Gatzke was the place to be last Saturday

People gathered at Bruce and Diane Lunsetter’s home last Saturday, July 22nd, to attend the Gatzke All-School Reunion. There were nearly 500 people in attendance that day including former students, parents and teachers! 

The day’s festivities included food provided by various vendors, musical entertainment by Lois & Lois, Donovan Ruud, and The Back Behind the Barn Boys, and an opportunity for all to take a trip down memory lane.

On display were many pictures from all the years the Gatzke School was in operation. A program was given by Bruce Lunsetter explaining the history of Gatzke and its school. During the program former teachers and students also shared their memories and experiences with the old school.   

On Sunday, a church service was held at United Lutheran with a special performance by Lois & Lois. After the services, everyone was invited over to the Lunsetter’s again for a Sunday brunch.

History of the Gatzke School

The first homesteaders arrived in the Gatzke area in the late 1890’s. High on their priority list was establishing churches and schools. In order to form a school district, you had to have approval of the County Board of Commissioners and County Superintendent of Schools. One of the first schools to form in the area was Clover Lawn District 80, which was organized in March of 1899. At the time, the townships were responsible for the forming of districts. Due to travel conditions, each township could have several schools. As transportation conditions improved and the population changed, the need for so many schools decreased.

In the 1940’s the Minnesota Legislature passed a law allowing consolidation of schools. The Gatzke School District was formed in April 1949 by the consolidation of 15 school districts located in parts of 8 townships. At the time, 6 school buildings were moved into town; 4 of those buildings were used for classrooms, 1 was used as housing for the teachers, and the other was used for storage.  

In January of 1955, a vote was taken and passed by a margin of 63-7 to construct a building at an estimated cost of $40,000. $25,000 of this cost was secured through bonds, and the rest was paid from the school district savings. This building included a gym, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. In 1962 an addition was added at a cost of $48,520 which consisted of 3 classrooms, an office, and a stage. 

In July of 1964, voters in the Gatzke, Grygla and Skime school districts voted in favor of Consolidation. This consolidation became effective on July 31, 1964. The Grygla School District continued holding class at Gatzke until 1987. The Gatzke school building was later owned by Tom Morrissey, where he operated a small machining business. Currently, the building is owned by the Lowell Larson family. 

While at the reunion Saturday, I had the opportunity to visit with some former students on their favorite parts about going to school in Gatzke. Mary Engevik told me one of her fondest memories was playing outside at noon. “The teachers always wore dresses but they would keep extra skirts in the classroom.” Mary explained, “The boys would have to wear the teachers’ skirts if they got muddy or wet at noon while their clothes dried!” Brothers Quentin, Jerry, and Randy Johnson told me they were known as “the three little boys” back in school because they were always together. They say one of their favorite things about going to school in Gatzke was winning the 4G Basketball Conference (a basketball tournament held between Goodridge, Gatzke, Grygla and Gully schools). 

It was a lovely afternoon at the Lunsetters. It was a day filled with laughs and fond memories for all.