Time Machine Trip to April 1955

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

April 6, 1955

The home construction business seems to have become brisk as Kaukauna is experiencing a building boom according to assistant engineer Luther Kemp.  January had no permits, February had one and March had nine building permits.  

The Wisconsin Telephone Company increased the number it serves by 41,600 to reach a total of 835,000. The system receives an average of 3,750,000 calls a day. The phone company spends on average $2,000,000 a month on construction and improvements.

Named Co-Editors for the 1955 edition of the “Alumni News” are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kindler, both KHS graduates. They are pictured with their daughter Christine Ann.

 

April 8, 1955

John Deno, 83-year-old retired Kaukauna businessman, has not missed going to an election day but only once since he reached voting age.  

 

April 13, 1955

Elmer Vandenberg with a 248 game and 560 series topped the members of the KC bowling league on April 6 at the S&B.

 

According to word received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lappen, Bill Lappen who helped to pitch the Kaukauna Galloping Ghost baseball team to a State Championship in 1953 has been signed with a class “D” ball club in the south, the Donalsonville Indians. The team is a subsidiary of the Chicago White Sox.

 

Kaukauna High School journalism society paused outside of the offices of the Kaukauna Times for a photo. Left to right front row are Charles Lieding, Mike Walsh, Sue Berens, Belle Golden, Judy Kiffe, Jean Sachs, Sue Lewandowski, Cecelia Bouche, Lucille Gerig, Donna Wyro, Lois Van De Loo, Naomi Carnot, Judy Ditter and Sarah Brenzel; second row Tom Hennes, Nancy Mathis, Jim Rausch, Janice Chevalier, Jerry Schubring, Tom Trettin, Janice Welter, Joan McGinnis, Janice Woelz, Margaret Ludvigsen, Jane Wouters, Dorothy Ferrige, Rosalie Powell, Sue Skibba, Sonia Voet, Elizabeth Kessler and Mary Bachhuber; Third row, Tom Kerscher, Alicia Hennes and Marie Bauer, back row David Ludke and Gretchen Rohlf.

 

With the announcement Tuesday morning of the 80 to 90 percent effectiveness of the new Salk polio vaccine, interest was increased. City nurse, Mrs. Thomas Pearman announced that of the 568 forms sent to parents of first and second graders 459 have been signed and returned to receive the Salk serum.

 

April 15, 1955

Sam Dubow, Kaukauna High School’s head football coach, Wednesday afternoon announced his resignation effective at the end of the current school term. Dubow has been head coach since 1952.

Boy Scouts from Troop 31 under the direction of Scout Master Jack Verbeten worked with a volunteer group of Fox Valley golf club in the transplanting of fifty evergreen trees on the course Saturday.

John Coppes

“There’s a tavern in the town”. It’s been there for a good many years. The Coppes tavern situated where Dodge street merges into Beauleiu Hill. In 1890 John Coppes, the present owner and his father Peter Coppes built the residence and saloon. John a young man of 19 carried all the bricks in a hod up the latter. The business opened in September of that year and is celebrating its 65^th birthday this year.  

 

April 20, 1955

Keith Head, Kaukauna’s favorite young boxer, Saturday night took his eight-straight win in as many starts when he fought Robert Waite of Waukesha at Fond du Lac at the YMCA sponsored event. Fred Barribeau, former coach at KHS, was in Head’s corner during the bout. Another Kaukauna lad, Bobby Lamers, fighting at 131 pounds, took his match in a decision over Don Oneson of Sheboygan. The upset of the evening came when Russ Bishop, a former Kaukaunan, took a decision over Carl Schwendler of Appleton who won the 175-pound novice boxing crown earlier this year.

April 22, 1955

Dave “Hawg” Hanner, veteran defensive tackle, has signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers. Coach Lisle Blackbourn disclosed that Hanner, who has soared to 280 pounds must prune his weight to 250 by the time he reports to Stevens Point training camp.

April 27, 1955

  

 

The Tennessen brothers, Bill and Louis paused temporarily in the cleaning out operations at the Farm Equipment Company on Second street to pose in front of the building where they maintained their blacksmith shop and farm equipment building for more than 30 years. The building was recently sold to Henry Carstens and Son who operate the grain elevator to the rear of the building.

April 27, 1955

Class representatives for the Junior Prom were chosen last week. Paul Sager and Ida Peterson for the senior class; King and Queen Joe De Bruin and Joan McGinnis for the junior class; Karl Frank and Mary Lou Berens for the sophomore class and John Rogers and Darlene Vandenbroek will represent the freshmen class.

  

The swearing in of four new lady police officers for Kaukauna took place at city hall with Karl Marzahl administrating the oath, while chief of police Harold Engerson looks on. Left to right are Engerson, Mrs. William Weyenberg, Mrs. Melvin Skalmusky, Mrs. Joseph Mayerl, Mrs. Dan Van Linn and Marzahl. The ladies assumed their duties as crossing guards.

  

The Brownies inside of the entrance of the Times Office left to right, front row, Rosemarie Pieters, Mary Zarter, Susan Garvey, Pat May and Sharon Stecker; second row, Janice Nussbaum, Lynn Heindel, Pamala Hartzhein, Betty Boyd, Mary Jane Vande Hey and Mary Lee Oliva; third row Frieda Jeske, Linda Morgan, Susan Patterson, Karen Van Dyke and Shirley Van Vonderen and standing behind the girls is Mrs. Victor Pieters, the troop leader.

 

A special Award from the KHS Quill and Scroll journalism society was presented to C. J. Hansen, publisher of the Kaukauna Times Wednesday evening at the annual Lions club sponsored dinner honoring the high school group. The plaque was presented in recognition of Hansen’s devoted interest in the young people in journalism. The award is presented by Miss Francis Corry, advisor for the club.  

Kaukauna Floral had some kindergarten children from Nicolet school touring the greenhouse. Left to right enjoying the flowers and fragrance are Gregory Schuh, Steve Scherer, Eugene Van Voort, Bonnie Vanden Bloomen, Jean Marie Schmidt and Judith Vanden Bosch. 

Sergeant and Mrs. James J. Wagnitz were witnesses of an accident in which a soldier and his wife were killed at a trailer park near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Monday. The couple, friends of the Wagnitz, were flying a kite when the string touched a high-power electric line. The couple were enveloped in a ball of flame. The Wagnitz’s, in an effort to help the couple, suffered burns and shock.

Staff Sgt. Robert Strom, Kaukauna, received a gold wristwatch from Brigadier General Augustus M. Minton, deputy base commander, in recognition for being named “Chanute’s Airman of the Month” Sergeant Strom was honored for his fine work in the hospital Neuropsychiatric Department of the 3345^th Chanute USAF, Ill.

 

Donald Van Wychen, Kaukauna, is completing his Air Force basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He will be now leave for an Air Force base in Illinois to attend an engineer’s school. 

 

Ronald W. Jakl, Kaukauna, is completing Air Force military training at Lackland Air Force base, San Antonia, Texas.

  

A/B Kenneth C. Schumann is home on furlough and will leave for Chanute Field, Ill.

  

2nd Lt. William O. Glaff, Kaukauna, is among 26,000 soldiers slated to participate in Exercise Apple Jack in May at Yakima Firing Center, Washington.

 

Pvt. Leroy W. Romenesko of Kaukauna has arrived in Germany. He left the states from Camp Kilmer, N. J. on March 17.

 

Staff Sergeant Jerome Kaufman, stationed at Francis Warren Air Force base at Cheyenne, Wyo., is home for a two week leave.

 

Army Pvt. David J. Gatz, Kaukauna, is a member of the 507^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion at Honshu, Japan.

 

Eugene Miller, Kaukauna, enlisted in the Army Ordnance Corps five years.

 

William J. Flynn, aviation electronics technician third class USN reported to duty with the Air Transportation Squadron at Alameda, California.

 

Pvt. David A. Ristau, Kaukauna, arrived in Germany on March 30. He is stationed as a clerk-typist in the personnel section of the U, S. Army Hospital at Land Stu Hl, Germany.

 

Time Machine Trip to April 1945

 

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

 

April 4, 1945

Private First-Class Richard Joseph LaRock, 31, was killed in action in Germany on March 14, according to word received by his wife Evelyn who resides on 7^th Street. He had previously been listed as missing in action. He had been employed at Thilmany Pulp and Paper before he entered service in December of 1942. He died five days before his birthday. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Judy, age 3, two sons Lee, age 4, and David, age 20 months.

 

Shoe ration books issued to discharge service men hereafter will contain two valid shoe stamps instead of one ordinarily allowed.  This is being done to assist veterans in their return to civilian life. The government issued shoes he owns usually are not suitable for civilian wear and most times no longer fit.    

 

Corporal Francis D. Jansen of Kaukauna is home on furlough after being released from the O’Reilly General Hospital in Springfield, Mo. after receiving treatment for shrapnel wound received in Luxemburg. He was with Armor Division when the Germans mounted a counterattack in December. “I was a gunner on an M8 tank and left with three others to get additional ammo when the jerries caught us in a barrage. Two of us were injured, me in the left eye. My buddies helped me back to an aid station;” stated Jansen. Corporal Jansen has been awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

 

   

Cpl. Willard F. Coonen of Dundas was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in the European theater of operations.                  

 

April 6, 1945

The officers for post 3319 are: commander, Ed Matchett; senior vice commander, Charles Scheer; junior vice commander, George Giesbers. The officers to be installed for post 3319 auxiliary are president, Mrs. Myron Spry; vice president, Mrs. Joyce Schaefer; junior vice president, Mrs. Nic Mertes.

 

The posthumous award of the Bronze Star Medal has been made to Staff Sergeant Joseph J. Verhagen of Kaukauna by Major General Oliver, commander of the Fifth Armored Division. Verhagen was cited for taking command of the tank platoon on August 12 after the leader was wounded. He performed many heroic feats with his leadership and command decisions. He led the platoon in an attack on a German motorized column destroying it and taking many prisoners, one being a high-ranking officer. He continued the attack destroying anti-tank guns. On September 17 Sgt. Verhagen was in charge of an outpost near Heimerdingen, Germany when a heavy artillery barrage was launched by the enemy along with 25 tanks. After destroying four tanks he moved his tanks to high ground, destroying six more before the enemy retreated with heavy losses.  

Oshkosh will be host of the Kaukauna High School boxing squad this evening when the two tangle in the Kaw’s second out of town match this season. 

 

Arthur C. Look was named president of the Rotary club Wednesday noon at the Ritz. He replaces H.W. Olm. Hubert Fassbender, sergeant-at-arms, J. P. Ditter, treasurer and Walter P. Hagman, secretary.

Come early to get a seat is the warning for the coming boxing match between Kaukauna and Little Chute. There is never any love loss between the two, rivalry is exceptionally keen this year and Little Chute is enjoying a very good season. Coach Frank Weyenberg is bringing a squad that is determined to show that it can beat Kaukauna. They won the first time when the bell ringer broke in a heavy weight fight.

April 11, 1945

Coach Fred Barribeau’s pugilist came on the top of the heap by a narrow margin of 6 to 5 against Oshkosh. Only six of the 11 fights went the whole way with the referee stopping four on TKO’s and another on default. After the fights Referee George Christopher bitterly criticized the Kaukauna crowd for its poor sportsmanship and predicted that interschool boxing would disappear entirely from Kaukauna in a short time unless the fans cease to rail a referee or conduct themselves in a manner becoming normal sportsmen. Phil Haas chalked up another TKO to his credit as a 156-pound when the fight had to be stopped after 15 seconds. None of Phil’s bouts this year have gone past two rounds.

 

Word has been received by the family of First Lieutenant Kenneth Busse informing them that Kenneth is missing in action over Germany since March 25. He has been awarded the air medal with three oak leaf clusters and the European theater of operations.

Two local young men and a Little Chute boy enlisted in the navy April 5. They are Gerald M. Solberg, Ronald Regan; Kaukauna and Donald G. Janssen, Little Chute.

April 13, 1945

Anton F. Berkers was selected to head the adult temporary executive committee of Kaukauna youth center.

 

Technician Fourth Class James Sanders battalion has received a letter of commendation as tank destroyers in Germany.  He has been in service since 1942 and overseas for 10 months.

 

 Pvt. 1^st Class Kenneth R. Reinholz, Main St. Kaukauna, has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the Japanese January 20.

 

The local selective service board announced the following inducted into service from this area on April 13.

 

In the navy:

Weyenberg, Joseph 

 

In the Army:

Van Cuick, Henry A. 

Heindel, Jerome O. 

Klein, Leroy J. 

Doering, Marvin W. 

Jakl, Edward W. 

Reichel, Harry P. 

Micholic, Paul M. 

Skalmusky, Melvin O.  

Reichel, Cyril C.  

Schmitt, Robert J.  

Welhouse, George F.  

Kobussen, Wilbert B.  

DeLeeuw, Christian G.  

Havinga, Peter G.

Austin, David W.

 

 

 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, died at his little cottage at Warm Springs, Ga., Thursday afternoon. He was sitting in a chair and complained of a severe headache then lost consciousness. Death was attributed to a cerebral hemorrhage. When Mrs. Roosevelt was notified of her husband’s death, she said “I am sorrier for the people of the country and the world than I am for us.” The Roosevelt’s have four sons and a daughter. All the sons are in the armed forces and have been notified by their mother. The thirty-second president, Harry Truman, was sworn in at 7:09 eastern war time.

 

Private First-Class Norbert J. Heindel, 24, route 2 Kaukauna was killed in action on April 1 in Italy. He entered service in January of 1942 going overseas October 1943. Memorial services will be held at Holy Cross Church on April 16. 

     

April 18, 1945

There isn’t much question as to which is the better team after Kaukauna boxers handed St. John’s mittmen of Little Chute a 7 to 4 drubbing here Tuesday night before a crowd of over 1,500. In spite of the large crowd, they were well mannered as they witnessed the exciting action-packed matches. The most outstanding fight was the 156-pounder between Phil Haas, Kaukauna and Jerome “Roundhouse” Van Epern, Little Chute which lasted three rounds with a near TKO for Haas when his hard-hitting punches cut Van Epern badly. This is the first time this year that a fight for Haas went the distance of three rounds. Dale Kilgas, Kaukauna out boxed Little Chute’s Joseph Jansen to take the decision in another bout.

 

A telegram was received Tuesday morning by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar W. Alger, Kaukauna, which told of the death of their son, Sergeant Warren G. Alger, on April 1 and of his burial at sea. A previous letter received the day before stated that their son had been wounded in action at Iwo Jima Island. Sergeant Alger had enlisted in the Marine Corps in December of 1941 and has been overseas since May of 1942.   

 

Pfc. Class Kenneth J. Fink has been recognized for heroic service in connection with military operations in Germany against enemy forces November 10 to 13, 1944.  Kenneth, an ammunition bearer carried desperately needed ammo to assault troops under constant enemy fire. On return trips he assisted injured personnel to the aid station. He was awarded the bronze star and expert infantry combat badge for his heroism.

April 20, 1945

The following letter dated Easter Monday, 1945 was received by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McCarthy from their son, Second Lieutenant Neil J. McCarthy now stationed in the Philippines.

 Dear Mother and Dad: At last, I have run into some hometown boys! An anti-aircraft gun section moved into our area yesterday and who was the section chief but Karl Kobussen. We had a nice visit in which he told me that Leo Driessen is section chief an a nearby gun and that other men in the battalion include Joey Vils, Bill Eiting, Bill Heinen. I talked to Leo on a field phone. He is the same old Leo with his old sense of humor. We all got together and had a little Kaukauna party.     

 

The Purple Heart has been awarded to T/4 Donald R. Johnson, Kaukauna, for wounds received in action in Europe.  He is a mechanic with the 7^th armored division of the first army on the western front.  

 

Rev. Alphonse Roder, 70, pastor of St. Mary’s parish here for the last 13 years died Saturday noon from a lingering illness. Nearly 200 clergy attended his funeral services Tuesday with Bishop A. V. Bona officiating.

 

Sgt. Robert Balck is a member of the 314^th Bombardment Wing which recently received a commendation for work done in the south Pacific. “We have just finished eleven days of all out effort. The results were terrific damage having been inflicted on the enemy’s vital manufacturing and shipping centers.” The commendation was signed by Brid. Gen. Thomas S. Power. 

          

April 25, 1945

The last boxing match of the 1945 season for Kaukauna High School saw the local leathertossers outclass a game Oconto Falls team 10 to 1 here Friday evening. The 132 pound bout lasted 35 seconds before Duane Buerth knocked his lightweight opponent though the ropes.  

 

Kaukauna sophomore Dick Brandt is a boxing standout this year according to coach Barribeau. He is very helpful to the squad in the 124-pound class in which he has suffered only one defeat in six matches this year. Dick will be one athlete to keep an eye in the ring, on the grid and on the court where he will be making a name for himself and the high school.   

 

President Truman has made his first address from the White House since taking the oath of office. He spoke to the armed forces both at home and abroad, assuring them that he had stepped forward to fill the place of Mr. Roosevelt in much the same manner as a fallen officer’s place is filled on the field of battle.

 

April 27, 1945

Mrs. Gloria Bruss received a telegram from the war department Sunday notifying her that her husband Staff Sergeant Myron Bruss was slightly wounded on Luzon, March 31. He has been overseas for 23 months.

 

T/5 James S. Whitey Hartjes, now serving with the 3^rd army in Germany has received a citation and was awarded the bronze star for meritorious service. The citation is for meritorious service in connection with military action against the enemy in France. He exposed himself to enemy fire while delivering supplies to the front.    

  

Notes from the Armed Forces

 

The TIMES received a very special letter recently from Pfc. Willard Delcore who is stationed with the 4^th armored division in Germany. “Our division was one of the first to break through at Normandy and has been spearheading the allied attacks down the Rhine in Germany. I surely miss the hometown and hope to see it again in the near future. The weather is great. Sure makes me think of home.

 

Staff Sergeant Victor Busse wrote home to his parents that he met his brother First Lieutenant Kenneth in Germany on Ken’s birthday and they were able to spend a few hours together. Ken is pilot of a fighter bomber and Victor is with the signal corps. Sgt. Busse also sent home the Purple Heart he was awarded for wounds suffered in France on February 4.

 

Sgt. Raymond H. Sprister, Kaukauna, is one of hundreds of enlisted men at a huge Super fortress base in the Marianas whose efforts have made it possible for B-29 bombers to strike the heart of Japan’s war industry.    

 

Motor machinist 2^nd class Sherman Powers is one of 24 men commended for the meritorious work in landing troops and supplies under hazardous conditions at Saipan.

 

Sgt. Martin A. Wildenberg, Little Chute is a teletype operator serving in a Signal company operating in the Dutch East Indies. He has four brothers: Arthur, Peter, Owen and Martin serving in the armed forces in France. 

   

  Pvt. Joseph R. Rupiper, 19, graduated from the AAF Training aircraft command radio school at Truax Field where he was a student.

 

Grover Patterson, Kaukauna, has recently been promoted to Staff Sergeant He is serving in France with a 14^th Armored Division Medical Battalion. His wife Dolores lives on 9^th street.   

 

Sgt. Robert L. Jirikowic, 28 Kaukauna, has arrived in the Philippine base where he is assigned with the 43^rd Bombardment Group on the 5^th Air force. He was a former employee of Thilmany. 

 

Sgt. Clayton Watson writes home that he is in the states and on his way home. He has been over seas 32 months serving in North Africa and Italy. His brother Harry Jr. is in the Navy.

 

Pfc Gordon Kerrigan is home on a 45-day leave after serving 25 months overseas in a medical unit in Germany in Gen. Patton’s third army. He met his brother Corporal Earl Kerrigan in France shortly before returning to the states.

 

Ensign Ralph M. Lauer, Dundas, is serving in the Pacific. He has been in the navy since July 1943. His brother Pvt. Arthur Lauer is serving in Germany.

 

Sgt. Willard A. Daul, 23, Kaukauna has been promoted to corporal. He is with the Second Tank Battalion of the 9^th armored division on the western front in Belgium and Luxemburg 

 

Dean Bayorgeon and John Adrian, Kaukauna, left for basic training at Great Lakes. Dean and John are both students at Kaukauna High School. 

 

A.O.M. 1/c Robert D. Mitchell reported for duty at the Naval Air Station Astoria, Oregon, following a 28-month tour of duty in the South Pacific. 

Captain Luke J. Martin, Kaukauna, retired from the army due to a permanent physical disability incurred in the Pacific theater of operations. He enlisted in the army in October of 1940.

Raymond K. Paschen was promoted to first lieutenant on April 2. He is stationed at Fort McClellan, Al. He had entered the Army in December of 1942 and was commissioned in September of 1943.

 

The first school building – Known as the Annex or Casino was located at the corner of 7^th. Street and Main Avenue.

 

Present Outagamie Rural Normal school erected on Wisconsin Avenue in 1917.

Walter P. Hagman has been principal of Outagamie Rural Normal school since 1919. In addition to being principal he also conducts a number of classes at the school. 

 

 Miss Genevieve Verbeten is the valedictorian at Wrightstown high school. Miss Ruth Salava is the salutatorian. 

  

Kenneth Beuchler, prom king and Betty Stephan was chosen as the queen for the annual junior prom Friday April 27 at the Wrightstown High school gymnasium.