Photo by Christine Trcka

As we dug through the archives, the earliest mention of a Grand Marshal was in 1953.  According to the Montgomery Messenger, Sgt. Leslie White of Waseca, who arrived home the Saturday before the Kolacky Day celebration after spending two years in a Communist prison camp in Korea, was bestowed the honor of Grand Marshal.  Since then many great men and women have received this cherished honor! 

MACC felt there was no one more deserving than Marc & Kathy Peterson to serve as the 2024 Grand Marshals. The couple has been a part of Montgomery for over 50 years. They raised their three (3) children and were involved in their activites like the Hockey Assoication, Baseball, Swimming, Football, Golf, and Softball teams. They were involved with their dance via Center Stage Dance, the theater and arts, and Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Both were involved in the Montgomery Area Community Club, Mobilize Montgomery, St. John Lutheran Church, and Relay for Life. Kathy was involved in the Jaycee Women, Women of Today, Kolacky Days Pageant Committee, Founding member of the Montgomery Arts & Heritage Center, Friends of the Library, Masopust, Montgomery-Lonsdale PTO, Curctain Call Theater, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, City of Montgomery Rev Program, and Montgomery Park and Recreation Board. Marc was involved in the men’s softball league, Co-Founder of the Water Polo League, Montgomery EDA, Masons of Minnesota, FarmAmerica Board of Directors, Jaycees, Montgomery Foundation, FFA-Advisory Committee, Le Sueur County Fair, and Pork Producers.

Every spring since 1958, the MACC announces they are seeking nominations for the Kolacky Days Grand Marshal.  These individuals have played a significant role in the development and success of the Montgomery Area.  Congratulations to all our Grand Marshals.

  • 1953 - Sgt. Leslie White

  • 1958 - Matej David

  • 1959 - Carl Fischer

  • 1960 - Dr. Fred Westerman

  • 1961 - F.J. Turek

  • 1962 - P.X. Kennedy

  • 1963 - Emma Mladek & Lil Charles

  • 1964 - Emil & Mary Franke

  • 1965 - Queen of Snows Carla Augst & Grandfather August Augst

  • 1966 - Elmer Westerman

  • 1967 - Judge Frank M. Turek

  • 1968 - Joe G. Hruby

  • 1969 - Richard Mikiska

  • 1970 - Linus & Mary Ulbricht

  • 1971 - Jim Zelenka

  • 1972 - George & Ceil Feipel

  • 1973 - Dr. Henry Kucera

  • 1974 - Mrs. Joe (Leatta) Trnka

  • 1975 - Helen C. Keohen

  • 1976 - Ronald Novotny

  • 1977 - Frank & Ella Wisdorf

  • 1978 - Milton & Helen Bentley

  • 1979 - W.J. & Al Krenik

  • 1980 - Don & Rose Sweeney

  • 1981 - John & Margaret Ziska

  • 1982 - Ed & Eleanor Berninghaus

  • 1983 - C.J. & Helen Korbel

  • 1984 - Lloyd & Helen Richter

  • 1985 - Joe & Franny Kohout

  • 1986 - Babe Sery

  • 1987 - Jerry & Mary Ann Ruhland

  • 1988- Ed & Dorothy Herman

  • 1989 - Al & Rita Vlasak

  • 1990 - Elroy & Armella Mladek

  • 1991 - Blanche Zellmer

  • 1992 - Glen & Marge Flicek

  • 1993 - Mike & Ramona McGuire

  • 1994 - Glenn & Tatty Malone

  • 1995 - Butch & Jule Franke

  • 1996 - Emmanuel & Betty Vikla

  • 1997 - Jerome & Noreen Schleis

  • 1998 - Lorraine "Tiny" Dvorak

  • 1999 - Clarence & Dorothy Hruby

  • 2000 - Jerry & Cathy Herrmann

  • 2001 - Andy & Mary Regenscheid

  • 2002 - Larry & Karen Parsons

  • 2003 - Emma Pomije

  • 2004 - Leonard &Joan Ouradnik

  • 2005 - Jerry & Lorraine David

  • 2006 - Chuck & Berneice Kasper

  • 2007 - Ed & Mary Blumhoefer

  • 2008 - Roger & MaryAnn Heyda

  • 2009 - Ralph & Doris Hendrickson

  • 2010 - Berlyn & Garie Teig

  • 2011 - John Grimm

  • 2012 - Bill & Cheryl Marek

  • 2013 - Dave and Mary King

  • 2014 - Ruhland Family: Gary and Linda, Dale, Bob and Jan Ruhland and Ken and Mary Ruhland Tupy

  • 2015 - Steve & Bonnie Flicek

  • 2016 - Bob & Barb Rotter

  • 2017 - Bob & Lisbeth Janovsky

  • 2018 - Jake (John) & Kay Keohen

  • 2019 - Jim & Patti Mladek

  • 2020 - Buck (Arnold) & Gladys Zahratka

  • 2021 - Gerry & Dianna Smith

  • 2022 - Bob & Colleen Pavek

  • 2023 - Mick McGuire

  • 2024 - Marc & Kathy Peterson

The Montgomery Area Community Club would like to thank the Montgomery Messenger and the many relatives and friends of past Grand Marshals who provided these pictures for our photo gallery. 

If you have better picture of the Grand Marshals from the weekend, please consider emailing us at kolackydays@gmail.com or mailing it to 206 1st St. S, Montgomery, MN 56069.  The photo will be returned to you if you provided a mailing address.