Luke Lafrentz, St. Joseph, will graduate with honors May 10 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn. Students must maintain a 3.3 overall grade point average to achieve honors.
Moriah Novacinski, daughter of Cheryl and Grant Novacinski of St. Joseph, was among more than 1,000 students who were recognized for achievement during Honors Day convocation on May 2 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. She is a biology major and was awarded membership in Beta Beta Beta. Honors Day recognizes students who have been awarded scholarships and fellowships, including Fulbright scholars, Goldwater scholars, and senior members of leadership and academic honor societies. It also recognizes academic achievement.
Candace Pflipsen, St. Joseph, recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Knights of Columbus names Family, Knight of Year
The Knights of Columbus Father Werner Council 7057 of St. Joseph recently named Gary and Sue Kuefler as the Family of the Year and Alfred Torborg as the Knight of the Year.
Susan and Gary Kuefler
Gary and Sue Kuefler
This family exemplifies service to the church and community and are loved and respected by many. Gary and Sue Kuefler exemplify the value of responsible Christian living. They generously serve each other and others with love that extends out to their church and the greater community. Gary has been a member of the Father Werner Council for eight years.
The Kueflers became members of St. Joseph’s Parish in 2006. Since joining they have worked tirelessly helping out where they were needed without reservation. They were general chairs for the 4th of July celebration and continue to work during that event. They are part of the dedicated parishioners who bring communion to the homebound. The Kueflers work at St. John’s University for the Parish Quilters, giving their time so the quilters can buy materials needed to make quilts. Sue has taken the minutes for the pastoral council meetings and the 4th of July meetings with keen insight and accuracy.
In the Diocese of St. Cloud, the Kueflers have established a donor advised fund with the Catholic Foundation in memory of their departed spouses, James Reichmann and DeNile Gaida Kuefler. The couple appreciates donations to this fund.
In the community, the Kueflers also serve with distinction. Gary volunteers with the Faith in Action grocery shopping for elderly and homebound clients. Gary also volunteers as a driver to bring clients to appointments for Tri-Cap and delivers Meals on Wheels. Sue serves as the webmaster for the St. Joseph Lions Club and is the club’s secretary. Both have helped with Buckthorn Control at Stearns County parks.
In the council, they both serve with energy and talent. Gary helps with the Knights of Columbus breakfasts, the Knights of Columbus burger sales, for the state-run bowling tournament for Special Olympics, the councils youth free-throw contest, distributes Roses for Life on Respect Life Sunday, distributes Tootsie Rolls to earn funds to help children with special needs and helps with the luncheon at the Ordination for priests and deacons of the diocese. Sue was also involved with the Knights of Columbus when her deceased husband was a Knight. Sue has been editor of the newsletter for the Sauk Rapids Council and the St. Joseph Council. The couple also takes part in the Adopt a Highway project of the council.
The Kueflers deserve the distinction of Family of the Year because of their selfless service to others. This honor is bestowed on them because of the manner they support church, the Knights of Columbus and the community showing others the value of generous stewardship of time, talent and treasure. The couple stands firm in support of the unborn and respect for the aged. They demonstrate in many ways how the Catholic Church, through its people, serves the Kingdom of God. We as a council applaud their strong and unwavering support of Catholic values and tenants.
Dolores and Alfred Torborg
Alfred Torborg
The 2014 Knight of the Year Alfred J. Torborg is a faithful member of the Father Werner Council and daily lives out the Knights of Columbus tenets of unity, charity, fraternity and patriotism. He serves the community, church and his family with energy, dedication, passion and gives generously of his time and talents. We are all proud of him and are blessed to have had him as a member of the Council for 62 years.
In the council Torborg has worked at the hamburger stand for several years. He also works at the breakfasts serving coffee to those needing a cup or refill always with a smile and a cheerful comment.
In the church our Knight of the Year has been an usher for several years. He has helped with the set up activities for the 4th of July celebration for as long as anyone can remember, leading the way with his trusty pickup.
In the community Torobrg is an active member of the American Legion serving as a color guard member, a flag bearer at funerals of Legion members, as a contributing member on several committees and for several years has been the chairman of our highway clean-up operation. He drives and delivers meals for Meals on Wheels and as a member of the Rod and Gun Club has taught fishing skills to children at the club’s youth introduction to fishing on Kraemer Lake. As he offers his talents and time for the benefit of the church or the community, Torborg does so with a smile and a dedication we can all emulate. He is truly a leader with the trait of generous service and hospitality to and with others.
Torborg has a master’s talent in the wood shop, his hobby for many years. He patiently taught his sons and daughter his fine craftsmanship.
He has a devotion to the unborn and supports the Knights of Columbus Roses of Life Fundraiser and the Tootsie Roll Drive to raise funds in support of children with special needs.
Torborg is married to an equally giving and talented person. Dolores is a dedicated mother and grandmother and she and Al have together raised six children. Dolores said “Al, while farming, taught his children the value and dignity of good, hard work and to take responsibility for their actions.” Sage advice for all.
