John “JK” Michael Kelly, of rural Waterville passed away at his home December 4, 2025, after a rapid and courageous battle with cancer.
John was born on September 28, 1956, to Walter and Ludmilla (Edel) Kelly of rural Kilkenny. He attended Treborn Country school, Holy Redeemer Catholic School and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1974. He later attended Austin Vocational College earning his FCC License in Radio Broadcasting.
WEM senior Talen Taylor was named the WEM football Most Valuable Player during the end-of-the-season awards recognition Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Taylor, a three-time All-District Player and the 2025 District Player of the Year, had a fantastic all-around season for the team which advanced to State.
On defense he finished with a team-high six interceptions, scored a defensive touchdown, had a fumble recovery, numerous pass break-ups, and 10.5 tackles.
Bucs tie for Gopher Conference title
The Gopher Conference announces the 2025 Girls Volleyball Awards and the 2025 Player of the Year is WEM senior Addison Condon.
Condon is a senior outside hitter for WEM. She is a 3-time All-Gopher Conference recipient. Addison becomes the fourth Buccaneer to reach the 1,000 career milestone for both kills and digs. She finished her career with over 1,345 kills and 1,760 digs. Addison was named to the 2025 and 2024 MNVBCA Class AA AllState Team and received the 2025 MNVBCA Academic All-State Award.
Being a Certified Massage Therapist over the last 28 years, Brandi Zishka-Rossow found herself roughly 10 years ago in her professional journey searching for something more.
Zishka-Rossow, who has been in business in Elysian since 2007 and in her current location since 2012, is the owner of Tranquil Escape Message & Wellness, LLC and Fitness Escape, LLC.
WEM/JWP junior BreAna Masso won four straight matches to claim the 112-pound championship in the Buffalo Wild Wings Hutchinson Girls Wrestling Tournament Saturday, Nov. 29.
Masso finished with a technical fall and three pins in less than a minute, including a 59 fall in the championship bout.
Senior Kayle Langford placed 3rd at 142 pounds, winning five of six matches. She had...
To see more on this story pick up the December 4, 2025 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.
Jeffrey Lloyd “Wags” Wagner, age 70, of Elysian, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in his home on November 26, 2025.
If you are looking for some great shopping possibilities and some holiday cheer, check out the two festive events scheduled for Elysian and Waterville Saturday, Nov. 29.
The day starts with Elysian’s Small Business Saturday, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event features more than 30 vendors who will be located in 14 different locations throughout the community.
Special discounts and sales, raffles, specialty foods and drink, and bake sales will be featured throughout the morning.
Four WEM girls basketball players who have played in 40 or more varsity games return to the 2025-2026 Buccaneer squad this winter.
The four include senior Addison Condon (72 games), senior Kaitlyn LaFrance (47 games), senior Alenka Jans (45 games) and junior Alix Velzke (44 games) return after playing many minutes over the last two seasons.
The Lake Region Area is lucky to have three artists who have been recognized not only in Minnesota, the United States, but worldwide.
WEM students had a chance to study various aspects of the art created by Adolf Dehn, Roger Preuss and David Maass, the three local artists who lived in this area.
“I know SNAP has been the highlight of discussion for many, many weeks” Le Sueur County Director of Human Services Jamie Hayes said at the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners regular meeting on Nov. 18.
Hayes was before the board for the payment authorization of an elevator project, but had time left in her segment to talk about the ongoing federal issues with the SNAP program.
Gladys Anna Culhane, age 101, of Morristown, MN, passed away on November 21, 2025, in the Mala Strana Rehabilitation & Assisted Living facility in New Prague, with her good friend and roommate, Janet, and caregivers by her side.
WEM kindergarten students shared how they would “Cook a Turkey” if they had the chance.
I cook my turkey with a stove. My turkey cost $100 and I got it from Wal-Mart. I got my turkey home with a car. When I cooked my turkey I put cereal in the pan with my turkey. I cooked it on 400 degrees for one minute. I ate ketchup and ranch, and chicken nuggets and ice cream with my turkey. My family ate the turkey with me. My turkey tastes good. Haddie Guy
Christopher Lee "Chris" Walczak, age 54, of Rosemount, passed away November 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born on September 16, 1971, in Edina, Minnesota. Chris lived a life marked by deep passion, unwavering loyalty, and a profound belief in the value of human connection.
The WEM bowling team captured the regular season South Central Conference Championship.
Following this title, they finished as the conference runner-up in the end-of-theseason conference tournament held last Saturday in Owatonna.
WEM grad Ashlyn Pelant plays for the Yellowjackets
The Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) volleyball team ended on a high note Saturday, Nov. 15, beating the College of DuPage (Ill.) 3-1 in the third-place match of the NJCAA Division III tournament at Allian Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Yellowjackets, who entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed, finished their season 25-9 overall.
RCTC defeated College of DuPage 25-19, 12-25, 25-18, 25-18.
Mark Jeffery Paulson, age 69, of rural Waseca, passed away on November 19, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato following a lifelong battle with muscular dystrophy.
