The Dale Laedtke Memorial Scholarship Award
The Dale Laedtke Scholarship is generously given by Larry and Karen in memory of their son, Dale, a Minneapolis Moline Collector who passed in an avalanche while snowmobiling in Wyoming. Dale was 27 years old. The scholarship is to be given to a student attending a trade or vocational program. Dale was a journeyman millwright and had attended diesel mechanics school. Additional funds were donated in 2023 in memory of Larry Ohe: Larry attended a trade school for diesel mechanics, was an avid restorer of MM and loved kids. It is a natural fit and we thank his family for choosing to donate memorial funds to MMCI.
The 2024 Recipient
The 2024 recipient of the Dale Laedtke Scholarship is Chris Hornick of Volga, SD, grandson of member Mike Hornick.
Chris plans to graduate from Mitchell Tech with an associate degree in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program. Also, he will acquire another 2,000 hours towards his apprentice electrical license. After graduation, Chris plans to continue to work with a local contractor to achieve enough hours for his journeyman’s license. His long-term goal is to achieve his contractor’s license. Then, he would like to start his own company. Something Chris stated about himself was “I am a very hard worker, always trying to do better and improve myself.”
Chris’ family has always farmed with Minneapolis Moline tractors. His great grandfather farmed with Us. His grandfather farms with a G900 and G1000 Vista. Currently, Chris is rebuilding a ZB with his grandfather. He has grown up with his dad taking his brother and him to tractor shows. Also, his grandfather would give them toy tractors.
Chris stated one of the ways to promote Minneapolis Moline is to “participate in and support local shows. This enables people to learn about Minneapolis Moline and other tractors.”
The 2024 MMCI Recipient
Rachel Laleman is the 2024 recipient of the MMCI Scholarship. Rachel is from San Antonio, TX, the granddaughter of member Rick Laleman. Rachel plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin. She will study Neuroscience and graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. Then, Rachel plans to go to graduate school and eventually to medical school. She wants to graduate with a PhD or Doctorate in Neurology and become a doctor.
In Rachel’s application, she stated “As a neurologist, I will strive to not only further my understanding of this topic, but to help those who have nervous system disabilities have a better quality of life. I plan to research ways to alleviate/cure certain nervous disabilities, and to help my community have easy access not only to the healthcare I provide but to all types of other basic healthcare.”
Rachel grew up going to the San Antonio Rodeo Agricultural Mechanics show with her grandfather. He would talk to her about the different types of tractors, plows, and other machinery that people refurbished. Her grandfather especially likes to share with her the history of farming and Minneapolis Moline (MM). Also, Rachel’s grandfather shares how his siblings collect tractors. Her dad is also involved with MM activities, but not as much as her grandfather.
Rachel plans to participate in more MMCI events and educate others on the importance of agricultural mechanics. She wants to share the importance of Minneapolis Moline’s past and how it relates to the present. In the future, Rachel hopes to share with her kids and grandchildren about Minneapolis Moline and how important it was to her family.
In conclusion, Rachel stated “Our family has a lot of historical involvement with MM, and to me it seems only necessary to continue the legacy of the Laleman family in the Minneapolis Moline Collectors company.” This is what we need to continue to share the history and love of Minneapolis Moline.
The 2023 Dale Laedtke Scholarship Recipient
The 2023 recipient of the Dale Laedtke Scholarship is Owen Knight of Macy, IN, a MMCI member. Owen will attend Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio to complete the Caterpillar Thing Big program, which includes an internship at the MacAllister dealership in South Bend. He looks forward to having his Associate Degree in Diesel Technology and two years of work experience which will help him achieve his career goals.
This young man not only has educational goals but plans to continue farming with his parents as a fifth-generation farmer on their grain and livestock farm. Owen also raises Holstein veal calves which are sold as feeder calves in spring and summer. He has been very active in FFA as an officer and has received awards in soil judging and as a skeet shooter.
Owen enjoys connecting with people who have knowledge of Minneapolis-Moline. His grandfather used Molines in his farming operation and treasures the original tractors passed down to his parents. “If it wasn’t for me growing up around these tractors I wouldn’t know about the quality and workmanship they all had leaving the factory.” Owen encourages MM Collectors to get the stories and history of MM out to the younger generation through social media “so they can learn the importance of preserving these great American muscle tractors.”
The 2023 MMCI Scholarship Recipient
Madison Casteel from Cambridge, IL is the recipient of the 2023 MMCI Scholarship. Madison, the daughter of MMCI member Jason Casteel, will be attending Black Hawk East for her Associate In Science degree and then the University of Southern Illinois to complete her Bachelors degree in Crop Science with a minor in soil science. She is looking forward to “helping farmers make wise economical and environmental decisions in their farming operations.” Madison is passionate about the importance of soil health and the environment in agriculture.
Madison has grown up with Minneapolis-Moline. She says, “I grew up knowing there was one color of tractor, at least a good tractor, as Grandpa instilled this in my brain from a very young age.” In fact, she’s proud to point out that her initials for her full name – Madison Marie Casteel – are MMC, standing for Minneapolis Moline Collectors. This young lady plans to use her enthusiasm to let people know that “Minneapolis Moline tractors still are the powerhouses of agriculture and when you need a job done and done right you call the family with the yellow tractors.”
The 2022 Dale Laedtke Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The 2022 Laedktke Scholarship recipient is Caleb Book of Knoxville, IA a MMCI member. He is the son of Ethan and Becca Book. He will attend Indian Hills Community College in the Machine Technology program and plans to be a machine technician upon completion of his coursework. Caleb is in the process of restoring a 1946 MM ZTS.
Caleb has been involved with MM since an early age. His great grandfather owned a MM dealership in Nevada, IA. His family uses MM equipment on the family farm. He has assisted his uncle, Loren Book, with his vast collection of MM equipment.
The 2022 MMCI Scholarship Scholarship Recipient
Jacob Rayl of Kingston, MI is the recipient of the 2022 MMCI Scholarship. Jacob is the son of MMCI members Dan and Cheryl Rayl. Jacob will be attending Ferris State University to pursue a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering technology. He hopes to enter the automotive or agriculture industry and design parts, tools, and systems for tractors. He hopes to someday design parts that help MM tractors run forever.
Jacob’s family has been very active in collecting and restoring MM equipment. Jacob’s family has over thirty MM tractors and many other pieces of MM equipment. He is active in attending and showing MM equipment.
The 2021 Dale Laedtke Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Kenten Benner, from Panora, Iowa, received the Dale Laedtke Memorial Scholarship for $750. Kenten plans to attend the John Deere Tech Program at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska this fall. After completing the tech program he will return to work full time at Van Wall In Audubon.
Kenten has been collecting Minneapolis Moline equipment for three years thanks to his grandpa who gave him a 1953 Minneapolis Moline G that started his love and passion for Minneapolis Moline. He says “I have a passion to learn the Minneapolis Moline history and the ability to preserve, restore and tell others about the MM history.” He’s made several trips out of state to expand his collection, the most recent trip was to the Pease auction in Michigan to get a 114 hydro lawn tractor, snow blower and books. MMCI welcomes Kenten’s enthusiasm and desire to learn and promote our MM heritage. We hope he will inspire other young people to appreciate Minneapolis Moline and we wish him well as he learns and works with farm equipment.
The 2020 Dale Laedtke Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Olivia Cotton has been selected as the 1st Dale Laedtke Memorial Scholarship. Olivia is from Kalkaska, MI and is the granddaughter of MMCI member Don Cotton. Olivia is attending Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology for a two-year certificate program with an internship.
In her essay, Olivia’s goals and ambitions are to continue to work with her family’s potato farm. She has helped her father restore Minneapolis Moline and enjoys showing them in local parades with her grandfather. Olivia is clearly deserving of this generous award made possible by the Laedtke family in memory of their son Dale Laedtke.
The 2020 MMCI Scholarship Recipient
Hattie Kragenbring has been selected as the 2020 MMCI Scholarship recipient. Hattie is from Atwater, MN and is the daughter of MMCI member Jeff Kragenbring. Hattie is a 2020 graduate of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School and will be attending Minnesota State University Moorhead in the fall of 2020, majoring in accounting while also working towards a degree in Agricultural Business at North Dakota State University.
In her essay, Hattie’s ambition for the future and appreciation of the history of Minneapolis Moline was clear; she proudly shared that the first tractor she drove was a Jetstar! She shared memories of attending county fairs and tractor pulls, in addition to her family’s history of using Minneapolis Moline. Hattie is clearly deserving of this generous award made possible by MMCI members.
The 2019 MMCI Scholarship Recipient
Mr. Jamison Owens has been selected as the 2019 MMCI Scholarship Award recipient.
Jamison is from Chariton, Iowa and is the son of MMCI member Jeff Owens.
Jamison is a 2019 graduate of Chariton High School and will be attending Iowa State University in Fall 2019 with plans to major in Agricultural Engineering.
In his essay, Jamison’s ambition for the future and appreciation of the history of agriculture was clear. His career goal “to assist in pushing the limits of innovation in the agricultural equipment market” may lead to his dream of building the “next generation tractor”. Jamison has demonstrated his excitement about Minneapolis Moline by restoring a 1947 model ‘R’ and presenting Moline’s side valve engines used in the ‘R’ and ‘Z’ tractors to a local tractor club. He reviewed “the overall design of the engine as compared with other engines built at the time and why this engine was so important in promoting ease of maintenance and serviceability”, he added that he “loved being able to teach the other club members about this”.
Jamison plans to continue to share his “knowledge with others so that the Minneapolis Moline legacy may live on”. He is clearly deserving of this generous award made possible by MMCI Members.
Congratulations Jamison!
The 2018 MMCI Scholarship Recipient
Madeline Dimeo has been selected as the 2018 MMCI Award recipient. Madeline is from McFarland, WI and is the granddaughter of MMCI members Clint and Lee Kenyon.
Madeline is currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
In her well written eight page application essay, Madeline made her ambition and dedication clear. She has demonstrated her work ethic by completing 42 college credits while in high school as well as scoring high on her ACT exam. Madeline volunteered over 250 hours while in high school and continues to volunteer in her community and college; she has given time to a wide variety of needs from church, food banks, the Arboretum, an animal shelter, Wisconsin Public Television, March of Dimes and the Ronald McDonald House.
Madeline’s focused and clearly determined to make a difference in the world, she writes, “when asked what I plan to do after I graduate from college, my response is simply, ‘I’m going to save the world.'” Her love of farming, farmland and nature spurred her vocational ambitions. She plans to spend her career in preservation, environmental renewal and sustainable energy.
A self-described “down-to-nature” person, Madeline enjoys the simple things like “baking homemade pies from scratch, sewing, reading, attending Minneapolis Moline Collectors events and spending time with family.”
She credits her “relentless, unwavering positive attitude” to her success and is clearly deserving of this generous award made possible by MMCI members. Congratulations Madeline!
The 2017 MMCI Scholarship was given to two Recipient
Ashley Solvie of Hancock MN is the granddaughter of member Dennis Solvie. She is attending South Dakota State University in Brookings SD. She is working towards an Ag Business degree with an accounting minor.
Matthew J. Maveus of Monroe WI is the grandson of member Merlin Maveus. He is attending Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore WI. He is enrolled in the Ag power and Equipment Technician program.
Both students had outstanding applications. It was a tough time deciding between the several applicants we had. We thank everyone who applied and encourage others to apply in the future.
