From This Valley

By Pete Steiner

HONOR ROLL

In memoriam …

We come around again to the annual ritual – both somber and joyous – of taking note of friends who’ve left us this past year.

As usual, I have missed some; perhaps I did not know them, or I did not see a posted obituary, or perhaps they died after Roger Stoufer my article needed to be submitted. For that, I apologize. But each of the individuals named here enriched our lives in our little corner of Planet Earth.

Just after we last visited this topic, two pillars of the local art community departed: Arnie Lillo on Christmas 2021, and Hope Cook, only 72. Arnie’s large metal art sculptures were visited by people from around the world. And Hope, after retiring from the MSU art faculty, continued to push the old Carnegie Library as a mecca for local artists and art lovers. Elayne Lidstrom was a local “grande dame,” zestful and stylish until her death just past age 100.

Chris Faye was a well-rounded man of faith and good will, a businessman, columnist and tabletennis whiz into his ninth decade.

Matt Peters became St. Peter police chief just after the 1998 tornado and retired from a fourdecade law enforcement career just a year before he died at 63.

As a newsman, I always found Chief Peters helpful. Speaking of news, I also got to strike up a friendship with Deb Fleming when she was Free Press editor early in this century. When I learned of her death at 67, I recalled her clear-eyed toughness.

Gordy Kopischke departed on the last day of February. He and his wife were creators of Pumpkinland; for parents of several generations, we need not say more.

Craig Nelson was only 73 – do I Matt Peters

have enough adjectives? Brilliant, energetic, creative, a great teacher and the life of any party.

Clayton Tiede was the Music Man right here in River City – longtime director of bands at MSU and founder of the Maverick Machine.

Emi Saiki lived to 96 after being interned with other JapaneseAmericans during World War II. She and George eventually made it to Mankato, creating a thriving business in the tricky art of “chicken sexing” and becoming prominent community members.

Anders Bjorling was son of famed opera tenor, Jussi. It was our good fortune that Anders chose Gustavus for his education; he eventually became the college’s comptroller. Of course he and Jan also imprinted Scandinavia on us via Swedish Kontur.

Gary Kratzke was just 73, but his impact was felt by generations who bought letter jackets and rented tuxes at Graif Clothing. A basketball dead-eye, Gary would be in the running for nicest person in the world.

So would Gloria Brosnan, who not only bore 12 of her own children, she helped countless other parents bring babies into our world during a 50-year career as a labor and delivery nurse.

Mark Scheidel, only 71, ended his career with 18 years at MnDOT, but might prefer to be remembered as a fine guitarist, singer and songwriter, or in the running for world’s Longtime radio guy Pete Steiner is greatest fisherman. now a free lance writer in Mankato.

Kay Jacobson, daughter of legendary Mankato inventorentrepreneurs, Cecil and Mildred Jones, was born to be a pillar of the community. She was co-owner of Katolight (now Rolls-Royce Power Arnie Lillo Systems), as well as a driving force behind the Children’s Museum, Habitat for Humanity and the Mankato Symphony. She and Lyle also helped fund the beautiful planters that adorn downtown. Summer can be cruel when it takes some of our youngest. Among them were Willow Bense, 8, who drowned in the Minnesota River, and Maddie Johnson, 17, and Gabi Hebl, 16, car crash victims. We lose their bright smiles far too soon, plus the stories and knowledge they could have brought us. Ann McGuire left us in September. Wife of legendary guitarist, Jim, and mother of three talented sons, she was the proverbial “wind beneath our wings,” with a heart of gold, as a speaker at her funeral said. Roger Stoufer, teacher, school board member, and memoirist, could also be remembered for his last words: “I … enjoyed life!” And Timothy Bartelt left us so early, at 52. "Minnow" was funny and friendly as he poured your brew, and his legendary wake at Patrick’s testified to how much the congregants there loved him. That these accolades come out after our great ones are gone should remind us: If you love somebody, let them know. We will carry on because we must, continuing their work, hoping the good we can still do will build on their legacy and be worthy of them. Happy New Year!

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