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Cemetery tours take visitors back in time

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on
An interactive tour of Lake Ripley Cemetery was a new event at Litchfield Watercade this year. Above, Mayor Keith Johnson portrayed Louie Roberg, a successful Meeker County farmer and philanthropist whose legacy carries on in the educational pursuits of local scholars.

An interactive tour of Lake Ripley Cemetery was a new event at Litchfield Watercade this year. Above, Mayor Keith Johnson portrayed Louie Roberg, a successful Meeker County farmer and philanthropist whose legacy carries on in the educational pursuits of local scholars.Staff photo by Ellarry Prentice

Jim Swenson portrayed Frank Valine, a World War I aviator, during a tour of Lake Ripley Cemetery July 7.

Jim Swenson portrayed Frank Valine, a World War I aviator, during a tour of Lake Ripley Cemetery July 7.Staff photo by Ellarry Prentice

Alison Radunz, as Mary Willar, a World War II nurse, talked about the care she provided to patients in the 1940s.

Alison Radunz, as Mary Willar, a World War II nurse, talked about the care she provided to patients in the 1940s.Staff photo by Ellarry Prentice

In scenes portrayed by Arlene Howanski, Tara Bragg, and Cali Ficker, Mrs. N.E. Larson and daughters Myrtle and Nannie mourned a tragic death in the family during a visit to Lake Ripley in the early 1900s.

In scenes portrayed by Arlene Howanski, Tara Bragg, and Cali Ficker, Mrs. N.E. Larson and daughters Myrtle and Nannie mourned a tragic death in the family during a visit to Lake Ripley in the early 1900s.Staff photo by Ellarry Prentice

Clark Gustafson portrayed a W.B. Butterfield during a tour of Lake Ripley Cemetery July 7.

Clark Gustafson portrayed a W.B. Butterfield during a tour of Lake Ripley Cemetery July 7.Staff photo by Ellarry Prentice

Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Acton Township) portrayed A.C. Smith, an early attorney in Meeker County whose rare monument is made of zinc, also known as white bronze. Smith penned a historical book in 1876, through which he interviewed people involved and obtained first-person accounts of the formation of Meeker County and the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Acton Township) portrayed A.C. Smith, an early attorney in Meeker County whose rare monument is made of zinc, also known as white bronze. Smith penned a historical book in 1876, through which he interviewed people involved and obtained first-person accounts of the formation of Meeker County and the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.Staff photo by Ellarry Prentice

New to Litchfield Watercade this year, tours of Lake Ripley Cemetery Friday took visitors back in time.

The tour featured living history characters, with volunteers incorporating historical information and dress into interactive presentations, giving observers a sense of stepping back in time.

The tour was jointly sponsored by the Lake Ripley Cemetery Citizens Committee and the Heritage Preservation Commission.

Volunteers who portrayed 13 deceased Meeker County residents were: Mike Brooks, Gary Smith, Dave Pease, JoAnn Gabrielson, Clark Gustafson, Arlene Howanski, Tara Bragg, Cali Ficker, Alison Radunz, Ruby Radunz, Jim Swenson and Mayor Keith Johnson.

More living history characters can be seen Oct. 12 during Harvest Madness.

Copyright 2017 Litchfield Independent Review/Crow River Media/Media News Group.

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Cemetery tours take visitors back in time