lets hear from you.

(Editors note: if you right click the image and chose “view image”, you will see the image as it was shot.)

Lanee Hollinger Rowell and Kent holden

Dave Harmer, Marilyn Peterson, Lanee Hollinger, Craig Johnson, Tom Severson, Kent Holden

David August Peterson, age 63 of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully, Wednesday June 30 at his home with family members by his side.
David, formerly of Northfield, was born May 2, 1947, and was married to Cathi Ullom.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his two boys, Joshua, of Phoenix, and Eric, of San Francisco; brothers Jack of Paradise Valley, Ariz. and Donald, of Plymouth; sisters, Julie Grier, of Richfield, and Dorothy Peterson, of St. Charles, and one granddaughter.
A celebration of David’s life was held in Phoenix in the presence of immediate family and friends.

Bob Tralle died Monday, July 12, 2010 in his home in Nerstrand.  A retired millwright, he knew how to work and how to relax.  He had been diagnosed with cancer about three years ago, and was still doing oral chemotherapy, but his death at this time was unexpected.

Two weeks ago he told his cousin, classmate Cheryl Hall Nesseth, that he was feeling the best he had in three years, and that he was considering joining his classmates in August at Castle Rock as a first-time Reunion participant.   He introduced her to his pride and joy that day, his “new” silver 1947 Pontiac Streamliner with a V6.

A gearhead and car lover, he was a NASCAR fan and went to the Daytona 500 with Northfield friends Les Ferris and David Sorem for many years.  He also loved going to antique car shows in Iowa and Minnesota.  But the last few years, he’d discovered the beauty of Puerto Rican sunrises and sunset, and stayed there for a month every winter, and that is where his ashes will be scattered.

He had developed a love of wildlife and bird photography, and enjoyed the birds who visited his backyard feeders or stayed in the many birdhouses he provided.  His many friends will remember him as a regular in Dennison at the Fireside Lounge and MarLea’s. (He was a part owner in Ruby’s, now closed.)

There won’t be a memorial service, but Bob is survived by his Mom, his sister Nancy, and brother Steve, and both classmate cousins Tenetta Anderson and Cheryl Nesseth, as well as other extended family members.

Written by Evelyn (Peterson) Thomas

Official Robert Tralle Obituary on the web site under Departures.

At noon on Monday, June 21, the Camp Winnebago Wagon Trail stopped at Wasioja & our Kasson-Mantorville Lions Club served the group brats for their noon meal. The wagon train had started out from Austin on Friday & now were heading up to West Concord, Nerstrand & will stay overnight in Northfield at the rodeo grounds I believe on Wednesday night & will wind up the event in Goodhue, MN on Friday. There were about 125 people with the caravan with approximately 35 wagons & buggies drawn by horses & mules plus a large group of outriders on horses. Herman Transberg has been going along with this ride for several years but said he was driving the school bus this year for the train. It is a annual fund raiser for Camp Winnebago near Caledonia, MN, for handicapped youth & sponsored by Lion clubs in South East Minnesota.

Story by Mary Auge

Norman Arthur Kaatz, 62, of Conroe was born October 5, 1947 in Northfield, Minnesota and passed away January 6, 2010 in Conroe, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Minnie Hazelwood Kaatz; children, Aaron Kaatz of Corpus Christi, Texas , Devin Kaatz of Conroe, Texas, Kimberly Dennison and husband, Schott of Union, Washington; grandchildren, Faith Brimberry, Angela Brimberry, Ashley Dennison all of Union, Washington, Demetrius Kaatz and Jeremiah Kaatz of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister, Sharon Nord and husband Rick of Dundas, Minnesota ; brother, Russell DeMann of Knoxville, Tennessee; numerous other relatives and many friends. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Jared and Evelyn Kaatz of Dundas, Minnesota.

Family will receive friends from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m., Friday, January 8th at Living Way United Methodist Church , ( 17555 Highway 242, Conroe, TX 77302 ) with a 2:00p.m . Funeral Service to follow with Rev. Bill Posey officiating. Internment: Dry Creek Cemetery on FM 3083 in Conroe.