Outstanding Senior Citizen Named at county fair

Clearwater County 2017 Outstanding Senior Citizens awards were presented on Saturday, August 5. The two named were Jim Chesley and Beatrice Ricke. This award recognizes outstanding community service given by individuals and they will join the list of previous county winners.

The county winners will receive special certificates of commendation from the Governor of Minnesota and from the Clearwater County Fair Board, and their names will be submitted to the Minnesota State Fair for the state’s selection process for Minnesota’s Outstanding Senior Citizens. These awards will be presented at the Minnesota State Fair.

Jim Chesley

Lloyd Engen read this about Chesley at the Clearwater County Fair. “Jim is a man of few words but lots of action. When it comes to volunteering his deeds speak volumes. He is a long time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Leonard. He attends and helps out at the Men’s Prayer breakfast every month. He is always willing to give someone a ride to church and the Clearbrook-Leonard Senior Center. He takes Pastor Bob fishing or sometimes just hang out together.

He is always available to play whist or pinochle at the center or sit out so everyone else can play. He always made sure the coffee pot and the hot water pot is on and that everyone has their cup filled. He is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to helping out.”

Jim has lived in the area all his life and makes his home just south of Leonard off the Leonard Road. He married his high school sweetheart Joyce Bjerke in 1970 and was a loyal husband for 45 years. Joyce developed a long term illness in her later years and Jim Faithfully cared for her in their home until 2013 when she began requiring more care than he could give. Joyce was admitted to the Garden Place in Bagley and Jim visited her most days even though she was unable to communicate. Joyce passed away July 4, 2016. Jim and Joyce had one son, Jody, one daughter, Julie and five grandchildren.

Community organizations or committees he belongs to includes: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Leona as an usher, custodian and church council members; Holst Township Board as a Supervisor; Clearwater County Historical Society board member and lawn mower; Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Famers Member and ticket seller; member of the Clearbrook-Leonard Senior Center; board member of the Clearbrook-Leonard Nutrition Board.

Beatrice Ricke

Beatrice was introduced by her son David Ricke. Bea met her husband Don on a double date. However, she happened to be with the other guy. They were married in 1948 and had three children Debra, David and Mary.

She and her husband started a company called Motek Engineering and Manufacturing in Cambridge.  Motek opened in 1967. They wanted to bring good paying manufacturing jobs to rural Minnesota. They opened a facility in Audubon and in 1992 they opened a third facility in Bagley, Team Industries. 

Beatrice has been a benefactor and volunteer for Team Foundation and Team Industries which benefits the community with heathcare and education. They sponsor charitable events with the money going to local charities and organizations.

She also volunteers with I Care Ministries 10 hours a week greeting people feeding people and providing free meals. She is a past board member of Nee Gon Nee Lutheran Church. 

Her first job before she became involved with Team Industries was as a receptionist at the Farmers Independent in Bagley.

Her husband Don passed away in 1997 and her son David took over as President and CEO of the company and continues the family goal of bringing jobs to rural locations. They include Team-Detroit Lakes, Team Industries - Park Rapids and Team – Andrews in North Carolina. 

They just celebrated their 25th year in Bagley.

Beatrice stated that of all the places that she has lived, Bagley is the best and that meant everything to she and her husband.