John and Ruth Smith at Awards ceremonies
Commemoration at Eureka's 75th Jubilee. (Referenced on right)
American Legion Float, 1950s with a Weller.
Merida winning Snow Queen in Eureka
Photo taken for being President of American Legion in Eureka
John Smith was active in various projects in the city and state of South Dakota. His obituary reflects his contribution on other organizations (click to enlarge).
Cross Country. Steve is second on right.
John Smith was on the National American Legion Steering Council for several years. This i a photo taken during one of their sessions.
CITY GOVERNMENT
In March 1972 Paul Kretschmar resigned as the City Attorney and John Smith was appointed as his replacement. City
attorney John Smith died (1978).
EUREKA LIBRARY BOARD
At a special ceremony on October 29, 1983 Kathryn was honored on her retirement by having the City Library designated
to be the Kathryn Schulkoski Library for her 40 years of faithful service. Virginia Greco was appointed librarian following
Kathryn's retirement and currently serves in that position, 1986 Library Board members are: Ann Bauer, Kay Krein, David
C. Fischer, Doreen Lang and Ruth Smith.
EUREKA MUSEUM
In 1975, Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Hoffman, residing some twenty-one miles northeast of Eureka, became deeply interested
in setting aside a sum of money to establish a museum in Eureka. This would preserve and store artifacts and documents
of the rich heritage of the German born people from Russia. A board was selected and formed to study and proceed with
this project. Perhaps the key men at this point were Mel Geist and Willis Schnabel. The planning committee was formed
in the same year.
Planning Committee:
Membership: Lenora Schick, Glenda Lindeman, Willis Schnabel and Mel Geist, Chairperson. Building: Rev. Walter Kranzler,
Chairperson, and Paul Hausauer. Acquisition and Policies: Lenora Schick, Marie Sackman, Paul Hausauer, Claudia
Hoffman and Martha Mehlhaff. Budget: Rev. Walter Kranzler, Paul Hausauer, Mel Geist and John Smith, legal
advisor.
With the Certificate of Incorporation completed and approved June 10, 1975, and the Articles of Corporation filed, a
functioning board was elected June 15, 1975. Board of directors: three year term: John Smith, legal advisor and Martha
Mehlhaff. Two year term: Paul Hausauer, Lenora Schick, and Andy Koerner. One year term: Verlena Mehlhaff, Arlo
Mehlhaff, and Bruce Mehlhaff. (It is impossible to list all officers elected who served so faithfully in the ensuingyears. The minutes and records carry their names and positions they held
EUREKA'S 75TH JUBILEE JUNE 27, 28, 29, 1962
To publicize Eureka's Diamond Jubilee the Eureka Jaycees organized a 300 mile, thirteen day wagon trip from Menno,
South Dakota to Eureka. The wagon train began its journey at Menno, where many of Eureka's pioneer settlers came
from in 1887.
Members of the Eureka Jaycees and volunteers left Eureka early Tuesday morning for Menno where they began their
wagon trip to Eureka with two prairie schooners, one buggy and several teams of horses. The wagonmasters were
Deleano Heupel and Robert Eiseman. Each of these men rode the wagons a full week and were accompanied by an army
of men totaling 168.
Wednesday, June 27 officially opened the celebration. The wagon train arrived in Eureka at noon. The group was met
by the Eureka High School Marching Band and a crowd of well-wishers. A reception was held at the auditorium where
John W. Smith, originator of the wagon train idea, presented a plaque from the city of Menno to the city of Eureka
commemorating the trip.
At Lakeside Park the Eureka Cardinals racked up their first errorless league game in six years. They played Mobridge
and won by a score of 3-2.
The crowd and heat were still with the celebrating city on Thursday, June 28. A 96 float parade wound its way through
the city streets. An estimated 12,500 people lined the sidewalks and curbs Thursday evening. Marching bands from
Leola, Selby, Hosmer, Ashley and Eureka greatly added to the parade of floats.
Thursday evening the heat left but the crowds didn't. Carnival thrillseekers mingled through the two-block midway of
Murphy's Northern States Shows. Teenagers filled the Country Club to dance at the KOLY record hop while parents
and older friends crowded the auditorium floor to dance to the music of the Six Fat Dutchmen.
Friday evening the weather for the fireworks show was perfect. The lake was calm and luminous beneath a faintly
glowing sky. At the auditorium the Six Fat Dutchmen played to the crowd who knew the three days of fun and celebration
were ending.
The Executive Committee of the 75th Jubilee was composed of: General Chairman, Henry Jundt; Vice-President,
Sanrow Koerner; Secretary, Richard Gross; Treasurer, Dean Mehlhaff. Other members were Albert Wolff, Werner Straub,
Albert Bender, John A. Schmidt, Kenneth Herr, Harold Schaeffer, Milbert Schick and Paul Kretschmar.
The chairmen of the various committees were: Leland Olson, Hospitality; Otto Strobel, Exhibits; O. B. Just, Finance;
Richard Neuharth and Eugene Kautz, Building; Walter Wenzel, Advertising; Alton Kary, Sports; Ed Schumacher,
Parade; Lester Heilman, Entertainment; Jack Jones, Whiskers; Irwin Mutschler, Policing; Dr. W. B. Wolf,
Streets-Concessions; Henry Ottmar, Pioneers; Deleano Heupel, Wagon Train; Ed Serr, Prizes; Theo. Straub, Historical
Publication; Elial Harr, Decorations-Signs; John W. Smith, Raffle; and Mrs. Ray Diebert, Jubilee Gems.
EUREKA BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS
In 1976 Eureka joined thousands of towns of every size in every corner of our great land in celebration of the United States
Bicentennial year. As the Bicentennial celebrations were to be a major project, all the city organizations and their leaders
were considered vital components of the greater Bicentennial Committee. They included City Planning Board and City
Council: Willis Schnabel; Ladies Organizations: Hulda Wittmayer Jaycees: Lee Kurle and Terry Seiler; Ministerial
Association. Rev. Walter Kranzler; Senior Citizens: Al Bender and David Fischer; Extension Clubs: Glenda Lindemann;
Chamber of Commerce: Mel Geist; VFW: Elmer Lutz; VFW Auxiliary: Verlena Mehlhaff; American Legion: Glenn Opp;
American Legion Auxiliary: Ruth Smith; Northwest Blade: Arlo Mehlhaff; PTSA: Darlene Neuharth; Eureka Saddle Club:
Walt Holzworth; Eureka High School Class of 1976: Steve Smith; Youth Groups: David Haupt. Julius Wittmayer was in
charge of having a new wheat strain named after Eureka. Obviously many other people gave of their time and talent. Some
of them are mentioned in the description of specific events but many others will remain unsung, but vital cogs in the
human machinery which was to produce two memorable celebrations. To get Eureka into the spirit of the Bicentennial,
several ideas were put into action. The Northwest Blade not only gave extensive coverage of the Committee's
activities but provided space for guest commentaries by Eureka residents of their thoughts on the Bicentennial. Those
writing excellent articles were Gerald Beutler, Rev. Howard E. Hart, Mrs. Otto Schick, Mrs. Dean Mehlhaff, Mrs.
George McIntosh, John Smith, Mrs. Werner Straub, Mrs. Dean Krein, Howard Mettler, Mrs. Wallace Kusler, Mrs. Ted
Sackmann, O. B. Just, Wade Fauth, Robert Gab and Mrs. LeRoy Hoffman
THROUGH THE YEARS
1973-1974
We had a new head wrestling coach that year, a young man named Art Dunn. Under Mr. Dunn the Trojans had 3-6 record
and Jim Berreth again went to the State Match. Coach Senger was the cross country coach again and under his tutelage
Steve Smith and Richard Hardegger went to State competition.
1975-1976
IThe wrestlers continued under head coach Art Dunn and in his second year at the helm they finished with a 2-7 record.
In cross country it was a good year with Steve Smith qualifying for the State Cross Country Meet. Boys basketball had a
rebuilding year having lost eight seniors from the previous year by graduation. They did finish up, however with a
Respectable 12-11 season record.
1981-1982
In track both the girls and the boys squads continued their climb with both squads winning the Region. The boys placed
fourth in the State Meet as 8 boys and 5 girls qualified. Included with the girls was seventh-grader Merida Smith.
(Last year, in '81, it was Kristin Stroh who went to the State Meet as a seventh grader.
1983-1984
Again track was where we really shined. Besides taking the Region titles, both the girls and boys teams sent a sizable
contingent to the State Meet. Girls in the State Meet were: Holly Wanner, Tracy Rau, Kristin Stroh, Merida Smith and
Tonya Rau. Holly took first in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles and third in the 200 meter run. In the 400 meter relays
the girls from Eureka placed first and Tracy Rau took fourth in the 300 meter hurdles. Holly Wanner was awarded
Outstanding Class B Athlete and as a team the girls took first place.
1985-1986
In track, the girls won the Region for the fifth year in a row and placed second in the State Meet. Tracy Rau and
Merida Smith won their respective events with Merida setting a Class B record of 17 feet, 7 3/4 inches in the long
jump.
SECRETARIES FOR JOHN SMITH
Susan was born March 28, 1949 to Jack C. and Mabel (Bauer) Jones. Jack was born June 13, 1923 at Branson, Missouri,
and Mabel was born October 13, 1929, at Java, South Dakota. Susan graduated from Eureka High School and attended
Northern State College. She was employed as a legal secretary by John W. Smith, and, after his death, Peter Ostrowski.
She is presently bookkeeper for Don's plumbing business and Eureka Aerial Service.
Milo and Arlene were married February 14, 1954. This year also found Milo joining the business of Wenzel's Clothing.
In 1973 Milo and Arlene purchased the business from her parents and the name was changed to Opp's Clothier, Inc.
Milo is still managing the business at the present time. Arlene has been employed by the Eureka State Bank continuously
since 1967 until the present. In years previous she had also been a secretary for John W. Smith, attorney at law.
FRED WELLER AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 186
Presidents of Fred Weller Unit 186 since its organization in 1922 are: Clara Hoffman, Myrtle Wenger, Mabel Dennis,
Kathyrn Jahraus, Emilie Goehring, Edna Wolff, Irene Olson, Cecelia Harr, Della Greiser, Verna Mettler, Frieda Strobel,
Helen Stein, Verona Papendick, Arvilda Schaeffer, Emma Hieb, Edna Kallenberger, Wilma Holzwarth, Hazel Job,
LaVern Guidice, Alma Heupel, Juanita Krein, Darlene Kary, Helen Kramlich, Nadine Harr, Rose Krebs, Lorene Libis,
Wohla Dockter, Bonnie Cass, Kathyrn Obenauer, Verna Schock, Emma Hieb, Ethline Fischer, Carol Neuharth, Ruth Smith,
Wilma Knapp, Eldora Junkert, Phyllis Stoebner, Sharleen Imberi, Sandra Wanner, Lila Frey, Margie Weisz, LuElla Pleinis,
Carol Hilgemann, and Phyllis Gab.
EUREKA STUDY CLUB
The Eureka Study Club began as "The Home Extension Club of Eureka" It was organized July 30, 1935.The purpose of this
organization was for the promotion of mutual improvement and cooperation. Dues were 10 cents and at the present time
are $5.00 a year.
Projects that the club has undertaken are: sponsoring the Campfire Girls until they disbanded, landscaping the Gerdes
Memorial with the cooperation of the Eureka Lake Committee, providing cheer baskets for the needy at Christmas time,
sponsoring the Teachers reception at the beginning of the school year and contributing to the following fund drives,
namely: Cancer, Red Cross, Polio, Mental Health and Abbott House and also, buying subscriptions for the hospital
to "High-Lights" a children's magazine and large print "Readers Digest" for patients who have visual problems. In recent
years we've taken annual outings visiting places such as: field trip to Ordway Memorial Prairie; visit to School of Hope
and School for the Visually Handicapped in Aberdeen; a field trip to Dakota Inc. Webster; Tour of Sieche Hollow and Fort
Sisseton, South Dakota; the Ice Follies and Heritage Center Bismarck, North Dakota; and tour of Alexander Mitchell
Library, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Present members are Mrs. John Smith, Mrs. George McIntosh, Mrs. Paul Kretschmar, Mrs. Walter Wenzel, Mrs. James
Anderson, Mrs. Otto Kramlich, Mrs. Dean Mehlhaff, Mrs. Dean Krein, Mrs. Harold Heilman, Mrs. Theo Sackmann, Mrs.
Willis Mehlhaff, Mrs. Harvey Stuckle, Mrs. LaVern Kary, Mrs. Lester Heilman, Mrs. Duane Wanner and Mrs. Werner Straub.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEES
PAGEANT COMMITTEE: Darlene Neuharth, Susan Bertsch, Ruth Smith, Helen Kramlich, and Verona Papendick, Bonnie
Schulkoski and Grace Fischer.
PARTICIPATION IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
John Smith was a member of the following organizations: Association of American Trial Lawyers; District Four Health Sub-
District, Eureka Chamber of Commerce, 40 & 8, Order of the Elks, a past commander of the American Legion, Legislative
Chairman of the South Dakota American Legion, National Commander's Choice on Veterans Preference, State Chairman of
Harvard Alumni Fund, and served one term on the Eureka School Board.