Happenings 1950-1959

1950

Ted Milbrath Garage sold to Lokker Bros.

Village to have water survey.

117 votes cast for waterworks system - 5 to 1 for system.

Old Settlers Picnic at Okabena and Okabena Homecoming.
Parade starts 4th of July Celebration.

Henry Mikelson retires after 38 years in elevator.

Louis Kruse meets brother after 20 years

1951

Snowstorm stops school for 5 days.

Schulz Bros. open Oil station.

Village votes 101 to 15 for water system.

Meryl Ostwald elected to school board.

Senior class trip to Lake Superior north shore.

Diagonal road received bituminous surface.

Farewell party for Calvin Paulson's.
Parade starts 4th of July Celebration.

St. John's votes to quit Missouri Synod.

Auxiliary sponsors Halloween party.

Paul Hartman elected County Farm Bureau president.

1952

Kenneth Gehrls leaves for Air Corps.

Bluehawks win sub-district.

Footings started for water tower.

Lutheran church involved in lawsuit.

Heron Lake defeats Okabena in football for the first time in seven years.

Lloyd Ruthenbeck buys Atz Hardware.
Another successful 4^th of July celebration.

1953

Earl Mansmith's lease Cafe.
Headline: Bluehawks lose to Mighty Heron Lake 48 to 49.
Another successful 4^th of July celebration.
Business club election results: President - E. C. Gentry, Vice Pres.- Paul Schulz, Secretary-treasurer - James Groff. Committees appointed: Trade, Goodwill, Improvement, Recreation, Progress and Food.

1954

Legion and Auxiliary to sponsor 75th Anniversary of town. Items relating to celebration in the Press every week from January to celebration dates, of June 5th and 6th.

Rodney Groff and Myron Sievert get together in Korea.

Addition proposed for school. Later addition proposed plan for auditorium etc.

Campaign on school bonds.

Bond election passes 345 to 62

Seniors leave on trip to North Shore
Another successful 4^th of July celebration.

Carol Swenson "Miss Okabena" at 75th Celebration.

Louis Hussong file for candidate for state representative.

Dedication of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

1955

St. John's celebrates 60th Anniversary.

Warren Ahrens, Sharon Kazemba and Glen Morrison win State Farmer Award.

Daniel Scweikert wins scholarship to Yale.

George Stephenson retires.

1956

New gym has full house - Win from Brewster 53-41

Dedicate new school addition. George Stephenson honored at dedication.

First State Bank celebrates 50th with show featuring WCCO stars. Over 1,100 in attendance.

Farm numbering system instituted by Fire department.
Parade starts 4th of July Celebration.

1957

Local creamery votes merger with Lakefield.

All Western Horse show at Okabena sponsored by Spafford Thunder Riders.

Rev. Ude new Pastor at St. John's.
Another successful 4^th of July celebration.

1958

FFA places 2nd in the District.

First State Bank has open house for new facilities.

Parker Cafe opens.

Steven Scheppmann and Raymond Milbrath receive State Farmers Awards.

Heron Lake celebrates Diamond Jubilee.

Concrete play area built in City Park .

Okabena Creamery reaches 60th anniversary.

5,000 celebrate the 4th of July at Okabena.

Arlene Schoone candidate for Miss Minnesota.

1959

Benefit game for Lyle Peters.

Dale Foell elected president of Okabena Business Club.

Harold Hussong takes over Okabena Feed and Fertilizer Business.

F. Scheppmann & Son build new office building.

Daniel Schweikert graduates from Yale.

Summer Recreation Program established.
Another successful 4^th of July celebration.

Henry Peterson succeeds Leroy Hindt as elevator manager.

J. Kilden new manager of Sontag Lumber Co.

Gerald Fox new buyer at Hormel's.

(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.)