Daily Herald editorial

Austin and Mower County said goodbye to two well-known area residents in the last two weeks: Pacelli graduate Orrie Jirele and former Sheriff Doyle Lindahl.

While we were saddened to hear these two men passed away, we were also pleased to hear all the positive memories family and friends shared about these inspirational public figures.

Jirele, 73, died Saturday of a heart attack while duck hunting along Pickerel Lake near Albert Lea. Jirele, known as “Mr. Pacelli,” was the MVP of the 1958 Pacelli basketball state championship team, and he went on to play basketball at Division I St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., where he also earned a music scholarship. That team finished No. 2 in the country in 1961.

After his playing days, Jirele continued to leave his stamp on the area as an educator and coach. He coached Pacelli’s freshman basketball team for a year, he coached Rochester Lourdes to three straight state titles from 1966 to 1968 and he coached for five years at East High in Green Bay, Wis., before moving to Albert Lea to coach, where he worked for almost 30 years. Many remember Jirele as a happy, positive role model.

Lindahl, 82, died Sunday, Sept. 15, at the hospital in Austin. Despite his short tenure, some remember Doyle Lindahl as the best sheriff Mower County ever had. Stories of Lindahl’s tenure as sheriff paint a picture of different time in Austin. Lindahl, who had already served eight years as a deputy, was sheriff from 1963 to 1967. He was elected at just 32 years old and was the last Mower County Sheriff to work and live at the jail. His father was his jailer, and his wife the cook. Gene Domino, one of Doyle’s deputies remembered his old boss’s unique approach.

“He told me, ‘I don’t care if you ever write out a ticket. I don’t care if you ever arrest anybody. That’s not what you’re out there for.’” Domino said.

After his tenure as sheriff, Lindahl and his second wife, Linda Hansen, were foster parents for children and mentally and physically disabled, including two who lived with them for more than 30 years.

If you haven’t already, we urge you to read the stories of these men’s lives. The two left their marks on the area, and we can all learn something from their attitudes and records of community service.