Profiles for 2012 Winners
Duane R. Lund Award for Lifetime Achievement
Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson was born in Connecticut in 1932 and graduated from high school in 1950. After one year of college, the Korean War broke out and Jack joined the U.S. Air Force.
His air force career included tech and pilot training, working his way from Piper Cubs to F94's. He met future astronaut, Jim Irwin, the eighth person to walk on the moon and Staples native, Doug Anderson.
When Doug's family came to visit, a fated meeting with Doug's sister, Lou, took place. Jack says that he had to compete with the company dentist for Lou's hand. The dentist pulled Jack's first tooth but Jack took the dentist on a wild plane ride and managed to get him pretty green.
There are many fascinating service stories to tell, but space limitations mandate that folks will have to sit Jack down and hear them firsthand. Ask him, in particular, about the Cuban missile crisis and flying VIP's around in Vietnam. Those VIP's included the commanding General William Westmoreland and Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge.
The Air Force sent Jack to university to study industrial management. That was another stroke of luck for our community.
Colonel Jack Wilson retired from the Air Force in 1971, arrived in August, got a loan on Labor Day and set right off to market to buy for the new DJ's Men's Wear. The first couple of years he and Lou ran the business. Doug joined them when he retired from the Air Force.
Jack became active in the community right away, joining Lions, Chamber, the golf club board, Quarterback's Club and Men's Chorus. In the Lions Club, besides being President and Zone Chair, he was awarded the prestigious Helen Keller and Melvin Jones awards.
One day in 1973, Don Olsen asked Jack to go for a ride. They went to city hall where Don plunked down the $2 registration fee for Jack to run for Mayor. He ran against Pete Card Sr. with Jim Randgaard Jr. as his campaign manager. That was the beginning of an 18-year-run as the Mayor of the City of Staples.
Jack's industrial management degree came into play as he streamlined the council, set up committees, reduced and cross-trained the workforce, built a finanacial reserve and created a way to review expenditures without having to drag the council meetings into the wee hours. He said that it was a great council, with diverse ideas. He was especially proud of the southside project with curb, gutter, sewer and water improvements. He remembers working on the Highway 10 bypass project with Transportation Commissioner Marv Daggett. He also recalls some of the difficult projects, with death threats connected to the hazardous waste incinerator controversy. Jack looked on the mayor's position as a volunteer job to improve the community.
Jack has always been ready to jump in, but it's only recently that he has been willing to jump out. With all of his years as a pilot he never felt the need to parachute out of an airplane that wasn't on fire and that he thought he could land. That changed as a result of an 80th birthday gift for an item on his bucket list and he took that parachute jump along with his daughter and grandchildren. Jack has been proud of his children and grandchildren and considers it a blessing that they have stayed close enough so he has been able to follow their activities.
He remembers being influenced by Phil Anderson, who he recalls as being a really good business man, Jim Randgaard Sr., Duane Lund, Dick Donat and his father, who he remembers as being very good with people.
Jack's response to getting this honor is simply to be "awestruck. I have so much respect for Duane and I am greatly honored."
His advice to people looking for involvement is to "ask around, volunteer, look at personal talents and for groups that would utilize those talents."
When the Frenchman Alexis De Tocqueville came to the United States in the 1820's to study the new American experiment in democracy, one of the things that impressed him was the way in which the people got together voluntarily to form associations to solve their common problems, both large and small. This civic society and community involvement is still a hallmark of America, one example of which is the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation, the organizer of this event.
Jack Wilson is a great example of that kind of community involvement. He is an example of what makes our community tick and is a model for the rest of us to admire and emulate.
Jack was nominated by the Table of Knowledge.
Submitted by Stan Carlson
Jack Wilson was born in Connecticut in 1932 and graduated from high school in 1950. After one year of college, the Korean War broke out and Jack joined the U.S. Air Force.
His air force career included tech and pilot training, working his way from Piper Cubs to F94's. He met future astronaut, Jim Irwin, the eighth person to walk on the moon and Staples native, Doug Anderson.
When Doug's family came to visit, a fated meeting with Doug's sister, Lou, took place. Jack says that he had to compete with the company dentist for Lou's hand. The dentist pulled Jack's first tooth but Jack took the dentist on a wild plane ride and managed to get him pretty green.
There are many fascinating service stories to tell, but space limitations mandate that folks will have to sit Jack down and hear them firsthand. Ask him, in particular, about the Cuban missile crisis and flying VIP's around in Vietnam. Those VIP's included the commanding General William Westmoreland and Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge.
The Air Force sent Jack to university to study industrial management. That was another stroke of luck for our community.
Colonel Jack Wilson retired from the Air Force in 1971, arrived in August, got a loan on Labor Day and set right off to market to buy for the new DJ's Men's Wear. The first couple of years he and Lou ran the business. Doug joined them when he retired from the Air Force.
Jack became active in the community right away, joining Lions, Chamber, the golf club board, Quarterback's Club and Men's Chorus. In the Lions Club, besides being President and Zone Chair, he was awarded the prestigious Helen Keller and Melvin Jones awards.
One day in 1973, Don Olsen asked Jack to go for a ride. They went to city hall where Don plunked down the $2 registration fee for Jack to run for Mayor. He ran against Pete Card Sr. with Jim Randgaard Jr. as his campaign manager. That was the beginning of an 18-year-run as the Mayor of the City of Staples.
Jack's industrial management degree came into play as he streamlined the council, set up committees, reduced and cross-trained the workforce, built a finanacial reserve and created a way to review expenditures without having to drag the council meetings into the wee hours. He said that it was a great council, with diverse ideas. He was especially proud of the southside project with curb, gutter, sewer and water improvements. He remembers working on the Highway 10 bypass project with Transportation Commissioner Marv Daggett. He also recalls some of the difficult projects, with death threats connected to the hazardous waste incinerator controversy. Jack looked on the mayor's position as a volunteer job to improve the community.
Jack has always been ready to jump in, but it's only recently that he has been willing to jump out. With all of his years as a pilot he never felt the need to parachute out of an airplane that wasn't on fire and that he thought he could land. That changed as a result of an 80th birthday gift for an item on his bucket list and he took that parachute jump along with his daughter and grandchildren. Jack has been proud of his children and grandchildren and considers it a blessing that they have stayed close enough so he has been able to follow their activities.
He remembers being influenced by Phil Anderson, who he recalls as being a really good business man, Jim Randgaard Sr., Duane Lund, Dick Donat and his father, who he remembers as being very good with people.
Jack's response to getting this honor is simply to be "awestruck. I have so much respect for Duane and I am greatly honored."
His advice to people looking for involvement is to "ask around, volunteer, look at personal talents and for groups that would utilize those talents."
When the Frenchman Alexis De Tocqueville came to the United States in the 1820's to study the new American experiment in democracy, one of the things that impressed him was the way in which the people got together voluntarily to form associations to solve their common problems, both large and small. This civic society and community involvement is still a hallmark of America, one example of which is the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation, the organizer of this event.
Jack Wilson is a great example of that kind of community involvement. He is an example of what makes our community tick and is a model for the rest of us to admire and emulate.
Jack was nominated by the Table of Knowledge.
Submitted by Stan Carlson
Citizen of the Year
Tom Crawford
Tom Crawford was born in Sioux Falls, S.D. and grew up on a farm near Madison, S.D. After graduation from Dakota State College and a brief career as a high school English teacher, Tom made the move to the newspaper business. Following stints in Owatonna, Bemidji and Brainerd, Tom accepted the position of editor of the Staples World in 1981, settling into a career here.
As news editor, he attended countless city council and Economic Development Authority meetings, reporting accurately and impartially on their proceedings. He was a great booster of Cardinal sports, often traveling considerable distances in bad weather to cover a game or a match.
In addition to his involvement in the community with the newspaper, he participated in a number of organizations. Tom is an active member, past president and secretary of the Old Wadena Society. He is a twenty year member and past president of the Staples Host Lions. He is currently chairman of the church council of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cushing.
Tom was a "guardian" and helped to record in photos the first Honor Flight from Staples in 2008. He has twice accompanied his step-daughter, Peggy, on missionary trips to Tanzania.
Well before this country's current interest in honoring its veterans, Tom organized their recognition in the Staples Railroad Days Parade. He first honored the World War II veterans in 2003 and then Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans in succeeding years. In 2010, he reunited Ed Eubinger, a truck driver from Michigan, with the Staples volunteer firemen who had rescued him from a highway accident and he got Ed to act as the grand marshal of the 2010 Staples Raioroad Days Parade.
But it is Tom's efforts with the Staples Historical Society that have most directly led to this Citizen of the Year recognition. Within the past year, Tom was primarily responsible for the successful writing of a Minnesota Historical Society Arts and Cultural Heritage grant for $90,000 to fund architectural and engineering services for the restoration of the historic Staples Railroad Depot. Having these services in place will enable the Staples Historical Society to effectively begin to use $404,000 in funding from a larger TEA (Transportation Enhancement Act) grant which will begin to become available in 2013, for actual physical construction in the depot restoration. Tom was also primarily responsible for the successful writing for that grant in 2010. As the vice president of the Staples Historical Society he is currently involved in negotiations and planning for the restoration with the architectural and engineering firms.
Retired from the Staples World in 2010, Tom resides near Lake Shamineau with his wife of 29 years, Pat. They share a blended family of five children and thirteen grandchildren.
Tom was nominated for his award by Kathy Odden, Dawn Timbs, Janice Winter and Gary Mueller at the Staples World as well as by Ken Klose.
Submitted by Ken Klose
Tom Crawford was born in Sioux Falls, S.D. and grew up on a farm near Madison, S.D. After graduation from Dakota State College and a brief career as a high school English teacher, Tom made the move to the newspaper business. Following stints in Owatonna, Bemidji and Brainerd, Tom accepted the position of editor of the Staples World in 1981, settling into a career here.
As news editor, he attended countless city council and Economic Development Authority meetings, reporting accurately and impartially on their proceedings. He was a great booster of Cardinal sports, often traveling considerable distances in bad weather to cover a game or a match.
In addition to his involvement in the community with the newspaper, he participated in a number of organizations. Tom is an active member, past president and secretary of the Old Wadena Society. He is a twenty year member and past president of the Staples Host Lions. He is currently chairman of the church council of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cushing.
Tom was a "guardian" and helped to record in photos the first Honor Flight from Staples in 2008. He has twice accompanied his step-daughter, Peggy, on missionary trips to Tanzania.
Well before this country's current interest in honoring its veterans, Tom organized their recognition in the Staples Railroad Days Parade. He first honored the World War II veterans in 2003 and then Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans in succeeding years. In 2010, he reunited Ed Eubinger, a truck driver from Michigan, with the Staples volunteer firemen who had rescued him from a highway accident and he got Ed to act as the grand marshal of the 2010 Staples Raioroad Days Parade.
But it is Tom's efforts with the Staples Historical Society that have most directly led to this Citizen of the Year recognition. Within the past year, Tom was primarily responsible for the successful writing of a Minnesota Historical Society Arts and Cultural Heritage grant for $90,000 to fund architectural and engineering services for the restoration of the historic Staples Railroad Depot. Having these services in place will enable the Staples Historical Society to effectively begin to use $404,000 in funding from a larger TEA (Transportation Enhancement Act) grant which will begin to become available in 2013, for actual physical construction in the depot restoration. Tom was also primarily responsible for the successful writing for that grant in 2010. As the vice president of the Staples Historical Society he is currently involved in negotiations and planning for the restoration with the architectural and engineering firms.
Retired from the Staples World in 2010, Tom resides near Lake Shamineau with his wife of 29 years, Pat. They share a blended family of five children and thirteen grandchildren.
Tom was nominated for his award by Kathy Odden, Dawn Timbs, Janice Winter and Gary Mueller at the Staples World as well as by Ken Klose.
Submitted by Ken Klose
Chairman's Award
Huck Holst
Harold (Huck) Holst has lived his whole life in Staples, except for four years in the U.S. Marine Corp with one and a half years in Vietnam. He married Marilyn Miller in 1968 and they have four children, (Debbie, Darren, Derek and Ken) and ten grandchildren.
He drove Staples school bus for 25 years and was the transportation director for 18 years. He is a strong supporter of school sports. With all of the grandchildren in various sports, Huck and Marilyn are at most events.
In his younger days, Huck was very active in Jaycees. He was vice president of the local chapter and also a state delegate.
In 1979, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. The DSA award is designed to honor outstanding citizenship in the local community. The judge committee was particularly impressed with Huck's concern for people and his wide range of activities in the community.
Huck was also named Hoopster of the Month, while employed by Miller True Value. This was sponsored by the Staples Chamber of Commerce and encouraged recognition of employees who "jump through hoops" for their customers; those people who make an extra special effort.
He has been a very active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. He has been the treasurer of Faith Lutheran Church Men's Club for 30 years. He is the main person behind the lutefisk suppers. Together with his boys, they have cooked all the fish for 26 years with profits of this fund raiser going to the scholarship, bus and pastor's fund. His latest gift was to get a bus to transport seniors, many with handicaps, to church each Sunday morning. Sundays he is the driver.
Huck has been active with the Lions for 26 years. He is a past president. His fellow Lions have honored him wity the Helen Keller Award and two Melvin Jones awards.
He is a life member of the Wadena VFW. Huck's service to his country is demonstrated throughout the years annually, by his involvement in every Memorial Day service for over 20 years; a member of the Staples Legion Post for 23 years, the last three as commander; Quarter Master of past VFW post; and vice president of the Veterans Memorial Park in Staples.
With his son Derek, he has planned a Halloween Haunted House for the past four years. A percent of the proceeds from this event goes to school extra curricular.
Huck was nominated by Jack Nelson
Submitted by Jack Nelson
Harold (Huck) Holst has lived his whole life in Staples, except for four years in the U.S. Marine Corp with one and a half years in Vietnam. He married Marilyn Miller in 1968 and they have four children, (Debbie, Darren, Derek and Ken) and ten grandchildren.
He drove Staples school bus for 25 years and was the transportation director for 18 years. He is a strong supporter of school sports. With all of the grandchildren in various sports, Huck and Marilyn are at most events.
In his younger days, Huck was very active in Jaycees. He was vice president of the local chapter and also a state delegate.
In 1979, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. The DSA award is designed to honor outstanding citizenship in the local community. The judge committee was particularly impressed with Huck's concern for people and his wide range of activities in the community.
Huck was also named Hoopster of the Month, while employed by Miller True Value. This was sponsored by the Staples Chamber of Commerce and encouraged recognition of employees who "jump through hoops" for their customers; those people who make an extra special effort.
He has been a very active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. He has been the treasurer of Faith Lutheran Church Men's Club for 30 years. He is the main person behind the lutefisk suppers. Together with his boys, they have cooked all the fish for 26 years with profits of this fund raiser going to the scholarship, bus and pastor's fund. His latest gift was to get a bus to transport seniors, many with handicaps, to church each Sunday morning. Sundays he is the driver.
Huck has been active with the Lions for 26 years. He is a past president. His fellow Lions have honored him wity the Helen Keller Award and two Melvin Jones awards.
He is a life member of the Wadena VFW. Huck's service to his country is demonstrated throughout the years annually, by his involvement in every Memorial Day service for over 20 years; a member of the Staples Legion Post for 23 years, the last three as commander; Quarter Master of past VFW post; and vice president of the Veterans Memorial Park in Staples.
With his son Derek, he has planned a Halloween Haunted House for the past four years. A percent of the proceeds from this event goes to school extra curricular.
Huck was nominated by Jack Nelson
Submitted by Jack Nelson
Youth of the Year
Andrew Nelson
Andrew is a very smart, talented and energetic
young man with a positive attitude. He is an asset to our school, church and community. He uses all his wonderful skills to better the Staples Motley area.
At school Andrew is involved at so many different levels.
He is the president of Student Council this year and was a Class Director and helped with prom his junior year. He is now a Senior Class Director to help
guide his class in decisions for their final year at Staples Motley High School.
Andrew has been a positive role model at Staples Elementary while helping in the "Big Budy" program. He is the "Go to Guy" for every lights and sound event during school which includes Student of the Month, Homecoming, SnoDaze and lyceums. How he had time to fit in basketball and golf, we will never know.
Even though there are many more contributions he makes at school, the most important would be his attitude towards his peers and staff and his positive outlook in any situation. He does this all with his amazing smile on his face.
Andrew also contributes his talents at church. Whether playing in Praise Band, singing in the church choir or playing guitar and song leading. He has gone
Trick-or-Treating for the food shelf and offers his help with cleaning and putting up or taking down the holiday decorations.
The community also benefits from Andrew's talents and compassion. He is an active
member of the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation Advisory Board.
Andrew has played gutar and sang at Stomping Grounds and also gives guitar lessons. You can hear his amazing voice in Men's Chorus as well. He is a lifeguard and park ranger and was a crowd favorite at this year's Ernie's "Taste of the Season." Andrew is also a lights and sound tech for Community Education.
There are many more amazing and wonderful things Andrew does that benefits so many of us, but what we love most about him is his big heart and his willingness to help others.
Andrew was nominated by Kelly Smithley and Jill Schneider.
Submitted by Kelly Smithley and Jill Schneider
young man with a positive attitude. He is an asset to our school, church and community. He uses all his wonderful skills to better the Staples Motley area.
At school Andrew is involved at so many different levels.
He is the president of Student Council this year and was a Class Director and helped with prom his junior year. He is now a Senior Class Director to help
guide his class in decisions for their final year at Staples Motley High School.
Andrew has been a positive role model at Staples Elementary while helping in the "Big Budy" program. He is the "Go to Guy" for every lights and sound event during school which includes Student of the Month, Homecoming, SnoDaze and lyceums. How he had time to fit in basketball and golf, we will never know.
Even though there are many more contributions he makes at school, the most important would be his attitude towards his peers and staff and his positive outlook in any situation. He does this all with his amazing smile on his face.
Andrew also contributes his talents at church. Whether playing in Praise Band, singing in the church choir or playing guitar and song leading. He has gone
Trick-or-Treating for the food shelf and offers his help with cleaning and putting up or taking down the holiday decorations.
The community also benefits from Andrew's talents and compassion. He is an active
member of the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation Advisory Board.
Andrew has played gutar and sang at Stomping Grounds and also gives guitar lessons. You can hear his amazing voice in Men's Chorus as well. He is a lifeguard and park ranger and was a crowd favorite at this year's Ernie's "Taste of the Season." Andrew is also a lights and sound tech for Community Education.
There are many more amazing and wonderful things Andrew does that benefits so many of us, but what we love most about him is his big heart and his willingness to help others.
Andrew was nominated by Kelly Smithley and Jill Schneider.
Submitted by Kelly Smithley and Jill Schneider
Organization of the Year
Staples and Motley
Dollars for Scholars
Staples Dollars for Scholars was started in late 1985, early 1986 by high School Councilors Ken Schubluski and Ron Storbakken, with support and help from Superintendent Jack Nelson. Other school staff and several community members were added, establishing a formal community-based Dollars for Scholars organization. Motley Dollars for Scholars was formed at approximately the same time.
The two separate organizations came together forming the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars Chapter shortly after the two schools consolidated. Membership in the new combined DFS Chapter was made up largely of individuals from two communities interested in creating more scholarships for Staples and Motley graduating seniors. Today the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars Chapter remains largely a community driven organization.
In 1985 less than $2,500 in scholarships were awarded, but because of increased community involvement, the scholarships doubled nearly every year that followed. Todeay approximately $100,000 is awarded to our graduates each year. Most of these scholarships come from organizations and individuals in our two communities. Other scholarships are awarded through fund raising effort by the Dollars for Scholars Chapter.
Most of the success of the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars Chapter is directly tied to the individuals and organizations in our community willing to be a huge part of making over a million dollars in scholarships available to our graduates over the past 27 years.
Submitted by Alan Judd
Dollars for Scholars
Staples Dollars for Scholars was started in late 1985, early 1986 by high School Councilors Ken Schubluski and Ron Storbakken, with support and help from Superintendent Jack Nelson. Other school staff and several community members were added, establishing a formal community-based Dollars for Scholars organization. Motley Dollars for Scholars was formed at approximately the same time.
The two separate organizations came together forming the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars Chapter shortly after the two schools consolidated. Membership in the new combined DFS Chapter was made up largely of individuals from two communities interested in creating more scholarships for Staples and Motley graduating seniors. Today the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars Chapter remains largely a community driven organization.
In 1985 less than $2,500 in scholarships were awarded, but because of increased community involvement, the scholarships doubled nearly every year that followed. Todeay approximately $100,000 is awarded to our graduates each year. Most of these scholarships come from organizations and individuals in our two communities. Other scholarships are awarded through fund raising effort by the Dollars for Scholars Chapter.
Most of the success of the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars Chapter is directly tied to the individuals and organizations in our community willing to be a huge part of making over a million dollars in scholarships available to our graduates over the past 27 years.
Submitted by Alan Judd
Since I have been a member of DFS, we have seen and will see many changes. We have seen a large turnover in the DFS committee, losing several long time members who have been replaced with people who are just as committeed and with just as many great ideas to grow our chapter.
In the last two years we have been lucky enough to pass the $1 million mark in giving to hundreds of students. We have also been able to add a third Harold Giffiths scholarship for someone who will be attending school in the medical field. Luckily we have attracted scholarships from past recipients who have continued the tradition of giving back.
Coming up in the near future our sponsoring organization Scholarship America is instituting a new web-based program for Dollars for Scholars. This new program will streamline the application process, making the granting of scholarships quicker and easier to track and open the door for our students to apply for some national scholarships that we may not have been aware of previously. All in all, a very positive process once it is implemented.
An organization like Dollars for Scholars is not able to operate without the help of many volunteers and a community at large who have been more than generous with their time, talents and money. Without them there would be no Dollars for Scholars. As a group, DFS continues to strive to serve the needs of the students of Staples and Motley and with the help of everyone involved will continue to do so for many years to come.
Dollars for Scholars was nomoinated by Roger Houselog and Judy Jenkins.
Submitted by Roger Houselog
In the last two years we have been lucky enough to pass the $1 million mark in giving to hundreds of students. We have also been able to add a third Harold Giffiths scholarship for someone who will be attending school in the medical field. Luckily we have attracted scholarships from past recipients who have continued the tradition of giving back.
Coming up in the near future our sponsoring organization Scholarship America is instituting a new web-based program for Dollars for Scholars. This new program will streamline the application process, making the granting of scholarships quicker and easier to track and open the door for our students to apply for some national scholarships that we may not have been aware of previously. All in all, a very positive process once it is implemented.
An organization like Dollars for Scholars is not able to operate without the help of many volunteers and a community at large who have been more than generous with their time, talents and money. Without them there would be no Dollars for Scholars. As a group, DFS continues to strive to serve the needs of the students of Staples and Motley and with the help of everyone involved will continue to do so for many years to come.
Dollars for Scholars was nomoinated by Roger Houselog and Judy Jenkins.
Submitted by Roger Houselog
Business of the Year
Staples Dairy Queen
A two-year trial of operating a Dairy Queen in the twin cities by a local railroad engineer from Staples over 40 years ago was the beginning of a successful family business that now has spanned generations. Though the local Dairy Queen was owned and operated by the Hills and Anglins prior, 1971 was when Bob and Joan Doll returned to Staples, put the trains in the rear-view mirror and purchased the store from Bill and Betty Peterson. Today the store is owned and operated by Bob and Joan's daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Doyle Yoder.
Though it has changed in appearance and grown over the years, the Staples Dairy Queen is still the local "meeting place", at the same time serving as a popular resting point for many travelers. The Doll's and Yoder's have created a place where locals feel at home and those passing through feel welcome.
One only needs to view the framed Staples World pages in the dining room to understand the commitment to this community, not even an 18-wheeler can knock them down! That same commitment has been proven over the years with a strong dedication to many community activities, especially those involving youth.
What motivates Deb and Doyle are the relationships they have established with their employees, customers and the community. Over the years many former employees have come back to visit and to introduce their families to a place where they learned to work. Several customers have been coming for generations, some of which have become friends.
The passion for operating a successful Dairy Queen has been handed down to a third generation as both of Deb and Doyle's daughters operate DQ's. Staci and Nick operate the Dairy Queen in Motley with Heidi and Andy operating the Hawley Dairy Queen.
The Staples Dairy Queen employs six full-time people above the time spent in the store by Deb and Doyle. During the summer months 30 total people are on staff and about 22 in the winter months.
The Staples Diary Queen is the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation's 2012 Business of the Year because they have a proven track record of community support by providing youth jobs, support of several local programs and activities and for creating a destination for travelers. They have provided jobs to young and old while teaching the importance of work ethic. They have allowed many youth to compete in sports and the arts through numerous community contributions. They have boosted the local economy by creating a rest stop where travelers not only patronize the Dairy Queen but the surrounding businesses. Finally, they have shown that taking pride in developing good customer service and in the appearance of your store can pay dividends for you and the community.
Deb and Doyle would like to express their appreciation to the community for their support over the yeasrs as they feel it is you that keeps them going.
The Staples Dairy Queen was nominated by Chris Etzler, a Dairy Queen employee from 1985 to 1990.
Submitted by Chris Etzler
A two-year trial of operating a Dairy Queen in the twin cities by a local railroad engineer from Staples over 40 years ago was the beginning of a successful family business that now has spanned generations. Though the local Dairy Queen was owned and operated by the Hills and Anglins prior, 1971 was when Bob and Joan Doll returned to Staples, put the trains in the rear-view mirror and purchased the store from Bill and Betty Peterson. Today the store is owned and operated by Bob and Joan's daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Doyle Yoder.
Though it has changed in appearance and grown over the years, the Staples Dairy Queen is still the local "meeting place", at the same time serving as a popular resting point for many travelers. The Doll's and Yoder's have created a place where locals feel at home and those passing through feel welcome.
One only needs to view the framed Staples World pages in the dining room to understand the commitment to this community, not even an 18-wheeler can knock them down! That same commitment has been proven over the years with a strong dedication to many community activities, especially those involving youth.
What motivates Deb and Doyle are the relationships they have established with their employees, customers and the community. Over the years many former employees have come back to visit and to introduce their families to a place where they learned to work. Several customers have been coming for generations, some of which have become friends.
The passion for operating a successful Dairy Queen has been handed down to a third generation as both of Deb and Doyle's daughters operate DQ's. Staci and Nick operate the Dairy Queen in Motley with Heidi and Andy operating the Hawley Dairy Queen.
The Staples Dairy Queen employs six full-time people above the time spent in the store by Deb and Doyle. During the summer months 30 total people are on staff and about 22 in the winter months.
The Staples Diary Queen is the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation's 2012 Business of the Year because they have a proven track record of community support by providing youth jobs, support of several local programs and activities and for creating a destination for travelers. They have provided jobs to young and old while teaching the importance of work ethic. They have allowed many youth to compete in sports and the arts through numerous community contributions. They have boosted the local economy by creating a rest stop where travelers not only patronize the Dairy Queen but the surrounding businesses. Finally, they have shown that taking pride in developing good customer service and in the appearance of your store can pay dividends for you and the community.
Deb and Doyle would like to express their appreciation to the community for their support over the yeasrs as they feel it is you that keeps them going.
The Staples Dairy Queen was nominated by Chris Etzler, a Dairy Queen employee from 1985 to 1990.
Submitted by Chris Etzler