125th Quasquicentennial Booklet PDF file

QUASQUICENTENNIAL
1889 - 2014
Sioux City, Iowa Elks Lodge #112
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A Fraternal Organization
"125 Years of Service to Siouxland"
"125 Years of Service to Siouxland"
1889 - 2014
During the past 125 years, 8000+ Siouxland Elks have been initiated into the Order. The
many activities of these members of our Lodge were varied and calculated to carry out the
principles of the Order: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity. The Sioux City Lodge has
constantly promoted Americanism, Charity, the welfare and happiness of its members and the
community while cultivating good fellowship.
When the Sioux City Lodge was established in 1889, little did these pioneers of Elkdom
realize how much stormy weather lay ahead. In 1893, only four years after its founding, the
Lodge was beset with the unavoidable reverses caused by a great depression. This so weakened
the Lodge that reorganization became necessary when the storm subsided. This was
accomplished in 1896 with a membership of approximately 300.
The first home was leased at 414-416 Fifth Street. Then came a second blow. The
building was destroyed by fire. Only the records and officer' jewels were saved.
When the lodge grew stronger, it bought the Chase property on which the Woodbury
County Court House now stands majestically. Here the club house was operated until the county
acquired the property. With the proceeds of this sale, the lodge bought the lots at eight and
Douglas Streets.
Times were reasonably good in 1915 when the decision was made to build this club
house. The lodge was prospering. Although the building venture meant a sizable debt, there was
no reason to believe that all obligations could not be met.
When formally opened, April 27, 28 and 29, 1916, it was the most pretentious club house
in the city. It is a tribute to its builders that even in its day, it had no peers within the confines of
the city. They not only built wisely but well for future generations.
Retirement of bonds, however, was hampered in the years to come, first by the war of
1917, then the depression of the early '20s. But the hardest blows were struck by the depression
of the early '30s. Though the prospect of foreclosure haunted the lodge in those rugged days, the
Elks held steadfastly to their resolve to keep their home. They knew that sunshine always
follows storm.
Storm clouds gathered again during the 1970's and 1980's. Culture changes dampened
the spirit of volunteerism and fraternal fellowship. Our membership dwindled to another all time
low and our aging building at 722 Douglas caused financial difficulties.
Now the sun shines again on the Elks of Sioux City. Our current home on Tri View
Avenue is not only free from debt, and a surplus is accumulating in the treasury. We like to
think that the bread we have cast on the waters throughout the past 125 years has been returned
to us.
We like to believe, too, that the precepts of our order, "Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love
and Fidelity" have guided us to new and better days.
Editors:
Steve Smith, PSP
Suki Smith
OUR BEGINNING
During the afternoon of February 2, 1889 (Saturday), the Sioux City Elks Lodge #112 was
instituted and installed by the Omaha Elks Lodge #39. This ceremony, which also initiated 53
charter members, was held at the Masonic Hall (Magoun Building).
The following Sioux City Lodge Officers were installed:
Exalted Ruler
W. B. Tredway
Leading Knight
J. M. Cleland
Loyal Knight
Geo. A. Mead
Lecturing Knight
W. I. Buchanan
Secretary
J. L. Kennedy
Treasurer
W. H. Knickerbacker
That evening the banquet and celebration program was held at Hotel Booge. The menu included:
Elk's Bourbon
Blue Points
Haut Sauterne
Consomme in Cups
Spirit Lake Yellow Perch
Sherry
Lettuce Salad
Tenderloin of Beef, Larded with Mushrooms
French Peas
Roast Prairie Chicken
Asparagus
Quail on Toast
Saratoga Chips
Pomeroy Sec.
Lobster Mayonaise
Roman Punch and Cigarettes
Charlotte Russe
Wine Jelly
Neopolitan Ice Cream
Assorted Cake
Fruit Pousse Cafe
Cigars
It was 1:30 Sunday morning before the last course of the dinner was served and the celebration
toasts began. Most of the guests left the banquet hall for the train, just in time to depart for
Omaha at 4:51 Sunday morning. The say the lease, the scene of the celebration was that of good
fellowship and unchecked merriment.
A lodge of Elks is formed in a city but once in a lifetime, if at all, and the occasion is always
made complete in every form of institution, not omitting the midnight banquet. The institution
of the Sioux City Lodge was no exception in any feature.
OUR HOMES
1889 - Masonic Hall, Magoun Building
323 Fourth Street
(4th & Douglas - NW Corner)
For several years Sioux City Lodge #112 held their meetings at the Masonic Hall.
1893 - 414/416 Fifth Street
(Formerly the Mondamin Club)
Since the Elks were the sole tenant, this building was commonly referred to as "Our First Home".
This first home of Elks Lodge #112 was the beautiful
stone building at 414-416 Fifth Street, formerly the
Mondamin club. As no space large enough for lodge
meetings was obtainable in the building, which was
leased, initiations were still held in the old Masonic Hall.
This building later was destroyed by fire, the walls and
floors still standing. The morning after the fire,
George M. Kellog, then chief of the fire department and
then secretary of the lodge, with A. A. Smith, trustee,
climbed over the adjoining building and onto the wreck,
broke open the damaged secretary's desk and saved the
officers' jewels and records. Several hours later the walls
of the burned building fell down, taking the floors with them.
1905 - Chase Residence
7th & Douglas Streets
The lodge bought the large frame house
known as the Chase residence, on Douglas
Street, just north of the old postoffice
building, remodeled it and built a large
addition for lodge room, dining room and
other purposes.
After several years at this location, the
property was sold to Woodbury County and
now forms part of the site of the court house,
one of the finest in the west.
1915 - 722 Douglas Street
(8th & Douglas - SE Corner)
The lodge then decided to build a home of its own at 8th & Douglas using the proceeds of
the Chase sale to purchase the lots. Bonds were sold (in 19 hours) to cover the balance needed
for the structure. The club house was completed in 1916. Retirement of the bonds was
hampered by the war in 1917 and the depressions of the 1920's and 1930's. However the
mortgage was officially burned in 1943. The cost to construct the 1915 building was $69,587.00.
In 1985, Woodbury County again approached the lodge with an offer to buy our 722 Douglas
property for a County Law Enforcement building. Building Committee members Sid Slater,
Dennis Willis, Don Sylvester, Steve Hoberg and Steve Smith negotiated a sale for $275,000. A
demolition auction was held in which many of the fine contents (marble stairs, oak woodwork,
french doors, etc.) were sold, adding $18,000 to the Elk's coffers.
1986 - 1001 Tri View Avenue
(Our Current Home)
After investigating several sites in Sioux City for a new lodge home, the committee
negotiated with the City to lease land at 1001 Tri View Avenue for $500 per year. Footings were
poured in November 1985 and in 1986 the lodge opened its new home with installation of John
Evenson as Exalted Ruler. A Lodge dedication ceremony was held May 20, 1986 with Iowa
State Elks Association sponsor, H. Foster Sears, Past Grand Exalted Ruler, in attendance. The
land was purchased from the city and the mortgage on the building was paid within 12 years.
Total cost of this Elks Home was $340,738 (Building/Fixed Equipment $294,186 and Land
$46,552).
Many renovations and improvements have been made. Our property boasts of a Lodge
room, bar/restaurant, kitchen, office, two racquetball courts, exercise room, sauna, men's and
women's locker rooms, patio, horse shoe and volleyball areas, children's playground and spaces
for RV parking. With the Interstate 29 construction taking part of our parking, we are in the
process of reconfiguring our land usage.
2014/15 Officers
Sioux City Elks Lodge #112
Exalted Ruler
Esteemed Leading Knight
Esteemed Loyal Knight
Esteemed Lecturing Knight
Secretary
Treasurer
Esquire
Tiler
Inner Guard
Chaplain
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Angel Miller
Jim Miller
Kevin Hensley
Skip Hoelker
Scott Miller
Annie Lundin
Steve Bradley
Glen Drake
Walt Switzer
Scott Haberer
Larry Meier, PDDGER
Kevin Kiewel, PER
Dan Lewis, PER
Leo Stansberry, PER
John Evenson, PER
OUR PROGRAMS/OUR ACTIVITIES
Our past 125 years of activities were geared at carrying out the principles of our order:
Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love an Fidelity.
Flag Day
Naming June 14 as Flag Day was promoted by the Elks in 1911 to honor the American flag.
Sioux City Lodge has hosted a Flag Day Ceremony in conjunction with the local military units
and the Sioux City Municipal Band since 1917. This patriotic concert, flag history presentation
and Elks ceremonial tribute is held at the Grandview Park Bandshell. In 1932, we distributed
2000 American flags to the children.
Charity - Christmas Basket Program
Local charity work has been a mainstay of our lodge since its institution. Since 1905 we have
packed and delivered Christmas food baskets to the needy of Siouxland. During the depression
years over 1,000 baskets were delivered. We currently deliver over 300 a year. Recent years
baskets have included hats, mittens and stuffed animals for the children.
Honoring our Veterans
Our American pride is also promoted through the Elks' pledge "where ever there is a veteran, the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will not forget them". Sioux City Elks members and
families have adopted local veterans in nursing homes; hosted veterans at our yearly
Thanksgiving dinner; raised funds and collected goods for local troops serving overseas;
collected deer hides for the Veterans' Leather Program and constructed a handicap deer blind for
handicapped veterans.
Elks National Foundation
Our members give generously to the Elks National Foundation (ENF), the back bone of our order,
knowing we reap what we sow. Our Lodge participates in many of the Elks Grand Lodge
programs sponsored and backed by ENF funds.
Elks Hoop Shoot ©
The Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest has fostered the growth and talents of Siouxland youth
since its inception in 1970. Sioux City has acclaimed two national winners in the last 25 years.
Neal Arnold took top place for 12 - 13 year olds in 1989, shooting 24 out of 25. Austin Groth
took top place for 8 - 9 year olds in 2003 with 23 out of 25. Their names are inscribed in the
National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Austin Groth
Neal Arnold
Drug Awareness
The Sioux City Lodge gives strong emphasis to the Elks Drug Awareness program in reaching
out to the youth. Thousands of pieces of drug awareness literature and red ribbons are handed
out to our community schools during Red Ribbon Week. In 2001, we brought Leo Mudd,
National Drug Awareness spokesman to our elementary schools. In 2013, we brought Milton
Creigh, National Drug and Bully Awareness spokesman to our middle schools and parents. Both
were innovative in reaching all who attended their presentations. Red Ribbon Week kick off
events at our Long Lines Center has been a fun and informative way for our youth to learn "Just
Say No" to drugs and alcohol.
Scholarships
Besides the Elks Grand Lodge sponsored Most Valuable Student and Legacy Scholarships,
Sioux City Lodge sponsors scholarships for local college and technical school students. Golf
tournaments have been successful fund raisers to endow these scholarship funds. In the 1970's,
the Joe Broom Scholarship Tournament honored a late Elk and local educator, Joe Broom.
Recent years we have hosted the Tyler Bay Elks Scholarship, with proceeds going toward
scholarships and the Make a Wish Foundation.
The Dictionary Program
Sioux City Lodge has donated free dictionaries to
over 2000 Siouxland third grade students yearly since we
adopted the "Dictionary Program". In 2013, when the
Storm Lake Elks Lodge #1636 closed, Sioux City
expanded its dictionary distribution to include the
Storm Lake, Newell and Sioux Central School Districts.
Summer Camp
Sioux City Lodge participates in the program every year by sending a deserving child (usually
two) to camp.
Iowa Elks Association
Sixth Grade Americanism Essay Contest
We invite Siouxland sixth grade students to write and essay on "Our Flag" - what it means to me.
Local winners are then entered into District and State competition for cash prizes. The top boy
and girl winners are also awarded a weekend stay at the State Association Convention, where
they read their essays at the banquet.
WOMEN AND THE SIOUX CITY ELKS LODGE
At its 1995 Grand Lodge Session held in New Orleans, the Elk delegates passed a resolution to
allow women to join the Order. Previously the ladies of Elk members contributed to the Order
via participation in the auxiliary organization named the Does.
The Sioux City Does Drove #72 was chartered June 7, 1952 with 116 members. Its first
President was Mrs. Electa Cameron and first Secretary was Mrs. Helen McBride. The mission of
the Does was charity. Even though several Does droves are still active today, the Sioux City
Does became inactive in the mid 1960's. At this point in time the Does were replaced by a local
auxiliary called the Sioux City Elkettes. The Elkettes had a less formal structured than the Does.
They became inactive in the mid 1980's.
At it's January 17, 1997 lodge meeting, Rhonda Capron and Susan (Suki) Smith assumed the
oath of the Order and became the first women to join Sioux City Elks Lodge #112. Rhonda was
issued membership #7221 and Suki #7222. In 2000, during Rev. Merrill Muller's Exalted Ruler
year, Linda Hildahl was elected Tiler, thus becoming the first Sioux City female officer. In 2014,
Angel Miller was elected as the First Female Sioux City Exalted Ruler.
Currently, approximately 9% of the Sioux City Elks' membership are women. Since 2000, eight
women have served or still are serving as Lodge officers. These officers include:
Cheryl Claeys, Cynthia Duncan, Linda Hildahl, Sally Johnson, Annie Lundin, Angel Miller,
Darlene Olson and Sandy Poppens. It is a very impressive statistic that approximately 22% of
the women Elks have served as a Lodge officer. This is just another example of the substantial
contribution that the women have made to the Order.
Angel Miller
George Gengler - State Elk of the Year
In 1970 the Iowa Elks Association presented its initial annual Elk of the Year award. During the
Association's 2013 Spring Convention, Sioux City member, George Gengler received this award
for his 2012 service to Elkdom. George was the first, and to date, the only Sioux City Elk to win
this award. Past Exalted Ruler Gengler received State Elk of the Year distinction for his service
to Drug Awareness, Third Grade Dictionary, Christmas Food Basket and Veteran program.
Living Past Exalted Rulers
(Served as Sioux City Exalted Ruler and are members in good standing)
1977 Dennis Willis
1999 Kevin Kiewell
1982 Steve Smith
2000 Rev. Merril Muller
1986 John Evenson
2001 Jason Krommenhoek
1987 Brad Carlson
2002 Dan Olson
1988 Randy Amick
2004 Leo Stansberry
1989 John Evenson
2005 Scott Miller
1990 Larry Tobin
2006 John Hall
1991 Mike Rigg
2007 Rene Haindfield
1992 Loren Schroeder
2008 Ken Lillie
1994 George Gengler
2009 Bob Gant
1995 Ron Harris
2010 Dan Lewis
1996 Jim Olson
2011 Steve McDonald
1997 Mark Shook
2012 Bill Hanson
1998 Larry Meier
2013 Mike Halstead
Living Past Exalted Rulers by Transfer
(Served as Exalted Ruler of Lodge listed below)
Storm Lake Lodge #1636
LeMars Lodge #428
1985 Jack Voss
1981 William Bunker
1998 Bob Halder
2002 Judy Halder
2006 Judy Halder
2009 Bob Halder
2010 Bob Halder
PAST STATE PRESIDENTS (PSP)
from Sioux City Lodge #112
During the Iowa Elks Association's 108 year existence, six Sioux City Lodge members have
been elected by the Iowa Elk delegates to serve as State President. These members include:
1925
1942
1948
1990
1998
2014
-
Dr. F. G. (Frank) Cluett (deceased)
A. R. (Tony) Perasso (deceased)
Frank Margolin (deceased)
Steve Smith
Harry Lundin (deceased)
Dan Olson
Occupations of these State Leaders during their presidential year were:
F. G. Cluett - Frank was a Doctor of Osteopath (D.O.). His private practice was located
in Suite 309, Security Bank Building. His wife Therese was also a D.O. in his private practice.
A. R. Perasso - Tony was a mortician and co-ower of Perasso Brothers Funeral Home
with his brother Bill. Their funeral home was located at 1302 Pierce Street. Tony was married
to Winifred.
Frank Margolin - Frank was an Attorney at Law. His private practice was located at
Suites 455-456 Orpheum Electric Building. Frank was married to Faye.
Steve Smith - Steve was an Accountant and Director of Blue Cross Hospital Payment and
Audit, Internal Audit, Provider Relations and Facilities for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa and
South Dakota. Steve is married to Susan (Suki).
Harry Lundin - Harry was a Sales Representative for I-Go Van and Storage Company.
Harry was married to Annie.
Dan Olson - Dan is the Products Manager for Kustom Pak Foods, Dan is married to
Darlene.
Dr. F. G. Cluett
A. R. Perasso
Frank Margolin
Steve Smith
Harry Lundin
Dan Olson
LIVING PAST DISTRICT DEPUTIES
Grand Exalted Rulers (PDDGERs)
Sioux City Lodge #112
1987
1990
1999
2001
2004
2006
2008
2010
2013
2014
-
Steve Smith
Jack Voss (Storm Lake Elk when served as DDGER)
Loren Schroeder
Bob Halder (Storm Lake Elk when served as DDGER)
Larry Meier
Dan Olson
Rev. Merrill Muller
Judy Halder (Storm Lake Elk when served as DDGER)
Ken Lillie
Mark Shook (current DDGER)
Grand Lodge Officers/Committeemen Beyond DDGER Service
During Sioux City's history two of its members served in Grand Lodge positions after their
service of DDGER. In 2000 Steve Smith was appointed to a three year term on the Grand Lodge
Public Relations Committee. In 2004 Rev. Merrill Muller was appointed to the Grand Lodge
office of Grand Chaplin. (Rev. Muller also filled a partial term as Grand Chaplin in 2003.)
Current Grand Lodge & State Officers from Sioux City Lodge #112
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
-
Mark Shook, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler
Dan Olson, State President, Iowa Elks Association
Mike Halstead, State Vice President, NW Iowa
Ken Lillie, State Chaplin
Larry Meier, State Sergeant at Arms
Steve Smith, District Leader, NW Iowa (1998 to present)