UPDATE: Thanks to Jon Groteluschen for help with the 2 Vollmer girls.
Judy Vollmer
I now know why the one picture above looked familiar to me - Judy's picture is featured in Lois Frahm's tribute I made a few days ago and shown down below.
I'm still hoping some Vollmer descendants/relatives will contact me. Ed & Paul were Veterans and I'm looking for more military information on them, plus the Vollmer family
was huge and was a big part of Manning's past, and like so many other families they have completely disappeared in current Manning history.
I could ask many people in Manning now about the Vollmer name and they wouldn't have a clue...
Lois & Ron have been very supportive of my Manning historical projects.
When I asked them about their school scrapbooks, they let me go through them and scan the
material.
I've visited with them over the years about various aspects of Manning's history and one day I brought up the Manning FFA and how I was sad that the
FFA scrapbooks, pictures, trophies, and other history somehow disappeared.
WELL, did I get my eyes opened!...Lois & Ron told me that they tried to save those items. When the school board and authorities decided to end Ag courses and FFA, Ron
and Lois got wind that they were going to just throw away the old FFA historical items...a history that began in 1937 and my dad was one of the FFA Charter members, including many other
seniors, juniors, and a few sophomores, one being a good friend of my dad, Gerhardt Voge.
From 1937 through the 1950s the Manning FFA won various categories of
state championship trophies almost every year.
Each year, there was a historian who made a new scrapbook.
Then comes the era in the
early 1960s when supposedly interest in Ag courses and FFA waned so it was decided to end the Ag courses and FFA.
ALSO, when the historical
FFA and Ag stuff was thrown away...even over the objections of the Frahms, who
offered to take those things so they could be preserved.
Not until 1973, when the new high school opened, were the Ag courses and FFA brought back.
NOW I don't bring this up to judge or criticize the people who decided to throw the FFA history, but to bring it to everyone's attention how FAST & EASY our history
is lost...SADLY, this lack of concern about our historical stuff continued on through today. I could site more current examples of organizations
and goverment entities throwing our history but don't want to distract from the tribute to Lois any more...
Below is just a sampling of the wonderful collection I scanned from the Frahm scrapbooks.
Nishnabotna No. 2 Country School
"Honor Lies in Honest Toil"
Nishnabotna No. 2 Country School
Fall 1942
Back: ??
Middle: Wilber ?, Mildred Vennink, Lois Vennink (Kindergarten)
Front: Wayne Vennink, Dale Huebner, Wayne Steinkuehler,
Allen Vennink
1944-45
Back: Wilbur ?, Mildred Vennink
Middle: Wayne Steinkuehler, Allen Vennink, Wayne Vennink
Front: Dale Huebner, AnnaBelle Vennink, Lois Vennink
Mildred ?, Lois Vennink
Manilla town school
1949 attendance
1950 Mary Ann Rothfolk - teacher
1951
Admission into high school
Iowa No. 7 Country School
Lois Vennink - Manning High School MHS 1955
Carol Rowedder, Lois Vennink, Janice Ahrendsen, Lou Polking
I think this might be Louise Polking
Christmas party: Lois Vennink, Carol Rowedder, Louise Polking
Pep Band
Ronnie Frahm
Christmas special to the Spotlite
Lois & Ron - Junior/Senior Banquet 1954
Band & Vocal Concert
The Mumps!
Ann (Littell) Grau, Jane Opperman
Jane Opperman's New Year's Eve party
Back: Jeanette Justice, Louise Polking, Karen Carstens, Deanna Donaghu
Front: Lois Vennink, Carol Rowedder, Bonnie Brus, Ann Littell
Junior Class play "Meet Corliss Archer" 1954
Freshman Algebra class 1952-52
Ronnie Frahm
1953 Jr. Sr. Prom Sophomores waiters and waitresses
Back: Lois Vennink, Jeanette Justice,
Bonnie Lohmeier, Judy Vollmer, Bonnie Brus
Front: Lynn Clark, Phillip Zerwas, Donald Froyd, Ronald Frahm, Eustace "Junior" Lake
Lois' Pep Squad letter
Lois' ticket
Lois & AnnaBelle Vennink - Spencer Fair
FFA officers
1955 former students: Clark Addison, Lois Armentrout, Jerold Barten, Susan Brandt, Sally Christensen, Delores Davis, Carol Fuller, Letty Fuss, LuEtta Gehlsen, Margaret Gensler, Duane Hansen, Patty Hansen, LaRue Hodne, Mary Kennedy, Marsha Kuhl, Jackie Lee, Clifford Letty, Ann Littell, Janet Martens, Ronald Masters, Kathryn Nollen, David Olbertz, Mary Ann Peters, Norman Pieper, Mark Ramsey, Gene Rostermundt, Gregory Schurer, Sondra Spicer, Janice Stein, Patricia Volquartsen, James Williams
Betty Foley Beverly Nielsen
Burton Sander Carol Rowedder
Clifford Vinke Daryle Rowedder
Delores Puck Dennis Fischer
Donald Froyd Edwin Dick McConnell
Eunice Eich Eustace Roger Lake, Jr.
George Eschenbacher James Kasperbauer
James Ramsey Jane Opperman
Janice Hodne Janice Groteluschen
Jeanette Justice Joycelyn Genzen
Judith Vollmer Larry Christensen
Lauren Musfeldt Lavonne Lohmeier
Louise Polking Lynn Clark
Marlene Otto Mary Mohr
Mary Stangl Merlin Drees
Peggy Grundmeier Phillip Enenbach
Phillip Zerwas Ronald Frahm
Ronald Irlbeck Sally Juels
Sandra Anderson Shannon Koon
Shirley Hansen Shirley Ruhde
Thomas Grau Verna Singsank
Lois Frahm, age 83, of Manning, passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2020, at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning.
Funeral service is at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church in Manning.
Interment will follow in Manning Cemetery.
Visitation is after 5 PM on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at Ohde Funeral Home in
Manning where an Eastern Star service will be held at 7 PM.
Ohde Funeral Home of Manning is in charge of arrangements.
From the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book:
Leonard and Mary Ann (Grote) Sailer were united in marriage on February 13,
1960 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Mt. Carmel, Iowa. Leonard is
the son of Frank and Anna (Wanninger) Sailer and was born October 20, 1938, on
the family farm near Carroll, Iowa. He was raised on the farm south of Carroll
until his family moved to the Schleswig area in the late 1950s. His siblings
include brothers, Paul of Bagley, Richard of Schleswig, Clarence (deceased),
and sisters, Loretta Bernholtz of Carroll, and Lillian Stork of Anita, Iowa. Mary Ann is daughter of Herman and Colette Grote.
She grew up near Mt. Carmel on the family farm. She has eight brothers, Paul of
Carroll, Ralph (deceased), Norbert of Glidden, Iowa, Leonard of Minooka,
Illinois, Jack of Carroll, Ted of Gibson City, Illinois, Bill of Withee, Wisconsin, and James of Phoenix, Arizona. Her four
sisters include Lorraine Vonnahme of Carroll, Jeannie Rosener of Newcastle Nebraska,
Alice Hamilton of Jefferson, and Judy Olberding of Latimer, Iowa.
Early in their marriage, the couple resided in Carroll, Iowa. Leonard was employed by the Witt Flooring Company out of Davenport, Iowa, where he was a terrazzo mechanic and installed marble flooring. In 1971, the couple moved their family to Manning after purchasing the Ed and Gertrude Stuhr farm northeast of Manning. They raised livestock and crop farmed while their family grew. In 1985, Mary became a cosmetologist and has a beauty shop in her home. The Sailers are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning, where Mary has been active in many church organizations. They enjoy gardening and Mary enjoys baking. She has won many blue ribbons at the Iowa State Fair with her exhibits.
The Sailers have six children, who are all graduates of the Manning Community School. Kimberly married Scott Barnard of Davenport, Iowa in 1982. Kim is employed at the Carroll Health Center in Carroll, while she is pursuing her nursing degree. Scott is the Production Supervisor at AGP in Manning. They live on an acreage northeast of Manning and have four children, Tyler, Noah, Haylee and Hannah. Tyler graduated from MHS in 2001, Noah in 2004, Haylee is a junior and Hannah is a freshman at Manning Community School. Kristine married Dave Weitl of Templeton in 1984. They have two children, Zachary and Samantha. The Weitls live in Pine, Colorado, where Dave works for Hercules Industries and Kris is a nurse for Headstart of Colorado. Karla married Mike Hamann of Denver, Colorado in 1989. They live in Calhoun, Georgia, where Mike is a millwright in northeast Georgia. They have four children, Charlie, Melanie, Sydney and Ryann. Kreg (deceased in 2001) married Jill Anderson of Atlantic, Iowa in 2000. Kurt lives in Grimes, Iowa, and works for Carpenter Erosion Control of Des Moines, Iowa. Kevin lives in Templeton and is employed at Tall Corn Ethanol in Coon Rapids, Iowa.
In July of each year, the family gets together for "Sailerfest", a celebration held at the family farm. The event includes a golf tournament in remembrance of Kreg, followed by food, fireworks, and fun.
Kristine Sailer MHS 1980
Kreg Sailer MHS 1983
Kurt Sailer MHS 1985
Karla Sailer MHS 1982
Back: Edith Myer, Barb Zubrod, Lisa Hughes, Sonia Johnson
Middle: Suzanne Bandow, Julie Hagedorn, Anissa Hass, Gina Jahn
Front: Beth Opperman, Julie Collison,
Karla Sailer, Roxie Halbur
Kris Sailer, Dawn Hargens, Lisa Nelson, Renee Siepker, Chris Ramsey
8th grade football team
Kreg Sailer MHS 1983
Kreg Sailer
Kurt Sailer (right) after-prom party
Extended Sailer family
Roy Schilling & Ralph Sailer in Aspinwall
Martin Sailer, Cecelia Riesselman, Frank Handlos 1974
Martin Sailer,
Joe Riesselman, Sr., Frank Handlos
Martin and Frank are sons-in-laws of Joe
Joel Sailer 1961 - son of Martin
I'm wondering if their dad is connected somehow to the Free family.
I sent a message using their 2011 e-mail address and it has not yet bounced back, so I'm hoping it is still active and they'll respond.
Here is the picture from Utah.
Here is the clipping that Jim mentioned, but there is one person not identified.
Ed Farrell was a Spanish American war Veteran.
Walter Grantz served during WWI, along with Ledger Free.
Clyde Roland is spelled Rowland in the second clipping just above...I'm going with Rowland since his last name is listed in that 1906 article and since Henry Hoffmann provided the names from memory during the 1956 Diamond Jubilee special edition to the Monitor.
So as you can see, it was good that I took the time to scan so many different clippings and gathered as many pictures as I did and now I hope I'll be able to help the person in Utah about their dad's ancestry and hopefully confirm some more "little clues" on Manning's amazing history.
Here is Jim Stoffers' update information he sent me:
As it turns out, Ledger Daniel Free Sr. and Russell Martin Free are brothers. 1900 Federal Census lists the four children of Horace Martin Free and Sarah Free as
Harry, Ledger, Nina and Russell. Both Russell and Ledger left New York for Europe on August 15, 1918 - but on different ships! (Ledger Free enlisted on September 4, 1917
and was discharged June 15, 1919).
Russell Free was born on September 25, 1891, and died on October 1, 1935, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. (Russell's tombstone lists 1936 as year of death, but I believe that year is incorrect.)
The 1930 Federal Census lists Russell as single and a patient at a Colorado V.A. hospital. His Wyoming death record says he died of "hypostatic pneumonia." I have been
unable to find an obit for Russell Free, but because of his V.A. hospitalization and the fact that hypostatic pneumonia is caused by being bedridden long term,
you have to wonder if Russell suffered long term damage from WWI gas attacks. Pure conjecture on my part, but I think it's worth wondering about.
The 1910 Federal Census again lists the entire Free family living in Manning and Ledger Free's occupation is listed as "ballplayer." He must have
been quite the young athlete. Anyway, the Manning Monitor (August 16, 1956) published an old photo provided by Henry Hoffmann of Manning's 1905 baseball team.
Ledger and Harry Free are i.d.'d as members on the team photo. I'm hoping you've got that 1905 photo!
This is why it is so imperative that people with Manning connected stuff/history - NOT throw it away, BUT get it to me so I can scour through it and scan the "little clues"
that so many people have and don't even realize it.
So please STOP throwing old pictures and information that you know DOES have OR even MIGHT have a Manning connection.
I'll probably be able to determine those connections and then
want to digitize and add it to my Manning Historical database...
All I had for Ledger and Russell are just their rank, company, and division numbers.
While the obituary of Ledger only mentions that he served in WWI, it provides
some family information, when he was born/died and where.
Hopefully a relative/descendant will reach out to me and can provide me with pictures and more detailed information, but at least I have some more basic details now, thanks to Jim.
Ledger Daniel Free Sr., 74, 209 North 400 West, died Thursday, 4 a.m. in a Provo, Utah, hospital, of complications following an automobile accident March 30, 1962.
Born September 7, 1887, in Manning, Iowa, to Horace Martin and Sarah Eller (Woodard) Free.
Married Carabelle Williams, April 1921, in Casper, Wyoming. Active in minor league Baseball 12 years; broad jumping World War I vet.
Owned and operated Senate Cafe in Casper, Wyoming. Lived in Rawlins, Wyoming. Returned to Manning, Iowa, in 1926. Moved to Provo in 1936 where he worked for Utah Poultry, Utah Concrete Pipe Co. as supervisor. Retired when 70.
Member, Ute Last Squad, Dean Mendenhall Provo Post 13, both American Legion. Survivors: widow; sons, Ledger D., Jr., San Carlos, California; Dr. Edward A., Oakland, California; Robert C., Rapid City, South Dakota; eight grandchildren; sister, Mrs. James (Nina) Wilson, Lorimor, Iowa.
Funeral Saturday, 11 a.m., Berg Drawing Room Chapel, where friends call Friday 6-8 p.m., Saturday prior to services.
Burial, Provo City Cemetery.
Thanks to Jim Stoffers and the Wyoming State Archivist for providing me with this information about Russell Free, brother of Ledger.
Funeral services for Russell Martin Free, 44, who passed away in the United States Veterans Hospital at Cheyenne, Wyoming, Tuesday, October 1, 1935, will be held in the Ohde Funeral Chapel in Manning, Sunday at 2 o'clock with Rev. Douglas Steffanson of the Methodist Church in charge.
Military honors will be accorded Mr. Free with Emil Ewoldt Post directing. The following "Buddies" will act as pall bearers: Ernest Dee Sutherland, Emil Kuhl, August Ross, Henry Meyers, Herman Wooster, Arnold Foster, and Harry Hoffmann.
The post firing squad of eight members, three color bearers and bugler will assist in the services. Burial will be in the Manning Cemetery.
Born In Manning
Mr. Free was born in Manning September 25, 1891, the youngest son of Horace
Martin and Sarah Free. He was educated in the Manning Schools and grew to manhood
in this community. During the boom days of 1914, Russell went to Casper,
Wyoming. He lived there until he enlisted for service in the World War in 1917
and returned there in 1919 after being discharged from the Army.
He saw a year's service in France with the 351st Infantry. He was stationed in the Alsace-Lorraine Sector at the same time as his brother, Ledger, served in the Machine Gun Division.
Unusual Story
The story is told that when Ledger met several new men in a new camp, one
of them said: "We have fellow from Iowa in the hospital here whose name is
Free. Relative of yours?" "No," Ledger replied, "I'm the only one in
the service." "Well, let's go over and see this fellow, anyway."
So they went and found that Russell had been wounded. Then it was that Ledger first learned that his brother had enlisted. For many years Russell had been afflicted with asthma. He was gassed in action, a fact, he never told his family.
He was unmarried. An infant brother, Norman, and his mother preceded him in death. His mother passed away March 31, 1935.
He is survived by his father, two brothers, Harry of Dodge City, Kansas; Ledger of Manning; and a sister, Nina (Mrs. James Wilson) of Lorimor, Iowa.
In 2016, I had the amazing experience to sit down with Iowa's last living Pearl Harbor survivor, Clarence Pfundheller of Audubon. While he didn't have a direct connection to Manning, he knew quite a few people from the area and was good friends with Bud & Thelma Mohr and Bud & Elsie McMahon...the reason being both Buds were in the Goochs Best feed business and Clarence was a salesman for Goochs, so they met up quite often.
I spent several days interviewing Clarence and then on the last day I was going to give him the final version to go over one more time, I found out that he was killed in a car accident.
I only knew Clarence for a week but he was the type of person you meet the first time and it's like you knew them your whole life.
I'll start with his story and then show some pictures from the September 2, 1945, world-changing event.
Now the pictures I'm showing below are nothing unique, because you can find all of them on the Internet.
BUT, they are special because they were collected by our Manning Veterans, most who were not actually there but some were either on a nearby ship during the surrender or on the Island of IE Shima, where earlier in mid-August the Japanese envoy landed.
Albert Claussen who is still living and a cousin of the late Ila (Claussen) Rix, was on IE Shima and saw these preliminary events. He purchased these souvenir pictures.
Planes overhead - photo by Al
Note the long Japanese swords that Al mentioned seeing.
Scanned from news magazine articles
Two more Manning boys were overseas during this time frame and also purchased surrender pictures.
One was Joseph Stein...he was stationed in Guam & Saipan at the
time.
Duane Wegner, was stationed at Okinawa and purchased several souvenir pictures of the event.
If we were now under Japanese Imperialism or Nazi control, I highly doubt the current protestors would be able to complain and riot like they do right now...they would be shot or disappear during the night, including their family members.
So thank God the United States got involved during WWII to destroy Imperialism, Nazism, and beat back the Communism/socialism that followed.
Thank God we were a "UNITED" States of America and that no matter whether they were descendants of the South or of the North, our BRAVE military
personnel preserved the FREEDOMS around the world.
Another situation to think about.
Gene, Duane, Al, Clarence, and probably Joe (as the Army barber), were either training or would have started training for the Invasion of Japan, but for the dropping of both
atomic bombs on Japan.
Before anyone with their high and mighty moral values today, judge or criticize those 2 bombs, remember that had the Invasion of Japan, occurred, most, probably all of these 5 guys would have probably been killed...which means they would not have come back to this area to marry and raise children.
My mother still has 2 living cousins who were training for the Invasion of Japan when the Japanese surrendered. While listening to their stories and conversations one time, I noticed they both commented how
their children once were questioning the 2 atomic bombs...both dads then made a statement to their kids "you might NOT be here today if those bombs weren't dropped."
They were surprised at the comment until their dads told them that they were training for the Invasion of Japan and probably would have never returned home, alive.
The kids never mentioned the 2 bombs again.
One thing that I admired about mom's 2 cousins is they both said they weren't for the 2 bombs because it saved their lives, but for the millions of Allies and even Japanese citizens who would have been killed if the Invasion would have occurred.
So before you judge people of the past - educate yourself with that history and PUT yourself in their shoes - you might find that you have a completely different and less judgmental view!
Artwork By Scott Eickman Of Manning
Manning Monitor article September 10, 2020
Scott Eickman of Manning had to go through his photos to figure out when he
started this project and surprisingly it was back in 2014. Obviously he hasn't
been working on it every single day but it's been an hour here, a half a day
there, with a couple months break in between, he told the Monitor. "The
plan initially was to have a sculpture of an eagle on a log holding a fish but
at some point I decided to switch and pay more of a tribute."
Everything except the pole, mounting plates, and the flag is from miscellaneous parts from the farm and dumpster diving. He thanks Irlbeck Welding for making the flag along with getting the parts and advice that he needed. The feathers on the backside of the eagle are from farm disc blades and cultivator sweeps as well as augers from a combine. The bottom of the Eagle was roller chain from combines and other miscellaneous chain. The beak is a sickle guard. Eyes are nuts and washers. Internally the frame of the eagle was made from hog paneling. The support arms are made of disc and auger tubing. The hands are chunks of steel rods.
"I've always been fond of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, considering my Marine Corps background. This was supposed to depict that along with the eagle, a symbol of our nation and freedom, helping lift the flag. I continue to use the phrase, "'For the blood of the fallen, I will carry on."' Meaning for all of our Brothers' and Sisters' sacrifices I will continue the push to a better world not forgetting them but honoring them continually.
Scott is in the process of making another sculpture. That one is a going to be a full size soldier in combat. "At least that's my current idea," Scott stated. "I can't confirm a deadline for that finish date but maybe I'll be more motivated now that this one is in the public."
The city is going to borrow the sculpture from Scott and place it down in Trestle Park. They would like to keep it there permanently to add to their collection and are asking for donations to make that happen. If you're interested in helping out, please contact Dawn at city hall for more information. Scott is very grateful for all of the kind words everyone has expressed to him regarding the sculpture.
The wing feathers were made out of old auger flighting.
The underside was made out of roller chain.
The beak out of a guard from a sickle mower.
Hands of humankind holding the perch to display greatness and strength.
Looking east along 141
Scott Eickman is the young man we are talking about.
Of course when there are community events, invariably
you'll see Gene Steffes helping out.
Nishnabotna Creek (or "Crick" as we say it locally)
Nishnabotna Creek (or "Crick" as we say it locally)
Climb the wall
Now realize that Scott Eickman and others
built all of these obstacles
and then had to take them down after the event.
Mud trenches
Manning Fire Department volunteers supplied the water.
Natural disaster course
Bill Opperman - volunteer observer
Nikki (Foutch) Sorensen & Karen (Tank) Reinke
Who are the Eickmans?
Prom
Back: Chris Willenborg, Scott Eickman,
Chris Bunker, Duncan Hilsabeck, Derrick Janssen, Dustin Petersen
Front: Ben Lorenzen, Nate Brandt, Elliott Barsby, Brian Fogleman, Farfum Ladroma
"Oklahoma" 2004
From the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book:
Glen and Donna Eickman
Just below are my views, my views only, and no one else's in this feature...
Now let's look at JUST TWO examples of what a young person does when they are brought up wrong, taught wrong, and raised in a community where some people only think
of themselves and how everyone owes them.
This is WAY beyond politics anymore.
Watch this short video that I looped once and the 2nd part of the video.
Watch the tall white boy run over and give the double finger to a little old lady. He yells something but we can't hear what he said.
Then watch a black boy push a 92 year old lady (with walker) to the ground.
Forget politics, who you vote for, what party you belong to, what color you are...THINK if this was YOUR grandmother that some punk lowlife verbally threatened
and could even be charged with assault with his threatening hand gestures...and the other fellow who should be charged with battery because he made physical contact.
There is absolutely NO justification for such activities, especially toward little old defenseless ladies!
These guys think they are BRAVE by intimidating an elderly lady, but if they were challenged by an individual with no one else around but the two of them, their tails would go between their legs and they would whimper away.
If you haven't watched the 1987 Commencement video under the Allen Dammann tribute down below - PLEASE make sure to watch it....
The commencement speaker was Bernie Saggau, and he gave an amazing address to the students.
If there ever was a timely message for people to hear today, it is the one Bernie gave 33 years ago!
Merlin joined the Marines in 1951 at the age of nineteen before attending boot camp in San Diego, California. After completing security training he was assigned to Marine Security Detachment on the battleship USS - Iowa. His first deployment, departing California, was to Pearl Harbor.
Following Hawaii, his military tours took him to Korea for one year and into Japan. Merlin, at this time, met up with Willis "Whitey" Lohmeier, also from Manning, Iowa.
Merlin returned to Pearl Harbor and briefly in California before tours to the Panama Canal, Rio De Janeiro, and Haiti. He then headed to the eastern US coast, Virginia, before being re-assigned to the US Naval Retraining Command in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a sergeant Merlin was put in charge of the Prison Control Center housing 3200 US prisoners.
On May 20, 1954, Sergeant Merlin Hass was honorably
discharged from the USMC. Merlin joined the civilian work force and later
retired in 1996. As of 2017, Merlin was residing in Manning with his wife
Verna. They have three children, Jon, Joanie (Al) Lueders,
and David; with seven grandkids (two married with one great-grandson).
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning with Fr. Randy Schon as Celebrant. Music for the service will be by Ann Muhlbauer. Casket bearers will be Merlin's grandchildren: Adam Hass, Eric Hass, Alex Hass, Christie Lueders, Danny Lueders, Ricky Lueders, Kody Lueders. Honorary casket bearers will be his great-grandchildren: Raelle and Delaney Hass, Leena, Cayden, Parker, Drew, and Tate Lueders. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery near Manning with military honors by the Manning VFW and the US Marine Corps.
Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the Mass. Those in attendance at the Mass are required to wear face covering and are asked to abide by Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Merlin, son of Julius and Lena (Clausen) Hass, was born August 9, 1931, near Aspinwall in Crawford County, Iowa. He was baptized in June of 1933 and confirmed in February of 1949. Merlin grew up near Aspinwall and attended a country school in Iowa Township through the eighth grade. He then attended Manning High School through the tenth grade, having to quit due to the death of his father. He then farmed with his mother.
From May of 1951 through May of 1954, Merlin served with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was sent to Korea and attained the rank of Sergeant. Upon his honorable discharge, Merlin returned to Iowa.
On June 25, 1956, Merlin was united in marriage with Verna Singsank at Sacred Heart Church in Manning. The couple made their home in Manning with three children born to this union. Merlin worked for the Green Bay Lumberyard, Manning Creamery, Well's Blue Bunny and then at Rasmussen Lumber for eleven years until his retirement in 1990.
Merlin was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Throughout the years, he enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Merlin is survived by his three children: son Jon (Sharon) Hass of Hampton, Iowa; daughter Joanie (Al) Lueders of Westside, Iowa; and son David (Kim) Hass of Westside, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Adam Hass, Eric (Jess) Hass, Alex (Courtney) Hass, Christie (Jay) Lueders, Danny (Paige) Lueders, Ricky (Marjie) Lueders, Kody (Eryn) Lueders, and Zach Simons. Great-grandkids: Raelle and Delaney Hass; Leena, Cayden, Parker, Drew, and Tate Lueders. One Brother, Lester, Harlan, Iowa. Sister-In-Laws: Jean Singsank, Manning, Iowa, Connie Singsank, Manning, Iowa, Laurel (Earl) Vogl, Carroll, Iowa A, Cleo (Gary) Hansen, Overland Park, Kansas. Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife Verna in June 2013. His parents, three brothers: Hank (Zita) Hass, Melvin (Vernetta) Hass, and Marvin (Florence) Hass; two sisters LaVerne (Earl) Schmidt, and Helen (Ray) Schuldt; two brothers-in-laws: Earl Singsank, and Glen Singsank; and three sisters-in-laws: Viola Hass, Margaret (Russ) Popp, and Della (Don) Berg.
Joan Hass MHS 1978
David Hass MHS 1986
Back: Martin Bogatzke, David Hass
Front: Rodney Frank, Barb Crandall
50th wedding anniversary
Back: Alan Leuders, Adam Hass, Alex Hass, Jon Hass, Ricky Leuders, Kody Leuders
Middle: Joanie (Hass) Leuders, Donny Leuders, Christie Leuders, David Hass, Eric Hass
Front: Verna (Singsank) Hass, Merlin Hass
Laurel Singsank MHS 1957
Cleo Singsank MHS 1960
Glen Singsank MHS 1953
Ellen Coleman & Earl Singsank Washington No. 5 country school
Without all of the volunteers in Manning, we wouldn't have the exceptional quality of life that we see every day in our little town.
Most of these volunteers also donate financial support to various aspects and projects in the community.
Lots of times you'll see "anonymous" donor listed with various projects...this is because they are modest and just want to support the community quietly.
Even though I'm running around at some point nearly every day in Manning, I'm only able to catch just a very small percentage of the volunteerism that goes on, and much
of it is behind the scenes where I don't see it or am able to capture it.
The best way to THANK the volunteers it to be a volunteer yourself...so much more can get done and in a timely basis when there are extra volunteers around to help with things.
This past Sunday, August 23, I was in Manning taking pictures of another project Gene Steffes is working on, when I noticed someone watering the young trees planted
at the Trestle Park...so I went over to investigate.
Rick wanted a vehicle with a mount on front for a blade to move snow in the winter. He also uses the tanker for various things and something he initially had not anticipated...he uses the tanker to hose down and cool the hogs on a hot day after they load them into his semi-trailer.
Rick told me they have to refill this 200 gallon tanker 5 times to water all of the trees in Trestle Park.
So the next time you see Rick or Sheryl - tell them thanks for helping take care of the trees.
Allen was a VERY creative & ingenious person and while in school at Manning, he worked with me (along with 150 other kids and adults) on local cable TV Channel 2 programming.
Some of Allen's ideas at the time were not fully understood or appreciated, but we were way ahead of the curve with video skits which were long before the Internet and Youtube.
They were corny but now are precious when you can see and hear people who have passed away.
I don't happen to have one of Al's skits digitized right now but below I have links to several of those skits we did during the 1980s when Allen was
involved...I also cued up several video tapes that have Allen in them and did a quick transfer to digital, one of which is the 1987 commencement exercises.
Remember this was long before the digital age. I had to edit with video tape and VCRs - no computer technology yet.
Around the mid-1980s, I found out I could have my 2 video cameras genlocked so I sent them to a place in Florida where they were synchronized which
gave me fading and jumping capabilities from one camera to the other.
For instance, we had one camera on the floor level and one up in the bleachers at basketball games,
PLUS we had live play by play commentary by people as young as 10 year old Patrick "Spanky" Vollstedt.
Allen, son of Richard and Elaine (Irlbeck) Dammann, grew up
in Manning with three sisters and two brothers, Toni, Jessica, Micheal, Joseph, and Cindi.
A brother-in-law, Youi Sayavong, preceded Allen in death.
Allen's oldest sister, Toni (Dammann) Sayavong, has three children Annah (Vollstedt) Hale, Hanley
Sayavong, and Eliot Sayavong. Annah married Jacob Hale and they have one daughter, Florence.
Jessica (Dammann) Hansen has two children: Lucas, and Marcus, who are both
serving in the military. Tracy Hansen is their father. Lucas has one son, Luca.
Marcus and his wife, Janelle, have three children: Coltin, Eliza, and Jonah.
Micheal Dammann has one son, Austin. Austin has two children, Austin, Jr., and Reese.
Joseph Dammann and his wife Laura have one son, Emmett. Joseph is retired from the Iowa National Guard.
Cindi has two children: Ramsey and Finley, along with her husband, Mike Spiker,
and his three children to complete the family of seven. Cindi is currently serving in the military.
Allen also had a special pet cat named "Troubles" who apparently
picked up Allen's traits…probably because he spoiled his cat so much.
Allen was cremated in Maine and his ashes will be scattered in New York City at
a future date due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when family members are able to gather safely for a private family service.
1987 former students: Robbi Behen, Ellen Blohm, Brenda Clipperton, Terry Craig, Gaylene Dammann, Leon Fischer, David Frahm, RaeJean Hickey, Elizabeth Maxwell, Neil Merely, Roberta Moore, Vincent Mullen, Brett Nissen, Mathew Popp, Steven Rauch, Ann Schwarte, Jeremy Siegle, Jennifer Sporrer, Shanda Stecklein, Samuel Vaughn, Thomas Vaughn, William Vaughn, Jeffrey Vondrak, Bill Wilson, Megan Wright
So Dave Schroeder helped me haul my big screen into the school and up the steps to the balcony where we could show the video.
This was the first of its kind graduation video that I know of.
I purchased my first VCR in 1978 and my first video camera in 1979 - the first one sold in Western Iowa,
according to Don Zubrod of Don's TV in Manning.
Dave
1987 commencement ceremony.
I hope you pay special attention to the guest speaker and his message.
How important it is for people today to hear!!!
1987 Commencement
Program and credits for commencement
Small Town - shown during the 1987 Channel 2 Telethon
Three Stooges
Written and produced by Bruce Beasley
They're Playing Basketball
Produced by Scott Mills & Nate Boersma - and the "gals."
Camera controls by Chuck Hughes.
More snippets and highlights of the 1986-87 school year
The track section isn't very good, but the rest is pretty decent...
Make sure to watch Paula Spies play the character of Helen Keller!
1981 Centennial style show - Dick & Elaine Dammann family
1981 Manning Centennial history book
RICHARD A. DAMMANN
Richard and Elaine (Irlbeck) Dammann are both native Manning citizens. Both
were raised and educated in or around Manning; they now reside at 120 East
Street in Manning with their four children, Toni Jean, Jessica Sue, Micheal John, and Allen Lester.
Richard "Dick," the son of Lester and Ruby (Cavanaugh) Dammann, was a 1957
graduate of Manning High School and Elaine, the daughter of Anselm and
Wilhelmina (Steffes) Irlbeck, was a 1960 graduate of Manning High School.
After Dick spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Manning. He
is now the owner of Manning Auto Supply at 305 Main Street in Manning. Elaine
attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines after graduation from
high school, and is presently employed at the Manning Trust & Savings Bank in Manning.
View of the Lester & Ruby Dammann farm - part of ManCryCo
Note the underpass still there.
The Hiawatha passenger train is on the old Milwaukee tracks.
One of several passenger trains that traveled through Manning, up to 100 MPH
Over the next few days I'll keep adding more pictures and information.
It seems there aren't enough hours in the day anymore to keep ahead of all of the projects that come before me, but I'll do my best...
1981 Manning Centennial book
LESTER DAMMANN
Henry (known best as Hank), the eldest son, was married in 1900 to Emma Kortum. They first made their home and living on a farm just east of Templeton and then later moved to the Douglas Rogers farm 1 mile north and 1/2 mile east of Manning. Eventually, they, too (as Hank's parents) lived and farmed at the farm south and west of Manning. It was at this farm that the Dammanns had a small dairy herd. Like all farmers of that day, they separated their milk maybe a little differently. They used a small pony to "power" their separator.
Emma and Hank were parents of five children: Vena, Rosie, Hazel, Goldie and Lester.
After some time Hank quit farming and moved to the town of Manning. Here he owned a livery barn. The first barn was located on Main Street in the area now occupied by the Manning Plaza; later he and his brother, John, moved their livery barn to what is now Manning Motor Company. Another brother, Herman, worked with them. They maintained a few horses which could be rented for those needing a mode of travel or for funerals and weddings. Another service was to stable horses of travelers and, particularly, for the many who came to dance at the Manning dance hall located near the barn.
Following many years in the livery barn business, Hank became town constable for Manning. It was his job to serve any legal papers, evict non-paying renters, and, in general, keep the peace.
The only son of Hank and Emma, Lester, married Ruby Cavanaugh of Audubon and they, too, soon settled in the Manning area. The depression hit and Lester considered himself one of the lucky ones - he was working. He was a common laborer at the ManCryCo Farms, a dairy operation near Manning. They purchased a small acreage in the nearby village of Aspinwall and Lester continued to work at the farms. In 1946, Lester became herdsman of the ManCryCo herd. It was then that they moved from Aspinwall to the farm on the northwest edge of Manning's city limits. In 1963, Lester and Ruby purchased the dairy farm and herd from owner, Leo Bruck, and continued to build the well-known herd.
One of the largest dairy dispersals ever held in Iowa was held at the farm in September of 1974 when the dairy herd was sold.
Lester and Ruby continue to live at the farm and still have a crop, pig, and stock cow operation - and sometimes a small milking herd.
They are parents of six children: LeRoy, who farms west of Manning; Richard, owner-operator of Manning Auto Supply; Sandra (Mrs. Keith Hass), secretary and agent at Manning Insurance Agency; Geraldine (Mrs. Kenneth Spies), bookkeeper at Manning Heating & Sheet Metal, all of Manning. Youngest daughter, Nancy (Mrs. DeWayne McCord) of Carroll, clerks at a department store there. Another son, Kenneth, was tragically killed in a car-pedestrian accident in Cedar Falls, in 1973. At the time of his death, Kenneth was serving as state president of the Iowa Chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation of America.
The newest generation of the Dammann family consists of a total of 14 grandchildren - 12 of whom attend school at the Manning Community School.
For some families I have all kinds of pictures and others I will not have pictures of every family member, but I still show what I have
to give the viewer an idea who is part of the immediate and extended family...
Jessica Dammann - a 1982 MHS graduate
7th grade fall of 1978
Mike Dammann MHS 1984
Back: Kevin Kahl, Dani Ramsey, Jay Curlie, Marty Popp
Middle: Jim Wanninger, Mike Dammann, Nate Hodne, Jeff Waterbury, Brian Reid, Bruce Grau
Front: Darwin Rohe, Keith Muhlbauer, Kevin Boersma, Jim Weiskircher, Dan Kerkhoff, Tom Long
Joe Dammann MHS 1999
1999 Prom court
Back: Tim Hugeback, Joe Dammann, Matt Siepker, Steven Snyder, Aaron Stangl, Paul Odendahl
Front: Megan Hinners, Kelly Dentlinger, Julie Riggert, Pam Holloway, Tonya Wurr, Jennifer Stribe
Cindi Dammann MHS 2002
2004
Joe Dammann
Afghanistan
2004
Richard Dammann Air Force
Richard Dammann MHS 1957
LeRoy Dammann MHS 1952
Kenneth "Red" Dammann MHS 1955
Sandra Dammann MHS 1959
Geraldine Dammann MHS 1962
Trumpet Trio: Bruce Fischer,
Harlan Moore, Geri Dammann
Keith Hass & Sandra Dammann 1959 Comet Dance
LeRoy Dammann US Army
Richard Dammann 3rd grade Aspinwall Independent School
LeRoy Dammann 7th grade Aspinwall Independent School
Kenneth Dammann 4th grade Aspinwall Independent School
Sandra Dammann Primary grade Aspinwall Independent School
Paula Spies & Anissa Hass - cousins
LeAnn Dammann, Anissa Hass, Leslee Dammann
LeAnn & Leslee - LeRoy and Freda Dammann's daughters
Anissa - Keith and Sandra (Dammann) Hass' daughter
More coming later...
In January of 2018, I created this historical perspective linked below about recreation in Manning and also information and graphics for the current proposed project for the Rec Center.
It shows how projects don't get done overnight and also how very important volunteers and donations are to every project.
Update on the Hillside Splash project
On May 15, 2018, the city council approved $400,000 in matching funds for the proposed Hillside Splash project.
JEO Consulting has been working on design ideas and a proposal to complete this project in 3 phases.
Phase 1 will begin in 2019-20 with construction beginning in 2020-21, or as soon as funds are raised.
A zero-depth pool with some play features are planned in phase 1, with the slide aspects in phase 2, and a spray pad for phase 3.
Click on the link below to see some very interesting history on how Manning achieves so many amazing things and is now working on another unique project.
Oh the Fun of playing in the Sun (1968)
1909 cartoon about 2 boys nabbing their friends' clothes while "skinny dippin.'"
I'm working on a list of names of Manning citizens (now deceased) whose vision made it possible for Manning to have a Recreational facility.
They made it possible for the continued expansion into an outdoor pool addition in 2020 - sadly they'll never got to see this new addition, but we will forever be grateful
for their efforts that began over 40 years ago.
List of citizens no longer with us who made the Rec Center possible.
Jean & Gene Wiese - Gene secured the $50,000 LR Nelson grant, MCF member - use of their soil mover - Jean was a Rec Board member
William F. Ohde - Manning Community Foundation member - countless hours with various aspects of construction.
Willis Puck - countless hours with various aspects of renovation - drove the Puck skid loader.
Curt Struve - various aspects - co-rec center board member.
Barry Kusel - various construction aspects - rec center board member.
I'll add more names as I think about this topic and do some research in my database.
waste oil burner, hoist, press
2019 complete new covering.
This would be a shared situation...we still want to use the shop for occasional repairs we will have year-round and also store the loader/tractor/snowblower in the winter.
Korean War Veterans continues
For those of you who are occasional visitors to the Manning Exchange - please make sure to click on the "archived articles" section where previous featured stories are kept.
We would like to hear from you, the "1983 Leaders of Tomorrow" who have relatives and chums in your hometown of Manning, Iowa.
Who grew up on a farm south of Manning, has chased tornados, and is now a meteorologist for the National Weather Service?
Click to see the answer in his own words
Note: Your story does not have to be as thorough as found at the link above but at least send us a couple paragraphs to bring us up to date from 1983. Here is the DIRECT link to the 1983 web page.
Parents of the "1983" kids - please encourage your children to send in their updated information and any pix they may want to include.
Sometimes a little nudge by mom or dad will get the ball rolling!
Each 1983 "Leader of Tomorrow" has interesting family history.
Here are the names of the "1983 kids" who we are looking for an update from...
Aaron & Courtney Potthoff, Adam Croghan, Andrew & Amanda & Brandon Puck, Alex & Abbey Ranniger, Allison & Megan Keese, Angela & Heather & Michele Hass, Angie & Alan Irlbeck, Bradley Christensen, Bryan & Nathan Rohe,
Chelsea Souter, Christin Ann Fara, Christopher Wegner, Cole & Ty Henderson, Dale & Vanessa & Derek Hargens, Daniel Wayne Tibben, Daniel & Janelle Stribe, Dawn & Derrick Rohe, Dawn & Michelle Willenborg,
Elizabeth & Jamy Zinke, Ericka & Andrea Ehlers, Gary & Beth & Tim Ferneding, Heather & Jessica & Jimmy Switzer, Jackelyn McKeighan, Jamie Jo Irlbeck, Jeffrey & Joey & Jeremy Irlbeck, Jeffry & Kelli & Jason Lorenzen,
Jeremia Rex Macumber, Jennifer & Jason & Renee Knueven, Jennifer & Jeremy Misselhorn, Jeremy Puck, Jessica Rasmussen, Jill Kienast, Joe Stein, Joseph & Mackenzie Hinners,
Kasie & Andrea & Amy Lorenzen, Kenzie Kae Kerkhoff, Lauren & Shad Bauer, Marte Wanninger, Matthew & Mandi Weitl, Melissa & Angie Pfannkuch, Michael & Amy & Jeremy Kasperbauer, Michael & Michaela Hargens,
Melissa & Michaela Vinke, Michael & Matthew Siepker, Michaela & Crystal Ehlers, Natasha Vonnahme, Ryan & Rachel Pfannkuch, Sabrina Lee, Sarah Kaszinski, Sheri & Trena Bell, Tara Zeman,
Stephen & Ryan & Darren Andersen, Tonya Jo Wurr, Tiffany & Michelle Jahn, Tim & Matt Hugeback, Brian & Katie & Steph Beck, Troy & Robin Wanninger
If you send me some information about yourself, I may also be able to find some pictures of your parents, grandparents, family members that I have in my database (as shown above).
We can use them in your story along with your "1983" picture.
What ever became of the
1983 "Leaders of Tomorrow"
Have some of your "Dreams" come true?
"Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and
shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen."
George Washington, August 7, 1782
Just as a reminder: the Manning History book committee continues to work on a Manning area Veterans' history book
project.
For those of you who are Veterans or have/had Veterans in your family - will you come forward?
The history book committee will do their best to get as many pictures and information about the 1000+ Manning Veterans
but we can't do it all by ourselves.
How many small communities do you know have published 5 history books? The first one was the History of Manning 1898, then the 1981 Manning Centennial book, next the 2006 Manning Quasqui book, and most recently the 2009 Manning School history book. Probably the last book to be published will be the upcoming Manning Veterans' book - unless someone comes forward in the next generation to take over these projects after I'm gone. Will you help with the Veterans' history book project? If you are a Manning connected Veteran or are presently serving and do not submit your military connected pictures and infomation you probably won't be in this once-in-a-life-time Manning Veterans' history book. With a limited number of volunteers we can only do so much on our own but will try to get pictures of as many Veterans as we can. There are over 1000 Manning Veterans so we have a long ways to go before the book can be published.
Manning Veterans are slowly coming forward and below is another example. We hope to eventually get more pictures and information for Mike to put in the book but for now this is what I have to show to you.
One thing that many Veterans and people who are submitting information have not fully understood is that this next
Manning history book is specifically a Veterans' only book. It won't be like the Centennial or Quasqui history books were,
where there is a Veterans' section along with other community aspects. We are aiming for a 2-volume book (around 1090 total pages) which will really be unique!!!
This book will be ALL Veterans' information (and the post auxiliaries) - hence it
won't be a "Name, Rank, and Serial Number" only history but we want a complete history for each Veteran.
For instance - below is Louis Boell's picture and the information
that was published in the Veteran section of the 1982 Aspinwall Centennial history book. It has the basic
information but we are looking for more and I spoke to Louie by phone and he sent more pictures
and information - also for his brothers.
To see what Louis submitted click on the link underneath "Are you a Manning Veteran" shown below.
Note: we also want some family background such as parents and grandparents. All too often you will only see just the Veteran's name with their basic military information but without the family connections it will be difficult for future historians and genealogists to know for sure who this person belongs to.
Please e-mail me about your Veteran questions manningveterans@davidkusel.com
1 Manning citizen served in the War of 1812
60+ served in the Civil War
1 served in the Indian War
5 served in the Spanish American War
350+ served during WWI
600+ served during WWII
87+ served in the Korean war era
65+ (more names need to be found) served in the Vietnam era
55+ (many more names need to be found) served from 1975 to present
28 paid the ultimate price with their lives defending the U.S. Flag
We are starting the Manning Veterans' history book project
Don't wait until you see "Deadline" or it WILL be too late!!!
Click to read promos for the Veteran book
If you simply don't want those old family pictures you inherited please don't throw them - send them my way.
A lot of times I can recognize a face or location in those old pix.
One thing to keep in mind while you are looking for pictures - if they are glued in old scrap books please do NOT try to pull them out or cut them out. I can scan the whole page of the scrapbook and crop out the pictures you want to use in the book. If you attempt to forcibly remove the pictures you will probably damage them and when I scan them that damage will probably show up. This means I'll either have to use my graphics program to touch up the damage which can take a lot of time, or if they are badly damaged I just may not even take the time to scan them.