Brothers Tell History of Denmark Township

History was celebrated Tuesday evening at the Denmark Town Hall. The second in a series of oral history events featured brothers Bill and Fritz Kruschel and Richard Hullander. A large audience filled the meeting area and spent the evening remembering neighbors, school days, working on the farm and the closely knit communities that was part of their growing up. The recollections also included a harrowing story of the Kruschel’s mother attempting to drive to the neighbors, only to discover she hadn’t learned to shift. Those stories brought lots of laughter while others were wistful, with heads nodding in agreement that they, too had experienced many hardships in years past. The event is part of an ongoing effort to retain the fading histories of the area with personal accounts from residents who can give first hand accounts of a much different way of life. Bill Kruschel was asked how kids growing up today had it different than when he was young. His response was in just about every way, there’s no comparison. He remembered that the home his mother raised them in was built in the late 1800’s, had no running water, no electricity and no insulation. Different indeed. The Denmark Township Historical Society is in the process of restoring Valley School, built in 1852 and now on the National Register of Historic Places. Support of their efforts are appreciated and they hope to continue the oral history presentations to share the past before it disappears completely. More information is available from Society President Carena Kelz at 651-357-4244.