Saturday, July 25, 2026

Time Machine Trip to July 1966

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

July 1, 1966

 

David Haen, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Haen, Hollandtown, varsity football player at Oshkosh State university, was drowned Wednesday evening while swimming in Lake Winnebago. The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. near the marina at High Cliff state park, according to the Calumet County sheriff.

 

For several months, there has been considerable anxiety and concern as to the impact of the Medicare program beginning July 1, 1966, on the nation's health resources. Appleton district office manager Frank Donnick points out that Medicare will not create shortages of medical facilities and professional personnel but will definitely dramatize the shortages that already existed and have existed for years. People over 65 account for 15% of all hospital admissions. Because they generally stay in a hospital longer, they account for about 25% of hospital beds in use. 

 

Head coach and general manager Vince Lombardi today announced that offensive tackle Steve Wright and guard Jerry Kramer have signed their contracts for the 1966 season. Also signing contracts are two more veterans bringing to 22 for the 1966 season. They are center Ken Bowman and defense end Lionel Aldridge.

 

The couple’s golf team captained by Les and Grace Forde kept a four-point hold on first place by scoring 60 points on a bye. With 64 points from the first round they have a total of 124 points.  Greg and Nancy Hermsen team is second, scoring 60 points in the second round against the team captained by Don and Irene Peeters. They have 120 points. 

 

A pigeon of Robert Natrop of Kaukauna led the way in the final old bird series races from Topeka, Kansas, a distance of 500 miles. Placing and showing in the competition were pigeons of the Sager brothers of Kaukauna.

 

Kurt Luedtke leads the K.A.C. Junior baseball team after five games with a .333 batting average. Other top averages belong to Mike Grogan .294, Quinn Vanden Heuvel .238 and “Yogi” Vandenberg 211.

 

Kaukauna Pool Personnel

 

Sue Whittaker     Tom Courtney       Peggy Burns       

  

Carol Behnke    Pat Grogan   Pat Kavanaugh

  

Mary Renn   Mary Van Den Heuvel   Lynn Leddy

 

    Peggy Schouten,     Lynda Damro   and     Mary Peebles

July 6, 1966

 

Clarence G. Theis took over duties as president of the Rotary club for the fiscal year starting July 1. Gene Lang was the outgoing president. Neil McCarty was installed as the new vice president.

 

VFW PARADE

 




 

 








July 15, 1966

Neil Biersteker, Klein Street, scored a hole-in-one on the 125-yard hole a Oakwood Hills Golf Club Sunday morning. 

 

Head coach and general manager Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers announced today that veterans Max McGee and Bill Curry have signed their contracts for the 1966 season. McGee will be entering his 11th year with Green Bay. 

 

July 20, 1966

Kaukauna Memorial swimming team downed Little Chute 161-44 for its season opener and Kaukauna Saturday. 

 

The assessed valuation of the city of Kaukauna for 1966 rose to a new high $29,616,520, an increase of more than $600,000 over 1965.

  

Mary Beth Nienhaus, KHS physical education teacher, won the Northeastern Wisconsin women's golf Association tournament in Fond du Lac last Wednesday. Mary Beth played 1-under par for the 16-hole route and never trailed in the match.

 

July 22, 1966

 

Bernard J Hupperts, Kaukauna high school teacher, has been appointed an official judge of the achievement awards program for 1966. The announcement came from the offices of the National Council of teachers of English.

 

The Kaukauna Girls All-Star team from the Girls’ City league bested Hollandtown by a 29–11 margin in Kaukauna. Lynn Belling sparked the offense with four home runs and a double in six times at bat. Sue Schmidt was the winning pitcher, allowing 14 hits, one walk.

 

July 27, 1966

The Kaukauna Klubbers struck for four runs in the last of the eighth to score a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over Two rivers Sunday at the Dodge street diamond. Fred Steger led the inning off by reaching first after being hit by a pitch. Dick Mulry then drew a walk. Tom Van Drasek’s bunt got him on first. Loading the bases when Jim Steger cleared the bases with a double. 

 

Ralph J. Kraut, chairman of the Giddings and Lewis Tool Company reports that as part of the $10,000,000 expenditures new buildings will be built at the Kaukauna plant.

 

July 29, 1966

 

“THEN AND NOW” pictures tell the story of the complete remodeling of the building on the southeast corner of Second and Main. After the building was purchased eleven years ago from the Farmers and Merchants Bank, the interior was completely remodeled. Four modern apartments were built on the second floor, two professional offices and a retail store in the first floor. Over a period of several years, the exterior was redone.

 

 

Capt. Burton Bice, Kaukauna Army officer, visited in Kaukauna last week before departing for tour of duty in Vietnam. He recently graduated with honors from the advanced officer school at Fort Devon, Mass. where he spent the last three years.

 

Pfc. Roger P. Kerkhoff, Kaukauna, arrived in Vietnam June 25 with the 4th Battalion of the 503rd Infantry airborne. Kerkhoff, an automatic rifleman in the battalion’s company A entered the Army in June 1965 completing basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky. The 19-year-old soldier is a 1965 graduate of Kaukauna high school.


  

Seaman Recruit Robert W. Joosten, 19, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Joosten of 603 E. Main St., Little Chute, Wis., has completed seven weeks of Navy basic training at the Naval Training Center here.

 

Airman Sheldon E. Moss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Moss of 530 Susan St., Kimberly, Wis., has been assigned to Shaw AFB, S.C., after completing Air Force basic training.

The airman will be trained on the job as an administrative specialist with the Tactical Air Command.

 

PFC DENNIS L. HAUSER will return to Viet Nam July 24 after spending several weeks with his father, Carlton Hauser, route 1, Kaukauna.

 

MAJOR ROBERT PETERSON, center, operations officer of the Standardization Division of the Army Aviation School's Department of Rotary Wing Training, is promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in a recent ceremony at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Pinning on the new silver wings is Col. Peterson's wife.

 

Seaman Apprentice James M. Johnson, USCG, son of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Johnson of Route 2, Kaukauna, Wis., has completed eight weeks as a Coast Guardsman.

 

Photographer's Mate First Class Richard H. Hein, USN, a 1956 graduate of Kaukauna High school, was a staff member aboard the USS Guadalcanal yesterday, the prime recovery ship in the task force designated to recover the Gemini-10 Spacecraft.

 

Army Cadet Gerald A. Verbeten, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clement A. Verbeten, 720 Arthur st., Little Chute, Wis. participates in camouflage procedures during field fortification exercises at Fort Riley, Kan. He is undergoing six weeks Reserve Officer Training Corps summer training.

 

 

Airman Michael J. Moser

 

Airman James M. Reader

Airman Michael J. Moser, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dolores A. Moser, Route 2, Kaukauna, and Airman James M. Reader, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald D. Reader, route 1, Kaukauna, Freedom, have been selected for technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, as U. S. Air Force aircraft maintenance specialists. The two airmen recently completed basic training at Lackland AFB.

  

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Belling

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Merle Hammond

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Merbach

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Lavern Zuleger

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Claud N. Bain

Girl to Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Wildenberg

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Van Abel

Girl to Mr. and Mrs. John Van Nuland, Jr.

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Zwiers

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Donovan

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kohler

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schuh

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Merle Simmons

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Menting

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James Lehrer

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Schley

Girl to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McCabe

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Heid

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert G. Kalies

Boy to Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Schmidt

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Van Elsen

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Spear

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Grafmeier

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hinzman

Son to Mr. and Mrs. James Van De Leygraaf

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Philipsen

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Young

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Hietpas

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Turkow

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Dickrell

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Orville Otradovec

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James Penterman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sprister

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Schaffer

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Zuleger

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome H. Hartjes

Son to Mr. and Mrs. James R. Menting

Son to Mr. and Mrs. James Harp

Son to Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Pohlman

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John Miron

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John Robert

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John W. McCormick
























Friday, July 24, 2026

Time Machine Trip to July 1956

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

July 3, 1956

Kaukauna youngsters get a special break this afternoon as the prices for all the rides on the midway of the American Legion picnic at the LaFollette Park are reduced as a special inducement for young people to visit the show.

 

Kaukauna High School band director Elwood Bleick, this week announced a special alumni night concert Thursday evening in front of the Kaukauna High School building on Oak Street. Bleick and Adrian McGrath, who is assisting with the summer music lessons, have sent out special invitations to former members of the band to attend the concert.

 

July 6, 1956

 

KARL E. MARZAHL, Kaukauna city clerk since 1943, will file his papers at the courthouse this morning as a candidate for county clerk, he said Thursday. He announced his intention of running several weeks ago.

 

Kaukauna area boys and girls have returned home from attending Badger Boys State at Ripon college and Badger Girls State which was held at University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Tom Lindemuth was elected alderman in the elections held at the session. Miss Mary Joe Krueger, Kaukauna, Joyce Van Boxtel, Little Chute and Janet Brooks, Greenleaf attended Badger Girls’ state at Madison. Ms. Krieger was elected Sheriff; Miss Van Boxtel was named Senator.

 

The Girl Scout Day Camp Winnecomac, located on County Trunk Highway Q, south east of Kaukauna, will open Monday for the first session of the summer season. Kaukauna Brownies and Girl Scouts of the city will be the first group at camp. 


July 11, 1956

The Kaukauna Klubbers Sunday afternoon broke their “at home jinx” with a vengeance as they defeated the invading Appleton Brewers 10–0 in a match that captured a seven one fourth inning and back to back triples by Kaw leftfielder Robert Petruska and shortstop Tom Hilgenberg. Rick Van Linn went the distance on hill for the Klubbers allowing but four hits in the game.




Claire Schuh 

Funeral services for Claire Schuh, 15, Route 2 Kaukauna, who died from injuries sustained in an auto accident near Greenleaf Sunday night will be held at Holy Cross church Thursday at 9 AM.  Another Kaukauna girl, Diane Reinke, 15, is still in critical condition at St. Vincent's Hospital Green Bay as a result of the accident.

 

Green Bay Packer fans will get a taste of what's new, when rookie quarterbacks and All-Star players report to coach Lisle Blackbourn on Monday, July 16 for practice. Coach Blackbourn wants his quarterbacks to be well versed in the Packer system when other members of the squad report to the Stevens Point training site July 21. Quarterbacks reporting will be Lynn Beightol of Maryland, Bart Starr of Alabama and Rod Hermes of Beloit.

  

July 18, 1956

The Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company has concluded negotiations with representatives of the two unions at their location. The new labor agreement is for one year and applies to about 1200 hourly paid employees. A general 6% wage increase with a minimum of $.11 per hour for male employees. The wage increase will make the new base rate for women a $1.49 per hour and the base rate for male employees will be a $1.71 per hour. 

   

A total of 309 babies, which were born at Kaukauna community hospital, registered for the Alumni Day held July 12. Prizes were given for the curliest hair and the baldest head also the first set of twins received prizes. 

 

July 20, 1956

 

William Eiting, president of the Kaukauna area food group, (second from left) and Harold Frank, secretary, (second from right) talk over coffee cups with Larry Verhagen, left, and Russell Mereness.  

 

The first half batting averages for the Fox River Valley baseball league have Ron Debilious of the Menasha Macs grabbing top honors with a .611 average. Vernon Romenesko, Freedom, has a .555 average while Bill Harvath, Little Chute has a .500 average. Bill Ebert, Reidsville, is .481, Roger “Butter” Vander Wyst at .478 and Floyd Hammen at .424 both of Little Chute.  Kaukauna's Jim Nirschl is hitting .400.

 

Michael McCormick, 17, who Wednesday night was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury composed of six men and six women in the death of Teresa Vander Horst, is scheduled to receive sentencing this morning. The jury deliberated for a little more than five hours before bringing the verdict.

 

Leo J. Merlo of Kaukauna was elected Chef De Guerre of the Forty et 8 Outagamie County Voiture 1140 of the 40 et 8.

 

July 25, 1956

The Kaukauna Klubbers Sunday continued their winning ways and lead in the Fox River Valley baseball league when they beat the Harrison crew 8-2. Highlights of the game for Kaukauna was a three-run homer in the fourth frame by Jim Nirschl and a two-run tripper by Joe Van Linn in the bottom of the eighth. 

 

Ken Roloff, former Kaukauna High School and Central State Teachers College-Stevens Point star athlete, is scheduled to leave Sunday noon for Winooski, Vermont, where he will be trying out for a spot on the New York Giants football team of the NFL.

A safety award was presented to Kaukauna officials at a recent ceremony at the police department by the American Automobile Association. In the top photo Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon, left foreground, is seen receiving the 1955 pedestrian safety award from Judge Oscar J. Schmiege, chairman of the AAA advisory committee of Appleton. Looking at the presentation are, left to right, R. C. Salisbury, safety director of the motor vehicle department, Don Joyce, AAA district manager and Sergeant Oscar Jahns of the Kaukauna police department.


Kaukauna Junior Legion baseball team last Saturday afternoon had little difficulty defeating Green Bay as they swept to in 18-4 decision at the Dodge St., Park. A ten run third inning was the turning point in the match after the visitors held a 3-1 lead.  The big third inning for the Kaws started as Jerome DeBruin reached base on an error, Cal Walsh singled as did Jack Coenen and Fred Bernard doubled. Ken Sanders singled, Karl Frank walked and Duane Pahl singled, Russ Arts walked as did Jerome DeBruin, Cal Walsh again singled and Jack Coonen tripled. Coonen came in on an outfield error on a blow by Bernard. At the end of the frame the Kaws had 11 to 3 advantage over the visitors.

 

The Grignon home was a feature attraction of a recent family picnic for the Cub Scouts of VFW Pack 20. Shown bottom row, Bob Hoehne, Gerald Krueger, Kenneth McDaniel, Michael Huss, Thomas Biese, Richard Vernon, Merline Sanderfoot and David Gerharz. In the second row, same order are Ronnie Sampson, David Courtney, Keith Braaten, Tom Yingling, Lyle Diedrich, Charles Wagner, Matt Courtney, Jerome Sanderfoot and Dale Reuter. In the third row are Erik Driessen, Gerald Behne, Mark DeBruin, Gerry Ebben, Terry Schaefer, Robert Dawson, Jim Courtney, Dale Cheney and David Lust. In the fourth row, left to right are Bruce Van Drasek, Dennis Schwartz, Dennis Kasten, James Niesen and Tim West.


Freckle-face youngsters had their day recently at nine of the city parks as prizes were awarded to the youngsters with the most, the prettiest, the fewest, the largest and the cutest. Reichel's Park winners were Carol Koester, Jack Schermitzler, Marilyn Resch and Christine Reichel. At Strasburg Park the winners were Mark DeBruin, Bruce Vanevenhoven, Jean Delfosse and Christie DeBruin. Hennes Park winners were Jeanne Carstens, Kitty Collins, Suzanne Schmidt, Danny Biselx and David Keough. At Riverside Park Royal Nelson, Joe Kerry, Don Derus, “Butch” Anderson and Tom Jansen. LaFollette Park winners were Mary Mullen, Lynn Cherkasky, Lois Hansen and Nancy Rennebohm.  White City winners were Larry Pruess, Margaret Coleman, Barbara Wolf, Paul Lamers and Sue Bauer. The winners at Nicolet Park were Betty Fisher, Carol Carnot, Paula Koch, Patty Landreman, Philip Boyd, Joann Sachs.  Marsh winners included Donna Krueger, Lois Ebben, Duane DeGroot and Shirley Blair. The Park playground winners included Diane Steffens, Laura Leatherbury, Bill Derricks and Mary Busse.

 

July 27, 1956

  Ves Berens

When August 1st rolls around next week Sylvester (Ves) Berens will be taking note of an anniversary of some distinction in Kaukauna business. It will be 50 years since he went to work selling clothing, in the same location where he now operates his store, 115 E. 2nd St. At that time the store was owned by W. S. Mulford and Ves as a youth took up the hustling tradition. He became Mulford's star salesman and later manager of the store when Mulford moved out of state in 1933. 

 

George D. Turk Route 3 Kaukauna who graduated from Kaukauna high school this year left for duty in the U.S. Marine Corps on June 4. He has reported to San Diego, Calf. for basic training.

 

John J. Schuh - U.S. Navy

Wayne E. Grode

John James Giancola - U.S. Navy

Donald John Gorselitz

Kenneth John Nushart

Gerald Frank Derus

Daniel G. Vanden Heuvel - U.S. Army

 

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John Shelendich, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. William Verhagen, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Oleson, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Rader.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jansen, Kaukauna.

Twin sons to Mr. and Mrs. Allan Mischler, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bruecker, Greenleaf.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Prellwitz.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hirsch, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Dercks, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Glen Jansen, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Donnermeyer, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Roberts, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Belling, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Earle Deering, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Solberg, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Fjellerad, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van Dyke, Kimberly.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Van Roy, Kimberly.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John Mulry, Little Chute.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lesselyoung, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin De Bruin, Little Chute.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Willis Onasch.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse A. Beavers, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Ludes, Kimberly.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Zwiers, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wolfinger, Kimberly.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Vanden Boogard, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Vosters, Kimberly.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gene Munes, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bodde, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James Jansen, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mereness, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hermsen, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Van Grinsven, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kelderman, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Randerson, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Benotch, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Betters, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Biese, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Van Asten, Kaukauna.

Twin boys to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wiegert, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hauck, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Johnson, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Stuyvenberg, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John Vosters, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kavanaugh, Little Chute.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vanden Hogen, Little Chute.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Baumgart, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hartl, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin DeBroux, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. George Ver Voort, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Micke, Kaukauna.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Vandeyacht, Little Chute.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. David Pomeroy, Kaukauna.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Don Hannan, Kimberly.

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Larson, Kimberly.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Michakliewicz, Kimberly.