Waseca County Pioneer 111 W. Elm Ave.
Waseca, MN (507) 837-6767
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STAFF- Most of the Pioneer staff is pictured above. From left, Jonah Stafford, Amelia Roessler, Deb Bently, Jim Lutgens, Eli Lutgens, Logan Piltingsrud, whose photos have been featured in the Star Eagle, held by Melanie Piltingsrud, Michael Roy, Chris Schlaak, and Reed Waller. Pioneer photo by Pam Goehrig
“We plan to find at least one story for every edition that makes the whole year’s subscription worthwhile. We know we won’t have everything for everybody in every edition, but we will definitely have something for everyone.” –Eli Lutgens, publisher
This issue of the Waseca County Pioneer is the...
BEST OF SHOW - Morgan’s Meat Market earned Best of Show and Grand Champion Cooked Summer Sausage with their Morgan’s Old Fashioned Summer Sausage recipe. Pictured is Dean Morgan with his summer sausage on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann
Old Fashion cooked summer sausage prepared by Morgan’s Meats of Waseca was named both “Grand Champion” and “Best of Show” at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.
Dean Morgan, who, with his wife, Barb, owns Morgan’s Meat Market in Waseca, shares that the winning entry for the state fair was the...
DEDICATED SERVICE - Janesville area resident Dave Lienke has been a member of the Waseca County Sheriff’s Posse since 1976. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently
Janesville area resident Dave Lienke joined the Waseca County Sheriff’s Posse in 1976 and has served continuously for the past 50 years. He says he was invited to join back then by Paul Stennes, who felt the posse needed additional members. Since expectations for membership included having a...
Waseca County DFL party chair Deb Hogenson wants people to consider the bigger picture.
“Stealing yard signs is more than just a prank,” she states. “It’s interfering with free speech and with the democratic process.”
County Republican party leader Robert Tackett observes, “Even when...
CARRIAGE RIDES - Lex Lewison, 22, and Jacob Sommers, 12, were manning the horse drawn carriage during the Fall Family Festival and Ice Cream Social. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann
Between 150 and 175 people attended the Fall Family Festival and Ice Cream Social held over the lunch hour at St. Paul’s Church of Meriden on Sunday, Sept. 13. The day began with a 10 a.m. outdoor worship.
An unusual offering for the day were horse-drawn wagon rides. Handlers Lex Lewison,...
This year’s Sacred Heart Fall Festival is set for the weekend of Sept. 18,19, and 20. This yearly event draws hundreds of visitors to a wide variety of activities and entertainment across its three-day run. As has been the case for decades, a giant white canopy tent will be set up over the street...
Deb Hogenson takes a picture with Gov. Tim Walz.
Waseca County DFL Chair Deb Hogenson has been selected to receive the 2026 Minnesota DFL Orville Freeman Award, an honor which acknowledges “Distinguished Service to Greater Minnesota and Agricultural Issues.” Hoganson and two other honorees will be presented at the DFL Farmer-Labor Picnic...
FAMILY GALLERY - Art produced by Wes and James Taylor, father and son, will be on display at the Waseca Art Gallery through Oct. 9. An artists' reception was held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. After a brief explanation of the craft, guests were invited to mingle with the photographers and enjoy refreshments in the Tea Room. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann
A Sept. 12 open house at the Waseca Art Center introduced a pair of new exhibits at the Waseca Art Center (WAC). Titled “Generational Confluence IV,” the exhibits feature photography by Wes Taylor, 57, an instructor at Mankato’s South Central Community College, and his son James Wesley Taylor,...
FAMILY FIRST - Five of the nine children of Don and Esther Eustice were able to attend a ceremony marking the fiftieth anniversary of Don Eustice's death. The ceremony took place next to the Eustice memorial plaque that stands next to the county law enforcement building. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently
At noon on Friday, Sept. 4, the Waseca County Sheriff’s office sponsored an “End of Watch” memorial for Don Eustice, a Waseca County Sheriff who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Sept 4, 1976–50 years ago.
About 50 people attended, including 5 of Eustice’s offspring and quite a few...
Ben Priebe during a visit to the 9/11 Memorial in Washington D.C.
Waseca-based airline pilot Benjamin Priebe will turn 25 on September 11.
“From a young age, I knew the significance of the day and what it meant to Americans,” he reflects. “I always knew 9/11 was much more than my birthday.
“I remember growing up watching the morning news on my...
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