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Jody W. Gudvangen – OBIT

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Jody W. Gudvangen, 54, Fertile, MN, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by his family.

He was born on September 12, 1971 to Wilbur and Frances (Larson) Gudvangen in Crookston, MN. He attended Fertile-Beltrami until he graduated in 1990. On July 20, 2002, Jody was united in marriage to Denise Jadeke at St. Paul & Peter Catholic Church Warren, MN.

Jody worked at Lee Nursery until it closed in 2009, where he loved working outside. From spring to fall he spent his days digging, cutting, and packaging trees and the winter was spent picking seeds. After Lee Nursery closed, Jody worked as the courier for Riverview Health and would send out weather reports to friends and family. Jody missed being outside so when he wasn’t working, he spent more time planting food plots. One year, he planted pumpkins in the food plot, and they produced so well that he decided to sell them. That was the start of Gudvangen Pumpkins, and he and his wife and family would spend weekends from September through October selling the different varieties he grew out of his home and area towns much to his wife’s angst. In between growing pumpkins, he established a reputation for trapping nuisance beaver for the DNR and local landowners. Jody also enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing horseshoes, driving around and looking for deer and bear, and watching football and baseball. He was a devout Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins fan. In his younger years, Jody enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, hunting ruffed grouse, gopher trapping, camping, and helping his dad baling hay. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and making potato dumplings. 

He said his greatest blessings were his wife and his daughters Chesney and Hailey. He loved taking part in their school and sport activities and cheering them on from the sidelines. 

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Denise, Fertile, MN; two children, Chesney (Robert Olson) Gudvangen, Fertile, MN and Hailey Gudvangen, Fertile, MN; five siblings, Melinda “Lindy” (Donald) Fuglseth, Fertile, MN, Dean (Diana) Gudvangen, Fertile, MN, Diane (Kevin) Bjorneby, Warroad, MN, Sheila (Larry) Bouffleur, Mentor, MN, and Karen (Kevin) Jadeke, Mentor, MN; one brother-in-law, David (Brenda) Jadeke, Warren, MN; one sister-in-law, Debra Forbes, Richmond, VA; one uncle, Maynard Gudvangen, Fort Denaud, FL; one aunt, Doris Michaels, Fertile, MN; and many treasured nieces and nephews, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gail Belen; sisters-in-law, Donna Jadeke and Deanne Pilon; and brothers-in-law, Brian Pilon and Michael Forbes.

If you would like to honor Jody’s passion for the outdoors, we encourage you to wear camouflage to the service. 

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM.

Interment: Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Fertile, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com

Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home of Fertile, Minnesota

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Crookston Pirate Wrestling drops opening season duel to Mahnomen-Waubun

The Crookston Pirate Wrestling team had a couple of wins on the duel against the Mahnomen-Waubun Thunderbirds, but were unable to overcome four open classes, and fell tom the Thunderbirds 60-14 in Waubun on Thursday night.

Crookston got their wins from the 114, 139 and 152 weight classes. Mauricio Arriaga got his his first win of the season, defeates sophomore Avery Bush 22-5 in 4:25, giving him a 5-0 win over Bush. The next win came from Jose Contreras, who won by forfeit in the 139 weight class. The final win came from Gavin Hlucny, the secior ranked #2 in the state at the 152 weight class. Though he was matched up against freshman Gabriel Demere, he was unable to get the pin, but did win by decision by a score of 10-5, giving him 3 points. These three results added up to the 14 total points the Pirates gained on the night.

Crookston had 4 open weight classes, which were 107, 121, 145, and the heavyweight class. The rest of the results were 6-pointers, with the Thunderbirds getting pins on six different occasions. These 10 results gave the Thunderbirds their 60 points on the night.

Crookston drops to 0-1 on the season and will next compete at the Hillsboro/Central Valley Dual Jamboree on Saturday.

Weight Crookston-14 M/W-60 Winner Result
107 OPEN Keo Keezer M/W Forfeit
114 Mauricio Arriaga Avery Bush Crookston Decision (22-5)
121 OPEN Owen Hoban M/W Forfeit
127 Gabe Perala Eli Pazdernik M/W Pin 2:49
133 Kolten Bahrenfuss Brandon Miller M/W Pin 2:53
139 Jose Contreras OPEN Crookston Forfeit
145 OPEN Henry Geray M/W Forfeit
152 Gavyn Hlucny Gabriel Demere Crookston Decision 10-5
160 Jose Contreras Manny Johnson M/W Pin 4:49
172 Jaron Knutson Cade Walz M/W Pin 1:50
189 Miles Corneillie Dylan McMullen M/W Pin 1:49
215 Jack Odegaard Blake McMullen M/W Pin 0:44
HWT OPEN Kaden Barnes M/W Forfeit

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Crookston’s Reggie Winjum signs to play Basketball at UMC

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Crookston High School senior Reggie Winjum signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston next year.

Winjum is following the footsteps of his sister Halle Winjum, who currently plays for the Golden Eagle Women’s program. Reggie’s father also works at Minnesota Crookston, but those aren’t the only reasons according to Winjum. “It is right here at home, close to family and the coaches were really welcoming and engaging on my visit,” said Reggie. “The NSIC is a high level of play and one I would like to play at. Halle was another reason on why I wanted to go to UMC, she was tugging on my strings for sure.”

Winjum is a three-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, and tennis.
In soccer, Winjum was the goalkeeper for the Pirates, where he had an outstanding season and was named all-conference his junior and senior years. He was named team MVP, defensive MVP, and best leadership at the Pirate banquet this year.
In basketball, Winjum has played varsity since his freshman year and was named all-conference as a sophomore and junior. He started this season with a 15 point and seven rebound performance against East Grand Forks.
In Tennis, he has been playing varsity since he was in seventh grade and finished third place in the Section 8A individual tennis tournament as a junior. 
Winjum was the male representative from Crookston High School for the Minnesota State High School League EXCEL award, which is given to juniors who are actively involved in community activities and volunteering.
He was crowned Crookston High School homecoming king this fall.

Winjum is currently undecided, but leaning towards a major in sports management. He is the son of Chris and Leah Winjum.

Chris, Reggie, Halle, and Leah Winjum

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Melody Hedden named new Tri-Valley Opportunity Council CEO

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Melody Hedden has been named the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tri-Valley Opportunity Council in Crookston.

Hedden has dedicated her career to the human services field for the past 26 years. After graduating from high school in a small town of Franklin, North Carolin in 1994 she began working for the local Head Start program as a Family Service Advocate. After 11 years of serving in that role, she was promoted to Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) Specialist.

After three years in the role, while earning an associate degree in human services from Southwestern Community College, she relocated her family to Crookston to accept a position with Tri-Valley Opportunity Council as its Head Start Family & Community Services Manager. “I started out here at Tri-Valley about, I guess, 12 years ago. I moved from North Carolina and started as a family services manager for the Head Start program, and worked for about nine years,” said Hedden. “I wanted to go back home down south to be around family, and did that for a couple of years. But like six months in, I realized, you know what? It doesn’t feel like family like I thought. The sense of community we felt here in Crookston couldn’t be replicated back down south. So when the position opened up, I jumped on it. I was thrilled to return. The sense of community we felt and belonging, it’s amazing.”

After five years with the program, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Program Services. During this time, she earned her master’s degree in human services. She spent four years in this position before transitioning to Head Start Director for Western Kentucky University. Hedden said she wanted to take the CEO position to help others break the cycle of poverty like she did. “I love the Community Actions mission of breaking the cycle of generational poverty. I grew up in a situation where my family was in poverty, and I was trying to break that cycle,” said Hedden. “So with the help of Tri-Valley, I was able to do that. And I wanted to give back because I know what it feels like to walk in some of the shoes that the people we serve walk in. So this was a great way for me to be a part of that.”

Hedden added that the Government shutdown showed Tri-Valley needs to be ready at all times. “With the government shutdown, I think it was an eye opener for us all that we need to be proactive,” said Hedden. “So a big thing on my agenda is making sure that we’re able to carry on during those difficult times, set aside money the best we can to help those that we serve, so they do not experience a crisis at a local level.”

Hedden said Tri-Valley can help people in need, or at least put them with someone in contact with somebody that can help if Tri-Valley cannot. “If there are any needs in your family, if we can’t help meet those, we will align you with somebody that can. We’ll make those connections,” said Hedden. “So child care, job, housing, heating, anything that a family is really in need of and it’s a crisis situation, we want to hear from those families. Because if we can’t help you with those resources, we will definitely link you with someone that can.”

Hedden began her new role as CEO on December 1, replacing Jason Carlson.

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is a non-profit community action agency headquartered in Crookston, Minn. In existence since 1965, Tri-Valley provides services in 74 counties in Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota. The mission of Tri-Valley is to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities.For more information on services offered and job opportunities at Tri-Valley visit the website at www.tvoc.org, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TVOCInc or on Twitter at @TriValley_TVOC.

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Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball hosts the Sacred Heart Eagles – on KROX

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The Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies host the Sacred Heart Eagles in a Section 8A matchup at the WAO High School gymnasium in Warren.
The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start and KROX will have the RiverView Health pre-game show at 7:00 p.m.
Listen on 1260AM, online by clicking on listen live, the free KROX app, or on your smartspeaker by saying listen to K-R-O-X in Crookston.

FIRST HALF –

SECOND HALF –

  1st  2nd  Final
Sacred Heart
Warren-A-O
For Warren-A-O Points
For Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Points

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Christian Brothers Ford Service Dept. hit by fire in oil change bay

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The Crookston Fire Department, Crookston Police Department, Crookston Area Ambulance, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and Minnesota Highway Patrol all responded to a fire at Christian Brothers Ford on the southeast edge of Crookston, along Highway 2, on early Thursday afternoon.

A fire broke out in the oil change bay located at the back of the service department. Christian Brothers Ford told KROX that one of its employees was attempting to dispose of oil in the oil change bay, and it caught fire. The employee is being treated for burns on his arms and possibly his face and has been taken to Minneapolis to the burn specialists there.

Christian Brothers Ford remains open for business, and oil changes and other service work are expected to resume next week. The main service area was separate from the oil change bay and detailing area.

As of 4:30 p.m., the Crookston Fire Department is still on the scene. We will have more information on the fire when we can speak with the Crookston Fire Department, but they are currently busy on the scene.

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Bernard Elseth – OBIT

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Bernard Junior Elseth, 86, of Crookston, MN passed away at his home surrounded by family on Thursday November 27, 2025.

Bernard was born to Benhard and Minnie Nelson Elseth on April 1, 1939 in Thief River Falls, MN. He graduated from New Folden High School in 1957. On June 7, 1962 he married Bonnie Larson Wegge. From this union, Bernard and Bonnie were blessed with two children: Tiffany Nichole on January 28, 1972 and Jason Bernard on November 18, 1973. Bernard and Bonnie would enjoy 39 years of marriage. Bernard owned Standard Service Station in Thief River Falls before moving to Crookston in 1969. This would begin a life of entrepreneurship for Bernard. Bernard started the drive-in movie theater in Crookston that many families would enjoy for years. He would also own Hall Alten Shoes, American Family, and Top of the Town. Bernard also earned his Master Electrician Certification and became the Master Electrician for the University of Minnesota Crookston. On January 9, 2022, he married Jean Marie Demarais Shulz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston.

Bernard is preceded in death by his parents, Benhard and Minnie Elseth; siblings, Lester (Senora) Elseth, Basil (Della) Elseth, Harlan (Verna) Elseth, Loraile (Ken) Swenson, Marcie (Leonard) Swanson, Jerry (Carole) Elseth.

He is survived by his children, Tiffany Fee, Jason Elseth, Shawn Larson Elseth Regan; grandchildren, Alyssa (Paul) Fee Juhnke, Blake Fee, Macy Fee, Carter Fee, Brandon Elseth, Chase Elseth, Patrick (Kari) Regan, Elizabeth (Tony) Dyrdahl, Nathan (Whitney) Regan, Matthew (Mark) Regan-Hayes.

Bernard’s family will celebrate his life with a memorial service on Saturday December 6, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. Visitation will begin at 1:00.

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Richard Evenson – OBIT

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Richard Evenson, 74, a cherished family man, dedicated public servant, and lifelong pillar of his
community, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, after a life well-lived. Richard was
born in Crookston, MN, to Arnold and Helen (Larson) Evenson. He graduated from Climax High
School in 1969 and was joined in marriage to Lynnette Strand in 1974. They made their home in
Climax, where Richard worked at the Farmers Union. In 1976, they moved to Fairdale, ND, where
Richard managed the Farmers Union there. After returning to Climax 2 years later, Richard began
working at Red River Distributing in Crookston and farmed with his father-in-law, Vernon Strand.
In 2003, Richard and Lynnette started Evenson Ag Services, a company that became a local
staple. He also spent many years as a successful seed salesman, connecting with farmers and
contributing to the agricultural backbone of the region. Over 50 years of his life was dedicated to
farming for himself and for others.

Richard’s leadership extended to multiple local organizations, including the Community Club,
Vineland-Huntsville Mutual Insurance Company, and Climax Volunteer Fire Department. He
served 23 years on the local school board, a role he embraced with honor and pride. Richard was
known for his impeccable standards, especially when it came to his farm equipment and yard.
The petunias blooming uptown every summer were a direct reflection of his personal touch, a
colorful contribution to the community’s beauty.

He was the ultimate family man, “Grandpa Chocolate” will best be remembered for his traditions
of making M&M pancakes, playfully hiding quarters from his grandchildren, and playing cards.
Whether playing 31 with his grandkids or poker with his friends, he always had a smile and loved
to banter back and forth with his opponents. Richard and Lynnette rarely missed a game played
by their children and spent hours on the road and on the plane to support their grandchildren in
their activities as well. The Evenson Reunion was a highlight of every year.  Richard also enjoyed
hunting and fishing with friends and family. He will be cherished for his warmth, humor, and
guidance. His legacy of service, hard work, and deep commitment to his family and community
will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lynnette; daughter, Angie (Jeremy) Anderson of
Mankato, MN; son, R. Ryan (Kelley) Evenson of Apex, NC; eight grandchildren: Arian, Amos, and
Avery Anderson; Haley, Noah, Elizabeth, Olivia, and John Evenson; sister, Laurel (Jan) Rude;
brother, Michael (Cathy) Evenson; mother-in-law, MaryAnn Strand; brother-in-law, Greg Strand;
sisters-in-law, Judy (Mike) Rozek and Nikki Strand; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and
extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Helen; brother, Merlin; father-in-law,
Vernon; and sister, LouAnn.

Richard Evenson’s life was a testament of dedication—to his family, farming, and his town. His
spirit of service and his contributions to the community will always be remembered.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Sand Hill Lutheran Church,
Climax, MN. There will be a gathering to celebrate Richard’s life immediately following the
memorial service at the Climax Community Center. All are welcome.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

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Federal agents expand immigration operations to New Orleans, Minneapolis

City police^ state police and Homeland Security officers^ and an armored vehicle and state patrol vehicle on Canal Street near the entrance to Bourbon Street New Orleans^ LA^ USA - January 2^ 2025

Federal immigration authorities have launched a sweeping enforcement push in New Orleans and Minneapolis, broadening the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown in cities with policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration officials.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Wednesday that the New Orleans operation—officially named “Catahoula Crunch”—is aimed at locating immigrants who were released after arrests for violent offenses, including home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape.  According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the initiative targets “violent criminals” and accused local “sanctuary” policies of keeping federal agents from taking custody of people they believe should have been detained.

Officials have not disclosed how many agents are being sent, though earlier planning documents indicated DHS sought to deploy around 200 Border Patrol personnel and requested armored vehicles. Two U.S. officials confirmed the agency has asked the Defense Department for permission to use Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans as a staging site. The FBI’s New Orleans office said it will work with Louisiana State Police to help protect deployed immigration agents and prevent interference with their enforcement activities.

New Orleans is one of several Democratic-led cities to see similar federal deployments; the administration has already carried out operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte. Despite the stated focus on “the worst of the worst,” past sweeps have drawn scrutiny. In Chicago, for example, Justice Department records show that out of more than 600 people detained during a previous blitz, only 16 had prior criminal convictions.

Local officials and community groups in New Orleans expressed concern about the scale and impact of the operation. Mayor-elect Helena Moreno said she had reviewed reports of due-process issues in other cities and created a tool for residents to report questionable encounters with agents. “My first priority is to keep our community safe,” she said, noting the need to ensure residents know their rights.

In Minneapolis, federal officials also began a crackdown. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that ICE agents are not specifically targeting Somali immigrants, though some may be arrested if authorities allege immigration violations.  The administration has paused immigration applications from 19 countries, including Somalia.

With federal agents now active in New Orleans and Minneapolis, the administration’s immigration campaign continues to expand well beyond the U.S.–Mexico border, intensifying tensions in cities where local officials and community advocates remain wary of federal overreach.

Editorial credit: William A. Morgan / Shutterstock.com

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Trump will grant pardon to Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife amid bribery case

US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE HENRY CUELLAR PHD TEXAS - office entrance sign WASHINGTON^ DC - APRIL 26^ 2019

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will grant a full pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Cuellar’s wife, Imelda, wiping away the federal bribery and money-laundering case filed against them last year.

Trump revealed the decision on Truth Social, accusing Democrats of targeting the couple for political reasons and claiming they sought to “attack, rob, lie, cheat, destroy, and decimate anyone who dares to oppose their Far Left Agenda.  Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda,” later telling the congressman, “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!”

Trump’s announcement included a letter written by the Cuellars’ daughters, Christina and Catherine, who urged the president to show mercy, saying they “believe that our father’s independence and honesty may have contributed to how this case began.” They referenced Trump’s own legal battles, writing that they prayed for him because “behind the headlines, there are real people who hurt, who love, and who still hope for better days.”

Cuellar expressed gratitude in a post on X, thanking the president “for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time” adding that the pardon “gives us a clean slate” and allows him to return his focus to serving South Texas: “The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”

The allegations against Cuellar spanned 2014 to 2021, and two political operatives connected to him — former campaign manager Mina Colin Strother and associate Florencio “Lencho” Rendon — pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.

The pardon follows a lengthy case in which federal prosecutors accused the Cuellars of accepting at least $598,000 in bribes from two foreign entities — an oil and gas company tied to the Azerbaijani government and a Mexican bank — and laundering the payments through shell companies linked to Imelda Cuellar. Prosecutors alleged the payments were routed through sham consulting contracts and that Imelda “performed little or no legitimate work” for the money. The indictment claimed the congressman agreed “to use the power and prestige of his office to advance” the interests of Azerbaijan and the foreign bank, including influencing legislation, adding favorable report language, and delivering a House floor speech.

The coupe pleaded not guilty, with a judge dismissing two charges last August, though a trial had been scheduled for next year. In September, a federal judge rejected an effort to dismiss the indictment under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause.

Cuellar, first elected in 2005, stepped aside from his appropriations leadership post after being charged. He has won reelection repeatedly, though his South Texas district grew slightly more Republican after mid-decade redistricting. As of this week, he has not yet filed for reelection despite signaling plans to run before Monday’s deadline.

Editorial credit: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.com