Author: EPLN Staff Reports

High school seniors from Eden Prairie are invited to apply for a newly expanded set of Dr. Jean L. Harris Scholarships available from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. The Foundation is seeking applicants who have promoted human rights, fostered diversity, and possess an inclusive community spirit – which are attributes that Harris demonstrated. The Harris Scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Jean Harris, Eden Prairie mayor from 1996 to 2001. Harris was Eden Prairie’s first female mayor and first Black mayor, and one of her many accomplishments while in office was community adoption of the Eden Prairie Manifesto, a…

Robert Edward Martinka, 89, of Chanhassen, entered eternal life on Jan. 23. He passed away at home with family at his side and enveloped in prayer. “Bob” was born on Dec. 1, 1932, in Lucan, Minn., to Herbert and Agnes (Steffl) Martinka. He grew up in New Ulm along with his older sister and brother and graduated from Holy Trinity High School. As a teenager, Bob played the trumpet for school and city groups and sat in with some of the big bands that performed at the Kato Ballroom, which his father owned. As student coordinator for the Blessed Mother…

Flagship Bank Minnesota CEO Andy Schornack is one of this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. This award recognizes young business and community leaders from across the Twin Cities and encompasses a variety of industries. Schornack has been CEO of Flagship Bank Minnesota, headquartered in Wayzata, since 2014. Flagship Bank has six branches, including Eden Prairie, where Schornack is based. “I am honored to have been afforded this opportunity alongside such great local leaders,” Schornack said. “A huge thanks to my team at Flagship Bank Minnesota who helps us achieve these great results, day-in and day-out.” A…

Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of Karen A. Olsen, 81, on Friday, Jan. 21. Olsen graduated in 1958 from Elcho High School. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master’s degree in industrial psychology from the University of Minnesota.  Olsen began her profession in 1963 at General Mills in the personnel department. Later, she was a principal consultant and partner of Labor Relations Associates. She was considered an early female leader in industrial relations in Minnesota and related professional organizations. For those who knew her personally, she was…

University of Iowa, Iowa City The following Eden Prairie residents were named to the fall semester 2021 dean’s list: Felicia Adeniran-Ogunsanya Margaret Belongie Ethan Bley Matthew Deavan Kevin Dodge John Enck Frances Murphy Layne Olson Ryan Pokrzywinski Hallie Roach Sydney Shields Justice Sullivan Amelia Thoreson Missouri State University, Springfield The following Eden Prairie resident was named to the fall semester 2021 dean’s list: Michelle Nelson University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa The following Eden Prairie residents were named to the fall semester 2021 president’s list: Sophia Klein Rachel Ray Kutztow University (PA) The following Eden Prairie resident was named to the fall…

Kenneth Gerald Bollig, age 87 of Bloomington passed away Jan. 15, 2022. Preceded in death by wife, Beverly Bollig, parents, Peter and Rose Bollig, brothers, Marvin and Richard, and grandson Peter Bollig. He is survived by sons Bruce (Cindy) Bollig, Todd (Harriet) Bollig; grandchildren, Kevin (Jessie) Bollig, Kelly Forster, Laura Bollig, Blair (Allie) Bollig, Alexa (Cody) Lambert; great-grandchildren, Colton and Bryce Bollig, Conrad, and Jameson Lambert. Ken was born March 18, 1934, in Wayzata, Minn., grew up in Hopkins and graduated from Hopkins High School. Ken served in the Army Reserves for four years. Ken met his wife, Beverly, at…

Three local state legislators will host a town hall from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25 at Eden Prairie City Hall. Senate District 48 legislators Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-Eden Prairie), Rep. Laurie Pryor (DFL-Minnetonka), and Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie) will preview the 2022 Legislative Session. Constituents will then have the opportunity to raise concerns or ask questions. The town hall will be conducted in-person and streamed online here. The meeting will be held in the City Hall Heritage Rooms. In-person attendees will be required to wear a mask. Constituents are encouraged to submit their questions ahead of time here.

Trails on the west side of Round Lake will be temporarily closed beginning Jan. 24 for ash tree removal, according to a posting on the city’s website. Crews will be removing ash trees infected with emerald ash borer. The popular trail is expected to reopen the following week. The tree removals are part of the Round Lake Park Ash Tree Replacement Project. Each removed tree will be replaced with one of a variety of tree species. New trees are scheduled to be planted later this year. The project is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The project’s…

EPLN photographer Juliana Allen captured a sun dog over Staring Lake Wednesday morning Jan. 19. Also known as a mock sun or parhelion, sun dogs are an atmospheric optical phenomenon appearing in the sky as luminous spots 22° on each side of and at the same elevation as the sun. Sun dogs occur when the sun shines through a thin cirrus cloud composed of hexagonal ice crystals.

The following Eden Prairie residents were named to the dean’s list at their respective college or university for fall semester 2021: Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL Lilliana Coyle Isabella Girthofer Sydney Jones Natalie Nichols James Ocenasek David Solfelt Michael Walmer Eleanor Watson Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester Shane Flaten Michael Altieri College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN Shelby Benkofske Bradley University, Peoria, IL Alexander Kutscher Coastal Carolina University, Conway Aaron Peterson