Sievert-Peterson American Legion
Post #608
“We Support And Thank Those Who Serve”
The Sievert-Peterson Post 608 of Okabena was chartered on January 22, 1947. The post was named for Raymond Sievert and Gaylord Peterson. These two men were the first servicemen from the Okabena community to give their lives for their country during WW II.
The post met in the town hall from 1947 until 1955 when they built a basement building 24′ x 72′ on main street. In 1964-65 a building 49′ x 72′ was built above the basement. This structure was financed by the sale of debentures of people of the community and a bank loan. The new building was dedicated on February 6, 1965. The building had been used since that time for many community activities, such as the blood bank, community meetings and as the meeting place for the local senior citizens.
The charter members of the post were: Raymond Ahrens, Henry Bauman, Edwin W. Baumgard, Alvin E. Bayerkohler, Richard R. Bayerkohler, F. H. Bender, Clarence DeMoure, Lyle C. Gade, Raymond Gade, Merlyn H. Gehrls, William H. Gehrls, James S. Groff, Theodore A. Groff, Florian Henrich, Harold W. Hotzler, Ralph A. Hotzler, Calvin P. Hunziker, Harold Hussong, Lloyd Kalfs, George A. Kirk, Donald Lueck, Robert Mikelson, Robert K. Milbrath, John Peterson, Calvin J. Paulson, Lloyd Pruess, Lloyd Ruthenbeck, Raymond Sauder, Paul W. Schulz, Roland Seydel, Bernard Silvrants, Russell Stahlke, Dudley Townsend and John W. Van Dam, Jr.
The first military funeral was held in July 1948, with the assistance of the Lakefield and Heron Lake posts for Raymond Sievert.
The post has been involved in numerous community activities
over the years. The first major project was donating $500 
toward the lighting of the football field. The first experience with the 4th of July celebration came in 1949, when the Legion post organized the parade for the St. John’s church. In 1956, the post and it’s auxiliary took over the 4th of July celebration with Bob Wells as chairman. They have been sponsors of the annual celebration since that time.
The first Boy’s Stater was sponsored in 1955, with Gaylord Pigman as the recipient.
The local post has spearheaded fund raisers and provided aid for members of the post and community who have had accidents and other misfortunes.
A carnival was sponsored by the post in the years 1949, 1950 and 1951.
Rabbit hunts were held for the benefit of the Worthington Crippled Children’s School. For many years pheasant hunts were sponsored to supply pheasants for the Vet hospital pheasant feed.
Projects which the Legion has undertaken over the years include: building a shelter house in the city park in 1961 and again in 1978; sponsoring a Boy Scout troop in 1965 and 1966; helping with raising money and providing labor for the Lakefield-Okabena swimming pool; sponsoring the first athletic banquet in 1962 with the auxiliary and the first band banquet in 1969; sponsoring the all awards banquet which has replaced the former two in recent years; and sponsoring Education Week activities with the Auxiliary.
A German Band was organized in early 1954, mainly for the purpose of playing for the 75th anniversary of the town. This group is still organized and is a familiar sight in area parades. They have participated in all Second District American Legion convention parades. Six of the original members are still playing with the group.
Our members have served well over the years. One of our members served as commander of the Second District American Legion in 1954-55. He was Robert Ditch. Many other members have served in various offices and chairmanships and committees at the county, district, department and national levels.
Commanders of Sievert-Peterson Post 608 – Okabena, Minnesota: Raymond Ahrens, 1947;Gust Seydel, 1948; Raymond Ahrens, 1949; Bernard Silvrants, 1950; Lloyd Ruthenbeck, 1951; Earle Nelson, 1952; Robert Ditch, 1953; Raymond Untiedt, 1954; James Groff, 1955; Raymond Sauder, Gilbert Post, 1956; Abner Brandt, 1957; Robert Hotzler, 1958; Dudley Townsend, 1959; Clarence DeMoure, 1960; John Van Dam, 1961; Franklin Seydel, 1962; Paul Schulz, 1963; Harold Hotzler, 1964; Arthur Hussong, 1965; Arthur Bass, 1966; Arnold Rients, 1967; LuVerne Rausenberger, 1968; Raymond Kruse, 1969; Eugene Pelzel, 1970; George Schadt, 1971; Gary McBreen, 1972; Leo Wagner, 1973; Norman Atz, 1974; Ronald Kruse, 1975; Ronald Pomerenke, 1976; Richard Vogt, 1977; Jerry Gentry, 1978; David Johnson, 1979;
As in the past, the Okabena American Legion Post 608 continues to support community organizations and events. Some of these are: Women of Today, Community Summer Recreation Program, Girl and Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Legion Baseball for Youth, Fire Department, Okabena Community Club, Contributions to Persons in Need, Heron Lake Ambulance, and City of Okabena. The SSC Schools have received support for: School Patrol, Yearbook, Library Books, Scholarship Fund, Post Prom, Senior Trip and Sports Equipment. The Legion also recently donated several United States flags for each classroom for the SSC Schools. Also after the new SSC gymnasium was completed the Legion donated a retractable flag that compares to none in the area. The Legion and Auxiliary still continue to honor the SSC teachers during National Education Week.
The Okabena American Legion provide their facilities to nonprofit organizations, community or service groups for use without charge whenever scheduling permits. Some of the nonprofit organizations and service groups that have used and continue to use the Legion Hall are: SSC Schools, Heron Lake Restoration, Bloodmobile, Women of Today, Fire Department, Scouts, Young Mens Club and Community Club.
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 #608 will 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 Museum and Tri-County News.)