MAREA hears from murder mystery author
The Marshfield Area Retired Educators (MAREA) held their March 17 meeting at The Country Aire Restaurant near Stratford. President Sally Lucas called the meeting to order. Lucas announced that because of St. Patrick’s Day, there would be trivia door prizes.
The minutes were approved after corrections. Ruby T. explained the treasurer’s report, which was then placed on file for audit.
Several committee chairpersons were absent. However, a report was made by Kathleen H. of the health issues committee. She had participated in an online session from The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, in which presenters provided information about “Caring for the Caregiver,” which Kathleen shared with the membership. The information used a tool for self-assessment in order to take care of the patient and the caregiver.
Several other items of business included the convention update, bylaw revisions, and travel reimbursement. This month’s food pantry donations went to CUP Pantry in Colby. The group thanked Roni for bringing treats.
Larry Scheckel, author of “Murder in Wisconsin: The Clara Olson Case,” was this month’s guest speaker. Larry is a retired physics and aerospace science teacher from Tomah, where he and his wife still live. He has authored articles for “The Science Teacher” and “The Physics Teacher” magazines. He also published several science books. He spoke to the group about the Clara Olson murder case and afterwards did a book signing.
The Olson case was of interest to him because it happened in his hometown area. Scheckel told the story about how Clara Olson met Erdman Olson from a nearby town at a church picnic. She is young; he is older and in college. They date for 18 months and Clara is pregnant. She wants a wedding, but they plan a secret elopement. Then Clara disappears. The search by the whole community is on to find her. The discovery of the body in a hidden grave has everyone horrified by what is found. The details of the betrayal by Erdman to Clara and her family and his family make the background for the inquest, funeral, and subsequent search for her killer who seems to also have disappeared.
All MAREA meetings are held at The Country Aire Restaurant the third Monday of each month at 10 a.m. with a lunch following the meeting and the program. For more information about MAREA or about attending a meeting, email Sally Lucas at sally.lucas@yahoo.com.
