Houston County Township Officers Association Holds 65th Annual Banquet

Brownsville resident Richard Cordes, the self-proclaimed Houston County history detective, shared his research on the 1860 Brownsville double homicide in memory of the two victims, mother and daughter, Anna Sofia Hanke and Pauline Hanke, at the Houston County Township Officers Association (HCTOA) 65th annual banquet on September 23 at the Four Seasons Community Center in Caledonia.

Inspector Cordes’ presentation, “Stunning New Details of the 1860 Brownsville Double Homicide!” was interesting and educational. He also read historical newspaper articles about the event, which had the audience laughing at words used and the tone of the articles.

The highlight of his presentation was the historical information he uncovered about Brownsville’s cemeteries. It was stunning to learn that the two victims, who were brutally murdered, were moved from an old grave in Brownsville to the Zion Cemetery and buried together in an unmarked grave because the family was ashamed. After finding what he believes is their final burial location, Inspector Cordes wants to get them a headstone.

Township officers and their guests from the county’s 17 townships, along with State Representative Greg Davids; Minnesota Association of Townships District 1 Director Rex Edge; Houston County commissioners Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder and Bob Schuldt; County Coordinator/Human Resources Officer Brent Parker; Sheriff Brian Swedberg; Finance Director Carol Lapham; and EDA Director and Coordinator Support Allison Wagner, occupied every seat.

President Larry Gaustad welcomed attendees. Director Mike Patterson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Director John Beckman, who gave the prayer. The meal was prepared and served by Rosie’s Catering of Brownsville, Minnesota.

President Gaustad recognized two supervisors who passed away in 2026, Charlie Chapel of Money Creek Township and David Winnes of Crooked Creek, with a moment of silence.

He went on to recongnize the township officers and thanked them for their service. After the association officers spent over a year researching and compiling the numbers, Gaustad said, “It’s really amazing how many years of service these people have dedicated to their townships.”

The years of service by township were: Black Hammer, 79 years; Brownsville, 20 years; Caledonia, 30 years; Crooked Creek, 80.5 years; Hokah, 64.5 years; Houston, 58 years; Jefferson, 57 years; La Crescent, 62 years; Mayville, 82 years; Money Creek, 30 years; Mound Prairie, 62 years; Sheldon, 55.5 years; Spring Grove, 79 years; Union, 28.5 years; Wilmington, 21 years; Winnebago, 81 years; and Yucatan, 78 years, for a staggering total of 968 years.

Current association officers are President Larry Gaustad, Vice President Jim Solum, and Treasurer Arlyn Pohlman. At this time, there is no secretary.

Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) District 1 Director Rex Edge shared information about townships in his presentation. “Townships are in charge of 55,000 miles in the state of Minnesota. We are the largest road authority in the state, and we get the least amount of money,” Edge said. “Towns get 10 times the amount of state aid per person that townships do.”

“It means a lot more to the legislators if they see a group of their voters coming in to see them. They take a lot more interest in it. If we don’t say anything, they think there’s nothing going on, there’s no problem, and they just ignore us. So, you have to be a squeaky wheel.”

State Representative Greg Davids echoed those remarks, emphasizing that “it makes a difference when we’re in the Capitol and somebody comes in from home. We’re up there for the week, and if we can see a smiling face from Houston County or Fillmore County, that’s what we like.”

With mid-term elections just around the corner, Davids explained that he doesn’t care whether it is a Democrat or a Republican trifecta; whenever there is a trifecta, there are no checks and balances, and things go crazy.

Davids said he would like to work on paid family and medical leave. Either his first or second bill will be to get the old state flag back.

County Commissioner Vice-Chair Cindy Wright thanked the township officers for their service and stressed the importance of communication and getting their input.

Before thanking everyone for attending and holding the drawing for the door prizes, President Gaustad recognized and thanked the evening’s sponsors: Bruening Rock Products, Nodine Culvert Sales, Scott Construction, VanGundy Excavating, Caledonia Haulers, Sno-Pac Foods, Freedom Auto, Good Times Restaurant & Bar, and Cheryl Peterson.