Bio: Degenhardt, Frank & Gertie (Retirement – 1972)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Degenhardt, Hansen, Lotzer

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 29 Jun 1972

A business which has been operating almost since the end of Prohibition will change hands in Loyal (Clark Co., Wis.) on July 1st, 1972, as Frank and Gertie Degenhardt sell their tavern to Dawn Hansen.

The Degenhardts took over operation of the tavern on December 13, 1933. Prohibition ended April 7th of that same year.. Prior to the Degenhardts operating the tavern, it was operated by Paul Lotzer.

Had the Degenhardts applied for another license this spring, it would have been the 40th for Frank and Gertie, a long record of business in Loyal in the same location. A lot of changes have taken place in those nearly 40 years. One thing in particular, Frank noted, was the discontinuance of ice for cooling beer. Not only was it a messy chose every morning, but costly too. Frank stated, the cost of ice at that time far exceeded the cost of electricity today, which is now used for cooling.

Beer sold for 5 cents a schooner in those days and Frank Remembered how he opened the bar at 6 a.m. many mornings. No one had money to buy anything, but they used his place to warm up before working on the WPA and PWA projects in the city.

The Degenhardts raised seven children while operating the tavern, and Frank has been on the city council more years than he can remember. Frank is also a member of the Clark County Board of Supervisors, Loyal Industries, and the Loyal Housing Corporation. He is also a member of the board of directors of Citizens State Bank, Loyal.

The Degenhardts have plans for a new home in the city. The TRG joins the Loyal community in wishing Frank and Gertie many years of enjoyment in their retirement.