1

Bio: Babbitt, James C. – Aboard Navy Cruise Ship (1973)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Babbitt

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 09 Aug 1973

USS Spartanburg County, July 30, 1973 – Navy Seaman Recruit James C. Babbitt, son of Mrs. Myrtle Babbitt of 318 N. Washington Street, Thorp, Wisconsin, deployed for a two-month southern cruise to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans aboard this tank landing ship home ported in Little Creek, Virginia.

Spartanburg County is under the U.S. Southern Command in Panama during the cruise.

2

News: Thorp – Volunteer Firemen Donate Camera (Jul 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Badzinski, Bielecki, Strojny, Dmytro, Wolf, Rice, Homan

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 22 Jul 1976

Harold Home, president of the Thorp Volunteer Fire Department, presented a camera from the firemen to Edith Rice, Administrator of the Thorp Care Center. The camera will be used to take photos of birthdays and other events at the center.

Participating in the presentation ceremony were Alice Badzinski, Bessie Bielecki, Sophie Strojny, Pauline Dmytro, Anna Wolf, all residents at the Thorp Care Center. Additionally, as state above, Edith Rice and Harold Home were directly involved in the presentation.

3

BioM: Burtard, Rachel (1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Burtard, Hendzel, Schwictenberg, Neitz, Lewan, Teclaw, Sromek, Kliscz, Phelps, Ochab, Nichols

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 22 Jul 1976

Burtard, Rachel (10 Jul 1976)

Miss Rachel Burtard, daughter of Mrs. Lorraine Burtard and Reuben Burtard, Gilman, became the bride of Edward Hendzel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hendzel, Sr., Thorp, on Saturday, July 10, 1976 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Thorp. Rev. Willis Schwictenberg performed the two p.m. marriage ceremony. Mr. Eugene Neitz accompanied Mrs. Delores Lewan, who sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.”

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a white organza gown with imported Venice Lace hand sewn. The cap sleeves enhanced the high neckline. To complete the total look the bride’s veil was fingertip silk illusion with match imported Venice lace trim. The veil complimented the chapel train on the bridal gown. The bride carried a cascade arrangement of pink and white roses with white carnations tipped light green, and baby’s breath.

Mrs. Jerry Teclaw, Gaithersburg, Maryland, was her sister’s matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Mr. Greg Sromek, Mrs. Ray Kliscz, sister of the groom, Mrs. Harvey Phelps, friend of the bride, and junior bridesmaid was Laurie Hendzel, sister of the groom. They wore Nile green gowns of voile and pin-dot voile. The long bishop sleeves and empire waist were trimmed with Nottingham lace. The flounced hem was also accented with matching lace. They wore matching picture hats to complete the total look. Each carried white wicker baskets with yellow and white pom daisies, light green tinted carnations and baby’s breath. The matron of honor also had a cluster of pink roses in the center of her basket.

Walter Hendzel Jr. was his brothers best man, and groomsmen were Jeff Burtard, Don Burtard, brothers of the bride, Joe Ochab, cousin of the groom, and Scott Nichols, friend of the groom. Ushers were Greg Sromek, Ray Kliscz and Jerry Teclaw.

A reception and dance were held at the Thorp Legion Hall.

The bride graduated from Gilman High School in 1869 and is employed as an audit clerk with Werner Continental. The groom is a 1970 graduate of Gilman High School and also attended Wisconsin State University, River Falls, and Brown Institute. He is employed as a pattern repair man with American Hoist and Derrick.


The bride’s mother attended her daughter’s wedding wearing a powder blue floor length gown with silver accessories and wore a corsage of white roses and light blue tinted carnations. The groom’s mother wore a light pink floor length dress with a corsage of pink roses and white carnations.

After a wedding trip to Niagara Falls, they will make their home in St. Paul, Minnesota.

4

Bio: Broeren Jean C. (Retires from ITT Thorp Corp. – 1 Aug 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Broeren

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 29 Jul 1976

Jean C. Broeren, Executive Vice President of ITT Thorp Corporation, has announced his intention to retire effective August 1, 1976.

Jean has been with the Company since 1940 and instrumental in Thorp’s involvement in commercial loans, auctions, and the establishment of the company’s insurance subsidiaries, as well as his continued contributions to the basic consumer loan business.

In addition, Mr. Broeren also has broad and diverse personal interests within the community in the areas of higher education, housing, politics and service groups. He now intends to give greater attention to these interests.

Although formally retiring, he will remain with the company in the capacity of a consultant.

5

News: Thorp – Fire Department Called to Car Fire (26 Jul 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Copenhaver

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 29 Jul 1976

The Thorp Volunteer Fire Department was called to a car fire on Monday night, July 26, 1976.

At 9 p.m. a call was received for a fire burning a car engine at fire number 189, 5 miles east and 1 ½ miles north of Thorp on County Highway O.

Extensive damage was done to the engine of the car, who was owned by Robert Copenhaver.

6

BioM: Knops, Erika (1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Knops, Straskowski, White, LaCrosse, Olichwier, Teclaw

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 29 Jul 1976

Knops, Erika (19 Jun 1976)

Ericka Knops and Phillip Straskowski exchanged wedding vows in a double ring ceremony on June 19, 1976 at 2 o’clock at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Carol Stream, Illinois, with Rev. T. White performing the ceremony.

Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Knops of Wheaton, Illinois, and Mr. and Mrs. Felix Straskowski of rural Thorp.

Nancy Straskowski, sister of the groom, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Susan Straskowski, sister of the groom, Judy LaCrosse, friend of the bride, and Ellen Knops, sister of the bride.

David Olichwier, friend of the groom, was best man. Groomsmen were Heinz Knops, brother of the bride, Jim Straskowski, brother of the groom, and Ken Teclaw, cousin of the groom.

Heide Knops and Jayne Straskowski were flower girls and Patrick Straskowski was ring bearer.

A reception and dance were held at the American Legion Hall in Wheaton, Illinois following the ceremony. A second reception and dance were held at the Holy Family Hall in Stanley, Wisconsin on June 26th.

The couple will reside at Route 2, Thorp, Wisconsin.

7

BioM: Koltis, Susan M. (1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Koltis, Compton, McGarty, Anderson, Stair, Finnila, Garner, Rowan, Kaminski

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 29 Jul 1976

Koltis, Susan M. (10 Jul 1976)

Susan M. Koltis and Billie JO Compton exchanged wedding vows Saturday, July 10, 1976 in a 6:30 p.m. ceremony at St. Patrick’s Church, Eau Claire. The Rev. Bernard McGarty officiated.

Jill Anderson was maid of honor, and bridesmaids were Jean Stair, Marty Finnila, Theresa Garner and Pattie Compton. Renee Koltis was flower girl.

Gary Compton was best man. Groomsmen were Raymond Compton, Ernest Koltis, Gordon Koltis and Leonard Koltis. Steven Rowan was ring bearer.

Greg Garner and David Kaminski seated guests.

A reception and dance at the Eagle’s Club, Eau Claire, followed the ceremony.

The couple will reside in Eau Claire.

Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Walter Koltis, Thorp, and Julia L. Compton, Eau Claire.

8

Bio: Wifler, Jack – Leaving Thorp (Aug 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Wifler, Harycki

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 05 Aug 1976

Thorp Businessmen’s Association President Frank Harycki had has the job of saying goodbye to past president Jack Wifler. Jack owned and operated Wifler Chevrolet and is leaving town shortly. His dedication to Thorp has been greatly appreciated.

9

Bio: Zurakowski, Lori E. – UW-Oshkosh Deans List (2nd Sem. 1975/76)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Zurakowski

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 05 Aug 1976

Lori E. Zurakowski, Route 3, Thorp, qualified for the Dean’s List for the second semester of the 1975/76 school year at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. She qualified with taking at least 14 credits and her grade point average of 3.75. She was one of 492 students to attain the Dean’s List.

10

News: Thorp – Students Receive Degrees at UW-Eau Claire (Aug 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Rickman, Jarocki, Woodworth, Haas, Thompson

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 05 Aug 1976

Two Thorp students will be among the 216 person receiving their degrees at the summer commencement at the UW-Eau Claire on Saturday, August 7, 1976.

Chancellor Leonard Haas will preside over the 9:30 a.m. ceremonies, with state superintendent of public instruction, Dr. Barbara Thompson delivering the main address to the students.

The Thorp graduates are Patricia Rickman, daughter of Mrs. Victor Jarocki of Thorp, who will receives Master of Science Degree. The other is Debra Woodworth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Woodworth of Thorp, who is graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.

11

News: Thorp – Ford Dealer Wins Achievement Award (Jul 1976)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Winiarczyk

----Source: Thorp Courier Articles, (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 05 Aug 1976

Thorp Sales and Service, Inc. of Thorp has been selected as one of the nation’s outstanding Ford Dealerships and will receive Ford Motor Company’s Distinguished Achievement Award.

The Distinguished Achievement Award is presented “in recognition of progressive management, modern sales and service facilities, sound merchandising practices, high quality standards, and continuing interest in rendering superior service to Ford Owners.”

Frank Winiarczyk has been a Ford dealer in Thorp since 1953.