Dedication of Bell Tower at North Prairie Lutheran Church on December 29th, 2024
Good morning, my name is Marty Hegland, and I am proud to represent today the family of Elizabeth Hegland, as we dedicate this bell tower in her memory.
I’m joined by my father, Roger; my brother Darin and his wife, Nancy, and their children, Ryan, Ella and Maria; my wife, Shari and our son, Kevin; and my brother Brian; his daughter Bradee, was unable to join us today.
The idea of installing a bell tower at North Prairie came about during the building of the pavilion. A wile later, Wayne Kingsbury came forward with a design for the tower. What was needed was a bell.
Many of you know of and remember the Wraalstad country school located on the north corner of the Arne and Lolly Hatlevig farm just west of NorthPrairie on the south side of Highway 30. In that school building was a school bell. After the school was torn down the bell was stored in a building on the Hatlevig farm. Rachel Rye, Arnie and Lolly’s granddaughter, was asked if she would donate the bell to the bell tower and she generously consented to do so.
Having that bell is especially meaningful for our family because Elizabeth spent her first seven years at the Wraalstad school. I imagine she along with other North Prairie children over many decades heard the bell ring quite often. It’s fitting to give new life to the bell by installing it here at North Prairie Lutheran Church.
Upon approval of the design, Wayne approached Ken Connaughty to build the tower and he said he would. He then contacted Leigh Volkman to have it painted. Because of the height and weight, Winona Welding brought their hoist truck to set the tower and bell in place.
A special thank you to Wayne Kingsbury and Gary Olson for the site preparation, pouring of cement and to the North Prairie Foundation for covering that cost.
After the church service, we encourage you to take the time to walk over to the tower and give the rope a full to ring the bell. We are honored do this in Elizabeth’s memory. Picture on next page.