Profiles for 2014 Winners
Duane R. Lund Award for Lifetime Achievement
Sally Gorton
Sally (Sara Lee) has been involved in the Staples Motley community since December, 1968. She was in Springfield, Mo., attended college in Kansas City and then moved to Belcourt, N. Dak., with her husband, John. They moved to Staples in 1968, where John opened the dental office. Sally handled the bookkeeping at the office.
Sally and John recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have five children, John (Annette), Miles City, Mont.; Greg (Kris), Dubuque, Iowa; Peter (Kelly), Minneapolis; Mary (Pete), Germantown, Wisc.; and Paul (Anna), St Paul. They also have 13 grandchildren.
It did not take Sally long to “step up” in the community. Sally’s timeline includes:
o 1970 - Steering committee secretary to establish a child development center including preschool teaching opportunities coordinated with career training for high school students.
o 1971 - Charter officer member of the Staples Fine Arts Council. President in 1976 and 2006.
o 1975 - Named one of Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans by the Minnesota State Jaycees. This was the first year that women were recognized by the Jaycees.
Sally has been president/chair of the following:
o Dollars for Scholars
o Community Education Advisory Board (still on the board)
o Community Action Council which became LEAP-Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy, Positiveness (still on the board)
o Freshwater Education District Governing Board (1993-1999)
o Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Staples
o Staples Community Foundation
o West Central Dental Auxiliary
In addition to these, Sally has been a member of the following:
o Board of directors for the Staples Historical Society
o Advisory board of the Staples Technical College
o Staples School Board (during consolidation)
o Various Sacred Heart Church organizations and committees
Sally was also president of the Minnesota State Dental Auxiliary in 1991, after serving in district and regional Auxiliary positions over 15 years. During this time, she championed educational campaigns focusing on smokeless tobacco and the results of “bottle mouth” in infants and young children.
John and Sally were involved in Boy Scouts as Cub Scout Master and Den Leader for 10 years. During John’s dental career, Sally handled the bookkeeping at the dental office as well as building manager for the Lakewood Professional Building and the Unity Bank Building.
In 1991 Sally was recruited by Tim Rice of the Lakewood Health System for the purpose of developing the Lakewood Health System Foundation. She retired in 1996. Sally said that this is one of the tasks of which she is most proud. She currently serves on the Wadena County Public Health Advisory
Committee.
In her “spare” time, Sally is an avid reader, world traveler and Grandmother Extraordinary.
Sally was nominated by Ken Klose and Jim Hofer. In her nomination Jim stated “Sally has given 46 years of volunteerism and community organization leadership to the Staples Motley Area.”
Sally (Sara Lee) has been involved in the Staples Motley community since December, 1968. She was in Springfield, Mo., attended college in Kansas City and then moved to Belcourt, N. Dak., with her husband, John. They moved to Staples in 1968, where John opened the dental office. Sally handled the bookkeeping at the office.
Sally and John recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have five children, John (Annette), Miles City, Mont.; Greg (Kris), Dubuque, Iowa; Peter (Kelly), Minneapolis; Mary (Pete), Germantown, Wisc.; and Paul (Anna), St Paul. They also have 13 grandchildren.
It did not take Sally long to “step up” in the community. Sally’s timeline includes:
o 1970 - Steering committee secretary to establish a child development center including preschool teaching opportunities coordinated with career training for high school students.
o 1971 - Charter officer member of the Staples Fine Arts Council. President in 1976 and 2006.
o 1975 - Named one of Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans by the Minnesota State Jaycees. This was the first year that women were recognized by the Jaycees.
Sally has been president/chair of the following:
o Dollars for Scholars
o Community Education Advisory Board (still on the board)
o Community Action Council which became LEAP-Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy, Positiveness (still on the board)
o Freshwater Education District Governing Board (1993-1999)
o Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Staples
o Staples Community Foundation
o West Central Dental Auxiliary
In addition to these, Sally has been a member of the following:
o Board of directors for the Staples Historical Society
o Advisory board of the Staples Technical College
o Staples School Board (during consolidation)
o Various Sacred Heart Church organizations and committees
Sally was also president of the Minnesota State Dental Auxiliary in 1991, after serving in district and regional Auxiliary positions over 15 years. During this time, she championed educational campaigns focusing on smokeless tobacco and the results of “bottle mouth” in infants and young children.
John and Sally were involved in Boy Scouts as Cub Scout Master and Den Leader for 10 years. During John’s dental career, Sally handled the bookkeeping at the dental office as well as building manager for the Lakewood Professional Building and the Unity Bank Building.
In 1991 Sally was recruited by Tim Rice of the Lakewood Health System for the purpose of developing the Lakewood Health System Foundation. She retired in 1996. Sally said that this is one of the tasks of which she is most proud. She currently serves on the Wadena County Public Health Advisory
Committee.
In her “spare” time, Sally is an avid reader, world traveler and Grandmother Extraordinary.
Sally was nominated by Ken Klose and Jim Hofer. In her nomination Jim stated “Sally has given 46 years of volunteerism and community organization leadership to the Staples Motley Area.”
Citizen of the Year
Kevin Grondahl
Ken Klose submitted the nomination for Kevin Grondahl for the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award. He stated that as a City of Staples Parks and Recreation Director, Kevin has primary responsibility for the city parks, community center and city sponsored recreational activities. Kevin also organizes the planting and maintenance of boulevard trees for the city, enabling the city to maintain its status as a “Tree City, U.S.A.”
Kevin has been an active participant in the planning and realization of the new Highway 10 and Old Highway 10 turn back projects. He brings a passion to make Staples a better place to work. Of particular importance to him recently has been the construction of the bike trails within the
city.
Kevin is a true Staple-ite. He was educated in the Staples Schools. He began his first professional position after graduation as a Staples Police Officer from 1981-1989.
Following that he began working at the Staples Community Center as custodian and became building supervisor and in 2003 Park and Recreation Director.
Many active Staples citizens helped him form the Forestry and Beautification board and subsequently their efforts brought the “Tree City, USA” distinction. Kevin was one of the persistent community members who helped secure the new pier at Dower Lake.
He served on the planning board, task force, Forestry and Beautification Board and worked with MnDOT for the new and old Highway 10 projects.
Kevin is a true “Man of the Staples Community.” He is a member of the Staples Host Lions, Chair of the Todd County Park and Recreation Committee, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board and Community Education Committee, past chair of the special event committee. He also serves on the Todd County Community Concern for Youth Committee Board.
For over 20 years he has been the Santa at the Community Center and that is when he met his wife Margaret. He was Santa for her children.
Kevin loves to mix work with voluntarism. He stated the most important part of his job is working with kids. He has mentored many students throughout the years and feels he has learned a lot from them.
When asked what advice he would give to residents of the Staples community he stated that we should grab onto opportunities to make a difference and get involved in our community. Kevin certainly takes his own advice.
Ken Klose submitted the nomination for Kevin Grondahl for the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award. He stated that as a City of Staples Parks and Recreation Director, Kevin has primary responsibility for the city parks, community center and city sponsored recreational activities. Kevin also organizes the planting and maintenance of boulevard trees for the city, enabling the city to maintain its status as a “Tree City, U.S.A.”
Kevin has been an active participant in the planning and realization of the new Highway 10 and Old Highway 10 turn back projects. He brings a passion to make Staples a better place to work. Of particular importance to him recently has been the construction of the bike trails within the
city.
Kevin is a true Staple-ite. He was educated in the Staples Schools. He began his first professional position after graduation as a Staples Police Officer from 1981-1989.
Following that he began working at the Staples Community Center as custodian and became building supervisor and in 2003 Park and Recreation Director.
Many active Staples citizens helped him form the Forestry and Beautification board and subsequently their efforts brought the “Tree City, USA” distinction. Kevin was one of the persistent community members who helped secure the new pier at Dower Lake.
He served on the planning board, task force, Forestry and Beautification Board and worked with MnDOT for the new and old Highway 10 projects.
Kevin is a true “Man of the Staples Community.” He is a member of the Staples Host Lions, Chair of the Todd County Park and Recreation Committee, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board and Community Education Committee, past chair of the special event committee. He also serves on the Todd County Community Concern for Youth Committee Board.
For over 20 years he has been the Santa at the Community Center and that is when he met his wife Margaret. He was Santa for her children.
Kevin loves to mix work with voluntarism. He stated the most important part of his job is working with kids. He has mentored many students throughout the years and feels he has learned a lot from them.
When asked what advice he would give to residents of the Staples community he stated that we should grab onto opportunities to make a difference and get involved in our community. Kevin certainly takes his own advice.
Chairman's Award
Jon and Darlys Hamberg
The nomination and selection of Jon and Darlys Hamberg was based on their nearly twenty years of giving up numerous evenings and weekends teaching firearm
safety, working at Wadena County Conservation Days, helping children build birdhouses at Old Wadena Rendezvous, 4-H and other events and their involvement
in the Staples Sportsman Club.
Darlys earned a registered nursing degree and worked for more than 30 years for Lakewood Health System. Getting restless staying at home she returned to work as a Home Health Care Case Manager for Caring Hands in Sebeka. She has two daughters, Amanda and Katie and a granddaughter, Grace who is three and half years old.
After high school graduation and after five years of roaming and finding his calling, Jon started the shop Hamberg Auto in 1977. Jon’s two daughters, Christina and Rena, live in the Seattle area.
In 1995 the “set-up” occurred. Jon was asked to fix the fan clutch for Darlys’ car. They were married in 1998.
Since Jon and Darlys have worked as a couple on numerous projects and events for several organizations in the Staples Motley area. Darlys has been involved with 4-H for more than 25 years. They have worked on “Project Day”, supplying ready-made material for youth to make 75 birdhouses each year. In addition, another 75 are made at the Old Wadena Rendezvous. In the last four years more than 500 birdhouses have been constructed by children of all ages under their patient instruction. They spend two weekends prior to an event prepping the materials.
Jon and Darlys also serve as instructors for firearm safety. Jon has been a certified instructor for the past 15 years but has been involved with firearm safety classes for 25 years. Jon started the on-line class for firearms and has helped in the 4-H program for 18 years. Darlys serves as 4-H firearms safety instructor for Wadena County and is a state trainer for the program. They are both line officials at the state level.
Jon has been treasurer of the Sportsman Club for 13 years and Darlys serves on the board of directors. In addition Darlys serves on the Old Wadena Society board of directors as treasurer and Jon was recently appointed as a board member.
Darlys also volunteers for special events such as re-enactment projects for the Wadena County Historical Society. Jon is involved with Ring Neck Forever, having raised pheasants since 1991.
Jon and Darlys were nominated for the award by Lee Jenkins, who stated, “They deserve the award for tireless volunteering to help young girls and boys grow up properly.”
Clearly, Jon and Darlys support each other in this endeavor.
The nomination and selection of Jon and Darlys Hamberg was based on their nearly twenty years of giving up numerous evenings and weekends teaching firearm
safety, working at Wadena County Conservation Days, helping children build birdhouses at Old Wadena Rendezvous, 4-H and other events and their involvement
in the Staples Sportsman Club.
Darlys earned a registered nursing degree and worked for more than 30 years for Lakewood Health System. Getting restless staying at home she returned to work as a Home Health Care Case Manager for Caring Hands in Sebeka. She has two daughters, Amanda and Katie and a granddaughter, Grace who is three and half years old.
After high school graduation and after five years of roaming and finding his calling, Jon started the shop Hamberg Auto in 1977. Jon’s two daughters, Christina and Rena, live in the Seattle area.
In 1995 the “set-up” occurred. Jon was asked to fix the fan clutch for Darlys’ car. They were married in 1998.
Since Jon and Darlys have worked as a couple on numerous projects and events for several organizations in the Staples Motley area. Darlys has been involved with 4-H for more than 25 years. They have worked on “Project Day”, supplying ready-made material for youth to make 75 birdhouses each year. In addition, another 75 are made at the Old Wadena Rendezvous. In the last four years more than 500 birdhouses have been constructed by children of all ages under their patient instruction. They spend two weekends prior to an event prepping the materials.
Jon and Darlys also serve as instructors for firearm safety. Jon has been a certified instructor for the past 15 years but has been involved with firearm safety classes for 25 years. Jon started the on-line class for firearms and has helped in the 4-H program for 18 years. Darlys serves as 4-H firearms safety instructor for Wadena County and is a state trainer for the program. They are both line officials at the state level.
Jon has been treasurer of the Sportsman Club for 13 years and Darlys serves on the board of directors. In addition Darlys serves on the Old Wadena Society board of directors as treasurer and Jon was recently appointed as a board member.
Darlys also volunteers for special events such as re-enactment projects for the Wadena County Historical Society. Jon is involved with Ring Neck Forever, having raised pheasants since 1991.
Jon and Darlys were nominated for the award by Lee Jenkins, who stated, “They deserve the award for tireless volunteering to help young girls and boys grow up properly.”
Clearly, Jon and Darlys support each other in this endeavor.
Youth of the Year
Megan Han
Megan Han makes a conscious choice each day to be as open and genuine and positive as she can be.
This attitude brings her into a wide variety of experiences and commitments which have led to her being named Youth of the Year.
“I appreciate and am humbled by this honor,” Megan said, adding that she felt many others “are really deserving of this award” and that it wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family and friends.
Megan has taken charge of activities not only in school, but also in her church and community pursuits.
This year she has been accepted into the CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities)
program at Staples Motley High School. The program will give students the chance to start their own business and make real life business decisions. Megan’s goal is to create a Christian teen magazine and she’s excited to “see what’s possible through CEO.”
Last year she chaired the staff appreciation events for the high school student council, making sure all teachers and support staff received special attention.
She has been a concert soloist for concert band, symphonic band, high school women’s/ concert choir, Madrigal and a cappella choir. Other artistic activities include bell choir, pep band, chamber orchestra, spring musicals and fall play.
In addition to the student council Megan is in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, tennis, Knowledge Bowl and speech.
Although she is a member of Faith Lutheran Church active as Bible School leader, substitute Sunday School teacher and choir member, Megan also volunteers for the Staples Alliance and Sacred Heart Churches’ annual carnivals. She has attended and volunteered at Big Sandy Bible Camp and was a Leader In Training this past summer.
She maintains her membership in Girl Scouts and has been patrol leader and program aide for their day camp. She also has been the assistant director for the Staples Chess Tournament.
She has worked as a babysitter for several families and this past summer was an intern at the Staples World.
Megan was one of three students chosen by the Staples Rotary Club to attend Camp RYLA
this summer, a youth leadership experience.
However, her favorite activities revolve around family and friends. She loves family reunions, hearing the stories and sharing experiences. She plans to attend a Christian college, but limited her search to Minnesota schools so she can continue to attend events that involve her siblings Noah and Rose.
Megan is a senior at Staples Motley High School. She is the daughter of Kathryn Edwards, Staples and Carter Xi Han, Waukesha, Wisc.
Megan Han makes a conscious choice each day to be as open and genuine and positive as she can be.
This attitude brings her into a wide variety of experiences and commitments which have led to her being named Youth of the Year.
“I appreciate and am humbled by this honor,” Megan said, adding that she felt many others “are really deserving of this award” and that it wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family and friends.
Megan has taken charge of activities not only in school, but also in her church and community pursuits.
This year she has been accepted into the CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities)
program at Staples Motley High School. The program will give students the chance to start their own business and make real life business decisions. Megan’s goal is to create a Christian teen magazine and she’s excited to “see what’s possible through CEO.”
Last year she chaired the staff appreciation events for the high school student council, making sure all teachers and support staff received special attention.
She has been a concert soloist for concert band, symphonic band, high school women’s/ concert choir, Madrigal and a cappella choir. Other artistic activities include bell choir, pep band, chamber orchestra, spring musicals and fall play.
In addition to the student council Megan is in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, tennis, Knowledge Bowl and speech.
Although she is a member of Faith Lutheran Church active as Bible School leader, substitute Sunday School teacher and choir member, Megan also volunteers for the Staples Alliance and Sacred Heart Churches’ annual carnivals. She has attended and volunteered at Big Sandy Bible Camp and was a Leader In Training this past summer.
She maintains her membership in Girl Scouts and has been patrol leader and program aide for their day camp. She also has been the assistant director for the Staples Chess Tournament.
She has worked as a babysitter for several families and this past summer was an intern at the Staples World.
Megan was one of three students chosen by the Staples Rotary Club to attend Camp RYLA
this summer, a youth leadership experience.
However, her favorite activities revolve around family and friends. She loves family reunions, hearing the stories and sharing experiences. She plans to attend a Christian college, but limited her search to Minnesota schools so she can continue to attend events that involve her siblings Noah and Rose.
Megan is a senior at Staples Motley High School. She is the daughter of Kathryn Edwards, Staples and Carter Xi Han, Waukesha, Wisc.
Organization of the Year
Staples Motley FFA
Members of the 2013-2014 Staples Motley FFA Chapter are, front row, from left: Amy Yezek, Kathryn DeGeest, Mary Sarah Sauber, Christina Smith, Rebekka Paskewitz, Alexus Jordan; second row, from left, Alexandra Fischer, Brian Seamann, Heaven Opsal, Katie Benson, Jenna Trantina, Kelsie Weite, Mikayla Sauber, Cindy Mack, Elizabeth Brown; back row, from left; Jody Mack, Jeremy Kruse, Sam Robben, Grant Yungbauer, Jaxon Olander, Warren Japke, Zach Strickland, Dominic Nistler, Jeremy Miller, Brenden Thompson, advisor Kerry Lindgren. Not pictured: Abby Holm, Lacy Koval, Joe Pugsley, Ashley Smith, Matthew Stone, Kendall Youngbauer, Taylor Youngbauer, Jaren Reining, Joshua Robben.
If you need something done, give it to busy people. At least that appears to be the
case with the Staples Motley FFA.
Led for the last 26 years by advisor, Kerry Lindgren, the FFA is constantly on the go. In the summer they can be found staffing the barnyard at the Motley and Todd County fairs. That’s after they have planted and weeded vegetables in the community garden and harvested the produce for the summer food program. Members also work on their own supervised agricultural experience programs throughout the summer.
FFA members escort veterans to places of honor at the Veterans Day and Memorial Day
ceremonies. They helped serve the Memorial Day fish fry. For Halloween, they bring pumpkins from their garden to the care center and help seniors carve them.
Camp Courage and a therapeutic horsemanship program benefit from FFA fruit sale and
fishing tournament income.
Fourth graders learn boat, helmet and farm equipment safety from the FFA and its partners when they participate in Ag Safety Day. FFA teams with the Department of Natural Resources, Todd Wadena Electric Cooperative and the Cass County Farm Bureau run 911 simulations, where students learn to recite their address and phone number to emergency personnel, where they see a small scale model of a grain elevator and learn the dangers of being sucked in, the dangers of an ice auger when it pulverizes a hot dog much like it would to your finger. The students also learn about storms, electricity and wiring and that you can’t stick a fork in an electrical outlet.
FFA leaders, Christina Smith and Mary Sarah Sauber, currently the Regional President and Vice President, respectively, were proud to report the accomplishments of their over-achieving members. They explained that 48 members participated in competition teams (seven of which made it to state), three members obtained state degrees, 11 members spent a day at the capital where they met Governor Dayton in a private session, 28 earned a trip to the state convention (the largest attendance of any chapter in the region) and four participated in Ag Policy Boot Camp.
When asked what their group does differently that contributes to their success, they were quick to note that theirs is a youth-led organization. The hands-on activities attract a lot of members, the kind who are self-motivating and tolerant that there is no right or wrong way to get a job done. Finally, everything they do they can put their stamp on it as something accomplished because of their own efforts.
It seems they’re on to something - our future is in good hands.
Members of the 2013-2014 Staples Motley FFA Chapter are, front row, from left: Amy Yezek, Kathryn DeGeest, Mary Sarah Sauber, Christina Smith, Rebekka Paskewitz, Alexus Jordan; second row, from left, Alexandra Fischer, Brian Seamann, Heaven Opsal, Katie Benson, Jenna Trantina, Kelsie Weite, Mikayla Sauber, Cindy Mack, Elizabeth Brown; back row, from left; Jody Mack, Jeremy Kruse, Sam Robben, Grant Yungbauer, Jaxon Olander, Warren Japke, Zach Strickland, Dominic Nistler, Jeremy Miller, Brenden Thompson, advisor Kerry Lindgren. Not pictured: Abby Holm, Lacy Koval, Joe Pugsley, Ashley Smith, Matthew Stone, Kendall Youngbauer, Taylor Youngbauer, Jaren Reining, Joshua Robben.
If you need something done, give it to busy people. At least that appears to be the
case with the Staples Motley FFA.
Led for the last 26 years by advisor, Kerry Lindgren, the FFA is constantly on the go. In the summer they can be found staffing the barnyard at the Motley and Todd County fairs. That’s after they have planted and weeded vegetables in the community garden and harvested the produce for the summer food program. Members also work on their own supervised agricultural experience programs throughout the summer.
FFA members escort veterans to places of honor at the Veterans Day and Memorial Day
ceremonies. They helped serve the Memorial Day fish fry. For Halloween, they bring pumpkins from their garden to the care center and help seniors carve them.
Camp Courage and a therapeutic horsemanship program benefit from FFA fruit sale and
fishing tournament income.
Fourth graders learn boat, helmet and farm equipment safety from the FFA and its partners when they participate in Ag Safety Day. FFA teams with the Department of Natural Resources, Todd Wadena Electric Cooperative and the Cass County Farm Bureau run 911 simulations, where students learn to recite their address and phone number to emergency personnel, where they see a small scale model of a grain elevator and learn the dangers of being sucked in, the dangers of an ice auger when it pulverizes a hot dog much like it would to your finger. The students also learn about storms, electricity and wiring and that you can’t stick a fork in an electrical outlet.
FFA leaders, Christina Smith and Mary Sarah Sauber, currently the Regional President and Vice President, respectively, were proud to report the accomplishments of their over-achieving members. They explained that 48 members participated in competition teams (seven of which made it to state), three members obtained state degrees, 11 members spent a day at the capital where they met Governor Dayton in a private session, 28 earned a trip to the state convention (the largest attendance of any chapter in the region) and four participated in Ag Policy Boot Camp.
When asked what their group does differently that contributes to their success, they were quick to note that theirs is a youth-led organization. The hands-on activities attract a lot of members, the kind who are self-motivating and tolerant that there is no right or wrong way to get a job done. Finally, everything they do they can put their stamp on it as something accomplished because of their own efforts.
It seems they’re on to something - our future is in good hands.
Business of the Year
Giza Plumbing and Heating
The staff at Giza Plumbing and Heating include, from left, Mark Giza, Greg Giza,
Marv Giza, Mary Giza, Sharon Williams and Will Biermaier.
As the City of Staples celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, Giza Plumbing & Heating has been established as a family business in the community for 80 of those 125 years. At a time when most so-called “brick and mortar” small town businesses are struggling to survive in the face of competition from the “big box” chains, it makes a good story when one of those small town businesses not only survives, but flourishes.
John Giza came to Staples from Superior, Wisc. and started the business in 1934. His son, Harold, joined the business in 1946.
The family tradition continued with Harold’s son, Marv, joining the business in 1970 and Marv’s son Greg in 1995. Another son, Mark, also works in the family business when not working at his other job as a corporate jet pilot. Marv’s wife, Mary, has also been actively involved since about 1975. Non-family employees include Sharon Williams since 1980 and Will Biermaier since 2012.
Gizas have established themselves as a reliable provider of plumbing and HVAC installation and maintenance services throughout the central Minnesota area, skillfully completing jobs from the most basic to major industrial and institutional installations.
As they have expanded their area of operations outside the immediate Staples Motley area, they have spread awareness of the Staples community and what it has to offer.
Working from their small store front on 5th St. NE, they have also demonstrated a strong commitment to the community, providing material and/or services at reduced or no cost to various community organization/causes including the Staples Historical Society and the Staples Veterans Park.
Greg once described them as being in the “Home Comfort Business”. He views them as part of a number of interconnected and interdependent businesses in the community. The family sees the future as maintaining the current path of operations, taking care to keep the trust and loyalty of their customers in the community.
As to whether or not there will be a fifth generation family member involved, Greg said that remains unknown at this time, but Mary added that all of the grandchildren are boys....
Giza Plumbing was nominated by Ken Klose.
The staff at Giza Plumbing and Heating include, from left, Mark Giza, Greg Giza,
Marv Giza, Mary Giza, Sharon Williams and Will Biermaier.
As the City of Staples celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, Giza Plumbing & Heating has been established as a family business in the community for 80 of those 125 years. At a time when most so-called “brick and mortar” small town businesses are struggling to survive in the face of competition from the “big box” chains, it makes a good story when one of those small town businesses not only survives, but flourishes.
John Giza came to Staples from Superior, Wisc. and started the business in 1934. His son, Harold, joined the business in 1946.
The family tradition continued with Harold’s son, Marv, joining the business in 1970 and Marv’s son Greg in 1995. Another son, Mark, also works in the family business when not working at his other job as a corporate jet pilot. Marv’s wife, Mary, has also been actively involved since about 1975. Non-family employees include Sharon Williams since 1980 and Will Biermaier since 2012.
Gizas have established themselves as a reliable provider of plumbing and HVAC installation and maintenance services throughout the central Minnesota area, skillfully completing jobs from the most basic to major industrial and institutional installations.
As they have expanded their area of operations outside the immediate Staples Motley area, they have spread awareness of the Staples community and what it has to offer.
Working from their small store front on 5th St. NE, they have also demonstrated a strong commitment to the community, providing material and/or services at reduced or no cost to various community organization/causes including the Staples Historical Society and the Staples Veterans Park.
Greg once described them as being in the “Home Comfort Business”. He views them as part of a number of interconnected and interdependent businesses in the community. The family sees the future as maintaining the current path of operations, taking care to keep the trust and loyalty of their customers in the community.
As to whether or not there will be a fifth generation family member involved, Greg said that remains unknown at this time, but Mary added that all of the grandchildren are boys....
Giza Plumbing was nominated by Ken Klose.