Dusting off the Archives

News from Verndale's Past

40 Years Ago, May July 3, 1985

• Area Methodists heard their new pastor preach from the pulpit last Sunday and they met his family. The family is pictured: Kirk, 5, who is excited about starting kindergarten this fall; Pastor Craig Haberman, his wife, Sharon, and two-year-old Christopher. He will be serving the churches at Central (rural Verndale), and in Verndale and Bertha.

• Surprises abounded last Sunday afternoon in Verndale. The folks attending St. Frederick’s Church picnic were surprised when everyone on one side of a picnic table got up to see what the commotion was on the railroad tracks, which sent Tillie and Leonard Schwartz and Loretta Parker flying to the ground. Pictured, those on the left were Arlene Ferrian, Grace Horn and Virginia Richter. Another surprised person was Dave Wutzke, under the trailer, when the hayrack flew off the running gear as he hurried across the Burlington Northern tracks ahead of an eastbound train. Luckily the rack landed on the westbound track and thus avoided being destroyed by the oncoming train. Men attending the picnic in McNair Park went to Dave’s assistance and hoisted the rack back onto the running gear.

• Steve Techam sent over color negatives this week of pictures he took at the State Track Meet at Osseo in which three Verndale athletes competed. Scott Trosen competed in the high jump, the best of his high school career at 6’1”, finishing eighth at the state competition. Hurdler Dean Dahlvan finished in seventh place at Osseo with a time of 15.59 in the 110 meter hurdles. Terri Derby, an eighth grader, placed ninth at the state meet, competing in the 3200 meter run in 11.38.72, bettering her own personal as well as a school record.

• The Verndale Bison played their last home game on Sunday against Eagle Bend and posed for a photo: future Bison player Trent Carr, Bob Carr, Joel Rengel, Tim Seaton, Al Ness, Mike Lauer, Norm Card, Pat Bienusa, Brad Schmidt, Tom Hegre, Todd Pilgrim, Darrell Card, Manager Dave Hieb and Randy Card. Not pictured were Gary Grondahl, Dave Becker and Mark Bristlin. The Bison are 6-6 for the season.

15 Years Ago, July 1, 2010

• The Minnesota Farm Bureau honored Don and Barb Johnson’s century farm in Verndale. The Johnsons have kept their farm family owned and operated since 1910 when Adolph Johnson, Don’s grandfather, purchased 88 acres of land just outside of Verndale. Born in 1868, Adolph Johnson migrated to America from Norway in 1882 at the age of 14.

• General Lesley McNair was one of Verndale’s most reputable citizens. McNair was a four star general in World War II, where he was killed on the front lines on July 25, 1944. He was promoted posthumously to general on July 19, 1954. This July, General McNair will be commemorated once again as his great-granddaughter includes Verndale as a stop in her nation-wide tour as she looks over records regarding General McNair at the Verndale Historical Society.

• Hundreds of volunteers helped out with cleanup efforts in Wadena over the weekend. There were 268 homes and buildings destroyed in Wadena, include the community center, the Wadena-Deer Creek High School, the community swimming pool and the fairgrounds. There were approximately 450 volunteers on Saturday according to Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden. Governor Tim Pawlenty, who surveyed the area after the storm, sent a request for a major disaster declaration to President Barack Obama on Friday, June 25. Thirty people were injured in the Wadena area and were treated at the Tri-County Hospital. They also reported that 25 families are without homes.

• The Construction Trades class, in conjunction with the city of Verndale, completed this 28’ x 48’ house which is now for sale. Pictured are members of the trades class: Dan Suhl, Austin Hovias, Kory Stave, Dan Houchin, Dan Brown and Dalton Murdock.

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