Pierce Pepin’s 75th marked at annual meet in Ellsworth

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Pierce Pepin’s 75th marked at annual meet

By Bill Kirk

From an actor portraying a U.S. President of the 1930s to the presentation of gift certificates in a special amount, the 75th anniversary of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services was observed during the co-op’s annual meeting March 24.

Larry Dokkestul, president and CEO, announced activities related to the anniversary will be ongoing throughout this year. Topping the list is a celebration at the co-op’s headquarters, west of Ellsworth at the intersection of Hwys. 10 and 63, to be held Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dokkestul also referred meeting attendees to an historical book, “The Power to Live Better,” by Donna O’Keefe, which is available to the public along with artifacts they’re invited to bring in, in the headquarters showroom. Responding to a question later about the first loan made by the Rural Electrification Association (REA) to Pierce Pepin, he again brought up the book as a resource, with the audience told it was in the amount of approximately $300,000.

The president and CEO was just explaining to attendees about how the co-op’s history and early beginnings were to be reviewed when he was interrupted by a distinguished-looking man in a wheelchair. Jay Nesseth of the co-op portrayed former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and proceeded to help everyone follow Dokkestul’s invitation to “step back 75 years.” Nesseth worked from a script adapted by Liz Gunderson.

Read more in the print version of the Herald April 4.

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