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Manning, Iowa
"Home of Pioneer Spirit"
Where independent & rugged-thinking individuals (both past & present) work together to accomplish great things for the community!

Byron MacGregor & Gordon Sinclair of Canada - The Americans 1974

Mary (Grote) Sailer

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John L. "Jack" Ramsey, Jr.

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Audrey Kathleen (Ewoldt) Popp

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In Loving Memory of Peggy Ann Nelson

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Peggy Nelson, a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, who left us on January 16th at the age of 93. Her life was a testament to love, resilience, and dedication to her family.

Peggy was born on July 5th, 1931, in Exira, Iowa, to her parents, Lloyd and Bernice (Brauch) Jorgensen. Peggy was married to Merle Turner and was blessed with two children, David and Linda. This marriage ended in divorce, and she later married Eugene Andersen where she was blessed with another son, Danny. Unfortunately, this union was met with tragedy, as Eugene suddenly passed away when Danny was just a baby. Peggy went on to meet and marry the man she would spend the rest of her life with, Clifford Nelson and to this union three children were born, Lisa, Dale, and Lori.

Clifford and Peggy were married August 6th, 1959, and enjoyed 64 years of marriage before Clifford’s passing in 2023. They made their home in multiple places, mostly raising their children in Manning, Iowa. Once the kids were grown, they spent several years in Omaha, Nebraska, later retiring to Des Moines, Iowa. Before moving to Independent Living at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, they enjoyed living with their daughter Lori in Grinnell, Iowa, for 4 years. Fortunately, overall, Peggy enjoyed good health and was able to live out her remaining years in Independent Living at Ramsey Village.

Peggy was an outgoing woman, who cherished her family and her friends. While her younger children were in school, she sold Avon and enjoyed visiting, having coffee, and selling her product to the local ladies. After retirement, she was very active in her church in Des Moines, Glen Echo Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She also volunteered many years at both Iowa Methodist downtown and Methodist West, and whenever she was a patient, very proudly would tell her nurses that she used to be a volunteer. She loved family holidays, especially the Fourth of July where you could always find all her children with her, celebrating the closeness of the extended family and then her birthday the following day.

Peggy is survived by her children; David Turner of Galena, Illinois; Linda and husband Gary Knueven of Manning, Iowa; Danny Andersen and wife Linda Capcara, Phoenix, Arizona; Lisa Nelson of LaGrange Park, Illinois; Dale and wife Lesli Nelson of Pella, Iowa; and Lori and husband Mike Novelli of Ferryville, Wisconsin. Sisters Twila Ballard of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Janet (Glen) Nelson of Atlantic, Iowa; and brother Phil (Pat) Jorgensen of Clarinda, Iowa; sister-in-law Darlene McConnell of Atlantic, Iowa; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eugene Andersen, her husband Clifford Nelson, daughter-in-law Linda Turner, granddaughters Erin and Elizabeth Nelson, great-granddaughter Miranda Knueven, father-in-law Walter (Ted) Nelson, mother-in-law Ina Littlefield Ernst, sister Corrine Christensen, sister-in-law Phyllis Sheer, brothers-in-law Emmert Christensen, Edwin Sheer, and Mike McConnell.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated, and no funeral services will be held. Interment at the Exira Cemetery and a Celebration of Life are being planned for a later date.
https://www.thecremationsocietyofiowa.com/post/peggy-ann-nelson

Technology is great - WHEN used wisely and responsibly but when people think they are professional news photographers/reporters and just because their phone has a camera and can take pictures/video, and then post them on the Internet without any consideration about their actions - and that they think they are some great photographer and need to be the first person to post pix about an event - they are simply insensitive in many cases.
I had the first digital camera in Manning and was the first to start posting pix and history on my web pages, but I've understood that there needs to be some responsibility.
Prior to this I had the first RCA video camera in Western Iowa and provided programming for the local Channel 2 Cable station for almost 10 years.
This was when that type of technology was new and VERY expensive, so very few people adopted that technology - NOT until it became more mainstream and a lot less expensive...

I also had visited with Ron Colling over the years on how he handled deadly traffic accidents, and home fires...having the Freedom of the Press behind him, he used his judgement as to when/how he would use some of those pictures in the Monitor.
Of course he had time to think about it for many days before it was published - unlike today with EVERYTHING needing to be INSTANT.
He also did not like to take pictures of deadly traffic accidents and would not take close-up pictures of the victims and many times would wait until the vehicle was hauled off-site to take pictures...he only took these types of pictures if they were to be used by inspectors of the accident and law enforcement.
He didn't want to add salt to the wounds of the victims and the families by publishing irresponsible photos in the paper.

Another reason why most people need to stay way back from a fire event, and also not feel they have to post the pix they take is shown below...No one can know for sure what might be in the structure that will explode and become a deadly missile, like what happened in 1964.


Julius Hoffman next to the propane tank that exploded in 1964.
The cylinder ruptured in a fire 9 miles north on East Street on a farm inside a barn, and became a missile.
Notice it split at the welding seam.
No one knew the tank was in the barn.

January 28, 2025 - propane tank at the site after the fire
I don't know for sure but am guessing that the valve was open and connected to a device with a hose that uses propane so when the hose burned off, the gas was able to escape and not super-heat, expand, and then cause the tank to explode.

Now I was never a fireman but I've video-taped controlled burns of house fires by the firemen and also captured them with my digital camera.
I've also been involved with many controlled burns of barns and farm buildings during our farming operation.
So I've had decades of experience around fires to understand many of the dangers that could arise.

I visited with Gene Steffes for a few minutes to tell him I won't be posting fire pictures like so many vultures have done on the Internet to bolster their egos, but if it was OK I would feature some of the hard work and volunteerism for the clean-up and some history of the Dultmeier building...he said that would be OK.

I also thanked one of the firemen on-site while taking some pictures of the clean-up process.
I hope everyone who sees a fireman will thank them for their volunteer service.

Before you post something like this tragedy - think about if it was your property in a conflagration - about your livelihood and family...you might think twice then...
Dave

In Memory of Leo Willenborg

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In Memory of Michael Enenbach

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I recentely received the sad news from Mick Schurer that his brother, Greg, passed away January 22, 2025.
Greg found my web page in 2007 and posted a message on my guestbook. This was the first time I had contact with this family. I had previously run into the Schurer name while working on Manning history but soon became acquainted with both Greg & his brother, Mick, who sent me pix and information to scan and add to the Manning database I'm building.
I'm so thankful that the Schurer brothers were so gracious to take the time to send me the Manning history they had.

Once I receive the obituary, I'll include it with the tribute.

In Memory of Gregory Schurer
January 22, 2025

Click to see the extensive Schurer tribute

One day I was visiting with a carpenter and he told me that a couple of high school kids he was working with had never before held a hammer in their hands.
I thought back to when I was a little kid - there were the block type toys with a toy hammer...how can anyone ever say they had never held a hammer before.
While continuing to scan the Ahrendsen collection, there are several old magazines so I scanned them. While they don't have anything directly connected to Manning history, I like to scan things like this owned by Manning folks, that preserve our past and give some insight into what kids and adults years ago were exposed to.
From my uneducated opinion into raising kids - I have no degrees, but my suggestion to parents is to take those smart phones, I-pads, computers, etc. and put them in a locked box - then give your kid a hammer and tell them to go outside and build something out of wood with a friend - a fort, tree house, anything...Now this can be dangerous letting a kid cut up wood and use a hammer and nails but they actually might start to learn something about real life.
I hear parents say how their very young kids can operate that digital device and they can't, but what are these kids really learning for life's lessons?

OK, I'm an old fogey, but I think we need to go back to some and maybe many aspects of the "Good ole Days" before it is too late...

Clippings from the Ahrendsen scrapbook

"In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it. I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You can not now realize that you will ever feel better. Is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only to believe it, to feel better at once."
Abraham Lincoln

In Memory of Diane (Rohe) Teno
February 20, 1965 - January 11, 2025

Click to see the tribute

Manning
Perhaps never in the history of the town has there been such a building boom as now on. Too, practically every house that is being built this year will be the home of the builder.
More new houses would have been built, but the lack of carpenters has kept other new homes from being built.
George Dethlefs has just completed his second new building. He expects to sell both before the year is over. The other citizens building new homes are Claus H. Reinholdt, Jens Hansen, Will Schelldorf, Ward Billick, George Schelldorf, Caroline (Mrs. Martin) Brunnier, George J. Ohde, Chris Kaiser, Herman Vogt, Adolph Hinz, Hannes Hass, Henry Opperman, Edward C. Perry, and Charles Rocksien.
Marshalltown, Iowa, Evening Times Republican, August 26, 1913

There is an old expression "Don't get caught with your hand in the cookie jar."
I have a new expression "Don't get caught with your hand in the First Ammendment."

This is another shout-out to anyone/everyone who in the distant past or recently have agreed to work with me on old Manning connected pix and history they have so I can scan those things and get them preserved in the Manning Historical Database I'm constantly working on.
I know you are busy and it is a hassle to dig out and send to me, but the only way that history you have will get preserved long-term is if I get it to scan and archive.
I know many people scoff at this and say that their family won't throw those things away and/or they have scanned those things - but I have 50+ years of experience to back up this statement...as I've seen one old family/Manning collection after another thrown away - I usually find out around 5 - 10 more collections that were thrown away each year.
So either lose it, or preserve it in my database...you don't have to spend much time but I'm the one who spends hundreds and thousands of hours scanning Manning stuff.
I've seen scans by people and most of the time it is way below par...and the other problem is very few have that data properly backed up on multiple hard drives and at off-site locations such as in a bank safe deposit box.
Dave

I just heard this quote and it is so true - especially today...

Those in power protect themselves from the rest of us.

Does anyone know the location or contact information for Charles Scott who taught mathematics at Manning in 1972?
He was a Vietnam Veteran and I'd like to get some military information/pix for him to add to the Manning Veterans' book.
For that matter, any teacher at Manning who served that you know of their whereabouts - please let me know.
The list of Manning connected names who served keeps growing almost daily.

Please visit the Manning Exchange for local news, articles, and information...a work in progress.

Many upcoming events.

Korean War Veterans continues


There are lots of Manning Veterans of the Korean era with no pictures or information.
Will you be in the Manning Veterans' book???
Unless more post-WWII Veterans come forward there will be a lot of 1946 to present day Manning connected Veterans missing from the book.

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.

Click to visit the Manning Exchange

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.

Are you a Manning connected Veteran?
I would like to hear from you!!!
We are starting a Manning Veteran history book project and if you don't come forward you may not be included in the book. NOT because we want to intentionally leave you out but because you didn't come forward.
Same goes for those of you who have Veterans in your family who have passed away. If you don't come forward and help by submitting Veteran connected pictures and information your Veteran may not be included in this once in a life-time Manning Veterans' history book.

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
105 served in the Civil War
1 served in the Indian War
5 served in the Spanish American War
350+ served during WWI
650+ 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

29 paid the ultimate price with their lives defending the U.S. Flag

Are you a Manning Veteran?
Are you currently serving and have a Manning connection?

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


There are a lot of WWI and some WWII Veterans pictures with no IDs.

Before you spend time scanning pictures
please look at these instructions
I appreciate your efforts scanning pictures for me but if you only make low resolution scans you are really wasting your time. High resolution scans are the best and only way to really preserve those old pictures.

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.


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