Corey David "Big Bucks" Roemhildt, age 40 of Janesville, formerly of Waterville, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.
Born in Waseca on September 28, 1978, Corey was the son of Gaylen and Collette Roemhildt. He graduated from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School before beginning a career as a welder. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing darts, and playing softball.

About 20 children and 20 area law enforcement officers gather at HillSpring Church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after participating in the third annual Shop With a Cop at Shopko in New Prague. The Salvation Army, Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, local schools and KCHK Radio assist with the program where children can buy winter clothing for themselves and presents for their family members. The group gathered at HillSpring Church afterwards to wrap presents, for food and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of the paper. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The WEM boys' basketball team has started the 2018-19 season with three straight wins. They defeated Le Sueur-Henderson (73-61) avenging a loss to the Giants from last year. They also downed Cleveland (85-55) and NRHEG (64-33) in the Gopher Conference opener. The Bucs travel to Hayfield Thursday, Dec. 13, host Norwood-Young America Monday, Dec. 17, and host JWP Tuesday, Dec. 18. For more on the Bucs check out the last three editions of the LIFE/Enterprise.

A truck and fishhouse fell through the ice on Lake Francis in Elysian Saturday, Dec. 8. According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, A cave Brand Fishhouse and Chevrolet Silverado truck, belonging to Jeremy Ziemke of Janesville, fell through the ice at approximately 2 p.m. For more on the accident check out the Dec. 13 edition of the LIFE/Enterprise.

The WEM girls' basketball team is currently 5-0 this season after opening the season with wins over Faribault BA (73-42), St. Clair (58-51), Maple River (45-35), JWP (60-33), and NRHEG (53-30). The Bucs are tied for the lead in the Gopher Conference with a perfect 3-0 record. Friday, Dec. 14 WEM hosts Hayfield. For more on the WEM girls' basketball team check out the last three issues of the LIFE/Enterprise.

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved an amended Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Plan during the regular Tuesday, Dec. 11 meeting.
Environmental Resources Specialist Holly Kalbus presented the updated AIS Plan, which included a few minor changes.
Kalbus said there are 128 lakes, many creeks, streams, and rivers within the county.
In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a program aid grant for AIS prevention.

Donna Lorraine Knish, 56, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. The family will be greeting friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at Schoenbauer Funeral Home, 200 3rd St SE, Montgomery, MN

Robin L. Smelser, age 55 of Waterville, died on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at her home.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Waterville on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend David C. Mumme officiating. Interment will be at Concordia Cemetery, North Morristown.
Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Thursday, December 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. and also at church for one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Donna Lorraine Knish, 56, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. The family will be greeting friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at Schoenbauer Funeral Home, 200 3rd St SE, Montgomery, MN

Arnold Willard "Arne" Leen, age 82 of Waterville, died on Friday, December 7, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Hundreds of children and their families attended the free Santa's Workshop event in Waterville on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Dozens of volunteers elves helped the children shop for gifts for their family members and received free books, hats, mittens, ornaments, and treats.
Of course, Santa Claus was there and was ready to smile for photos with those brave enough to crawl up on his lap.
Pick up a copy of the Dec. 13, 2018 Life or Enterprise for more on the event.

Thirty-nine young people participated in the Sakatah Trail Sno-Cruisers' snowmobile training program in Waterville on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The number of people who took the class snowballed from last year's six participants.
Pick up a copy of the Dec 13 Life or Enterprise to learn more.

Robert "Bob" Victor Oser, age 93 of Waseca died on Friday, November 30, 2018 at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Born on November 11, 1925 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of Leroy and Frances (Petress) Oser of Peoria, IL. In December of 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and reenlisted and was sent to the First Marine Division and was assigned to Peking, China for 2 years. He returned to Peoria and graduated from Bradley University.

National Newspaper Association President Andrew Johnson alerted NNA members on Monday that there will be no mail delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 5 because the United States Postal Service will be observing a national day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush.
As a result, post office retail and services will be closed. Suel Printing Co. newspapers (Montgomery Messenger, Lake Region LIFE, Elysian Enterprise and The New Prague Times), which are mailed on Wednesday afternoon, may be delayed.
The closure will not affect newspapers delivered by local newspaper carriers.

Wayne Clarence Roemhildt age 78 of Elysian died on Saturday, December 1, 2018 while pursuing his passion of deer hunting in rural Albert Lea.

Awards have been released by WEM fall sports head coaches. In cross country, junior Tucker Rients and eight grader Addison Peed were named the Most Valuable Runners. In football, junior Brant Melchert was named the team MVP. In volleyball senior MaeLea Harmon was named MVP for the second straight year.