Time Machine Trip to December 1965

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

December 1, 1965

Army Pvt. James Donald Halbach, 20, of Sherwood, Wis., died last Friday. He suffered a fatal heart attack during a basic training physical fitness routine at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. His parents were told by the military escort who accompanied the body to Sherwood.   

With the nation’s economy booming in an unprecedented pace, postmaster Robert Grogan is predicting a dramatic rise in mail volume over the last year's Christmas rush. The postmaster's plea was short and to the point: “Shop early, mail early, and use ZIP Codes.”

The Kaukauna Fire Department responded to six calls in the last week. November 23 firemen extinguish a grass fire. November to 24th they were called to the Triangle restaurant where grease drippings caused the grill to flame. Two calls were reported on Friday, November 26 to the Kaukauna Times Printing company where oil under a printing press ignited. Later that day they were called to Kaukauna Bargain Center to extinguish a davenport out front that ignited from a cigarette. A brush fire was reported on the railroad property where tree trimmers were working. A short circuit in electric stove caused flames at the home of Frank Pratt, Elm Street all blazes were quickly brought under control. 

 

The community Christmas tree was erected last week by the workmen of the Kaukauna Electric and Water Utility, only to be blown over by gale winds Friday night. A new tree was put up Monday.

Paul “Dizzy” Trout will be the main speaker at the Foxes’ mid-winter sports dinner January 18, 1966. Trout is with the White Sox public relations department and is a noted dinner speaker. 

December 3, 1965

 

Michael Brautigan, Kaukauna sailor, who won the bronze star for gallantry in action in Vietnam, telephoned home Friday to say he will leave Japan for the states today. He will spend one week in San Diego then be transferred to the naval hospital at Great Lakes for convalescence from wounds received October 21. The Brautigan's have been busy answering the phone and receiving mail since her son became a military hero. “We received letters from all over the state” Mrs. Brautigan said.  “Nice letters from people who just wanted to say something good to us.” She said a clipping from the Janesville newspaper called her son “The Sgt. York of Vietnam.” This Thursday will be Mike's 18th birthday. 

 

Dave Simon, four-year letterman at St. Norbert's College, revealed he recently signed a professional football contract with Houston of the American football league. Simon, who signed, as a free agent, has been the Knights regular center for the past two seasons. Simon is 6-2, 240 and played high school football at St. John's in Little Chute.

 

Airman Patrick J. Ryan has been selected for training at Amarillo AFB, Tex., in the Air Force. He is a 1962 graduate of Kaukauna High School and attended St. Norbert College. 

December 8, 1965

John Reinke was among 45 inducted into the US Air Force before the Packer-Viking football game Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. After the game the recruits left by bus for Milwaukee. Reinke was a 1964 graduate of Kaukauna High School. 

 

Airman Carlton F. Schmitt has been assigned to Turner AFB, Ga., after completing basic training. He is a 1964 graduate of Kaukauna High School. 

 

Airman James R. Wittmann has recently completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is a 1965 graduate of Kaukauna High School. 

December 10, 1965

Lt. LeRoy S. Weyenberg M.S/C., received his commission at St. Norbert College May 30. He reported to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for the Medical Service Corp. branch school. 

 

Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Leo T. Weyenberg, John Street Kimberly, participated in the rescue of 469 survivors of the SS Yarmouth Castle while serving at the Coast Guard Air Station in Miami, Fla. The Yarmouth Castle burned and sank 120 miles northeast of Miami in Mid-November.

 

Karl E. Stansbury, 86, former president and chairman of the board of Thilmany Pulp and Paper Co., died Thursday after a short illness. He entered employment at Thilmany in 1906 as a clerk and became director in 1913. In 1936 he was elected president of the company and in 1950 was named Chairman of the Board.

Students at St. Mary’s school began a program sending cards to parish servicemen. They are pictured with cards they received back from service members. In the back row are Steve Gloudeman, James Munes, Betty Simon, Tom Kilgas, Tom Meyer, David Britten, Patricia Betters and David Wittman. In the front row are Susan Kneepkens, Susan Vander Steen, Debra Sachs, Rodney Quaintance and Christine Van Eyck.

An inquest into the death of Steven Kappell concluded in Oshkosh this week, with the jury finding evidence inconclusive to determine when, where or how the Kaukauna youth met his death. It was determined he was unconscious when he entered the water. Investigation into the case will continue.

Kaukauna’s High School wrestling team continue their winning streak by defeating Sheboygan South by a 41-3 margin. This brings the Ghosts record to three wins and one tie.

December 15, 1965

The Green Bay Packers have worked out a plan to make tickets available to season ticket holders for a possible play-off game that would be held in Green Bay on December 26.

December 17, 1965

Jule A. Mertes, 73, formerly of Kaukauna, died Wednesday at a Milwaukee hospital. He was born in Kaukauna in 1892 and owned and operated a barber shop on West Wisconsin Ave. He served as alderman of Kaukauna for several terms.

December 21, 1965

The Kaukauna High School Galloping Ghosts won their first Mid-Eastern Conference game, Friday 72-59 over the Clintonville Truckers. Pat Kavanaugh’s 27 points lead the team’s scoring.

 

A fifteen-year-old Kaukauna girl was the happy recipient recently of a Christmas card, bearing a Kaukauna postmark, and a genuine fifty-dollar bill. Cheryl Grissman, handicapped since birth must walk with the aid of crutches, she is able to master the stairs and attend regular classes at KHS. Her unknown benefactor sent this message with the gift: “Just a note to let you know that I have noticed your happy disposition and have decided you were to have this bill. It looks terrible but it is real.” Signed Santa

December 24, 1965

 

Cadet Raymond A. Plzak, W. 8^th street, a member of the U.S. Army ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin, has recently been promoted to the rank of Cadet Sergeant. Cadet Plzak is a 1964 graduate of Kaukauna High School.

Assemblyman William Rogers (Dem) Kaukauna was unanimously appointed a member of the Menominee Indians study committee. The committee is a special study unit created by the legislature to help resolve problems of the Menominee Indian and Menominee County. Rogers is one of three legislators appointed to the 11-man committee.

Hartjes Electric has been awarded the first annual traveling plaque for the winning retail store decorations contest sponsored by Kaukauna Chamber of Commerce retail promotion fund group.

Tickets for the December 26 playoff football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Colts at Lambeau Field are being sold on a first-come first-served basis at the ticket office at the field.

December 29, 1965

A number of persons in Kaukauna reported that they have been asked to save empty cigarette packages to buy a wheelchair for handicapped person or to help a blind person in another city. Thousands upon thousands of empty packages have been collected but no one knows where they should be sent. The Milwaukee Journal called the story a hoax. The story came from a friend who heard it from friend who heard it from a friend and so on. 

Looking at it one way, perhaps motorists should treat pedestrians like dogs. Even the most hardened driver will show some reluctance to strike a dog or another animal. Usually, they don't want to hit pedestrians either, but many drivers assume that pedestrians are better able to look out for themselves. This is not always the case. 

Three brothers each bagged a deer on a hunting trip earlier this week. Shown are Leo Kempen and Vern Kempen. Brother Bill was unable to be on hand for the picture.

 

Five deer were shot by a four men party. Jim, Harvey, Clifford and Les Huss.

 

Wiggies Christmas Candy is ready for Customers

 

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Elwyn La Brec

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Vander Zanden

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Gloudemans

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Chester Dietzen

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Janssen

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Minton

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Biese

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lamers

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Van Beek

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Dreger

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Van Groll

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Jansch

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Van Rossum

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Huisman 

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. James Jeffrey

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Heinzen

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. James Van Hoof

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. James Witt

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. James Weyers

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Vetter

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. William Verhagen

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Vaden Heuvel

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wydeven

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Hammen

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Clement Dickrell

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Siebers

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Micke   

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dollevoet

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fries

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Verstegen

Daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Martin 

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Self

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Van Camp

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Heindl

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Bowers

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Nagan

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald DeGoey

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van Dyke

 Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bahr

Twin daughters to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Lenz

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Roland Runnoe

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Giles

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. David Gustafson

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wyngaard

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Van Gomple

Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Royal Allen Swick

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Miller

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Milback Jr.

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Golden

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wyngaard

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hartjes

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Glen Wierschke

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thompson

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sampson

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Kesler

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Herback

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dennis

Son to Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy DeBroux

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schuh

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Knowles

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Vosters

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Penterman

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Van De Hey

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Van Dyke

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Coonen

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John Ver Voort

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kersten

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Vanden Heuvel

Twins’ son and daughter to Ralph Probst

Son to Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy DeValk

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Verbeten

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Wyngaard