Paul Smits, Remembering
Jim, Adelle, and Paul Smits with their mother Laura. ca. 1931
"This picture shows wooden walk around to back of house."
Paul Francis (1st communion), James Vincent, and Adelle Mary Smits. ca. 1930s
"Kimberly's original Village Hall on N. Elm Street is the white building in the background."
Peter Smits with son Paul, in Model T on Elm Street, Kimberly, WI. ca. 1920s
Photos courtesy of Paul Smits.
Mr. Smits also wrote down some memories to share with us. Read his early memories of life in Kimberly.
Memories of Kimberly
Van Lith's at the 50 Year Celebration
Kimberly, WI
ca. 1960
From Hans Van Lith: "This is a picture of my brother and sisters dressed up before heading to the Kimberly's 50th celebration."
Left to Right: Hans, Janie, Harry and Gerty Van Lith
Diamond Jubilee Pose
A costumed pose for the Kimberly Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1985.
Seated: Chuck Rundquist, President
Left to Right: Becker Lenz, ? , Loren and Lori Sendik, Lea Rundquist, ? , Marie Lenz
Photo courtesy of Chuck & Lea Rundquist
Proclamation
A copy of the official Proclamation for the Kimberly Diamond Jubilee Celebration dated February 7, 1985.
Courtesy of Chuck & Lea Rundquist
Baseball 1930
1930 Kimberly Baseball Team
Front row: J. Feldhausen, W. Ladrow, L. Dopry, Arn. Pocan, Charlie Skell
Center row: Butch Thien, Ed Lynch, Geo. C. Lemmers
Back row: Nig. Verbeten, Whitey Berhrent, Dago Lamers
Photo courtesy of Carl Lemmers
Additional information gathered by local historian, Mary Lamers:
- Geo C. Lemmers center row is Carl Lemmers/Sandy Huiting's father/grandfather - George C. Lemmers ran the bowling alley in Kimberly.
- Whitey Berhrent owned "Whitey's Bar" on Main Street across/down from the bowling alley. It's an apartment building now (2013).
- Charlie Skell center row, far right, owned the bowling alley ion Kaukauna.
- Dago Lamers, back row right owned the Hardware store in Little Chute.
- Another interesting tidbit - [Mary] asked Carl the real names of Nig Verbeten, Whitey Berhrent and Dago Lamers. He didn't know - every one in town and their family called them by their nickname. The history behind this - So many Catholic families had big families and kept naming next generation after past generation. So, many times nicknames became the "real" name". [Mary] had a brother Tom, Tooty. He got his nickname because [Mary's] Uncle Tom also lived with them. Tom was 8, Tooty, a newborn when [Mary's] parents took in her mother's younger brothers and sister because both parents had died. Tom was "Tooty" until he went off to college.
1940 Champs
Kimberly, WI, ca. 1940
Top row: Ray Hamann, "Duke" Van Himbergen, Tom Busch, Paul Smits, Francis Vander Velden, "Dewey" Dufrane, Frank Van Cuyk, Carl Lemmers, Dean Barrand (manager)
Middle row: "Mouse" Mauthe, Vincent Vanden Boogaard, Joe Van Nuland, James Smits, Danell Larson, ? Frassetto, John Gaffney
Bottom row: Francis Verbeten, Clarence Van Hammond, Cletus "Fish" Gaffney, Don Verkuilen, Bob "Brother" Willis, Francis "Pete" Pieters
Photo courtesy of Carl Lemmers
Baseball
Kimberly, WI, ca. 1947
On back of photo: "First year of new remodeled baseball field south of Repap Mill which is now soccer field"
Left to Right: Dago Lamers, Butch Thien, Sonny Tornow, Baldy Eggert, Joe Gossens, Shorty Wenzel, Geo Vander Loop, Cocky Hammen
Photo courtesy of Carl Lemmers
Connie's Bar Fast Pitch Softball Team
Connie's Bar Fast Pitch Softball Team 1953
Kimberly, WI
Top row: Niel Davidson (sponsor), Morry Quick, Jack Niesz, Les Dietzen, Jack Grafmier, Geo. Reichel,
Bottom row: "Mouse" Mauthe, Mark Recker, Carl Lemmers, Bob Diener, Bill Brinkman, Bud Deleest, Larry Shebilski
Kimberly Nicknames
I recently heard that there is a tradition in Kimberly of giving people nicknames, though perhaps it was a more prevalent practice in earlier days. I've come across "Shorty" Wenzel, "Cocky" Hammen, "Baldy" Eggert, just to name a few. So I'm wondering... what are the best, most unique nicknames Kimberly residents have been given? Add yours or ones you know of in the comments by clicking on the blue "Leave a comment" link above. Beth Carpenter, Library Director
Conrad's Bar
"by Wilma (Conrad) Weyenberg"
Ruth Johnson
?
Marie Vander Zanden
Anna Van Thull
Alice (Conrad) Davidson
Ann Van Himbergen
Rose Ann Freund
Photo courtesy of Theresa Vanden Heuvel
School Girls in Costume
Girls dressed in attire from the countries they came from. November 24, 1942 Back Row, Left to Right: Dottie Browers, (tall girl?), Gail Barand, Nancy Verhagen, Nancy Hartjes, Lorie Johnson (Nancy Hartjes and Lorie Johnson are twin cousins, born on the same day.) Girls dressed in attire from the countries they came from. November 24, 1942 Back Row, Left to Right: Dottie Browers, (tall girl?), Gail Barand, Nancy Verhagen, Nancy Hartjes, Lorie Johnson (Nancy Hartjes and Lorie Johnson are twin cousins, born on the same day.) Front Row, Left to Right: Bonnie Krueger, Rose Marie Courchane, Theresa Conrad, Janet Dix Photo courtesy of Theresa Vanden Heuvel
Funeral Parlor
Postcard of Funeral Parlor, Kimberly, WI
ca. 1942?
Courtesy of Theresa Vanden Heuvel
Coenraad's Tavern
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Postcard of Coenraad's Tavern, 121 Kimberly Ave., Kimberly, WI
ca. 1942?
Lambert and Christina Coenraad behind the bar.
Right to left: Arnie Thyssen, Burt Fird, Huntington, ?, Brown, ?, John Miller Courtesy of Theresa Vanden Heuvel