It’s been tough year for law enforcement.  
Since the COVID-19 shutdown last spring, our deputies have dealt with an alarming increase in mental health cases – multiple suicides, suicidal threats, domestic assaults, child abuse cases, and more. The cumulative stress of multiple incidents like this over long periods of time can really take a toll on these men and women, especially in this tight community that we love!  

Our beloved dad and grandpa passed away on Dec. 10 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Preceded in death by wife, Rhonda. He will be sadly missed by his children, Christina, Duane (Lisa) and Jessica (Mark); grandchildren, Issac, Xaiver, Max, Anton and Gus; other relatives and friends. 

Gene Frederick Stensland, 68, of Buffalo passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital after a 22 day stay due to COVID-19.
Gene was born Nov. 14, 1952 in Rochester, the son of Fred and Edna (Erath) Stensland. He attended high school in Kenyon and went on to graduate from UM Waseca School of Agriculture in 1973.

Dorothy Alice Diercks, 89, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, at home surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy was born on Oct. 15, 1931, the daughter of Gladys and Victor Moreland. She, along with her parents and five siblings lived in Dodge Center, where she graduated from Dodge Center High School. 

Barbara Lee Pike, 83, of Kasson, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester. 
Barbara was born on Nov. 22, 1937 in Red Wing, to Stanley and Marion (Lee) Knutson. She married Robert Pike on Dec. 15, 1955. They were one day away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.  

Concerts, Christmas programs, business Christmas office parties and in-person Christmas Eve services for the most part have been cancelled, zoomed or held in a manner that falls within the guidelines of the governor’s orders.
However, during this holiday week – between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day – many will find ways to celebrate.

A bit of photographic history of Dodge County is on display at the Government Services Center in Mantorville this holiday season courtesy of the Dodge County Historical Society.
Several Historical Society members have placed a tree in the lobby of the administrative building decorated with 72 ornaments that are photographs of locations throughout Dodge County.

     Monica Maloney is Triton’s 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year. Monica is a middle school math and language arts teacher. She has taught at Triton for 17 years, 12 years in 4th grade and five in 6th grade.  

Each Sunday, laughter can be heard flooding out of the kitchen at First Presbyterian Church in Claremont. This is where Kay Fate, Penny McMartin O’Brien and Allison Ross happily package Sunday lunches for area families and senior citizens.