Marvin Stangl

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Stangl ready to retire after devoting 34 years to SWCD
MORRISON COUNTY RECORD

Stangl ready to retire after devoting 34 years to SWCD
By Sheila McCoy Staff Writer sheila.mccoy@mcrecord.com Oct 22, 2018 0

Thirty four years. That is how long Marvin Stangl of Pierz has served on the board of the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). His official retirement date is Dec. 31.

“I have enjoyed working with the staff and serving with the other board members,” he said.

Many memories have been made through the years. One that he will never forget is the day he hired district manager Helen McLennan, who retires Oct. 31.

Stangl and another member, John Holmgren, of the Personnel Committee were responsible for hiring a district manager to help review and create employee policies because of some changes and difficulties SWCD was facing.

Stangl ready to retire after devoting 34 years to SWCD
Marvin Stangl of Pierz is ready to retire after devoting 34 years to SWCD.
By Sheila McCoy Staff Writer sheila.mccoy@mcrecord.com
But because Holmgren also served with McLennan on another board, Stangl said Holmgren sat out the interview and left the hiring decision to Stangl.

“He figured he had a conflict of interest,” Stangl said.

At first, Stangl was unsure about McLennan. Dressed for the interview, as appropriate, in a red skirt suit and matching high heels, he wondered if she was the right fit. After all, the job also required hands-on work, staking manure pits, going out into the field and getting dirty.

“You have to be careful when you interview people so I was kind of going back and forth,” he said.

“He kept beating around the bush,” McLennan said.

Eventually, she just asked Stangl if he was wondering if she was scared to get manure on her boots. She ensured him she was not.

“He said, ‘That’s where I was going.’ Right there and then I got the job,” McLennan said.

Stangl’s background is in agriculture. He grew up on a farm four miles east of Genola. Farming was his passion.

After he graduated from Little Falls Community High School in 1952, at 18, he bought his own crop and dairy farm. At first, he started out with 160 acres, but over the years, it expanded to 440 acres.

He had about 50 Holstein milking cows. He stayed with the breed as it was one he liked and was familiar with.

His family had Holstein cows when he grew up. When he was involved with FFA, he also showed Holstein at various shows, he said.

It was while farming Stangl started getting involved with SWCD.

“The type of farm I had needed some conservation. I put in some terraces, waterways and things like that. That’s how I got going with Soil and Water,” he said.

Stangl farmed for many years with his son, Louis. But when Louis died suddenly Sept. 9, 2010, he sold 160 acres with the buildings and the livestock. He manages the remaining 280 acres, he said.

Besides farming and working with and serving on the Board of SWCD, Stangl was also a district and account manager at Jacques Seed. Part of his responsibility was to set up, service and work with seed dealers.

In 1979, he received an Outstanding Supervisor Award and was inducted into the Jacques Hall of Fame.

After starting with Jacques Seed in 1962, he retired after devoting 50 years to the business.

“I really enjoyed working with the dealers,” he said.

Throughout his life, Stangl has served on various boards and committees. It is all part of giving back to the community — something he believes in wholeheartedly, he said.

In 1958, he started serving on the Board of the Morrison County American Dairy Association (ADA). He was the chapter’s first chairman.

“The first meeting was held in the Extension office in the courthouse. There were six farmers there,” he said.

Before Stangl started working with SWCD in 1984, he worked with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for many years.

Stangl is looking forward to retiring. It is time, he said.

He doesn’t have any specific plans other than the normal day-to-day activities he is already involved in.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Mardelle and the rest of his family, including six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Another favorite is to visit with his friends every morning over coffee.

He also likes to grow vegetables in his garden.

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DECEASED
Thomas “Tom” R. Wenzel, 83-year-old resident of rural Little Falls, MN passed away Friday, December 15, 2017 at his home in rural Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN with Father Tim Wenzel officiating and Father Jimmy Joseph con-celebrating. Burial will take place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:30-11 a.m. on Friday at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN. Parish prayers will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening in the Church. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Tom was born on January 4, 1934 on the family farm in Darling Township, the third of 13 children born to Anthony and Anna (Danko) Wenzel. He was baptized at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN, where he was a lifelong member. Tom attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in District #35 and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1952. Following graduation, he went to work for C.L. Nelson Construction in rural Randall. In 1953, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army, taking his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, followed by two years of active duty in France. Upon his honorable discharge, he resumed working as a heavy equipment operator for C.L. Nelson for 20 years. At that time, he proudly took over the family farm; raising hogs, beef cattle, and his famous Wenzel sweetcorn. Tom strongly believed in public service and served on many boards including the Darling Township Board, Randall Co-op Creamery Board, and was a past Post Commander of the Randall VFW Post 9073. His shining achievement was being Morrison County Commissioner from District 1, a position he held for 20 years. On November 23, 1972, Tom was united in marriage to Joy Ann Brecht at St. James Catholic Church in Randall. He was honored to become the father figure to Joy’s four children and they joined him on his family farm. Later they were blessed with two additional children. Tom could often be found driving his gator around the farm, checking on his vegetable garden, tending to his flower gardens, and mowing the lawn. Tom’s family fondly remembers his adoring love for his wife, Joy, and his devotion to immediate and extended family. Also remembered is his sense of humor, humble integrity, common sense, and infectious smile that made everyone feel special. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joy; children, Blaine (Gail) Brecht of Baxter, Cathy (Dan) Bygd of New Richmond WI, Steve (Chris) Brecht of Cold Spring, Danny (Jodi) Brecht of Plymouth, Amy (Jason) Opatz of Albany, Mary (Brian) Kalla of Albany; 13 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Tom will also be dearly missed by his siblings, Beverly LeMieur of Little Falls, Fr. Tim Wenzel of Randall, Tony (Judy) Wenzel of Randall, Kathryn (Danny) Knight of Olivia, Steve Wenzel of Little Falls, Mike Wenzel of Roseville, Jerry (Kathy) Wenzel of Randall, Anne (Ron) Bratton of Rochester; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Anna Wenzel; infant brother, Neil Wenzel; brothers, Larry Wenzel and Kenny Wenzel; sister, Virginia Wenzel; brother-in-law, Kenneth LeMieur; and sister-in-law, Jeanette Wenzel.