News: Neillsville - Marguerite Listeman Foundation (Gifts -1974)

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

Surnames: Listeman, Krultz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/02/1975

Marguerite Listeman Foundation (Gifts - 1974)

More than $46,000 in grants were made by the Marguerite Listeman Foundation during the year 1974, bringing the total of grants made during the 10-year existence of the Foundation to just under half-million dollars.

These facts were revealed in a year-end report made by Mike J. Krultz, Jr., secretary of the Foundation. The actual dollar figures are: $46,735 in grants during 1974; $489,829 since the establishment of the foundation.

Income of the Foundation this year was approximately $50,000, an d the principle amounted to “over $1 Million” in September, Krultz told The Clark County Press. The total was boosted about one-third by the addition of the estate of the late Kurt Listeman, who established the foundation in the memory of his wife, Marguerite.

Largest of the grants made this year was $20,000 to the Neillsville Public School District for the construction of a swimming pool. The pool is included in the construction now going on. The Foundation has pledged to give $100.000 for that purpose over a period of 10 years.

“We might do it in even less,” observed Krultz.

Next largest grants were $6,000 each to Clark County for the improvement of the chalet at Bruce Mound winter recreation area, and the ski lift there. In the years since the ski lift was installed, the Foundation has donated a total of $24,000, or approximately one-half of the total cost of the ski lift project.

The city of Neillsville was the recipient of several grants, the largest of which was $5,000 given for park development. Normally, Mr. Krultz said, the Foundation has put aside $10,000 each year for city parks; but inasmuch as $5,000 earmarked for development of the O’Neill Creek Pond was not used, the Foundation instructed the city to make use of that money for park purposes.

Other city beneficences included: $1,800 for the improvement of the City cemetery entrance; $1,000 for July 4th activities; $200 for promotion of the Little League; and $500 for Christmas street decorations.

The County of Clark also shared significantly in the distribution of Listeman Foundation earnings in addition to the two Bruce Mound projects. Included in gifts were $750 for 4-H Club promotion; $100 each for Christmas decorations at the county old folks’ homes at Neillsville and Greenwood. Then Village of Granton also was given $100 for Christmas Street decorations.

Other grants were made as follows:

Town of Hendren, $900 for improvement of recreational facilities;
Clark County Historical Society, $1,000 for promotional activities;
Greenwood Community schools, $2,000 for an outdoor teaching station;
City of Greenwood, $235 for improvement of the athletic field;
Wisconsin National Guard, Company 106, $200 recruiting purposes;
Granton Future Farmers of America Chapter, $300 for promotional purposes;
Memorial Hospital at Neillsville, $400 for Christmas decorations.