Jim Lukas and Gayle Tonn Lukas will serve as the parade marshals for the Lena Lions Dairyfest parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, on Main Street in Lena.
Jim and Gayle were married in 1988. Their family consists of one son, two daughters and four grandchildren.
Jim was born in Gilman and raised on a farm near Thorp. His parents are Harriet and Pete Lukas. He graduated from Thorp High School in 1959 and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.
In 1963, Jim began his employment with the USDA Farm Service Agency in Oconto County, serving as the executive director for 38 years. He retired in 2001.
During his years of employment he served as an alderman for the city of Oconto for four years and was a member of the Oconto Police and Fire Commission for four years. He served on the Lena School Board for 12 years, including seven years as president. Lukas also served on the Oconto Planning Commission for eight years, with four years as secretary.
Jim has been a member of the Lena Lions Club for 21 years, serving as president for one year and vice president for one year. He has been a member of the Lions board of directors for many years. He has served on the Lions Dairyfest advertising and fundraising committee for 15 years.
He has been an Elks Club member for 40 years, Oconto Sportsmen’s Club member for 30 years, Lena Five Corners Sportsmen’s Club member since its inception and an Oconto Gun Club member for 10 years, including two years as president. Jim also has donated blood for 15 years.
In 2008, Jim received the Outstanding Community Award from the Lena Lions Club. He is a contributor to the Lena Feed My Sheep and Lena Adopt a Family charities.
Jim has been a driving force in the community while serving as the president of the Lena School Board. He worked hard to ensure quality educational programs for the district.
Gayle is the daughter of the late Leslie and Laura Tonn. She grew up on a their dairy farm located just a few miles northeast of County Line.
She participated in 4-H and graduated from Peshtigo High School and UW-Oshkosh with a degree in journalism.
Gayle served as the county extension director for the Marinette County USDA office for 19 years and then 10 years as the director for the Oconto County FSA office, retiring in late 2011.
She enjoys gardening, swimming at the Bond Center and traveling with her sister, Laurel. She is a regular blood donor for the American Red Cross.
Categories
