Winter - Waseca County Historical Society

History Notes
Volume 26, Issue 1
P.O.Box 314, Waseca MN 56093
Waseca County Historical Society
www.historical.waseca.mn.us
There are several things I
would like to report to the
Membership in this
newsletter. First of all we
have three new board
members. They
Sinn
are :Dennis Kuefner, Steve
Johnson and Gwen Buscho.
The 2005 officers of the board are Don Wynnemer,
President – Dennis Keufner, Vice President – Rod
Searle, Secretary and Dan Swenson – Treasurer. We
look forward to an exciting year. Other members of
the board are: Charles Espe, Henry Lewer, Jean
Lundquist, Allan Rose, Al Ruhland, Jerry Rutledge,
Jim Tippy and Don Zwach. Thank you all. It is great
having you with us.
Earlier this year I received a contract from Waste
Management for garbage removal for the museum.
The contract stated that our rate had gone up to $55.00
a month. I thought that was more than we could
afford so we began to look for another provider. We
found one in Owatonna that was willing to provide
this service for $16.50 per month. At this point I
called Waste Management and told them that I wanted
to discontinue their service. Terri,of Waste
Management, told me that I could not as we had a
contract with them. I told her that I didn’t remember
that and found I had signed it in the later of 1999 for
three years. I said that three years had elapsed and I
had not re-signed. It lay on my desk. Terri and I
decided that we were not going to lose our tempers
over this but discuss it rationally. She stated that she
would push this to the end and I told her that she could
do that but that it wouldn’t look too good in the paper
if Waste Management was suing a small non-profit
for $55.00 a month garbage removal when they could
get it for $16.50. She said she would send me the
contract and the conversation ended. Several weeks
later Terri got a hold of me once more.Now, I honestly
am trying to remember the sequence of this saga but I
may be a little off. She wanted to know if I had the
the
Fr o m
Des k
of
aret
M ar g
Winter 2005
(507) 835-7700
contract and I said yes. She stated that she was going
to hold us to it. I said that it looked like the three
years were honored and I didn’t wish to re-new. I
honestly didn’t read the fine, fine print but I told her
no, I did not want their service. She said once again
that she would take it to an end. I said “o.k.”. She then
asked me if there was anyone else here that she could
speak to. I told her “no”, that I was pretty much what
she got. She stated that they would do our garbage
removal for $20.00 a month. I said “no, I can get it for
$16.50”. She then said “Fine – we will do it for
$16.50”. At this point I had decided that I was going to
stay with
Stewart because what was to say if I signed the Waste
Management contract they would not up my rates in a
matter of months. I said “no thank-you”. She then
again asked me if there was someone else she could
talk to. I kind of laughed and said “Sorry, I guess
you’re just stuck with me”. She said “ok we could
buy out of it for $130 some dollars. I said “I will think
about it. Please bill me and I will pay it if I wish to
take that option.” Terri told me that they couldn’t do
that – I would have to sign the contract or she would
“take it to the end” or I could just send her the money
to terminate the contract. This is where this
conversation ended. I instructed the staff to not put
the garbage out. So each Monday the Waste
Management man came into the museum and asked
for our garbage. We would say we had none. Finally
he was told that their services were terminated. I
turned all the material I had over to Rolf Iverson. That
is where it all stands. I have no idea what comes next.
Perhaps you should start baking cookies so you can
bring them to me in jail. I do want to tell you that I do
have a weakness for Chicken Salad. Then again I must
admit I have great confidence in Rolf.
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WASECA CITY
COUNCIL REGARDING MAPLEWOOD PARK.
LETS KEEP IT IN THE HANDS OF THE
COMMUNITY WHERE IT BELONGS.
Alice Eastvold was born in Montrose, SD July 19,
1912, raised in Borup, and died August 26, 2003 in
New Richland. After working
as a nurse aide in Ada, MN,
Alice passed her state boards
and worked at St. John's
Lutheran Hospital in St. Paul
until 1953. Alice was married
to Oluf Erickson of
Hartland, Minnesota in
1953. In 1968, they moved
to New Richland. Oluf
passed away March 4, 1999.
PHOTO: Past New
Richland resident, Alice
Eastvold Erickson, pictured wearing her nurse's
uniform on August 3, 1945 at St. John's Lutheran
Hospital in St. Paul, MN. She wore a beautiful
“hanky” in her pocket everyday.
The following excerpts are from the new exhibit
WOMEN
of Waseca County
by Teri Pribble, Sheila Morris and
Pauline Fenelon
T
he women of Waseca County are likely the
same kind of women found in any other small
midwestern community, but aren’t they some
of the most spirited, strongest, and feistiest people?
Surviving a pioneer life along side their men,
building and growing a community beside beautiful
lakes in the middle of some of the best farmland in
the state of Minnesota and in the nation; starting
schools and churches, working in the home, on the
farm and in business, in athletics, politics and
culture, they are The Women of Waseca County.
Pat Loeffler was the first
female Waseca County
Treasurer, elected in 1994
and served one 4-year term.
From the Everett family on
display are Mrs. E. A.
Everett’s Recipes and
Autograph book, 1884.
Items of their daughter
Nettie Miller are a small tan
leather notebook used as an
autograph book with
autographs dated 1880s from
many of her school friends at
Carleton College,
Northfield, MN,a notebook
Nettie Everett
covered in white linen and
embroidered cover “Recipes”, inside are handwritten
recipes and menus she served including wedding
parties for Jennie and Daisy Aughenbaugh, and a
dinner for Mrs. Percy Ward; an olive green velvet
hand-stitched carrying case for the two notebooks;
cover has couched letters, Photographs; inside pocket
has the letter E embroidered, for her married name
Everett.
Antoinette Miller was the daughter of immigrant and
Waseca merchant, Rinehart Miller. She was born in
Waseca in 1870, married E. A. Everett in 1890; gave
birth to a son, William Rinehart Everett in 1892 and
a daughter, Constance Antoinette Everett in 1902.
Nettie Miller was killed in a train accident while
vacationing in Mexico with her husband in 1909.
Joan
Manthe is the first
female Waseca County
Auditor, first elected in 1987
and is stilling serving.
Judy Kozan was the
first female Mayor of
the city
of Waseca serving
from 1993-1995.
Judy was
instrumental in the
placement of the
Federal Prison that
now resides in
Waseca County.
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Eliza Sutlief with her husband
Asa arrived in Waseca County in
a wagon pulled by oxen to
Wilton in 1854. Thus the first
white female settler in Waseca
County.
Elementary School built in 1960 is named for her.
Circa 1950s, a scene in a Waseca Beauty Salon;
Edna Wilhelmina
Roesler Passer
The first registered
nurse in Waseca
County, taken circa
1910.
adults identified are :
Bernice Compart Atkinson, Joyce Wolters Ravnkilde
and Dorothy Frodl.
Also on display is a permanent wave machine
Early in the 20th century curls were very desirable.
These machines used unreliable electrical voltage
levels to generate the heat to curl hair. Operating
such a machine without damaging the client’s hair
was a talent! Manufactured by the Bonat Co.
Estelle
Rethwill
Wife of the prominent
dentist came to Waseca in
1926. She lived to be 100
years old. She said her
proudest moment was
bringing the first
kindergarten to Waseca,
leading the struggle with the
resistant School Board
during the 1930s. She
secured a $100
donation from Minnesota Federated Women’s Club,
then the Waseca School Board finally agreed to “try”
kindergarten in 1940.
She went on to achieve 73 years of continuous
membership in the Waseca Monday Study Club
serving as president several
times, as well as District
president.
Avon product bottles and jars
Donated by Donna Fostveit originally purchased
from one of Waseca’s Avon ladies—Donna Flaten,
circa 1960s.
Avon was sold at house parties—where the Avon
representative would present the different Avon
cosmetic products to a group of neighbors and
friends of the “hostess.” Women were busy
homemakers in the 1950s and Avon provided
affordable, glamorous cosmetics in a coffee party
atmosphere.
A farm ledger
found in collection
states;
Farm wives are
“helpmates” in the
biggest sense of the
word. More often
than not, the farm
wife kept the books
for the management
of the family farm
Effie Winter Hartley
She was a longtime teacher
and the first female school
principal in Waseca County,
taken circa 1915, above 1920.
She died in 1925. Hartley
(Continued on page 4)
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Catholic Daughters, Boy Scout Troop #85,
Patty Masberg and Andrea Olson, Waseca
County Humane Society, Gail
Christianson of Flying Tea Pots Iron Art,
Media Com donated 3 wreaths for
auction, Itron - W2 Assembly, Itron - SMD
Line 5, Itron - Sanyo Line, Itron-45 E
Rework, Itron-Wave Line all donated a
wreath, Riverside Ramblers, Red Cross,
Diane Forsythe, Palmer Sunbeams, Mary
Shemonek of Waseca Garden Club, Early
Childhood Family Education, Peg Mawby
of Oma’s Antiques , Mary Wobschall of
County Collections, Peg Mawby, Sheila
Morris, Norma Nelson, Elaine Swenson,
Mrs. Lowell Krassin, Toddy Smith and
Joan Mooney. We also would like to
thank the following volunteers for staffing
the opening weekend: Rod and Ruth
Searle, Charles Espe, Colleen
Mertsdorf, Jean Lundquist, Phyllis
Suemnick, Millie Neidt, Bev Wildegrube,
Don Wynnemer and Jim Tippy.
Performing for the opening were Suzanne’s
Singers: Susanne, Jordon and McKenne
Judd, Austin, Mitchell, Nathan, Zachary
and Kristina Witte, Machaela, Natasha
and Adreianne Spear.
Many thanks to all of you for your
contributions and time given for the
Festival of Wreaths 2004.
income and expenses. Farm wives kept house, fed,
bathed and clothed the children, cooked all the
meals, fed the chickens and managed the egg money,
and when necessary, worked alongside their
husbands in the fields.
On exhibit as well through April is the photo
exhibit “Getting Down To Earth, Images of Women
Farmers”
315 N. E. Second Avenue, Waseca
For further information call: (507) 835-7700
or visit: www.historical.waseca.mn.us
In the works:
Archaeology Week, May 99-13th.
Remember back in November when MN Dot was
surveying the road around Clear Lake? Archaeologist
Frank Florin and team unearthed some artifacts
thought to be 3000-4000 years old. As we go to press
with this issue we have not worked out the details,
however we hope to have the artifacts on display as
well as some from our collection. This will be a one
time only showing. They will be handed over to the
Minnesota Historical Society after the exhibit. The
items will be displayed for one week only. Watch the
Waseca County News
for more information.
The Bailey Research Library
could use two
comfortable chairs for reading in the
library. If anyone wants to donate a
chair please call us at 835-7700
S
pring Luncheon
Lecture Series
begins on Thursday, March 24th. from
noon until 1 PM. The speakers will be
Mary Doerr, owner of Dancing Winds Farm,
and Photographer Mary Ellen Frame. The topic
will be Women in Sustainable Agriculture. The
luncheon will open the photo exhibit
“Getting Down To Earth: Images of Women
Farmers”. The exhibit was put together in 1995
in memory of June Redig, a fellow farmer who
died in an auto accident. The project spun from
a women farmer’s group she started to talk about
their concerns for agriculture. The exhibit is a
tribute to all women in agriculture. In their own
words:
What’s Happening
The 2004 Festival of
Wreaths was held
Saturday and Sunday,
December 4th and 5th at the WCHS
Museum. We would like to thank the
following individuals and businesses who
contributed wreaths or items for the Silent
Auction:
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“This is a portrait and celebration of
women farmers and their work. These
women have lived through flooding,
drought and crop failure. They
understand the cycles of birth, life,
death and rebirth. With their hands
they have brought in the bountiful
harvests and with their love, they
nurture their farm into the next
millennium. The women we admire the
most are not from Hollywood, but from
the land itself. These women are our
heroes”- Women in Sustainable
Agriculture Photography Project.
meticulous research he raises speculation on the
facts given. It is with this he bases the story of
the Kitchen Boy. His next book entitled
“Rasputin’s Daughter” will also be discussed.
Paid reservations must be in by Monday, April
18. Sorry no refunds after the 18th.
More about the book and author can be found at
Our last luncheon of the
season celebrates a visit by floral
designer Ardith
Beveridge. It has been four years
since her last visit,and as last time,
she was once again invited to
Washington DC to design for the inaugural
celebrations.
Ardith will be sharing her stories as well as
arranging garden cuts that we can work with
from our own gardens. It is always a pleasure
to have Ardith in house. The luncheon will be
held Thursday, May 19th. from noon to 1 PM.
Paid reservations must be in by May 16.
Sorry, no refunds after the 16th.
Tickets per luncheon are $10.00 for members
and $12.00 for non-members. Seating is
limited. You can reserve a seat by calling the
WCHS museum. Paid reservations must be in
by Monday, March 21 st. Sorry, no refunds
after the 21st.
A Special Note for our Corporate
Sponsors
As of September 2004 we are no longer able
to print company logos along with your names.
We were informed our non-profit mailing
status would not apply to publications
containing advertisements. So without
solicitation we choose to acknowledge the
following
businesses who have donated generously to
the Waseca County Historical Society:
Nielsen Chrysler, Haefner Accounting,
Mediacom, Elm Homes, Brown Ink,
McRaith Funeral homes, Re/Max,
Total Entertainment Center, Charlies Do-it
Center, Kinder-Dennis Home For Funerals,
Roundbank of Waseca and Waldorf,
Pantheon Computer Systems, Winegar
Inc., Birds Eye Foods, Brown Printing, First
National Bank of Waseca/ Northridge/
Ellendale/Hope, Conners Plumbing and
Heating, Itron and Express Care.
The April Luncheon will be
held Thursday, April 21
from noon - 1 PM. The
speaker will be author
Robert Alexander. The topic
will be his award winning
novel “The Kitchen Boy”.
If you have not read this
book we highly recommend
doing so. It is available
through the Waseca LeSueur
Regional Library.
It is the story of the last days of Russian Tsar
Nicolas and Empress Alexandra Romanov and
their four daughters and son Alexis . On July
16-17, 1918 in the town of Yekaterinberg, just
on the Siberian side of the Ural Mountains, the
former Tsar and his family were imprisoned by
Bolshevik revolutionaries. The story is told by
the kitchen boy Leonka Sednyov who was led
away from the house just hours before the
execution. The author bases his story on the
historical facts surrounding the last days of the
Tsar and his family, however through
Thank you for your contributions to the
Waseca County Historical Society.
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THE MUSEUM
GIFTSHOP is
filling the
shelves with
wonderful items
for gift giving. New Easter ornaments and
decorations are in.These seasonal items are perfect
for holiday decorating or for celebrating Spring.
We specialize in vintage jewelry, cards and other
items. Our prices are reasonable and your
purchases help support the Historical Society.
We are open through the noon hour Monday through
Friday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
ICE
The Ice harvest 2005 was held on Thursday,
February 10 at Clear Lake park in Waseca. Our
volunteers educated and entertained 356 area fourth and
fifth graders as well as many other visitors that ventured
out on that beautiful February day. The weather
couldn’t have been nicer. Without FarmAmerica’s Jeff
Huelsnitz and Steve Melcher and Scott Roemhildt of
Akorn
Creations and all of the following volunteers we could
not have done it. Many thanks to all!
Tim Graf, Burnsville MN . Tim drove down from the
cities last year and this year to help for the day. His
family was in the ice harvesting business in
Worthington Minnesota, so he comes to us trained and
ready to go! Tim will greet visitors and explain the
process of ice harvesting. Tim also can be seen at the
Three Rivers Park District Ice Harvest.
Scott Roemhildt, Janesville MN. 507-327-9785 or
akorncreations@hotmail.com
Scott was instrumental in past years’ ice harvests. Scott
along with Jeff Huelsnitz from Farm America joined
forces with us four years ago to pull together the
historical reenactment of ice harvesting.
Scott and wife Amy have their own production
company called Akorn Creations that specializes in
photography and interactive learning programs. Scott
and
FarmAmerica’s Jeff Huelsnitz and Steve Melcher
built the ice house for storing the ice.
Jeff Huelsnitz, Waseca MN is another key player in
the ice harvest. Jeff brought in wagons and sleds needed
to hitch the horses and mules to as well as saws, ice
tongs and whatever else we needed from
FarmAmerica. Jeff is site manager at FarmAmerica
Agricultural Interpretive Center. 507-835-2052.
John Pribble,Waseca MN has returned for a fourth
year to assist with the ice cutting.
Also helping this year are Paul Krause, Mert
Schwarz, Steve Melcher and Brad Krause.
Hauling sawdust for the ice house is Marita Wadd. The
Wadds also donated the oak logs for the fire.
Kristin Wood ,Waterville (507)685-2884. Kristin
brings her Icelandic Horses bred specifically to work on
ice! Special Ice Tolt demonstrations were held at 10:20
AM. and 1:00 PM. Special Guest Eggert Hjartarson
from Iceland is here to help Kristin with the horses .
Mike and Darnele Huercamp, New Richland MN,
(507) 465-3447villa.lakes.com/laughingdog
Special Spring Sale
SPRING STROLL OPEN HOUSE
Friday and Saturday
APRIL 29&30
Open Friday April 29, 8 am.-5pm.
Saturday April 30, 10 am.- 5pm.
Visit all the participating stores,
Out to Lunch
1312 N. State St.
Apple Annies
917 N. State St.
Interiors Plus
106 N. State St.
Country Collection
Antiques and Crafts
101 10th. Ave. S.E.
Waseca Floral
810 N. State St.
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This interesting couple are owners and operators of
Winter Haven Dog Sledding.
Mike and Darnele taught visitors about dog sledding
and its history.Mike and Darnele travel all over the state
visiting classrooms and appearing at events with their
dogs. They are available for dogsledding
demonstrations year round. For more information visit
their website.
Harlan Gekeler, Waseca MN came back again to
entertain visitors with his wonderful horses and wagon.
Harlan is a dedicated horseman who raises Belgians
south of Waseca where he and his wife Ginny reside.
Harlan is also a member of the Waseca County Sheriff
Posse.
Dave Petersburg, Owatonna MN, was recruited by
Harlan to participate in this year’s ice harvest three
years running. Dave is an active member with the Steele
County Historical Society and volunteers in their
Village of Yesteryear events. Dave brought in his own
team of horses and sled for the day.
Mark Wagoner of Faribault joins us this year with his
team of horses and sled.
LeRoy and Donna Thoreson, Claremont MN are also
return volunteers to the ice harvest. They again brought
their mule team and rig to show us how mules are used
for pulling sleighs and wagons.
Brian Menze, Janesville MN , also known as the oxman, returned again for a third ice harvest. Brian taught
the kids how to use two-man saws for cutting wood and
kept the camp fire burning. Brian is available for other
interactive learning events.
Pam Rosen, Janesville MN, was back this year. Pam
brought her outdoor kitchen along with her log cabin on
wheels to the ice harvest. Visitors watched as she
cooked venison and stew over an open fire. She also
cooked up the brats for the other volunteers. Pam is
available for other interactive learning events.
The Waseca County Historical Society would like to
acknowledge the following businesses and
organizations for their donations and support for
the ICE HARVEST 2005.
Associated Lumber- all of the building materials for
the icehouse.
Nicolin’s Sportsmans Stop- Ice Saw
Mark Bartelt , Marty Hoffmeister and the City of
Waseca for clearing and setting up the site.
Waseca Sheriffs Posse members - Horses, Mules and
rigs.
Waseca Sleigh and Cutter Committee - bathroom
facilities and volunteers.
Tesches Automotive Services-Ice House transport.
Larry Born and Bob Busse-Ice tongs and saw.
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NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PD.
WASECA MN.56093
PERMIT # 41
WASECA COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 314
WASECA MN. 56093
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Membership renewal date
Memorials
Cheryl Frederick, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Goodspeed, Jim Rhode, John Keifer,
Marce Preuss, Lorin Cooper, Joe and Jen Powell, Gerry Hoffman, Clarence Salzle
Life Members
Bumps Brown, Emmeth Swenson and Gladys Brynildson
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