Millersburg Homecoming grand marshals celebrate 46 years of marriage Saturday
Ivan and Eenie Auger will be honored during this weekend?s Millersburg Homecoming as the community?s grand marshals in Saturday?s parade for their many years of dedication and service.
It only seems fitting, since the two Walker Highway residents have been part of the community all of their lives. They were both born and raised in the area, were married in the United Methodist Church of Millersburg, raised a family in Millersburg, ran a business, and have continued to stay active in the community.
The timing of the honor could not have been better, as the Augers will celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary Saturday. The grand parade begins at noon.
The honor of grand marshal goes to a citizen(s) who best represents what is good about a community.
The Augers are very deserving. They were involved in the establishment of the yet-to-be-named park next to the post office, and part of a group that helped raised money to purchase the clock.
IVAN HAS taken upon himself to cut the grass in the park. He also acts as caretaker for the cemetery west of town, cutting the grass and trimming the grass around tombstones. Ivan also helps to take care of the grounds of the Millersburg Fire Hall.
Eenie was active in the United Methodist Church for many years, until a number of health issues slowed her. She headed up the funeral and benefit dinners and was the financial secretary. She is a member of the United Methodist Women and continues to take part in a coffee group that visits different restaurants in the area each week.
The Augers also were business owners for a short time in 1970s. They owned and operated the successful restaurant ?The Welcome Inn.? The restaurant was located in what is now a part of the new Millersburg Fire Hall. It was open from 1975 to 1978, when Eenie first started having heart problems.
Ivan worked as a contract lineman and could not help keep the popular eatery open. He was employed by a Reed City contractor, which constructed tall tower lines that carry up to 345,000 volts of electricity. He continued in the field for 43 years, before retiring in 1999.
While Ivan worked outside of the area, Eenie raised their two boys, Tom of Millersburg and Scott of Janesville, Wisconsin. Wednesday, Scott and his family were traveling across the upper peninsula, on their way to Millersburg for this weekend?s festivities.
When Eenie was not chasing around her boys, she worked for 15 years as a cashier for businesses such as Tom?s IGA and Carter?s Food Center/Country Star Market.
IVAN IS the son of Dick and Flora Auger of North Allis Township. Eenie is the daughter of Joe and Irene Freel of Millersburg. Eenie was born in the family home a short distance from where Ivan and Eenie now live, near the intersection of Walker Highway and Corriveau Road. She pointed out her dining room window to the roof of a house on the other side of a corn field, across the road from the fire hall.
Eenie?s real name is Maureen. That is what is on her driver?s license and marriage certificate, but her siblings shortened the name to ?Een.? Her Dad did not like the name, so he added the ?ie,? giving life to a lifelong nickname.
When the Augers married in 1960, they purchased a home across the road from Eenie?s parents. Irene Freel lived in the Walker Highway/Corriveau home until she was 93. A fire gutted the home a few years ago. The Augers moved in after repairs were made, and have been there for three years.
The Augers own about 40 acres of land in the immediate area, and 80 acres in Ocqueoc Township.
?I THINK it is a nice honor,? said Ivan of being named grand marshal. ?I think it is a privilege.? Eenie said, ?I would not live anywhere else.?
There is still work that needs to be done in the new park. Engraved bricks s
The couple will enjoy their moment under the spotlight. The somewhat outspoken Eenie said she is ready for the ride down Main Street, but will not be getting up on stage for any speeches.
Speech or no speech, the Augers are citizens who have made Millersburg a better community. Often unnoticed, and unrecognized, which is usually the way people like the Augers like it, the honor of grand marshals is one way to bring recognition to deserving citizens.
The Augers definitely fit in that category.