Emma Bailey

Since 1980, Donald and Linda owned and operated La Fortune Auction & Realty. Donald was very active in his community and involved in many organizations including Oconto Kiwanis Club, Oconto Copperfest Committee, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Committee, National and Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association, Volunteer of Pensaukee Fire Department, and was a main contributor in restarting the satellite site for the CP telethon in Oconto.

After graduation, he attended Reisch Auction School in Mason City, Iowa. He started working as an auctioneer for Thorp Finance and soon started his own business, Lulich Auction & Realty, in 1979. David donated his skills as an auctioneer to many community organizations, including being a 4-H market sale auctioneer for Douglas, Iron and Gogebic counties. He has been the sole auctioneer for the Bayfield County 4-H market animal sale for the last 49 years.

After working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in South Dakota, he opened an Auction House in Huron, which he and his wife owned until moving to the Stateline area in the 1960’s. Bill and Carol operated Miedema Auction in South Beloit, IL until 1980. He then continued auctioneering for many years with Beloit Auction Service, a family business. Bill was awarded the coveted Golden Gavel by the State of Wisconsin Auctioneers Association for his 50 years as an auctioneer.

Being around the livestock industry and farm auctions, Chuck developed a dream to become an auctioneer, which he realized in 1995. He had rapid success in the Pearson Auction Co. and was associated with Terry Wilke. He graduated from the Missouri Auction School in 1995. He was a member of the National Auctioneers Association, Illinois and Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, District Four chairman of the Illinois State Auctioneers Association.