From This Valley

By Pete Steiner

Shoes to Fill

Perhaps the hardest column of the year to write, this still needs to be done. It’s about those who have left us — not world-bestriding figures such as Colin Powell but “valleybestriding” folks we knew, right here where we dwell, who had such an impact on our local scene.

I began writing this annual piece a few years back after being inspired by a year-end segment on my favorite TV show, “CBS Sunday Morning.” It’s hard to write because of space limitations — you have to leave some out, maybe someone who was very important to you. (Note, this was submitted Thanksgiving week: Life and death don’t take December off, so some are missed.)

Let’s start with Art Petrie. A lot of folks new to Mankato wouldn’t even know him had they sat down by him. But the town we live in was dramatically reshaped by Art, whether you loved or hated the result. A brash transplant from New Jersey, the always nattily dressed Petrie, among other things, took over the failing Mankato Mall, starting a recovery from “urban renewal” in the late 1970s.

Speaking of urban renewal, the pinnacle of downtown transformation that became key to local cultural life is the civic center. Those who know say it would never have been built without Malda Farnham. Born in Latvia, she somehow ended up in Mankato, where she was the essence of a civic person, attending countless City Council and other committee meetings. She knew the world belongs to those who show up.

If one talks of civicmindedness, the discussion must include Denny Kemp. A large man with a matching personality, Denny was a public servant if ever there was one — as a cop, as director of CCTV, as a Nicollet County commissioner. But perhaps his most enduring legacy is as organizer of North Mankato Fun Days. North Mankato should rename the big parade in his honor — as “The Denny Kemp/North Mankato Fun Days Parade.”

If you lived here before 2013, you no doubt have a special memory from Applewood. Founder Harry Musser was as passionate about giving customers a good time as he was about pickup basketball or racquetball at the YMCA. If we talk of local restaurants, we must talk about Pat Person, just 57 when he died riding his motorcycle. From the legendary Adrian’s to the current collection of Tavs and fine dining spots, Pat defined “restaurateur.” And who never enjoyed a sweet treat at the DQ across from West High, thanks to Joe Galli?

Bob Johnson lived in Le Sueur, but he was the “Voice of the Valley,” the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Famer who owned KRBI in St. Peter. Sheriff LaRoy Wiebold helped keep us safe for so many years. Softball Hall of Famer Don Bequette wore many hats and inspired many by continuing to compete well into his 70s.

Larry Van Tol also wore many hats. The shrewd entrepreneur and businessman loved telling jokes and was maybe happiest when tending growing plants in the huge old greenhouse at Hilltop Florist. And who among us does not own a painting or print by Marian Anderson? Her collages of local history are deeply treasured.

My longtime radio colleague and friend Chris Painter left us at just 68. I know “Big Paint” would have loved that number for a golf score, but all who knew him miss his calm cheeriness in any situation, except when MSU athletics teams were losing. Cut from the same cloth, Fred Roufs too was always smiling and loved golf and was a huge supporter of Maverick sports.

Joe Hogan lived to 99 but advancing age never slowed him down. The Air Force vet, psychologist and retired MSU professor kept up his passion for learning as publicity chair for Lifelong Learners. Former North Mankato city councilman Kim Spears had definite opinions, but he was always kind and patient in telling you what he thought.

Lynn Weber had been principal cellist for the Mankato Symphony. Her principles also included kindness and gentleness. Mark Halverson, brilliant and often cantankerous, helped save the Kasota Prairie, among his many achievements. He left us way too soon at 70, doing what he loved as much as the blues and the law and railroads and baseball: riding his motorcycle. And just in before I submitted this piece, we lost former MSU President Margaret Preska at 83. Sophisticated, gracious and engaging, she was a pioneer in higher ed.

At the end of this incomplete list, I am guessing a majority of readers didn’t know Doris Boyce. But I include her not only for being a regular reader of my column, but for this invaluable advice the English teacher gave all writers in a class I once took: “Write it down now, and don’t worry if your ideas are different!”

And so I tried to do that.

Happy New Year. Try on those shoes, and ... start walkin’!

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