Now 30+ years later after filling in the huge gullies in the side hills, "seeding" night crawlers, and experimenting with various oats/rye strips, and various changes in the planters/drill - the soil structure has improved immensely, from the old "plow-pan" days.
Since I'm using a Bobcat trencher to dig in the tile lines, I know exactly where the subsoil structure has greatly improved to almost perfect conditions to where very little rain water runs off because of the aforementioned soil reparations, and where there are "side hill seeps" where the subsoil is almost always saturated so there is no place for excessive rain events to soak into.

I'll eventually make a feature story on this project, because there is a lot of prior history up to this point.

So for now I won't be doing much updating on my web pages or working on history projects...

I'm also working on the Bingham family with one of the descendants.
It was a large family during Manning's early history, also with several Veterans.
Louise Bingham married Ben Torgerson. Ben is a WWI Veteran who I had no information about him...just his name but the Bingham descendant had a nice article about Louise and Ben, so I at least have a little information about Ben and his connections to Manning.

Here is the Graves article which states he received the Distinguished Service Cross while serving in France.
Hopefully a relative has this medal and more military information and pictures for William.

ARCADIA BARBER IS INSTANTLY KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT
William Graves Meets Death, Companion Injured, When Car Strikes Stump
WAS OVERSEAS SOLDIER
Served in World War - Given D.S.C. for Bravery - Member of Masonic Lodge

William M. Graves, a barber of Arcadia, 33 years old, veteran of World War I who received the "D.S.C." for distinguished service on the battlefields of France, was instantly killed Friday, December 1, 1922, when his automobile skidded and struck a stump on the road between Arcadia and Manning. Hans Klopp, who was in the car with Mr. Graves, was badly cut and bruised. He was taken to the St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, but was able to return to Arcadia Tuesday.

Mr. Graves and Mr. Klopp left Arcadia to drive to Manning, intending to stop at the home of Mr. Graves' sister, Mrs. John F. Peters, enroute. When about a mile north of the Peters' home the car skidded into a rut, the driver lost control of the machine and it swerved to one side and crashed into a stump. It is believed that Mr. Graves was instantly killed. His companion was badly hurt, and the car was wrecked.

Former Manning Resident
Mr. Graves was born in Omaha July 4, 1889, and when a small boy moved with his parents to Manning where he lived with his parents until about 16 years of age. He mastered the barber trade after which he worked with brother, George Graves, in a barber shop in Manning.

In 1912, he came to Denison where his brother, George, was in business. He worked there several months and then went to Odebolt.

While in Odebolt in 1917, he enlisted in the army and left with the Sac County boys. Six of the Fourteen months overseas he served under General Pershing and returned to the States on the ship Leviathan, the same vessel that brought General Pershing home.

While in France he received the "D.S.C."

After receiving his discharge November 7, 1919, he returned to Denison for a month and then to Odebolt where he worked for E.E. Ellis for a short time. While in Odebolt he joined the Masonic Order and in March 1920, came to Arcadia and in partnership with his brother, George, conducted a barber shop and pool hall.

He was popular with young and old and his loss is felt by all.

Hold Funeral Monday
The funeral, which was largely attended, was held at the home of his sister, Mrs. John F. Peters, Monday and at the Methodist Church in Manning. The Masons were in charge of the services, assisted by the American Legion of Manning. Interment was made in the Manning Cemetery. He was laid to rest beside his father, and brother, Edward.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful, showing the esteem of his many friends.

Deepest sympathy is extended to those left to mourn.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Graves, of Greeley, Colorado; and four sisters, Mrs. Herman Pribbernow, of Omaha; Miss Emma Graves, of Manning; Mrs. Louis Keppler, of Greeley, Colorado; and Mrs. John F. Peters, of Manning; and two brothers, Henry A. Graves, of Greeley, Colorado; and George G. Graves, of Arcadia.

TORGERSON - BINGHAM

When Ben Torgerson and Miss Louise Bingham departed last week to spend New Years at the home of his mother in Slater, Iowa, little did their friends realize that when they returned it would be as Mr. and Mrs. B.M. Torgerson. It was truly a secret, for their most intimate friends were not aware of the seriousness of their wedding day. Spending New Year's Day at Slater, they went to Des Moines the following day, secured a license and then entered into a contract to Love, Honor, and Obey their life.

The quiet and simple wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. C.E. Chapler, Pastor of the First M.E. Church of Des Moines, at 3 P.M. Friday, January 2nd, 1920, at the home of Rev. Chapler. They were attended by Miss Ida Torgerson of Slater, Iowa, sister of the groom and Mr. Milo Johnson of Perry, an old friend and classmate of Mr. Torgerson.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Bingham, living in South Manning. She is one of our popular young ladies who is held in high esteem by all who know her. Her pleasing personality has made her an endless number of friends. For some time past she has been acting as bookkeeper for Jones and Heller.

The groom is a son of Mrs. A. Torgerson of Slater. Iowa. He is a jeweler and first came to Manning on November 17th, 1916, and became an employee of SchelIdorf Bros. On April 4th, 1918, he entered the U.S. Army and served his country until February 1st, 1919, when he received his honorable discharge.

On February 25th, 1919, he entered into partnership with W.D. Schelldorf which for years was known as Schelldorf Bros. and now known as Schelldorf and Torgerson.

He is an industrious and very capable young business man, well-liked and bound to succeed in his business enterprise.

Mr. & Mrs. Torgerson will be home after March 1st.

The Monitor joins their many friends in extending heartiest congratulations wishing them a most happy and prosperous journey as they travel the pathway of life together.

Keith M. Bingham, 59, head of a local irrigation systems and equipment firm who lived at 810 Brotherton Road, died Wednesday June 4, 1975, at a La Jolla Hospital.

Born February 12, 1916, in Manning, Iowa, he lived here since 1947 and in the state since 1943.

He was president of Webb Pump & Supply. 1330 Mission Road.

He was a past master of Consuelo Lodge No. 325, F & AM; Scottish Rite; and a member of the Past Masters Club of Al Bahr Shrine.

He also was a member of the Boaz Hi Twelve Club and the North County Christian Center in San Marcos. He coached Little League baseball eight years.

Surviving are his wife, Inez; two sons, Stephen and Craig of Bonsall; three daughters, Gayle Rittgers of Valley Center, Cynthia Kitchens, and Barbara Bingham of Escondido; two sisters, Lois Rumsey of Escondido and Irene Rowedder of San Marcos; a brother, Jay of Iowa, and three grandchildren.

Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday at the North County Christian Center, Consuelo Lodge No. 325 and Rev. Vernon G. Gortner, officiating.

Burial will be at Oak Hill Memorial Park, Escondido, California. Alhiser-Wilson Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Notes: Inez Lorraine (Young) Bingham (8/31/1920 - 6/12/2010)
Son of Samuel and Alta (Shepard) Bingham
Siblings: Lois, Jay, Irene

He served with the group that tracked down the Japanese balloons that made it to the Mainland in Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and out in Oregon.
During the program, Erwin presented pieces of a balloon and ropes he retrieved from the crash sites.
He also had a number of photos.

Unfortunately, at that time I did not have digital scanners/computers to scan and archive those unique historical items...then as the years went by, I forgot about these items and always planned on getting back to Erwin to go through his old pictures and history but then he passed away.

Now I'm trying to find out who, if any of his relatives, might have his old stuff.

I contacted Bob Hansen, but he doesn't have them.

I'm trying to get in contact with Loy Fitz, but his e-mail address bounced back.
Bob mentioned that many of the "cousins" have passed away, BUT I'm hoping that their kids or another relative will have inherited Erwin's old history.

So if anyone is in contact with Erwin's relatives or you know who might have his old military and other history - Please let me know.

I want to get those items to make high resolution digital scans, so that information will be preserved long after the original stuff falls apart or gets thrown away.

So apparently these swallows have adapted to our modern bridges to use them as an excellent place to raise a colony.
For many years I noticed they were struggling with those darn English Sparrows. The enclosed mud nests are the perfect place and size hole for those invasive and aggressive sparrows to take over the nests.

So for many years the swallows moved from one concrete bridge to another. There are 3 in our bottom...
Then a few years later I noticed the swallows had moved to the East Street bridge by Willow Creek.
I was glad they continued to colonize in this area, but sad they weren't on our bottom road.

Then after only a year or two along Willow Creek they moved back to the bridges in our bottom, which I'm happy about because they are great at catching and feeding on flying insects.

I hadn't inspected their nests for about 5 years and was amazed when I saw how they have really taken over the outside concrete beam.
During prior years they made nests in a more hap-hazard way on the beams underneath and not all in a row.

I think they figured out there is safety in numbers by mostly nesting together as shown below.
Those darn English Sparrows, which are NOT native, but brought over by some of the Pioneers a long time ago, are not as much of a threat when the swallows colonize this way.
I also have an aggressive trapping process to catch and reduce the English Sparrow population on our farm.

I've been doing this to help the Bluebird and Tree Swallow trail I've been maintaining for around 40 years.

As I'm writing this article, I continue to reflect on the number of bird and other animal species we have now that did not exist here when I was a kid...including those darn deer that have really adapted to the changes we've made to Iowa's environment and have become very fruitful and multiply.

Bird species we have now but didn't see when I was a kid: Turkey Vultures, Kestrels, Cliff Swallows, Bald Eagles, Asian Doves, and several more I can't think of right now...

The colony has been growing over the years.

I would guess the reason why some nests have fallen off or broke apart is from the vibrations created by the heavy truck traffic...but for the most part the nests appear to be "hanging in there..."

Cliff Swallows swarming around me

I don't think the swallows felt threatened by my presence, because they didn't attack me like some birds do when they perceive their nests are threatened, but they definitely were annoyed with me.

I'd like to thank the school administration and personnel for helping save this wonderful historical "timepiece."
Also to the city crew for helping me get it moved to a temporary storage place for safe keeping.
I hope to eventually get it preserved in the new Manning library, once they move in and get things set up.

It is items like this that have been lost or thrown away over the years, so it will be great to put this time clock on display for the public to enjoy and also appreciate the intricacies of the technology at the time.

This clock was purchased in 1933 and controlled the bells and clocks in each classroom of the old high school.
I e-mailed Chuck Brotherton about it and he provided quite a bit of information as to its location and operation in the old high school.

Backside of the clock

Note the interesting wiring patterns...

Gale Vinke for a while during high school - Gale fried the donuts and Vergene Reinke dunked them.
Lenny Carstens worked at the bakery during high school.

Down below are some pictures of unknown people...

Amos Misselhorn - one of many military pictures that Bake Valentine had in his collection.
In fact, some of the only pictures I have of WWII Veterans came from Bake's collection.
Not even some family members seem to care that I get pictures of the Veterans in their families.

Unknown students - "Miss" something on banner.
Not sure of the stage location - if those are steel girders or stage curtains top back.

Unknown lady - house doesn't look like a style in Manning.

Clubhouse - boys will be boys

"Bake" Valentine canning tomatoes at his home along Railroad Street.

Anna Lucille "Pat" (Patrick) Valentine at her home along Railroad Street.

Emil Fuss rear of the bakery work area
Emil apparently delivered LP to businesses who needed the gas for heating purposes.

Vergene Reinke 1962 employee

Karen Reinke 1962 employee

Brenda & Aviation Cadet Roland Valentine

Roland - taken at their home at Second Street between the Petersen and Grundmeier homes
Pat Valentine

The old Duane Wegner home

The old Mueller Furniture Store - leaded glass Mueller sign.

2011 view

The old Willis Hill farm place

Go figure??? Not a broken pane!

View from 3/4 miles away.

This is a shout-out to the younger generations/couples/individuals who call Manning home!!!
If you want the quality of life you are used to here in Manning you need to step it up and get more involved.
You say you are already involved or don't have the time.
Talk with someone in their 60s to 90s about how their time was spent and how busy they were when they were younger - it was a MUCH different "BUSY" back then.
Pooh, Pooh this and just think of only your time and yourself and in a slow progression the community will deteriorate and decline and the quality of life won't be there, compared to what we have now.

Maybe you are part of the older generations but have never served on a board or volunteered much - now is a good time to step up and help the younger generations transition into their time of taking care of Manning.

Also, to the Manning citizens - when you see one of the Chamber members, especially those who filled board positions for one or more decades - give them a BIG Thank You...
Dave Kusel

Manning Chamber of Commerce
July 2021 is Officer Elections for the Manning Chamber of Commerce. Please give this your consideration.
We are in need of all four positions, President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
This is our 100th Year Anniversary and it would be a shame to see this organization fold due to the lack of leadership.
It’s time for a change. We would like to see candidates with new, fresh ideas and new leadership skills! If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us!
Give it some thought. The Chamber needs to be re-energized!
Kirk Huehn has been the Chamber President for 12 years and is ready to step down.
Maureen Halbur resigned a few months ago after serving as secretary for about ten years.
Denise Doyel has been the treasurer for over 20 years. Officers should only serve two terms max.
If you have any questions on what the responsibilities are, feel free to contact these current officers.

We would also like to know what everyone’s preference is for regular meeting times. Currently, Chamber meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 12 noon. Would a different day of the week work better for you to attend? A different time of day???
It would be nice to see better representation at the Chamber meetings. Let us know your preference. What would it take to get you to attend? Please share your thoughts.

We have so much to be thankful for - such as AGP which takes care of its workers and helps the community as seen in this April 15, 2021, Manning Monitor article...

In April, Jon sent me a box of his family and school related stuff connected to Manning to scan because he wanted it included in the Manning historical database.
Jon loved history like I do and would e-mail me to help me with IDs of pictures from his era and send little notes of information on some of those topics.
From time to time he would notice ID errors and would contact me right away so I could get that history corrected.

He was a rare person for helping me like this...
A lot of people want "stuff" from my Manning database about their own family history and while I'll share if they share - way too many expect me to share what I have but then they delay or won't take the time to share with me.

NOT Jon! - he shared without hesitation...
The reason why I have so much Manning history is because of Manningites like Jon who worked with me and sent me their history so I could scan it and add it to the Manning database I'm working on.

Jon is someone I describe as one of my "Manning history helpers" and I will miss his e-mails and his help.

I had planned on making a feature story out of the things he sent me for him to go over and make sure I have things identified correctly. I had some suspicions that his health wasn't the best but if I would have realized he would pass away this soon - I would have made an extra effort to work on his history sooner so he could have seen it - RATHER than now to be a tribute he won't get to see.

Jon K. Groteluschen

MEMORIAL SERVICE South Aiken Presbyterian Church Saturday, July 31, 2021 11:00 AM Aiken, South Carolina

Jon Kingdon Groteluschen, loving husband of Mary Ellen (Marelle) Groteluschen, died in Aiken SC on June 2, 2021. He was 81 years old.

Jon was born in Manning, Iowa. He graduated from Manning High School in 1957, received his BA degree from Grinnell College, and earned a MA degree from the University of Kentucky. He started his career as a school teacher of mathematics. After two years, he joined the training staff of the Peace Corps Outward Bound Training Center in Puerto Rico. It was there that he met Marelle Stoltzfus, a Peace Corps trainee headed for Turkey. Eight months later, he followed her there and they were married in Istanbul, Turkey. Upon returning to the states, Jon started his career in higher education administration. He served as Vice President of Business & Finance, first at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and then at Alma College in Alma, Michigan.

Jon was a sports enthusiast who deeply believed in the value of a liberal arts education and critical thinking skills. He was an avid golfer, winning many tournaments and scoring 8 hole-in-ones. He also enjoyed tennis, racquetball, downhill skiing, and chess. He was active in community theatre and appeared in numerous plays in Alma and Aiken. His favorite passion for recreation was to spend time at his summer cabin at a remote spot on Lake Lauzon, Ontario. There the family swam, boated, skied, fished, hiked and picked wild berries. He and Marelle enjoyed this cabin for forty eight years and never missed a summer there.

Jon was a member of South Aiken Presbyterian Church and Houndslake Country Club. Previously, he served as President of the Alma Symphony Orchestra and Pine River Country Club in Alma. He also served on the Board of Directors of Firstbank in Alma, the Presbyterian Home Foundation in Wisconsin, and the national Think First Foundation.

Jon is predeceased by his parents Herb and Dorothy Groteluschen of Audubon, Iowa. He is survived by his loving wife Marelle, two daughters Andrea Northwood (Paula) of St Paul, Minnesota; and Inga Schmitzer of Tampa, Florida; two sisters Janis Buckles and Pamela Bansbach (Louis Phillip III) both of Denver, Colorado; three grandchildren Greta, Ryan, and Owen Schmitzer of Tampa, Florida; and step-grandchild Kris Grant (Andrew) of Oulu, Wisconsin; and step-great-grandchildren Aurora and Azure Grant. He was deeply loved by his family and will be sorely missed.

The family asks that donations in his memory be made to the Think First Foundation or Carroll University, Wisconsin.

A memorial service will be held Saturday morning, July 31st at 11 o'clock at South Aiken Presbyterian Church.

SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, AIKEN, SC

Click to see Jon's pix and history...

Flower contest

Manning Walk...

Manning Kinderfest Parade
The Kinderfest parade is BACK in action this year, and we are in need of entries to kick off our annual Kinderfest celebration on June 19th.
As in years past, the parade line-up begins at 10:40 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Church parking lot with parade start time at 11:00 A.M.
We hope to make this our best parade yet in anticipation of all the activities going on!
Thank you in advance from the Kinderfest Committee!
Anna Irlbeck, Maria Vetter, Lisa Kerkhoff, and Ashley Moore

Joycelyn's obituary can be found in my memorial page linked on the left side frame.

Joycelyn Genzen MHS 1955

Dennis' obituary can be found in my memorial page linked on the left side frame.

March 29, 1958 Zion Lutheran Confirmation

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Leaving for Camp Logan WWI
Several of Manning's Civil War Veterans lead the way for several WWI boys heading to basic training.
It is hard to see but in the back right is the Christian Church.
It stood on the corner of Second & May Streets from 1887 - 1920.

WWI Homecoming parade 1919 - north end of Main Street - August Reinke's blacksmith shop back left.

181 of Manning's 360+ WWI soldiers posed after their homecoming parade in 1919 on Main Street.

South bank of the present day Rec Center splash pad.

What is so sad is that I can't get people to identify their granddads or great-uncles in this picture.
Maybe people can ID their relative/s but just don't think it is important to get me the names.

This group is not quite half of all the Manning connected boys who served during WWI.

These are the names who paid the ultimate price and never made it back home alive.
Emil Ewoldt, Albert Dethlefs, William Wulf, Fred Passick, Louie Rowedder, Arthur Stang, Bernhardt Stuhr, Julius Vinke

Remember that during this "Great War" the Spanish Influenza Pandemic was raging throughout the world, with some of the soldiers surviving the war but dying from the influenza.
500,000,000 people were infected worldwide (1/3 of the population at that time in 4 consecutive waves), and there was no way to accurately track the number of deaths that ranged from 20,000,000 up to 100,000,000.

When I get a chance and find someone who I have their ear for a few moments, I tell them how sacred this area is of the new Rec Center Splash Pad.

I continue to work on the Manning Veterans history book project - even though it appears all interest by the general public is lost...I continue to plug away and am still asking for military pictures and information for the over 1000 Manning connected Veterans.

So if you want to be in the Manning Veterans' book or are a family member of a deceased Manning Veteran, and have NOT yet brought me military pictures and information to scan and use in the book - please do so ASAP!

This will be my 3rd Manning history book and will be the most unique of all in a two-volume set.

So don't wait - at some point in time I'll start laying out the book and then it will be TOO LATE if you submit your information at that point.

Someday before I use it in the Manning Veterans' book, I'll have to restore this program.
These are the types of military items I wish more people would bring to me to scan and preserve and also use in the Veterans' book.

G.A.R. Grand Army of the Republic
W.R.C. Woman's Relief Corps

May 21, 1892
WILL DECORATE.
McPherson Post NO. 33, G. A. R., have decided to observe Decoration Day. Indeed, the old guard have never failed to observe the day at home but once since the organization of the Post. There are but few of the veterans left in this locality, but they hold sacred this day, set apart to bedeck the graves of the comrades, whom they will shortly be with in the rendezvous, with flowers. It is a beautiful custom and the government only paid a partial tribute of respect in making it a legal observance day. A good program will be prepared and the exercises will be held at the fair grounds if the weather permits.
The program will be published in the MONITOR next week.
Memorial Day will also be observed, and the sermon will be preached at the Presbyterian Church one week from tomorrow by Rev. A.J. Burnett.
The old veterans desire the MONITOR to extend for them an invitation to all to be present on the occasion - the last Sunday in May at 11 o'clock A.M.

April 23, 1891
A FLAG PRESENTATION.
On Friday (tomorrow) afternoon McPherson Post and the Woman's Relief Corps will present the school of Manning with a large and beautiful flag and arrangements have been perfected to make it an imposing affair. The Post and Corps will arrive at the school house at 2 o'clock and proceed to the high school room. After invocation by Rev. I.M. O'Flyng, the Post, Corps, and schools will march out and take position about the steps. A number of recitations and patriotic songs will be tendered. The presentation of the flag will be made by Mrs. O'Flyng, President of the Corps; and accepted by Miss Garrett, Principal of the schools. "America" will then be sung by the entire assemblage, after which the flag will be raised by the Post. The exercises will be very interesting and all citizens who possibly can should attend. Long may the flag wave.

74 years ago

I always remember my mom telling me about my parents wedding anniversary on May 28, 1947.
Dad cultivated a field of corn the day before and on the morning of the 28th there were several inches of snow on the ground with the corn leaves peeking through the snow.

This was before farmers knew about the growing point of corn which would have still been below ground. A few farmers did not replant...their corn sent up new growth and they had good corn yields that fall...whereas most of the farmers thought their corn that froze off above ground had to be disked up and replanted.
Some of the old timers told me that the replanted corn didn't do as well as the corn that was left alone to regrow.

Soybeans are a different story with the growing point on top of that species of plant. There weren't many beans planted back in the 1940s and I never heard any stories about them - if any farmers had soybeans they probably had not yet emerged...if they had emerged then the farmer would have had to replant them.

I tell this story to different people each year around this time and some of them think I'm making up the story...well here is the proof.

Koester farm place May 28, 1947

Koester Snowball bush

Peas & Radishes in Mildred Horbach's garden in town

Ohrt yard along Madison Street

I try to wait for the seller to lower the price or use "best offer" when they are asking double digit prices. Some are just plain greedy and price things $20 to $50...for the most part they are never sold or they eventually have to lower the price.

Someone recently purchased a Third Street picture postcard for $20. I hope they will contact me and let me scan the front and back so I'll have high resolution images of it.

If the price is $5 or under I may buy a duplicate even if I already have it, IF it has information on back that tells a little story about Manning by the name/s and destinations.
Below are 3 postcards of 7 I purchased for a very good price by appealing to the seller that I'm not a collector but historian who wants to preserve Manning's story...

This first picture postcard shows the primary grade with postmark January 1909...so it is probably the 1908-09 school year, unless it is an older postcard and might have been the 1907-08 year.
It is addressed to Laura Vogt in Churdan.
From my limited obits I found a Laura (Vogt) Volckmann who was living in Clinton in 1971 when her brother, Herman had died in Manning.

It was signed by another Laura who noted that her niece is marked with an X...of course there is no way of knowing who Laura or the niece is, unless someone can ID the little girl.

Now these little tidbits of information may seem pointless to document but someday may answer a question or two that come up.

Primary class

postmarked January 1909

1908 Former students: Eddie Allen, Ray Armitage, Chester Babcock, Hazel Babcock, Albert Barber, Hazel Barnes, John Brennan, Archie Brent, Frank Brookfield, Olive Clark, Maude Coleman, Hazel Connor, Willie Dammann, George Dethlefs, Grace Dunn, Don Dunn, Frazier Ells, Ledger Free, Herman Goettsch, Charles Gruhn, August Gruhn, Bennie Halford, Alma Hannemann, Laura Hansen, Charles Hassler, Mary Hays, Josephine Hell, Adolph Hinz, Minnie Hinz, Freddie Hoesley, Lucy Humphrey, Dora Jensen, Wheeler Kempf, Amanda Kruse, Peter Kuhl, Clara Kusel, Jessie Lathrop, Carl Lebeck, Bertha Lebeck, Mamie Lenhart, Vera Manson, Mabel McMahon, Lulu McMurray, Julia Melody, Patrick Melody, Inez Miller, Nettie Mockler, Willie Mockler, Eddie Mockler, Harry Motter, Charlie Ohde, Louie Ohm, George Parish, Earl Parish, Louie Phillips, Charles Piper, Willie Popp, Albert Puck, Dora Radeleff, Bertha Reimers, Betty Reimers, Juanita Rorabaugh, Charlie Scheunemann, Ella Schoening, William Schrum, Herman Schrum, Loretta Shea, Arthur Shea, Henry Sievertsen, May Sprinkle, Louie Stamp, Ella Stang, Harry Steen, Gertrude Stephany, Edelruth Thomsen, Hans Voss, Albert Vossbeck, Frank Weaver, Leann Williams, Lorne Wood, Bennie Younker

1909 MHS graduates: Robert Campbell, Clarence Fry, Leman Gearhart, Irene Harvey, Mary Luella Hays, Marie Moser, Albert Edwin Puck, Verna Schmidt

1909 Former students: Emil Albert, Esther Arp, Roy Atwood, Ben Bailey, Grover Baldwin, Roy Baldwin, Amanda Behrens, Twinkle Blair, Grover Brunnier, Nellie Bryan, George Christian, Herman Claussen, Blanche Coleman, Delorus Darwon, Hattie Dillingham, Carrie Eastwood, George Ells, Mildred Emmons, Nellie Fahrion, Sherman Farrell, Myrtle Garlick, Evelyn Grantz, Willie Graves, Margarette Grube, Sophia Hagemann, Fred Hansen, Hans Hargens, Louis Hinz, Bruce Jacoby, Andrew Jensen, Peter Jensen, Frank Kaiser, Nettie Kuhl, Blondina Kusel, Willie Kusel, Ida Loptien, Dale Marshall, Effie McEnturff, Hazel McEnturff, Hilda Miller, Alvina Moeller, Amanda Moeller, Peter Moeller, Ray Morsch, Armolie Paesler, Floyd Parish, Anna Popp, Harry Precht, Albert E. Puck, Herbert Resner, Lloyd Rix, Jessie Rohr, Max Russell, Fred Sievertsen, Geneva Spies, Herman Stamp, Katie Thomas, Earl Threlkeld, Lizzie Vogt, Louie Vogt, Lizzie Wentzel, Clara Williams, Blaine Wilson, Robbie Wilson, Eva Wood, Glen Wood, Daniel Yant, Adda Younker

I didn't have this exact view of the old creamery but one that was very similar, however the names on back added to the puzzle, so I'm glad it was part of this collection I got on e-bay.

This is the picture postcard I was excited to find since I don't have this particular one from the German Days celebration in 1909.

German Days September 7 & 8, 1909

Claus H. Reinholdt's business was located on the north end of the block where Accura (Plaza) is now located.
It was called Reinholdt Hardware - and later was part of the Gamble store building.

Note all of the US flags!!!
Claus Reinholdt was born in Germany and many of the other men in this picture were probably also born in Germany or some might be first generation born here in the US.
Even though they are celebrating "German" days, you don't see any German flags...
People from around the world who want to come and live in the US today could learn a thing or two from the early Pioneers of Manning about accepting the American culture and integrating into "our" US society.
Patriotism continues
This doesn't yet take into account how many of the Manning Pioneers of German ancestry ended up going back to Germany to fight against their former countrymen during WWI & WWII...doing this after one of the reasons leaving was to to get away from the conscription into the German military with constant fighting and wars in Europe...
If you believe that the Manning community is very patriotic today - it is because the citizens are following in the footsteps of their ancestors and those early Pioneers who championed the United States of America...

The float in back of the postcard is Ohde Brothers.
June 15, 1905, William Ohde and his brother Jacob Ohde formed a partnership and started the firm known as Ohde Brothers, located at 320 Main in Manning. This firm engaged in the furniture business and funeral directing. About a year later, George Ohde took over the interest of his brother Jacob. The partners continued in the furniture business and funeral directing until the death of George, May 31, 1929. William Ohde continued to operate the business upon the death of his brother. In 1927, he purchased the funeral division of Henry Mueller.

LaVerne (Frahm) Bjorndahl
LaVerne was a member of the MHS class of 1938

Marian Frahm - MHS 1939

Every little bit of information and picture people send me fills in more pieces of the Manning history puzzle.

Kala (Huldeen) Zanoni

Kala Zanoni, 59, of Urbandale, formerly of Sioux City, died Monday, February 18, 2019, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive. Arrangements are under the direction of Iles Funeral Home in Des Moines. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

Kala was born on November 18, 1959, to Gerald and Mabel Huldeen, in Spencer, Iowa. She attended school at Manning, Iowa, and later graduated from Sioux City East High School in 1978. She attended Iowa State University and worked as an office manager at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive.

Kala enjoyed fishing and making crafts to donate to various causes.

Survivors include her husband, Michael; mother, Mabel; and brothers, Kirk Huldeen and Jay Huldeen of Sioux City.

Kala was preceded in death by her father, Gerald.

1978 MHS graduates: Marsha Jean Beck, Bradley James Bjorkgren, Donald R. Blum, Bruce Michael Bruhn, Del Ray Christensen, Lynn Everett Christensen, Ann Crandall, Joan Elizabeth Croghan, JoAnne Rose Croghan, Patricia Joan Croghan, Cynthia Jolene Curlile, Anna Marie Drees, Robert Dean Ehlers, Michael G. Fara, Patricia Ann Ferneding, Lori Marie Foote, Janet Lee Genzen, Daniel Lee Gore, Hans Kristian O. Hegland, Mark Herman Hagedorn, Joan Marie Hass, Dean Raymond Heithoff (valedictorian), Gail Arlene Hoffmann, Sharon Dee Houghton, Charles Arthur Hughes, Kevin Lynn Irlmeier, Jeff Lynn Jahn, Brenda Sue Juels, Joyce Ann Justice, Joseph W. Kalkhoff, Paula Jean Kanne, Joni Kay Karsten, Thomas Walter Knop, Carlys June Kusel, Michael Linell, Mary Jane McNutt, Shirley L. Milkert, Jeffery Lee Mohr, Michael Dean Mohr, Joleen Kaye Muhlbauer, Neil V. Muhlbauer, Lori J. Mundt, Susana Beatriz Nakazaki, Jane Ellen Nelson, James Ivan Opperman, Steven Wayne Phillips, Diane Kay Reinke, Shirley Ann Renze, Daniel L. Rohe, Doris J. Rohe, Lonny Dean Rowedder, Jill Renee Schmarzo, Gregory Joseph Sextro, Leon E. Sporrer, Scott Alan Stripling, William Lee Strosahl, Richard George Struve, Donna Rae Stoelk, Steven Tank, Jean Marie Voege, Kevin Lee Vollstedt, Janelle Jo Wanninger, Kevin Gene Warner, Dean Michael Wegner, Donna R. Weiskircher, Kyle Lane Wiese, Kathleen Jean Willenborg (salutatorian), Randy Lee Willenborg, Ginger Wolfe, Donald Wurr

1978 former students: David Amsden, Dan Ashton, Jeff Bauer, Gayla Betterton, Mary Blasey, Andy Boell, Bill Brotherton, LouAnn Clipperton, Richard Drennen, Tom Espenhover, Tom Frisinger, Brian Grundmeier, John Hansen, Russ Hansen, John Hedburg, Kala Huldeen, Kathy Klinker, Mike Lake, Gail Lamaack, Melvin Leinen, Arlene Mathisen, Monica Mohr, Ron Moore, Julie Orey, Gail Pearson, Nanette Robertson, Kevin Rutherford, DeAnn Schlichte, Kevin Schumann, Margie Shipps, Lynn Sporrer, Jay Thompson, Wes Thygesen, Dale Vogl, Sharon Vogl, Karen Wiese, Mark Wittrock

So if you read this and say to yourself that you and your kids/grandkids will NEVER throw the family stuff - you and I may not live long enough to see it happen, but it WILL.

History repeats and I'm constantly hearing about people throwing their old stuff, so let's stop repeating that history and get things to me to digitize and preserve.

Dave

Fort Dodge Indian Society at Manning
June 17, 1972
The Fort Dodge, Indian Lore Society appeared at the American Legion Hall in Manning Tuesday evening sponsored by the Manning Girl Scouts.
The dancers came in costumes of various Indian Tribes throughout the entire U.S., and danced approximately 13 tribal dances of various Indian nations.
The leader of the group told of activities of the Fort Dodge Indian Lore Society and explained various costumes worn by the dancers.

Manning Pool Opens June 10, 1966
Manning's Municipal Swimming Pool will open Friday, June 10, with Gary Molzen as manager. He will be assisted by William G. Ohde, and Jim Fink, who will be in charge of swimming teams.
Guards at the pool will be JoAnn Peters, Peggy Puck, Kathy Olsen, and Kate Hennessey, who will supervise swimming lessons. There will be three sessions of Red Cross swimming lessons, of two weeks' duration; June 20 - July 1; July 11 - July 22; and July 25 - August 6. Children must be at least six years of age to take lessons. Charge is 25 cents per lesson.
Charge for adult swimming is 50 cents; high school, 35 cents; age 12 and under, 20 cents. Family tickets are $15.00; and individual tickets, $8.00.

Does anyone know if Gary Molzen is living - where he is now?

As I feared, Gary has passed away and thanks to Ann (Voge) who is an intrepid researcher and digs around the Internet for me to answer a lot of my questions I pose, below is his obituary...

This is the only picture I have of Gary but I know that more of his Manning students will have other pictures - hopefully they will contact me so I can get them to scan and add to the Manning Historical Database that our teachers are a part of, too...

Gary Molzen

Gary Molzen, 75, died peacefully at home in Gold Canyon, Arizona, on November 12, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gary was born December 26, 1942, in Elk Point, South Dakota, to John and Edith Molzen, the youngest of 3 boys. His father passed away when Gary was 6 months old. The boys learned the importance of hard work, at a young age (7th grade), by working at the local grocery store.

Gary graduated from Elk Point High School in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart, Geneva. In 1965, Gary graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. He earned his MBA in Counseling from Mankato State University in 1975. He spent the first 12 years of his career teaching in Manning, Iowa, and Jackson, Minnesota, before relocating to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1977, to pursue a career in Real Estate. He was one of the original partners of Ameri/Star Real Estate, Inc. His successful Real Estate career spanned 38 years.

Having a strong faith and desire to give back, Gary was involved in many community projects for which he cared deeply - especially important to him was the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership where he served on the board for 8 years and was president for 2. He was also involved in many other boards and nonprofit organizations. Gary was always available to help others without being asked. Being a true Norwegian, Gary loved lefse and lutefisk dinners, much to the dismay of most of his family.

His faith and family were truly his greatest passions. Gary will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Geneva of 58 years, three daughters; Kim Mulhausen (Michael) of Newhall, California; Jody Anderson (Kurt) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Jill Biegler (Erik) of Erie, Colorado. They were blessed with five grandchildren: Andrew and Emily Mulhausen; Taye and Elle Anderson; and Alexandria Biegler. Their Papa was their biggest hero. Gary is survived by his brothers Ronnie Molzen (Sharon) and Colin Molzen (Cindy) and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, half-brother Eldon Molzen and half-sister Joyce Peck.

Please join his family in celebrating Gary's life on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made in Gary's name to The American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

One idea leads to another with Roger Hansen sending me the obituary of his VoAg teacher he had from 1959 - 1961.
Below is the list of teachers' names I featured in the Manning Schools history book by 5 year increments, and after this list is the obit for Lawrence Nothwehr.
Hopefully more people will send me the obits of teachers they had if they run across them.

Faculty 1955-1960 High School: Gerald Andrew, William Baley, John Beach, Don Buhr, Edward Dakan, Robert Downs, Richard Euchner, Frances Fields, Tom Fogarty, Eugene Goltl, Charles Hummer, Dale Johnson, Babette Johnson, Letha Johnson, Verna Karsten, Lois Kemper, Lois Klisart, Kenneth Laverty, Robert Leahy, Kenneth Loats, Sam Mast, Kathryn McNamara, Dwane Mickelson, Richard Munster, Roger Naylor, Lawrence Nothwehr, Marion Pantell, Barbara Parsons, Frank Plambeck, Will Robinson, Christine Sanders, Gladys Schmidt, Ray Standerwick, Raymond Stover, Norman Vandehaar, Douglas Wilcox

Junior High: Raymond Bechen, Charles Brotherton, Virginia Dethlefs, Oliver Himley, Roy Karbula, Carol Mast, Esther Paulson, L. Dean Peterson, Ila Rix, Kay Roelfsema, Dolores Sextro, Bill Swassing

Elementary: Helen Adamson, Grace Andresen, Janice Anthony, Vivian Boyd, Irma Bromert, Betty Brotherton, Liane Ann Clarkin, Marietta Demuth, Marjorie Grammar, Sally Haworth, Hazel Herring, Oliver Himley, Rose Hugeback, Louise Koester, Lois Laverty, Beverly Leahy, Luann Maasen, Marjorie Morse, Mabel Mullen, Phyllis Munster, Margaret Ohde, Carol Olsen, Sharon Olson, Esther Paulsen, L. Dean Peterson, Anna Rainthorpe, Ruth Sand, Golda Sander, Carol Schmidt, Janet Schultz, Dolores Sextro, Teresa Shoemaker, Carol Smith, Lena Steinke, Eunice Templeton, Irene Weddum

Lawrence "Larry" W. Nothwehr

Larry Nothwehr died suddenly Saturday, May 8, 2021, from a ruptured aneurysm at Iowa Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Larry was born on a farm September 8, 1935, in Delaware County, Iowa; a second son to Minnie and Walter Nothwehr. The family moved to Page County in 1941.

Larry attended school in a one room schoolhouse and after Grade 4, St. Paul's Lutheran School in Yorktown. He graduated from Amity High School in College Springs in 1953 and from Iowa State College in 1957. He taught Vocational Agriculture for three years at Manning High School from 1959-61. He joined Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers as a marketing rep for 30 years, retiring in 2000.

Larry married Cheral Andresen-Vollstedt in 1961 and from that union he has a daughter, Sandra (Brett) Harvey of Blue Springs, Missouri; and two step-children, Pamela (Denny) Garvis of Templeton, Iowa, and David Vollstedt of Lakeview, Iowa.

In 1982, he married Rita Kirk giving him two step-sons, Joe (Kathleen) Kirk and Ark Kirk, all of the Des Moines area.

He was an avid reader and loved to travel. He spent time at Woman Lake in Minnesota for many years. He retired to Mesa, Arizona, for almost 20 years.

Larry was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Rita, daughter and step-children, and brother, Bernard (Verna) Nothwehr, of Clarinda. He has six grandchildren.

A private family ceremony is planned for June 2, 2021, with a Celebration of Life Service to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the ARL of Iowa.
Ernst Funeral & Cremation Services of Waukee, Iowa, has been entrusted with final arrangements.

This week a descendant of Donald Stoelk will be visiting Manning to meet with me to go over Stoelk/Klindt family history and tour the community.
He and his wife will be around 1 day so I thought anyone who is a relative and interested in meeting with them - please e-mail me and I'll work out the specific details.

Back: Darlene
Middle: Berdine, Merle, Leon, Jaenice
Front: Albert, Donald, Elsie (Klindt)

Another historically interesting item is he is bringing a gun he purchased that was once owned by John Frahm and we are trying to find out more background on it.
We also are not sure which John Frahm from that time period it belonged to...so if anyone is a descendant of either John Frahm and knows his family history - please e-mail me.

Jno Frahm, Manning, Iowa - "Jno" was the abbreviation commonly used years ago for John.

He graciously sent me a box of family/Manning pix he has so I could scan them before he visits and then he can take them back with him.
He took quite a few pictures out of frames so I could scan them...definitely someone who loves and respects our history to have it digitized and preserved.

The Stoelk family has a very proud military history with Leon paying the ultimate price with his life during WWII. Donald served in the Navy, Erwin served in the Air Force, with Lawren & Albert serving during WWI.

2 Wilhelm Friedrich Joachim Kusel (6/24/1851-11/12/1917 born in Nausdorf, Germany)
Sophia Anna Grube (9/9/1852-10/19/1935)
3 Emma Kusel (3/29/1875 - 9/17/1942) (married: 7/9/1895)
August Frederick Hansen (12/23/1869 in Sehestedt, Germany - 3/24/1950)
4 Ida Mary Hansen (5/8/1896 - 3/22/1979) (married: 5/30/1920)
Lawren John Stoelk (3/22/1896 - 12/8/1981)
5 Erwin Lawren Stoelk (1/17/1931 - 12/8/2008) (married: 11/10/1951)
Bonnie Jean Hicok (7/30/1930 - 1/8/2001)
Erwin is Dave Kusel's 2nd cousin

Erwin Stoelk 1951

Albert & Lawren Stoelk

Leon Stoelk

Leon Stoelk entered the service October 19, 1942, at Camp Dodge. He was transferred to Camp Hood, Texas, October 22, 1942, and was in training there until January 12, 1,943, when he was transferred to Camp Pickett, Virginia, for training as an assistant gunner in a tank.
April 27, 1943, Pvt. Stoelk left the United States with the 753rd tank batallion for North Africa.
He was killed in action during the invasion of Sicily July 22, 1943.

May 4, 2021 - let's go back 140 years and see where this all began.

Benjamin I. Salinger - Manning's first teacher

Recently I ran across an amazing collection of letters on E-bay written by the family of Benjamin Salinger, mostly to the parents and grandparents of Ben's wife, Lucy, who was a Boylan.
I was able to purchase most of the collection, but a few of the letters got away from me - I can't compete against the pocketbooks of collectors, who for the most part don't care about the history behind an item but they just want it for their specific collection.
I want to gather this history but for the MANNING collection.

November 1883 - Benjamin teaches adults the English language

I was amazed at how many partners Ben had during his time here in Manning.
Here are snapshots...

1882 Hughes & Salinger

1883 Blazer & Salinger

1887 Salinger & Brigham

1892 Salinger & Lindsay

1896 Lock Box No. 76 Manning

Since Warren No. 4 was in the city limits it was eventually closed in 1883.
Since it was built in the bottom near the wetlands at that time, the kids called it "Frog Pond" school.
According to Roy Struve - after its closing, the building was then moved and became Warren No. 9 school house.

Now realize that what we call Ewoldt Township today, was at that time called Warren Township.
A very unique situation occurred back then in that the city limits of Manning would remain as Warren Township, and the rest of the area outside of Manning would be Ewoldt Township so Manning is in a township that is within another township.
On April 7, 1882, a city school board formed and they rented the Callison Hall on Main Street, to house all grades. Anyone in the at-large Warren Township area would be allowed to attend the city high school classes if they wished...

NOTE: that the Callison Hall, a wooden structure back then, is now the location of Soll's Service brick building.

Interesting...how there are always people against something - even when temporary...
April 13, 1882 Manning Matters - Manning Monitor
The school directors have rented C.T. Callison's Hall for school purposes for the next four months.
This will seriously interfere with the use of the hall for public meetings, the seating not being adapted to the latter.

On July 17, 1882, a vote was held to have the town of Manning become an independent school district.
On November 25, 1882, the school board voted to purchase land for $240.00 in north Manning to construct a new wooden two-story school building.

I'm always amazed at this picture where 2 boys have their feet hanging out of the window - today the "safety police" would have gone nuts with lawsuits and made a big ruckus over it...

New school building in 1883

On May 10, 1883, the board sought bids for construction of the new school, and on July 26, 1883, work began on the school house, where grades Kindergarten through Twelfth grade were held.

The 1883 and 1907 buildings stood on the north edge of the block between First & Second Streets.

New addition in 1898

1906 high school students: Peter Kuhl 2nd row 2nd from left

1907 brick school replaced the wooden structure.
The white arrow points to the cornerstone shown in this feature story.

1964-65 when the building was razed

Gustav Rober - of the Rober-Wehrmann store
Claus Reinholdt - of the Reinholdt Hardware store
Andrew Resner - 1895 - 1911 MD
John Lewis - of Lewis & Reinhold drug store
Albert Puck - I'm fairly sure this would be the Willis, Warren/Ken Puck family
Orrin Emmons - prominent lawyer in Manning prior to moving to Salem in 1926
Julius Brunnier, Sr. - businessman - brother to Henry Brunnier

Now this corner stone was almost lost during the 1965 demolition.
One day Ron Colling of the Monitor came to take some pictures and noticed the demolition crew on their knees looking through something, so he walked over to investigate.
While knocking down the wall they exposed a time capsule that was bricked in around the corner stone.
So Ron contacted one of the school board members about the corner stone and the time capsule which were then saved from the dump.
These August 2007 pictures show when Sonia Nulle discovered a tin box in the high school office cabinet which was the time capsule.
I grabbed Ron Colling to take a picture 42 years later after the original discovery.

Sonia Nulle & Ron Colling holding the 1907 time capsule

Removing the 1907 corner stone from the boiler room

white arrow points to the corner stone

Now the location of the water slide and splash pad.
The indoor swimming pool is where the school once stood.

1917 cornerstone - building was completed in 1918

Herman Hinz - prominent Manning leader
Phil Zerwas - Manning Telephone company
Chris Johnson - I'm fairly sure this was Clifford "Bud" Johnson's dad - Johnson Shoe store
Jens Sinn - Manning dentist
John Lewis - Lewis & Reinhold drug store
Peter Jones - school secretary for over 40 years

May 12, 1965, dedication of new flag pole and granite Bulldog marker - a project of the Student Council.
Raising flag: Darrell Weems (left), Darrel Baker.

The pole and marker were moved to the new high school in 1973 where they stood until 2015.

Removing the flag pole and Bulldog marker October 2015

May 6, 2021

So as you can see, it is very difficult to preserve our history and in a few minutes a part of our history can be lost or thrown away.

Here is another very neat historical item I found out about several years ago that was stored at the school.

I'd like to thank the school administration and personnel for helping save this wonderful historical "timepiece."
Also to the city crew for helping me get it moved to a temporary storage place for safe keeping.
I hope to eventually get it preserved in the new Manning library, once they move in and get things set up.

It is items like this that have been lost or thrown away over the years, so it is great to put this time clock on display for the public to enjoy and also appreciate the intricacies of the technology at the time.

This clock was purchased in 1933 and controlled the bells and clocks in each classroom of the old high school.
I e-mailed Chuck Brotherton about it and he provided quite a bit of information as to its location and operation in the old high school.

Backside of the clock

Note the interesting wiring patterns...

1956 MHS graduates: Janice Ahrendsen (salutatorian), Gordon Anthony, Carol Antone, Roger Barten, Gerald Beck, Robert Beisch, Dorothea Brus, Karen Carstens, Virginia Dammann, Deanna Donaghu, Delores Eckholdt, Roselle Ehlers, Mardella Friedrichsen, Robert Froyd, Beverly Genzen, Larry Genzen, Emil Grau, Roger Hagedorn, Allen Hargens, Roger Hinz, Larry Hodne, Darryl Jahn, Roger Joens, Roger Koepke, Janet Kuhl (valedictorian), Janice Laurinat, Shannon Mahnke, Allen Mohr, Joyce Nulle, Cynthia Peters, Ronald Peters, Janice Petersen, Dennis Ramsey, Noreen Kay Ramsey, Myrene Rowedder, Merlene Saunders, Raymond Thielen, Constance Trella, Eleanor Trella, Janice Vehrs, LeRoy Venteicher, Marcella Wanninger, Richard Wellendorf, Larry Witt

1956 former students: Erwin Barkalow, Nancy Dales, Larry Daugherty, Richard Enenbach, Verna Ford, Alan Friedrichsen, Rosemary Fritz, Art Fuller, Charles Fuss, Edwin Groppe, Jr., Ione Hicks, Roy Hinze, Michael Kellogg, Marlene Kinney, Sandra Lacy, Roger Littell, Paul Malven, Charlene McLaughlin, James McMahon, Sandra Mishler, Lila Nulle, Bill Porter, Jimmy Rohovit, Norma Rostermundt, Joyce Spence, Roy Stark, Brian Travis, Bobby Welker, Charles White, Dorothy Wiemann, William Wyatt

1951-52 Back: Gerald Beck, Larry Nielsen, Dennis Ramsey, Larry Genzen, Alan Friedrichsen
Front: Larry Zerwas, Jon Groteluschen, Bobby Laverty, Ronnie Peters, Roger Littell, Coach Bill Anderson

MHS Quill & Scroll Senior members

Fourth: Roger Hansen, Paul Mundt, Jack Borkowski, Mr. Sam Mast, Sponsor
Third: Valda Lamaack, Jean Thomssen, Judy Thomssen, Nancy Mohr, Pat Knobbe
Second: Birgitta Carlsson, Marilyn Brus, Barb Bruck, Lila Hargens, Sandra Mohr, Dorothy Fink
Front: Donna Ahrendsen, Betsy Musfeldt, Eleanor Ehlers, Carol Kuhl, Beth Eckholdt, Frances Grimm

MHS Office Assistants

Back: Kathleen Meiers, Sandra Mohr, Geri Dammann
Middle: Joann Dobler, Betsy Musfeldt
Front: Valda Lamaack, Carol Beck, Marilyn Brus

1960 Homecoming Queen candidates - Manning vs Exira

Back: Linda Handlos, Faith Sander, Frances Grimm, Joan Heithoff
Front: Birgitta Carlsson - Queen, Valda Lamaack

1961 former students: Judith Atkins, Leona Bosche, Gary Cooper, Dennis Domayer, Billy Donaghu, Jimmy Eich, Roger Eischeid, JoAnn Groppe, Kenny Hass, Judy Hemerson, Dale Hinz, Melvin Hoffman, Ronnie Hollander, Mary M. Johnson, Keith Justice, Patricia Killeen, Dickie McMahon, John Miller, Patricia Musfeldt, Kathleen Nelson, James O'Lear, Mary M. O'Lear, Pearl Peters, Alton Petersen, Irene Rowedder, Larry Ruhde, Earl Schiltz, James Schrock, Wilma Seals, Barbara Simcoke, Lawrence Spicer, LuVerne Steffes, Larry Stolz, Bob Synhorst, Larry Thetford, Ronnie Umland, Beverly Weinbrandt, Nancy Young

I thought I had heard every reason under the sun, until recently while telling a 70ish person about what I do in preserving our area history - that person basically said what I do is a waste of time...BECAUSE we don't learn from our history and keep making the same mistakes over and over.

Now I could have spent some extra time finding out exact examples and from what view-point this person was coming from but all I could do was to think of ALL the GOOD things in history that ALSO repeat over and over and that is what I want to concentrate on, so I let the topic drop.

The feature down below shows some highlights of Manning's history and when I use the thought-process of that person about documenting our history being a waste of time - how futile this person's life must be to not SEE all of the good things in life that repeat.

I see preserving history as how fortunate I've been in just my short life-time at how many centennials and events of consequence I've particpated in that have occurred in Manning. The first major celebration for me was when I was a baby and Manning celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1956, then all of the centennials and even beginning quasquicentennials, not to mention the 200th anniversary of the US when the Freedom Train came through Manning in 1975.

It has been quite a while since I last made any major updates to my web pages.
There are many reasons: spring work on the farm, various family collections being mailed to me that I had not anticipated, all of the other scanning projects, various projects that are on-going in Manning, the seemingly never ending tributes to Manning people who pass away...and now the installation of the water slide.

I'll eventually be showing examples of what I've been doing lately and featuring some of the pictures and information from the various collections I've been scanning and posting tributes to quite a few Manning folks who have passed away over the last several weeks, but right now - here is a new feature that emphasizes and concentrates on the unique events that have and continue to occur here in the little town of Manning, Iowa.

So while the "Hate America First" crowd seems to keep growing and expanding into neary every aspect of our US society on a daily basis, I continue to document and archive how most of us here in Manning are patriotic and love our country & community.

The right side frame shows current and upcoming events and new feature stories I come up with.
Then as I add more material the stuff on the right gets moved down.
Eventually I remove it or the links from the right side frame, and then have them linked on the left called "What's new in 2021."
Click on that link and it will take you to a ton of older material for the year and some from the previous year.

While you are looking at the "What's new" link on the left scroll down to see all of the other links I have there broken down by various categories.
Click on one of those links and you'll be taken to another page that has even more links that are broken down into more specific detail.

This is a very simple system - YOU just have to take a little time to click on the links and read the descriptions.

If I can spend decades providing you with all of this and previous material, you can certainly spend a few minutes and take your time going through all of the links.

Once you work the various links for a while you'll know where to go right away in the future.

I also realize that frames are frowned upon, actually since they were first coded in the mid-1990s, but they work great for my purposes.
I realize frames don't work the best on those small smart phones and even the slightly larger I-pad/pods or whatever and all I can say is get a nice size computer screen so you can fully appreciate my high resolution scans and feature stories.
Don't go blind straining your eyes with endless hours on those small devices...

I enjoy my 30 inch computer monitor...even occasionally look at my web page on my 60 inch big screen.

But realize that not all flat screens are created equal. I did a lot of research on screens once my CRT monitors failed, which actually had the best quality for black and white/grayscale pictures.

You need to find a flat screen that rates high in grayscale specs, otherwise you'll have a screen that burns out black/white/grayscale images...sadly like so many laptop screens do.
I have found that my Dell Ultra Sharp has very excellent specs for contrast/brightness and handling grayscale...there are newer models now, so I don't know how they rate.
Thanks,
Dave

Local organizers have announced the 2021 celebration is on. Following suit with other Iowa communities, plans are moving ahead for multiple celebrations June 18, 19, and 20 on Father's Day weekend.

The weekend kicks off June 18 with an All-School Reunion at the Hausbarn-Heritage Park. Entertainment decisions are still being made. The Alumni Association will be seeking contributions to offset the cost of hosting the reunion. Donations may be sent to PO Box 191, Manning, IA.

Manning's 137th Kinderfest will be observed June 19 during the day. That evening entertainment will be found on Main Street where everybody can "Party on the Bricks" with musical entertainers Brad Morgan and the Aged Spirits band.

People are being asked to help support Party on the Bricks with personal donations.

Plans for other weekend events, such as the 100th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce, are still in the early stages.

Details starting to fill in...
Flying Buffalos - Hausbarn courtyard starting at 9:00 pm June 18

Brad Morgan (Muhlbauer) and his band - Party on the Bricks June 19 + Aged Spirits (Templeton group) - gates open at 6:00 pm

Kinderfest June 19 - 5K road race morning; parade 11:00 am; activities in park remainder of the day

Golf Tournament at M&M Golf Course - June 18 at 1:00 pm

Scratch cupcakes - June 18 on Main Street

Terrace Apartments 50th Anniversary - June 19

June 20 Omlet breakfast

June 20 area Corvette club - car display on Main Street

Get your registration in early for the 2021 Kinderfest 5K Roadrace/Walk event.
Any registrations received after June 9th are not guaranteed t-shirts… Don’t delay, Register today! It’s a family affair.

Thank you to Robert Cast for organizing this annual event!
Thank you to Blum Physical Therapy, Franck & Sextro P.C. and Casey’s General Store for sponsoring the event!

One suggestion is the hanger was used to dry women's nylon stockings...

I also continue to add more obits to my obituary page, thanks to the generous and hard work of Ann (Voge)...

If you want your family history to become part of the Manning & Family Historical Preservation Database, then please e-mail me so we can start working on the Manning connected pictures, history, memorabilia, etc. you have.
That way your family history, information, and historical items will be digitally preserved long after your family name has disappeared completely in Manning.

More pix coming when I find time...

Manning Hillside Splash

Click for a printable flier

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.

Manning Hillside Splash 2019 update

Oh the Fun of playing in the Sun (1968)

1909 cartoon about 2 boys nabbing their friends' clothes while "skinny dippin.'"

Click to find out about the project

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 get 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.

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.

1 example from the Logeland Studio wedding packets.

There are still quite a few Logeland Studio wedding packets available.

Click to read about this important project.
It will help to financially support the Manning Veterans' history book project.

"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.

Amos Rutz WWII

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

The United States flag
is proudly displayed here and NO other flag is as IMPORTANT!

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

Click to see the tutorial

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.