News: Loyal Locals (Dec - 1973)

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

Surnames: Loos, Krueger, Rondorf, Bennett

----Source: Tribune Record Gleaner (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 12/27/1973

Loyal News (27 December 1973)

Mingling with Mary (By Mary Woods)
 

The old saying goes, “It’s a man’s world,” but perhaps, “made so by women,” for a lot of women do add a lot to this world, and Mrs. Gilbert (Jean) Loos of rural Loyal is one of those women who does more than her share, but enjoys every minute of it.

Born and raised in the Loyal area, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Krueger, Jean attended Mack country school and graduated from the Loyal High School. After graduation, she worked at several jobs, including housework for $3 a week, café worker, and clerk. She also worked as a nurse’s aide at the Marshfield Hospital, and pursued the career at the hospital in Evanston, Ill., for two years. Jean recalls that she was one of the first nurses’ aides at the hospital in Marshfield and that she had always wanted to go into nursing.

But, for Jean the nursing career ended, and she married Gilbert Loos, also of Loyal. Gilbert was called into the service and she moved back to Loyal. In 1945, he returned from the service and in 1946, they moved to the present-day farm.

Both being raised on a farm, farming was no new thing to the Loos’s, and according to Jean, “It is hard work, but there is something about farming that makes it all worthwhile, something you can’t explain.”

Beginning on a farm of 120 acres, the farm has now reached 282 acres, with some land being rented also. At the beginning the farm had 18 cows, and today an average of 40 cows are milked year around, with some beef and young stock also on the farm. The milk is Grade A and is sold to Lynn Dairy of Granton.

For Jean, the day usually begins at 5 a.m. with chores to do, and in summer it’s working in the fields, planting the garden, and doing the regular work of being an outstanding housewife.

But, when the chores are done, Jean’s day is not. Her enjoyment of working with people continues. She is active in 4-H, church, and homemakers, not to forget that she bowls twice a week.

Being leader of the Loyal Lads and Lassies, Jean has supervision over 40 youths who enjoy working and seeing the rewards that come from it. Having been a leader for 11 years, Jean states that she has always been active in 4-H and “enjoys working with the youth of the area.” I enjoy taking the time to do something with the youth for there is so much that they can do,” states Jean. “I was inspired by one of my leaders to work hard in 4-H, Vern Varney, and for some reason I have continued to do just that.” The cooperation that is received from the families is also a reason for enjoying 4-H, and the different project leaders make it all worthwhile,” states Jean.

Jean and her husband have hosted five or six International Farm Youth Organization students. “the students cone for a few days and see how the different means of farming and life are done here. It’s a great joy having the students with us and, for some reason, we always hear from them every Christmas, which is nice,” remarked Jean.

As a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Jean has served as vice-president of the Altar Soci4ety and continues to give her time to the church functions and remains active in the Altar Society.

On Wednesday and Saturday evening Jean enjoys her bowling. “I’m not the greatest bowler, but it’s fun to do.” On Wednesday night, she bowls for the Amber Inn, and on Saturday evening Jean and Gib bowl on the mixed couples league.

Having so many hobbies which include sewing, painting and enjoying all other crafts, Jean is an active member of the Pelsdorf Homemakers and has been for the past 27 years. She has served as president of the Clark County Homemakers and has served offices in the local organization.

Jean also enjoys being a member of the Clark County Pleasure Riders Saddle Club and had previously enjoyed square dancing.

Getting back to the farm, Jean and Gib open their farm to a Farm Vacation Family during the summer. “We get a family from a different part of the country every summer, and they learn and see the country here and how farming is conducted in this area. We don’t get away that much, but having these families come to us is one way of getting new information and meeting people,” remarked Jean.

The Loos have enjoyed trips that take them to the east and the west, and north and southern parts of the U. S., but for Jean and Gib, “Wisconsin can’t be beat.”

“We enjoy life, and we like to share it with others,” reflects Jean on her and her husband’s life. It’s great to be a part of a terrific community and have the opportunity to work and enjoy life with all the people.”

Mr. and Mrs. Loos have five children, Mrs. Ray (Betty) Rondorf of Greenwood, Tom, Bob, Mike, and Mrs. Glen (Patty) Bennett all, of Loyal. All their children have been members of 4-H, one of the reasons for Jean enjoying working and being a part of it.

For Jean, working isn’t hard, but enjoyed so much. “There is something, about it that can’t be explained,” and perhaps, that is the secret of the happiness and joy that Jean spreads wherever she goes. Anyone who has ever seen Jean will agree with the statement, “There’s something about her that is so special and hard to explain.” She’s an outstanding person, who is something else!