News: Abbotsford – Five People Honored (Oct 1969)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schmirler, Bitter, Hinke, Kieser, Jakel, Nikolay, Ogurek, Bezak, Klieforth, Holtz, Thompson, Amacher, Schraufnagel, Schlais, Hodnik, Moore, Polnaszek, Busse, Schultz

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 Oct 1969

Five longtime residents of the Abbotsford (Clark Co., Wis.) area were honored at a senior citizens banquet sponsored by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.

The dinner and program were held on Thursday, October 18, 1969, at Medo-Farms Restaurant in Abbotsford.

The five honored were A.J. Schmirler, Harvey Bitter, Dr. C.V. Hinke, C.G. Kieser and William Jakel. Mr. Jakel was unable to be present at the presentation because of an illness.

Mr. Schmirler is a barber, and this year retired from office of City Treasurer, which he had held for over 25 years.

G.G. Kieser also operated his own barber shop for many years, and is now associated and with Mr. Schmirler.

Mr. Bitter first worked in Abbotsford as a butcher shortly after the turn of the century, and later was an insurance salesman. He has also been active in VFW affairs for many years.

Dr. Hinke has been a chiropractor in the same office since 1920. He commented that "seldom is a man privileged to serve his community for 50 years."

Mr. Jakel, who has been active in community affairs all his life, operated a farm near Curtiss before moving to Abbotsford.

Each was given a plaque by the Chamber of Commerce.

The master of ceremonies for the dinner was the chamber hospitality chairman, Jack Nikolay. Also speaking on the program were chamber president Clem Ogurek, and Abbotsford Mayor Steve Bezak.

Those who were honored at the first banquet last year were introduced. They were C.J. Klieforth, Herman Holtz, Stanley Thompson, M.C. Thompson, H.J. Amacher, and Elmer Schraufnagel.

Tri-County Dairy Days Queen, Miss Peggy Schlais, also spoke briefly. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Schlais, were introduced.

Also introduced was Carl Moore, a member of the state patrol, now living in Abbotsford.

The invocation was given by Father Emil Hodnik, pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, who was also called on to speak briefly.

Musical entertainment was provided by an instrumental quintet comprised of Jim Polnaszek, Sharon Holtz, Jeffrey Kieser, John Schultz, and Bob Busse.