Alex Matthew Pettman, 49, of Montgomery, died unexpectedly on October 27, 2021. He is survived by parents Mark and Nancy Pettman of Red Wing, and brother Nathan, sister Holly and sister-in-law Becky. He was also a loving uncle to Riley, Violet, and Cooper.
 
Alex grew up in Owatonna, and graduated with honors from Owatonna High School. Those who knew Alex have described him as quiet, gentle, intelligent, and stoic. He was so well read; we even joked that Alex was the family encyclopedia.
 

Jerry Odine Severson was born February 13, 1970 to Gerald Severson and Patsy Hartje. He entered into rest on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Sanford Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.

When they climb aboard their specially-designed float for the Torchlight Parade on December 2, Chloe Hart and Wyatt Harms are going to make sure people see them.
“We’re going to wave … a lot!” said Chloe.
“The Queen waves like this (palm down, as if wiping a table). I don’t know how the boys wave. I’m going to wave regular,” Wyatt said.
The Tri-City United second graders have been named as the Junior Grand Marshals of Montgomery’s 28th Annual Torchlight Parade that will roll down First Street, Montgomery, on Thursday, Dec. 2, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Eight members of the TCU FFA chapter visited the 2021 FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 26 to 29. They were Jacey Saemrow, Maddy Ruger, Grace Halloran, TCU FFA Treasurer Sami Tiede, TCU FFA Reporter Marty Malecha, Cole Walters, Brendan Germscheid, and Nathan Goettl. Randy Krahl, ag teacher at TCU accompanied the students.
According to Tiede, during the trip, the members had a lot of new learning experiences. Some happened before they arrived at the convention.

Members of the TCU Swim and Dive team made big history on Friday.
Ella Schmiesing, daughter of John and Jennifer Schmiesing, became the first-ever TCU Section Swimming Champion. Ella won the 50 freestyle race with her time of 24.18 at the Section Meet in Rochester on Friday.
The win earned her a trip to State.
Titan Coach Kristen Munden said her finish also set a new team record for TCU and a personal record for Schmiesing.
The eighth grader was also crowned the Champion in the 100 freestyle race with her first-place time of 53.02.

A 446-acre park in Le Sueur County will benefit from a fundraiser held in Montgomery on Sunday.
The Ney Nature Center (NNC) was the focus of the 13th annual Fall Fling, the nature preserve’s largest fundraiser of the year. It attracted people from around the county who are dedicated to the NNC’s mission of preservation of the natural state of its surroundings, restoring and preserving the buildings of historical significance, and engaging the greater community in connecting with the natural world.

Hundreds of people gathered in Montgomery on Friday for a fundraiser to help two people who were struck by a wrong-way driver last month.
TCU graduates Kylie Maxa and Leonardo “Leo” Herrera-Lara felt the love and support on November 12 when family, friends and members of the TCU Dance Team held a fundraiser for them following a car accident on October 6.

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason reported that law enforcement has located and spoken with Pamela Jewison, who was reported missing on Saturday, November 13th, 2021, by her family.
Sheriff Mason advised that this afternoon, at approx. 2:20 p.m., State Troopers in Idaho located Jewison traveling in her vehicle, traveling east on Interstate 90.

The family of a New Prague woman is looking for help locating her after she left home and never returned.
Jeffrey Jewison of rural New Prague contacted Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason’s office on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at approx. 5:23 p.m., to report his wife, Pamela Jewison, 50, was missing.
Jeffrey told the sheriff’s office his wife had not reported to work and her whereabouts were unknown. After the family and deputies were unable to contact Pamela, she was signed/entered as a Missing Person.

Eleanor A. “Ellie” Sirek, age 82, of Elko, entered eternal life on Saturday, November 13 as a result of complications from Covid-19 at Northfield Hospital. Ellie was born on February 21, 1939 in Wheatland Township to Emil and Anna Svoboda. She was born prematurely and fondly told the story about her parents putting her in a bread pan on the oven door to keep her warm. As an only child, she grew up on the family farm where she resided for her entire life. She graduated from New Prague High School and loved to tell everyone how she never missed a day of school.

Blanche Havel Zellmer, age 99-3/4, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, at The Emeralds of Faribault. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father George Grafsky officiating.
Celebration of Life will follow from noon to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Club in Montgomery. Private family burial will be held in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Montgomery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to St. John’s Cemetery.

A 42-year-old woman died on Friday, Nov. 12 in an ATV accident.
According to Jess Mullenmeister, Sergeant with the Rice County Sheriff’s Department, Sara White, 42, died when she was thrown from an ATV while it was being towed. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident at 30th St. W and Cass Ave. at approximately 12:23 p.m.
White was in the driver’s seat without a helmet when the accident occurred, the report said.

“If you’re looking for a silver lining in this pandemic, improved broadband service in Le Sueur County is one.”
- Barbara Dröher Kline
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Le Sueur County has spent $1.7 million of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to improve the speed and reliability of internet service throughout the county.

Agnes Koubele was born on the Frank Koubele family farm in Montgomery on January 20, 1925.  She attended District 18, St. Rafael Catholic School and graduated from Montgomery High School in the class of 1942.  She moved to Chicago, IL and worked at Montgomery Ward, the US Post Office and the National Park Service as a secretary.  
She married Edward Zellmer, Jr. on November 9, 1946, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Chicago. Shortly after their marriage his health began to fail, and in March 1947 they returned to Montgomery. 

The City Council will interview three residents later this month, who submitted interest forms, to fill a seat on the council that will be left by Joy Svoboda on December 1.
Svoboda is moving outside the city limits and will no longer be eligible to serve on the the council or Economic Development Authority.
The letters of interest came from Mark Arendt, Dennis Smith, and Dennis Lambrecht, who served on the council until Svoboda won his seat in the 2020 election.
The candidates names were released during a city council work session on Monday, Nov. 1.