BioA: Montag, Mr. and Mrs. Harold (Golden - 1981)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Montag, Beil, Dankemeyer, Lange, Doehr, Fenske, Schlinsog, Keiper, Augustin

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/05/1981

Montag, Mr. and Mrs. Harold (Golden – 5 February 1981)

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Montag, Rt. 1 Chili, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on February 8 with a morning church service, an afternoon open house at the church and an evening buffet luncheon at the home of the couple’s son and daughter-in-law.

Attending the event was Mrs. Anna Montag, 91, Harold’s mother. Also attending were Victor Montag of Chili and Ester (Beil) Dankemeyer of Neillsville, who are sister and brother of the couple and who were the original attendants at the February 5, 1931, wedding of the Montag’s.

The celebration began at 9:00 a.m. with a service at Christ Lutheran Church of Chili, officiated by the Rev. Horst Augustin. Lou Ann Lange and Darlyn Doehr offered a vocal duet. That afternoon, during the open house, a program was offered; Joyce Montag handled the guest book while Lou Ann, Jayne, Amy Rachel, Eddie and Bethany Lange served punch. The evening celebration was held at Elgene and Joyce Montag’s rural Chili home.

The honored couple wore a corsage and boutonniere of sweetheart roses and baby’s breath, presented as a gift by the Elgene Montags.

Harold was born on July 4, 1911, in Chili to Herman and Anna (Fenske) Montag. He received his education in Chili schools and then worked at road construction and in Chili and Stetsonville cheese factories prior to his marriage.

Hilda Montag was born December 30, 1907, in the Town of Lynn to Adolph and Laura (Schlinsog) Beil. She attended Forest Side School and then worked for ten years as a clerk for a Chili general store prior to her marriage.

The Rev. V.M. Keiper officiated at the February 5, 1931, wedding of the couple, held at Zion parsonage, Granton. The newly-married couple lived in Chili for a few years. In 1935, they moved to their present farm, which is now owned by their son, Elgene. In July of 1973, Harold and Hilda retired.

The couple are livelong members of Christ Lutheran Church of Chili. Harold served for 18 years as a supervisor for the Town of Fremont and also served on rural school and church boards. He now enjoys raising doves, finches and parakeets. Hilda served as a church organist for 55 years and now enjoys working crossword puzzles and making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Both are in good health.