SPAHS Board of Directors

President - Jody Kapp

I was born in Nashville, Illinois, a small farming community on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis, Missouri. My family came to the Sauk Prairie area about four years ago when my husband took a position as the Senior Pastor at First United Church of Christ, Sauk City. Two years ago I was asked if I'd like to join the board here at the SPAHS. I had never been on a board before and really didn't consider myself board material. In fact the idea of sitting through meetings is not even close to my first idea of fun! But I said yes anyway and am so glad I did. THIS board IS fun. I am so proud to say the new board we have in place couldn't be a better fit. We laugh and we strategize and we really think things through. We aren't stuffy or take ourselves too seriously but we seriously get down to the business of what it means to take care of what we've been given-the stories to share and the artifacts to preserve-and what we need to do to make every member of the community feel as welcomed by and passionate about the SPAHS as we do. So here I am now President and have no idea when my term ends. I guess as they say: "Old board members never die-they just wind up in the basement!!" See you there!!

Treasurer - Marie Goddard

I grew up in Madison but I was born in Baraboo. In 1993, I moved back to the area and I have been living in Merrimac ever since. I've been in business basically all my life so it was a natural transition when I decided to start Goddard & Associates, LLC. and provide other businesses with tax preparation and business related services. In addition, I also provide tax preparation and planning to individual taxpayers. When I'm not knee deep in tax returns I enjoy getting outside and taking a hike. The best part about living in this area is going on a hike and bringing my four awesome labs with me.

Karen Diehl

I have always lived in the Sauk-Prairie area,graduated from Sauk-Prairie High School . Married to Howard (Spider) Diehl. We have two daughters,two granddaughters, a son-in-law and a someday son-in-law. I've been a volunteer at Sauk-Prairie Area Historical Society for the past 9 years. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with the granddaughters and riding my bike.

Linda Atkins

Born in the Sauk Prairie Area, lived here most of my life. 5th generation on the same farm which my great grandfather pioneer Erhart Accola was first person to have farmed here. My interest in the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society is because of the Historic church, Salem Ragatz, which was started by pioneers in the 1800's, and is built in a manner that is not found in any other part of the country, and needs to be preserved. I also live in a Swiss Historic District, and I'd like to see it continue to be observed! My husband also comes from pioneer stock,as his great grandfather was a carpenter who built many homes in the area, and rebuilt the Salem Ragatz Church after it burned in 1904!

Gini Lemm Luther

I was born and raised in Prairie du Sac. I moved to California and Massachusetts and returned to Prairie in 2000. I'm thrilled with all the changes and how Sauk City and Prairie have grown. My family roots are strong here. My grandfather Fred Lemm, uncle Carl Lehmann and a few business men started the Ford garage ( in what is now the big white building by the Prairie bridge ) and the Lake Wisconsin Country Club. My mother, Irene Lemm, started Irene's Beauty Shop in Sauk City. Jim Reese currently has his business there in what was my grandparents home. My aunt Sylvia Steuber owned and ran Steuber Rest Haven on Prairie St. ( PF) It is now a beautifully restored private residence that greets you as you enter the Risley Oaks Condo's.

My parents owned and operated Twin City Cleaners in the '60's when it was in Prairie. My father's side of the family were members of the Freethinkers Society in Sauk City. My cousin Karl Ganzlin and my father were both officers on the board of directors there. My grandmother Lemm's family, the Lehmann's were raised out in Denzer. Linda Kippley from the Window Sill grew up in my grandmother's homestead. Her brother Dale still lives there. I love this area and it's history. My family paved the way for me and all I have to do is help keep it alive. I hope to do that by being on the Board of Directors. You are probably only 6 degrees of separation from someone who has deep family history in the two towns. It's a great way to start a conversation and keep the interest of our local history going.

Jack Berndt

I was raised in Prairie du Sac (PdS) & attended grades K-12 in the local schools, graduating in the first combined Sauk-Prairie High School Class of 1964. Lived in Madison, WI. for the past 40 years & have recently returned to the Sauk-Prairie area. Retired from physical therapy seven years ago, work occasionally as a carpenter/roofer and am presently employed on a part-part-time basis as a grounds keeper at the PdS Cemetery.

The twin villages of Sauk & PdS & the surrounding area have greatly changed since I lived here. Gone are many familiar faces and names. Gone are the vibrant village business districts of the past. Much of the landscape is foreign to me.... and yet..."plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose." People come & go, human nature stays the same. Thankfully, a measurable amount of the local history was collected & preserved by some farsighted individuals who preceded us. Simply stated, the task we have now is to diligently continue that preservation until it's our time to pass it along to the next generation.

Barb Pulvermacher Wolfe

I am a proud native of Prairie du Sac. I was educated at St. Aloysius Grade School and began my High School education as a freshman at Prairie du Sac High School which then consolidated with Sauk City to become Sauk Prairie High School. I graduated in 1966. I also graduated from Edgewood College with a BS in Business (Accounting emphasis) and retired as an Accountant at Forest Products Laboratory in September, 2005.

My family roots in the Sauk Prairie area are on the Pulvermacher side of the family. My father, Gilbert Pulvermacher, owned and operated Pulvermacher's Poultry and Egg Business for many, many years. My mother, Alta "Honey" Flagg Pulvermacher, was a "flatlander' from Galesburg, Illinois but came to call the Sauk Prairie area home. I have an older sister Diane and a twin sister Beverly.

Our family was always very interested in history and the Sauk Prairie area is rich in history. I have been a member of the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society (SPAHS) for many years and am grateful for the work the SPAHS has accomplished over the years in preserving and disseminating (especially thru the great newsletter) the history of this area for future generations.

I moved to Madison in 1967 and now live off Highway 12 between Springfield and Ashton Corners, but I will always call the "Sauk Prairie Area" home. I became a Board Member this spring and am excited to be a part of a Board who is full of spirit and a "can do" attitude!!

Tripp Museum Manager - Fauhn Breunig

I never liked history much!

I was born and raised in this beautiful area. In 1997, I moved to sunny California where I lived until September of this past year. Getting used to the climate again has been a challenge.

In March, 2009, I was placed at the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society as a trainee in a federally funded program. I was a little nervous, you know... history!

It didn't take very long for the Historical Society to win my heart. I enjoy working here; each day is different with new faces, new challenges and best of all, such wonderful history of people and places.

We are now in the process of revitalizing and reshaping the Historical Society. New policies and procedures are being set up to ensure quality service to the people of our area. We are looking for volunteers who will be working on the day to day activities of the Society, people who love this area and want to see it preserved and promoted.

We would like to honor the Women's Club that started collecting historical articles way back in 1934. They worked very hard to start a museum and today, they have left a legacy that is priceless.

Come, let us all work together to create a legacy for our children and our children's children!

Jim Maginnis

I have been a resident of Wisconsin for most of my life and Bettie and I have been area residents for about the last ten years. I am a Financial Planner and have an office on Water Street just a block from the Museum.

History has always been a passion of mine. We have been active re-enactors for more than 30 years and have learned a lot about Wisconsin history in the process. Being on the Board of the Tripp Museum gives me an opportunity, to not only help a worthwhile cause but also to become more involved in the rich history of the area.

My hope is that I will be able to help bring that history to the residents of the area through exhibits and activities at the Tripp. A museum and a historical society have a duty to the community to not only preserve the history of the area but to also provide the means for people of all ages to see and understand what the past was like. That understanding provides one of the strongest connections that we have to our ancestors. I look forward to my role on the Board and hope that I will be able to contribute to the success of the Tripp.

Bettie Reis

I was born and, up until about 10 years ago, lived in Madison my entire life. Then we moved to 40 acres in rural Mazomanie--to our "Little House in the Big Woods".

After working at Fox Water (a water softener and bottled water distributor), I retired a year ago in May. I knew I wanted to volunteer and the first place I applied was the Tripp. Now I'm the "Tuesday Volunteer" and spend my Tuesday mornings having fun with Karen and Fauhn. Please stop by and see us sometime!