Alfred and Leona Rasche chosen Hawks Spring Fling parade marshals

Two delightful octogenarians, Alfred and Leona Rasche of Hawks, will lead the Spring Fling grand parade Sunday, May 25 at 1 p.m. Almost 87 years ago, June 12, Alfred Rasche was born in Toledo, Ohio to Emil and Bertha Rasche, who also gave him two brothers and a sister to grow up with. Six months earlier, January 12, also 87 years ago, Leona Fleming was born in Metz to Herman and Emma Fleming.

WHO WOULD ever think that 30 years later, the two would meet at what is now the Night Hawk Inn, and what Alfred dubbed the neighborhood ?beergarden,? fall in love and marry, raise a son, Alvin, and in their twilight years of retirement become the parade marshals of the Hawks Spring Fling celebration? That?s exactly how it unfolded. When Alfred was about six years old, his family moved to Hawks. ?My dad wanted to become a farmer, but he was a glass engraver from Germany, so he did his farming on the side and worked in the big city,? Alfred said, remembering his childhood.

Alfred was in the combat engineering section of the Army during World War II. It was about one year after he got out that he met Leona and they married in 1946. The Rasches now have three grandchildren.

ALFRED WORKED mostly as a mason and did building construction work, and like most northern Michigan men, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and bowled during his heyday. Leona worked a few years at Diesel General Motors in Plymouth. Both she and Alfred are members of Faith Lutheran Church in Hawks. Both are members of the VFW, and Leona belongs to the auxiliary. Both participate with the Golden Agers, and both like to spend time gardening.

The Rasches lived at Barnhart Lake for 20 years before moving to their present location in the middle of Hawks, just up the street from where they met 57 years ago. So what sticks out in their minds? Square dancing. Both Alfred and Leona, who were avid squa

re dancers in their younger years, even participating in square dancing conventions. They spent their winters in Texas for about 20 years, and square danced the time away. ?It was a lot of fun,? they both agreed. ?We also danced in Millersburg and Rogers City.?

As to being chosen grand parade marshals? ?WELL, IT?S an honor,? Alfred said, and Leona added, ?It?s just wonderful!? Alfred was adamant he would not buy a new outfit for the occasion, but Leona was torn between choosing to wear slacks or a dress. ?They aren?t going to see what you have on anyway,? Alfred quipped, and Leona laughed and agreed with him.

?I heard they might drive us in a limousine…but I also heard it was gonna be an old Ford,? Alfred said with a smile. ?It?ll probably be an old Ford!? Whether from a Limo or an old Ford, the Rasches may be seen waving to the crowds Sunday, May 25 at 1 p.m. — and they just may be wearing their favorite square dancing hats.