1996 Meritorious Service Mina wrote a bowling column in the 1950s for the Post-Bulletin, and placed consistently in many national and local tournaments. She was on the advisory staff of the Brunswick Corporation along with her husband, Eldy, was proprietor of Recreation Lanes. Her high game was a 290 and high series a 684. Johnson also served terms on the RWBA and MWBA Mina Johnson board of directors and was a charter member of the Minnesota Women’s Bowling Association for 42 years.
1998 Inductees
1998 Superior Performance Rob has held an average of 200+ for the last several years. His highest average of 241 was achieved at Stewartville Bowl . Downer has rolled 19 “300” games, Eleven “299” games, 21 “800” series, and has the “11 Strikes in a Row” awards. Downer has participated in 25 National tournaments twice in the top 10’s. Other tournament accomplishments include 5 Central Bowling Assoc. titles – inducted CBA Hall of Fame in 2008 Rob Downer
1998 Meritorious Service League secretary for several leagues for 10 plus years. Youth coach at Colonial Lanes 25 years – 1972-1998 1986-87 Coach of the Year 1988 received Elmer Johnson Coach Award. President 1984-85 Rochester Men's Bowling Association 1985 National Convention Rep. Roch. Men's Bowling Assoc. Board Member approx. 20 years Tri-founder with Sonny Feind and John Nock of Rochester Men’s Hall of Fame Scott Jacobson H. S. Bowling SE MN Coordinator, 9 yrs
1998 Superior Performance John began bowling at Kasson Lanes as a Junior bowler. Since that time he has rolled 8 “300” games, “299” games, and a number of “800 series” and has had “11 Strikes in a Row”. Meitzner has rolled his 300 games at Byron Lanes, Colonial, and various tournaments. John Meitzner
1999 Superior Performance Rick Hasley has been one of the premier bowlers in the Rochester area for many seasons, and came up through the ranks in the junior bowling program. Hasley helped organize and run the old Rochester Post- Bulletin tournament, and was a three-time winner of the tournament. His career high average was 217, which was back in the days when a 200 average was outstanding. In fact, this was the highest average in Rochester until just a few seasons ago. Hasley has more than 140 sanctioned 700 series, one 800 series, and two 300 games. Rick Hasley
1999 Pioneer At 92 years of age, he bowled one night a week, but has bowled two or three nights a week for many years. At the age of 80, McCann was bowling five nights a week. He started bowling in Rochester in 1957, He never averaged higher than 169 and never lower than 160. McCann has bowled in every area house during leagues at least one season and has had some success and memorable stories, including the city tournament at the old Cascade bowling center the night it burned to the ground. McCann started his interest by setting pins during his high school years, and has been Lynn McCann active in the sport since then.
1999 Meritorious Service John has been instrumental in the Rochester Area Bowling Association (RABA) and the Minnesota State Bowling Association for many years. Nock has been on the RABA board of directors since 1982 and was the association president during the 1991-1992 season. Nock was instrumental in organizing the Hall Of Fame, helped run City Tournaments and State Tournaments, and is a certified lane inspector. Nock has been a director at the state level for two years on the council of delegates. His career high average is 193 John Nock and he has had one career 300 game.
2000 Inductees Herb Erickson No Picture Available Bernie Meddleton No Picture Available
2000 Meritorious Service Herb Erickson took over the Junior Bowling Program in 1970. At that time, there were 100 kids in the program. Two years later No there were over 300 students. Erickson was Picture secretary of the Tropic Major League and the Recreation Classic League for many Available seasons. The dedication he has shown toward bowling is apparent by the way he held those three positions and the time and effort he had to put into them. Erickson, who also is a poet, would capture each year’s highlights in a poem and would read them during the league banquets each year. Herb Erickson
2000 Meritorious Service Sis started bowling at age 11 at Cascade Lanes in Rochester and bowled in one of the first State Junior Tournaments. She joined WIBC in 1957 after graduating from High School and started coaching junior bowlers. Sis has coached three generations of Junior bowlers. She has served as a RWBA board member and has been a delegate to State Conventions. Her on-lane accomplishments include a high game of 258, high series of 643 and high average Nadine (Sis) of 170. In the 1960’s she bowled 12 consecutive series over 500. Mewhorter
2000 Meritorious Service Bernie moved to Rochester in 1958. He started his bowling career at the old Recreation Lanes downtown and bowled in No the same league “Classic League” for 26 Picture years. Available Bernie loved the competition of bowling. He is a past President of the Rochester association and coached many years at the Tropic Bowl. Bernie Meddleton
2000 Meritorious Service Mary has been a member of RWBA and WIBC for 40 years. Mary’s bowling accomplishments include a high average of 170 and high game of 279. She has served as President of the Rochester Area Bowling Council. Mary has served the Minnesota WBA as director, Vice President, and President. She was State BVL chairman for 16 years and was inducted in the MWBA Hall of Fame in 1999. She served as Sec/Treas of the Rochester 600 Mary Peck club for 15 years.
2000 Superior Performance Brian has had a highly documented career with two 800 series, seven 300 games, and one 299 game. He also held a high local average of 224. Floen holds five Central Bowling Alliance titles and has been named to its all-star team twice making the first team once and the second team once. During one CBA season Floen carried a 223 average for 189 games. He has been a member of a state tournament team championship, and was a member of a team that won the Chicago World Team Challenge and then went on to finish ninth at the finals of the WTC. Brian Floen
2000 Superior Performance Willadeen started bowling at age 13. She bowled her first 600 series in 1965 and ended up with 32 total. Her high series was 680, high game 268, and high average of 182. In 1966, she was the only woman to average over 170 in two establishments. She has served as an officer of the RWBA 600 Club, RWBA Board member and Vice- President. Willadeen Knipscheid
2000 Pioneer Mina served on the RWBA board for many years and was secretary in 1945. She was a Charter member of the MWBA and elected a Life Member in 1972. In 1956, she was one of only 4 bowling instructors in the state. In 1960, she was named to the advisory staff of the Brunswick Corporation. Her high game was 279 and high series of 684. She wrote a column for the newspaper Mina Johnson called “Down Our Lanes” for many years.
2001 Inductees
2001 Superior Performance Marion has been a member of RWBA for over 40 years and has coached youth bowling for 25 years at Recreation Lanes. She has served on the RWBA Board for many years. Her bowling accomplishments include a high career average of 188, over 50 sanctioned 600 series with a high series of 668 and a high game of 290. She was the MN State Senior Tournament champion in 1998 and 4 th place in the National Marion Heram Senior Tournament in Reno, NV in 1999.
2001 Pioneer Ron was a pinsetter at the old Cascade Bowl and joined the ABC program at the age of 16. Struif qualified for many of the old Post-Bulletin match games and served on the Rochester Area Bowling Association Board of Directors. He was one of the best bowlers around and was always toward the top of any league or tournament. Ron Struif
2001 Superior Performance Tim bowled in the youth program in Rochester, the Mayo High School team and at Winona State University. He bowls with the Larson Siding team which has the third high single game bowled in the state. With his doubles partner, Mayer set a state record of a 1,562 series. His personal accomplishments include an 831 series, 10 games of 300, four of 299, one 298, two 800 series and three state championships. Mayer was named to the all-state bowling team and holds three Central Bowling Alliance titles and has a record of 22 straight cashes on the tour. His career ABC National tournament average is 202. Tim Mayer
2001 Meritorious Service Barb has been an active member of RWBA and WIBC since 1959. She has attended MN State Conventions, Jamborees, National Workshops, and is a National Alliance at Large agent since 1994. She volunteered at the International Special Olympics. Traveled with Team USA & Team Japan during appearances in the US. Worked with Thomas Becker and his ‘Bowling for Spiral Muscular Atrophy’. Her bowling accomplishments include a high game of 261 and high series of 638. Barb Feind
2001 Meritorious Service Ken started bowling in 1958 and has been active as both a member on the board of directors at the local level and also as a league secretary for many years. He was also active for many years in the youth programs and is noted as “super sub” to many of the area bowlers. Ken Fritz
2002 Superior Performance Shirley has been an active RWBA member since 1959 and served on the RWBA Board for 4 years. She has been a YABA coach for 15 years and participated in RWBA tournaments , state tournaments, and National tournaments. Shirley represented RWBA in Team USA Event in 1975. She has held the RWBA High Average for several years and received the high average award in leagues for many years. Her career average is 186 and has bowled over 70 Shirley Fritz “600” series with a high series of 592 and high game of 289.
2002 Superior Performance Gregg became involved in bowling as a junior bowler. He was a member of the 1984-1986 high school league champions and bowled in the 1986 State Junior Championship where he won the doubles division. Stricke represented Minnesota in the 1986 U. S. National Junior Championship and finished 27 th out of 124 bowlers. Stricke was a PBA member from 1991- 1996. Other accomplishments include five, 300 games and a pair of 800 series (802 and an 801 both bowled in 1994). Gregg Stricke
2002 Pioneer Florence has been an active member of RWBA for 45 years. She has served many offices on the RWBA Board of Directors. Florence organized several leagues and earnestly promoted bowling. She worked at Recreation Lanes and was League Coordinator for 15 years. She was a Junior bowling coach and instrumental in organizing the Junior bowling program at Recreation Lanes. She was Tournament Manager of the Tri— State Tournament for 20 years . Florence Dornack
2002 Meritorious Service Joe was a junior bowling coach for 22 years. One young bowler remembers how strict Alexander was when he was coaching and recalled going to tournaments as early as 6:00 am. To be sure he didn’t miss the ride, he showed up early and slept in the car until Alexander showed up to drive. Alexander was also secretary of leagues for many years. At one time Alexander bowled in six leagues a week. He started bowling in 1956 and his love for youth bowling and coaching began shortly after that. Joe Alexander
2002 Meritorious Service Vera has been an active member of RWBA since 1954. She has served as RWBA President and RWBA Vice President and several years later, served additional terms on the Board of Directors. She was instrumental in getting the Hall of Fame committee established and working on it to implement the Women’s Division of the Rochester Hall of Fame. She has been actively involved with her children and grandchildren in youth bowling. Vera Mallan
2002 Pioneer “Fuzzy” bowled at Cascade Lanes where he was a pin boy for many years. He was one of last pin boys in the area. Helmbrecht won the state bowling tournament 53 years ago. His first year in adult league bowling, Helmbrecht rolled four, 600 series Helmbrecht set pins for 10 ½ years and was working on becoming a professional bowler when back surgery ended his career. He said one thing that was the most important to him was the friendships he gained through bowling. “Fuzzy” Floyd Helmbrecht
Jim Kleckner No Picture Available
2003 Meritorious Service Char coached the Junior Bowling Program at Tropic Bowl for several years. She has served as President of the Rochester YABA for numerous years. Char has been a great supporter of obtaining scholarships for the Rochester youth bowlers. Char Alexander
2003 Meritorious Service Paul was a director for six years and served two more as president of the Rochester Area Bowling Association. He was instrumental in the association receiving a service award from the American Bowling Congress in 1988. Feind was also in charge of the certification program for the inspection of the local centers for the past nine years. Paul Feind
2003 Superior Performance Edith has bowled in women’s leagues for 42 years. She has participated in the WIBC National Tournament for 25 years. Her high average is 180 and won the Minnesota WBA State Doubles Event in 1959. Edith Nelson
2003 Pioneer Rosie bowled for several years. She participated in several tournaments on the local , state , and national and was a finalist in several match game finals. Rosie Savage
2003 Superior Performance Lew has a 300 game along with a pair of 789 series to his credit. He was on one team which rolled a 3,655 actual series, which is ninth-highest in the state. Means has over 50, 700 series and bowled his first one in 1958 while living in Detroit. He has a 190 average and has been a member of a top 10 team twice in the ABC tournament, where he has bowled for 27 years. Lew Means
2003 Pioneer Jim moved to the Rochester area in 1935 No and owned the Cascade bowling center, Picture which was originally named Bremer/Kleckner Lanes, with Claude Available Bremer. Kleckner coached youth bowling for many seasons. He was a sanctioned bowler for 55 years and had a high average of 193 with more than 25 series of 600. Kleckner was one of the founders of the old Tri-State tournament and was instrumental in many area tournaments. Jim Kleckner
2004 Inductees
2004 Meritorious Service Jim began bowling in the mid-1950s, and in the late 1960s posted a 773 series in Faribault and it was many years before anyone was able to top it. Hough has been very active in the Young American Bowling Alliance for over 19 years and for the last 18 years, served as a high school coach. He has taken a lot of pride in working with the young students of the game, and said he has received much more in return than he Jim Hough has ever taught to any youth.
2004 Superior Performance Steve with doubles partner of 25 years, Lew Means, has won local and state doubles championships and twice placed in the top 10 at the ABC National tournament. Steve achieved the honor of being the Central Bowlers Alliance Rookie of the Year in 1990. He also represented the state of Minnesota at the U.S. Open that same year. Karau shared his knowledge of the game with the younger bowlers by serving as coach of the Byron Bears bowling team and leading them to three conference championships. His hard work paid off, as he posted several 300 games and a high series of 784. Steve Karau
2004 Pioneer Fred began his bowling career at 20, but his career took a back seat when he served in World War II. He had seen many of the local establishments come and go, eventually spending most of his time at Colonial Lanes. Vagt was the owner of Vagt’s Hauling Service in Rochester and always liked to sponsor local teams, especially the junior programs where money was usually tight. For the last 23 years, he has shared his wisdom with the local junior bowling programs. He posted a pair of 299 games during his Fred Vagt career and held a high average of 202.
2005 Inductees Jerry Morrow No Picture Available
2005 Meritorious Service Dora Mae has been an active member of RWBA/WIBC for 44 years. She served as RWBA Director for 28 years and Vice President for 9 years. She has participated in Local, State, and National tournaments and has been a delegate to State and National conventions. On the lanes, her high average is 169, high game 248, and high series 620. Dora Mae Mase
2005 Superior Performance Morris started his bowling career in 1974 when he rolled his first 700 series at Pine Island Lanes. He rolled his first 300 game in 1997 and has since added six more. Schutz has reached the 800-series milestone three times and posted a personal best league average of 228 for a season. In 1999, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a bowling center when he became proprietor of Stewartville Lanes. Morris Schutz “Morrie”
2005 Meritorious Service Shirley has been an active bowler for several years and currently is bowling in a Senior’s League at Recreation Lanes. She has participated in several tournaments at the local, state, and national levels. Shirley has served as Secretary of the Sunday Night League at Recreation Lanes as well as RWBA Secretary. Shirley Leth
2005 Superior Performance Dave grew up in the early 1970s, he posted a 696 series, which ranked with the top adults in the area that season. As his career continued, he added a city doubles championship and a city all-events championship, and he was a part of four championship teams at the city tournament. He has rolled four sanctioned 300s, a high series of 784 and league high average of 225 for one season. Dave Hasley
2005 Pioneer Vi has participated in sanctioned leagues for 24 years. She has bowled in RWBA Annual Tournaments for 12 years. Vi reigned as I.B.M. Club Champion for several years. Her high career average is 171 with a high series of 692 (games of 186,237,269) “Vi” Terpenning
2005 Meritorious Service Jerry bowls in 5 leagues and holds a 200 average in all leagues. He coached YABA for No 7 years, served as a league secretary for 30 Picture years, and was the State Director MSBA for Available 20 years. Jerry’s career high average is 221, and has had numerous “299” games and 2 “300”s. Other honors include a 234 Triplicate. Jerry Morrow
2006 Inductees
2006 Superior Performance Dan started at the age of 12 in what has been a strong tradition of outstanding bowlers from that family. He has won numerous tournaments in Rochester and the surrounding area and holds a career best average of 266 and high series of 787. From 1982 to 1984, Hasley held the high average for the Rochester association. His career high game marks were even more impressive, with seven 300 games, three at Dan Hasley 299, and two at 298.
2006 Meritorious Service Ruby , who died in 1985, was remembered for her love of the game, which she showed through coaching youths for over 20 years. She was a skilled bowler as well, always averaging from 165 to 170. She was remembered for carrying that consistent average with only one ball, which she accomplished by simply adjusting to varying lane conditions. Ruby Vagt
2006 Pioneer Earl, who at age 91, bowled three times a week at both centers in Rochester. He could also be found on Saturday mornings at Colonial sharing his love for the game with the local youth in junior leagues. Potvin has given back to the sport through teaching since 1956 and has been active in bowling since the late 1920s. He also served as a bowling center proprietor in Perham, Minn., for five years. During that time, he grew the number of teams from 32 to 60. Earl Potvin
2006 Meritorious Service Ron bowled for over 53 years and traveled the country because of the sport. His personal bests were a high average of 197 along with a high game of 278 and high series of 742. He has competed in 19 national tournaments and was founder of the Southeast Minnesota Senior Traveling League in 1995. Ron Siemers
2005 Pioneer Ione started bowling in 1947 in Waseca. She rolled her first 600 series in 1956 and had a career-high game of 279. For 57 years, Maidl has managed to average between 160 and 170. At 83, she averaged 165 during the 2004-05 bowling season. She upheld the sport for a long time. Her son Chuck accepted her award. Ione Maidl
2006 Meritorious Service Harriet Harstad was an active bowler for over 50 years. She had seven career 600 series with a high of 659. Her high season average was 175 and high game was a 277. Harstad was known for her participation in tournaments with 42 local events, almost 40 state tournaments and one pro-am. The highlight was the singles championship at the old Cascade Lanes in Rochester. Harriet Harstad
2007 Inductees
2007 Superior Performance Dave has been active in bowling for over 35 years, including coaching junior bowling for 15 years. A very active tournament bowler, he has been to numerous city and state championships. He has bowled 20 National tournaments and has a lifetime average at Nationals of 196. His personal-best average on the local scene was 236 for one season. He has bowled three 800 series in his career, as well as 15 games of 300 and two 299’s. He has several tournament titles, most notably CBA Champion in 1996, three ABT titles, two city team and doubles titles, along with a doubles title in Eau Claire with Tim Reynolds. Dave Freeman
2007 Meritorious Service Bonnie has been bowling in sanctioned leagues for 53 years - 50 of those years at B&B Bowl in Preston. She has participated in 48 City and State tournaments and 2 National tournaments. She has been active in starting the mixed leagues in Spring Valley and has recruited many people to join the sport of bowling. Bonnie’s entire family is bowlers and that includes a 3 rd generation. Bonnie Heusinkveld
2007 Superior Performance And Meritorious Service Reed Nordyke has been in bowling for over 30 years. He has served as a league officer for many of those years and is a past president and vice president of the RABA. He was the first president of the new Southeast Minnesota USBC Association and has averaged over 200 for 20 years, with a personal high average of 215. Reed Nordyke
2007 Superior Performance Diane has bowled 30 years in a sanctioned league (13 years in youth and 17 years as an adult). She has participated in 30 City and State tournaments and 10 years at National tournaments. On the lanes, Diane’s highest average is 194 with a high series of 685. Her high game is 280. She has picked up the 7-10 split and was awarded the 3-Clean Game award. Diane Tlougan
2007 Pioneer Mary has been involved with bowling for over 40 years in numerous ways. She is an asset to the sport as a volunteer for the YABA program and working to increase membership. She served as Chair of the RWBA Membership Committee for 5 years. In addition to serving on the RWBA Board and the YABA Board, she has represented RWBA at multiple State and National Conventions in addition to State Jamborees. Mary was awarded the WIBC Appreciation Award in 2000 for her dedication and never- ending work on bowling membership. Mary Conger
2007 Pioneer Lyle has been active in bowling for 30 years, both as a bowler and league secretary. He helped promote the sanctioning of the local leagues. Smith has a lifetime high average of 183, with a personal best of 238 and 685 for series. Other outstanding achievements were a first in doubles, singles and all- events during the Mayo Clinic tournament. Smith has also been active on the local scene, with attendance at 25 annual meetings of the Rochester Association. Lyle Smith
2008 Inductees
2008 Superior Performance Glen has bowled in leagues 33+ years His highest average was 233 and has bowled seven “300” games, numerous “700” series and has had two “800” series. He won the Rochester Area BA doubles event twice and took 2 nd place at the Peterson Classic Tournament Glenn Rausch “Seymour”
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