The annual Eastern South Dakota Heart Walk was held on Saturday, August 20th at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. “Team Phoebe” was among the walkers. Phoebe Vargas was born with a congenital heart defect in November 2009. She endured three open heart surgeries, the first one when she was just 7 days old! This little warrior had another surgery at four months and the third when she was 18 months old, in addition to several hospitalizations and “way too many” pokes, tests, procedures, and doctor appointments. Today Phoebe is six and a half years old and ready to start first grade at Dell Rapids St. Mary School. Phoebe’s mom, the former Jean Lorang (Marv & Ruth) says Phoebe, a cute little girl with a crazy heart, has taught her family to count their blessings and live each moment to the fullest. Phoebe, you are amazing!!
Lori (Lutmer) Delano hosted a surprise 50th birthday celebration for her significant other, Doug Woolridge, at their home near Annandale on Saturday. Family members attending from the area were: Dave & Joyce Kanten of Fulda and Jeff Lutmer, Cody Lutmer, and Mike & Patty Buysse, all of Lismore. Happy Half Century, Doug!
Joyce Erdman joined Coletta Oertli and her daughters Jean and Sue, and granddaughters for BINGO Saturday afternoon at The Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. The Oertli family sponsored the Bingo game in memory of Lee Oertli’s birthday. Joyce and Coletta visited with other friends they made while their late husbands were residents there.
Xxander Stone spent the week with his grandparents, Ken & Vickie Leinen. He gave grandpa and grandma a “run for their money” before returning home to Rochester on Friday. Vickie was a Friday overnight guest with her dad, Art Brandt before returning home to Lismore. Grandma Vickie is now resting up following her week with a two year old!
Mike & Rhonda Kellen of Jordan and John & Ann Kellen and Amber of Waconia were Thursday and Friday overnight guests in the home of their parents, Jerry & Mary Kellen. Together they celebrated Jerry’s 75th birthday with a dinner at Countryside Inn. Happy Birthday Jerry!
Dave & Deb Lutmer spent a few days with her sister, Donna Dew, in Edmond, OK. On Saturday they attended the wedding activities of Stephen Loosbrock and Bethany Smith in Lenexa, Kansas. After a long drive home on Sunday, they stopped by the Will & McCall Lutmer home in Sioux Falls to help with some outdoor chores and to cuddle with their grandson, Sutton.
With school starting on Tuesday, we need to be reminded about safe driving. Watch for children as they are walking as well as getting on and off the busses. Remember that you need to stop when the bus has the stop sign out and the red lights flashing! Let’s keep the kids safe!
