2016 Past Masters Banquet a Success!
Our Past Masters Banquet and Widows Night successfully honored those who have served our lodge over the years.
With 80 people in attendance, dinner was followed by a reading of the Past Masters of Eveleth in its entirety. The names of the living members of the Vermilion and Virginia Lodges were also read, as these members are now part of the Eveleth Lodge. The Masonic widows were recognized and presented with flowers. They are:
Ruth (Charles 1956) Sickel
Ruth (Harlan 1959) Carlson
Mary Ann (Curtis 1972-1973) Anderson
Shirley (Philip 1976) Ford
Eileen (Richard 1981) Windfeldt
Audrey (Robert 1996) Brown, Jr.
Marian Hitner (Raymond Nevala 1999, 2003)
Several of our members were presented with awards, including pins for their years of service. Scholarships were then given to several deserving students, including Brittany Barchus, Alexis Munter, Ryan Jandrey, Angela Larson, Riley Wilson, Olivia Bontems, and Elizabeth Porkkonen. The Lodge has awarded scholarships to Eveleth students since 1992, with 76 students receiving a total of $36,600.00 to date.
Names were read of our Brothers who have ascended to the Celestial lodge since our last banquet meeting in May, 2015:
Maynard Duane Johnson was born on April 21, 1926. He lived with his uncle and follow Jason John Hendrickson who owned a local bakery in Eveleth. Duane worked in the bakery until he graduated from Eveleth High School and Eveleth Junior College in 1944. He then entered the Navy, and after his honorable discharge he attended Dunwoody Institute and the University of MN where he earned a Masters Degree in Education. At age 33 he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason at Hibbing's Mesaba Lodge #255. He transferred membership to Eveleth Lodge on January 8, 1992 after his retirement. He was an active member in Eveleth, sitting in various Lodge offices and was very helpful during pasty bakes. Duana received a Hiram Award in 2012. Duane died August 2, 2015, and was a 59 year member of our fraternity.
Roy Meyers was born May 1, 1927, and at age 29 was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Eveleth Masonic Lodge #239. Roy lived out of state for many years, and was not able to attend Lodge often, but was a faithful Brother and paid his dues promptly. Roy was awarded a 55 year pin in 2012. Roy died on August 2, 2015 at age 88 and was a 58 year member of our Lodge and fraternity.
Paul Nelson, Sr. was born May 5, 1919. After high school he attained the rank of Captain in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. On his return home, he earned his medical degree from the University of MN, with specialty training in Pediatrics. In 1950, with the help of fellow colleague Dr. Robert Dew, they formed the pediatric practice. Paul was proud of the fact that he made 15-20 house calls a day. The most he ever charged for a call was $5.00. He retried from private practice in 1974 and joined the Illinois State University as their medical director until 1992. At age 29, Paul joined the Virginia Masonic Lodge #264, being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in June 4, 1948. He joined Eveleth Masonic Lodge #239 on October 31, 2015, by merger. He was a also a member of the Shrine Mohammed temple. Paul died on January 2, 2016 at 96 years of age and was a 67 year member of our fraternity.
Edward (Buck) Hawkinson was born April 12, 1918, and graduated from Virginia Roosevelt High School in 1936. He served in the Army's Ninth Armored Division, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine River at the Remagen Bridge. He was a 44 year employee of Grande's Ace Hardware and later became part owner. At age 30, Buck joined Virginia Lodge #264, being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 21, 1948. He became a member of Eveleth Lodge #239 on October 31, 2015 by merger. Buck died on January 20, 2016 at 98 years old and was a 67 member of our fraternity.
After the ceremony, attendees were welcomed upstairs to see the beautiful, newly reupholstered chairs which encircle our meeting room. We look forward to when we can all meet again!
"When laying your cornerstone anew
see first a base that's firm and true;
then build with level, plumb, and square;
trowel with love and tender care."
-Allen F. Williams, Eveleth Past Master, 1960
