Wadena Progress 2024

PROGRESS wadena 2024

Changes, growth and recognition: The ever-changing businesses of Wadena

Slinging hash browns since 1984: The Boondocks Cafe & Catering celebrates 40 years

Over the years, The Boondocks Cafe & Catering would become synonymous for its amazing customer service and as the go-to place to get a homestyle, made-from-scratch meal.

NICOLE STRACEK

Wadena Pioneer Journal

WADENA — Nestled in the heart of downtown Wadena, The Boondocks Cafe & Catering stands as a testament to time. From humble beginnings to its current status of beloved hometown cafe, for the past 40 years it has been a hub for comfort food, laughter, and of course hash browns.

The large marquee sign that hangs on the exterior of the cafe serves as an iconic landmark in the community and a haven for hungry travelers passing through the community of Wadena. Owners Dale and Shelly Salge established the cafe in 1984 and have been slinging hash browns ever since.

Walking into The Boondocks Cafe & Catering, the friendly chatter of locals and the hum of background music creates a sense of familiarity. There’s a good chance

the waitstaff knows your name and your usual order, and the comfort of home cooked food contributes to a sense of belonging — something the Salges cherish day after day.

The cafe opens early, and regular customers shuffle through the doors to secure their usual spots. Depending on the day of the week, the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls wafts through the air, and locals know that if they want to get their hands on one of Shelly’s iconic cinnamon rolls, they better get to The Boondocks early.

Not much has changed over the years, including the staff. Menu items have come and gone, but have largely stayed the same since the beginning. The daily specials are written out on a chalkboard; on Thursdays it’s Shelly’s infamous baked chicken, and on Fridays it’s walleye or meatloaf.

Dale and Shelly Salge work side by side during the busy lunch hour.

Photos by Nicole Stracek / Wadena Pioneer Journal

After 40 years in business, Dale and Shelly Salge continue to offer the same great service combined with excellent, made from scratch meals.

BOONDOCKS

From Page 2

When she isn’t making bars, cookies or rolls, Shelly can be found in the back kitchen hard at work, hand rolling pie crust and making her famous pies made from scratch. Dale is the breakfast guy and spends most days hovering over the grill making his infamous hash browns from scratch, churning out breakfast orders fit for a king.

Slinging hash browns since 1984

In April 1984, high school sweethearts Dale and Shelly Salge, alongside Dale’s parents, Frank and Eleanor, purchased Eileen’s Kitchen, a small cafe tucked back on Bryant Avenue.

“There was a restaurant in our hometown that was called ‘The Boondocks’ and it was kind of down by the railroad tracks. And Dale’s dad always liked the name,” said Shelly. Because the cafe was situated away from the downtown hustle and bustle, Shelly said the name just fit.

The small cafe had only about 70 chairs. It was also where Dale would begin his love/hate relationship with hash browns.

“When we first opened, our kitchen grill was small, and making hash browns was tough because we didn’t have the space,” said Dale.

BOONDOCKS: Page 6

Locals and travelers alike flock to the Boondocks Cafe & Catering eager to share a meal and a laugh over the lunch hour.

Kern Laser Systems grows business with additional space

BY FRANK LEE Wadena Pioneer Journal

WADENA

— Kern

Laser Systems is on the cutting edge of technology.

The large-format laser cutting and laser-engraving equipment maker has expanded its facilities in recent years to meet demand and prepare for future needs. Another 17,600 square feet of space was added to an existing building in the Wadena Industrial Park.

“They finished the majority of it, so like the exterior was done, but even the grass isn’t done right now. … There’s some work that has to be done there in the spring,” said Aaron Kern, CEO and president of Kern Technologies.

The production and assembly area was built in 2017. However, as the company grew and expanded into overseas markets, the need to increase staffing and production was necessary.

“We’re utilizing all the square footage,” CFO John Muehlberg said in February of the 17,600-square-foot addition. “But literally just last week, we finished some of the remodeling and repurposing of other areas within the building to complete the expansion.”

Before the recent addition, the total square footage of the existing building was

about 9,000 square feet, according to Kern and Muehlberg. Ground was broken on the addition in 2021.

“It was probably almost 16 months from start to finish. … And we’ve grown from 27 employees to 36,” Muehlberg said on a tour of the facilities on Industrial Drive. “We’re one of only two companies that really build lasers and laser systems in the U.S. entirely.”

There is a loading dock for receiving shipments on the far end of the recent 17,600-square-foot addition that alleviates supply chain issues many companies experienced during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re able to purchase higher volumes and not have to worry about trying to be overly strategic about when we get it delivered,” Muehlberg said of the extra space. “They can deliver it whenever they’re ready.”

Since its beginnings in 1982, the business has installed thousands of large-format laser cutters and laser engravers worldwide, specializing in large-format fiber and CO2 laser-cutting systems.

“People want their systems before the end of the year,” Kern said of the seemingly cavernous space intended for the end-ofthe-year rush to fulfill orders.

Muehlberg said, “Now, we can have

Aaron Kern, CEO and president of Kern Technologies, stands at the far end of the recent 17,600-square-foot addition to Kern Laser Systems. Photos by Frank Lee / Wadena Pioneer Journal

Kern Laser Systems is located on Industrial Drive in the Wadena Industrial Park

BOONDOCKS

From Page 4

Hash browns are made from scratch, grated over the grill and made to order. The highly sought after breakfast side was one of Dale’s least favorite menu items to cook — something that longtime Superstation KWAD radio announcer Mike (Huber) Danvers picked up on.

“He used to see me steaming back there. And he’d come back and say, ‘Oh, you don’t like hash browns. You grumpy old cook you.’ And that’s when it started, and that was because of the hash browns,” said Dale. Danvers would affectionately refer to Dale as the “grumpy chef”, both in person and on the air.

In 1989, The Boondocks Cafe & Catering would make another move, taking over the Wadena Cafe downtown. The couple remodeled the interior, giving Dale a larger kitchen to work in and also allowed the couple to offer catering services.

Seven years later, The Boondocks Cafe & Catering put down roots in the old building on the corner of Jefferson Street and Bryant Avenue. The couple would make the place their own, including a larger kitchen that would allow Dale more space to make his infamous hash browns.

“So we have plenty of grill space now, and now I like doing hash browns. I think the hash brown specials are probably my

There’s just certain people that just make your day. They’re always happy you’re here, and you know and that’s always a nice feeling.

-Shelly Salge

favorite because you can build on them so much,” said Dale.

Family traditions

The Salges have five children, and owning a restaurant meant it was a family affair. Daughter Jessica O’Dea attended Le Cordon Bleu, and after graduating, she returned to help run the business, bringing her culinary skills and knack for exceptional buttercream frosting with her.

“Our daughter Brittany is an accountant

BOONDOCKS: Page 7

Dale and Shelly Salge stand with one of their daughters, Jessica O’Dea, who works with her parents at the restaurant.

WHO’S THERE?

BOONDOCKS

From Page 6

and works here every other Saturday. And our daughter Mackenzie is just out of college and applying for grad school. She comes back and works every other Saturday,” said Shelly. Their two sons have also worked at the restaurant. They have found their own paths but still enjoy coming home to help with the family business.

The couple attributes their longevity and success to being consistent, as well as their loyal customer base. A testament that shines through on every aspect of the business, including their longtime staff.

Waitress Laureene Huttunen has worked at The Boondocks Cafe & Catering for 26 years and said it “feels like home” and that the Salges are family. Waitress Jane Hieb has 35 years under her belt working for the Salges and said she might never retire, as she has too many reasons not to. “The bosses, the people, my co-workers and most importantly, the regulars that come in,” said Hieb.

After 40 years of working together and being married for even longer, Dale and Shelly joked that they still ride home together every night. Even through stressful times, including COVID-19, it’s the friendships and loyal customers that got them through.

“There’s just certain people that just make your day. They’re always happy you’re here, and you know and that’s always a nice feeling,” said Shelly. “It’s the friendships that you’ve made that have really stuck. And I think we’ve made some really good friends through the restaurant,” said Shelly.

Clockwise, from top left:

The infamous hot turkey sandwich is a fan favorite at the Boondocks Cafe & Catering. Shelly Salge is notorious for her delicious pies, which are made daily alongside bars, cookies, rolls and other baked goods. Boondocks' hash browns are a fan favorite.

probably 16 to 20 machines in here getting tested and calibrated at one time depending on the model and the size.”

Kern’s machines are capable of processing plastic, foam, acrylic, textiles and metal cutting.

“Our CO2 lasers are primarily what we’ve focused on over the years. And the CO2 laser has kind of been the workhorse-type of laser in the industry,” Kern said. “It can cover a wide range of applications and materials — metal woods, plastics, foams, acrylic.”

Standard features included with the OptiFlex large format laser system are a water chilling unit, vacuum blower package, computer/monitor package and design software, according to promotional materials.

“Our FiberCELL model is a fiber optic laser where essentially the light beam is delivered through a fiber optic cable instead of turning mirrors,” Muehlberg said.

The FiberCELL model is capable of cutting a variety of metals such as stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, brass and copper, according to the company’s website.

“A Class 2 safety enclosure allows the system to be placed in high-traffic areas such as busy factory floors and university classrooms. Special polycarbonate windows are installed to ensure harmful laser wavelengths are filtered and cannot leave the enclosure,” the company’s website stated.

Kern said of the company’s CO2 laser cutters: “It’s a different wavelength of light, so it’s better for a larger array of materials versus the FiberCELL, which is primarily used for metal cutting.”

The OptiFlex model Kern offers is an industrial large-format CO2 laser cutting system that features a rack and pinion design and powerful servo motors on both the X and Y axis.

“These types of laser systems, there is a global market,” Kern said. “We’ve been in business for over 40 years now, so our name has gotten out there. … Other companies

KERN: Page 9

We build 90% of our lasers that we put into our systems. And we source components from all over the world. And everything is manufactured and built and assembled right here in Wadena.

-John Muehlberg

Aaron Kern, CEO and president of Kern Technologies, looks at one of the models sold by Kern Laser Systems used to cut or engrave a variety of materials.

John Muehlberg and Aaron Kern, Kern Laser Systems CFO and CEO and president of Kern Technologies, respectively, give a tour of the facilities of Kern Laser Systems.

From Page 8

have heard of us, they’ve reached out to us or we’ve reached out to them to be distributors all over the place.”

The need for more space also comes as the products they assemble, namely large laser-cutting machines, are getting bigger for their ever-expanding corporate clients, according to officials.

“We build 90% of our lasers that we put into our systems. And we source components from all over the world. And everything is manufactured and built and assembled right here in Wadena,” Muehlberg said.

Kern said, “We’re actually sourcing all the components ourselves. It’s all proprietary software, our own CO2 laser. We’re getting the stands from different companies in the Midwest, all the machine parts are coming from local machine shops, so we source locally as much as we can.”

A plan to expand in 2020 was put on hold due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. But the company was kept busy during that time selling machines that made the shields and plexiglass dividers needed to form a barrier from the virus.

“We grew pretty dramatically during it because we’re able to deliver products still in four-, six- and eight-week lead times where our competitors were four, six months out because they weren’t as proactive sourcing material,” Muehlberg said.

Kern said, “We’re adding to our product portfolio mix to bring out different types of systems that can deal with different applications to capture all the portions of the market.”

Examples of things the equipment sold by Kern Laser Systems can do.

Glamour Salon celebrates 15 years

NICOLE STRACEK

Wadena Pioneer Journal

When Brittney Ewert isn’t racing enduro cars or hanging out with her Pistol Grippin’ Gal’s group at the Knob Hill Sportsman Club, she’s wielding her scissors, giving clients a fresh, new hairstyle at her salon. For the past 15 years, Glamour Salon, located downtown Wadena, has been one of the go-to places for a full service salon experience.

Becoming a salon owner was something Ewert had in mind even before finishing high school. Immediately after graduating from Wadena Deer Creek High School, she enrolled in M State to obtain her cosmetology degree and graduated first in her class. A year later, she was working towards building her future in the industry.

“Before I even finished school, I asked Lori Wolden if I could work for her at the Wadena Hair Clinic. I needed to work as a stylist for 3,700 hours before I could take my manager’s test,” said Ewert. Working with Wolden, a longtime salon owner in

the community, gave Ewert the experience she needed to pursue her goal of becoming a business owner herself. It’s something she said was always the plan.

“When I was in hair school, I actually bought two salon chairs because another school donated a bunch of furniture to the M State cosmetology program. The school had a silent auction, and I paid $50 for each chair and stored them in my grandpa’s shed until I was ready to open my own salon,” said Ewert.

In 2009, Ewert would dust off the salon chairs she had invested in, and with her scissors and a mission, she opened Glamour Salon. “I used those two chairs until they broke,” said Ewert. At 20 years old, Ewert had the mindset of a seasoned professional who had a goal to become successful. “I just knew I wanted to one day open my own salon. I’m kind of a go big or go home person. I’m definitely an in-charge type of person. I just put my mind to it and stuck with it,’ she said.

Back row: Carlen, Emily, Chelsea, Ivy.

Front row: Kate, Brittney, Emma Photos by Nicole Stracek / Wadena Pioneer Journal

I just knew I wanted to one day open my own salon. I’m kind of a go big or go home person. I’m definitely an in-charge type of person. I just put my mind to it and stuck with it.

-Brittany Ewert

GLAMOUR

From Page 10

Ewert opened Glamour Salon above Wadena Family Dental and began building her business one cut at a time. For over a decade, Ewert would continue to add services and stylists, building up her client base as well as being a starting point for many other stylists. In 2020, Ewert moved Glamour Salon downtown, renting a building owned by local business owner Don Hoffmann. “I ended up remodeling the entire space, and then in 2022, my husband and I bought this building and one next door,” said Ewert. From the beginning, Ewert knew she wanted to own property, and working with Hoffmann allowed her three years to purchase the building. Alongside her husband Abe, the Ewerts formed A & B Estates, LLC and started their first landlord experience. It was another step towards becoming not only a business owner, but a property owner as well. However, Ewert said there were a few challenges along the way.

“I guess that was probably one of the biggest challenges, not knowing what the future would hold after just sticking a large amount of money into a building remodel,” Ewert said.

GLAMOUR: Page 14

Brittney Ewert is excited to celebrate 15 years in business this April.

Mason Brothers CoMpany

37 eMployees with 424 CoMBined

5 - year awards

Denise Kline

Chris Schmitz

Gabi Carpenter

Joe Brockpahler

Kirsten Rautio

Haley Dietman

Pete Lakin

Mary Uberto

Drew Peterson

Tom Wieseler

Dan Hathaway

Ryan Keddy

Makaylyn Sibert

Sarah Erkenbrack

Raymond Baumgart

Miles Kiphuth

George Hoyt

Kyle Vorderbruggen

Mike Johnson

Mat Peterson

10 - year awards

Lindi Rousslang

Brock Kraft

Bill Winkels

15 - year award

Sue Savage

20 year awards

Gregg Spenser

Ryan McQuiston

Brad Uberto

Tara Rentz

Sam Frost

Chad Carrick

Steve Weishair

Andy Rach

25 - year award

Bob Warner

30 - year awards

Bonnie Sperling

Bert Johnston

34 - year award & retireMent

Roger Guck

CoMpany reCognizes CoMBined years

On 2/3/2024, the Mason Brothers Team gathered for the annual Employee Recognition & Safety Event and to reconnect with Co-Workers after another busy year of delivering groceries across six states. The MBC trucks covered approximately 2.7 million miles in 2023. This year, the celebration was held in the recently purchased warehouse in Verndale, MN, formerly the Custom Homes Building. MBC purchased this building in 2021 and has used the large open-spaced building as additional warehouse space. The office space and parking lot are being used as training for future truck drivers. In 2022, the company created MBC Driving to train students how to operate a semi-truck and achieve the goal of earning their Class-A Commercial Drivers License.

Ric & Duke Harrison thanked the entire team for many amazing accomplishments in 2023! They also presented awards to 37 people for hitting a milestone benchmark of working with the company. These 37 people had a combined 425 years of service with the Company. The most notable benchmark achieved was Roger Guck’s retirement after 34 years of driving a semi and safely navigating an estimated 3.3 million miles.

GLAMOUR

From Page 11

But, Ewert had some experience with renters as each of the stylists rent their chair space from her. The newly remodeled salon received a much needed makeover and allowed Ewert to incorporate her own style into the design. She added additional hair cutting stations, hair washing stations, a boutique area, and additional rooms for salon services. She also has an infrared sauna pod that is available for clients who want to boost their weight loss goals, even out skin tone, reduce inflammation, flush toxins in the body and more.

The boutique area was another addition to the newly renovated salon space. Ewert wanted to have a storefront to serve as a buffer between the salon and the entry while also providing a space for fellow entrepreneurs to sell their products. The boutique includes small gifts and handmade items like soaps, lotions, candles, bath bombs, Glamour apparel, rugs and more. “The rugs are one of the best sellers, we can barely keep them in stock,” said Ewert.

Growing up in the Wadena community, Ewert said it’s fun to own a piece of downtown, and moving her business to the downtown location provided Glamour Salon with more exposure. It also helps to not have stairs for her elderly clients, and although parking is limited, she made sure to make the back door of the salon an entrance to ensure clients had options for parking.

Being part of the business community is something she really enjoys.

“There’s actually quite a few business owners that are my age, and that’s fun to see. My best friend owns the bridal store, and another classmate of ours also has her own massage therapy business,” said Ewert.

GLAMOUR: Page 15

The boutique includes small gifts and handmade items like soaps, lotions, candles, bath bombs, Glamour apparel, rugs and more.

The infrared sauna pod boosts weight loss, evens out skin tone, reduces inflammation and flushes toxins in the body and more.

GLAMOUR

From Page 14

Her advice for those who are thinking about becoming a business owner is to never give up and that it takes time to build customer relationships. “There are resources out there to help you, and personally I just knew what I wanted, and I bought everything second hand to begin with and then slowly worked towards getting new things… because all I needed was a pair of scissors and a comb,” said Ewert.

Glamour Salon is a full service salon offering a wide range of beauty services. From new hairstyles and cuts to colors and skincare, the possibilities are endless. Located at 213 South Jefferson Street, Ewert and her team of stylists strive to provide the best customer service and salon experience. Although Ewert isn’t taking new clients, other stylists are open for appointments.

Brittney Ewert remodeled the entire interior of the building to include rooms that are used for a wide range of salon services.

BY FRANK LEE Wadena Pioneer Journal

WADENA — Tony Wegscheid’s name may not be on the business he co-owns with his wife Jacqueline. But make no mistake, caring for cars runs in his family.

The 34-year-old’s father is the namesake of John’s Car Care Center, which recently relocated from 120 Ash Ave. NE to the former site of Super One Foods at 120 Ironwood Ave. NW.

“There had obviously been a lot of buzz around town as far as when we bought it — what was going on, what’s everybody doing,” Tony Wegscheid said, “It was kind of one of those deals where we got a lot of questions.”

JOHN'S: Page 17

Tony Wegscheid co-owns John’s Car Care Center with his wife Jacqueline, which relocated to the former site of Super One Foods at 120 Ironwood Ave. NW.

Photos by Frank Lee / Wadena Pioneer Journal

We’ve always been very, very busy. Fortunately, we’ve got a really great group of customers that we’ve always tried to take care of, and I believe that hopefully, we’ll just keep getting busier.

-Tony Wegscheid

JOHN'S

From Page 16

He said the automotive shop needed more space and the gas station that remains on Ash Avenue Northeast needed more space, so the Super One Foods site was purchased.

‘When I bought it, Minnesota Valley Irrigation was leasing the space,” he said. “And then when I bought it, I took over on that lease for a couple of months. And as soon as they were out, we were in here getting things ready and set up and ready to go.”

The last day the automotive shop was open on Highway 10 — where it was located for almost three decades — was Jan. 26. Three days later, John’s Car Care Center reopened at its new location in northwest Wadena in 32,000 square feet

“We went from having five hoists and one open bay to eight hoists,” Wegscheid said. “I mean essentially we have room enough we could park another 10 cars in here even with the hoist pole.”

John’s Car Care Center offers 24-hour towing, complete tire services, oil changes, engine diagnostics, programming, brakes, estimates and more.

Wegscheid stated in a Facebook post in January: “Having more space will allow us to get more people in and out and take care of a few more people. Right now, we are about two weeks out (in our current location on Ash Avenue Northeast).”

“The only way that you’re going to be able to try to get that time down is to expand,” he said while speaking in his new location. “And, hopefully, we’ll be able to get stuff in and out a little bit quicker and a little more efficiently.”

JOHN'S: Page 22

Suzi and Greg Karvonen of New York Mills co-own Karvonen Funeral Home in northeast Wadena. The married couple also owns funeral homes in New York Mills and Henning.

Contributed / Greg Karvonen

Karvonen celebrates 30 years as funeral director

BY FRANK LEE

Wadena Pioneer Journal

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Wadena Pioneer Journal’s weekly print edition.

WADENA — For funeral director Greg Karvonen and his wife Suzi, helping those who are grieving has been their lives and livelihood.

“We handle it with dignity and respect, and we honor each family we serve because there are so many different families nowadays,” he said. “I’ve buried some of my best friends. But I’m very honored (to do so).”

Greg Karvonen celebrated three decades as the licensed funeral director

of Karvonen Funeral Home & Cremation Service. The funeral home business includes locations in Wadena, New York Mills and Henning.

“Honestly, it doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for 30 years at all doing this,” he said. ”I really enjoy helping people during a difficult time in their lives and giving them guidance.”

Greg Karvonen

Greg Karvonen’s employees gifted him a shadow box last month to commemorate the 30-year milestone that the 55-yearold was unaware of until he was renewing his license.

Dayton Ave. and 1st St. SW

Wadena • 218-631-3928

Sunday Worship 10 a.m. with Rev. Del Moen

St. Helens Episcopal Church was built in 1896. It is the oldest permanent church building in use in Wadena today.

“They did a little celebration and they made me a plaque. It’s kind of neat,” he said. “They made a newspaper headline on it — it’s pretty cool — and they had quotes in it from a lot of my employees about me.”

The New York Mills resident grew up in the funeral service industry in New York Mills but had envisioned a different career path after high school. He said he did not think he would ever move back to take over the family business.

“But the longer I was away, the more I missed the hometown people in our whole area,” he said. “Growing up in high school, we had a lot of friends. … And I hung out with a lot of guys and gals in the Wadena area, too.”

He studied at Mankato State and St. Cloud State universities before he decided on his own to continue the family business. He graduated in 11 months from Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jefferson, Indiana, with honors in 1992 and joined the local funeral home a year later.

“I grew up in a funeral home,” he said. “And growing up, I helped dad. As I got older, I’d help him move empty caskets, I’d help him unload caskets from the semi. As I got older and was able to drive, I’d help with transportation and going to the airport and picking up people.”

Family business

Yalmer August Karvonen was born in 1893 in New York Mills, and Ina Katherine Sillanpaa was born in 1896 in Finland. They married in New York Mills in 1913 and established the Karvonen Furniture Store & Funeral Home in New York Mills in 1926.

“My grandfather started the funeral home and furniture store 98 years ago in New York Mills,” he said. “The funeral home was a separate building. But back in the day, we ran the ambulance. … They had the carriage to be able to deliver the furniture and then also to transport bodies.”

Greg and Suzi Karvonen, New York Mills and Wadena natives, respectively, decided to expand their business and purchased a church at 419 Second St. NE in Wadena in 2015. The couple remodeled different parts of the building to suit the needs of a funeral home.

“In the past 30 years, the biggest change that I’ve seen in the funeral industry is the increase in cremation,” he said. “It’s gone from — when I first started — we did one cremation a year. And now I own my own crematory.”

The Karvonens completed its on-site crematory addition to the Wadena funeral home in 2017, a year after it opened, that allows visitors to view or even participate in the cremation process of their loved ones.

“We’re the only funeral home on Highway 10 from Fargo to St. Cloud that actually has a crematory,” he said. “Everybody else ships out somewhere.”

Greg and Suzi Karvonen bought the family funeral home business from his parents in 1998. They purchased the Belmont Funeral Home in Henning from Larry and Gayle in 2013, which was renamed Belmont-Karvonen Funeral Home, before opening a Wadena location.

“Our funeral home in New York Mills was our home base,” he said. “And then I started working part time over in Henning to helping the funeral home over there. And eventually, when they retired, we purchased we purchased that funeral home.”

Community service

Greg and Suzi Karvonen were integral in beginning the Ronald McDonald House RIDE, an annual motorcycle ride, in New York Mills, according to Tina Bartels, an employee.

“After working at Karvonen’s for only a few months, I see how Greg cares about the communities and the families he serves,” Bartels stated.

The employees at the staff Christmas party shared their thoughts about him when they presented him with the commemorative plaque honoring his three decades of service to the community. Their

Anna Erickson / Wadena Pioneer Journal A 14-ton cremation retort, or chamber, is used for cremations at Karvonen Funeral Home.

Contributed / Tina Bartels

Greg Karvonen received a shadow box from his employees in December 2023 during a staff Christmas party to commemorate his milestone of 30 years as a licensed funeral director.

From Page 19

comments and those of others were included in the shadow box.

“Greg is compassionate, caring and authentic,” said Rachel Stout, former pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena. “He is passionate about what he does and cares a great deal for the communities he serves.”

Sara Grabe recalled when Karvonen was asked by family members if they could bring their dearly departed’s Harley motorcycle to display during the service in the chapel and he agreed.

“What I’ve come to learn is that you really have to listen to your customers, your clients,” he said. “Listening is very important because every family we serve is different. They all have lots of different wants and needs.”

Helping others

Greg and Suzi Karvonen even keep “comfort dogs” at their three funeral homes to help those who are grieving: Art, a 7-year-old foxy red Labrador; Enfti, a 6-year-old French bulldog; and Ethel, a 2-year-old miniature English bulldog.

Linda Youngbauer stated, “Greg’s concern for his clients and employees is special. His care with my family in our loss of Rick helped us through a very difficult time.”

Each employee at the staff Christmas party shared some words about how Karvonen has made an impact on their lives, as well as the lives of the families he has served — laid out as a newspaper page sublimated on metal to remind him what he means to each of us, according to Bartels.

“‘Kind. Caring. Compassionate. Selfless. Honest. Role model. Hard-working. Understanding. Authentic. Jovial.’ — these words emulate what is needed in a person who is a shoulder and a rock for families in their time of need,” Bartels said.

Greg Karvonen said, “We’ve gotten to know so many people. And I’m so happy to be in rural Minnesota. We couldn’t ask for a better place to live. It doesn’t matter if it’s New York Mills, Wadena or Henning. The people are great from one end to the other.”

Contributed / Greg Karvonen

During a staff Christmas party in December 2023, employees presented Greg Karvonen a commemorative plaque in recognition of his 30th anniversary as a licensed funeral director that included quotes from his workers and community members.

Greg and Suzi Karvonen relax for a moment with one of their former shop dogs, Sylvi, at their funeral home in northeast Wadena.

File photo

ADVERTORIAL

Newly Announced Lakewood Health System Cancer Center a Game Changer

By Wade Swenson, MD

As an advocate for advancing rural healthcare and a proud member of the Lakewood Health System team, I stand at the beginning of a new chapter in healthcare for central Minnesota. We are embarking on a significant project: establishing a state-of-the-art cancer center right in our community. This initiative is more than just a medical advancement - it’s a commitment to bringing top-tier oncology care to our area.

The 19,270 square foot addition will be located off the southwest corner of Lakewood’s Staples clinic and will include a dedicated reception and waiting area. The center will also include 14 infusion bays, 10 medical on-

cology and 2 radiation oncology exam rooms, a procedure room, in-house PET/CT, and a linear accelerator, used for radiation treatments. Additionally, oncology case managers will be located within the new space for easy access to patients.

It is well documented that access to specialized healthcare services, particularly in oncology, is often limited in rural areas like central Minnesota. This lack of access can lead to delayed diagnoses, treatment challenges, and a heavy emotional and financial burden on patients and their families. The Rural Oncology Home Model, which Lakewood has championed, addresses these challenges head-on by bringing high-quality cancer

care closer to home. This model is revolutionary in integrating palliative care and nurse navigation services, ensuring patients receive comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated care throughout their cancer journey.

Establishing a community-based cancer center is a game changer for the region. Traditionally, patients in rural areas have had to travel long distances for cancer treatment, adding stress and inconvenience to an already difficult time. Our new cancer center will alleviate this burden, allowing patients to receive top-tier oncology services within their community. This convenience is more than a matter of logistics; it’s about providing care in a familiar, comfort-

ing environment, surrounded by the support of family and friends.

The impact of this project extends beyond the immediate healthcare benefits. It signifies a commitment to the long-term well-being and development of central Minnesota and the Lakewood communities. By investing in such a facility, we are improving healthcare access and contributing to the region’s economic and social vitality. The cancer center will create jobs, foster community engagement, and position central Minnesota as a healthcare innovation and excellence hub.

Our collective efforts today will pave the way for a healthier, more resilient community tomorrow, where high-quality cancer care is accessible to all in the heart of central Minnesota.

Pictured are Lakewood oncology providers, Jessica Nybakken, AOCNP; Alyssa Manning, FNP; Wade Swenson, MD; and Mariah Nieman, FNP.

JOHN'S

Relocating from one location to another was no easy task.

Wegscheid and a crew from TSS Automotive Equipment Service of Big Lake had to first dismantle the hoists, which can weigh between 3,500 and 4,000 pounds and were transported with the help of Wegscheid’s tow trucks.

“The towing business is now Premier Towing & Recovery,” he said. “Now, the towing part is advertised separately, figured out separately, as far as the bookwork and everything else. But my wife and I own both and the gas station, too.”

John’s Car Care Center at Ash Avenue Northeast was known as Jim’s East Side and before that Key’s Cafe & Truck Stop.

“We’ve always been very, very busy,” said Wegscheid, a father of five boys and a Wadena resident. “Fortunately, we’ve got a really great group of customers that we’ve always tried to take care of, and I believe that hopefully, we’ll just keep getting busier.”

The Marathon gas station located in the same building that John’s Car Care Center recently occupied will remain open. Plans are to renovate and expand the gas station along U.S. Highway 10 into the former auto service area.

“We’re gonna be expanding the convenience store, gonna be eventually getting a new car wash updated,” he said. “We’ll probably move it on the corner and get things laid out a little bit nicer, a little bit more like a gas station versus a shop.”

He was looking to hire more certified mechanics to work at John’s Car Care Center’s new location near Dollar Tree and Walmart, so people can expect the same quality of service in the new location his customers were accustomed to when his father owned John’s Car Care Center.

“Nothing hopefully has changed from the time he owned it to the time I own it because he did very well, and I think treated people very well,” Wegscheid said of continuing quality customer service. “And we hope to continue to do the same thing.”

NEW LOCATION

Weinviteyoutostopinandseeournewspaceandmeetourexpertteam.

• Drive-Uptellerservices availablefrom7:30am-5:30pm,lobbyhours8:30am-5pm.

• SafeDepositBoxes availabletoprotectyourvaluables.

• A 24/7drive-upATM locatedontheoutsideofthebuilding.Itacceptscashand checkdepositsaswellasallowyoutowithdrawcash.

• Privateoffices formeetingaboutyourpersonalfinancialneeds.

• ExpertsinMortgage, Insurance, Investments and Business willvisittheWadenaOffice onaregularbasisandarehappytoscheduleanappointmentforyourconvenience.