Senior Perspective

LeSueur woman has helped hundreds of people with their family history By Patricia Buschette Sally Olson of LeSueur became interested in genealogy at a very young age, and she remains passionate about it to this day. But she hasn’t just climbed up her own family tree... Sally has also helped hundreds of people in their own geneaology journies. “My mother dragged us to cemeteries to water and trim the grass all summer long,” she explained.

By Elaine Haala of New Ulm Can you remember, as little girls we wore undershirts and slips? We had rubber overshoes with a zipper and fake fur cuffs. We got home perms – with really curly hair. The only people with a tattoo was a sailor – not everybody and their grandmother. We had the Watkins, Fuller Brush, Jewel T, and Stanley Brush salesmen calling door-to-door to sell their wares to our mothers. Grandpa hung his arm out the car window to signal a turn or stop. Then came blinkers.

By Larry Kiewel of St. Peter The Buffalo Round Up in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota has been on my list of things to see ever since a saddle club friend came back with stories of riding his own horse at the event. Sometimes it seemed like I was the last person in the county to make the trip, as everyone seemed to have a story and advice. The buffalo Photo by Larry Kiewel Get there early. Bring your own chairs. Wear a big hat. Be ready to wait.

By Rachel Barduson of Alexandria Music has a remarkable influence on emotions – at least on mine. There are songs for seasons and holidays, songs that bring us back to high school, songs that show our faith, and songs that bring us peace. Songs celebrate life, or at the very least, allow us to take pause in parts of our emotions of where we might be “at” on any given day. TAPS is perhaps not a song we think of as part of a Fourth of July celebration, but for some reason, it’s on my mind this year.

A vibrant display of red and yellow tulips and daffodils brightens up the window view. Kristie Flachmeyer of Litchfield shared this glimpse of an annual flower show. The sun catches the snowy peaks of a towering mountain range just beyond the dark green pine trees. Ron and Cheryl Dunn Baker of Detroit Lakes, Minn., shared this stunning view of the Canadian Rockies. A sudden spring rain shower pours down over a sunny stretch of the Central Lakes Bike Trail.

Kensington native, 90, continues to investigate the legendary Runestone By Julie Parent When asked what the secret is to a long life, Ralph Gunderson,  replied, “I don’t really know.” However, it is clear being an active senior citizen with a passion for obtaining information about The Kensington Runestone is key to his longevity. Ralph Gunderson holding his witching rod. Contributed photo Ralph was born in the small town of Kensington, Minn. The 90-year-old described his childhood as normal.

By Sharon Craig of Granite Falls A long time ago, my husband and I enjoyed the words to a song that we had heard. Tex Ritter, Western/Country music star, sang the song  Just Beyond the Moon. Through the years, we’d hear the song and we’d say to each other that just beyond the moon is where we’d meet when one of us passed away. A short while ago, I wrote a story for the Sr. Perspective newspaper, (60 Years and Counting). Little did I know that it would be our last anniversary together.

By Grace E. Cook of Norwood Young America “Would you like to go to the gym with me?” asked my granddaughter.

WWII Navy veteran turns 100 By Jillian Kellerman World War II Navy Veteran Bert Rudie, currently of Albertville, turned 100 years old on April 18, 2026. On his birthday, a party was held in Rudie’s honor at the Albertville City Hall in Albertville. Approximately 55 guests attended, including five members of the St. Michael American Legion Post. World War II Navy Veteran Bert Rudie at his 100th birthday party at the Albertville City Hall in Albertville.

By Michelle Tweed of Dalton I tip the box and the pieces pour out. Colors and patterns emerge as I flip each one face up and lay it back on the table. The maker of the puzzle hasn’t included a picture of what the end result will look like. All I can do is start. Attempting to make sense of a thousand pieces, I begin to match all the straight edges until a frame is assembled. A glimmer of possibilities lies before me and gives me something to build upon. Now, what next?