MINNESOTA HORSESHOE PITCHERS'

Ringer Digest

April-May-June 2025

A Charter of the NHPA

Official Publication of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association

From the President

By Russ Girtz

We are thrilled to see various leagues across the state kick off their summer plans. A heartfelt thank you to all the League and Tournament Directors who dedicate their time to organizing and running fun and competitive events.

This year, I encourage you to take action and get involved:

1. State Tournament 2025

• When: Labor Day Weekend
• Where: Genola (centrally located with indoor clay)
• Commitment: 3 hours for your Class play

We are in the early planning stages for all the festivities, and I want to personally invite you to join your fellow pitchers in showcasing your competitive spirit to capture a coveted State Class Championship. Our annual banquet will be held on Saturday evening. Please mark your calendar to join us and over 100 other pitchers as we crown our Class and State Champions.

1. Finding Minnesota on WCCO

• In case you missed it, a reporter from the weekly news story "Finding Minnesota" contacted us to feature the indoor pitching facility in Becker. You can find the video online as it showcases a few of our pitchers and captures the fun we all feel as we play. Please use this video to recruit new pitchers to the game. That news story inspired a pitcher from the Monticello VFW summer league to visit our Becker pits. They have 24 ladies pitching in a summer league, and we will be working with them to add another league night in the fall.

1. World Tournaments: 2025 and 2026

• If you have any questions about attending a World Tournament, please reach out to the officers, and we will be happy to answer them. If you can't make it to Utah this summer, consider adding the 2026 World Tournament in Wisconsin to your plans for July 2026.

1. Thank You to MGSHPA Officers

• A big thank you to all the officers who make the MGSHPA function. Your efforts make a significant difference to all of us who enjoy the game.

1. Assignment

• Find a tournament you haven't attended before or organize a new tournament locally and spread the word.

Please contact me with any suggestions or questions.  

Remembering Jack Roubinek

By Janet Roubinek

John “Jack” Roubinek, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the age of 86. Jack was a pitcher and staunch supporter of the Pine City Horseshoe League for over 50 years.

He was actively involved with the MGSHPA as a North VP at a time when the state was contemplating being sanctioned at both the State and National levels. During that time, he was concerned the number of pitchers would be declining and there may not be enough young people interested in keeping the tradition of horseshoes alive. He felt strongly in keeping horseshoes local and fun for all.

Jack mentored many new pitchers in east central MN over the years, including two state men’s champions. He was very proud of their achievement. I remember Dad always encouraged me to be my best. He’d say to me, “Janet, why are you shooting from the hip? – just put it out there!” And then he’d remind me that my opponents “put their underwear on one leg at a time, too.” He taught me and many other people that whatever you do in life, do it well.

My dad was well known for telling a good story. I can still hear him and his fellow pitchers, Lloyd and Elwood, laughing from the far end of the courts. There must have been some very good stories being shared that were not appropriate for the ears of the young junior pitchers.

May we all remember the pitchers who have passed and keep their memories alive as we pitch to have fun and make friends.

From the Editor

By Jerry LaBrosse

I'd like to offer a few reminders and thoughts to start the season this year. Now is the time to scan the tournament schedule and make your plans to attend as many as you'd like. I also suggest that you consider entering the Mn State tournament and perhaps the World Tournament in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy. I have seen the arena in Sandy and it is going to be a fantastic setup for the event. If you have never been to a world tournament, I strongly urge you to seek out more information starting with the NHPA website. It is a horseshoe experience like no other.

Note that the Annual Spring Membership meeting will be held at the Brooklyn Park Open this year

Hall of Fame nominations must be submitted by May 1st. The nomination form is available on the state website www.minnesotahorseshoes.com

And to all you members that belong to a local club. If you already serve the club in a leadership role, thank you for promoting our sport. If you have not served, consider this the year you step into a helpful role that fits you.

And lastly, I send out the standing invitation for anyone that is interested in learning about being an editor. If you have interest, contact me for a chat.

Alexandria Horseshoe League 2025 Spring News

By Janet Larson

Our league will have its spring organizational meeting on Wednesday April 23rd at 6:00pm. It will be held in one of the Douglas County Library meeting rooms located at 720 Fillmore St in Alexandria MN. At this meeting we will welcome new members and establish the schedule for this season. During the month of May we will continue to welcome new pitchers to join us at our courts, located in Curtis Felt Memorial Park, for “Give Horseshoes a Try”. Simply show up on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm to see if horseshoes might be something that would interest you. Our current members will be happy to get you started and give you pointers.  

  

We will be hosting the Alex Open on May 24th. We have room for 32 pitchers so get your entries in ASAP, check eshoes for details.

Regional Director / Stats Guy

By Josh Olson

It is that time of year again, Mother nature doesn’t seem to want to give up on the snow falls and stick with the warm weather. We are only a few short weeks away from the start of the outdoor pitching season. Just before the outdoor season kicks off, we have Team World in Beloit, Wisconsin. This year we have 4 teams looking to participate. Let’s wish the following pitcher’s good luck and fingers crossed everyone gets an opportunity to play this year. Last year the Tournament had 29 Teams sign up. Which was a record, and the Tournament director had to turn teams away based on team combined ringer% average. Fingers crossed that everyone will be able to pitch this year. The Schedule will be out in a few short weeks.

Good luck- Pat Stumpf, Al Larson, Gary Boots, Josh Olson, Russ Girtz, Harvey Burkman, Jeff Washburn, Tom Prokop, Mark Smith, Janet Larson, Jerry Werk, Lance Van Wyhe, Joe Mueller, Rich Kvamme, Patti Oakes, Jerry LaBrosse, Matt Henning, Brian Tiedemann, Michelle Foard taking photos and videos and supporting ALL the Minnesota Teams! Good luck everyone!

World Tournament Update-

As of 3/30/25- we are at 372 entries signed up for Salt Lake City World Tournament that will be played in Sandy, Utah. Sandy is about 25 minutes away from Salt Lake. You don’t want to miss this one. Lots of stuff going on, and talk about a heck of a view, mountains almost in every direction you look when you are in that area! I can’t wait! Minnesota so far has 18 pitchers signed up to play. That is great to see, hopefully we see some more make the trip! If you have any questions regarding the World Tournament, feel free to reach out.

I want to take a minute to highlight a couple tournaments that are coming up in June. The MN Club Tournament, it’s a 3-person team tournament, and the Team tournament. The Team Tournament will have a similar format to Team World. Check out the information and sign up to play in both. Genola will be the site for both events, see you there!

Introducing the fantastic "Shoebox"

By Josh Olson

I can’t think of a better word then “FANTASTIC” to describe the Shoe Box that Mark and Jenny Smith have built on there home property. We had the inaugural Horseshoe tournament on January 4^th and I tell you what, pictures don’t do the building enough justice. If you have ever played in any indoor facilities or had aspirations to building something to have some horseshoe courts in of your own, this facility sets the bar pretty high! We had 16 players in this Tournament, a portion of the entry fee will be donated to the NHPF, so thank you to everyone who signed up. I want to say THANK YOU to Mark and Jenny Smith for there incredible hospitality and for hosting the event. If you are looking to pitch in any winter tournaments, I would add a tournament down in Darwin to your list in the future. The morning shift was dominated by the Timm family, Marlys won 1^st place going undefeated, and her son Mike took 2^nd. Rounding out the other winners for Class B would be Brian Wipper in 3^rd place, and Barry Schilling who would take 4^th place. High game honors for class B would be shared, Marlys and Jeff Lawrence would both throw a 50% game in the tournament. Class A would soon start shortly after the pictures and awards were handed out, as the tournament director I decided to shake it up a little bit and go from 40 shoe games to 40 points or 40 shoes which ever comes first, playing 7 games to 40 points can take a little longer than usual so having a cap at 40 shoes was a good idea I think during the winter Tournaments anyways. Class A had a crazy finish with the top 4 pitchers, Jerry Werk tied with Gary Boots for 4^th place but Gary would edge out Jerry by 1 ringer to take 4^th place. Janet Larson and Harvey Burkman both were tied for 1^st place going into the final game, Tom Prokop would edge out Harvey by 4 points to give Harvey his 2^nd loss for the tournament to finish at 5-2. Janet would have her best game of the tournament (60%) her last game, but her opponent Jerry Werk would also have his best game of 65% to win by 5 points and would put Janet at a 5-2 win/loss record as well with Harvey keeping them both tied after the last games. Gary Boots and myself would be 4-2 going into our last game against each other, but I would squeak by Gary to also finish with a 5-2 record for the day. For those that are following along, that would put 3 of us at 5-2, the tie-breaker was determined ahead of time that it would be broken by overall ringer %. Gary Boots finished 4^th going 4-3, Janet would take 3^rd place, Harvey would finish 2^nd and I would take 1^st finishing with the high ringer% of the day with 58.15% just under my entering average of 58.83%. High game would go to Josh with a 76.67% game. Thank you to the Smith family for Hosting again at the Shoe Box. We will see you at the next Tournament!

Happy New Year Tournament Winners

Class A Winners

Gary Boots, Josh Olson, Janet Larson,Harvey Burkman

Class B Winners

Barry Schilling, Marlys Timm, Mike Timm, Brian Wipper

South Vice President

by Jeff Washburn

Hello to all MGSHPA pitchers, families, and friends.  The 2025 summer horseshoe season is just around the corner and that means many clubs will be scheduling their spring meetings very soon. If you haven’t done so, now is a great time to renew your 2025 NHPA/MGSHPA membership. Just go to our MGSHPA website and click on the renew tab and it will take you right to Eshoe. Our MGHSPA leadership team encourages all our members to keep your membership going to help our great sport continue to flourish.  A reminder for any pitcher who may be changing category, such as Men to Elder Men, or Women to Elder Women, to please contact our State Secretary/Treasurer Janet Roubinek so she can make that change in Eshoe. You can also print a copy of the 2025 registration form and mail this along with your check to Janet Roubinek, whose address can be found on our MGSHPA website. The 2025 dues remain at $50.00

To help grow our sport, let’s everyone try and encourage a neighbor or friend to consider giving horseshoes a try this summer.  For new prospective members who might be interested in joining, the NHPA has a Provisional membership and a Trial membership that do not require full payment of dues. It is an easy and inexpensive way to try horseshoes out for one season or one tournament. Contact me or any officer if you would like more information on this. The many benefits of belonging to the NHPA and our Minnesota association include the ability to pitch in sanctioned tournaments in any state, Eshoe tracking of your ringer percentage, participation in MN club tournaments and our State Tournament, receiving the Ringer Digest and NHPA Newsline electronic publications to keep in touch with what is happening in our sport, and of course the camaraderie within the sport and the many friends that you will make along the way. The NHPA award patches available to all members include, League Champion, Class Champions, High Game, High Average, High/Over Average, Sportsmanship, and Rookie of the Year; also Most Improved League Member, and Junior League Member. The NHPA Junior Scholar Award Program recognizes scholastic achievement and appropriate certificates and patches are awarded. High Game averages patches are for 0-5%, 6-9%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and Perfect Games. 

Take a look at the MGSHPA website which has a full complement of horseshoe tournaments in 2025.  I would encourage all our members to plan your summer pitching schedules to include some of the many fine tournament opportunities across our state. Don’t forget the new Team Tournament and Club Team Tournament this June in Genola.   See you on the courts!                                          

Constitution and Bylaws Director

By Sue Pierce

Hello fellow horseshoe players and HELLO SPRING!!! Warmer weather, melting snow, & signs of green grass all bring on SPRING FEVER & the clink of horseshoes. Even though our Hibbing Club has indoor pits, our building is not open until warm weather, so we cannot start pitching shoes until May.

    I have a few changes to our State CBL (Constitution ByLaws). One change is in the Guidelines which can be changed by a decision of the Executive Board. The second change is to the ByLaws which is to add the newly created Elder Womens Division language. ByLaws changes must be posted & voted on by the membership. This will be done at the Spring meeting to be held June 7th. 

     Here is the change to the guidelines. On page 33, Item 5 - State Tournament Guidelines. #3 General Notes

   ADD:    g. Safety of All Pitchers, Scorekeepers, and Spectators

The Officers of the Executive Board and the Tournament Director will be monitoring the condition of all pitchers throughout the State Tournament. If a pitcher is observed to be in a condition that poses a potential threat of injury to themselves, any pitcher within the pitching area, scorekeepers, or spectators, then the Executive Board maintains the right to remove that person from the pitching area and, if warranted, from the balance of the Tournament. If a pitcher is removed from the tournament, then the Board will convene a meeting after the tournament to discuss and decide on an appropriate action that may include suspension from future State Tournaments, depending on the cause for removal.

 The only change to the ByLaws is to add the Elder Women's Division language.  Here is the changes to the ByLaws: page 9.

Section 3. STATE TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS (continued)

3.3 DIVISIONS

(Note: the first part of this all stays the same until section b:)

b. The elders’ division may include any age man (here change to: man/woman) ………

c. Elder Men (change to: Elder Men/Elder Women) ………………

d.Once a member declares himself (change to: themselves) a short distance pitcher, he (change to: they) must remain in that Division until the next year’s membership card is purchased. At that time, he ( change to: they) May switch back to the Open Men’s ( change to: Men’s/Women’s) Division, but must remain in that Division until the next year’s membership card is purchased.

e. Entry fees will be the same as the men’s (change to: men’s/women’s) divisions.

3.4 DIVISIONS (Men)

3.5 DIVISIONS (Women)

3.6 DIVISIONS (Elder) (change to: (Elder Men)

Add: 3.7 DIVISION (Elder Women)

Then renumber the following divisions.

These are the changes I am proposing to the ByLaws. Hopefully this is not too confusing. If any questions you can call me at 218-929-2470.

Looking forward to the upcoming season. Sue

MGSHPA Winter Board Meeting Minutes

The officers and directors had a zoom meeting Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 7 PM.

Present were Sue Pierce, Jerry, LaBrosse, Rocky Pierce, Jeff Washburn, Josh Olson, and our new president Russ Girtz presiding

Russ began by greeting everybody and welcoming Sara to the group. Everybody introduce themselves to Sara individually and welcomed her to the group. In officers reports South VP Jeff Washburn reported not a lot of activity happening in the off-season but spoke about a promotion idea. He suggested finding somebody to contact local Community education coordinators in smaller towns. Getting an introduction to horseshoes night added to the community calendar would be a great way to introduce folks to horseshoes.

Jeff also reported that he was investigating what happened with communication The West Saint Paul tournament being canceled abruptly. Bottom line he said was lack of communication.

North VP Rocky Pierce had nothing significant to report from his region in this off-season.

Digest editor Jerry LaBrosse talked about digest content for the upcoming April issue. He explained some plans to change the way he creates the digest, and also said he is always looking for somebody out there who has interest in publishing and would like to learn more about it.

Josh Olson reported that the Minnesota website has been fully updated before Sara assumed the position of webmaster. Josh also announced the addition of two tournaments being played in Genola in late June. Josh is going to produce a list of upcoming tournaments and informational flyers about the new events. It will be sent out in an E blast.

Just also reported that last year state tournament patches will be distributed soon.

Michelle Foard talked about ideas for finding interested people to become tournament directors. She said we all have to be willing to advertise and invite people and then train them on how to run a tournament. Michelle also spoke about the community paper listing idea. She said it would take a few of your club members to host. Interested People and show them the game.

Sara Nelson then requested updated photos of the officers and directors for the website. She said she was excited to work with everyone.

There was no old business.

In new business, Russ talked about the nomination director position, and that there were a few interested candidates that he was going to interview before making his decision for the board to approve.

The discussion moved to state tournament plans in particularly the banquet. Russ plans to explore the possibility of hosting our state banquet and awards to the arena. He will check with the city for their blessing and gather other info before calling another meeting to make some decisions.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM

North Vice President

By Rory Pierce

Hello horseshoe pitchers 

A quick word from your North Vice-President 

There has been an awful lot going on up in northern Minnesota these last couple weeks. But with that being said our league will be starting up in the middle of May. We will be going in and cleaning the club and getting ready to hear the shoes hitting the stakes! Can't wait to see my horseshoe family and play some fun games! Like I always say in the digest, I task all of you with trying to recruit as many people as possible. I've seen some clubs are doing free pitching nights to try out horseshoes and learn from the pros. And other things like that. Keep up the good work. To all of the clubs in the northern region I will be sending out emails to your league secretary's to get your league info for the spring meeting. So please try to respond by the end of May. Thank you and good luck! If you have questions or comments for me please email, call or text. Piercerory78@gmail.com 

Or 218-966-5280. 

Your North Vice-President 

Rory L Pierce Sr 

Nominations Director

By Helen Hawkinson

Hello, I am writing for the first time as your new Nominations Director. I am not new to horseshoes, however, but I am new to this position. It is an exciting opportunity for me to get more involved with my horseshoe passion. Please take a minute to go to the website and download and print the nomination forms for Hall of Fame for 2025. The deadline to submit the completed form to me is May 1^st  so don’t delay! All other awards nominations should be submitted to me no later than July 15th. The requirements needed for the awards are listed on the forms and my email is as well. The link to the website is: Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association - MGSHPA

Let’s make it a great horseshoe season. See you on the Courts! Helen

The Shoe Box- February and March Tournaments

By Josh Olson

Are you looking for World Tournament like conditions? Well, look no further than the Shoe Box located in Darwin Minnesota. Mark and Jenny Smith recently built a HELLUVA facility that is dual purpose. It has a great family room atmosphere and of course 4 portable courts setup with electronic scoring. Just a great place to pitch horseshoes. As I am putting this together the King or Queen of the Hill tournament has not concluded for results check out eShoe or the MGSHPA Facebook page once it has concluded. Thank YOU again Mark and Jenny for opening your place for us to compete and have some fun during this winter, can’t wait for the next one!

Polar Vortex Winners

Class A

4^th - Pat Stumpf

2^nd - Alan Larson

1^st - Gary Boots

3^rd - Harvey Burkman



Class B

3^rd - Mike Timm

1^st - Marlys Timm

2^nd - Brian Wipper

4^th - Lance Van Wyhe

Group Photo

Elite 8 Winners

Class A

3^rd - Tom Prokop

2nd-Pat Stumpf

1^st - Alan Larson

4^th - Gary Boots

Class B

3rd-Jerald Hagen

1^st - Marlys Timm

2^nd - Tim Brigner

Class C

3rd - Luke Beckstrand

1^st - Mike Timm

2^nd - Carolyn Brigner

Promotion and News Media

By Michelle Foard 

 Happy Spring everyone! It’s that time of year to get ready for leagues. Make a flyer and post at local stores and restaurants about your league. If you are on Facebook join the community page and post about your league. Reminder kids are free this year. Consider waiving your league dues as well for all kids. At Brooklyn Park we waive club dues for kids. Brooklyn Park is having our spring meeting April 23^rd at 6:30pm at Brooklyn Park City Hall. We pitch Mon and Tues nights at 6pm. We play a singles round robin. So no worries about finding a sub if you miss a week. If you have questions feel free to reach out to me.

   Brooklyn Park is having our Tournament on June 7^th. We will also be having our State Spring Meeting there. The meeting will be in between shifts. I hope you all can come on out. We have great pulled pork sandwiches and other goodies at our concession stand. We will have 50/50 as well. You can contact Jon VanRyswyk to sign up. The info is on eshoe.

 In February I went to the Valley of the Sun tournament in Mesa, AZ. Bruce Henderson who I missed was there. Robert Ciaciura and Jim Bilderback were there when I was. I got to meet several of my Facebook friends and even some new ones. I met Jimmy Moreno and his big horseshoe. Robert Chubinsky and club members ran a great tournament. On Sunday evening a bunch of us went out for dinner. It was a good time and lots of fun. Saturday I was in 11^th place and Sunday brought myself up to 7^th place. One spot shy of the money. I recommend this tournament if anyone is curious about attending. 

 While I was in AZ Patti Lopez-Cepero and I chatted about her MS shirts. Patti pitches with MS. I had taken orders last fall and early this year. Then a few of us wore them at the Pot of Gold Tournament. I since have gotten more orders. Patti will do a bulk order of more shirts. If you would like one please let me know by April 12^th. I need name and shirt size. Cost is $25.

  June is a busy month for tournaments. We have a great weekend of tournaments up in Genola on June 21^st and 22^nd. Club Team on Sat and Team Mn on Sunday. Check out the flyer posted.

   Russ and I had another successful fall/winter tournament season. Thanks to all those who came out to pitch. Lots of new faces to Becker.

   At your club meeting don’t forget to mention the State Tournament. Bring up this year’s World Tournament in Sandy, Utah. Also don’t forget next year is in Wausau, WI. I am sure we will have lots from Mn at next year’s World Tournament. Never to early to start planning.

  For our State Tournament we are looking for Sponsors and or donations. We could use items for the prize table at the banquet. Cash sponsorships can go towards prize money at the tournament. If you have a big ticket item and we could do a raffle. Also if you have any ideas on sponsorship or gift ideas please reach out to Russ or I. We are open to suggestions.

MS is March awareness month. To help bring awareness I asked pitchers to wear orange which is the color for MS. Patti Lopez-Cepro from AZ pitches with MS and designed a shirt for pitchers to wear. I placed an order earlier this year. A few more people reached out and would like to order shirts. Please contact Michelle Foard with name and shirt size. It is a 50% cotton 50% polyester blend. The cost is $25 including name and state. 

Michelle

Webmaster News

By Sarah Nelson

Hey everyone! I'm Sarah and I’m excited to announce that I’m the new webmaster for the Minnesota Gophers Horseshoe Pitcher Association! Growing up, I watched my dad play horseshoes, and I remember saying, “I’ll never play that—it’s an old sport.” Well, little did I know, the horseshoe community would eventually become my second family. I started playing around the age of 20, and over the years with plenty of pointer, my average has steadily improved. It's been a fun and rewarding journey, and now I’m thrilled to take on this role to help the horseshoe community grow even more!

As your new webmaster, one of my first goals is to update the website with fresh photos showcasing your incredible leagues. I want to see all the action! If you have photos of your facility, group shots, or action-packed moments from weekly leagues or tournaments, please send them over to me via text or email. Let’s get those awesome moments front and center so everyone can see the energy and excitement of our sport.

Remember, I'm here to help keep the horseshoe community strong, and together, we can keep this thing ringing for years to come!

If you’re on the fence about sending in photos, just remember — close only counts in horseshoes!

Snowshoe Winners

A Class

2nd Tom Prokop, 1st Helen Hawkinson, 3rd Mark Smith

B Class

 2nd Sarah Nelson, 1st Marlys Timm, 3rd Tim Brigner

C Class

 2nd Dennis Barut, 1st Dale Novotny, 3rd Carolyn Brigner 

Cupids Heart Winners

A Class

2nd Gary Boots, 1st Tom Prokop, 3rd Mark Smith 

B Class

2nd Sarah Nelson, 1st Marlys Timm, 3rd John Hustings

C Class

 2nd Dale Novotny, 1st Michael Hoffman, 3rd Jose Valdez

Pot O Gold Winners

A Class

2nd Gary Boots, 1st Tim Brigner, 3rd Tom Prokop

B Class

2nd Myron Vanderweyst, 1st Jerald Hagen, 3rd Barry Schilling

C Class

2nd Carolyn Brigner, 1st Trevor Teich, 3rd Michael Hoffman 

The Toll of Time

Dale Hustad 

(1933 – 2025)

By Jeff Washburn

Dale Hustad was born and raised in Echo, Minnesota, a small farming community in the southwestern part of the state.  He married the love of his life, Marlys, in 1951 and they enjoyed 73 years of marriage together while raising 3 daughters, Deb, Dorothy, and Kay. Dale worked for 28 years at Rausch Manufacturing, then worked for the Waltek Investment Cast Foundry in Anoka for 17 years, retiring in 1998 as the Head of Quality Control.

Dale was an avid sportsman and enjoyed camping, bowling, hunting, and fishing, including many trips to Canada with friends and family. He had photo albums full of his fishing trip pictures and was very proud of them. After retirement, Dale took up golf and made a hole in one at the Phalen Golf Course in 2000.  He also learned from some of his close friends about the sport of horseshoes, and it didn’t take him long to get started and advance to a Class A pitcher.  Although he started pitching shoes rather late in life, Dale pitched in leagues and Minnesota tournaments for many years, including in World Tournaments as well as representing Minnesota in several Team World events in Beloit, WI.  Dale was very proud of his high game of 80% ringers, a feat most horseshoe pitchers will never achieve. He was also happy to see his daughter Deb, and her husband Terry become active in horseshoe pitching.

Dale, his wife, and family members also enjoyed travelling to the Turtle Lake Casino, mainly to feast on crab legs, which was a favorite of Dale’s. Dale would send me pictures of himself in front of a big cluster of snow crab legs, with a huge smile on his face.  

Dale and Marlys spent a few retirement years in Florida, and then decided to try Trophy Gardens in Alamo, Texas, where they then spent the next 20 plus winters with other good friends from Minnesota.

In his later years, Dale became unable to pitch horseshoes due to an onset of congestive heart failure.  Even though he couldn’t pitch, that didn’t stop him from travelling to several of the Minnesota tournaments on a regular basis to visit with the many friends he had come to know through horseshoes.  His favorite tournament to visit was the “Wet and Wild” in Centuria, Wisconsin.  “Those gals can really cook and bake”, Dale would say as he feasted on a table full of goodies, and the “world famous” chili the ladies would prepare.

For all those who knew him, Dale had a very infectious laugh, and he always seemed to be laughing.  He will be missed by his many horseshoe friends.

Roger E. Stumpf

August 16, 1941 - January 8, 2025

Roger was born on August 16, 1941 in Little Falls, MN to the late Walter & Rita (Dehler) Stumpf. He grew up on a farm near Lastrup, MN with his eight brothers and sisters. He met his future wife Karen through a mutual friend. They were united in marriage on October 20, 1962. Together they raised their five children on a dairy farm east of Lastrup. Farming was Roger’s life, whether it was taking care of the cattle or field work. Away from the farm, Roger enjoyed playing Horseshoes and cards, bowling, fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. He enjoyed all sports and watching the birds visiting his bird feeders. He served on the boards of the Lastrup Creamery and Granite Township, and was a long-time member of the St. John’s Nepomuk parish and church choir. Roger is best known as a man whose heart was a treasure trove of stories, always eager to share a tale and visit with family and friends.

Left to cherish in his memory are his children, Sandra (friend Mike) Bjorstrom of Albertville, MN, Susan (Jim) Lager of Ramsey, MN, Sharon (David) Athman of Pierz, MN, Cara (Rick) Swartz of Motley, MN, Greg (Jennifer) Stumpf of Andover, MN; grandchildren Ryan, Ashley, Tonya, Ellen, Dawn, Rebecca and Max; eight great-grandchildren; siblings Joe (Gloria) Stumpf, Lori (Jim) Funk, Art (Jane) Stumpf, Lue (Bruce) Gilmer, Geri (JR) Pohlkamp; brother-in-law Don Stockler.

Roger was proceeded in death by his wife, Karen; parents Walter and Rita Stumpf, sisters Arlene Boser, Betty Boser and Colette Stockler and great-grandchild Oliver Suchy.

____________________________

We always talk about our “Horseshoe Family” and Roger & Karen Stumpf were that to many members of the Fridley Horseshoe Club. They opened their home - literally - to many of us over the years when we attended State Tournaments in Genola. They treated us as extended family. Roger was member of the MGSHPA and the NHPA dating back to the 1980s. He played in sanctioned leagues as well as bar leagues in the Morrison County area.

Roger was laid to rest on January 14, 2025 at the Parrish cemetery of St. John’s Catholic Church in Lastrup. 

Rosetta Tischer

Rosetta (Rosie) Marjorie Tischer, 94, Good Thunder, peacefully went to her heavenly home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Vista Prairie North Pointe in North Mankato. Funeral service will be held, 11am Thursday, January 23, 2025 at St. Mark Ev. Lutheran Church, Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm Wednesday, January 22 at Woodland Hills Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. woodlandhillsfh.com

 Rosetta was born August 8, 1930 to Emil and Laurena (Redemske) Stursa in Washington Township in Iowa County. She graduated from Strawberry Point High School, Iowa in 1947 and went on to commercial college in Mankato. Rosetta was united in marriage to Erwin William Tischer on September 9, 1956 at St. Mark Ev. Lutheran Church. She worked for REA about 10 years, was the Rapidan township clerk for 10 years and church secretary. She also worked for Young America Corporation, as well as on the family farm. Over the years, Rosetta enjoyed fishing, gardening, quilting, sewing, word search, jigsaw puzzles, horseshoe, dancing and card games. She was a member of St Mark Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Mark Ladies Aid, LWMS and American Legion Post 518 Auxiliary. In 1983, Erv and Rosie started the North Mankato Horseshoe Club and were inducted in the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitching Association Hall of Fame in 1987. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by husband, Erwin Tischer; daughters, Linda (Brian) Duenow of North Mankato and Leanne (Michael) Reinhardt of Henderson; grandchildren, Rebecca (Benjamin) Bailey of Mankato, Joel (Valene) Duenow of St Bonifacius, Kristin (Robert) Veldhuisen of Pine Island, and April Foley of Rochester; great grandchildren, Aubriana and Amyah Bailey; Peyton, Penelope and Paisley Duenow; David, Hudson, and Madison Veldhuisen; sisters-in-law Elna Bohlke and Emily Tischer, nieces and nephews. Rosetta is preceded in death by her parents; two sons: Alan and Larry; sister, Edith Tischer; and brothers-in-law, Walter Tischer, LaVern Tisher, and Darrel Bohlke.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Waclaw Wedzina and the staff at Mayo Health Systems, Pastor Jonathon Bourman, Ecumen Home Care, Visiting Angels, North Point Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice

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