and pop and, of course, ….
and pop and, of course, the much-needed grills.”
The current permanent stand was purchased in January 2019. Karge said the new facility was a great success when used for Stampede during 2019 and for the oneday sale at 2020’s Stampede.
Some of the actual food items have also changed throughout the years. At one time, ranchers of the parish would donate beef which was all ground into hamburger. The hamburgers were pattied daily at the Parish Hall.
“The hamburger was measured with an ice cream scoop and smashed flat with a full juice can,” Karge said. “Wax paper was placed between each burger. As the demand for a Catholic burger increased, it was necessary to purchase frozen burgers.”
Different vendors have been used for hamburgers with the goal of purchasing Montana beef. In 2002, the group started purchasing Cloud Burgers.
Onions were originally peeled and sliced daily at the Parish Hall.
“Onions filled the Parish Hall with their aroma,” Karge said. “I am sure many ladies were teary-eyed doing that duty.”
Onions were later sliced with an electric slicer in the church’s rectory. Patricia Wilkinson was the chairperson of Onion Day for many years.
“After the onions were peeled and sliced, they were placed in gallon food bags and hauled to the bus to be placed in freezers,” Karge said. “Each year, the Onion Day crew peeled and sliced 1,000 to 1,200 pounds of Walla Walla large onions on the Wednesday before the stand was to open.”
Starting in 2009, the group began ordering fresh, sliced onions.
“Our slicer was getting to the point where it needed to be replaced, and I wasn’t sure if we could find enough men who could do the slicing on a work day,” Karge explained.
Karge noted many individuals have made the hamburger stand a great fundraising throughout the years. Those people have included Susie Brown, Kerry Hanks, Patricia Wilkinson, Harriet Friesen, Irene Draper, Martha Neutgens, Ann Wienke, Keri Sansaver, Karen Sorley, Ellen Sievers, Donna Wimmer, Shelly Rodenberg, Gayle Green, Ginny Ulrickson, Carol Neutgens, Joelle Page, Rosalie Juve, Trudy Fox, Catherine Wylie, Irene Rathert, Nancy Hopson, Diane DeWitt, Loy Sprague, Karen Shaide, Carl Karge, Jim Rodenberg, Les Wienke, R.J. Doornek, Jim Neutgens, Larry Neutgens, Myron Long, Ken Wylie and Ross Sansaver. Priests including Father Gary Gunville, Father Steve Zabrocki, Father Jolly Pathiyamoola and Father Martin Ezeihuaku have also been very supportive.
