THE WADENA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY "PRESERVING LOCAL HISTORY FOR GENERATIONS........ PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE" GREAT TEAMMATES MADE FOR A GREAT 2024! At Wadena County Historical Society, to achieve our mission of "Preserving Local History" we rely heavily on our neighbors. Since I assumed the executive director position in March 2024, I find myself constantly being reminded of the generosity of the residents and businesses of my hometown, as well as the generosity of all Wadena County communities. If you believe in "preserving local history" there are opportunities for you to make a difference. All businesses and individuals need the same scarce resources to achieve their goals. For individuals and small businesses, including rural county historical societies, those scarce resources are money (and in our case, artifacts), and time & energy. Listed below are our 2024 money and artifact donors, and our volunteer teammates. Please review the lists. I am sure you will know one or more of our teammates. When done with your review please go to my brief "Closing Thoughts" at the end. THE WCHS "MONEY DONORS" $2,000 PLATINUM PLUS" LEVEL " Lina Belar CJ (Kip) Browne Mary Ebner Donna & Bebe Kresien Estate . The MN Foundation Wadena City Wadena County Jebb Willis Jean & Robert Zosel Estate $1,000 PLATINUM LEVEL Steve & Ann Brown Jeff & Kathy Browne David & Brit Hunnicutt Merickel Lumber Tommy & Laura Merickel Rich & Tom Paper Wadena VFW Post #3922 Wadena Elks Lodge #2386 . Sally & Bill Adams $500 GOLD LEVEL Roger Folkestad Bill & Mary Gaslin Jon & Patty Johnson Dave & Diane Peters Jon Wensman Anonymous (1) $250 SILVER LEVEL Mike Nelson Kathy & Lowell Roisum WHS Class of 1959 Betty White $100 BRONZE LEVEL Schuller Family Funeral Homes Bruce Sweere JoAnn & Jimmy White Pam & Greg Willis Hinman Electric Sam Phillips Donna & Dan Sartell Duane & Dawn Vandenberghe Lane Waldahl Anonymous (3) $1-99 FRIENDS OF LOCAL HISTORY Too many dozens to list. Thanks to each and every one of you. And remember this, "There is no gift too big or too small, we will, with thanks, accept them all." THE WCHS "ARTIFACT DONORS" Carolyn Hartman: An oil painting of two Native Americans on horseback that hung in the lobby of the Commercial Hotel since the late 1800's. The artist was Georgia (Van Antwerp) Kidder. She was born in New York City in the 1850's and died in Anoka in the 1930's. She is buried in the Menahga City Cemetery. There is an artist's painting palette etched onto her headstone. This painting can be seen in the lobby of the WCHS. OUR BOARD Curt Folkestad Mrs. Robert (Pat) Rolfe: Two very old oil paintings, one of a Native American potter, the other of two dogs. Both can also be seen in the WCHS lobby. THE WCHS "TIME AND ENERGY" VOLUNTEERS Nedra - Office Manager Rosalie Miller Donna Sartell (pd position) Betty While - Chair OUR STAFF Jebb Willis - Volunteer Director Brian - Research (pd position) OUR VOLUNTEERS Steve Brown . Dana Cantleberry Craig Folkestad Jim Stoneman / U-Haul Rose Hammes Bill Hess Darlene Leonard Ralph Miller . Jim Hagerty Casey Hand Jim Olson Chris / Smith Furniture Dave Stormoen Todd-Wadena Co. S-T-S Jebb Willis Bob Zosel Closing Thoughts: At the "Wadena County Historical Society" we are excited about our future and we are working hard in the present so that we, and other like-minded individuals, can cherish the past. As you can see we have a good number of great teammates, yet our roster could use more of the same. If you support "preserving local history," won't you consider joining us? Be it as a donor of money or artifacts, or a volunteer sharing your time and energy with us. If so, call me at 320-420-8810 and we can discuss what role would be a good fit for you. Perhaps we could start with a tour of our facility. If you know one or more donors or volunteers listed, talk with them and then thank them. If you are already on the team but not listed due to a coaching error on my part call me. I can fix that. Thank you so much! Jebb Willis, Director WCHS "Preserving Local History......for Generations" THE WADENA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY " PRESERVING LOCAL HISTORY FOR GENERATIONS ........ PAST , PRESENT , AND FUTURE " GREAT TEAMMATES MADE FOR A GREAT 2024 ! At Wadena County Historical Society , to achieve our mission of " Preserving Local History " we rely heavily on our neighbors . Since I assumed the executive director position in March 2024 , I find myself constantly being reminded of the generosity of the residents and businesses of my hometown , as well as the generosity of all Wadena County communities . If you believe in " preserving local history " there are opportunities for you to make a difference . All businesses and individuals need the same scarce resources to achieve their goals . For individuals and small businesses , including rural county historical societies , those scarce resources are money ( and in our case , artifacts ) , and time & energy . Listed below are our 2024 money and artifact donors , and our volunteer teammates . Please review the lists . I am sure you will know one or more of our teammates . When done with your review please go to my brief " Closing Thoughts " at the end . THE WCHS " MONEY DONORS " $ 2,000 PLATINUM PLUS " LEVEL " Lina Belar CJ ( Kip ) Browne Mary Ebner Donna & Bebe Kresien Estate . The MN Foundation Wadena City Wadena County Jebb Willis Jean & Robert Zosel Estate $ 1,000 PLATINUM LEVEL Steve & Ann Brown Jeff & Kathy Browne David & Brit Hunnicutt Merickel Lumber Tommy & Laura Merickel Rich & Tom Paper Wadena VFW Post # 3922 Wadena Elks Lodge # 2386 . Sally & Bill Adams $ 500 GOLD LEVEL Roger Folkestad Bill & Mary Gaslin Jon & Patty Johnson Dave & Diane Peters Jon Wensman Anonymous ( 1 ) $ 250 SILVER LEVEL Mike Nelson Kathy & Lowell Roisum WHS Class of 1959 Betty White $ 100 BRONZE LEVEL Schuller Family Funeral Homes Bruce Sweere JoAnn & Jimmy White Pam & Greg Willis Hinman Electric Sam Phillips Donna & Dan Sartell Duane & Dawn Vandenberghe Lane Waldahl Anonymous ( 3 ) $ 1-99 FRIENDS OF LOCAL HISTORY Too many dozens to list . Thanks to each and every one of you . And remember this , " There is no gift too big or too small , we will , with thanks , accept them all . " THE WCHS " ARTIFACT DONORS " Carolyn Hartman : An oil painting of two Native Americans on horseback that hung in the lobby of the Commercial Hotel since the late 1800's . The artist was Georgia ( Van Antwerp ) Kidder . She was born in New York City in the 1850's and died in Anoka in the 1930's . She is buried in the Menahga City Cemetery . There is an artist's painting palette etched onto her headstone . This painting can be seen in the lobby of the WCHS . OUR BOARD Curt Folkestad Mrs. Robert ( Pat ) Rolfe : Two very old oil paintings , one of a Native American potter , the other of two dogs . Both can also be seen in the WCHS lobby . THE WCHS " TIME AND ENERGY " VOLUNTEERS Nedra - Office Manager Rosalie Miller Donna Sartell ( pd position ) Betty While - Chair OUR STAFF Jebb Willis - Volunteer Director Brian - Research ( pd position ) OUR VOLUNTEERS Steve Brown . Dana Cantleberry Craig Folkestad Jim Stoneman / U - Haul Rose Hammes Bill Hess Darlene Leonard Ralph Miller . Jim Hagerty Casey Hand Jim Olson Chris / Smith Furniture Dave Stormoen Todd - Wadena Co. S - T - S Jebb Willis Bob Zosel Closing Thoughts : At the " Wadena County Historical Society " we are excited about our future and we are working hard in the present so that we , and other like - minded individuals , can cherish the past . As you can see we have a good number of great teammates , yet our roster could use more of the same . If you support " preserving local history , " won't you consider joining us ? Be it as a donor of money or artifacts , or a volunteer sharing your time and energy with us . If so , call me at 320-420-8810 and we can discuss what role would be a good fit for you . Perhaps we could start with a tour of our facility . If you know one or more donors or volunteers listed , talk with them and then thank them . If you are already on the team but not listed due to a coaching error on my part call me . I can fix that . Thank you so much ! Jebb Willis , Director WCHS " Preserving Local History ...... for Generations "