Westbrook Fun Days had Less than perfect weather

Obituaries

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Edward Deslauriers Edward J. Deslauriers age 70 of Currie, died suddenly Friday, August 8, 2008 at the Murray County Hospital in Slayton. Mass of Christian Burial was held at ...

Pastor Vicki Toutges ordained at Trinity Lutheran

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WESTBROOK -- Growing up on a farm near the small town of Grove City, near Litchfield, Vicky Toutges (pronounced like couches only with a T) said she has always had a soft spot for rural ministry. "I felt from my confirmation on, that I was called by God to be active in some ministry," she said. She was activity director at the Augustana Nursing Home in Litchfield for 20 years. When she became lay-chaplin there she said she was in her glory. While going back to college she became a Stephen Minister at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. This excited her to continue as a chaplin, she felt urged to become a minister, and had a lot of encouragement from friends to go into the ministry. She worked hard to complete three and a half years of college in just two years to get her bachelors degree. At that point she knew she was going to go all the way and get her ministerial degree at Luther College in Saint Paul. Two weeks after completing her bachelors degree she began classes at Luther and graduated in May. After accepting the call to serve Our Savior's Lutheran in Dovray, and Trinity Lutheran in Westbrook she was ordained at Trinity Lutheran July 27. This is a second career for Toutges, who has four grown sons and a daughter-in-law. She makes her home with her Boston Terrier "Buddy," and her cat named "Duna." Toutges is very musically inclined, playing piano, organ, and flute. She said she enjoys most kinds of music but as an organist for over 30 years she said she is partial to to organ music. She once had to play the organ and preach at one of her former churches. Already she has teamed up with Marian Johnson at Our Savior's to do an organ, piano duet. Beside music, she said she would like to travel, noting that she would enjoy going on youth mission trips. Being of Swedish descent, she would some day like to travel to Sweden. Toutges has been a little puzzled as to why people have been asking her if she is a "Packers" fan. Apparently no one explained to her that former Pastor Bill Klavetter was well known for his support of the "Packers." She said that explains it. Toutges said neither she or her sons are sports fans, but her sons do enjoy the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Toutges said she is anxious to work to develop more youth programs. "I want to meet with small groups of people to see what they want," she said. She said she enjoys the challenge of working with two congregations, noting that she wanted to stay in the Southwest Synod. Toutges said, "it's been a real adventure to meet people -- it is really my first time away from my home at Litchfield. People from all through the communities have greeted me. She also said we have a very good group of pastors meeting for text study. "I was really impressed with the amenities of the communities. There is little you have to leave town for with the exception of the grocery store. I really feel at home already," she said. "I am real excited, and it is fun to be out here doing my job," said Toutges. "I love the town, and people have been really friendly in both communities." 2008 Sentinel Tribune Westbrook, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from STPNS.

Between the Lines

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Bright and early Monday morning Warren Riddell and his crew arrived at the old Sentinel Tribune office to begin demolition.