Time Machine Trip to October 1955

By Lyle Hansen

October 5, 1955

A fun and thrill packed four days of activities will start Thursday when the Kaukauna Fall Festival begins. Such crowd pleasers as a mammoth parade, a display of fireworks, carnival rides, free public dances, free movies, a band concert and the appearance of one of the Fox River Valley’s most popular orchestras, cousin Fuzzy, are all in the offering for the four-day period.

A couple has a little spat as happens even in the best families. Today was the 
day they had planned to give the basement its annual cleaning. She went down the steps into the basement and her husband following. Silently they went about their work, not speaking a word. After two hours of painful silence she became more miserable and he seemingly more stubborn each moment. After the work was done to perfection she turned and started toward the stairs. Reaching out her husband stopped her and put both arms around her. “Why didn’t you do that two hours ago?” she asked. “Because you work so good when you’re mad.”

October 7, 1955

The Kaukauna grade school teams have looked impressive against out-of-town foes have started another full grid season despite fewer practices due to the polio epidemic. Holy Cross is so far undefeated. Jim Steger and Tom Frank at ends; the tackles are Leo Faust and Roger Nussbaum, while the guard are Bob Skalmusky and Jerry Heindel; the center is John Esler. In the back-field Gene LaBorde, Jim Martzahl, Bruce Ludke and Mike Coffey carry the offensive duties.  

St. Mary’s team is led by coach Amsey Mauel, the gridders are Bob Wurdinger, Pat Rochon, Ron Granger, Gary Novak, Tom Siebers, John Austin and Walt Donnermeyer in the front wall. Dennis Burns, Mike Pendleton, Tom Verhagen and Dick Theis round out the starting ‘11’ in the backfield.

October 12, 1955

Lei Kuchelmeister has been chosen by popular vote to be the Queen of the 1955 Homecoming. Attending her will be Sue Berens a senior Marilyn Conrad a junior.

October 19, 1955

An 8-yard touchdown run by Jack Coenen the first time Kaukauna had the ball in the second half, a 51-yard touchdown run by Jerry Hawley on the opening play of the fourth quarter and a pass from quarterback Dan Maes to Coenen completed with a 12 run for the touchdown spelled a 20-10 win for the Galloping Ghosts Homecoming win over the Neenah Rockets.

October 21, 1955

Ken Roloff of Kaukauna is feeling at home more each week at his new quarterback job with Central State’s undefeated football team. Roloff was moved from end to quarterback when the Pointers needed someone who could throw the ball. The ex-Kaukauna prep star was the answer. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 275 yards for the Stevens Point team.

October 26, 1955

A portion of Wrightstown’s St. Paul Catholic Church was destroyed along with all its contents Friday night in a blaze of undetermined origin. Firefighting units from six neighboring villages and cities fought for four hours to save the structure.

October 28, 1955

Robert F. Swanningson, fireman apprentice, USN arrived home on recruit leave on the 25^th of October. He will report to New Orleans on November 9 aboard the USS Tripoli for duty.

Pfc. Gerald P. Baker, a member of the US Marines, is currently spending a leave at home with his parents.