Granton’s Honored Citizens for 2014, Don and Lavon Bartsch, will lead the 64th Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014.
Contributed photo

The Granton Rotary Club is pleased to announce Don and Lavon Bartsch as the 2014 Fall Festival Honored Citizens.  They were nominated by Adeline and Rose Schoenherr.

Don and Lavon were married June 3, 1956, just celebrating 58 years of marriage.  They have three children, Rhonda (Angelo) Doud, Russell Bartsch and Ron Bartsch; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Don and Lavon have always lived in Granton.  Don was born in a log house in the Town of Fremont and Lavon, in a farmhouse in the Town of Grant. With smiles on their faces, they say they were both baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, attended the same parochial school and graduated from Granton High.  They began dating during their junior year and have been together ever since.

Don has always been a man on the go.  In high school, he played football, basketball and baseball.   Don also played on the Lynn baseball team (with Vern Sternitzky, this year’s Honored Grandparent).   In the summer, he helped haul milk.  He worked at Lynn Dairy, served our country for two years and worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Factory in Marshfield.  He also worked at Parkins Ice Cream Company in Marshfield, Spry’s Elevator in Granton, and Loyal Pallet for 13 years and delivered milk in Marshfield.  In the spring of 1958, Don and Lavon started their own farm.  They were on the farm for 37 years.

Lavon isn’t too far behind her husband.  She was the cheerleading captain and editor of the school newspaper in high school.  Lavon was also a member of 4-H for 10 years.  After high school, she went to Wood County Teacher’s College for two years pursuing a teaching career.  She continued her studies through UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point.  She taught for seven years - two years in Shortville, four years at Wild Rose (located on Granton Road) and one year at Kurth.  She also substituted for the Granton and Marshfield School Districts.  Lavon also worked at Friendship Manor for four years along with helping on the farm.  She assisted her church, as well, by helping with Sunday school, vacation Bible school and on the board of education for church.  She is also a member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Ladies’ aide.

If you think they have slowed down, you are wrong.  Both Don and Lavon are still very active in their community.  Don is the second supervisor for the Town of York, and he helps the township with mowing ditches.  He spends a great deal of time at the ballpark, helping maintain the field.  He was on church council and helps organize the pancake dinner at church.  Lavon is a 55-year member of the New York Homemakers.  This group has been making and delivering May baskets for many years along with other activities.  Both were instrumental in the 2005 Farm Progress Days in Loyal.  They were also on the church committee that helped organize the 125th anniversary celebration at Zion Lutheran Church.  Don and Lavon are active members of the Granton FFA Alumni and Lavon is part of the Granton Retired Teachers Club.

Addie and Rose Schoenherr state “…they go to almost all of the sporting events whether it be at the community park or at school.  Donnie and Lavon definitely deserve this award, because they are always willing to help."

As Granton’s 2014 Honored Citizens, Don and Lavon Bartsch will lead the 64th Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 7.  This is a very deserving honor for two outstanding community members.

y doing tax papers because I love a challenge and it has always been a challenge – doing the best I can to help others with their tax situations.  Granton represents security to me.”

 

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