Holdingford Area Historical Society Inc

Legacies of Faith:Churches of Stearns County book Signing

2009-11-08T21:54:00.003-06:00

On November 2d John Roscoe presented the book Legacies of Faith:Churches of Stearns County to the Holdingford Area Historical society meeting. It is a beautiful full color, 232-page book with 180 color pictures by photographer Doug Ohman.

Below is excerpt from Article By Michael Jacobson, in Paynesville Press newspaper 9/9/09

Their new book - "Legacies of Faith" - traces the history of Stearns County, the founding of its 49 Catholic parishes, and the building and architecture of its 52 Catholic churches. "We praise them for their architecture and their immigrant history. What's remarkable is that throughout the United States, churches are disappearing. But Stearns County is defying that demographic," said John, a retired English teacher in Albany who lives in Sartell.

"When people drive by them, they take them for granted," agreed Bob, who studied architecture at the University of Minnesota and works in residential design, emphasizing historic preservation. "They become commonplace. And for people outside the county, they don't know they're here."

All the churches in Stearns County are still actively used, are in excellent condition, and have vibrant congregations.

The book - costing $19.95 - is being sold at various locations in the county, including the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud and at Ben Around Books in Paynesville. The book can also be ordered online at www.legaciesoffaith.net.

Holdingford's Soldiers Shrine

2009-09-24T16:56:00.001-05:00

Holdingford's Soldiers Shrine: Anniversary quietly passes by
by Roberta Olson
(Created: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:16 AM CDT

The massive Soldiers Shrine is 42 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 22 feet high. It features statues, and flags. The statues were completely refinished in July of 2009.

An anniversary in Holdingford quietly passed by on Sunday, Sept. 6.  It was the 67th anniversary of the day the Soldiers Shrine was dedicated in 1942.  As the Parish of St. Hedwig prepares for its centennial in 2010, a new realization of the history of the parish, and of the World War II shrine, is being experienced.  The shrine in Holdingford, located across the street from the St. Hedwig's on a corner lot, was the very first shrine built in the United States to honor those who served in the U. S. Armed Forces, at home and abroad.  Five thousand people attended the ceremonies, held in the middle of World War II. Among the dignitaries were Governor Harold Stassen, Charles Brenny, mayor of Holdingford; Frederick Schilplin, publisher of the St. Cloud Daily Times; Rev. Gilbert Winkelman, OSB, dean of the School of Architecture at St. John's University; Dr. E. J. Schmitz, master of ceremonies, and The Rev. Fr. John Kromolicki, pastor of St. Hedwig's.  The shrine measures 42 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 22 feet high. Four carved angels with trumpets stand in procession, followed by a large statue of Christ. In July of 2009, in preparation for next year's centennial, the statues were refurbished by Linda Mader. The shrine's altars had been refurbished in 2007. Beautiful flower gardens have been planted around the shrine, and are at peak bloom now.  At one time plaques with names of more than 100 soldiers were embedded into the walls of the shrine. Today they are no longer visible. The four crosses on the shrine are in memory of four young men from Holdingford who died during the war. They are Elmer Kerestes, Pearl Harbor; Walter R. Mattson, St. Lo, France; Walter Krystosek, Anzio Beach, Italy; and Joseph Troxil, U. S. Navy who died at sea.  The original dedication  Gov. Stassen praised the countless volunteers who made Fr. Kromolicki's vision a reality. "The nation must hold true to the basic rights and precepts given them by God or a just peace would be but a vain hope," he said.  Fred Schilplin commented, "This beautiful community's Soldiers' Shrine is the expression of his love and the love of all the people of Holdingford, Stearns County and central Minnesota for the defenders of democracy everywhere." He said "The shrine will stand through the years as a loving patriotic tribute and a physical emblem of the faith of a whole community."  Rev. Gilbert Winkelman, OSB, dean of the School of Architecture at St. John's University, designed the shrine. It was constructed by Edward Feia, his son, Donald, and many parish volunteers. Many area farmers donated more than 540 loads of fieldstone for the construction.  St. Hedwig's Church is a member of the Five Parish Catholic Community. Fr. Mark Stang is the pastor, with Fr. Gregory Ombok serving as interim pastor. The five parishes include St. Hedwig's and St. Mary's of Holdingford; Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Opole; St. Columbkill's in St. Wendel; and Immaculate Conception in St. Anna.

St. Hedwig Church's Centennial celebration has been set for Sept. 12, 2010.

Philipsek and Welna family histories

2009-08-29T13:47:00.004-05:00

Louie Welna, of Milton, Vermont has done a fantastic job researching the Philipsek and Welna family histories. This history is broken down into a sections on the old country , where he traced the family beginnings, as well as interviews, photos and family tree in this country. If you follow these links you can read Philipsek and Welna family histories.
Philipsek Part1a (old country)
Philipsek Part1b (old country)
Philipsek Part1c (old country)
Philipsek Part 2
Philipsek Part 3
Philipsek Part 4
Philipsek Part 5
Philipsek Part 6

I would like to note if there are other familes of the area that would like to create a link to the Holdingford Historical site let us know.

The Biglist of the people of Holdingford

2009-08-29T13:22:00.004-05:00

Those who are interested in Holdingford should be aware of the book 'Ford in the River' by Father vincent A Yzermans written in 1985. We are very pleased to have been given access to the complete index of names mentioned in the book.
This massive list was compiled by Louis D. Welna as part of writing the history of the Philipsek & Welna family histories. He said it took a year to compile this list, which is very understandable as it is 145 pages long !
you can read The Biglist of the people of Holdingford.
A big thank you Louie !!

RIDING THE RAIL TO HOLDINGFORD

2009-06-25T14:29:00.002-05:00

Coming up in July 10-11 is Holdingford Daze , the theme this year is
RIDING THE RAIL TO HOLDINGFORD. Based on the one hundred years since the Soo Line Railroad was officially opened on September 8th 1909. It had been built in 1907 and used but not officially opened.
A couple of special events are Friday evening 6:00-8:00 pm & Saturday all day, the Mn Central Railroad Club HO Scale Model Train Display will be at the City Center.
Friday night from 6:00-10:00 pm will be the First Holdingford Classic/Antique Car Show (on Main Street)

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Soo Line Railroad

Klisch & Langset Store

2009-02-20T08:30:00.006-06:00

Here are two views of the Klisch & Langset Store in Holdingford. Note the bank in one but not the other

1896 Map Holdings' ford & Wardville

2009-01-10T08:53:00.005-06:00

1896 is the date of this map of Holdings'ford & on the west side of Two River River & Wardville on the east side.
Lot's of little tidbits here. Note the school [the 1st] on the corner of what is now the intersection of County roads 9 &17. There were 2 Main Streets at the time. On the corner of Plymouth & 2nd St was the Union Evangelical Church built in 1896. St Mary's Catholic Churcg was on the west side built in 1885

1894/02/19,Name of post office Changed to HoldingFord on east side of river (Wardville)VALENTINE BATZ Postmaster

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History

Impressive bicycle ride

2008-08-20T18:25:00.001-05:00

Now this was a impressive bicycle ride

Holdingford Herald-Aug,26,1937
Theodore Patrias,18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Patrias, who are visiting here, arrived Sun. night about 10:00 o'clock by bicycle,making the trip from Detroit,Michigan, in 7 days,averaging over 100 miles a day.The tires on the bike were just about wore out when he arrived.

Holdingford Daze-Historical Society Booth

2008-07-15T21:09:00.003-05:00

Holdingford Daze was a very good day, we got to talk to a lot of people and we sold our "Mn13 non-alcoholic water", "Mn 13" t-shirts, sweatshirts but the highlight of the day was Special guest Elaine Davis author of "Minnesota 13" she was gracious enough to donate the proceeds of her book sales that day which totaled $544, to the Holdingford Area Historical Society, with the money to go toward restoration of the old city maintenance building to be used as a history museum. It's one of the oldest buildings in town. Very cool !!

1953 Map of Holdingford Area School Districts

2008-06-25T17:35:00.003-05:00

I came across this in a 1953 UM study of Holdingford area schools.

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History of schools

1908 Statistics

2008-06-23T19:46:00.001-05:00

Here are some statistics for the Year 1908 :
* The average life expectancy was 47 years.
* Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
* Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
* There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles
* Of paved roads.
* The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
* The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !
* The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.
* The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
* A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
* More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME
* Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
* Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
* Were condemned in the press AND the government as ’substandard. ‘
* Sugar cost four cents a pound.
* Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
* Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
* Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
* Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
* Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
* Entering into their country for any reason.
* Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
Technorati Tags: 100 years ago,1908 to 2008. Then and now

2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

* The American flag had 45 stars.
* The population of Las Vegas , Nevada , was only 30!!!!
* Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
* Hadn’t been invented yet.
* There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
* Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.
* Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
* Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, ‘Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.’ ( Shocking? DUH! )
* Eighteen percent of households had at least
* One full-time servant or domestic help.
* There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !
* And organized Barbershop didn’t exist

Mn 13 non-alcoholic Water

2008-06-15T22:16:00.004-05:00

Elmer Ebnet one of the famous Ebnet brothers. Who knows more than he likes to admit about Minnesota 13 and it's history. He is pictured here after buying the very 1st bottle of Mn 13 non-alcoholic water from the Holdingford Area Historical Society. He said in true Elmer fashion, that he had never boughten a bottle of water in his life and this one he wasn't ever going to open unless his barber shop was burning.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13 Moonshine Mn 13

Bottled Minnesota 13

2008-06-11T16:41:00.007-05:00

Now that we are adding to the Historical Society's line of Minnesota 13 products. We have started the process a few weeks back of trademarking,Minnesota 13, Mn 13.
The design below is on our water bottles, that we will be selling this weekend at the Carmel Roll Ride, which is starting in Holdingford this year. Along with the Mn 13 shirts and shirts here

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13

Holdingford Herald May 13-1971

2008-06-05T20:58:00.001-05:00

SIX STUDENTS FROM THE HOLDINGFORD AREA WILL BE AMONG 48 SENIORS GRADUATING FROM THE ST.CLOUD SCHOOL OF NURSING SAT. MAY 22ND THEY ARE: JUDITH ATHMAN,KAREN BATCHA,EUGENE BRETH,MARY WIECHMAN,SUZANNE WINKLER,AND BERERLY WOIDYLA.BISHOP GEORGE SPELTZ WILL CONFER THE DIPLOMAS,REV.WILLIAM VOS WILL ADDRESS.

THE BURGLARS WHO ROBBED THE EBNET BROS. MARKET RECENTLY,WERE CAUGHT IN A MPLS. APARTMENT LAST WEEK.THEY HAD BROKEN OUT OF JAIL IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND WERE ENROUTE TO MPLS. WHEN THEY DID THE JOB HERE EARLY TUESDAT MORNING.

LEWIS AND CLARK STARTED WESTWARD UP THE MISSOURI RIVER,MAY.14 1804

MR. AND MRS. WALTER EIDEN WILL CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SUN.MAY 16TH 9 O'CLOCK ST. MARYS CHURCH,FOLLOWED BY AN OPEN HOUSE AT THE RIGHT PLACE 2-5

IN 1970,THE NATION SPENT $67.2 BILLION FOR HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE

Holdingford Herald May 16-1957

2008-06-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

FIFTY-ONE SENIORS WILL GRADUATE WEDNESDAY,MAY 29TH-EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM-ANGELA MOONEN AND LAVERNE PANEK-HONOR STUDENTS WILL BE ADDRESSING THE CROWD,FOLLOWED BY THE GIRLS TRIPLE TRIO,AND A CORNET TRIO GIVEN BY,PETER SUFKA,JAMES WALETZKO AND KATHLEEN JOHANNES-ENDING WITH BENEDICTION BY FR.JEROME BIELEJESKI

TONY LITCHY BROUGHT IN AN EGG SHAPED LIKE A PEANUT ON TUESDAY IT IS ON DISPLAY IN THE HERALD WINDOW.

MRS.RALPH VOS, A MEMBER OF THE HOLDINGFORD SCHOOL BOARD,DISTRICT NO. 93,HAS RESIGNED HER POSTION FROM THAT BODY TO ACCEPT A POSTION AS A TEACHER,THEREFOR MRS. VOS WILL NOT FILE FOR RE-ELECTION. THE BOARD TERMS OF MRS.VOS WOULD HAVE EXPIRED NEXT JULY.

Holdingford Herald-May 13-1943

2008-06-05T20:52:00.001-05:00

FRANCES EBNET IS BRIDE OF MICHAEL BRETH,IN A BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH TUESDAY MORNING MAY 4TH. THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE BOTH GRADUATES OF THE HOLDINGFORD HIGH SCHOOL. THEY WILL MAKE THEIR HOME ON A FARM 2 1/2 MILES SOUTH OF HOLDINGFORD. AT THE WEDDING, MISS CHRISTINE EBNET,SISTER OF THE BRIDE,SANG "AVE MARIA",ACCOMPANIED ON THE ORGAN BY MRS.JOE GOBERNATZ.A WEDDING DANCE WAS GIVEN AT DREAMLAND HALL.

POPPY DAY IS MAY 29,THE POPPIES THIS YEAR WILL HONOR THE MEN WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE PRESENT CONFLICT,AS WELL AS THOSE WHO FELL AMONG THE POPPIES OF FRANCE AND BELGIUM 25 YEARS AGO,SHE SAID (MARY WERTIN PRES.) THE MONEY CONTRIBUTED FOR THE FLOWERS WILL BE USED FOR THE WELFARE OF VICTIMS OF BOTH WARS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

A BROOD SOW ON THE FARM OF O.O. JOHNSON GAVE BIRTH TO EIGHT LITTLE PIGS ON APRIL 16 AND IN A SPELL OF BAD DISPOSITION KILLED THE LITTLE FELLOWS.BEING REPENTANT OF HER ACT SEVEN DAYS LATER SHE GAVE BIRTH TO ELEVEN MORE PIGS.

AS BEFORE,THE BLACKOUT FRIDAY EVENING WAS EXECUTED 100 PER CENT IN THE VILLAGE OF HOLDINGFORD. AIR RAID WARDENS AND FIREMEN WERE ON DUTY AT THE FIRST SIGNAL AND EVERYONE CO-OPERATED WITH THE ORDER

Holdingford Advertiser May 20-1920

2008-05-14T18:37:00.002-05:00

Way Back When
Holdingford Advertiser-May,20,1920 \retrieved by Kathy

John Grossman,Nick Theilen and Manly Immeral,all of Avon were discovered early Monday morning by sheriff Schoener in the act of transporting a complete still and thirteen barrels and two milk cans fit for distillation.The name of John Rass, also of Avon was given by the men as that of the owner of the still which they claim to have been moving in an attempt to circumvent the federal officers who were warm on the trail of the law breakers. The mash was destroyed at the direction of the sheriff and the apparatus is in his custody at his office.

Automobile speeders in the downtown district of Holdingford are becoming numerous and the law governing t5he speed regulations within the limits should be enforced.

Bids will be received to 8:00 p.m.,on june 7th,1920 for the labor of building 275 feet of six-foot cement sidewalk,according to grade,with 2 driveways and 3 street crossings. Said sidewalk beginning at lot 11, running south to corner of lot 22, Batz & Herman Addition, in the Village of Holding.The council reserves the right to reject any and all bids.Dated at Holdingford,Mn. on May 18,1920
Geo. M. Meller (recorder)

Communication was recevied from Cyril Stodolka, the Royalton flyer, in which he stated that he would visit Holdingford the fore part of next week with his Curtiss plane and will take up passengers who wish to try the sensation. Permission was granted by Frank Meier to use his field as a landing place. Watch for him.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History

Holdingford Herald May 16-1957

2008-05-07T13:30:00.001-05:00

HOLDINGFORD HERALD
THURSDAY,MAY 16.1957
FIFTY-ONE SENIORS WILL GRADUATE WEDNESDAY,MAY 29TH-EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM-ANGELA MOONEN AND LAVERNE PANEK-HONOR STUDENTS WILL BE ADDRESSING THE CROWD,FOLLOWED BY THE GIRLS TRIPLE TRIO,AND A CORNET TRIO GIVEN BY,PETER SUFKA,JAMES WALETZKO AND KATHLEEN JOHANNES-ENDING WITH BENEDICTION BY FR.JEROME BIELEJESKI

TONY LITCHY BROUGHT IN AN EGG SHAPED LIKE A PEANUT ON TUESDAY IT IS ON DISPLAY IN THE HERALD WINDOW.

MRS.RALPH VOS, A MEMBER OF THE HOLDINGFORD SCHOOL BOARD,DISTRICT NO. 93,HAS RESIGNED HER POSTION FROM THAT BODY TO ACCEPT A POSTION AS A TEACHER,THEREFOR MRS. VOS WILL NOT FILE FOR RE-ELECTION. THE BOARD TERMS OF MRS.VOS WOULD HAVE EXPIRED NEXT JULY.

Holdingford Herald 5-13-71

2008-05-07T13:21:00.004-05:00

THURSDAY,MAY 13,1971

SIX STUDENTS FROM THE HOLDINGFORD AREA WILL BE AMONG 48 SENIORS GRADUATING FROM THE ST.CLOUD SCHOOL OF NURSING SAT. MAY 22ND THEY ARE: JUDITH ATHMAN,KAREN BATCHA,EUGENE BRETH,MARY WIECHMAN,SUZANNE WINKLER,AND BERERLY WOIDYLA.BISHOP GEORGE SPELTZ WILL CONFER THE DIPLOMAS,REV.WILLIAM VOS WILL ADDRESS.

THE BURGLARS WHO ROBBED THE EBNET BROS. MARKET RECENTLY,WERE CAUGHT IN A MPLS. APARTMENT LAST WEEK.THEY HAD BROKEN OUT OF JAIL IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND WERE ENROUTE TO MPLS. WHEN THEY DID THE JOB HERE EARLY TUESDAT MORNING.

LEWIS AND CLARK STARTED WESTWARD UP THE MISSOURI RIVER,MAY.14 1804

MR. AND MRS. WALTER EIDEN WILL CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SUN.MAY 16TH 9 O'CLOCK ST. MARYS CHURCH,FOLLOWED BY AN OPEN HOUSE AT THE RIGHT PLACE 2-5

IN 1970,THE NATION SPENT $67.2 BILLION FOR HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE

Historical Society Birthday Party

2008-04-08T22:03:00.003-05:00

Our birthday cake was eaten by the 40 people that came to the meeting.

A few of the people looking at some of the exhibits on display. More pictures will be coming by people with steady hands.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History

Tom Betz & Halvor Langslet

2008-04-08T21:53:00.004-05:00

Tom Betz and his wife Deborah from Minneapolis, who have done a tremendous amount of research on Halvor Langslet a early resident of Holdingford. They honored us by coming up for our meeting and Tom talked about Halvor's life and times.

Holdingford & Bobby Fischer

2008-03-17T16:22:00.002-05:00

Bobby Fischer (recently diseased chess champion) purchased his first automobile from the Kroska Motors dealership in Holdingford.
After winning his world championship match with Boris Spassky in 1972 he took driving lessons from Ed Kroska’s son, who owned a car rental company in California. Ed’s son ordered all of his vehicles through the Kroska Motors dealership (making Ed the nation’s top salesman one year), including Bobby Fischer’s first car.
shared by Joe Christiansen

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Bobby Fischer

Historical Birthday Party

2008-03-12T13:25:00.005-05:00

We want to let everyone know and invite the public to Our First Birthday Party !

The Holdingford Area Historical Society is celebrating its first birthday at its April 7th meeting. 7:00 pm. City Center, We will have a birthday cake and ice cream along with displays of local interest.

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History

Oldest Person in Holdingford ?

2008-03-05T14:13:00.009-06:00

I was thinking that last year Marcella Klasen celebrated her 100th birthday in 2007. She has since passed. I wonder who is the oldest person in Holdingford now ?
Marcella would have been 101 this Saturday, here are a couple of articles about her.
Another written by Mark William Miller Sr last year:
Marcella Marie Klasen, who was born in Freeport but lived much of her life in Holdingford, will be celebrating her 100th birthday
Marcella is currently living at Arlington Place Assisted Living Apartments, 21 16th Avenue S.E., St. Joseph.
She was born March 8, 190 7.
Celebrations for Marcella will include a closed birthday party for nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts on March 17.
There will be an open house for the general public on March is.
The time for both events will be 2 to 4 p.m.
Marcella was the fourth child to be born to John Bernard Klasen, known as J.B., and Mary Josephine (Bischoff) Klasen, known as Josie, on March 8, 1907, in the Frontier Inn, Freeport, which J.B. owned and operated, and where he also sold jewelry.
'when J.B. built and opened the First State Bank in Holdingford in 1910, Marcella and the rest of the family moved to Holdingford and started out living in a small house in town. Eventually, they all lived in a large house on the edge of town, which eventually included 10 siblings in addition
to Marcella. She is the only living offspring bom to J.B. and Mary Josephine.
Marcella graduated from Holdingford High School in 1925, where she also participated in such extracurricular activities as music, drama, and basketball. After high school, she attended the College of St. Catherine's, St. Paul, where she graduated with a major in history and minors in music and library science. Upon graduating from college, Marcella attended business school in St. Paul.
Her teaching career involved contracts in Menaga, Wis., Red Wing and then her alma mater, Holdingford, where Marcella taught business classes. She also coached the girls basketball team to three winning seasons. During this time, Marcella also taught private piano lessons. She also served as the high school principal in Holdingford for a few years during her experience there as an educator. During WWII at some time, she left the teaching profession and worked in a private Chicago firm for a few years as a secretary.
Upon Marcella's return to Holdingford she worked in her father's bank and quickly learned the business. After J. B's death, Marcella helped her brother Leo manage the bank, which at that time was called the Security State Bank of Holdingford.
Marcella lived in the family house on the edge of town and often accepted many guests, including nephews and nieces, brothers and sisters and their spouses, both at the Holdingford house and the lake cabin at Little Birch Lake. Nephews and --nieces were always well treated and loved by Marcella, who was always so gracious. She currently has 30 living nephews and nieces. One nephew and one niece are
deceased.
Marcella's community activities have been numerous in the Holdingford area. She was heavily involved with hosting the Red Cross bloodmobile drives, and she was eventually awarded the Clara Barton Centennial Honor Award in 1981 for her "excellence in unselfish and invaluable volunteer service given to the needs of human kind."
Marcella served as St. Mary's Church Choir Director for a few years in Holdingford and also sang in the choir. She was instrumental, along with others, in the creation of an apartment in Holdingford for low and middle income people, a two-story building with 16 units. Anyone within a 10-mile radius who qualified financially in terms of low income, could rent an available unit. She managed the building financially for many years until Catholic Charities assumed financial management upon her request.
Throughout her life, Marcella has been generous with her time and money. For example, she sponsored a seminarian in Africa financially, which allowed him to pursue his divinity studies, and eventually his ordination as a Catholic priest. Marcella donates a scholarship to St. Catherine's College every year.
Marcella lived in the Klasen family residence in Holdingford until the year 2000, when she gave the house up for health reasons. She now is enjoying life in an assisted living residence in St. Joseph at Arlington Place Assisted Living Apartments. Aunt Marcella was an exceptional woman of her time. -If women of today were to look for an exemplary role model, she would qualify.

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History
Stearns County History

Business and Building Boom

2008-02-23T11:19:00.005-06:00

It seems that a important aspect of a town's growth is the attitude of the businessmen.

Advertiser January 17th 1917
Holdingford is experiencing a business and building boom,according to the Advertiser. If reports are true, they will make the rest of the neighboring villages look like a 2-cent piece with a hole unpunched into it before long. Go to it, if you are made up of live business men you deserve, and will get, a prominent place on the map of this great state

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History