Meet the RAHS Board of Directors, proudly serving two-year terms of leadership in Rockford
Kevin Koehler, Board Chair
Kevin has 5 generations of family that have lived in Rockford. His great great grandfather first settled in Corcoran in 1884, then moved to Rockford in 1888. His grandparents, Johnny and Elsie Mutterer owned and operated the Rockford Drive Inn restaurant from 1956 – 1971. He currently administrates the RockfordMnHistory Facebook page. Kevin is extremely interested in Rockford amateur baseball from the 1900’s- 1970’s.
Bonnie Maue, Trustee
Bonnie began her tenure with the RAHS as a charter member in 1986 and continues to donate many hours each week to the AFS House. She served as past treasurer for the organization and is also active in the North Hennepin Pioneer Society.
Annette Tryon, RAHS Secretary
Annette has been in the area for 20 years and has served in many positions with various nonprofits. Her local passion is the development and implementation of Thousand Hearts Crow River Serve Day. Annette is a watercolor artist, enjoys gardening, travel and coffee with friends.
Barry Lemmage, Trustee
Barry was born and raised in Rockford. He graduated from RHS in 1973. His first-grade class had 25 students and by graduation had 56 students. He married Cindy also a RHS graduate and have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. They lived in St. Paul and later Apple Valley where he pursued a career in IT. He continues to work, but retirement is on the horizon. Barry moved back into the area a few years ago to be closer to relatives and friends.
Barry fondly remembers the small Rockford Fire Barn and its noon and 6 PM whistle every day, throwing lilacs into the Crow River from the old iron bridge on Memorial Day, marching in the high school band for parades, bowling/dancing/dinning at the Rockford House, camping/swimming/water skiing on lake Rebecca before it was a county park, canoeing both forks of the Crow river into town, Vail’s Phillips 66, Pat’s Mobil, getting gas from Francis’s Holiday where they pumped it for you and cleaned your windshield, getting groceries from Lange’s Red Owl and North American, getting your green Rockford T-shirt and shorts from Lieder’s store for gym class.
Rockford’s history and the significance of the Ames/Stork House to the community are important to treasure and pass on to the next generation as best we can.
Jeff Nute, Trustee
A Greenfield resident for 20 years, Jeff enjoys the outdoors and getting his hands dirty landscaping for the last 28 years. A minor in History might finally be used during his time on the board.
Nikki Nute, Treasurer
When Nikki is not busy with family or the family landscape business, Nikki enjoys volunteering in the community and is looking forward to working with the RAHS Board.
Michelle Bartlett, Trustee
Trustee Bio:
Michelle Bartlett grew up in Plymouth and has been a Greenfield resident for 26 years. She has a career in the IT field but has always had an interest in history. Her Connection to the Ames-Florida-Stork House began in the early 2000’s with a school field trip to the Ames/Florida/Stork House, then developed as an RAHS event volunteer through various community groups over the years; most notably decorating the historic house for Christmas each year. Reading, biking, walking and skiing keep her busy while connecting with friends and family bring her joy.
RAHS Connection:
My personal connection to the Rockford Area Historical Society began in the early 2000’s with a Rockford Elementary School field trip to the Ames/Florida/Stork House. I attended the tour as a parent volunteer and felt a draw to the house and the area’s history. I have worked with various community groups on RAHS events over the years. Most notable for me was annual Christmas decorating with the Girl Scouts, which eventually led to me leading that effort for many years. That personal connection awakened my interest for Rockford area history in general and to expand my involvement by joining the RAHS Board as a Trustee in 2020.
Michelle Leimer, Trustee
Trustee Bio:
Michelle has had a passion for family research for over 20 years. She became involved with Rockford Historical Society as a volunteer working on Elmwood cemetery research by photographing the cemetery stones in 2017. Then she slowly began to link families together and discovered the stories of the area. Michelle has helped several families on finding more information about their ancestors and loves to help them discover their roots. She is also a registered nurse, wife and mother of 2 boys.
Tim Vergin, Trustee
Trustee Bio:
Tim Vergin is a lifelong resident of the Rockford area , a 1981 graduate of Rockford H.S. and the fifth generation of the Vergin family to live in the area. The Vergin family arrived in Rockford Township, from West Prussia, Germany, in 1891. His Mother’s family, the Streckers, arrived in Corinna Township, Wright County in 1885 from outside of Stuttgart Germany. He is the owner of Diversified Real Estate Services, Inc. located in Downtown Minneapolis.