March 2023

Meadowlark Prairies Outdoor Lab
Meadowlark Prairies Outdoor Lab was established in 1973 as an outdoor learning site for the student, teachers, and parents of District 840. Several projects were completed in 2022 to improve and rejuvenate the area with its ponds, woods, and prairie ecosystems. Listed below are some of the improvements completed and goals for 2023.
St. James sees growth in business
St. James in the past year has seen a lot of businesses starting up in town.
Weekly Schedule
Thursday, March 23 BBB State Consolation @ TBD Directors Honor Band & Subsection Large Group Instrumental Contest at Fairmont Friday, March 24 B/G Indoor Track at MN State - Mankato 5:00 BBB State Semifinals at TBD Saturday, March 25 FFA Banquet BBB State Finals Sunday, March 26 District 840 Foundation Cash for Kids Auction (runs online through April 2nd, 8:30PM) Monday, March 27 1st Day of Practice Tennis Tuesday, March 28 B/G Indoor Track at MN State Mankato 6:00 Thursday, March 30 Softball scrimmage vs Mankato West at MN State - Mankato .

Spring Sports Shone for Mid-Century Saints
The spring of 1949 started with St. James teams in the spotlight, claiming honors on the cinder track and baseball diamond.


People and energy is behind the Climate Smart Communities and its meetings
Motivated. Inspired. Encouraged. Hopeful. Ready. Optimistic. Excited. These are some of the words used to describe the feelings of those who attended the “next steps” meeting for St. James – A Climate Smart Community on March 14.

Two (x2) Close to Home
March Madness is a focal point across the nation, games growing in excitement and frustration increasing commensurately as bracket picks are demolished by upsets. This guy, despite experience playing and coaching basketball, shuns the chance to pick the Final Four.
Changes of Season
Goodbye Winter and Hello Spring! Monday was the official first day of Spring, it felt like it too. The sun was shining and it was warmer out, overall it was a great day. Here’s to the end of winter and the start of sunshiny days.

MARIAN LANGELAND
Marian Langeland, 88, of rural Butterfield passed away on Sunday, February 12 in Chandler, Ariz. Marian Lois Flohrs was born on December 2, 1934, to Fred and Mildred (Nelson) Flohrs in Galena Township rural Ormsby. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Galena Township. She attended country school just a mile from her home farm and graduated from St. James High School with the class of ‘52. After high school, she worked at Ormsby State Bank. On September 19, 1959, she married Gerald Langeland at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Marian and Gerald then purchased their farm near Odin where they farmed and raised four children. Marian worked at Tony Downs Foods in the mid-60’s, then at the Butterfield School in the 70’s and returned to Ormsby State Bank in 1980 where she worked until retiring in 1997. Gerald and Marian traveled to many states visiting their children and then purchased their home in Chandler where they wintered for many years while spending their summers at the farm near Odin. Marian was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Ormsby Garden Club, and the Odin Saddle Club. Marian will be remembered for her big garden at the farm, her delicious goulash, making golden-rod toast for her family and for her kind and understanding heart. Marian traveled to numerous destinations and loved watching her children and grandchildren compete in their various sporting events where she was always their number one fan. Marian loved playing cards, watching Wheel of Fortune, the Phoenix Suns but her favorite thing of all was having her family around her whenever she could. She is survived by her son Brian and Colleen Langeland of Owatonna, daughter Melanie and Kurt Semmel of Stamford, Conn., daughter Mary Langeland of Chandler, and son-in-law Bryan Rohwer of Chandler; grandchildren Logan, Carli and Lexi Langeland, Hunter and Montana Semmel; and brother-in-law Bill Putrino of Hilton Head, S.C.; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded
ROBERT L. JOHNSON
Robert L. Johnson passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the age of 92 while in recovery from a broken hip. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James on what would have been Bob’s 93rd Birthday, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 2 pm.