Seems like everyone is trying to set a record. We’re obsessed with the longest, shortest and fastest of anything. Well, here’s a record for you, and it’s pure Iowan.
Eighty-seven year old Glen Seberg of Olds has attended every Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant since it’s inception. With this year’s Old Threshers coming up on Labor Day Weekend, that will make 62. Not only has he attended every Old Threshers Reunion, but he has attended every day of every Old Threshers Reunion — 287 days worth! Let’s see, if Glen lives another 15 years, which would make him 102 years young, and Old Threshers continues to be a five-day venue, and Glen continues his streak of stellar attendance (which he will, even if he has to go in a wheelchair), that will make a solid year of Old Threshers attendance. Landsakes alive!
When Old Threshers began in 1950, it was held in late September and was a two-day affair. It boasted 15 steam engines and eight separators. The following year it went to three days, then four, until it reached its present five-day celebration commencing on Labor Day. It’s interesting to note that Labor Day weekend was chosen for Old Threshers because it would be before school started. Ha!
Glen never started out trying to set a record. It just happened. One day he said to his wife, Louise, “You know, I’ve never missed a day.” And they counted them up.
As a boy, Glen helped his father thresh in the fields. It was Glen’s job to drive the team of horses pulling the wagon load of shocked oats to the thresher. So, when the first Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Reunion was held, Glen jumped at the chance to be involved. He helped his church, Finley Church from rural Wayland, prepare and distribute food from the Round House (Shelter House). Then the church started using a tent. All you could eat for 50 cents! There were mighty few steam engines then, and they burned coal. Glen would go home with coal soot on his face. Then the engines went to wood.
The only time Glen came close to missing a day was when one of his great-grandchildren was going to be baptized in Nebraska. It was all arranged — Glen would step foot on the Old Threshers grounds in the morning, take off for Nebraska, then return the next evening in time to set foot on the grounds again. He made it.
Glen and Louise have been married 67 years. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they renewed their vows at Old Threshers. There were three other couples. Father Wayne Kamm conducted the ceremony and they were driven around the grounds in a convertible.
In 2000, Glen was Old Thresher of the Year. His only regret is not having an Old Threshers button for every year. That first year, they really never thought much about it and the buttons cost a dollar. That was a lot of money — two meals. Then, they started collecting buttons, and the kids and grandkids played with them, and some were lost. Oh, well. What’s more important than family?
One of the funniest events Glen can remember is when a calf got loose and was running around among the steam engines.
Glen doesn’t work a food booth anymore, but he will be there, you can count on that. To reminisce. Everyday!
Have a good story? Call Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at (319) 217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com.