Time Machine: Time Machine Trip to March 1975

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

March 7, 1975

Putting the city hall in a used building was expected to save Kaukauna money. The total $1,140,276 cost of purchase and remodeling the former Badger Northland plant on 2^nd. Street. A new building of the same size would cost twice that price.

An industrial accident claimed the life of a 22-year-old Kaukauna man Tuesday evening. Michael J. Diedrick died at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah. Death was caused by burns he received at Appleton Papers Combined Locks Mill.

March 12, 1975

Three Kaukauna boxers won Golden Gloves fights at the Brown County Arena. Ron Dercks recorded two technical knockouts. Mike Nelessen came up with his first knockout and Greg Kessler won on a decision.

Congressman William Steiger feels that the United States is justified in sending monetary aid into Cambodia and Viet Nam in a talk he gave in Kaukauna. That remark drew a strong response from Buchanan Town Chairman Joseph De Bruin whose son Eugene has been held prisoner since 1963. “Thirteen hundred are unaccounted for, yet you want to keep pouring money into there?” After a long pause, Steiger continued to talk.

Gregg Kessler of the Kaukauna Boxing Club rocked his opponent Wayne Slater of Green Bay at the Golden Gloves bout to get the win.

The American Automobile announced that motorists can easily pocket an extra $280 each year and all it takes is a personal commitment to conserve fuel. If conservation is not tried there will be gasoline rationing and it will be the motorist who will shoulder the extra burden.

March 14, 1975

Kaukauna’s new high school varsity football coach will be Willian Biekkola and Robert Bragg will head the varsity wrestling squad in the fall of 1975. Biekkola replaces Kenneth Roloff while Bragg replaces Kenn Smith.

1974-75 cheerleaders, right are Polly Nack, doing the splits; Keri Schierland and Becky Sachs on the wings; Polly Wahlers supporting Kim Kappell and Peggy Van De Loo atop Sue Gerow’s shoulders.

1974-75 Kaukauna high school varsity basketball team. Seated Tim Wirth, Bryan Hacker, Dennis Kramer, Ross Giordana, Tim Roberts, Ken Schmidt, Standing Dave Spice, Frank Bouressa, Jerry Schumacker, Keith Kuehl, Greg Helf, Tom Vaubel and Ric Huss.

A training session conducted by Little Chute physician Dr. Francis X. Van Lieshout showing the proper procedure to use when aiding a choking victim was instrumental in saving the life of a supper club diner last Tuesday. Mrs. James (Sherry) Lettau, an employee of the Lox club at Combined Locks, went into action when one of the patrons was choking. She was able to get the woman to her feet and putting her arms around her clenched her fists and applied force to dislodge the caught particle. Her first and second attempts were unsuccessful, but the third attempt dislodged the particle.

March 19, 1975

Hugh Anderson, KHS senior, has been named as a Finalist in the 1975 National Merit Scholarship competition and will now be eligible to compete for Merit Scholarships to be awarded this spring.

March 21, 1975

The Kaukauna Community Hospital celebrates 20 years of service to Kaukauna and surrounding communities on Sunday March 23. The hospital has a 72-bed capacity and was built with only community money and no Federal aid.

Kaukauna yesterday was designated as an official Bicentennial community, Rep. Robert J. Cornell has announced. The City of Kaukauna will be presented with an official Bicentennial flag.

It may have been the year of the gasoline crunch and declining economy, but people still love to travel and 1974 was little different according to the Auto Ass. of Wisconsin.

March 26, 1975

Military services for Sp. 4 Marc E. Gast were held at 11 am Saturday at St. John’s church, Little Chute. The 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gast of Little Chute died on March 17 as the result of an accident at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he had been stationed. Army personnel served as honorary and active pallbearer’s members of the firing squad and color guard.

March 28, 1975

Fred Herbolzheimer Jr., president of Thilmany Pulp & Paper Company, Kaukauna was presented with the Gold Knight of Management Award, the highest honor bestowed by the National Management Association at the Pioneer Inn in Oshkosh. The award was given to managemental people who have reached a high professional level in their careers.

Fred Haas was recently honored as the Ghosts’ Most Valuable Wrestler this year. Haas compiled and outstanding 22-5-0 overall record, best in the squad and the only Kaukauna wrestler to make it to the WIAA sectional tournament this year.