This is a Blog site created by Bob Reed (in Florida) for folks who live--or used to live--in Marcus, Iowa. Its purpose is to exchange notes, news, remembrances, and thoughts about life in and about Marcus, or news about one's family, friends or acquaintances.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
December 2005 discussion
This discussion thread is closed. You may click below to read and catch up, but go to the current thread to continue the conversation.
From Bob Reed: We are in San Francisco, away from home computers. Just learned from several Marcus folks about the passing of Earl Rae. Here is the e-mail from his daughter:
To Dad's Email Friends:
It is with great sadness that I send this email to let you know that my father, Earl Rae, passed away last night, Sunday, December 4th. He had fallen seriously ill following emergency surgery for a ruptured intenstine two weeks ago. We feel fortunate that my mother and his four children were at his bedside for the past two weeks during his final days.
My father will be cremated and his ashes will be placed in his hometown of Marcus, IA by family members. We will celebrate his life in a memorial service sometime during the first week in January in Glendale, AZ. We will forward more information with dates/details in the coming weeks.
I know my father touched everyone with his wit and charm; I hope his love for life and laughter will live on in all of us.
Jodi Rae Donley on behalf of the entire Rae Family
Bob here again: We'll remember him for his wit and charm, athletic ability, and creative art. Post your memories of him here on the blog. Bob Reed
Learning of the death of Earl Rae came as such a shock to me. Earl and I had been emailing for several months and I planned to attend the annual Marcus Picnic next February, especially to visit with Earl and some other former high school friends. He had been caring for his wife, Jane, who had tripped and broken the femur in her leg. He was playing cook and bottle-washer and sounded like he was doing a fine job. So many Earl Rae stories to tell. I'll relate some later. Bonnie Morgenthaler
Have not been on the Blog for a while but scanning through there are a lot of interesting comments. I noticed something about the Bill Pedersen family. Well last month their daughter Jo Ann Pedersen Webb who lives in California lost a grandson in Iraq. He was killed while riding in a vechile that was hit by a RPG. He will be buried in Arlington Cemetary.
On a brighter note tonight Wed. Dec. 7 is the Annual Firemans Christmas Party. All of us retirees are invited. It is always a night we look forward to. This last year we have lost a couple of great guys from the Department. Herman Fischer and Loren Stowater. They will be missed. I was going to say "IF" but I will say "When" any of you get back to Marcus for a visit or just passing through take the time to stop and see our new Fire Station. It is well worth it. We are very fortunate to have the great group of men that make this organization so great. Contact me, Fred Wilkens or Paul Wilkens when you get in town.
Yes we had our firmans Christmas last night and it is our honor to have the retired firefighters join us. We do have a awesome department but I will tell you the retired firefighters left some pretty big shoes to fill. One note about the firestation, all the money used to build the building was donated from the citizens of Marcus. It is super to have the support we do. Russ Hansen
I'm sure all you firefighters know this already, but for those interested who may not have heard - Clear Lake, Iowa has a wonderful "Firefighters' Museum" (or whatever they call it) complete with restored vehicles, equipment and photos. If you're ever in the area, check it out. It's a great trip back in time.
Some of the other great things to tour in rural Iowa are the old restored depots. The Iowan magazine has a wonderful article about some of them in one of its more recent issues. (The cover reads: "The Train Stopped Here".) For those who remember train rides, it stirs up lots of memories. Fred
While perusing the files of the Marcus News of seventy years ago (1935), I read that “the highest scores in first-grade reading and seating” included Earl Rae.
I’m just home from a long trip, which gave me time to reflect on Earl’s recent death. It was a shocker. Unexpected.
He was two classes ahead of me in the Marcus school system of the 1940s. And he always seemed to be teaching me something.
In our junior high days, the Raes lived across the street from us and Earl tried in vain to teach me the “manly art of self defense.” He was learning it from a paperback he bought from an advertisement in the back of a comic book. (I think he really needed a sparring partner for workouts in his garage.)
In high school, I once “called him out” from Lage’s Café, as he was teasing me about a girl from Cleghorn. He mercifully stopped the no-contest after a few strikes to my nose.
He grew to be a tall, rangy guy—about 6’3”—and a fine athlete. He was a big target as an end in football with some instinctive moves. In his senior year we went 7-1. He was the center/forward on the basketball team (which beat Storm Lake in the regionals) and a graceful first baseman with quick footwork.
After he graduated, I replaced him at end. He went out for football at Drake, but was back in Marcus that fall observing a practice, and he taught me some “college moves” that I used to great effect with our high school opponents. Go Eagles!
Before he left for college, he and I made up two-thirds of the trombone section of the Marcus High School band where he taught me how to hit a high E. Earl also had a wonderful tenor voice and our boys’ quartet was an award winner throughout northwest Iowa. (For some pics of that group go to the May 4, 2005 discussion on this Blog.) When we met up years later at a Marcus Centennial, we both simultaneously launched into our signature tune—the comic “Ritch Ratch.” It was fitting.
For Earl was a funny guy. In high school, he was tagged with the nickname, “Joker.” It had all the masculine affection and familiarity of the locker room and the verve of punch-on-the shoulder guyness. He was always fast and ready with a story, a quip, a riposte . Perhaps a sacred Indian scripture said it best for Earl: “There are three things that are real—God, human folly, and laughter. The first two are beyond comprehension, so we must do the best we can with the third.”
Earl was also a fine artist. At one of the Centennials, I was privileged to look over his portfolio. His paintings were eclectic, and full of swirls and the subtle, different, varied colors of his invention. Some appeared to be inspired by my favorite painter—Rouault—full of heavy pallet brush strokes.
Earl was indeed blessed with the vision of the artist—those few who draw a line, devise a perspective, carve out a moment. It was and is a unique gift.
William Faulkner once wrote that the aim of every artist is “to arrest motion, which is life, and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again." This is the artist’s way of scribbling “Kilroy Was Here” on the wall. Earl was here.
After we established the Marcus Blog, I asked him to post some of his work and share it with the rest of us old-timers, but . . .
After high school came Drake, OCS, and the Marine Corps where he joked that he had battled the North Koreans by coaching a girls’ basketball team at Camp Pendleton in California. He followed his military service with a distinguished teaching career, inspiring many as he imparted his knowledge in order to edify the young people of a new generation.
It was a blow to hear of his death. Earl was fine man—a guy who was like a tree—best measured when it is laid down. There are whispering stars in his crown.
He leaves behind a loving family. His flame has been handed down. But as Proust noted, “People do not die immediately for us, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life . . . it is as though they were traveling abroad.” That will do for us for little while.
But life without death is like a picture without a frame. There must be an end. Earl left us too soon. And although we are smaller because he is gone, we are so much bigger because he was here.
I too am sad about Earl Rae's passing and I appreciate the comments and history from Bob Reed. I was just a kid from country school starting Jr High when that fantastic music program was jelling at Marcus High. Somehow I was able to attend a lot of those musical programs in the late 40's. To me, that Boys Quartet was so adult and professional that I thought they could sing on any stage in America. A couple of female soloists which I'll never forget were Beth Raetz and Gladys Geringer. Of course the band was evidently full of dedicated students. I chose to take up the clarinet in 6th grade because of that high school girl who played such beautiful clarinet solos [I never did master it though]. I wonder where Kathleen Pepple is now. And does anyone remember the Band Concert when Mr. Bjornstad gave the baton to Guest Conductor James Barlow? What a hilarious event and so well done. Must have taken hours of practice. If only it could have been video taped. Irv Deichmann
The tragic death of Earl has shocked and saddened all the former Marcusites living in Silicon Valley. Bob's expressive tribute to Earl was beautiful and honest. His mention of Camp Pendleton brought back a memory of Earl to me. About 1938 a group of very young kids were standing outside the Lyric Theater which posted a large billboard of the current movie being shown "Buck Benny Rides Again" starring Jack Benny. As usual in those days I was wearing my riding boots and Earl laughingly said "Buck Garlow Rides Again". Well, the nickname stuck and Earl, Bob Reed and several others called me "Buck" until adulthood.
On weekends in the early '50's, my husband and I spent weekends at beautiful Laguna Beach in Southern California. We were walking through a very crowded bar on our way to the restaurant to eat when over the din of the room I heard someone yell "Hey Buck"! I looked back and saw this tall Marine towering over the others and I was looking at Earl Rae. He joined us for dinner and we had a nice visit.
Earl has emailed me answering questions I had asked - he told me about each of his four children, where they were living and what they had accomplished in life. He was very proud of his family. I kidded him about another Jim Rae (Earl's father was Jim and he named his son after his Dad) in the world. He was planning to put some of his paintings on this Blog but, sadly for us, he ran out of time.
Thanks, Bob, for the moving eulogy. Bonnie Morgenthaler
Edgar Hagey was the fastest guy in Marcus in the 1930's and into the '40's. He ran with short, knee high strides, legs pumping in a blur. He was difficult to bring down on the football field and to watch him run from centerfield to catch a fly ball was to watch lighting flying. Edgar was a cheerful, modest man with a kind word for all. He will be missed. Bob Reed
Remember Ed Hagey's whistle when he'd call his boys? I swear you could hear it all over town. And always a smile and an infectious laugh. Great guy. Fred Dorr
My favorite Edgar Hagey story seemed to go something along the line of my dad having to always (quite frequently) replace the rear tires on his El Caminos and my dad not understanding why the rear tire tread would wear so quickly.
Needless to say my older brothers owed their lives to Edgar Hagey as he would always "wink" at one of the older DORR BOYS and tell dad that he didn't have a good answer.....the whole time he knew good and well that the "Quarter Mile" stretch just north of town saw way tooooo much of those El Caminos but BOYS will be BOYS!!!!
Edgar was the best.....and will be truly missed by the whole Marcus community!!!!
P.S. Needless to say those El-Caminos couldn't hold a candle to the Schlenger boy's monster cars!!!!
From Marcus Felde: Is it merely a coincidence that my great-grandfather, who was married to a Julia Markhus, passed away in Cherokee, Iowa, so close to Marcus? Is it known whether Marcus' original settlers originated in Markhus, Norway, where my great-grandmother was born? If not, where does the name Marcus come from?
Re: The origin/nanming of Marcus,Iowa. While there were many Norwegians and Danes, and Swedes and Germans--even English-- who settled in Northwest Iowa in the late 1800's, the town's name came about because of a legendary fellow. John Blair--the railroad tycoon from New Jersey--built the railroad through the area in 1869 (just after the Civil War) and named one specific location after his son Marcus, who in turn was named after the Roman emporer Marcus Aurelius. (Nearby Aurelia was also named after another of his sons).The town's name was officially registered as Marcus in 1871. It was somewhat customary in the culture of the nouveau riche in those times, to attach a classical name to sons and daughters--and to name towns after them. Thus Marcus, Iowa. Bob Reed
One last note on the fellow who named Marcus. He also named alot of other places. Max and I did a gig some years ago in Blairstown, New Jersey, a community in the beautiful mountains of that state--some one and a half hours from NYC. John Blair founded that town, lived there, donated land and built the library, the Presbyterian church, and other public buildings and parks. He was also the founder of Blairstown Academy, a prestigious private prep school in the hills above the village, which continues to benefit from his largese to this day. He was--quite a guy! Bob Reed
Earl Rae...what fun we had from K-12 at Marcus High....4 years of football, basketball, baseball and track (excellent high hurdles man)along with band, quartet, mixed quartet, etc. He sat behind me in Assembly/study hall and, of course, behind or beside me in all the classes.....from about 4th grade up he would pass me the funny notes and breaking out in a loud roar would put me behind the 8-ball with John Pease, Harold Wood...etc
One day I will alwayss remember....December 7, 1941 he called me and said he had cut out some Japanese soldiers (another use of his art talent) out of ply wood and wanted to bring them over, stand them up in my basement and shoot them with our BB guns....age 12. When I opened the door that night, he had the most fierce look in his eyes. What a great guy last enjoying his company in Tucson a few years ago both meeting Dave Kendrickson to attend an Iowa-Arizona football game. Don Peters
It has been awhile since I've posted on this site. I just returned from a three week, overseas tour of US Military Bases, with the Harlem Globetrotters. We played 13 games in 14 days, in seven different countries.
I was extremely proud of the smiles and happyness the Globetrotters brought to the troops. It doesn't matter if you are for, or against, the conflict in Iraq -- as I am much more appreciative now of the sacrifices the US Military makes to protect our freedom. I heard numerous comments from the sailors and troops, thanking us for bringing a slice of America to them before the holidays.
We stopped in bases in Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, northern Africa, Bahrain, and a final stop in GTMO in Cuba. Two of our games were on active ships in the Persian Gulf.
My thoughts and heart goes out to all who protect and defend our wonderful country, and for those in the past who have done the same.
Nice post Brett. Sounds like a great tour and a rewarding one for all concerned.
As we come up on Christmas, and reflecting back on growing up in Marcus, it seems like it always snowed around Christmastime. I'm sure it didn't, but in my memory Christmas was always white, the Christmas Eve service where we attended (Peace Lutheran) was always hushed and you could always hear the bells chime at Midnight Mass at the Catholic Church. Peaceful is what says it best.
Were it so everywhere. Merry Christmas to all. Fred
LAST NIGHT OUR CHRISTMAS CAROLING GROUP LED BY STEVE AND LINDA SMITH MADE THEIR ANNUAL TOUR AROUND MARCUS. WE STARTED AT HEARTLAND CARE CENTER WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT 25 AND ALL SQUEEZED INTO THE DINING ROOM ABOUT 6:00 WHEN THE RESIDENTS WERE FINISHING THEIR DINNER. WE ENTERTAINED THEM WITH ALL OF THE POPULAR CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND WE ENJOYED DOING IT AS MUCH AS THEY DID HAVING US.
IT IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE THESE SENIOR CITIZENS ENJOYING THEMSELVES AND JOINING IN. SOME OF THEM DO NOT HAVE MUCH TO SAY AT TIMES BUT THEY SEEM TO REMEMBER THE WORDS TO THESE CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SING ALONG WITH US. VIVIAN SPECHT WHO IS 102 WAS AS SHE SAY AFTERWARDS 'REALLY GETTING WITH IT". SHE WAS SINGING WAVING HER ARMS AND SWAYING WITH THE MUSIC. WHAT A WONDERFUL SIGHT.
OUR SANTA, GARY HUSMAN AND MRS. SANTA, JANICE STEFFEN DID A SUPER JOB AND WERE DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION.
THIS GROUP WAS STARTED BY CHUCK AND BETTY KNUDSON ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO AND STILL GOING STRONG.
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT FACILITY IN HEARTLAND CARE CENTER. THEY HAVE A GREAT STAFF AND THEY ALSO GOT "WITH THE PROGRAM."
AFTER OUR STOPS AROUND TOWN WE WENT TO THE BOWLING CENTER FOR THE 'AFTER GLO' MORE SINGING AND A BOWL OF GARY'S HOME MADE CHILI.
Baritone Bob- Thanks for the link to the Christmas card. Irving Berlin and the Drifters! My 21 year old daughter came running when I played it since the movie, "Holiday Inn," is one of her absolute favorites since her teen years. Happy New Year to you. Any more links??
From Bob Reed: We are in San Francisco, away from home computers. Just learned from several Marcus folks about the passing of Earl Rae. Here is the e-mail from his daughter:
ReplyDeleteTo Dad's Email Friends:
It is with great sadness that I send this email to let you know that my father, Earl Rae, passed away last night, Sunday, December 4th. He had fallen seriously ill following emergency surgery for a ruptured intenstine two weeks ago. We feel fortunate that my mother and his four children were at his bedside for the past two weeks during his final days.
My father will be cremated and his ashes will be placed in his hometown of Marcus, IA by family members. We will celebrate his life in a memorial service sometime during the first week in January in Glendale, AZ. We will forward more information with dates/details in the coming weeks.
I know my father touched everyone with his wit and charm; I hope his love for life and laughter will live on in all of us.
Jodi Rae Donley on behalf of the entire Rae Family
Bob here again: We'll remember him for his wit and charm, athletic ability, and creative art. Post your memories of him here on the blog. Bob Reed
Learning of the death of Earl Rae came as such a shock to me. Earl and I had been emailing for several months and I planned to attend the annual Marcus Picnic next February, especially to visit with Earl and some other former high school friends. He had been caring for his wife, Jane, who had tripped and broken the femur in her leg. He was playing cook and bottle-washer and sounded like he was doing a fine job. So many Earl Rae stories to tell. I'll relate some later. Bonnie Morgenthaler
ReplyDeleteHave not been on the Blog for a while but scanning through there are a lot of interesting comments.
ReplyDeleteI noticed something about the Bill Pedersen family. Well last month their daughter Jo Ann Pedersen Webb who lives in California lost a grandson in Iraq. He was killed while riding in a vechile that was hit by a RPG. He will be buried in Arlington Cemetary.
On a brighter note tonight Wed. Dec. 7 is the Annual Firemans Christmas Party. All of us retirees are invited. It is always a night we look forward to. This last year we have lost a couple of great guys from the Department. Herman Fischer and Loren Stowater. They will be missed.
I was going to say "IF" but I will say "When" any of you get back to Marcus for a visit or just passing through take the time to stop and see our new Fire Station. It is well worth it. We are very fortunate to have the great group of men that make this organization so great. Contact me, Fred Wilkens or Paul Wilkens when you get in town.
Jack Clarkson
Yes we had our firmans Christmas last night and it is our honor to have the retired firefighters join us. We do have a awesome department but I will tell you the retired firefighters left some pretty big shoes to fill.
ReplyDeleteOne note about the firestation, all the money used to build the building was donated from the citizens of Marcus. It is super to have the support we do.
Russ Hansen
I'm sure all you firefighters know this already, but for those interested who may not have heard - Clear Lake, Iowa has a wonderful "Firefighters' Museum" (or whatever they call it) complete with restored vehicles, equipment and photos. If you're ever in the area, check it out. It's a great trip back in time.
ReplyDeleteSome of the other great things to tour in rural Iowa are the old restored depots. The Iowan magazine has a wonderful article about some of them in one of its more recent issues. (The cover reads: "The Train Stopped Here".) For those who remember train rides, it stirs up lots of memories. Fred
While perusing the files of the Marcus News of seventy years ago (1935), I read that “the highest scores in first-grade reading and seating” included Earl Rae.
ReplyDeleteI’m just home from a long trip, which gave me time to reflect on Earl’s recent death. It was a shocker. Unexpected.
He was two classes ahead of me in the Marcus school system of the 1940s. And he always seemed to be teaching me something.
In our junior high days, the Raes lived across the street from us and Earl tried in vain to teach me the “manly art of self defense.” He was learning it from a paperback he bought from an advertisement in the back of a comic book. (I think he really needed a sparring partner for workouts in his garage.)
In high school, I once “called him out” from Lage’s Café, as he was teasing me about a girl from Cleghorn. He mercifully stopped the no-contest after a few strikes to my nose.
He grew to be a tall, rangy guy—about 6’3”—and a fine athlete. He was a big target as an end in football with some instinctive moves. In his senior year we went 7-1. He was the center/forward on the basketball team (which beat Storm Lake in the regionals) and a graceful first baseman with quick footwork.
After he graduated, I replaced him at end. He went out for football at Drake, but was back in Marcus that fall observing a practice, and he taught me some “college moves” that I used to great effect with our high school opponents. Go Eagles!
Before he left for college, he and I made up two-thirds of the trombone section of the Marcus High School band where he taught me how to hit a high E. Earl also had a wonderful tenor voice and our boys’ quartet was an award winner throughout northwest Iowa. (For some pics of that group go to the May 4, 2005 discussion on this Blog.) When we met up years later at a Marcus Centennial, we both simultaneously launched into our signature tune—the comic “Ritch Ratch.” It was fitting.
For Earl was a funny guy. In high school, he was tagged with the nickname, “Joker.” It had all the masculine affection and familiarity of the locker room and the verve of punch-on-the shoulder guyness. He was always fast and ready with a story, a quip, a riposte
.
Perhaps a sacred Indian scripture said it best for Earl: “There are three things that are real—God, human folly, and laughter. The first two are beyond comprehension, so we must do the best we can with the third.”
Earl was also a fine artist. At one of the Centennials, I was privileged to look over his portfolio. His paintings were eclectic, and full of swirls and the subtle, different, varied colors of his invention. Some appeared to be inspired by my favorite painter—Rouault—full of heavy pallet brush strokes.
Earl was indeed blessed with the vision of the artist—those few who draw a line, devise a perspective, carve out a moment. It was and is a unique gift.
William Faulkner once wrote that the aim of every artist is “to arrest motion, which is life, and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again." This is the artist’s way of scribbling “Kilroy Was Here” on the wall. Earl was here.
After we established the Marcus Blog, I asked him to post some of his work and share it with the rest of us old-timers, but . . .
After high school came Drake, OCS, and the Marine Corps where he joked that he had battled the North Koreans by coaching a girls’ basketball team at Camp Pendleton in California. He followed his military service with a distinguished teaching career, inspiring many as he imparted his knowledge in order to edify the young people of a new generation.
It was a blow to hear of his death. Earl was fine man—a guy who was like a tree—best measured when it is laid down. There are whispering stars in his crown.
He leaves behind a loving family. His flame has been handed down. But as Proust noted, “People do not die immediately for us, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life . . . it is as though they were traveling abroad.” That will do for us for little while.
But life without death is like a picture without a frame. There must be an end. Earl left us too soon. And although we are smaller because he is gone, we are so much bigger because he was here.
Bob Reed
I too am sad about Earl Rae's passing and I appreciate the comments and history from Bob Reed. I was just a kid from country school starting Jr High when that fantastic music program was jelling at Marcus High. Somehow I was able to attend a lot of those musical programs in the late 40's. To me, that Boys Quartet was so adult and professional that I thought they could sing on any stage in America. A couple of female soloists which I'll never forget were Beth Raetz and Gladys Geringer. Of course the band was evidently full of dedicated students. I chose to take up the clarinet in 6th grade because of that high school girl who played such beautiful clarinet solos [I never did master it though]. I wonder where Kathleen Pepple is now. And does anyone remember the Band Concert when Mr. Bjornstad gave the baton to Guest Conductor James Barlow? What a hilarious event and so well done. Must have taken hours of practice. If only it could have been video taped. Irv Deichmann
ReplyDeleteThe tragic death of Earl has shocked and saddened all the former Marcusites living in Silicon Valley. Bob's expressive tribute to Earl was beautiful and honest. His mention of Camp Pendleton brought back a memory of Earl to me. About 1938 a group of very young kids were standing outside the Lyric Theater which posted a large billboard of the current movie being shown "Buck Benny Rides Again" starring Jack Benny. As usual in those days I was wearing my riding boots and Earl laughingly said "Buck Garlow Rides Again". Well, the nickname stuck and Earl, Bob Reed and several others called me "Buck" until adulthood.
ReplyDeleteOn weekends in the early '50's, my husband and I spent weekends at beautiful Laguna Beach in Southern California. We were walking through a very crowded bar on our way to the restaurant to eat when over the din of the room I heard someone yell "Hey Buck"! I looked back and saw this tall Marine towering over the others and I was looking at Earl Rae. He joined us for dinner and we had a nice visit.
Earl has emailed me answering questions I had asked - he told me about each of his four children, where they were living and what they had accomplished in life. He was very proud of his family. I kidded him about another Jim Rae (Earl's father was Jim and he named his son after his Dad) in the world. He was planning to put some of his paintings on this Blog but, sadly for us, he ran out of time.
Thanks, Bob, for the moving eulogy. Bonnie Morgenthaler
Edgar Hagey was the fastest guy in Marcus in the 1930's and into the '40's. He ran with short, knee high strides, legs pumping in a blur. He was difficult to bring down on the football field and to watch him run from centerfield to catch a fly ball was to watch lighting flying. Edgar was a cheerful, modest man with a kind word for all. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteBob Reed
Remember Ed Hagey's whistle when he'd call his boys? I swear you could hear it all over town. And always a smile and an infectious laugh. Great guy. Fred Dorr
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Edgar Hagey story seemed to go something along the line of my dad having to always (quite frequently) replace the rear tires on his El Caminos and my dad not understanding why the rear tire tread would wear so quickly.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say my older brothers owed their lives to Edgar Hagey as he would always "wink" at one of the older DORR BOYS and tell dad that he didn't have a good answer.....the whole time he knew good and well that the "Quarter Mile" stretch just north of town saw way tooooo much of those El Caminos but BOYS will be BOYS!!!!
Edgar was the best.....and will be truly missed by the whole Marcus community!!!!
P.S. Needless to say those El-Caminos couldn't hold a candle to the Schlenger boy's monster cars!!!!
Philip Dorr
From Marcus Felde:
ReplyDeleteIs it merely a coincidence that my great-grandfather, who was married to a Julia Markhus, passed away in Cherokee, Iowa, so close to Marcus? Is it known whether Marcus' original settlers originated in Markhus, Norway, where my great-grandmother was born? If not, where does the name Marcus come from?
Re: The origin/nanming of Marcus,Iowa. While there were many Norwegians and Danes, and Swedes and Germans--even English-- who settled in Northwest Iowa in the late 1800's, the town's name came about because of a legendary fellow. John Blair--the railroad tycoon from New Jersey--built the railroad through the area in 1869 (just after the Civil War) and named one specific location after his son Marcus, who in turn was named after the Roman emporer Marcus Aurelius. (Nearby Aurelia was also named after another of his sons).The town's name was officially registered as Marcus in 1871. It was somewhat customary in the culture of the nouveau riche in those times, to attach a classical name to sons and daughters--and to name towns after them. Thus Marcus, Iowa.
ReplyDeleteBob Reed
One last note on the fellow who named Marcus. He also named alot of other places. Max and I did a gig some years ago in Blairstown, New Jersey, a community in the beautiful mountains of that state--some one and a half hours from NYC. John Blair founded that town, lived there, donated land and built the library, the Presbyterian church, and other public buildings and parks. He was also the founder of Blairstown Academy, a prestigious private prep school in the hills above the village, which continues to benefit from his largese to this day. He was--quite a guy!
ReplyDeleteBob Reed
From, Don Peters, S.D., CA.
ReplyDeleteEarl Rae...what fun we had from K-12 at Marcus High....4 years of football, basketball, baseball and track (excellent high hurdles man)along with band, quartet, mixed quartet, etc. He sat behind me in Assembly/study hall and, of course, behind or beside me in all the classes.....from about 4th grade up he would pass me the funny notes and breaking out in a loud roar would put me behind the 8-ball with John Pease, Harold Wood...etc
One day I will alwayss remember....December 7, 1941 he called me and said he had cut out some Japanese soldiers (another use of his art talent) out of ply wood and wanted to bring them over, stand them up in my basement and shoot them with our BB guns....age 12. When I opened the door that night, he had the most fierce look in his eyes.
What a great guy last enjoying his company in Tucson a few years ago both meeting Dave Kendrickson to attend an Iowa-Arizona football game. Don Peters
It has been awhile since I've posted on this site. I just returned from a three week, overseas tour of US Military Bases, with the Harlem Globetrotters. We played 13 games in 14 days, in seven different countries.
ReplyDeleteI was extremely proud of the smiles and happyness the Globetrotters brought to the troops. It doesn't matter if you are for, or against, the conflict in Iraq -- as I am much more appreciative now of the sacrifices the US Military makes to protect our freedom. I heard numerous comments from the sailors and troops, thanking us for bringing a slice of America to them before the holidays.
We stopped in bases in Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, northern Africa, Bahrain, and a final stop in GTMO in Cuba. Two of our games were on active ships in the Persian Gulf.
My thoughts and heart goes out to all who protect and defend our wonderful country, and for those in the past who have done the same.
Brett Meister
Nice post Brett. Sounds like a great tour and a rewarding one for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteAs we come up on Christmas, and reflecting back on growing up in Marcus, it seems like it always snowed around Christmastime. I'm sure it didn't, but in my memory Christmas was always white, the Christmas Eve service where we attended (Peace Lutheran) was always hushed and you could always hear the bells chime at Midnight Mass at the Catholic Church. Peaceful is what says it best.
Were it so everywhere. Merry Christmas to all. Fred
Brett:
ReplyDeleteDid Curley make the trip and is he still with the squad? How's his game these days?
Curley from Chicago is who I am referring to in case there is more than one Curley on the team.....BTW!!!
Phil Dorr
LAST NIGHT OUR CHRISTMAS CAROLING GROUP LED BY STEVE AND LINDA SMITH MADE THEIR ANNUAL TOUR AROUND MARCUS. WE STARTED AT HEARTLAND CARE CENTER WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT 25 AND ALL SQUEEZED INTO THE DINING ROOM ABOUT 6:00 WHEN THE RESIDENTS WERE FINISHING THEIR DINNER. WE ENTERTAINED THEM WITH ALL OF THE POPULAR CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND WE ENJOYED DOING IT AS MUCH AS THEY DID HAVING US.
ReplyDeleteIT IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE THESE SENIOR CITIZENS ENJOYING THEMSELVES AND JOINING IN. SOME OF THEM DO NOT HAVE MUCH TO SAY AT TIMES BUT THEY SEEM TO REMEMBER THE WORDS TO THESE CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SING ALONG WITH US. VIVIAN SPECHT WHO IS 102 WAS AS SHE SAY AFTERWARDS 'REALLY GETTING WITH IT". SHE WAS SINGING WAVING HER ARMS AND SWAYING WITH THE MUSIC. WHAT A WONDERFUL SIGHT.
OUR SANTA, GARY HUSMAN AND MRS. SANTA, JANICE STEFFEN DID A SUPER JOB AND WERE DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION.
THIS GROUP WAS STARTED BY CHUCK AND BETTY KNUDSON ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO AND STILL GOING STRONG.
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT FACILITY IN HEARTLAND CARE CENTER. THEY HAVE A GREAT STAFF AND THEY ALSO GOT "WITH THE PROGRAM."
AFTER OUR STOPS AROUND TOWN WE WENT TO THE BOWLING CENTER FOR THE 'AFTER GLO' MORE SINGING AND A BOWL OF GARY'S HOME MADE CHILI.
A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.
JACK CLARKSON
Follow this link for a short holiday animation. Be sure to turn on your computer speakers. http://www.reuters.hu/card_dom/
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas from your Florida blog administrators!
Baritone Bob- Thanks for the link to the Christmas card. Irving Berlin and the Drifters! My 21 year old daughter came running when I played it since the movie, "Holiday Inn," is one of her absolute favorites since her teen years. Happy New Year to you. Any more links??
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