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Robotics team earns high honors during regional competition

Ira Dewayne Cooper, 90, passed away on August 14, 2024, in Burnsville. He was born in Greene County Ind., on February 11, 1934, and grew up on the family farm. He was preceded in death by his brother Carl and sister Deloris and is survived by his younger sister Carolyn Duckworth of Linton, Ind. He married Norma Speedy on August 28, 1956. They raised three boys, Bryan (Peg) Cooper of Lakeville, Mark (Joey) Cooper of Vancouver, Wash., and Glenn (Maria) Cooper of Apple Valley. Their growing family now includes six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was filled with so much gratitude and appreciation for the many blessings in his life, with his biggest blessing being his wife Norma. After he lost her, he would often say “I just want to hold her hand again.” Before she passed away in 2023, they celebrated their 67th anniversary and together in heaven this year, they celebrated their 68th. I have no doubt they were holding hands. He led a life of giving. On so many occasions he would become a friend to an elderly person. Some became a regular around our dinner table. After he retired he volunteered hundreds of hours at Mayo Clinic Dialysis Center and sat with patients every week. Many would make sure to schedule their treatments when he would be there. Even in memory care where he last lived, he never lost his compassion, sense of humor or the ability to connect with people. He loved to share his many stories, talk about his family and talk about Mom. Every day I would visit he would tell me, “I don’t know how I could have asked for a better life, I really don’t.” He was a retired federal USDA meat inspector, but his true passion was driving an 18 wheeler and seeing the country with Mom. He would take vacation from his “day” job and they would go drive truck. Even after he retired, they drove all over the country together. He was proud to have been to all 50 states. Dad’s legacy will be the incredible marriage to our Mom and the family that it created. It was a home and family filled with love and laughter. Three boys could not have asked for more. We love you Dad. You and Mom will be forever in our hearts.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Airhart ushered into Heaven on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Harmony River in Hutchinson. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, with a visitation one hour prior the service all at Cornerstone Church in Litchfield. Interment will be in Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield. If you are unable to attend the visitation and service, you are welcome to join the family during the lunch and fellowship following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Cornerstone Church, 205 County Rd 34, Litchfield, MN 55355, or Harmony River, 555 Sherwood St SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350. Jackie Jean Lowe was born on August 8, 1937, in St. Paul to Vibert and Beatrice (Pauling) Lowe. She graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in 1955 and it was there at age 15 she met the love of her life, Durwood Airhart. Jackie and Durwood married on April 6, 1956, at First Baptist Church in St. Paul. They started their life together in Maplewood and had three children: Scott Allen, Beth Lynn and Shelley Ann. The family eventually moved to Lake Minnebelle in Litchfield where they enjoyed “lake” life to it fullest. In 1975, Durwood and Jackie started Litchfield Precision Components. Side-by-side they worked together with just one employee and eventually grew that number to over 300. While Jackie did the company books and payroll, she also had an open door for anyone needing advice, budget planning or just someone to talk to. She loved and cared about everyone at LPC ... so much so she hand delivered payroll checks to them in-person so they would know how appreciated they were. After selling LPC, Jackie and Durwood lived in Bradenton, Fla., and on Leech Lake. She and Durwood also explored the world from Austria to Africa. She loved planning every trip! Eventually, she and her daughters took yearly hiking trips together for many years where many memories were made. She also created was the “GOLDEN GIRLS”, a group of LPC women that got together and maintained a friendship with Jackie planning several fun times for them to be together. Jackie also loved to cook, bake, eat anything with white frosting and was always buying and sending cards to people she cared about. She was an avid sports fan and loved watching baseball and football. She read the morning paper every single day and liked watching True Crime on TV. Jackie is survived by her daughters, Beth (Rich) Aquilino and Shelley (Ron) Huggett; grandchildren Dylan (Mia) Airhart, Luke (Jill) Huggett, Solomon Airhart, Leah (Brandon) Nagel, Timm (Miranda) Airhart and Madison (Kaleb) Rosenow; greatgrandchildren Urijah Airhart, Jocelynn Trainor; Brynn, Trig and Sawyer Nagel, Gwen and Olive Huggett, Koltan Rosenow and Ada Airhart. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Durwood, son Scott Airhart, and siblings Vernon and Carol. Please sign our online guestbook at www. johnsonhagglund.com.

Cathy A. Haugo, 65, of Litchfield passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at her home in Litchfield.

Secretary of State visits LHS to promote voting

Section includes wishes for happy holidays from local busineses

The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but for many it can also bring feelings of sadness and longing