In 1962, Oconto County joined other counties in Wisconsin in honoring people who had provided many years of volunteer service in their communities. Honorees were required to be at least 70 years old and live a good portion of their lives in Oconto County.
When the program was first initiated, people were honored from the urban area one year and from the rural area next. After a number of years, it was decided to hold the banquet every two years and honor people from both the rural and urban areas. That plan continues to this day.
The program was initially proposed by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, and Oconto Country might be the only county in the state that continues to recognize the volunteers. In all, 665 people have been honored since the program’s inception.
Combined, this year’s recipients have given more than 2,500 years of volunteer service. They also found time to raise 63 children, who blessed them with 112 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Those honored were Alan Christopherson, Oconto Falls; Donna and William Draeger, Oconto; Barb Engebretsen, Gillett; Ethel Firgens, Suring; Susan Hertwig, Gillett; Elsie and Nels Jensen, Mountain; Sue and Danny Kanack, Lena; Dorothy and Walter Kaszynski, rural Oconto; Beverly Lawler, rural Lena; Mary and Richard Lemmen, rural Oconto Falls; James Lukas, rural Lena; Glenn and Carol Magnin, rural Lena; Carol and James Marois, Oconto Falls; Kathie and David Pelow, Gillett; Richard Scott, Oconto Falls; Arlene and Dick Stockwell, Oconto; Leo Thielke, Suring; Linda Trepanier, Oconto; and Joan and Lawrence Westenberg, Oconto.
Plaques, boutonnieres, corsages and photographs were presented to the honorees.
Becky Dolata, program assistant for Oconto County Extension, put together a booklet listing the volunteers’ accomplishments and served as mistress of ceremonies for the Oct. 20 banquet.
She was introduced by Ken Cisar, president of the rural-urban committee. The Rev. Paul Carlson led a meal prayer. After the meal, the Odd Couple entertained the audience of more than 200 people.
Joan and Ron Korzeniewski read the biographical information about the honorees, and sponsors presented them with plaques.
A door prize drawing and closing prayer were held at the conclusion of the banquet.
Rural Urban Committee members are Cisar, Doug Allen, Karl Ballestad, Judy and Don Buhrandt, David Christenson, Bob Dietsche, Ron Korzeniewski, Tom Kussow and Dick Van Ark. They started planning for the banquet in June.
Sponsors were Witt’s Piggly Wiggly, represented by David Witt, the Doney-DeGrave American Legion Post No. 342 in Lena, Gillett Ambulance Service Inc., LTD’s Hair, Lisa Schroeder, of Suring, Wells Fargo Bank, Velten Farm, Oconto Electric Cooperative, Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company, Laurie and Bob Maloney, Oconto Falls Insurance Center, Peterson Ford, Sandra and Richard Steiner, Gillett Civic Club, Davidson Printing, Duame Sand and Gravel, Matravers Hardware, Bishop Bona Fourth Degree Assembly, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post No. 74 in Oconto and Westenberg Financial Services in Oconto.
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