Text and photo from March 25, 1976, Tri-County News. The original “Meet Your Neighbor” column was by Robin Hasslen. To you Berle Carlson may just be a new neighbor about whom you are going to find out; to others she has been and continues to be many things. To her students of 47 years, she was an “Abe Lincoln” because of her birth in a log cabin [in 1909] and her striving for education. To her mother, Berle was more like Napoleon Bonaparte because she was often sick, thin, and weak. (“But look at me now,” she howls!) To many, many residents of Kimball, Berle is a “walking missionary” who spends much of her time caring for the sick, the shut-ins, the widowed, and those in need. Why? What motivates this kindhearted woman to spend her life caring and giving? One needs only to look at and listen to Berle as she vivaciously relates experiences of today and yesterday to find the answer. Up until 1972, her life revolved around her students whom she considered her adopted children, having had none of her own. Her career began in a one-room schoolhouse near Kimball and ended in Minneapolis after 47 years. As I was visiting with Berle, one of her former first-graders, Alice Dammann (now a dairy farmer’s wife and mother of four) appeared. (Indeed the teacher’s ties were bound in loving care.) But, in 1972, Berle was in a terrible accident and broke her back. After 6 weeks in the hospital, Berle was released and within 24 hours had fallen and broken her wrist and again injured her back. She had a brace for her back from September 1972 until June 1973 – but nothing to hold her life together. Despite the constant care and devotion by her husband, Iffie, Berle still shakes her head as she remembers the terrible period of depression and despair which she endured. Then one day her cousin started a prayer group at Berle’s house … and the brace that had held her back together was replaced by the strength which she received from Christ. Having regained strength, Berle was determined to make her life once again meaningful. She now busies herself as Sunday School superintendent at the Methodist Church, where she is also president of the United Methodist Women. She teaches a group of mentally retarded adults on Thursdays, acts as the reporter for the “Kimball Nutrition Center,” and spends time daily reading the Bible, writing, working with her plants, and generally sharing with and caring for others. Berle’s hope for Kimball is that it may become a God-centered community in which love abounds. One of her mottos is “You’ll always reap what you sow” … and from what I know of Berle, her harvest will be bountiful! [Berle Carlson died in 1990.] Improving community life with heritage preservation As a Kimball legend, Berle Carlson’s school memories have been contributed to the Kimball Area Historical Society and are on display at the annual history exhibit during Kimball Days, with hundreds of other items including our growing pictorial collection, a Civil War display, Kimball School, model railroad, and much more. This year, we invite you to enter our “Old or Unique Hat” contest. Bring yours to City Hall Thursday, Aug. 12, with your name on it, men’s or women’s. You can also call for pick-up service; you’ll get them back as soon as the contest is over Sunday. Anything else you would share that weekend, we thank you in advance for checking those attics and closets. Everything will be returned, unless you prefer to donate items. Welcome to Kimball’s history in a nutshell. Reconnect with each other as well as your heritage; come to historic City Hall for our annual history celebration including an old-fashioned supper in the park to begin your 2004 Kimball Days experience. Supper in the Park will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, in the Willow Creek Park shelter. Cost of the meal is $5.50 for adults, $3.50 for children 6-12, and children under 6 are free. The meal includes hot roast beef on homemade buns, potato salad, beans, bars and a beverage. Society members, if you are willing to assist greeting visitors to the exhibit, pick up the phone and call (320) 398-5743 or (320) 398-5250, or toll-free at (800) 252-2521. For more information about the Kimball Area Historical Society, please write to P.O. Box 100, Kimball, MN 55353, or call using the above telephone numbers. Unless history lives in the present, it has no future.
