January 2024 | www.AgeMedia.pub
Faith / Family / Friends / Farming
MEET THE
of Hutchinson County
MEYER FAMILY Denis, Sam, Tad and Jed Meyer. Story on page 18.
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
January 2024 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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of Sioux County PUBLISHERS Garrett and Mindy Gross, AGE Media EDITOR & IOWA MANAGER Bob Fitch, AGE Media Direct advertising inquiries, story submissions and other correspondence to: 712-551-4123 bob@agemedia.pub © The Farming Families, Age Media & Promotion The Farming Families is distributed free exclusively to the farmers, ranchers and producers in rural Sioux, Plymouth and Lyon Counties. All rights reserved. Content in this magazine should not be copied in any way without the written permission of the publisher. The Farming Families assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Content in articles, editorial and advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by The Farming Families and Age Media & Promotion.
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January 2024 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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SIOUX COUNTY FAMILY
MEET THE VIET FAMILY By Bob Fitch
Jim and Mandy Viet started farming near Hawarden in 1989. Their crop acres were limited, but custom-feeding hogs and Jim’s job in town helped pay the bills. After five years, they transitioned to become a farrow-to-finish operation.
Travis and Miranda Viet and Mandy and Jim Viet.
According to Jim, “Everything was looking good. So I stepped away from my town job to be fulltime on the farm. We started farrowing with our father-in-law and selling some feeder pigs. But then hog prices just crashed. Hogs went to nine cents and corn went to five bucks. The summer of ‘94 was a pretty ugly few months.” By the end of that summer, Mandy said, “Eating only mac and cheese really was getting old.” Jim agreed and said, “The reality was we needed to buy groceries. It was a tough time.” He’d previously worked as a mechanic and decided service and repair work might help put food on the table.
The Viet family. Kate and Adam Viet; Miranda and Travis Viet; Mandy and Jim Viet; and Ashley, Makenna and Jake Van Roekel. 6
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
He rented a neighbor’s shed and ... “I threw the word out there that if anybody had work they needed done, I’m here. There were some people in the community who took a chance on me. If it hadn’t been for them, the business would have never taken off. Some of those first customers still do business with us today. A lot of them have been very loyal and very appreciative. That has
been very, very rewarding. I'm really humbled by that.”
often, I just call on her to make sure she’s ok.”
In 1997, the business incorporated as Jim’s Repair, Inc., and the operation moved into a new shop on their home site. “I had to make a decision where was I going to put my focus. I would have loved to do nothing more than just farm. But I just didn't have the opportunity to get the acres. So we grew the shop and kept the farm going. Over the years, both slowly grew,” he said.
Frequent customers also get to know the rhythms of the Viet family. For several years, Wednesday became “Grandma’s Day,” and customers knew Mandy wasn’t going to be in the shop to help them with their bills. Grandma’s Day has now switched to Fridays since her oldest granddaughter started preschool.
CUSTOMERS BECOME FRIENDS According to Mandy, “We've always just felt very blessed with the people we got to work with. Many were not just customers, they became friends. One customer is an elderly lady who still lives on her own, but doesn’t get around very well. She doesn't have a next-door neighbor, but we’ve known her so long she's become a family member. Every so
One day 20 years ago, Jim made an onsite service call to an elderly customer who was a World War II veteran and had been featured on local television news. Jim praised the TV story and thanked the farmer for his service. When Jim finished the repair work, the customer asked, “How much time have you got? Do you want to hear about my war days?” Jim eagerly sat down and listened for two hours to stories about his 61 bombing missions
Jim and Mandy Viet.
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as a tail gunner over Italy and France. “He talked about writing letters home before each mission to say goodbye to his family. He talked about everything. He just let it all out. You know, that was a really good day for me, and, I suspect, him as well.” TRANSITIONS IN THE FARM AND BUSINESS The last eight years have included several transitions. They got out of hogs completely in 2015. In 2018, their son, Travis, started farming alongside them. Then, in 2021, Jim was asked to join the team at Rivers Edge Bank in Hawarden, working in business development. At the time, he largely stepped away from both the farm and the repair business. He and Mandy continue as co-owners of Jim’s Repair Inc. with partner Dylan Evenson, who now handles day-today shop operations. Mandy continues managing the office and bookkeeping four days a week. According to Jim, “It’s really nice to just let Travis do the farming because it's something he's always wanted to do. When he was two or three years old, he knew the purpose of every lever, button and knob in every tractor or combine we had.”
Travis and Miranda Viet.
Travis doesn’t remember how old he was the first time he drove a tractor solo, “But I specifically remember Grandpa put it in first gear, so I wasn't going anywhere fast. When I went to push the clutch in, I realized I had to wedge myself between the steering wheel and the clutch to get it all the way down because I wasn't heavy enough.” Looking to the future, Travis hopes to grow the size of the farm if circumstances allow. “We’re working on maximizing our efficiency on the land we have in place now. We also want to maximize our profit margin by getting the most out of our inputs.” Over time he wants to modernize grain handling and storage on the farm. He’s also adding some livestock yards on the acreage where he and his wife Miranda live. Travis said, “Right now, we’re just growing enough beef to take to the locker for ourselves and maybe for some family members. We see value in growing our own livestock and gardening. We take pride in knowing where our food comes from. I’m interested in possibly adding more cattle in the future.” Travis welcomes the chance to add some custom work, plus enjoys helping on local silage crews. Being part of those crews gives him the opportunity to rub shoulders with people he otherwise might not meet. Miranda said their circle of friends includes people Travis has met working on silage crews.
Makenna and Gracelyn are children of Jim and Mandy’s daughter Ashley and her husband, Jake Van Roekel. Adam and Kate Viet are expecting this spring.
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January 2024 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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kind of stops at a barrel and goes ‘uhhh’ in frustration with its rider,” she said. Miranda works as an environmental specialist for Siouxland District Health. She and Travis have been married for 2½ years. FAMILY AND MUSIC Jim and Mandy have two other children, plus two grandchildren, with a third on the way. Their daughter Ashley and her husband, Jake Van Roekel, live in Alton. Their son Adam and his wife, Kate, live in Orange City.
After their children left home, Jim and Mandy became involved in music, playing today in two different bands. State Line Drifters plays country music for dance clubs in the region. Living Water is a gospel group playing at area churches.
SADDLE UP Miranda grew up north of Sioux Falls in the Flandreau area where her family is very involved in breeding and selling purebred horses. Her grandfather and great uncle have scaled down on the number of horses they own personally. “My great uncle is still riding two- and three-year-olds. We have to give him a lecture every time, but he is crazy.” Miranda has started a small herd at their acreage. She also participates in rodeo barrel racing and other speed skill events. After Travis was smack-talking her when her horse missed a barrel in one heat, she challenged him to get in the game. She signed him up for an event and put him on an experienced horse which knew every move to make. But Travis wouldn’t let the horse do its job. “All he had to do was hold on, right? Oh no, he was pulling the horse's mouth, kicking it, trying to tell him to go faster and trying to tell him to slow down. At one point in the video, you can see the horse just These days, Jim spends more time working at the bank than getting a coating of grease at Jim's Repair, Inc. 10
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
Jim grew up on his parent’s farm near Parker, S.D. While he had hoped to farm with his father, it wasn’t an option in the late 1980s. He and Mandy lived in Tea, S.D, before the opportunity came up to buy land in Sioux County. “I just really couldn't get farming out of me. I always enjoyed it and always wanted to be on the farm,” he said. Mandy is a native of Orange City. When she was a junior in high school, her family moved to the country to a place about 1¼ miles away from where they live now. (Travis and Miranda live on that acreage today.) After their children left home, Jim and Mandy became involved in music, playing today in two different bands. State Line Drifters plays country music for dance clubs in the region. Living Water is a gospel group playing at area churches. In addition to volunteering at the Youth for Christ teen center in Hawarden, Jim is also close to earning his pilot’s license. “So Mandy probably checks my life insurance often, I suppose. You’ve got to have a little fun in life,” he said.
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FOCUS ON HEALTH
THE IMPACTS OF UNTREATED HEARING LOSS By Melissa Baker, Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids
Many people are aware they’re suffering from hearing loss, but find it difficult to get help. Those who have been diagnosed with hearing loss wait, on average, seven years before seeking treatment. Some people don’t want to admit aging; others don’t think the condition is severe; and some don’t know they have hearing problems. Unfortunately, allowing hearing loss to remain untreated can lead to some serious consequences. The most recent studies highlight the social, psychological, cognitive and health effects of untreated hearing loss. These effects can have serious impacts on your quality of life. Studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a number of emotional health conditions, including: • Irritability, negativism and anger • Fatigue, tension, stress and depression • Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations • Social rejection and loneliness • Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety When you have hearing loss, you may experience difficulty following conversations in a group setting. Consequently, you’re more likely to socially withdraw from visits with friends and family, which, over time, leads to depression and anxiety. The prospect of being immersed in a work meeting or large gathering, where numerous conversations will occur, can leave you feeling anxious. In addition to the impacts on your emotional wellbeing, untreated hearing loss can also affect your cognitive health. When your ability to hear declines, your brain receives less stimulation than it typically would because it’s not working to identify different sounds and nuances. Over time, this lack of exercise for your brain can lead to memory loss or even dementia. Think of your brain in the same way you think of your body; if you work out the different muscle groups of your body, you remain healthy overall. However, if you instead only focused on one specific area, the other parts of your body become weaker. This is how untreated hearing loss impacts your brain. The portion of your brain responsible for transmitting sound becomes weaker, making memory loss more likely. Wearing a hearing aid can enrich your life and reopen many doors that may have closed for you over the years.
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
Other benefits of treating your hearing loss with hearing aids include: • Hearing your grandchild’s first words • Hearing nature again • Feeling safer in cities • Attending dinners in noisy environments • Enjoying parties and understanding conversation Hearing loss isn’t age-specific; it can affect everyone, from babies to adults and seniors. The best way to know how to get help is to schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist. He or she will be able to help determine the type and degree of hearing loss you have. From there, the hearing care professional will be able to suggest a type and style of hearing aid that can help you begin to live a happier, more fulfilled life. For more information, see www.siouxfallshearing.com or call (605) 610-3466.
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FARMING FAMILIES OF SOUTH DAKOTA
CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES GUIDE OAK LANE COLONY By Garrett Gross
John and Sara Wipf of Oak Lane Colony farm in South Dakota’s Hutchinson and Hanson counties. Oak Lane was started in 1986 after several Hutterite families spun off from Rockport Colony. John has served as the business manager of the colony since 1986. He oversees the financial decisions for all the farming and business operations that support the 31 families and 138 individuals living at Oak Lane. John is part of the leadership board along with three others that make all the major decisions for the colony. John said trust and honest communication are vital. At an early age, he was taught that if someone tells a lie, it takes seven more lies to cover for the first one. Then those seven lies have their own webs that need to be covered. Such principles have served Oak Lane well as the colony has been successful and grown, even when faced with challenges. One of the more memorable challenges was a storm in 1997 when straightline winds damaged many homes and barns on the property. After the storm, over 200 people from neighboring colonies came to help rebuild and clean up the debris. 14
John and Sara Wipf.
“There was a silver-lining that came from that storm, however,” joked John. “At least five marriages and subsequent families blossomed from relationships formed cleaning up after that storm.” John’s wife, Sara, is the head cook at Oak Lane. She oversees the production of three meals a day for all the residents and any guests who stop by for a meal. Oak Lane is known for its baked goods and buns. The colony is also known for the smoked ribs it produces and sells. Oak Lane traces itself to the Rockport Colony, founded in 1934, and from there back to the first Hutterite Colony in Dakota Territory: Bon Homme Colony, founded in 1874. Over the last 150 years and many generations, the basic doctrine of Hutterite religious principles has remained the same. John said the long-term success of Oak Lane or any colony is dependent upon several factors. The most important is to ensure young people are educated properly and that the colony is set up for long-term success. “When we build a new barn, we build it so that our grandchildren will one day use that same barn,” he said.
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
Oak Lane grows corn, soybeans, and alfalfa along with raising beef cattle, turkeys, and a farrow-tofinish hog operation. They also have 300 head of Jersey cows. John believes it is important to be a good neighbor locally and within the larger community as well. He served on the South Dakota Pork Producers Council Board for 16 years. Oak Lane hosts annual visits from the USD Medical School. College students learn about the Hutterite way of life and how to understand and better treat various populations of patients. People unfamiliar with Hutterites have misconceptions about the colonies. One of the most common is that Hutterites acquire more land than they need. “Our businesses are centered around agriculture. In order to provide for the 31 families and 138 people in our colony, we need acres of land to do that,” John said. At Oak Lane, approximately 300 acres are farmed per family. The long-term goals for Oak Lane are pretty simple: They want to stay true to the Hutterite doctrine and live the Christian principles they value and pass them along to their children.
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VIEW ON THE ROCK RIVER. PHOTO BY BRETT DAVELAAR, BD PHOTOGRAPHY
January 2024 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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LYON COUNTY FAMILY
‘AGRICULTURE IS WHAT WE KNOW!’ By Bob Fitch
The Meyer family. Adults in the back: Kent and Elyse Moser; Sam and Nicky Meyer; Jed Meyer, Jill and Denis Meyer; Addie and Carson Wirtz; and Kendra and Tad Meyer. Children in the front: Evie, Madelyn, Hayden, Nolan, Ethan and Meredith Moser; Blaire (in Nicky’s arms), Shay and Rhett Meyer; Miley, Theo and Mathis Wirtz; Abrah and Callen Meyer. Photos by Summit Photography.
January is usually not the best time for cattle feeders to reflect on their career choice. A winter of deep snow and bitter temperatures such as the area experienced in 2022-23 come with a special set of challenges. “You definitely need a passion for it in all seasons,” said Denis Meyer, who farms with his wife, Jill, and their sons west of Rock Rapids. “There will be days when you wonder if you made the right choice. But don’t dwell on the challenging days. There are always some jobs and situations on the farm that you don’t necessarily like. Breakdowns and bad weather are at the top of the list. But, if you like what you do, it really isn't work.”
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Farming and living in the country “… is just a good environment to raise a family. We live in a community that has good values and good morals; and it’s a safe place,” Denis said. Jill grew up in Aberdeen, S.D., the daughter of a banker. “I had no farming background; and I said I was never going to marry a farmer or a banker. But now I would never think of raising my kids anywhere else. I love the outdoors and I love watching our kids farm with their
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
dad.” Jill is a second grade teacher at West Lyon Schools. She took a break from teaching for a few years when their children were little. Denis and Jill met when they were both students at South Dakota State University. They’ve been married for 37 years. Denis said they never pushed their kids to farm, but also told them it was here if they were interested. According to their oldest son, Tad, “Dad always told us, ‘There's always
the farm.’ Go get your education was probably the most important message. Mom was pretty good pushing that. Agriculture is what we know. If you’re happy and content working within it, then you don’t need to change it up.” SONS STAY ON TECH’S LEADING EDGE Denis and Jill’s youngest son, Jed, is a student at Iowa Lakes Community College. “I'm not sure what it is, but when I’m at college or at a different job, I really do miss being at home and working on the farm. That's really when you know it's what you’re meant to do. My long-term goal is to eventually be back here feeding cattle.” Jed has continued working for his dad throughout college, plus works for his brotherin-law, Kent Moser, who owns Northwest Custom Application. “Kent has a pilot program doing drone spraying. He really started from scratch and is still trying to figure everything out. It’s been pretty intense,” said Jed. Denis likes what he’s seen so far from his son-in-law’s drone spraying: “It's really good for applying fungicides on corn in the fall. You can get right down there and use a low volume.” Kent also operates Moser Seed & Ag. He’s the husband of Denis and Jill’s oldest daughter, Elyse. Kent and Elyse live a half mile down the road with their six children: Evie, 12; Meredith, 11; Madelyn, 8; Nolan and Ethan, both 5; and Hayden, 3. Northwest Custom Application was co-founded by Denis and Jill’s middle son, Sam. He stepped away from the business in early 2023. In addition to farming and feeding cattle with his dad, Sam and his wife, Nicky, own a wean-to-
Kendra and Tad Meyer with their children, Abrah and Callen.
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ideas, which can be hard to do sometimes. If somebody makes a mistake or breaks something, we know that at the end of the day, in the scope of life, it’s probably trivial.”
Sam and Nicky Meyer with their children, Rhett, Blaire and Shay.
finish hog barn, plus takes care of two others. The couple met when both were students at SDSU. She is from the Harrisburg area. Her college degree is in nursing, but she currently stays home with their three children, Shay, 6, Rhett, 4, and Blaire, 2. According to Sam, he and his brothers work well with their father. “Everybody's got their strengths and weaknesses – areas
where maybe one person is better than the others and vice versa.” Jed agreed: “We're very good at leaving things that happen at the farm on the farm. If anything bad happens or people aren't getting along, usually by the time we leave the farm, it’s forgotten. We like to keep it light most of the time.” Denis said, “Not everybody's the same. You have to try to respect different thoughts and
Oldest son, Tad, described himself as the black sheep because he went to Iowa State University instead of SDSU. He and his wife, Kendra, met at ISU and lived in Ames for several years after getting married. They moved to the Rock Rapids area about 1½ years ago. He works fulltime for Premier Crop, a company that collects data from producers’ planting and harvest seasons. “A lot of guys collect all this information on their planters, but when you ask them ‘What did it pay?’, they kind of give you a blank look. We use the grower’s own data to help them drive decisions for the next year,” said Tad. While he’s not regularly hands-on at the Meyer farm, the information Tad gathers plays an important role in helping Denis, Sam and Jed know what’s providing the best return on investment and what’s not. Denis said, “It's been real interesting for me. We're not just throwing money out there because that's the way it's always
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Jill and Denis Meyer.
been done. You can have facts at hand to be precise.”
it was time-consuming and didn’t always get done on a timely basis.”
Tad’s wife, Kendra, works remotely for the ISU Extension Service, specifically on programming and information for specialty crop producers. She’s originally from southeastern Iowa. They have two children: Abrah, 5, and Callen, 6 months.
As Jed edges closer to finishing college, the family is in the thought process of potentially expanding the feedlot and making other changes. Denis said, “We don't try to be the biggest, but we just try to keep improving on the little things.”
Denis and Jill’s youngest daughter, Addie, and her husband Carson Wirtz, farm near West Bend, Iowa. They have three children: Miley, 2, and Mathis and Theo, both 1. “We will drive over there (to Addie’s) on a weekend at the drop of a hat,” Denis said.
He and Jill appreciate the blessings in their lives. “After graduating from college, we came back here, but I still really wasn't settled on what I was doing,” he said. “The farmer who owned this place was retiring. He asked my dad if he knew anybody who wanted to rent the house and the farm. It was a good opportunity.”
‘THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE’ In addition to the drone spraying and crop analytics, Denis appreciates the technology which allows tracking of their cattle’s daily feed intake in a real-time manner. “Before we started recording everything on the iPad, 22
Their family is tight-knit and enjoy spending time together, said Jill. They try to take an all-family trip every couple of years to places such as Arizona and Florida. Whether it’s vacations, work or holidays, Denis and Jill have an
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
appreciation for the good times because when Denis was 32 years old, he was diagnosed with nonHodgkins lymphoma. He had a bone marrow transplant and spent an extended period in the hospital. “I didn't have much to do with beating it, that was pretty much in the hands of the good Lord.” He was farming with his brothers at the time and his dad was able to step in to help with cattle chores. “I tried to keep a good attitude, but sometimes you’re only as good as you feel. The kids were really young and there were a lot of days when I left the hospital that I just felt terrible. I can remember Sam especially; he would get so upset if I was laying on the couch. He’d be telling me ‘There’s work to be done.’ So I'd actually sneak over to my folk’s place to take a nap.” “He still does it today,” joked Tad. “But I’m not ashamed of it now,” Denis replied with a smile.
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KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE
THE EARLY DAYS OF REMSEN
Looking north on Remsen’s Main Street. Photo from Grinnell College Libraries' Historic Iowa Postcard Collection. This story is based on a chapter from the book History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa (Chicago: A. Warner and Company. 1890-1891). The book in its entirety can be found online. The author of the book apparently lumps early settlers from Luxembourg in with the large local population of Germans. The text quoted here is directly from the 1890 book, except for nominal editing for length and clarity.
Remsen was named for Dr. William Remsen Smith, a pioneer Sioux City physician who was an extensive landowner in Remsen township. The village of Remsen was platted by the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad Town Land & Lot Co. on August, 28, 1876.
The name of the first man who claimed land in Remsen township has been forgotten, but the oldest settler now living within the township is Henry Mullong, who bought a second-hand homestead claim of S.C. Pringy, on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 28. Mr. Mullong settled on the land in April 1873, and he thinks it was originally claimed by the first settler of the township in 1867. Until after 1880 there were no settlers in Remsen township to speak of, and from that time on the territory was largely settled up by Germans, who have come to be wealthy farmers and stock-growers. In 1885 the total population of the township was 649, of which 310 were Germans. The population of Remsen township is devoted to agricultural life and its kindred branch stock-growing and feeding. The land is of a very
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rich, superior quality, and can be relied upon for a crop each year. Many artificial groves adorn the township and lend both beauty and actual value to the domain.
township has five sub-districts, which are provided with four good schoolhouses. The total enrollment of scholars is 93.
Remsen became a post office point in 1879. H.W. Alline was appointed the first postmaster. The first school was taught at the residence of R.E. McCourtland, on section 34, about 1880. At this date, 1890, the county school records show that this
ONE OF THE BEST SHIPPING POINTS The village of Remsen is located on a beautiful tract of rolling prairie land and is now a thriving little mart of about 500 people. It was made a station on the original Dubuque Sioux City railroad line, and has come to be one of the best marketplaces and shipping points along the line.
Little was accomplished in the way of business improvements until 1881, when Frank Miller put in a general store. The other earliest businesses were engaged in by J.H. Winchel, who owned a large farm one mile north, and H.W. Alline under the firm name of Winchel & Alline. Scales were put in and grain bought and shipped in the fall of 1880. At the same time P. Hopkins, of Le Mars, bought and shipped cattle and hogs from this point. The other earliest businesses were Townsend Lumber Yard; the Blake House hotel operated by C.B. Blake; a grocery store
Looking south on Remsen’s Main Street. Photo from Grinnell College Libraries.
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• Blacksmiths: Theodore Fiddler; Adolph Hoper; Jost Bros. • Coal Sales: Z. Gilman, Townsend Bros. • Drugs: Meinert & Fish; H. J. Brink. • Furniture: H. Nothen. • General stores: N. Kass & Son, M. Beck & Sons, Matt Janse, S. Wentz. • Grain dealers: Union Mill Co.; E. N. Dickey & Co.; F. H. Peavey Co.; Cedar Falls Mill Co. • Harness shop: Charles Bushgens. Number 105 pulling in to the Remsen Depot.
owned by Miller & Co. of Le Mars and operated by George Kline; and an elevator built and run by S. Ellingsworth of Oyens, for the Waterloo Mill Company. The first saloon was built and owned by Peter Mouner.
• Hardware: Townsend Bros.; Z. Gilman; Henry Schaafs; M. & J. Wictor.
Remsen also boasts of these businesses in 1890: • Agricultural implements: Scott Bros., Pew Bros., Stang & Peters.
• Hotels: Remsen House; Hotel Monthoven. (Both hotels had a livery service.)
• Attorney: Ed. S. Lloyd.
• Jeweler: P. Koehnke.
• Banks: Bank of Remsen; Farmers Loan & Trust Company.
• Lumber: Z. Gilman; Townsend Bros.; Henry Sudtelgat.
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• Millinery: Mary Wictor. • Physicians: H. J. Brink, George Roepke. • Stock: Lang Bros.; A. Zink. • At the present time there are 12 open beer saloons running, despite the Iowa state law. CIVIC PROGRESS After incorporating in 1889, the town elected N. Lang, mayor; Ed. S. Lloyd, recorder; Z. Gilman, treasurer; Hamm Atkinson, M. Scheel, John Fish, Hubert Nothen, Peter Bruscher and George E. Bright, councilmen. The same officials were serving in 1890, except Councilman George E. Bright, who was succeeded by J.P. Steicher. Since the incorporation of the town it is being rapidly supplied with good sidewalks, street crossings, etc. In 1889 they also erected a jail of sufficient size and security to hold what few law-breakers might chance to infest their town. The village supports a good, live, local newspaper, edited by J.P. Kieffer, who issues twice each week. One issue is printed in German, called the Remsen Glocke, and later in the week one of the same contents, only printed in English, called the Remsen Bell. LUTHERANS AND CATHOLICS
A tornado ripped through a large part of northwest Iowa in June 1885. In Remsen, both the schoolhouse and the new Catholic church building were destroyed. Also destroyed were barns and outhouses and there was scarcely a chimney left intact. News clip is from the June 16, 1885, Sioux City Journal via newspapers.com.
The two church organizations at Remsen each have a good building. The Evangelical Lutheran Society was formed in 1884 by six members, Rev. Miner, of Le Mars, officiating. The first president was John Isley; John Schumacher was first treasurer, and Martin Seba first secretary. In 1888 a frame church building was erected at a cost of $1,600. It is 24x40 feet, and seats fully 100 persons. The present membership of the society is 26. A Sunday school was formed in 1889, which now averages 20 scholars.
The February 14, 1886, Des Moines Register reported on the devastating impact of a diphtheria epidemic. 28
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
The superintendent is Rev. Henry Bender, pastor of the church. The first church building of the Roman Catholic people in this vicinity was blown down by a cyclone in 1885. The new building is 40x80 feet and seats about 300 people comfortably. In the summer of 1888, the parochial schoolhouse was built. In the fall of 1888, the sisters of St. Francis, from Dubuque, Iowa, took charge of this school, which now has an attendance of about 100. The church building at Remsen is heated by two large stoves; there are three altars, an organ, and a good-sized bell. The building contains 70 pews. The valuation of this church is about $4,600. The present (1890) family membership is placed at about 150. THE STARVATION WINTER “The winter of 1880-81 is known in the annals of Remsen as the starvation winter,” said Mrs. J.H. Winchel, an early resident. “Those who remember the serious inconveniences of the long snow blockades can imagine the sufferings of those who were 10 miles from a grocery store, the same distance from a meat market, and who did not live on a farm, consequently did not have the pork-barrel to fall back on. The shoveling train that occasionally reached us was our only means of communication with the outside world. When that failed us, as it frequently did, and supplies were at their lowest ebb, the hero of the hour was he who volunteered to tramp the 10 miles of drifted track, and who came back somewhat the worse for wear, but covered with glory, and well laden with flour and coffee, beans, graham flour, etc. Never was a spring later or more welcomed than that of 1881.”
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2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Serve immediately. If desired, top with sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro.
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of Sioux County
An elegant night you won’t want to miss.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 TERRACE VIEW EVENT CENTER | SIOUX CENTER The Sioux Center Health Foundation is hosting its first Snow Ball, a gala fundraiser with proceeds from the evening to benefit the Sioux Center Health Foundation. Beat the winter blues with us while enjoying live music by Buckmiller Schwager, games, auction items, and more! Formal dress suggested.
To purchase tickets, visit: www.siouxcenterhealth.org/foundation
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | January 2024
Please contact Dorinda Oostenink with any questions and to learn more about Sioux Center Health Foundation.
Dorinda Oostenink Foundation Director 712.722.8415 dorinda.oostenink@siouxcenterhealth.org