Brigitte Kruse

For many years John owned and operated a purebred holstein dairy farm in Comstock. Along with farming, John graduated from Reisch American School of Auctioneering in 1949 and was a well-known auctioneer in northern Wisconsin, until his retirement in 2006.

Jim was an antique dealer and auctioneer in northeast Wisconsin for many years and was the owner of Bargain Nook Liquidations in New Holstein. He was a member of the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association.

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.

In 1958 Jim entered the auction business and later earned his real estate broker license. He was actively involved in real estate development in the Chippewa Valley.

Emma Bailey was an American auctioneer and author, credited with being the first American woman auctioneer. She held her first auction in Brattleboro, Vermont, on May 12, 1950, as a way to supplement her family’s income. In 1952 she became the first woman admitted to the National Auctioneers Association. She continued auctioneering for nearly 20 years and wrote a book about her experiences, entitled Sold to the Lady in the Green Hat (1962), before retiring in the late 1960s.

Harold was a partner with his brothers, Jim and Jack, in Gavin Brothers, Inc., and later with his nephew, Robert Gavin. His passion in life was being an auctioneer.