Happenings 1960-1969

Business Census 1960's

Ray Ahrens Implement
Okabena Feed and Fertilizer
Farmer's Co-op Oil
Paulson Grocery
Gentry Grocery
R. R. Bayerkohler - Corn Shelling & Tractor Repair
First State Bank
Okabena Press-H. R. Johnson, editor
Parker's Café
Okabena Co-op Creamery
Okabena Co-op Elevator
Municipal Liquor Store
Hormel & Co. - Gerald Fox, buyer
Behrens Farm Equipment
A.F. Scheppmann & Son Manufacturing Co.
Sontag Lumber Company
Ruthenbeck Hardware
Schulz Bros. Service Station
Kruse's Tavern

1960

Henry Peterson heads Business Club.
Okabena wins sub-district.
Judith Rickert valedictorian, Fern Milbrath, salutatorian.
FFA crops and poultry teams win state.
Bill Gehrls honored for 40 years of membership in Legion.
Funeral services for George Stephenson in school auditorium.
Seniors leave for tour of Chicago.
Another successful 4th of July celebration.
Okabena Rural Mail Service begins.
New Post Office Building opens.
Leona Stillwell new depot agent.
Arthur Anacker installed as assistant pastor of Our Redeemer Church.
Alvin Idler accepts bank position here.
Kenneth Gehrls takes over as manager of local Co-op Oil.
Legion holds mortgage burning ceremony.
New Post Office dedicated.
Sam Frederickson dies.
Steve Rohwer on All State Football team.

1961

Harold Hussong heads Business Club
Watershed program at school.
Church of Lutheran Confession recognized.
Okabena wins over Mt. Lake in District Semi Finals.
James Dahl, former superintendent of schools, dies.
Floyd Anderson, manager of Sontag Lumber.
Shelter house built in Village Park.
Another successful 4th of July celebration.
Guy Paulson retires.

1962

Dean Miranowski opens TV repair shop.
Floyd Barr, former RR agent 1912-1929, dies.
Twister hits area - none injured.
Arvid Olson new manager at local elevator.
Parade starts another successful 4th of July Celebration.
Class of 1936 holds reunion.
Drive for Lakefield-Okabena swimming pool.

1963

Okabena Development Club new name for Business Club.
Larry Henning named State Star Sheep Farmer.
John C. Ruthenbeck, pioneer businessman, dies.
Violet Milbrath and Frances Harms top students in graduating class.
Maylon Eidhammer wins "A" rating at state music contest.
Crops hit by May freeze.
4th celebration postponed to July 7th.
Railroad discontinues passenger service.
Eli Hartman victim of car accident.
Okabena Development Corporation formed.
Robert Ditch receives National Legion appointment.
Ed DeMoure loses life in home fire.
Dial telephone service activated.

1964

William H. Gehrls retires.
Okabena Fun Night proves big success.
August Atz, pioneer businessman, dies at Alexandria, Minnesota.
Patrick Hughes dies in car crash.
Seniors on Washington D.C. trip.
Parade starts another successful 4th of July Celebration.
Ed. Sternberg purchases Kruse Cafe.
St. John's congregation celebrates 50th Anniversary of church dedication.

1965

Rev. Behling installed at Our Redeemer Church.
Legion dedicates new hall.
Services held for A. F. Scheppmann.
Okabena digs out after being snowbound for 3 days.
Hardware store opening by Earnest Spand and Arlo Jochims.
Seniors leave for Washington, D. C.
Parade starts another successful 4th of July Celebration.

1966

Local Farmer's Co-op Oil buys Bauman's station in Heron Lake.
First bowling banquet held.
Various organizations sponsor Summer Recreation Program.
Celebrate John C. Ahrens' 90th birthday.
Bluehawks football team wins Southern Star Championship.
Okabena Methodist church celebrates 50th Anniversary.
Parade starts another successful 4th of July Celebration.

1967

Guy Paulson dies.

Marsha Osterkamp winner of "Homemaker of Tomorrow" award.

5,000 attend July 4th celebration.

Football team wins Southern Star Conference crown.

R. R. Bayerkohler and Wm. H. Gehrls, WWI veterans, die.

1968

Ewington School celebrates 50th Anniversary.
Fred Kay, Minnie Milbrath, Edward Sauder die.
Parade starts another successful 4th of July Celebration.
Surfboards manufactured in Okabena.

1969

Okabena FFA wins first place in Wildlife contest.
Farmer's Co-op Oil merges with Jackson County Co-op in Lakefield.
Local Post joins in celebration of American Legion's 50th year.
Another successful 4th of July celebration.
Dib Johnson cited as "Good Neighbor" by WCCO Radio.

(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.)