DCFF announces 2026 Hall of Fame inductees
STAFF PHOTOS BY WAYNE HENDRICKSON
The family of Roberta Knight accepted the Friend of the Fair award this year on her behalf. Knight helped establish the Dodge County Horse Project and served as the leader with the Dodge Center Junior Riders. She passed in February at the age of 90.
On the final day of the Dodge County Free Fair Larry and Merry Kruckeberg were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Larry and Merry Kruckeberg have been working and helping with fair events for a long time. Larry Kruckeberg was born in the Claremont area on a crop and livestock farm. Growing up, he was in 4-H, showing pigs at the Steele County Fair. Merry Kruckeberg grew up in Owatonna. They have been married almost fifty years, and have two children, Tim and Ann.
The Kruckebergs have retired from long careers. Larry Kruckeberg with the State of Minnesota DOT and Merry with Jostens. They now enjoy cruises in the winter time and watching their grandchildren taking part in events during the fair and school activities.
Larry Kruckeberg has been involved with the fair since his younger days driving street stocks on the race track. He has been on the Dodge County fair board for 22 years helping run the many grandstand events, working the track, and keeping things moving. He has also been a great help with the building storage during the off season. Merry Kruckeberg helps with the concessions for fair events in the race pit areas.
The fair board wishes to thank the Kruckeberg for their many years of service to the county fair.
Friends of the Fair
Roberta Knight
Roberta Knight grew up in Missouri and after marriage to Ronald Knight, moved to a farm north of Dodge Center where they raised pigs and registered quarter horses. She was very active in the Dodge County 4-H program helping establish the Dodge County Horse Project and serving as the leader with the Dodge Center Junior Riders.
She has two children Ron and Rhonda. Her daughter Rhonda is now the leader of the Dodge Center 4-H Dog show program and her grandkids are very involved in many livestock and other projects during the fair.
Roberta Knight died this past February while residing in Missouri at the age of 90.
Barb Alberts
Barb Alberts was born in Dodge Center, In 1955 she married Klaus Alberts and together they had two children, Cynthia and Klaus Craig. They were married for sixty years. Barb worked at the courthouse in Mantorville for many years and was a personal shopper for Dayton’s in Rochester.
She was a devoted member of St John’s Lutheran in Kasson where she volunteered for many projects and activities. Her husband Klaus was on the Dodge County Fair Board for 38 years. Barb Alberts would help where needed as all spouses of fair board members do. She died on April 18 at the age of 90.
Dave Wetzstein
Dave Wetzstein was born in Dodge County and attended school in West Concord, and agriculture school in Waseca. Dave was a 4-Her in Dodge County showing cattle at the fair. Dave and his wife Nancy were married for 44 years. Their children Kim, Steve, and Mark were active in 4-H, the fair, and together they milked Brown Swiss cows.
Dave Wetzstein was on the Ellington Town Board for over 50 years. He was also on the Dodge County Fair Board for over 30 years. Dave Wetzstein was involved with livestock and grandstand events during his time on the board. His love of racing and watching his son and grandson race on the Dodge County track was always special to him!
Just this week the family and the fair sponsored a race in his honor that drew a huge crowd with over 100 cars. He was always there to help wherever it was needed and we will miss him. Dave Wetzstein died on February 20 at the age of 85.
Marilyn Lermon
Marilyn Lermon was born in Stacyville, Iowa. After high school she went to nursing school at St Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. In 1965 she married Robert Lermon and together they had three children, Marina, Jennifer, and Michelle. Marilyn worked as a nurse at the Mayo Clinic for 30 years and finished her career as the school nurse at the Kasson Mantorville School.
She started her fair career as superintendent of the fine arts and crafts projects. Her 30 years on the fair board were mostly in leadership positions starting as secretary and presidents. Her leadership and knowledge as well as her passion for the fair carried the board members through some tough times. The fair has grown and improved through her time on the board.
She taught us to keep going, work hard, and do the right things. This week when the power went out, the car races kept going, the carnival, the beef show, and the board members kept going.
Marilyn Lermon died on Jan. 11 at 81 years old, and the fair board said it plans to continue her legacy by doing the best they can each year for the fair.
STAFF PHOTOS BY WAYNE HENDRICKSON
