Minneopa Cemetery

Historic Minneopa Cemetery

Since 1855

Oldest Continuously Operating Cemetery in Blue Earth County

Board Minutes for October 10, 2017

Archie Kendall called the meeting to order at 10:15.

Present were: Dean Otto, Archie Kendall, Doug Johnson, Pete Hagert, Arlene Neilsen, Dennis Owens, Barbara Jackowell, Phyllis Granaas.

The Minutes of the last two meetings were discussed and approved.

A complaint of high grass in the cemetery was discussed. Randy Isenberg stopped mowing in July. Dale will take back the mowing chore for next year.

Dean Otto gave the Treasurer’s report. The Profit/Loss Statement showed approximately a $995.90 loss for the Jan-Sept. 2017 period and an $818.70 income for the same period in 2016. Our investments are not improving. We are taking out more money than we are earning. The investment income was $7,646.81 for Jan.-Sept. 2017. It was decided to investigate other financial advisors. Advertising expense was up. Interest expense was due primarily to our line of credit. Verification of funds was accomplished between Archie and Dean with bank and investment statements.

The treasurer’s report was approved.

Dale presented the superintendent’s report. More people want “green” burials plus cremations for $2,500 rather than $15,000 +/- for a regular burial. Dale said he is getting about 50% cremations. Mankato Mortuary is getting about 60%. Blue Earth County uses cremation to bury those the county has to take care of. Many of those do not get buried or have cemetery plots.

Burial report: Joyce Hughes burial is number 13 for the year and Dale estimates we may possibly have 18 by the end of the year. Dale made the suggestion that we could plot some 5’ x 6’ sizes for cremation graves without monuments. Full size plots are 5’ x 12’. We can also allow burial of a cremation on top of another burial or allow two cremations within one full sized plot. Currently, the newer (or west) side on the north edge is where cremation graves are located.

Maintenance: The old side needs mowing. The road gravel did washout a couple of times this year. Randy might drag it out again to smooth it. There is a low spot on the road where water stands and cars drive off the road to get around the puddle.

Several oak trees have oak wilt and should be removed. Dean said the trees are not dead yet. We will check on the status of the trees at the cemetery in the afternoon.

Old Business: Empty urns and stands have been pulled off graves on the old side. This was about 20-30 stands. One grave has 6-8 things around the grave at all times. About 2 weeks ago a tour bus went through the old part of the cemetery.

A motion was made that Dale can move anything off graves, mark them and put them into storage in the building. After three years they can be disposed of.

Tree trimming of the junipers on the west side is necessary but is expensive. No motion was made on this.

New Business: Minneopa charges $700/lot and $800 to dig grave. Mt. Olivet charges $650/lot and $675 to dig grave. Calvary and Glenwood charge $895 to dig graves. Some small rural cemeteries are as low as $200/lot. People like Minneopa for its location and proximity to park. Ellis Jones was at every funeral. Now Dale is there.

The nomination of the officers for the next year was held and all were renominated. Dean is thinking of retiring next year and Paige is being groomed for his treasurer’s position.

The gates are starting to look bad. They are never closed and perhaps should be removed. Randy was to mow for $700 per time but he would come and mow for an hour or two then leave. This made the mowing very spotty. The bush growing on the north edge of the east side is encroaching on the graves. It is sumac, and could be removed.

This session was adjourned at 12:00 for lunch.

The afternoon session opened at 1:30 and was held at the cemetery. The officers were elected. Paige was elected to the board.

An inspection of the oak trees indicated that one looks like it should be removed. The juniper trees did not look too bad and it was decided to leave them for now.

It was decided to remove the cemetery gates.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:50.