Holmen area

historical society
Summer 2023 Volume 29 Issue 3
IN THIS ISSUE
Second annual ice cream social .........................1 Upcoming program schedule............................. 4
President’s greetings ..........................................2 Membership form ..............................................5
Archive report ....................................................2 Books available for purchase ............................ 6
Programs held at HACC ....................................3

HAHS holds second annual ice cream social

Holmen Area Historical Society held its second annual ice cream social
fundraiser August 6 at Yahnke’s Antiques Green tractor museum in
Holmen. Along with make-your-own ice cream sundaes, the fundraiser
featured music by Doug Mahlum, basket raffles and a silent auction of do-
nated antiques.
Visitors were able to view Yahnke’s amazing collection of antique John
Deere tractors that span the ages.
Funds raised go toward covering
rental space for HAHS’s historical
collection and archive storage.

Sue Stranc scooped ice cream

for guests.

Rich Anderson (right) looked over

Holmen High School yearbooks with
Kristin Aberg and her son, Hogne. Aberg
was an exchange student from Norway
who stayed with the Andersons during the
1999-2000 school year. She, her husband
Doug Mahlum provided entertainment and two sons visited the Andersons for
for the social. two weeks this summer.

Sue Heuer checks out the gift

baskets available for bids. Guests socialize as they enjoy ice cream sundaes. See more photos on page 5

HAHS Facebook address is—https://www.facebook.com/Holmen-Area-Historical-Society-103927925185757

Website: www.holmenhistory.weebly.com
Email: [email protected]
 HAHS President’s greetings
Dear HAHS Members: cold drink at Smokey’s or a pizza to go from T-Jo’s.
“The summer is going by so fast” is the comment You can go to the mall area and see how the original
heard by many. We are trying to fill the days with businesses have changed there as well.
travel, relaxation, projects, visits, picnics and every- If you haven’t noticed by now, I am pointing out
thing that we were not able to do a couple of years businesses in Holmen that had their own “turning
ago. point.” Each building has its own colorful history and
This year’s Human Library theme is also the Nation- importance in the community. As residents of this ar-
al History Day theme, “Turning Points.” Where do we ea, we have these businesses to enjoy and support as
reflect and decide to take another path, start a business well as learn about the history of the village of
or career? We look forward to interacting with our Holmen.
eighth graders and presenting many turning points of Traditionally quite a few class reunions were held
our community members. during Kornfest. As we talk to our Holmen friends and
I recently had a picture framed at the Frame Gallery classmates we reflect on the turning points in our own
in Holmen. This is an art gallery as well, with many lives.
local artists’ works displayed there. Stop and visit Ju- The Holmen Area Historical Society wants to thank
lie and see this quaint local treasure. While you are the Yahnkes for offering their collection of John Deere
there, stop at the Holmen Meat and Locker Plant. Get Tractors and providing a wonderful setting for the Ice
an ice cream cone, buy some meat for supper or the Cream Social August 6. Doug Mahlum created a great
freezer, pick up some snacks and find the wonderful atmosphere with his music and the casual community
gifts, wine and cheese assortment they offer. atmosphere was enjoyed by all attending.
Rudy’s Feed and Seed is right next door, so why not As our board and officer terms come to mature,
get your pet some treats or a toy, get a birdhouse and a please consider accepting a position if you are ap-
wonderful bag of cardinal mix for your birds. proached or volunteer if you feel a calling.
Just down the street you can stop at Moxie’s for a We look forward to seeing you at our next events.
haircut or style and while you are there, delight in the Enjoy the summer and be safe.
great selection of gifts and clothes they offer. Across
the street you can order some custom t-shirts from Sincerely,
Coaches Corner Sports. Of course, you may need a Barb Anderson, President HAHS

Archive and collection report

From archivists Pam Hanson and Barb Johnson
Since the last newsletter we have been busy working on two tions. The majority of the pictures and
goals. One is setting up a new display in the Holmen Library. It books that were given to us are done, and
is located in the cases outside the Meeting Room. It contains the now, it’s on to the objects.
Black replica farm that was made by Fred Black as well as other
farming items and pictures. We hope this will catch the eye of
the children as before we were even finished setting it up, some
children were already excited about the chicken coop and out-
house. Try to stop and take a better look at it. Thanks to Loren
and Betty Black for giving us this piece of history.
Now it’s a matter of organizing all the items into searchable
boxes and provide a directory as to which storage shelf and in
which box those items are located. Pictures are being taken of
the items and entered in the database so we have a better idea
where things are located. This will take a long time as there are
many little items.
And of course, we get stuck looking at and talking about
what we remember related to them. All the collections will be Replica of Black farm made by Fred Black
printed and placed in a book that will have pictures and descrip- on display at Holmen Public Library.
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 Programs held at Holmen Area Community Center
Presenter shares her research of family’s genealogy
Lynne Valiquette’s sister-in-law, Kim Evenson Vali-
quette, presented a program at the May 1 meeting about her
genealogy research. She was able to trace her ancestry back
to her great grandparents, Carl Christian Olson and Petra Jo-
hansdatter, to the family’s farm near Ringsaker in Norway.
The couple’s son Ole immigrated to the United States in
1910 when he was 19 years old. Ole was a carpenter, mason
and contractor and built the steeple on Halfway Creek
Church. His wife, Josie was born in Johnson Coulee and
married Ole in 1921. She became a widow when Ole died at
age 45.
A recording of Evenson Valiquette’s presentation can be
Members of the Valiquette and Olson family found on HAHS’s Facebook page.

Library and HAHS host showing of ‘I Married the War’

A film featuring interviews with wives of veterans from WWII to
the Middle-East wars was shown at the HAHS June meeting. “I
Married the War: Wives of Combat Veterans Tell Their Sto-
ry” (Syringa Cinema LLC, 2021) was presented at the La Crosse
County Library Holmen branch’s community room June 5.
The showing was the Wisconsin premier of the moving documen-
tary. Created by Betty and Ken Rodgers, the film explores the ways
families at home are forever impacted and changed by the trauma of
war.
Francine and Bruce Jones from Mindoro are featured in the mov-
ie and introduced the important film. A trailer can be viewed at
https://imarriedthewar.com/trailers. Francine and Bruce Jones fielded
At the request of the producers and Francine and Bruce, dona- questions following the showing of “I
tions to a local group providing support to veterans and families may Married the War: Wives of Combat
be directed to La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program, lavmp.org. Veterans Tell Their Story.”

HAHS members and guests share on-the-job stories

The Holmen Area Historical Society invited members and
friends to circle up and share stories at this year’s Story Circle. The
gathering was held July 3, at the Holmen Area Community Center.
This year’s topic was “On the Job.” Attendees shared work experi-
ences such as a first job, an un-
forgettable incident on the job or
how the jobs they held impacted
their lives.
The telling was sweetened
with root beer floats.
Workers at the former canning factory
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 Upcoming program schedule for this fall
Our upcoming programs begin at 6 p.m. at the Holmen Area Community Center the first Monday of each
month unless otherwise noted. HACC is located at 600 N. Holmen Dr., Holmen, Wisconsin.
Attend in person or view live on the Holmen Area Historical Society Facebook page (vs. group). Watch for
reminders and updates on future programs on the Holmen Area Historical Society’s Facebook group.
We have a great series of programs planned for the remainder of 2023.
Please note: No meeting in September because of Labor Day holiday

Human Library program returns

Monday, Oct. 2, Human Library, Turning Points in
Local History.” - 6 p.m., Holmen Area Community Center
Once again, HAHS will open its Human Library, in collabo-
ration with the Holmen Area Community Center. This is a
local take on the National History Day theme for the 2023-
2024 school year. We hope to have 12 “Human Books” for
community members to “check out,” each with stories and
information about a topic related to the theme. Ruth Scholze
will be the librarian.

Historic-style women’s basketball game

Monday, Nov. 6 Historic Women’s Basketball— 6 p.m.,
Barb and Dave Skogen Boys and Girls Club gymnasium
The La Crosse Does, the La Crosse area Granny Basketball
team, will play a “historic” basketball game, using 1920s era
rules, against a team of BGC middle-school girls. The show-
down is co-sponsored by our partner, the Holmen Area Com-
munity Center and the Barb & Dave Skogen Boys and Girls
Club, and the game is a fundraiser for both. Admission will be
$5. The BGC and HAHS will provide concessions. Expect hot
dogs and Cracker Jack and a rip roaring half-time show!

Annual meeting and holiday potluck

Monday, Dec. 4: “Annual Meeting and Holiday Potluck”
6 p.m., Holmen Area Community Center:
This is a chance to share some favorite family recipes, some
holiday music, and a deep dive into what your Historical Socie-
ty has been up to and where we are headed.
4
More photos from the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social

Wisconsin State Senator Brad Pfaff (center)

Several vintage automobile enthusiasts brought their vehicles to dis- stopped in at the ice cream social and visited with
play and create an old-fashioned atmosphere at Yahnke’s Antique HAHS President Barb Anderson (left) and former
Green tractor museum. Holmen Village Council president Nancy Proctor.

Ways to support HAHS

Holmen Area Historical Society is a nonprofit with the mission of preserving Holmen’s
past for future generations.
Memorials and honorariums are always welcome to help maintain the historical collection
and to hold programs. You can also support HAHS by renewing your membership and inviting
friends and family members to join.
Send contributions to Holmen Area Historical Society, PO Box 535, Holmen, WI 54636.

Accepting 2023 memberships. They can be mailed to the post office box
listed in the membership form or can be paid at a meeting.

Membership Form
Name _______________________________________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code __________________________________________
Phone number _______________________________________________
Email address ________________________________________________
Annual: I would be willing to -
 Individual, $10 __ be a board member/officer
 Family, $20 __ help with archiving
 Business, $125 __ help write grants
Lifetime: __ membership development
 Individual, $75 Mail membership dues to -
 Family, $125 Holmen Area Historical Society,
 Business, $500 PO Box 535, Holmen, WI 54636 5
 Booklet about Holmen’s past available to public
HAHS President Barb Anderson shared stories of Holmen’s past as well as actual arti-
facts from the early years of the village and surrounding area with second graders at Prairie
View Elementary and Sand Lake Elementary.
The sessions included stories about how the Holmen was discovered by European ex-
plorers and then settled by immigrants from those countries.
Using a slide presentation created with the help of archivists Barb Johnson and Pam
Hanson, Barb showed photos of pioneer life including settlers standing by their log homes,
folks building a barn, ice harvesting and other activities.
Among the items from the HAHS archive and Barb’s personal collection were a bread
riser pan, ice tongs, bottles from the creamery, a school dress and a small travel trunk.
Students were provided a work book containing historic photos along with activities encouraging further study of
Holmen’s history. The study booklet is available to the public for $5.

A number of copies of Living History, Holmen Eighth Grade Students

Respond to 2020 are also still available for purchase. The book contains es-
says written by students at Holmen Middle School students sharing their
lived experiences during the 2020 pandemic.
Copies can be purchased for $15 at monthly meetings, mailing a check to PO
Box 535, Holmen, WI 54636.

The Holmen Area Historical Society newsletter, edited by Pat McKnight, is published seasonally to keep
members and supporters informed about its activities.

Holmen Area Historical Society

P.O. Box 535
Holmen, WI 54636