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Gerald E. Stelzel Memorial Fund Established to Honor Empire Township Community Servant

EMPIRE TOWNSHIP, MINNESOTA – July 7, 2006 – The Empire Township Board and Steve Hedberg, owner of Hedberg Aggregates, Inc., an Empire Township business, today announced the establishment of the Gerald E. Stelzel Memorial Fund to honor the former Empire Township Board Chairman who died in 2004.

"Jerry Stelzel was an outstanding community leader and a fantastic humanitarian who worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Empire Township and Dakota County," said Hedberg. "He gave so much to us; it’s our turn to give something back to Jerry."

The fund will be used to construct a fitting memorial to Stelzel and a concession stand for Stelzel Field, a top-notch, four-field baseball complex to be built on Highway 3 across from Fairhills Farm, where Jerry lived for almost 50 years. Like Stelzel’s many selfless contributions and accomplishments for "we the people," the complex will benefit the community for years to come.

The Gerald E. Stelzel Memorial Fund is attempting to raise a minimum of $250,000. Donations are tax deductible and any size donation is appreciated. Checks should be made out to Empire Township for the Gerald E. Stelzel Memorial Fund and may be sent to: Empire Township, 3385 197th Street, Farmington, MN 55024.

Never one to sit around, Stelzel stayed involved, active and maintained a positive outlook throughout his life. He said, "I would rather wear out than rust out." He was 86 at his death.

A summary of Stelzel’s awards and accomplishment’s follow. Photographs are available upon request.

Biography

Gerald E. Stelzel was born August 23, 1917 in Dorchester, Wisconsin.
He died on April 24, 2004.
He married Betty Mueller in 1937.
They moved to Minnesota in 1940.
In the 1940s, he worked as an engineer for Minneapolis Moline in the machine plant developing farm equipment. He was assigned the task of devising a way to protect farmers as they drove their equipment on public roads. Stelzel designed what is universally recognized as the triangular "Slow Moving Vehicle" sign.
In 1956 Gerald Stelzel and Fred M. Seed began a farming and livestock operation in Empire Township on 1,300 acres known as Fairhills Farm.
Gerald Stelzel is survived by his two daughters Barbara (Lowell) Carlson and Bonnie (John) Rothpeltz, and his sister Verna Bates.

Community Activities

Founded the Empire Township Planning Commission in 1965, the first planning commission in Dakota County. Also served as Chairman.
Elected to the Empire Township Board of Directors in 1967; served as Chairman of the Board from 1968 until his death.
- Within three years of his election to the board, he helped balance the budget.
- Under Stelzel’s leadership, the township obtained a water system and water tower, build parks and other community enhancements.
Director, Production Credit Association (PCA) Board in Hastings, Minnesota.
Executive Committee Member and past Chairman, Government Training Services.
Chairman, Dakota County Association of Townships.
Chairman, Metropolitan Land Use Advisory Committee.
Past Chairman, Metropolitan Council Agricultural Preservation Task Force; Active on the Metropolitan Council until his death.
Secretary, Sanford Memorial Hospital Board, Farmington, Minnesota.
Charter Member and various offices, Rosemount Lions Club.
President, Rosemount Area Chamber of Commerce.
Member, Farmington Chamber of Commerce.
President and many other positions, Dakota County Agricultural Society (Dakota County Fair).
Member, Metropolitan Significance Review Committee for the seven county metro area.
Chairman, Dakota County Advisory Committee for the Development of Individual Sewage Treatment Systems.
Vice Chairman, Administration Sub-Committee of the Minnesota Association of Townships Legislative and Research Committee.
Chairman of Advisory Board of UMORE Park, University of Minnesota.

Awards and Recognition

1981: First Dakota County Man of the Year Award.
1983: National Association of Towns and Townships Grassroots Government Leadership Award, presented by Senator Dave Durenberger at the fourth annual Conference of the National Association of Towns and Townships.
198: Success Over Sixty Award.
1987: First State of Minnesota Leader of the Year Award.
1987: Honored as Minnesota Townships Leader of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Townships.
1988: Honored with a certificate of appreciation by Minnesota Association of Townships for his leadership on the board of directors of Government Training Services.
1990: International Lions Club prestigious Mel Jones Award.
1993: Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Membership Award.
1995: Outstanding Community Leader in the American Hometown Leader Award Program.
2000: One of only two people to receive the Fairperson of the Year Award from the State of Minnesota.
2004: The south entrance of the Dakota County Fairgrounds dedicated as “G.E. Stelzel’s Fair Road.” Stelzel started and finished that project so there would be an entrance to the fairgrounds from Highway 3.

From: Hedberg Aggregates, Inc.
Contact: Gail Schaal, Promotional Coordinator
Direct Dial: (763) 392-5920

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