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Renee Edmundson’s sixth-graders didn’t travel far from the Hills-Beaver Creek High School Wednesday, Oct. 14, to experience a history lesson they won’t soon forget.
The 25 students and three chaperones traveled a mile west of Hills to the Eugene “Pucky” and Shirley Sandager farm, where Pucky assumed the persona of his great-great-grandfather, Haaken Moen.
“They really enjoyed how he got into character,” Edmundson said. “They were impressed by the wagon.”
The wagon, a 1900s John Deere High Mountain Iron Clad Wagon, was similar to the one that brought Haaken and other families from Davenport, Iowa, to northwest Iowa. Haaken and his family eventually developed a homestead near Inwood, Iowa.
Sandager shared stories about travel in a covered wagon, the blizzard where Haaken’s toes were frozen, and the year grasshoppers wiped out entire fields. Each tale came from diary entries.
“It’s like a movie,” he said. “Around every turn of events that is bad — they turned it around and survived.”
Also at the Sandager farm, students toured the small wooden depot that used to be located in Bruce, a former train stop in northwestern Rock County, among other antiques that fascinated the students.
“They loved going in the depot, pumping the well and seeing the water flow was a high interest,” Edmundson said. “The kids talked a lot about how fun he told the story.”
Sandager first developed his role as Haaken about three years ago when he participated in the Rock County History Center’s annual program called “Tales from the Grave.”
He has since tailored his persona to various groups, each pointing to the importance of recording history.
“If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where you should go,” he said.
“If you have a chance, write down your family history.”
Edmundson said prior to visiting the Sandager Century Farm she encouraged students to talk with parents and grandparents about migrating to Minnesota.
“Some of my kids were somewhat interested when I mentioned it, but after listening to Pucky, I have kids who are now excited to find out more,” she said.