Happenings From 1940-1949
(Okabena's history was provided courtesy of the Okabena Centennial Edition of
The Okabena Press, Jackson County History Books, Jackson County Historical Museum and Tri-County News.)

Business Census 1940's

• Bluehawks down Heron Lake 38-14, Jeffers 39-9

• Okabena Gun Club meets.

• Okabena Spotlight, Mercella Becker, editor.

• Alvin Bayerkohler, Florian Henrich, Clarence DeMoure, Arnold Baumgarn, Paul Schulz among first 100 Class IA.

• Lakefield falls under Bluehawk Blitz.

• Okabena wins sub district trophy.

• Adolf Pomerenke's celebrate golden anniversary.

• Okabena loses in finals of district to Jackson 38-35.

• Band rates high at Worthington.

• Okabena to have park playground.

• Food stamp program launched.

• Leslie and Marcella Becker valedictorian and salutatorian.

• Bids asked for Okabena-Heron Lake road.

• Give aluminum for your country's defense.
  
  1942

• Firemen sponsor waste paper, rubber and metal collections.

• Victory Aids program for Okabena.

• FFA holds first annual banquet.

• 40 mile speed hour order effective.

• Air Raid Wardens Committee established.

• Edw. Hotzler receives safety award from railroad.

• H. Saathoff reports 411 hogs purchased for Hormel in one day.

• Carl Huebner sells dairy business to Alvin Rients.

• Blackout announced, reported 100% in Okabena.

• Food for Victory agriculture course in school.
  
  1943

• Scrap metal drive nets over 40 ton locally.
• James Hussong severely injured.
• $216.00 collected for War Service Fund.
• Severe blizzard early in November.
  
  1944

• Village over top in 4th War Loan Bond Drive.

• Nels Gutteboe joins First State Bank staff.

• Gentry Store sponsors kite contest. Jerry Mead wins 1st in class 1, Weldon Bayerkohler 1st in class 3.

• A.H. Ohlsen and George Morrison drowning victims in Des Moines River.

• Guy Paulson buys Dahl store and fixtures.
  
  1945

• Memorial service for Sgt. Raymond G. Sievert.

• Gaylord Peterson killed in Belgium.

• Senior class trip to Sioux Falls.

• St. Paul's church observes 60th Anniversary.

• Okabena over top in 7th War Loan Drive.

• George Sievert, Theo. Milbrath, Arnold Heideman and Herman Kilker bus drivers for current year.

• R. A. Becker celebrates 80th birthday.

• Japan surrenders.

• Robert K. Milbrath awarded air medal in India.

• D. D. Rempel solicits for "Mail Call".

• Adult evening classes at the school.

• Village doubles Victory Loan quota.

• Area receives 10 inches of snow.
  
  1946

• Hotel changes hands.
• Francis Schear buys Luncheonette.
• Dr. Chadburn dies.
• Okabena wins sub district.
• Community library opens in school.
• Clifford Mansmith buys Luncheonette.
• Herman Becker and Ott Mittelstadt in state finals for duck calling contest.
• Junior class on educational tour of the Twin Cities.
• Emelia Seydel appointed County 4-H leader.
• Free movie every Tuesday night - July 16th: "The Prisoner of Zenda."
  
  1947

• American Legion Post chartered January 22nd.

• PTA meeting on "School Finances."

• Division Creek Dam dynamited.

• R. R. Bayerkohler and Vernon Behrens form partnership.

• PTA recognized George Stephenson for 30 years as custodian.

• New baseball field started.

• Bill Duitsman sets record in 440 yard dash at county meet.
  
  1948

• Farewell party for Lester Hotzler's.

• American Legion Auxiliary established.

• New school dedication at Rost.

• Football team champs of Six Star League.

• Legion to sponsor fox hunt.

• Legion sponsors Bingo.

• Dedicate lights at the Homecoming game.
  
  1949

• Earle Nelson named school superintendent. 

• W. B. Scheppmann in fatal accident.

• Ed Hotzler retires after 52 years service for Milwaukee railroad.

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