From the archives of the DCI
50 years ago
May 30, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Paul Leuthold Retires After 54 Years In Shoe Business
An era came to an end on May 1 of this year when Paul Leuthold announced the sale of Leuthold’s Shoe Mart, as it will be the first time in the 108 year history of the Leuthold organization that a member of the family will not be actively engaged in the business they founded in Kasson. Mr. Leuthold sold the shoe store to Don Fencl of Leuthold-Fencl, who is now operating the business and announcing a change of ownership in the form of a full page ad in this issue of the DCI. The Leuthold organization was founded in 1865 by Paul’s grandfather, Jacob Leuthold, Sr., who had migrated from Zurich, Switzerland in 1855. Jacob Sr. filed a homestead in southern Minnesota and lived on a farm for six years. He returned to Mantorville in 1861 and opened what is believed to be a general store. In 1865 when it became apparent that the railroad was going to bypass Mantorville, Jacob Sr. purchased three lots in Kasson and built a general store on the property where the Leuthold and Parkin store is now located. Ten years later the store burned down and a new building was erected. Mr. Leuthold had five sons, Jacob Jr., John, Henry, Charles, and Rudolph, all of whom entered the retail business in nearby cities. The Leuthold Corporation was an offspring of the business ventures of the five brothers and it now operates 16 stores in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Henry, who was born on Dec. 17, 1865, was the first white child born in the village of Kasson. In 1885 Henry at the age of 19, purchased his father’s shoe stock and combined it with another shoe business that he acquired. It was after World War I that he was joined in the shoe business by his two sons, Lloyd and Paul. This partnership continued until 1929 when Lloyd entered business in another location. Paul and his father continued the business until the death of Henry in 1951, and since that time Paul has operated the business. Paul and his wife, Lindy, indicated that they will continue to live in Kasson and perhaps do some traveling in their retirement. Mrs. Leuthold has taught at various times in the local school system dating back to 1924 and retiring just one year ago. Paul is a charter member and past commander of Legion Post #333 as well as being active in numerous community affairs. Don Fencl came to Kasson in February 1966 from Austin to manage the Leuthold and Bahr men’s clothing store. Later that year he became a partner and the store name was changed to Leuthold-Fencl. He and his wife, Lois, have two daughters and have resided in Kasson since 1966. Prior to coming to Kasson he was employed by the Leuthold Company in Austin.
30 years ago
May 26, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Legion Auxiliary names Girls State representative
K-M juniors Stephanie Halverson and Nicky Riedel have been selected to attend Minnesota Girls State by the Kasson American Legion Auxiliary. Stephanie is the daughter of Linda and Ken Halverson of rural Kasson and Nicky is the daughter of Paulette and Ardel Riedel of Kasson. Minnesota Girls state is an American Legion Auxiliary program that promotes a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship. The purposes of Girls State is to provide citizenship training for girls of high school age, to afford them the opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens and to inform them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. The students learn government by “living” it, in mythical cities, counties and state. By carrying out the process of government they learn by doing, and are encouraged to become leaders of the future. The 1993 Girls State is on the campus of Bethel College in St. Paul from Sunday, June 13 to Saturday, June 19. The entire fee for the program is paid for by the Kasson Auxiliary. The entire program is non-political, non-partisan attempt to instill in these potential leaders a life of God and country. The Kasson Legion Auxiliary has been carrying on the tradition of sponsoring a local representative for many years.
20 years ago
May 28, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
How do
your flowers
grow Dorothy Bartel?
At 85, Dorothy Bartel of Kasson does quite well with flowers. She admits she does not have the agility she use to have in moving around the yard. The end result of her efforts though is unaffected. Dorothy lives at the corner of Fifth Street and First Avenue in Kasson and she has flowers lining each corner, bordering the back of her property, around the house and vegetable garden and of course in her flower garden. Red, yellow, orange, purple. You name it, Dorothy has color in her yard. Mums, hybrid iris, single and double peony, red tulips, white and purple lilacs and one of her favorites, the bleeding heart up next to the house are a few of her many. Some of the tulips are more colorful than others. “You should have been here two weeks ago,” said Dorothy, “if you wanted to see colorful tulips.” She said this was a very good year for tulips because of the cool weather. Dorothy admits she has a little bit of a “green thumb.” She adds, “God has a lot more to do with that than I do.” Imagine this is Dorothy Bartel’s favorite time of the year!