Okabena American Legion Post #608 "We Support And Thank Those Who Serve"
The Auxiliary was established in April, 1948, receiving its charter in June of the same year. The 24 charter members were: Mrs. Vernon Behrens, Mrs. Wm. Gehrls, Mrs. Lillian Gehrls, Mrs. Ted Groff, Mrs. Florian Henrich, Mrs. A. H. Hotzler, Mrs. Ralph Hotzler, Mrs. Harold Hotzler, Mrs. Cal Hunziker, Mrs. Otto Johnson, Mrs. John Krog, Mrs. Henry Mikelson, Mrs. Eli Milbrath, Mrs. Calvin Paulson, Mrs. Lloyd Ruthenbeck, Mrs. Ray Sauder, Mrs. Paul Schulz, Mrs. Fred Sievert, Miss Gladys Silvrants, Mrs. Dudley Townsend and Mrs. Bob Wells.
The Junior Auxiliary commenced in 1966, with Connie Nelson as president.
The Auxiliary works closely with the Legion Post in areas such as the July 4th celebrations, Memorial and Veteran's Day observances, recognition of the local faculty during Education Week. It also sponsors the Okabena awards banquet each spring and selects a student to the Minnesota Girl's State and to the Boy's and Girl's County Government.
Charitable projects include sewing articles for use in Veteran's Hospitals, providing a grooming kit to each young man or woman who enters the armed forces, and sending a box of home-made goodies to area people in the armed forces at Christmas time. A poinsettia plant is presented to area shut-ins at Christmas and food baskets provided to needy families. A special project is support for the Worthington Crippled Children's School, raising money for equipment and furnishings and assisting with the TAC auction and with the annual seal mailings.
The Legion and Auxiliary provides a community service in offering a place for various community gatherings, and serves a large number of dinners yearly for business firms, clubs, class reunions etc.
Money's raised are used for contributions to the summer recreational program, band funds, and all the special charitable drives. Since 1968 they have provided room for the Red Cross Bloodmobile visits and for recruiting donors in the area. The Past President's parley is in charge of recruiting and heads the canteen.
An interest in music was evidenced as early as 1952 when a chorus was sent to the state contest and has participated ever since, winning many trophies, not only in chorus, but in other small ensemble singing groups. They frequently entertain at local functions, district and state auxiliary meetings, as well as for residents of area nursing homes and the Sioux Falls Veteran's Hospital.
Several unit members have served on the district and state levels. Mrs. Lois Post was president of the Second District in 1975 and Mrs. George Schadt is the current district president. Nancy Nelson, Barbara Damm and Judy Schadt have all held the district presidencies of Junior Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary Preamble begins, "For God and Country we associate ourselves together". They try to prove by their efforts that they are good citizens of their community, state and nation and are dedicated especially to community service, the welfare of youth and service to veterans.
By 1978, membership had expanded from the original 24 to an all time high of 108.
The following have served as president of the local group: Mrs. Ray Ahrens, 1948; Mrs. Henry Mikelson, 1949; Mrs. Earle Nelson, 1950; Mrs. Bob Wells, 1951; Miss Gladys Silvrants, 1952; Mrs. Vernon Behrens, 1953; Mrs. Lloyd Ruthenbeck, 1954; Mrs. Paul Hartman, 1955; Mrs. Bob Ditch, 1956; Mrs. Fred Sievert, 1957; Mrs. Ray Rademacher, 1958; Mrs. Dudley Townsend, 1959; Mrs. Eugene Lubben, 1960; Mrs. Lloyd Ulferts, 1961; Mrs. Walter Ulbricht, 1962; Mrs. Arthur Hussong, 1963; Mrs. Bob Hotzler, 1964; Mrs. Lois Post, 1965; Mrs. Orville Bergmeier, 1966; Mrs. George Schadt, 1967; Mrs. Abner Brandt, 1968; Mrs. Arnold Rients, 1969; Mrs. Leonard Henrickson, 1970; Mrs. George Schadt, 1971; Mrs. Earl Parker, 1972; Mrs. Keith Williams, 1973; Mrs. Russell Stahlke, 1974; Mrs. Ebben Gentry, 1975; Mrs. Norman Atz, 1976; Mrs. Arthur Bass, 1977; Mrs. Delbert Christoffer, 1978; Rosella Pohlman, 1979; Mary Nelson, 1980; Linda Vogt, 1981; Evelyn Hussong, 1982; Lois Suelflow, 1983; Irene Holmquist, 1984 & 1985; Maxine Cranston, 1986; Irene Holmquist, 1987; Maxine Cranston, 1988; Patricia Olson, 1989; Evelyn Hussong, 1990; Vickie Milbrath, 1991; Linda Vogt, 1992 & 1993; Irene Holmquist, 1994; Vickie Milbrath, 1995; Janna Frodermann, 1996 & 1997; Lesley Christoffer, 1998, 1999 & 2000; Bibie Pearson, 2001, 2002, & 2003.
The Okabena American Legion Auxiliary and the Okabena American Legion will announce the next regular meeting date and time in the Tri-County Newspaper.
The Okabena American Legion Post #608will provide their facilities to nonprofit organizations, community or service groups for use without charge whenever scheduling permits.
(Okabena's history was provided courtesy of the Okabena Centennial Edition of
The Okabena Press, Jackson County History Books, Jackson County Historical Museumand Tri-County News.)
American Legion Auxiliary
The Legion and Auxiliary provides a community service in offering a place for various community gatherings, and serves a large number of dinners yearly for business firms, clubs, class reunions etc.