A friend of the Kleve family, Jackie Randall, has stepped in as a Howard Lake royalty candidate to help fill out the roster of candidates for Miss Howard Lake during Good Neighbor Days, in light of the tragic accident that affected two of out three candidates who filed for royalty; killing candidate Madey Kleve and severely injuring candidate Kacie Carlsted.

McCall Kleve, Madey Kleve’s younger sister, is expected to be crowned honorary junior royalty. The last time that junior royalty was crowned was in 1978, according to the Howard Lake History Book.

This means the following are set as candidate royalty:

- The late Madeysen Kleve, daughter of Dan and Julie Kleve
- Kacie Carlsted, daughter of Marshall and LeeAnn Carlsted (who is still hospitalized)
- Brittany Utne, daughter of Paul and Jodi Utne
- Jackie Randall, daughter of Imee and Todd Randall
- McCall Kleve, daughter of Dan and Julie Kleve (Junior Royalty)

The royalty committee issued the following letter: “On Wednesday, May 28, Madey and Kacie (Carlsted) were in a car accident that claimed the life of Madey and severly injured Kacie. We are all in shock and grief and missing Madey very much. She was a beautiful young woman with a caring heart. She will forever be Royalty to us. We pray everyday for both families and pray that Kacie is touched by God’s healing hands and has a speedy recovery.

With guidance from the candidate families, the Royalty Committee will be going forward a little differently this year. Because the Royalty Committee had deemed all three of our candidates worthy of a crown, we will present Madey’s crown to her family. We will also note that the option for Kacie to reign will always be open for her if she chooses to participate when she is well.

Jackie Randall, a good friend of Madey and Kacie’s, will participate in honor of her friends and join Brittany as Royalty. Madey’s younger sister, McCall, will join Brittany and Jackie as a Junior Ambassador.

On behalf of the candidate families, we thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Please join us for our Royalty Celebration, Sunday, June 22 at 6 pm at the HLWW Laker Theater.”