SPY’s Community Newsletter #203
(7/10/22)
Sunfield Farmers Picnic 2022 Grand Marshals Named
Kathleen and Marvin Hengesbach have been selected as the 2022 Grand Marshalls for the Sunfield Farmers Picnic. Kathleen was born in the Sunfield area and has lived most of her life here. Marvin joined the Sunfield community after they married in 1970. They have spent over 50 plus years involved and volunteering in Sunfield. They have given both of their time and energy to the community.
Like many other couples their age, they both worked and started a family. About the time their third daughter was born, Kathleen was working at Diamond Reo and Marvin was working for a company that did design work for them when Diamond Reo went into bankruptcy. They soon found themselves both on the unemployment line. That was not for them. They decided it was time for a change. Kathleen would work and Marvin would go to college to learn a trade. He enrolled at Michigan State University and eventually earned a degree in electronics and later earned his master’s license as an electrician. He came home after his graduation and told Kathleen now it was her turn.
Kathleen returned to school and after graduating from Michigan State University she then went on to Cooley Law School. After law school, she opened a law practice on Main Street in the 80s where she helped many people with legal services. When her office closed, she continued to provide legal services to many in need in the Sunfield Community. Often her pay was cookies or fresh vegetables.
For many years Kathleen worked with the Sunfield Daughters of the Union Veterans volunteering her time in many different positions, encouraging her children to be involved, and volunteering at the Dart Booth at the Sunfield Farmer’s Picnic, providing baked goods and other donations. While Marvin was not an official Daughter, he was often at the G. A. R. Hall helping with maintenance, and he would help set up and take down the Dart Booth at the Farmer’s picnic for the Daughters.
Kathleen loves the Farmer’s Picnic and has great memories of attending the Picnic as a child. She has served two separate terms on the Sunfield Farmers Picnic Board. Once in the late 1980s and then in the early 2000s. Not only did she help all aspects of the Sunfield Farmers Picnic, but she also supported the picnic by renting space for her own booth.
Marvin also volunteered with various organizations at the Sunfield Farmers Picnic. He helped with the electrical wiring for both the Methodist Mint and the LIONS Booth. He especially loved helping with crowd control and stopping traffic during the Picnic parade.
Kathleen, in addition to her legal practice, taught evenings at Lansing Community College in the paralegal program. She loved teaching from when she would serve as a substitute teacher at Lakewood High School while attending law school. Both Kathleen and Marvin volunteered as chaperones on field trips and room parties. Kathleen was often a room mom. They both sat on the Band Boosters board for the high school band and worked to pass several of the school mileages until Sunfield Elementary closed.
Kathleen and Marvin both enjoy helping in their community. Kathleen remembers assisting the people wanting to start the library in Lake Odessa. Currently, Kathleen is the President of the Sunfield Library Board and is a member of the Friends of the Library in Sunfield. In addition to the library in Sunfield, Kathleen has also assisted when needed at the Sunfield Historical Museum. Kathleen also sits on the Board of Directors for the Centennial Acres Golf Course where she had donated much of her time and services.
Marvin is also quick to offer his assistance with electrical issues. Neighbors know that he will do what he can if needed. He also has spent many hours doing volunteer electrical work at their church and other local organizations.
Both Kathleen and Marvin are proud to be members of the SPY’s organization. While never sitting on the board, over the last couple of decades they have volunteered and donated to the SPY’s. They also encouraged their three daughters to be members even though they no longer live in the community. Kathleen and Marvin have raised their three daughters to understand the importance of giving back and giving to the community that they live in, and each is now involved in their own volunteer activities because of the teachings of their parents.
Kathleen and Marvin are mostly retired now. They have become avid golfers and love spending time with their three daughters. Their daughters are Kristina (Patrick) Reynolds of Portland, MI, Heather (Ryan) of Brentwood, TN, and Nancy (Denis) Kissane of Winston-Salem, NC. They also have four grandchildren: Claire, Cortland, Chase Reynolds, and Henry Dean. As two of their daughters now live out of state, traveling has also become a part of their retirement.
Please come to the Floyd Van Buren Park for a reception in their honor on Friday, August 19, 2021 at 7p.m.
Reminder
Don’t forget to round up any glassware, (especially logoed glasses), or new or “gently used” stuffed animals that we can use in the Dime Pitch Booth at the Farmer’s Picnic in August. If you have anything to donate please contact our new project chairpeople, Zeke & Samantha Cappon at 517-331-3360.
Parting Comments
• Deep Thought of the Week: The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
• Notable Quote: "While a good leader sustains momentum, a great leader increase it.”---John C. Maxwell
• That’s Puny Department: Today’s helpful hint: When baking dog biscuits, be sure to use collie flour.
• Did You Know Section: In 1628 Sweden’s King Gustav II ordered his Royal Navy to build him a warship that would strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. Called the “Vasa”, it was a 111-foot-long ship with one gun deck. But when Gustav found out that Denmark was building a ship with two gun decks, he had to have one too. That, however, would require a 135-foot-long ship. There was no time to start over, so workers simply expanded the upper decks. Then the king decided he wanted more guns; the first version was designed to carry 32 cannons; by the end he had doubled that amount. Gustav wasn’t done yet: He ordered his men to cover the ship with ornate oak carvings of biblical scenes. The “Vasa” required a 450 man crew.
On August 10, 1628, a huge crowd cheered as the “Vasa” left Stockholm Harbor on its maiden voyage. A few minutes later, a gust of wind capsized the top-heavy warship. It sank to the bottom of the harbor.
Notices
1. If there is any organization or business out there that has something they would like to advertise or promote, please feel free to submit it to this Newsletter and we will help publicize it. There is no charge. We are glad to provide this means as a public service to help keep the community informed.
2. If you are looking for further information about the SPY’s events---Corporate or Platinum Sponsorship information---scholarship forms---youth sports reimbursement forms---past
SPY newsletters---etc.---just go to the SPY website at www.sunfieldareaspys.com.
3. NOTE: If you know of anyone who would like to receive these SPY’s Newsletters, just send me an email at john.sandrafisher@gmail.com with their email address and we will add them to the distribution list.
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