American Legion plans to install World War II memorial at Iverson Park
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by LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — The American Legion Russell-Toycen Post 131 of Colfax plans to install a World War II Memorial at Iverson Park in Colfax on Memorial Day.
The Colfax Village Board approved the installation of the memorial at the April 24 meeting.
The memorial sign will be similar to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Tom Prince Memorial. Park but will be smaller, said Chris Larson, commander of the American Legion Russell-Toycen Post 131.
Sam K. Iverson, who operated a real-estate agency in Colfax, was involved in many community activities and was known as a staunch supporter of “all things Colfax,” donated the land for Iverson Park on Evergreen Street in 1944, according to the August 31, 1944, Colfax Messenger.
Sam Iverson dedicated the park to all who were serving in World War II.
His son, Kenneth Iverson, was among those from Colfax who served in World War II.
Sam Iverson also coined the phrase, “The Friendliest Little Town in Wisconsin” that used to be printed at the top of the Colfax Messenger for decades but has since been replaced by “Now online — www.dewittmedia.com.”
The phrase “The Friendliest Little Town in Wisconsin” can still be found on the Welcome to Colfax signs and on the Village of Colfax’s website.
Could the World War II Memorial sign go underneath the Iverson Park sign? asked Anne Jenson, village trustee.
The World War II Memorial will be installed on 12-foot poles. The Iverson Park sign is on seven foot poles, Larson said.
They want to keep it the same as the installation at Tom Prince Memorial Park, said Lynn Niggemann, village administrator-clerk-treasurer.
Could the World War II Memorial have a flower planter? asked Margaret Burcham, village trustee.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has a flower planter that has been planted by volunteers with spring bulbs and perennial plants.
There is money left over from the ball park memorial, so a frame can be included for a flower planter, Larson said.
The sign will be installed on May 22 and will be unveiled and dedicated during a ceremony on Memorial Day, May 29, following the ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery, Larson said.
Rondi Iverson DeMoe, her sister, Kris Iverson Tice, and other members of the Iverson family will be there on Memorial Day to unveil the memorial, Larson said.
Rondi and Kris are the daughters of Kenneth and Jo Iverson and the granddaughters of Sam K. Iverson.
Rand Bates, director of public works, said he would work with the American Legion to coordinate the location and installation of the sign.
Other business
In other business, the Colfax Village Board:
• Approved a Temporary Class “B” / “Class B” retailer’s license for the Colfax Softball Association from May 1 to November 1, 2023.
• Confirmed the spring election for the term April 18, 2023, to April 14, 2025, for Village President Jeff Prince, and Village Trustees Margaret Burcham and Jen Rud as well as the vacant trustee position, and confirmed the term from April 19, 2022, to April 16, 2024, for Village Trustees Anne Jenson, Gary Stene and Carey Davis.
• Appointed Prince, as village president, and Jenson, as trustee, as signers on the village’s bank accounts.
• Approved a two-year contract with Hydro Corp for non-residential cross connection inspections at a cost of $7,848.
• Approved changing part-time patrol officer wages from $16 to $18 per hour to $18 to $19 per hour; starting Officer Ethan Kjellberg at $18 per hour, and after 90 days on June 14 to possibly $19 per hour; starting Officer Gray at $21 per hour.
• Approved the possible closure of the clerk’s office on June 2 due to a scheduling conflict for Niggemann. Sheila Riemer, deputy clerk, will be on vacation. Niggemann said if she does have to close the office, she will post it on Facebook, will post a notice at the library and will post a notice on the village’s website. Niggemann, who has worked for the village for 10 years, said she has never been in the position before of possibly having to close the clerk’s office.