Lifelong Waterville resident and man about town, Gene Preuss, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester at the age of 80.
Gene attended grade school and high school in Waterville, graduating in 1963. He was a dedicated member of the high school wrestling team and a hunting, fishing, spearing, trapping, and cooking enthusiast. 

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bruce David Baumgarten, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who departed this life at his residence on June 14, 2025. Born on January 29, 1939, Bruce graced this earth for 86 extraordinary years, over 60 of which he spent in devoted marriage to his dear wife, Lee Ann.

Anna Stangler of Kilkenny passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, surrounded by friends and loved ones at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Anna was born on July 11, 1985, in Mankato. She was the daughter of Richard and Pamela (Hinton) Fischer. Anna was a 2003 graduate of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School and a 2007 graduate of Minnesota State-Mankato. 

Catherine "Kate" Mary (Seys) Hansen, age 99, of Waterville, passed away on June 15, 2025, at Whispering Creek Nursing Home in Janesville.

Hope Karen (nee Nord) (formerly Martin) Leen was born in Hudson, WI, on Sept. 7, 1940, passed peacefully on June 11, 2025, at Hillview Senior Living Community in Mondovi, WI.                                   

Outstanding weather, great events, huge crowds highlight weekend festival
Thousands of bullheads (13,000+) were served, the rain and clouds stayed away, the temperatures were perfect, queens were crowned, the carnival returned, and fun was had by all.
The 2025 Waterville Bullhead Days Celebration held June 6 through June 8, was considered by many as one of the best in the 60-year history of the festival.
One of the highlight events of the weekend was the Friday night crowning of Miss Waterville and Junior Miss Waterville.

Myron Dennis Hohnstadt waltzed his way into heaven Friday, May 30, 2025.
Myron enjoyed old-time German music, dancing, traveling, reading and a good joke. In his younger days he frequented the ballrooms of southern Minnesota, where he met Laurie. He also met his second wife, Shirley, at a dance.
Myron was born July 13, 1931, to William “Bill” and Esther (Kuehn) Hohnstadt in New Ulm, Minnesota. The family moved to Elysian, Minnesota, in 1937, where he grew up. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1950.

2024 was once again a rough year for the City of Waterville due to the record-breaking flooding with ravaged the community.
But thanks to the efforts of many people, the community was kept safe and the city continued to operate.
Among those who had their hands in the stabilization of the city were Waterville city employees, city council, firefighters, police officers, and many, many volunteers.

The Waterville Indians and Morristown Morries combined for 29 runs and 32 hits in an 18-11 win by the Indians Sunday, June 1 in amateur baseball.
There were a ton of hitting stars for both teams. Waterville had seven players with multi-hit games, led by Josh Cook with five hits. Nolan Wetzel reached base six times, and Nolan Grose hit three doubles.
Doug Harmon had two hits and three RBI while Kolin Rients and Ben Lamont each had two hits and two RBI for the Morries. Brent Vollbrecht walked three times.

Seven WEM track and field standouts will be representing the school district at the 2025 Class A State Meet Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11 at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
Three of these Buccaneers will be making their third appearance at State. One is making his second trip. Three are making their first trip. All athletes advanced after placing either first or second at the Section 2A Meet held Saturday, May 31 at Mankato West.

The 60th Annual Waterville Bullhead Days Celebration will begin with the coronation of Miss Waterville 2025 on Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m at the Waterville Baptist Church. Admission is five dollars for this 68th Miss Waterville and Junior Miss Pageant.
Miss Waterville 2024 Claire Elness and her attendant Ryley Henning will preside over their last pageant.
The candidate who is crowned Miss Waterville, along with the 1st Princess, will represent the community of Waterville by participating in area parades and celebrations, attending area pageants throughout the next 12 months.

Myron Dennis Hohnstadt, 93, died May 30, 2025, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Howard Lake, MN. Visitation begins at 1 p.m. with a funeral to follow at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5460 63rd Street NW in Maple Lake, MN.

Robert “Bobby” Judd, age 54, of Owatonna, MN, passed away May 27, 2025, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, following an illness.

Two WEM boys track and field athletes won Section 2A, North Sub-Section Championships Thursday, May 22 at Central Public Schools in Norwood.
Sophomore Griffin Atherton won the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter dash, and junior Grady Grohman won the shot put.
These two along with junior Talen Taylor and sophomore Wyatt Jans will represent the Buccaneers at the Section 2A Track and Field Championships Saturday, May 31 at Mankato West.

Senior Ashlyn Pelant won two titles and junior Addison Condon won one at the Section 2A North Sub-Section Track and Field Meet held Thursday, May 22 at Central Public School in Norwood.
These three along with seniors Loryn Caldwell, McKenna Schuster, and Tatum Richards, and seventh grader Rachel Mielke will represent the Buccaneers at the Section 2A Meet Saturday, May 31 at Mankato West High School.
Pelant picked up wins in the shot put with a distance of 38-feet, 1-inch, one of her top efforts of the year and the discus, with a distance of 112-feet, 1-inch.

Rod Reifsteck and Duane Anderson were first time honorees receiving the Quilt of Valor at the 3rd District Convention held in Forest Lake two weekends ago.
American Legion Veterans are given this honor as deserved. It was pretty rare to have two members of the same Post receive this award. (From Elysian 311) at the District level.
Quilt of Valor have reached 245,000 service members and veterans, showing our gratitude and valuing their contribution to our freedoms.”
The Quilted Stars from both quilts were sewn by the Elysian Unit 311 members...