Rock River Thresheree - 25th Annual Reunion (1981)




Our Reunion's silver anniversary was held in 1981. Unfortunately, 1981 was the year our club President, Lyle Silverthorn, passed died while working in a grain field preparing for the Thresheree he loved so dearly. Later that year, three of his family members died in an automobile crash. During the show, a car was hit by the Rock River Cannonball and someone fell through a ceiling.

On the plus side, we purchased our Farmall M from Carl F. Statz & Sons. Orville Smith suggested the formation of committees (which we've certainly taken to heart!). During the show, the Janesville Senior Brass Band played and fiddlers graced us with their music on Sunday. The Tillman Tigers demonstrated how to assemble and run a Model T Ford in three minutes and Grandpa Jones from Hee Haw showed his Indiana tractor. Janet Lux was our Reunion Queen.

Our souvenir album contained photographs from our 24th Annual Reunion in 1980.

1981 Souvenir Album Index:

Front Cover - Rock River Thresheree logo
Page 1 - Welcome letter from President Don Lux - [photo] Don Lux
Page 2 - Map of Threshermen's Park
Page 3 - [photo] Rock River Cannonball - Program of events
Page 4 - [article] "History of the First 25 Years" - [photo] threshing mound
Page 5 - [article] "25 Years Ago It All Started With John Horton" - [photos] Peter Burno - Duane Richards - Walter Durst - Lyle Silverthorn - Don Lux - Harold Mauerman - Marvin Helgesen
Page 6 - [poem] "A Farmer's Creed"
Page 7 - [photo] Green Beret Marching Band (Kevin Schmaling, Ron Schroeder, Tammy Roherty, Lance Nienow, John Schroeder, Lori Nienow, Vickie Titus, Tammy Seipel, Jim Grunwald, Dave Seipel, Christ Haney, Becky Jeub, Eric Schmaling, Shelley Roherty, Deena Wiskia, Steve Titus, Brian Boos, Dan Thrall, K. C. Sherfinski, Bill Tucker, Patti Schiller, Lynette Oelke, Brent Schmaling, Chris Jeub, Chip Zanzinger, Shelley Hart, Sherry Hart, Sue Krause, Mike Snyder, Bob Grunwald, Steve Geisler, Tammy Tucker, Shawn Campbell, Elise Williams, Brian Sherfinski, Brad Fraser, Eric Zanzinger, Stacie Gehri, Kris Fraser, Mesanie Mueller, Tammy Thiele, Terri Pratesi, Carla Rogge, Michelle Smith, Sue Schimek, Julie Allen)
Page 8 - [photos] Tom Helgesen's 11-ton Aultman-Taylor gas tractor (with Tom and children Sonja & Aaron) - club's Advance Rumely steam traction engine (donated by Henry Raemisch)
Page 9 - [photos] Bob Siegel, Jr. making wooden shoes (2 photos) - 1961 "Pan-O-Ramic" aerial view of Threshermen's Park
Page 10 - [photos] George Erbe and his scale McCormick Deering tractor - Ted Mudek - Wendell & LaVon Bennett on their separator - Lawrence Schneider & Eddie Riese, shingle mill operators - Syl Henry and his corn chopper - Mrs. George Vint
Page 11 - [photos] Leo Buttke and his scale Ocean Liner engine - LaVon Bennett on wheel of a 22-36 McCormick Deering tractor - Paul & Wesley Jennings with their Farmall F-20 - Mike August with his 1926 Rumely OilPull - Syl Henry with his very little engine - Pat Mullarkey on his Keck-Gonnerman steam traction engine
Page 12 - [photos] Randy Suiter on his 1914 6-12 Allis Chalmers tractor - Don Wittenburg's 1910 Rumely OilPull - Vernon Burno & sons with their 40hp Case steam roller - Edward "Red" Nelson with his 25-40 Rumely OilPull - Evan Lean with the water wagon - Elmer Phillips with his 1936 Farmall F-30
Page 13 - [photos] Melvin & Norma Cassels with their Port Huron steam traction engine - Don Wittenburg & wife with their 18-36 Hart Parr tractor - Curt Helgesen & friend Connie on his cross-mounted Case tractor - the Smith family (Orville, Carol & Michelle) on the club's F-20 (donated by the Renly estate) - Paul Hensel with a 1923 Maytag gas engine and a 1913 Monitor gas engine - Louie Skelly with his John Deere tractor
Page 14 - [photos] Eleanor & Marv Helgesen driving Jim Erdle's LaCross Line Drive tractor - Jim Erdle on his Rumely line drive tractor - Ron Niday on his Samson Iron Horse (a line drive tractor)
Page 15 - [advertisement] Samson Iron Horse - [photo] Samson Iron Horse pulling hay wagon
Page 16 - [photos] Dave Lewis with his scale sawmill - Glen Beedy with his scale Minneapolis steam engine - Ed Goodger driving his wagon & horses - Mr. & Mrs. Moore Maltpress with the water wagon - Don Wittenburg using his Rumely OilPull with an 8-bottom plow - Walt Durst on his scale Case steam engine
Page 17 - [photos] pavillion - George Klein pulling a water wagon with his 1932 McCormick Deering tractor - Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Taylor in front of their Cast steam traction engine - George Klein supplying water to Ted Mudek's Case steam traction engine - 50hp Single-cylinder Fairbanks Morse engine (prior to having the shed built over it) - Dennis Griswold with his scale Case steam engine & water wagon
Page 18 - [photos] Ray Klinger & Ted Mudek with Ted's Case steam traction engine (purchased from Ray) - Ray & Ann Schellenberger with their scale Fairbanks Morse water-cooled tractor - Marvin Runstad and his sawmill - Ed Craff on his 1936 Allis Chalmers with Farm Hand Stack Loader - tractors in a row - Ed Reise's 20-40 Case oil-cooled tractor
Page 19 - [photos] Carl Jacobs with his Monarch 75 Caterpillar (previously plowed Rock County's roads) - Jimmy Long with his 1914 cotton picker mounted on a 1941 Farmall M - Orville Smith with his Farmall F-20 - Bruce Lux driving his father's 1939 F-29 - the Historical Society's Samson truck - Threshermen's Park sign
Page 20 - [photos] Bob Higgins & John Stacey on Rumely Do-All tractor & McCormick Reaper - Del Worley with his farm pump & engine display - Marold Mauerman on his daughter's horse - Don Lux - Harold Russell
Page 21 - [photos] Louis Heller with his Avery gas tractor - Wendell Bennett with his Allis Chalmers tractor
Page 22 - [photos] Walt Durst, Lloyd "Hap" Hornbostel, Duane Richards, Marv Helgesen, Melvin Cassels, Peter Burno, Armin Pagel and Charlie Schaffer - pile driver
Page 23 - The Tillman Tigers: From Parts to a Car in 2½ minutes - [4 photos of the Tillman Tigers in action] - [photo] Old World Wisconsin's shuttle wagon
Page 24 - "A Memorial to a Great Guy!" - [photo] Lyle Silverthorn - [article] - [photos] Lyle and wife Bernice (as 1977 Queen) - Thresheree members on picnic table
Page 25 - "Queen for 3 Days!" - [9 photos of various Queens] - list of Queens from 1972-1981
Page 26 - Member list
Page 27 - Member list - Associate Member list - Deceased Members - [photo] Herman Naatz - [article] welcome note to Herman Naatz
Page 28 - [photo] steam traction engine - "Day is Done"
Back Cover - [advertisement] Helgesen Antique & Classic Autos

	Our Reunion's silver anniversary was held in 1981. Unfortunately, 1981 was the year our club President, Lyle Silverthorn, passed died while working in a grain field preparing for the Thresheree he loved so dearly. Later that year, three of his family members died in an automobile crash. During the show, a car was hit by the Rock River Cannonball and someone fell through a ceiling. On the plus side, we purchased our Farmall M from Carl F. Statz & Sons. Orville Smith suggested the formation of committees (which we've certainly taken to heart!). During the show, the Janesville Senior Brass Band played and fiddlers graced us with their music on Sunday. The Tillman Tigers demonstrated how to assemble and run a Model T Ford in three minutes and Grandpa Jones from Hee Haw showed his Indiana tractor. Janet Lux was our Reunion Queen. Our souvenir album contained photographs from our 24th Annual Reunion in 1980.

1981 Souvenir Album Index: Front Cover - Rock River Thresheree logo Page 1 - Welcome letter from President Don Lux - [photo] Don Lux Page 2 - Map of Threshermen's Park Page 3 - [photo] Rock River Cannonball - Program of events Page 4 - [article] "History of the First 25 Years" - [photo] threshing mound Page 5 - [article] "25 Years Ago It All Started With John Horton" - [photos] Peter Burno - Duane Richards - Walter Durst - Lyle Silverthorn - Don Lux - Harold Mauerman - Marvin Helgesen Page 6 - [poem] "A Farmer's Creed" Page 7 - [photo] Green Beret Marching Band (Kevin Schmaling, Ron Schroeder, Tammy Roherty, Lance Nienow, John Schroeder, Lori Nienow, Vickie Titus, Tammy Seipel, Jim Grunwald, Dave Seipel, Christ Haney, Becky Jeub, Eric Schmaling, Shelley Roherty, Deena Wiskia, Steve Titus, Brian Boos, Dan Thrall, K. C. Sherfinski, Bill Tucker, Patti Schiller, Lynette Oelke, Brent Schmaling, Chris Jeub, Chip Zanzinger, Shelley Hart, Sherry Hart, Sue Krause, Mike Snyder, Bob Grunwald, Steve Geisler, Tammy Tucker, Shawn Campbell, Elise Williams, Brian Sherfinski, Brad Fraser, Eric Zanzinger, Stacie Gehri, Kris Fraser, Mesanie Mueller, Tammy Thiele, Terri Pratesi, Carla Rogge, Michelle Smith, Sue Schimek, Julie Allen) Page 8 - [photos] Tom Helgesen's 11-ton Aultman-Taylor gas tractor (with Tom and children Sonja & Aaron) - club's Advance Rumely steam traction engine (donated by Henry Raemisch) Page 9 - [photos] Bob Siegel, Jr. making wooden shoes (2 photos) - 1961 "Pan-O-Ramic" aerial view of Threshermen's Park Page 10 - [photos] George Erbe and his scale McCormick Deering tractor - Ted Mudek - Wendell & LaVon Bennett on their separator - Lawrence Schneider & Eddie Riese, shingle mill operators - Syl Henry and his corn chopper - Mrs. George Vint Page 11 - [photos] Leo Buttke and his scale Ocean Liner engine - LaVon Bennett on wheel of a 22-36 McCormick Deering tractor - Paul & Wesley Jennings with their Farmall F-20 - Mike August with his 1926 Rumely OilPull - Syl Henry with his very little engine - Pat Mullarkey on his Keck-Gonnerman steam traction engine Page 12 - [photos] Randy Suiter on his 1914 6-12 Allis Chalmers tractor - Don Wittenburg's 1910 Rumely OilPull - Vernon Burno & sons with their 40hp Case steam roller - Edward "Red" Nelson with his 25-40 Rumely OilPull - Evan Lean with the water wagon - Elmer Phillips with his 1936 Farmall F-30 Page 13 - [photos] Melvin & Norma Cassels with their Port Huron steam traction engine - Don Wittenburg & wife with their 18-36 Hart Parr tractor - Curt Helgesen & friend Connie on his cross-mounted Case tractor - the Smith family (Orville, Carol & Michelle) on the club's F-20 (donated by the Renly estate) - Paul Hensel with a 1923 Maytag gas engine and a 1913 Monitor gas engine - Louie Skelly with his John Deere tractor Page 14 - [photos] Eleanor & Marv Helgesen driving Jim Erdle's LaCross Line Drive tractor - Jim Erdle on his Rumely line drive tractor - Ron Niday on his Samson Iron Horse (a line drive tractor) Page 15 - [advertisement] Samson Iron Horse - [photo] Samson Iron Horse pulling hay wagon Page 16 - [photos] Dave Lewis with his scale sawmill - Glen Beedy with his scale Minneapolis steam engine - Ed Goodger driving his wagon & horses - Mr. & Mrs. Moore Maltpress with the water wagon - Don Wittenburg using his Rumely OilPull with an 8-bottom plow - Walt Durst on his scale Case steam engine Page 17 - [photos] pavillion - George Klein pulling a water wagon with his 1932 McCormick Deering tractor - Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Taylor in front of their Cast steam traction engine - George Klein supplying water to Ted Mudek's Case steam traction engine - 50hp Single-cylinder Fairbanks Morse engine (prior to having the shed built over it) - Dennis Griswold with his scale Case steam engine & water wagon Page 18 - [photos] Ray Klinger & Ted Mudek with Ted's Case steam traction engine (purchased from Ray) - Ray & Ann Schellenberger with their scale Fairbanks Morse water-cooled tractor - Marvin Runstad and his sawmill - Ed Craff on his 1936 Allis Chalmers with Farm Hand Stack Loader - tractors in a row - Ed Reise's 20-40 Case oil-cooled tractor Page 19 - [photos] Carl Jacobs with his Monarch 75 Caterpillar (previously plowed Rock County's roads) - Jimmy Long with his 1914 cotton picker mounted on a 1941 Farmall M - Orville Smith with his Farmall F-20 - Bruce Lux driving his father's 1939 F-29 - the Historical Society's Samson truck - Threshermen's Park sign Page 20 - [photos] Bob Higgins & John Stacey on Rumely Do-All tractor & McCormick Reaper - Del Worley with his farm pump & engine display - Marold Mauerman on his daughter's horse - Don Lux - Harold Russell Page 21 - [photos] Louis Heller with his Avery gas tractor - Wendell Bennett with his Allis Chalmers tractor Page 22 - [photos] Walt Durst, Lloyd "Hap" Hornbostel, Duane Richards, Marv Helgesen, Melvin Cassels, Peter Burno, Armin Pagel and Charlie Schaffer - pile driver Page 23 - The Tillman Tigers: From Parts to a Car in 2½ minutes - [4 photos of the Tillman Tigers in action] - [photo] Old World Wisconsin's shuttle wagon Page 24 - "A Memorial to a Great Guy!" - [photo] Lyle Silverthorn - [article] - [photos] Lyle and wife Bernice (as 1977 Queen) - Thresheree members on picnic table Page 25 - "Queen for 3 Days!" - [9 photos of various Queens] - list of Queens from 1972-1981 Page 26 - Member list Page 27 - Member list - Associate Member list - Deceased Members - [photo] Herman Naatz - [article] welcome note to Herman Naatz Page 28 - [photo] steam traction engine - "Day is Done" Back Cover - [advertisement] Helgesen Antique & Classic Autos