2017 Grand Marshals
by Rena F. Troy
Don was born in the house that he and Mary live in now, returning in 1980 so their children, Shelly and Eric could attend school in Northome. Before that Don spent some time in the Army, being stationed in Germany from 1959 to 1962. Don is just “Don”. When he was asked if his name was short for
Donald, he said “Nope, it’s just Don. I think they ran out of names by the time I was born.” Mary said that on his military record it says “Don -only, no middle name, Estabrooks, though he was named after his father.” He is a member of the Local American Legion. Don worked for 50 years in electronics for Honeywell and in Los Alamos. The last 23 years before retirement, Don worked at the Bemidji Hospital.
Both Don and Mary have been very active in the community. In 1981, shortly after moving to Northome, Mary got involved with the Koochiching County Fair. She served as Treasurer for a few years but her biggest interest was working in the craft and art department in the old exhibit building. She volunteered there until the old exhibit building was demolished a few years ago and the new one was built. Mary was always busy, besides the fair, she is very active in the North Woods Craft and the Northome City Library. She also served on the Ardenhurst Township Board for a while.
Don was also active with the County Fair. He is always willing to lend a hand to get things done. When the new exhibit building was being built, Don was right there. His help was vitally important in getting that structure completed. The Estabrooks also have provided the car for Grand Marshals to ride in the parade in for a number of years
Along with their two children, the Estabrooks have three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. They were on their way to be there to greet great grandchild #7 as this interview was being conducted. So, we didn’t have time to sit and visit too long. That grandchild on the way, was first and foremost on Don and Mary’s mind.
The Koochiching County Fair Board and the Parade Committee are very pleased to have Don and Mary Estabrooks serve as our Grand Marshals this year and would like to thank them for all their help in the past and their dedication to our community
..2016 Grand Marshal
“ Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans
To those Vietnam Veterans and all Veterans, past and present, for the sacrifices you have made.
By Bonnie Uran
To those who returned home with no one to greet them.
To those who have never been told “Thank you” or officially welcomed home.
To those who returned physically, but still are haunted by the nightmares of war.
To those who would gladly gave their life as they faced the fears and perils of battle.
To those who have ensured America’s freedom and protected our nation
To those whose memorabilia and uniforms are tucked way; please join us on your day.
We would like to honor YOU as “2016 Grand Marshals”
*Note: The Vietnam War began in 1954 and officially ended April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon. More than 58,000 U.S. troops died, including more than 1,000 from Minnesota.
There were 18 casualties in Koochiching County.
Vietnam Casualties from Koochiching County
http://genealogytrails.com/minn/koochiching/
NAME |
SERVICE RANK |
HOME OF RECORD / KOOCHICHING COUNTY |
BIRTH /DEATH DATE |
ANDERSON BRUCE CARLYLE |
MARINE CORPS -PFC |
BIRCHDALE |
1947 05 06 /1969-07-16 |
ANDERSON MELVIN WALLACE |
ARMY -PFC |
LITTLEFORK |
1945 07 19 /1966-12-01 |
BUNNIS RICARD THOMAS |
MARINE CORPS -LCPL |
INTERNATIONA L FALLS |
1947 03 10/1967-07-14 |
DEBOER WILLIAM SYLVESTER |
ARMY -1LT |
RAY |
1947 01 06/1968-12-29 |
DENEEN EARL MERRILL |
MARINE CORPS-SGT |
INTERNATIONA L FALLS |
1946 10 18 /1969-04-27 |
EWALD WOODROW JOHNSEN JR |
ARMY-CPL |
INTERNATIONA L FALLS |
1946 11 02 /1969-09-11 |
KAATZ BARNEY |
ARMY-SFC |
INTERNATIONAL FALLS |
1926 07 12 /1962-04-06 |
LONGTINE JERRY ALLEN |
MARINE CORPS -PFC |
INTERNATIONA L FALLS |
1948 07 06 /1968-05-25 |
MANKA DOUGLAS THOMAS |
NAVY -FA |
RAY |
1953 03 14 /1972-11-14 |
MCKENZIE LARRY DEAN |
ARMY-SGT |
MIZPAH |
1946 12 24/1969-06-03 |
NICHOLS JAMES WILLIAM JR |
ARMY-SP4 |
INTERNATIONAL FALLS |
1946 12 01/1968-02-26 |
PROSZEK ANTON JR |
ARMY –SP5 |
INTERNATIONAL FALLS |
1945 10 03 /1967-04-27 |
SCHULTZ STEVEN OWEN |
NAVY –PO3 |
INTERNATIONAL FALLS |
1941 02 21/1966-07-23 |
STENBERG JOHN MARVIN |
MARINE CORPS-PFC |
INTERNATIONAL FALLS |
1948 09 03/1969-05-26 |
WHITE RICHARD JOSEPH |
ARMY -CPL |
INTERNATIONAL FALLS |
1947 09 27 /1969-08-24 |
A man said it well when he said: “I think our mission here is threefold: One, to reach out and say thank you and to honor and respect the Vietnam War Veterans here today,” he said. “Secondly, it’s to remember and never forget the over 58,000 that gave their life and the over 1,600 that are still missing. The third is to say that we Vietnam Veterans have the obligation, the absolute obligation to reach out to today’s youth — our children, our grandchildren — to the men and women that do not know and do not understand the impact ad implications the Vietnam War had on our society. That’s our job.”
WE DON’T KNOW THEM ALL, BUT WE THANK THEM ALL!
“THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS”
“WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS”
________________________________________________________________________
GRAND MARSHALS 2015
KELLIHER/NORTHOME
"MUSTANGS" FOOTBALL TEAM
2014 SECTION 7 CHAMPIONS
By Bonnie Uran. Information from the Mustang Express and Bemidji Pioneer
October 31st, theMustangs stampeded through Section 7 9- man finals beating the #1 seeded North Woods Grizzlies 12-0!!
54-Rich Crowson, 55-Adrian Pink, 56-Matthew Jourdan, 62-Shawn O'Neil, 66-Rory Spears, 75-Donald Lindquist, 76-Taylor Osufson, 77-Steve Myers, 88- Jonatan Weidenbourner,
Head Coach: Derrick Gross
Asst. Coachs:Tom Pink, Steve Geerdes, BJ Hillman, John Jensen
Congratulations to the KELLIHER/NORTHOME "MUSTANGS" And "Thank you" for your help with cleanup after the Fair!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GRAND MARSHAL 2014
DIANNE WILEY
by Bonnie Uran
Dianne Wiley is being honored as"Grand Marshal 2014" at the Northome ceremonial parade. Dianne has dedicated many hours serving the Northome community. And serve she has. When asked what it means to be Grand Marshall, Dianne replied, "It's an extreme honor, but I think they got desperate." Now, (with the advice from her twin sister) she thought she should "act refined... more like "Queen Elizabeth".
Dianne has volunteered her time and talents in numerous ways throughout the years. Among them are chapel, the youth groups, taught Sunday school, food shelf, Northwoods Craft, WMF Ladies Aid, 4H exhibits and food stand, NCO Wives Club and Thrift shop. Dianne worked diligently collecting donations for the Koochiching County Fair. Dianne spent many hours, drove many miles, sent out hundreds of letters to businesses locally and in the surrounding areas. About a week before the fair, if the donations hadn't been dropped off, Dianne would physically drive to many of the businesses to collect the donations. If they asked "Why would we want to support the Koochiching County Fair?" Diane would reply "This is where we shop! This is where we eat!" Her "persistence" paid off. Dianne retired this year, after collecting donations for the fair for over 25 years! When asked what she will miss the most about it. She gently replied "Visiting with them and telling them, "Thank you for your support".
Dianne was born in Madison, SD, but lived with her parents, Amos and Ruth Voeltz, in Howard, SD. Upon leaving South Dakota in 1952, the family moved to the "Old Motel" in Mizpah". At that time Dianne had only one sibling, a twin sister, Leanne, who Dianne lovingly says "She's the nice one and I'm not!" Amos, her dad, a volunteer fireman, died when Dianne was very young from burns when a grain truck caught fire and exploded. Dianne's mother, Ruth was raised in still resides in Northome. Dianne graduated from the Northome School in 1963.
Dianne has two children, David and Mariko. As a military wife, Dianne spent 2 tours in Germany and 4 years in, "beautiful 65-70 degree", Panama, then on to 100 degree weather, in White Sands, New Mexico. There, she kept her "sanity by looking out the window to see snow on the mountains". Dianne and her children moved to Northome, where they lived with her Grandmother, until she passed. The children, David and Maniko both wanted to graduate from the Northome School, where "their grandmother graduated". Dianne stated that the best times in her life are the birth of her children and getting with Larry.
As I sipped tea visiting with Dianne, I looked out her dining room window to see humming birds' happily sipping nectar from the 3 humming bird feeders hanging in the tree. Around the house, I noticed her many interests; pictures of family and friends, stamping collection, a knitting basket and totes of afghans and scarves waiting to be given as gifts, dragon flies, bells and tea pots! What an interesting lady. When asked to describe herself, she said "Obnoxious and Sarcastic", but I find Dianne witty with a great sense of humor and as she says "my mouth opens and gosh only knows what comes out of it". Dianne's philosophy is to "enjoy each day to the fullest and to learn something new every day from people of all ages, no matter how simple it is."
This is why Dianne Wiley is being honored as our parade dignitary, "Grand Marshal 2014". Thank you Dianne!