A tragedy that would typically cause a store to close for good has had the opposite effect on the Paffrath family, owners of Paffrath Jewelers in Owatonna. They have pulled together to overcome an untimely death and are stronger than ever.
 Callan Paffrath represents the fourth generation to be involved in the store. Callan has many fond memories of growing up in the store. 

Longevity in any career is admired. In sports longevity is a rather rare attribute.  Imagine then two Blooming Prairie senior girls who have not only fashioned a remarkable 105 game career, but have done it without missing even one contest. 
Taylor Hagen and Madison Worke have accomplished that amazing statistic, having been starters on the basketball team all four years of high school.

Loretta M.  Moe, 78, Owatonna, died Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Homestead Hospice House.
Visitation will be at Aurora Lutheran Church on Friday, March 20, one hour prior to the service.  Memorial services will be held Friday, March 20, at 2 p.m. at Aurora Lutheran Church with The Reverend Jonathan Davis officiating.

Melissa Kay Eastberg, 39, of Owatonna, died Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, Minnesota after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Kenneth Lee Nihart, 92 of Austin, died Monday, March 9, 2015, at Our House Assisted Living, Austin. 
He was born Oct. 30, 1922, in Dover, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Anna (Johnson) Nihart. Kenneth attended Dover schools, and made his living as a farmer and as a laborer at Hormel Foods Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 1980. He was also a school bus driver for Austin Transportation for 14 years.  

LaVonne Mae Simonson, 84, of Owatonna, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Koda Living Community.
She was born June 23, 1930, on the family farm in rural Blooming Prairie, the daughter of Alvin and Hilda (Hintz) Eaker. She grew up on the farm with her siblings Elsmer, Audrey and Vivian. She attended St John’s Parochial school and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1948.

This past week’s temperatures makes it seem like spring is here. But living in Minnesota, I’m sure that there will be at least one, if not more, days of cooler weather and possibly even snowstorms heading our way.

First he lost his house by fire. But then the real kicker came when his life companion took off apparently distraught over what had happened.
After the early March blaze, Steve Jensen of Hope experienced several restless nights wondering if he would ever be reunited again with his life partner, a black and white English Springer named Chelsea. The two have been together for nearly 11 years ever since Chelsea was five months old. 

The Triton youth wrestling team had fourteen individuals compete March 5-9 in the MN/USA state wrestling competition. The tournament had over 1,800 entrants from Pre-K through high school ages.