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Quilts presented to longtime American Legion members

As the Memorial Day service in Donnybrook unfolded, a couple of American Legion members were honored for their service and support.

6/05/18 (Tue)

Pearl Kling, Kenmare, displays a quilt that was presented to her during the annual Donnybrook Memorial Day service. For many years Kling has supported the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. At 94, she remains deeply involved in patriotic events happening in the area.

By Marvin Baker

As the Memorial Day service in Donnybrook unfolded, a couple of American Legion members were honored for their service and support.

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 195 in Donnybrook, presented a special gift to a unit member and one to a Charles McCormack Post 195 member for their decades of support to the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Quilts made by Ilene Hoff of Kenmare were given to Pearl Kling of Kenmare, a woman who has served the auxiliary for more than 50 years and continues to be active in the auxiliary and other patriotic events going on in the community.

Ole Skinningsrud, a member of Post 195 was also presented a quilt of his own for being the oldest member of Post 195 with more than 50 years in the organization.

“Pearl received her quilt for being the oldest member of the auxiliary,” Marilyn Bott, president of unit 195 said. “Ole received his for being the oldest member of the post.”

Ilene Hoff of Kenmare sewed the two quilts and donated them to Unit 195 to be used as it saw fit.

Hoff was reluctant to express an opinion about her donation but said there is a reason for her work.

“I give quilts to the veterans for what they have done for us,” Hoff said. “My husband was in the service. It’s not much, but it’s a little appreciation.”

The Skinningsrud quilt has white stripes across the front over the top of patterns of the U.S. flag. The underside is black and the front has black undertones to match.

The Kling quilt is a series of squares that are red, white and blue, with some showing a fireworks barrage while others have the words; Old Glory, USA, One Nation Under God and United We Stand.

Kling’s quilt has a white strip around the perimeter of the front and also has a black underside.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” Bott said. “She gave them to Emily (Seime) to bring to the service.”

According to Bott, Hoff stitched a quilt last year and presented it to the unit. That quilt was given to Marlin Kirkely for being the oldest member.

Bott said the unit would like to continue the tradition, but that will entirely depend on Hoff’s motivation to continue making donations.

Hoff didn’t specify whether she will keep making quilts for service members.

“This was quite a surprise and they are beautiful quilts,” Bott said. “And they were both very excited.”

In addition, Post 195 presented a certificate to Rodger Hanson recognizing him as having been a continuous Post 195 member for the past 50 years.

The three presentations added flair to an already popular Memorial Day event in which some people have said it wouldn’t be Donnybrook without the Memorial Day program... Read EVERY WORD on EVERY PAGE of The Kenmare News by subscribing--online or in print!