Tribute website discontinued

By Mark Wilmes

Due to a lack of interest in businesses advertising online, we will no longer be hosting a Tyler Tribute website. We will still update breaking news at www.facebook.com/tylertribute.

Area election filings

By Mark Wilmes
tributeeditor@gmail.com

 
Final filing date for area elections was Aug. 11. The following is a look at who filed in area towns ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.
In the City of Tyler, incumbent Joan Jagt was the only person filing for mayor; incumbents Scott Dressen and Kenneth Jensen filed for two open council seats.

For the full story, read this week’s Tyler Tribute.

Tale of two parking lots

Pictured top: An aerial view of the newly-curbed parking lot at the RTR School site. Below: The old RTR parking lot also got a refresh, as RTR students donated money for the right to paint their own personal parking spot for the 2020-2021 school year. The RTR Honor Society under advisor Alissa Moat raised just over $1,000, with proceeds going to purchase t-shirts for the students and donations for Christmas is for Sharing, area hospice and other community programs.–Photos courtesy of Michael Beach

Olsen happy to be back with students

New RTR Elementary Principal Cristy Olsen.

By Mark Wilmes
tributeeditor@gmail.com

 
RTR Elementary students will be greeted by a new face in the principal’s office this week, as Cristy Olsen began duties in the position earlier this summer. Olsen, who has been in education since the mid-2000s, lives in Hendricks with her husband Travis.
“He grew up in this area,” Olsen said. “I grew up West River (South Dakota). I’m from Custer originally.”
The Olsens have two children, Taylor and Emily.

For the full story, read this week’s Tyler Tribute.

County Commissioners hear update on broadband project

County Commissioners Mic VanDeVere (left) and Jack Vizecky.

By Mark Wilmes
tributeeditor@gmail.com

 
The Lincoln County Commissioners received an update on the broadband project from Bryan Roth of IRC at last week’s meeting. Chairman Joe Drietz was not present at the meeting. Commissioner Mic VanDeVere ran the meeting in his absence.
Roth reported on the main line crews that are currently installing the distribution line for broadband access.
“That should be completed by the end of this month,” Roth said. “We are having a little issue with some DNR approval. I have reached out to (Sen. Amy) Klobuchar’s office to see if she can help expedite the process. It’s about two-and-a-half miles of main line that we can’t get in without the permit, but it does affect about 56 possible customers.”

For the full story, read this week’s Tyler Tribute.

Up to the challenge

Chelsey Gravley holds a thank-you card she received from Tyler Legion Post 185. Chelsey recently completed the Veterans 22 Challenge, which consists of 22 push-ups a day for 22 days to raise awareness of the heart wrenching issue that there are 22 veterans a day who commit suicide. Each day Chelsey posted her push-up workout on Facebook and challenged a family member or friend to join her in the Veterans 22 Challenge.

RTR 10U ends season

The RTR 10U baseball team recently completed their abbreviated 2020 season. Players and coaches pictured, from left to right in front, are Tucker Shrunk, Macrae Peterson, Riley King, Levi Kraft, Chris Janish and Aiden Wichmann. In back are Jonah Johnson, Cody King, Bennet Bedow, Monique Martinez, Justin Kerkaert, Michah Johnson, Lincoln Schreurs, Lake Wichmann, Todd Wichmann and Jessi Wichmann.

Area athletes compete on 14U SD State Youth Fastpitch Tournament team

The South Dakota state champion youth fastpitch team from Dell Rapids— Haley Rydell, Makayla O’Meara, Liz Price, Elly Olson, Maya Lee, Abby Timm, Kya Alderson, Josie Baumberger and Maya Heinitz. Not pictured are Head Coach Jenny Alderson and Assistant Coach Robert O’Meara.

The South Dakota State Youth Fastpitch tourna­ment was held in Sioux Falls Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9. It was a great weekend for the Dell Rapids 14U team.
In the first round, Dell Rapids defeated the Blue Devils from Watertown by a score of 12-0. Maya Lee had three RBIs with two hits. Her first hit was with bases loaded bring­ing in three runs. Makayla O’Meara also had a great bat with one hit for two RBIs and one triple…

For the full story, read this week’s Tyler Tribute.

Duane Nelsen

July 18, 1932 – Aug. 21, 2020

Duane Nelsen, age 88 of rural Tyler, died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 21 at his home. A visitation will be held Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5-7 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Memo­rial Hill Cemetery in Lake Benton. Arrangements are with the Hartquist Funeral Home – Tyler Chapel. To sign an online registry and view Duane’s life his­tory, please visit www. hartquistfuneral.com.
Duane Andrew Nelsen was born July 18, 1932 to M. Axel and Helen (Jor­dahl) Nelsen in Garretson, South Dakota. He attended school in Garretson until the eighth grade, when he began farming full time with his father. Prior to completing his education, Duane would often deliver milk and cream for the family’s dairy before go­ing to school. He worked hard his entire life, milk­ing cows for 50 years and always raised several hundreds of cattle for the sale barn. Duane was united in marriage to Irma Mohrman at First English Church in Marshall on Dec. 23, 1951. The couple was blessed with four chil­dren and nearly 70 years of marriage. Duane and his children continued to raise cattle and farm to support the animals until he officially retired at the age of 86, though he was still more than willing to lend a helping hand. He continued to live on his farm until his passing on Friday, Aug. 21 at the age of 88 years, one month, and three days.
He was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. Duane was a hardworking man of God and devoted himself to his Lord and Savior. During their youth, Duane and Irma enjoyed dancing, es­pecially at the Showboat in Lake Benton and the Hol­lyhock in Hatfield. Duane was a people person and also an animal lover, hav­ing a special bond with an­imals that would ride with him on the tractor and the four-wheeler. He loved his family fiercely and will be greatly missed.
Duane is survived by his beloved wife, Irma; their children— Bev (Don) Roll­er of Tyler, Kristi (Merlin) Thompson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Paul Nelsen of Lake Benton; sev­en grandchildren— Rick Jordahl, Trudy Jordahl, Priscilla (Josh) Osland, Matt (Chandra) Prosch, Josh (Nikki) Prosch, Chris­topher Prosch and Mar­quette (Cole) Nordmeyer; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Lowell Nelsen of Lake Benton; and many loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Mark Nelsen; his grandchildren Cassie Nelsen and Nick Nelsen; his parents; and his sisters Darlene Holt and Veryl Jean Eagan.

Youth showcase a year of 4-H learning

Cari Baune of Tyler, 4-H Fine Arts winner.

Throughout Minnesota, 4-H educators, volunteers, and youth are putting their innovation skills to work as they create alternative experiences to 2020 county fairs, including the Lincoln County Fair.
On July 25-31, Lincoln County 4-H’ers shared their skills and accomplishments with judges in a modified showcase environment, as necessitated by COVID-19. The annual livestock shows took place in an in-person setting that prioritized safe practices for youth. Static projects were judged in virtual settings. To help safeguard health and safety, the events were not open to the public. Photos and video highlights are available on the Lincoln County 4-H Facebook page.

For the full story and photos of the winners, read this week’s Tyler Tribute.