Joyce Griebel 1973

Joyce Griebel 1973


Parents: Bob & Electra Griebel, New Ulm

Currently: New Ulm, MN 56073
Joyce was a Runner-up for Region Dairy Princesses in 1973 and shares, “Region contest was great fun! I met so many interesting people from different places in Minnesota. I really loved promoting the dairy industry and I still do.” To current princesses Joyce advises, “Your reign is what you make of it, make it the BEST part of you!” Joyce continues her support of local dairy farmers by only purchasing REAL dairy products.

Jeri Cunningham Hanson 1972

Photos of Jeri, showing her dairy cattle at the Brown County Fair.

Jeri Cunningham Hanson 1972


Parents: Russell & Louise Cunningham, Sleepy Eye MN

Currently: Comfrey MN 56019

When asked about her favorite promotion, Jeri commented, “It’s been 38 years, I really don’t “remember” much. I can only recall a couple of events, the two coronations (regional and local) and the Hanska Parade. It was very hot the day of the South Central Dairy Days, for regional coronation. It was hosted in Lewisville with so many dairy princesses from each county in the region. There were so many more dairy farms back then.” Currently Jeri lives on a farm two miles northwest of Comfrey with her husband Jim. They raise corn, soybeans, and oats and have a Registered Hereford Cow/Calf operation. They have 2 girls Jody and Jamie, who have shown their cattle at several shows each year, locally, regionally, and nationally. These shows are considered family vacations by the Hanson family. Jim and Jeri are also busy with various organizations: church board, Redwood Area Cattleman’s Association, REA Board, Minnesota Hereford Breeder’s Association, Brown County 4-H, and they volunteer at school whenever needed. Jeri’s two sons, Adam (New Ulm) and Aaron (New Prague) are also active. To current princesses Jeri says, “Be proud of who you are and the industry you represent! Believe in yourself and what you are promoting! Know the facts! It’s very important when speaking with anyone, especially activist groups.” Currently Jeri’s family promotes the dairy industry by consuming lots of milk, cheese, butter and ice cream. Jeri states that she only buys REAL dairy products and not fake. Also in any conversation, where appropriate, Jeri feels comfortable stating, “There are no harder working, dedicated people than the dairy farmers. I truly believe that, having grown up on a diary farm and working with so many great farmers as a representative with DHIA.” Jeri also shares that to this day she uses the original cookbook which was given to the contestants at the regional contest in Lewisville and she notes that the length of the dresses during the 70’s are very similar to that on the length today!

Jeri Cunningham Hanson's home farm.

JoAnn Fischer Eischen 1972

JoAnn Fischer Eischen 1972


Parents: Herbert & Irene Fischer, Sleepy Eye, MN

Currently: Comfrey, MN 56019
JoAnn confesses that she doesn’t recall doing promotions like the current princesses do during the year, but she does remember parades with fellow princesses Donna Guggisberg and Jeri Cunningham Hanson. JoAnn has been married to her husband Kurt Eischen since 1978. They have 5 children: Leah, Matt (married to 2001 Princess Erin Schnobrich Eischen), Russ, Dan, and Laura. They farm, with the help of their sons, about 1600 acres of corn and soybeans as well as custom feeding 7200 head of hogs per year. Kurt and JoAnn also help with their son’s cow/calf herd. JoAnn is employed at the Comfrey Public School as the Food Service Director. To current princesses JoAnn says: “Enjoy and appreciate the honor, remember that the impression you make and information you share with people shows that you know how important farming is to the Minnesota economy.” As a food service director JoAnn makes sure to include dairy products in many different ways in menus that she plans and prepares. She may not live on a dairy farm anymore, but she will never forget where she grew up. JoAnn also shares that the following, “It’s great to see this Dairy Princess Program still going after 50 years!! It shows that the farm girls are still excited about promoting our rural lifestyles ad are actively involved in the dairy industry. Keep up the good work!”

Marcia Ann Seidl Ward 1970

Marcia Ann Seidl Ward 1970


Parents: Leonard & Leona Seidl, Hanska, MN

Currently: Eyota, MN
Marcia’s favorite promotions include parades, the meal at the Kaiserhoff and serving milk and ice cream. Currently, Marcia lives on a hobby farm in Eyota, MN. She has 3 children: Elizabeth, Nathan, and Matthew. All 3 children are married and she enjoys 2 grandchildren. Marcia currently works at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester in the Gastro Intestinal area as an LPN. Her husband David is retired. To current princesses, Marcia advises: “Enjoy and learn as much as you can while you’re a princess.” Marcia’s family drinks milk with every meal, enjoys cheese (all kinds), eats lots of ice cream and loves beef.

Stephanie Schmiesing Kolbe 1965

Stephanie (Schmiesing) Kolbe 1965


Parents: Virgil & Arline Schmiesing, Hanska, MN

Currently: Owatonna, MN
Stephanie has never had her head carved in butter, however, she has been asked to carve other dairy princess’s heads in butter, since she became an artist and do sculptures in wood. Stephanie’s favorite memory of her rein was most certainly the actual event of being crowned in 1965, which was very special. Then in 1966, Stephanie crowned her sister, Linda, which was fun. She also remembers being judged as they were eating a fancy meal. They were judged on etiquette, conversation, etc. Stephanie also recalls a small, round potato flying off someone’s plate and across the room. It was a humorous tension breaker. Stephanie also recalls driving to lots of farms back then as dairy princess, and actually served milk in new barns that were being shown in open houses. They served milk at banks, at the fair and were in many parades. Currently Stephanie lives in Owatonna, MN, with her husband of 42 years, Doug Kolbe. Doug was actually there when Stephanie was crowned, as they were dating back in 1965. Their son, Justin, is a head research engineer with Bergquist and his wife, Amy, is in residency at the Mayo Clinic. They have two sons, Ryder & Rowan. Their daughter, Erin Krause, is an RN, and her husband, Mike, is a manager for Thompson Reuters. They have a son, Seth, and two daughters, Sadie & Sommer. Stephanie graduated from college with a BS in English and psychology, and taught high school English for three years, before becoming a full-time artist. Working as an artist gave her the opportunity to stay home with her children when they were young, and to paint and sculpt all day once they were in school. Stephanie was juried into the Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Art Show in 1987 and was the Featured Sculptor there in 1994, also earning Best of Show, People’s Choice Award, and Best Display awards there in other years. She has been the Featured Artist at the Owatonna Festival of the Arts, won Best of Show/Grand Champion at the Upper Midwest Woodcarver’s Exposition, and awards at the International Decoy Competition, and sold pieces around the world. For the last 31 years, Stephanie has been superintendent of the Steel County Fair Wood Carver’s Building. Last year she finally got her family heritage book completed and published. Stephanie and her husband are active in a dance group, love to travel and hike mountain trails, and to be with family and friends.  To current princesses, Stephanie advises: “Be self-confident, follow your dreams, enjoy the journey of life...and eat healthy dairy foods!” The main way Stephanie’s family promotes the dairy industry now is by enjoying dairy products and by encouraging our grand children to eat healthy dairy products and foods, as milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and, of course, ICE CREAM!

Judy Guldan Anderson 1968

Judy Guldan, featured in the Sleepy Hearald Dispatch. 1968

Also featured in that issue was Judy's family.

Judy Guldan Anderson 1968


Parents: Dennis & Delores Guldan, Sleepy Eye, MN

Currnetly: Ames IA

Judy was fortunate to be named the first Regional Attendant from Brown County. Judy enjoyed serving milk at the booth at the Brown County Fair the most, but also enjoyed and was very proud to represent what the dairy farmers (including her father) did for consumers. Judy currently resides in Ames, IA. She has 5 children and 6 grandchildren with one more on the way June 1st (Dairy Month!). Judy is in charge of the kitchen at St. Cecilia School in Ames, IA. She was lived on the east and west coats, but came back to the Midwest, where her roots are, and “life is good”. To current princesses, Judy advises “Be yourself and stay focused on what is real and important in this world”. Judy always tells the students at her school how important it is to drink their milk each day ad eat dairy products to promote strong bone growth.

LaVonne Turbes Vix 1968

LaVonne (Turbes) Vix 1968

Currently:  Sartell, MN
LaVonne reflects that she has no single favorite promotion and memory “As I said before it was all fun and full of good memories especially the fair”. LaVonne is a wife to Rodger Vix, an awesome husband and has seven children; four girls and three boys. LaVonne and Rodger are finally empty nesters and are thinking about down sizing to a smaller home. She works at a high school as a Paraprofessional with Special Ed Students in St Cloud. She is also a Mary Kay Consultant and a Representative for Primerica. LaVonne and her family lead a busy and full life between church, family, and jobs in Sartell, MN. To current princesses LaVonne advises, “Be yourself, be your best and don't let anyone else take away these fun times that become good memories. Today more than yesterday, know your dairy industry and you will go far.” Still now, LaVonne’s family drinks milk and uses butter.

1961 Princess Carol Lambrecht

1961 Region Contest at Lewisville, MN. (L to R) Patricia Traver, Nancy Lee Stranton crowns Marian Eigen of Comfrey, 1960 Princess Kay Marilyn Christianson hands flowers, Regional Attendant Carol Lambrecht 1961.  Photo taken June 29th, 1961.

1961 Brown County Dairy Princess Carol Lambrecht

Brown County Attendant Marian Eigen, Princess Carol Lambrecht, Attendant Lois Huiras.

Carol Lambrecht Schapekahm 1961


Parents: Lee & Valeska Lambrecht, New Ulm MN

Carol was fortunate to be a Regional Attendant, representing Brown County, but ironically, Brown County Attendant Marian Eigen was honored with the title of Regional Princess. Carol didn’t have a favorite promotion, as there were few promotions, there were a couple parades, serving milk at the Citizen’s Bank in New Ulm for June Dairy Days, and Regional Dairy Days at Lewisville, MN. Currently, Carol lives in New Ulm, married for 46 years to her high school sweetheart. They have 4 children, Jodi, Jana, James, and Jason, as well as 10 grandchildren. Carol is retired and loves it, commenting “I don’t know when I had time for a job!?!” Carol shares that she worked at the AMPI Regional Office for 9 years in the Cheese/Butter Marketing Department. To current princesses Carol advises: “Drink Milk! Have fun promoting the dairy industry and Eat ice cream!” Carol still is a big milk, ice cream, butter, and cheese consumer, using only real dairy products in her recipes.

1967 Brown County Dairy Princess Carol Fischer Waibel

Carol Fischer Waibel was crowned Brown County Dairy Princess in 1962, and later named Regional Attendant.

Article published in local newpaper regarding Carol Fischer's coronation.

Carol Fischer Waibel 1967

Parents: Herbert & Irene Fischer, Sleepy Eye, MN

Currently: Searles MN 56073-5170

Carol also enjoyed riding in parades the most. Carol is married to her husband Jerry Waibel. She has 6 children, one of which married a dairy farmer (up until 2007, now farms crops and beef). Three of Carol’s daughters live in Colorado, each working as social worker, a geologist and a CPA. Another daughter works at Emma Krumbees and she has a son in electrical school. Carol works as a teller at Frandsen Bank and Trust in New Ulm. To current dairy princesses: “It’s an honor to represent your heritage and occupation as dairy farmers” Carol continues to promote dairy through using real butter and lots of dairy products. Carol’s brother is still a dairy farmer on her family’s home farm. At Carol’s very first parade, in Hanska, the convertible never showed up. Luckily another driver came back for the princesses and made a second trip through the parade route. At their meal prior to judging, Carol remembers having peaches with cottage cheese. The lucky girl next to her said she hated cottage cheese, as one of the judges was sitting across the table…not a smart move!

1962: Connie Besemer & 1964: Shirley Marti

News paper clipping from New Ulm Journal featuring the newly crowned Connie Besemer, Dairy Princess 1962, from New Ulm.

Connie Besemer Ibberson 1962

Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Besmer, New Ulm MN

Currently: Sleepy Eye, MN

Connie’s favorite dairy promotion was during the state fair promoting ice cream. Even today she loves it! Connie left New Ulm shortly after being princess; moved to Nebraska, Minneapolis, California, back to Minneapolis, and then back to New Ulm, now residing in Sleepy Eye. Connie is retired and a volunteer for Seniors of Brown County. To current princesses: “Enjoy yourselves, but remember you are a spokesperson and represent the great dairy industry” Currently Connie continues to promote the dairy industry by eating lots of ice cream, advising others to drink milk rather than gallons of soft drinks. Connie has 2 daughters in Pennsylvania and Texas with 2 granddaughters as well as 3 step-children in Michigan, North Carolina, and South Dakota.

Shirley Marti Cuykendall 1964

Parents: Oliver & Verla Marti, Sleepy Eye, MN

Currently:  Freeville, NY
Shirley shares that her favorite promotion was riding in parades. She and her husband Charles live in Central New York. They have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. She is retired but keeps very busy with volunteer work for her church. After receiving her B.S. degree in Home Economics Extension from the University of Minnesota, she worked in interior design for a few years, then was a full time mom and went back to work in the school system working in cafeterias. She was Director of Food Service for Lansing Central School for 13.5 years running 3 cafeterias. Shirley promoted the dairy industry through her profession, she would use the dairy industry’s promotional materials sent to her schools and put the posters up. She even used an inflatable cow, hanging from the ceiling.

More snap shots from 1966

Brown County Dairyman Mike Zeig, Sleepy Eye, seen pictured here, second from the right, won first place with his 2 year old dairy champion cow.  Also present was Grant Friton of Sleepy Eye (end, right) who won numerous awards!

1966 Brown County Dairy Princess Linda Schmiesing, of Hanska, is pitcured here toasting with a tall galss of milk with Leonard Scholtz of Springfield, the county chairman.

Local dairyman Mike Zeig was also awarded the showmanship trophy for his efforts in the show ring.

Area vetrinarian Dr. Richard Schmitz, formerly from Springfield, is shown above, as a eagar 4-Her, awarded the top calf at the county fair. 

At this event, Dairy Princess Linda Schmiesing was quoted, " I have had plenty of opportunities to promote dairy products and I encourage girls to try for the dairy princess crown.  Maybe someday Brown County will have a Princess Kay of the Milky Way"....little did she know, we would almost 40 years later!

1960, it all began!

The first Brown County Dairy Princess Judy Kettner is seated front row, center. To the right of her is Ralph Stadick, the first princess coordinator in the county.  Local dairy farmer Floyd Marti (age 16) is in the back row, third from the right.

In 1960 Brown County honored it's very first dairy princess, starting what has become a 50 year tradition, giving tribute to daughters of area dairy farmers that were interested in promoting the products, the animals, the farmers and the lifestyle.  The young woman crowned in 1960 was Judy Kettner of Springfield.  Her role was to ride in area parades and present awards at the regional dairy banquet.  Judy was also a canidate for region dairy princess, being awarded the honor of South Central Dairy Day attendant.  Though Judy's role was limited as princess, she was a spokeperson for the dairy industry, laying the foundation for the dairy princesses to come.  We have learned that early princesses were mostly used for formal public appearances, but as years passeed the role of the county dairy princess expanded to include other education roles for comsumers of all ages. 

The above photo is from a New Ulm Journal article, Novemeber of 1960.  These are the award winners from the county Dairy Incentive Committee.  4-Her's were honored for total pounds of butterfat that each cow milked that were included in their dairy project.  Today awards go to 4-Her's based on total milk pounds produced, as well as butterfat, protein and milk quality (Somatic Cell Count). 

Welcome to Cows n' Crowns!!!

Welcome to Cows n" Crowns...a celebration of the 50 great years that we have been honored to have a wonderful Dairy Princess Program in Brown County.  I hope to use this blog to highlight the great people that have worked in our county and showcase some of the great pictures and articles that they have shared with me.  It's truly been an honor to serve as a princess and now as the princess coordinator for this county.  The passion for the dairy industry is very deep in this county...the people know and love their cows and the product that they produce.  I hope that you will find this to be an interesting blog about the progress of the dairy industry in the past 50 years and a celebration of the people that made it so great!  So here's Brown County's Princess Program by the numbers (to start us out).....

Brown County has:

• 104 Princesses in the past 50 years
• 8 Regional Dairy Princess Attendants
• 12 Butterheads and one more on the way this August, at the Minnesota State Fair
• 11 Regional Princesses or Finalists for Princess Kay
• 2 Runners-Up to Princess Kay of the Milky Way
• 1 Princess Kay of the Milky Way

It's been a busy 50 years!  More to come tomorrow...stay tuned...highlighting the very FIRST Brown County Dairy Princess from 1960!