After having to cancel their first home meet- on April 10 due to wet- field conditions, AD Cory Haala was able t-o get the River Valley Track and Field team into a meet- at- New Ulm High School on Friday, April
50 years ago - April 19, 1973 Nearly all of the small grain has been seeded in the Sleepy Eye area, according to Brown County Agent Lerry Peichel. Most farmers have been busy fertilizing as they ready the fields for corn and soybean planting. Field work is well in advance of last year.
I recently saw a study that claimed more than 50% of Americans report having some kind of stress, anxiety or depression. It went on to mention that therapists are overwhelmed and booked out for months.
Yvonne “Vonnie” C. Windschitl, 82, of Sleepy Eye died on April 13, 2023, at Divine Providence Community Home.
Jeffrey Alan Ristau “Jeff”, 45, of Loretto passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 8, 2023. He was born July 22, 1977, to Dean and Judy (Bieberdorf) Ristau in Sleepy Eye. Jeff grew up in Sleepy Eye and graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1995. He enjoyed following in his brothers’ footsteps in wrestling and golf and broke tradition by playing basketball. He went on to excel academically at South Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, followed by his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. With this degree he provided pharmaceutical guidance to the community near his home. Jeff was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. His passion was spending time with his two girls, Emma and Lily. He was a very active father who greatly enjoyed doing fun, hands-on science experiments, card tricks, crafts, imaginative play or going on outings. He lived for them, adored them and his greatest joy was being a dad to them. Jeff and his girls enjoyed camping with his extended family which included setting up camp, hiking, making s’mores and storytelling around the campfire. His trips to the Ristau family farm created entertainment for all with his fireworks on the 4th. The open space of the farm allowed Jeff and his girls to fly kites. Along with his dad and brothers, Ken and Mark, and brother-inlaw, Kent, great memories were made on Canadian fishing trips and while hunting waterfowl. Outside work and family, he spent time learning new skills using his hands. One skill was taking old coins and transforming them into rings. It was fun to hear him speak to others and figure out what type of coin each would like, finding the right size and presenting that personally made ring with pride. Sharing that woodworking trait with his dad, Dean, Jeff created a woodworking shop in his garage allowing him to make chairs, serving trays, tabletop display boxes, turn bowls with the lathe, willing to try any new challenge to create. Most
Viola Ann Watkins of Comfrey died on Easter morning, April 9, 2023, at the age of 103 at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield.
After a winter that didn’t seem to want to leave, the Sleepy Eye Area Historical Society is looking forward to opening the Depot Museum for the season on Wednesday, May 3. During the season, which lasts until mid-November, the Depot is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During Severe Weather Awareness Week there are two annual statewide tornado drills—on Thursday, April 20 this year. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning.
At their April 14 meeting the Sleepy Eye Public School Board discussed removing trees and putting in a sidewalk along School Street (the street that runs alongside the football field). Facility Manager Doug Domeier told the board that the City of Sleepy Eye is considering the rehab of the street, which had been scheduled during the last big street project but not included to cut down the total project cost. Domeier reminded the board that installing a sidewalk was discussed at that time. He also said 10 trees that are in the area where the sidewalk would go are all Ash trees and in poor condition so he recommended having them removed and also recommended the sidewalk project. No board action was taken at this time. [Per City Manager Bob Elston the School Street project is under consid- eration but not scheduled for this year.] During his report, High School Principal Shane Laffen said he expects 10 junior high students to attend summer school, along with senior high students needing credit recovery.