Time Machine Trip to June 1972

Kaukauna Times - June 1972

By Lyle Hansen

June 2, 1972

 

The 100-year-old H. T. Runte Company department store, oldest business in Kaukauna, will discontinue operations this summer it was announced Thursday by Carl R. Runte, proprietor.  It was in July of 1872 that Otto H. Runte, 25 years of age, opened a store offering dry goods and groceries, in a one-story frame building on Wisconsin avenue.

More than five hundred persons turned out for the reunion of graduates of Outagamie County Teacher’s College at the Darboy Club Sunday. The school which has been in operation in Kaukauna since 1912 has closed at the end of the 1972 school year.

Kathi Doering was the recipient of the Lang trophy at commencements by principal Walter Schmidt. Kathi received the award in recognition of her scholastic achievement along with her contributions to the school and community. 

June 7, 1972

Kaukauna's southpaw record holder in both the shot put and the discus, Rick VandenHeuvel, added another honor to his collection of many, capturing second place Saturday at the WIAA state track and field meet in the discus. VandenHeuvel flung the disc 161'5" to capture the silver medal at Madison over the weekend. He also was entered in the shot put, where he just missed a place, nominee in 8th.

The fourth hole-in-one of the season was shot at Oakwood Hills by Don Christiansen on the third hole.

Miss Becky Dercks, Little Chute, was named outstanding student in the Medical Lab Department graduation ceremony at Eau Claire university.

 

June 9, 1972

 

Olin Dryer was honored for his many years of service in community affairs, his service as principal of Kaukauna High School and his work on the Kaukauna school board of education. Dryer will be on the parade reviewing stand of the Kaukauna Jaycees’ Town ‘n’ Country Days parade.

Miss Sue Vandersteen will reign as “Town ‘n’ Country Queen” over the carnival activities this Saturday and Sunday.

 

June 14, 1972

Dr. Lyle D. McGinnis, Geophysicist at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, will serve as rallymaster for the 36^th annual Kaukauna High School Alumni Rally this Saturday at Van Abel’s in Hollandtown.

June 16, 1972

Opening the Doors – Theodore Irion, architect, and Lyle Tiede, the contractor, look on as the building committee chairman Robert Knapp presents the keys to the Immanuel United Church of Christ to Pastor Harvey Kandler, Kenn Smith and Mrs. George Hurst, the Church superintendent. Almost 700 people attended the various Services of Dedication and open house of the new Immanuel United Church of Christ, Sunday, June 11.

What’s it like to be the neighborhood hero? Tom Van Der Steen, 8 years old, didn’t know but after June 1, That evening he saw smoke coming from across the street and rushed to the Harold Mischler home. He could hear screams coming from the camper that was a blaze. He opened the camper door and pulled three-year-old David Mischler to safety. Nether he or David were badly injured in the fire.

June 21, 1972

Two Kaukauna girls entered the Novitiate of Holy Family Convent in ceremonies on June 1. Sister Beth Ann Petit and Sister Theresa Feldcamp were among six to enter.

June 28, 1972

Sister M. Beata, who taught kindergarten at St. Mary’s grade school for 36 years, will be celebrating her 90^th birthday. She was assigned to St. Mary’s in 1918 as a kindergarten teacher until 1927. She was then transferred to Antigo and several years later transferred to Rhinelander. In 1939 she returned to St. Mary’s Kaukauna and remained for 27 years.

Ronald H. Gosdeck, Desnoyer Street, will be ordained into the ministry on July 2 in ceremonies at Kenosha Zion Church. He will be assistant pastor at Friedens Lutheran Church in Kenosha.