Mt. Morris Printing Plant Safe from Closures

In "our day," it was called Kable Printing, dating back to 1898 when twins Harvey J. and Harry G. Kable started the Kable Brothers Co. Our classmate Tina is a granddaughter of Harvey. Quad/Graphics of Sussex, WI bought World Color Press for $1.3 billion in January. The facility employs about 530 people.

"Quad/Graphics owns and operates 45 plants nationwide, including one in Mt Morris, but will be closing five of those plants early next year. Quad/Graphics is moving the work for the clients at the closing plants to other plants. The Mt. Morris plant is equipped to handle the work from the closing plants, but the company is not disclosing which plants will get the work."

Mt. Morris Printing Plant Safe from Closures

The archives for Kable Printing are at NIU.

Thad Wessels

Thad Wessels, son of classmate Salley, died on August 16, 2010, after suffering a stroke three months ago. Our deepest love, support and sympathy go out to his parents, Salley and Phil, and to Thad's wife and daughters, Michelle, Lauren and Lexie. According to Lynne, there will be a memorial service in Minnesota with family and friends, and later a memorial at Trinty Lutheran in Mt. Morris for local friends and family. If you need addresses to send condolences, please contact Lynne at lflemingwilburn@yahoo.com. More information will follow.

Update: There will be a full obituary in the Star Tribune paper and Rockford Star on 8/22, and there is a legacy page here.

Update: From the Rockford Star, August 22: "Thaddeus Olsen Wessels, 40 PRIOR LAKE, Minn. - Thaddeus Olsen Wessels, 40, died Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Regency Hospital in Golden Valley. Thad was born Jan. 12, 1970, in Rockford to Philip and Salley (Olsen) Wessels. He graduated from Mount Morris High School, Class of 1988. He received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Bradley University in 1994. He married Michelle Gensler on June 17, 1995, in Kickapoo. He was employed as a corporate industrial engineer for Cenveo in Minneapolis. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling and golfing. Thad is survived by his parents; wife, Michelle of Prior Lake; daughters, Lauren MacKenna and Lexie Marie Wessels, both of Prior Lake; and brother, Seth Wessels of Midland, Mich. He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents; paternal grandparents; and stepbrother, James Wessels. Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Morris, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29; the Rev. Steven Erickson will officiate. Memorials will be established in Mount Morris in Thad's name and to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital . Arrangements by Finch Funeral Home, Mount Morris.

From the Star Tribune, August 22: "Wessels, Thaddeus "Thad" Age 40, of Prior Lake MN, passed away on Monday, Aug. 16th at Regency Hospital of Minneapolis. He is survived by parents, Philip & Salley Wessels; brother, Seth Wessels; loving wife, Michelle (Gensler) Wessels and Daddy's girls, Lauren and Lexie Wessels. Preceded in death by one brother, Jim Wessels. He graduated from Bradley University and has worked as an engineer in the Printing industry for many years. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. He loved life, his family, and his friends who lived in states from Maryland to Oregon. Cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 10 AM Monday, Aug. 23rd at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave S. Edina, MN 55435 (952-924-4100). Visitation 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital."

Girl Scout Troop 7 receives badges and stars

This item, now almost 60 years old, appeared in the Mt. Morris Index probably in 1951 and Lynne uncovered the clipping recently.

"Fourteen members of Girl Scout Troop No. 7 and their leaders, Mrs. Lawrence Lamm, with her assistants, Mrs. Dan Fishman and Mrs. William Folgate, enjoyed an overnight hike to the Ross farm last week. A potluck supper for all the parents and families was a feature of the evening after which the girls were presented their badges and stars showing they have been girl scouts for the year. During the badge presentation ceremony, the investiture was held for Norma Corbett who has recently joined this troop. The Scout girls who participated in this overnight recreation were Sharon Rothermel, Sara Yoder, Barbara Emmert, Diane Bechtold, Darlene Holverson, Dorothy Raney, Marion Duncan, Kay Alter, Salley Olsen, Francine Kitzmiller, Lynne Fleming, Deborah Plum, Nancy Lamm and Priscilla Drummond.

Thanks for sending this Lynne--I remember Ross Farm, but don't remember this particular event. Also, I don't remember Mrs. Fishman being our assistant leader--I used to babysit for them. It's a good thing the class of 1957 was such a busy group--what would the paper have been without us?