| The Oelwein Ambassadors, formerly known as the Red Coats, began making courtesy welcome calls to new Oelwein businesses in the early 1960’s.
The Beginning
According to written notes from former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Sieleman, Gordon Brant from Brant Funeral Home organized the first group of Red Coats in 1965. Sieleman’s notes identify Glessner (Phillips Gas Station), Tom Maley (Ritchie’s Clothing), Ray Leafstedt (KOEL), Ollie Scholz (Ollie Scholz Drug), Pee Wee Crandall (Crandall Insurance), Dale Sawyer (Iowa Electric Light and Power), Jack Linder (Oelwein Bottling Works—Hamm’s Beer), Jerry Huber (Interstate Power Company), Robert O’Brien (Interstate Power Company), and Bob Sieleman (Sieleman Insurance Agency), as the first group of Red Coats.
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Sieleman served as chairperson for the group from 1968-1975 and co-chairperson from 1976-1999. Carrying on Bob’s community spirit, Sieleman’s wife, Ann, has continued to wear the red Ambassador coat for the past six years following his death.
In a personal memo written and sent to me in 2003, Ray Leafstedt recalled the group organized in 1963 or 1964 with the same list of names as mentioned above, but added Don Baumgartner (First National Bank) and Cal Lambert (Oelwein Daily Register) as Red Coats during that period.
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Ambassador Welcome
The Ambassadors serve as a welcoming post to new businesses that locate in Oelwein, businesses that have made major improvements, and businesses that have added a new manager and/or employees.
Co-chaired since 2000 by Bonnie Smith and Vera June Wumkes, Ambassadors make at least three visits per month, usually on Thursday mornings, although not always limited to Thursday. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Wumkes meet with the business owner and arrange a time for each prospective visit prior to the Ambassador’s official visit.
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There are currently thirty two Ambassadors, which appears to be a large group, but it’s not possible for all Ambassadors to be present for every visit.
Please enjoy submitted biography information from the 2005 Oelwein Chamber and Area Development Ambassadors can be found by visiting the Oelwein Public Library in the archives of the Oelwein Daily Register. Questions about serving as an Ambassador or requesting an Ambassador visit may be directed to Mrs. Smith or Mrs.Wumkes at the OCAD office.
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| Oelweinites who have served as Ambassadors from the mid 60’s through the present include Brandi Allen, Paul Bowers, Carl Cavanaugh, Harold Chase, Ken Collman, Mike Darland, Norm DeLong, Dave Derflinger, Gordon Eide, Dale Elliott, Tom Feltes, Mike Flees, Ann Garceau, Chuck Geilenfeld, Red (Duane) Hanson, Jim Hines, John Hintz, Marc Hintz, John Hofmeyer, Lee Hollar, Mayor Louis Hull, Meryl Jackson, Ed Kappmeyer, Steve Kendall, Geoff Kennedy, John Kerns, Steve Knoploh, Don Jensen, Bill Johnson, Gary Johnson, Jerry Leibold, Mayor Ben Levin, Bob Link, Russ Lohrer, Bud Lyon, Ken Magsamen, Sandy Magsaman, Clare Mahoney, Ray Mahoney, Roberta Mahoney, Jim Mazziotti, Mayor Beth McFarlane, Bob McIntosh, Ken Moore, Warren Morgan, Lou Mulder, Chris Nelson, Jens Nielsen, Betty Ohl, Les Ohl, Herb Pearson, Dick Petrik, Louis Pirillo, Ken Purvis, Bill Ramsey, Al Reedy, Wallace Rundle, Ken Schmith, Bll Scholz, Larry Schwartz, Curt Solsma, Al Stewart, Dick Stofer, Phil Suchy, Tom Thompson, Jeff Thoms, Mayor Gene Vine, Barb Wegner, Ken Winter, Kathy Ware, Stacy Ware, Gary Wissler, and Matt Vogel. Former Chamber Directors Norbert Jankowsi, Orville Christophel, Walt Manchester, Steve Bisenius, and Sue North served as Ambassador representatives. If a name has been omitted, it’s not intentional. Names of the above listed Ambassadors were taken from limited Chamber files, scrapbooks, and pictures. Special thanks to Rose, Sandy, Vera June, and Bonnie from the OCAD staff, employees at the Oelwein Library, and Ann Sieleman for their assistance in sorting through much information. Unfortunately, there was limited memorabilia from the late 1960’s through the 1970’s |
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