Herbert “Frank” Thomas, 90, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with a rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.
Interment will be in St. Scholastica Catholic Cemetery in Heidelberg.

Robert J. Hanek, 79, of Faribault, passed away on October 12, 2019 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bob was born on June 5, 1940 to Augusta S. and John A. Hanek in rural Le Sueur County. He graduated from high school in Montgomery, MN and then spent six years serving in the U.S. Army. He married Carol A. Sensibaugh on October 26, 1963 and they made their home and raised their family in Faribault. Bob was employed for over 40 years at McQuay’s in Faribault until his retirement.

Beginning Oct. 11, all operations at the office will be temporarily located to the Belle Plaine Post Office at 233 N. Meridian St., Belle Plaine. Customers may retrieve their P.O. Box mail and notice left items from the Belle Plaine Post Office with photo ID.

Corinne Skluzacek, a fourth grader at TCU-Lonsdale, is this year’s button designer for the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Celebration in Montgomery. The daughter of Ryan and Jenny Skluzacek was told the exciting news at a special event at school on Friday.
Torchlight organizers Neaner Kriha and Anita Rynda had the fourth grade classes assemble in a commons area before announcing Skluzacek had created the winning button design.

The TCU High School Marching Band provided the music for the Homecoming Parade on Friday. The parade also featured other athletes and students with homemade Titan Pride signs. The Titan Football Team is scheduled to take on the Belle Plaine Tigers at 7 p.m. (Wade Young Photo)

TCU kicked Off Homecoming Week on Monday with the crowning of its Homecoming King and Queen. Ryan Smith was crowned King, and Keilee Westlie was crowned Queen. The coronation was held in the high school gym. It included music and TCU's spin on the popular game show "Family Feud." See more in the print edition. (Wade Young photo)

Tri-City United Lonsdale was honored last Thursday as one of 362 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The Tri-City United boys’ soccer team finished their season with a game against Mayer Lutheran on Saturday. The Crusaders ran away with the 3-1 win.
The Titans started the game with a leg up on the competition when Chris Ruiz made the first goal, unassisted.
After back-and-forth action, Crusader Jake Benton tied up the game with 17 minutes left in the first 40-minute period.
After the break, the Titans were....
To see more on this story pick up the Ocotber 3, 2019 print edition of the Messenger.

The time of 16 seconds was the difference between the first and second places of the varsity boys’ times at the New Prague Trojan Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
TCU’s Austin Antony won the boys’ race with his time of 17:05. On his heels was Jacob Malecha of New Prague, who finished 16 seconds later with a time of 17:21.
As a team, the Titans took third. Lakeville South won the meet, and New Prague came in second. The other runner for TCU who finished in the top ten included Hunter Rutt who finished in eighth place with a time of 17:51.

Ten Tri-City United High School seniors were named Homecoming Royalty during a pep fest Monday afternoon, September 30.

Novotny, Gillard, age 84 of South St. Paul, passed away September 25, 2019 at United Hospital in Saint Paul, MN. Preceded in death by his wife, Marion, parents Martin & Mary Novotny, and siblings, Stella Vlasak, Marty Novotny, Millie Morin, and sister-in-law Donna Beckers.

Carol Josephine Lilla, 68, died unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 20 in Montgomery.
There will be a Celebration of Life for her on Friday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at the TCU High School Gym followed by a social gathering in the school’s Commons area.
Carol was born on December 22, 1950, in Winona to Francis (Joe) Lilla and Lois (Berg) Lilla. She graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1969.

People lined up and shopped at the Jar Raffle at Holy Redeemer Church's Fall Festival. The annual event on Sunday also had people shopping at the market, playing bingo, and eating the famous chicken and ham dinner. Music was provided by the Charlie Sticha Band. See more in the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)

The TCU School District is continuing tonight’s home football game in the wake of high school teacher Carol Lilla’s death at the start of school Friday.
The Titans are scheduled to play Fairmont at 7 p.m.
In a email to parents and guardians, Superintendent Teri Preisler, said Lilla loved being a teacher, loved supporting the students, and loved all things connected with activities and opportunities for students. 

The Tri-City United School District lost one of its own Friday morning when Carol Lilla passed away.
Lilla taught Math and Computer Science at TCU High School.
She has been a teacher in the Montgomery area for 46 years, starting at Most Holy Redeemer, then Montgomery-Lonsdale and Tri-City United. She coached sports for several decades.
When she retired from coaching in 2014, Lilla said she entered teaching and coaching because she loves working with kids. She was devoted to her career and students who often saw her at all of the high school events.

People who attended the Town Hall last Wednesday on the proposed $6.7 million fire/ambulance building and City Hall remodel wanted more pieces to their tax puzzle and questioned if the city can afford the plan.
At the meeting’s start, Mayor Tom Eisert clarified that it was the council, staff and administration’s job “not to sell this concept”, but to inform residents of the process and provide the facts. He said decisions for the plan were based on need.