2012 Grand Marshals
Three people, representing years of dedicated service to the community, were honored as grand marshals at Fremont County’s Pioneer Days Celebration this year in St. Anthony.
Former St. Anthony Mayor M.J. “Mutt” Rose who died in late April was honored posthumously.
Marv and Chee Hansen of St. Anthony were also honored. Mr. Hansen retired in 2011 as a member of the Pioneer Days board of directors.
Former St. Anthony Mayor M.J. “Mutt” Rose who died in late April was honored posthumously.
Marv and Chee Hansen of St. Anthony were also honored. Mr. Hansen retired in 2011 as a member of the Pioneer Days board of directors.
Marv and Chee Hansen
Marv Hansen grew up on a farm in the Grant area near Rigby and graduated from Rigby High School.
He attended Ricks College and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture at Utah State University. He taught a couple of years in Arizona and Utah before coming to St. Anthony where he began teaching at South Fremont in 1970. He taught at the high school and was also the rodeo team advisor for 28 years. “We had a good rodeo team,” he said. He noted that during that time the South Fremont rodeo team took district, state and national championships. Hansen admits he had very limited rodeo experience before coming to St. Anthony but during the many years he helped with the Pioneer Day celebration, he also worked mainly with the rodeo. He called those years of service a good experience due to the wonderful, dedicated, hard working people he came to know. Along the way Hansen also served “eight or ten years” on the Fremont County Fair Board where he was board chairman for several years. He noted that many of his students at the high school would enter their projects in the fair. He has been busy in the LDS church serving in leadership positions in the ward, the stake and also at Ricks College. He and his wife served a” farm management mission” on a large cattle ranch in Nebraska. The Hansens recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Chee who is from Teton City met her husband in a square dance class at Ricks College where she got a degree as a registered nurse. She said, partially in jest, that she put Marv through college. She noted however that, “we have done it together.” She worked as a nurse full or part time for 45 years at Fremont General Hospital in St. Anthony, the Rexburg Medical Center and at Ricks College as well as other places. She raised three daughters and a son and the couple has 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She served in the 4-H program for many years with clubs in sewing and cooking. She has also been very busy in the LDS church serving in “just about every position a woman can have,” including Primary president and Relief Society president. She also has worked with the church humanitarian service program and is a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. The couple currently serves as officiators in the Rexburg LDS temple. |
M.J. "Mutt" Rose
M.J. Rose, affectionately know as Mutt by his many acquaintances, died in late April of a heart condition following a lifetime of service to his hometown.
He was a prominent figure in St. Anthony politics and business for many years. Including four stints as mayor totaling 16 years. Mutt grew up on St. Anthony's south side and graduated from high school in 1954. From 1956 to 1977 he worked for Garrett Freight Lines. Later he owned and operated his own business in the community which he named " Cougar Corner," after the St. Anthony sports team the South Fremont cougars. The business which was a gas station and convenience store, was located on South Bridge Street. During his lifetime he was one of St. Anthony's biggest boosters. He always showed a great love for the town. As a leader he tried to promote and encourage the maintenance and upkeep of the community. As an enthusiastic sports fan he could often be seen at sporting events and was always willing to volunteer when help was needed. In addition to his 16 years as mayor he also served on the city council, he was wagon master of the Centennial Wagon Train, and was co-owner of the Little Buckaroo Rodeo. He also ran for a seat in the Idaho legislature. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed many hours golfing, volunteered often, and made many friends at the Fremont County Golf Course. He was noted as a sharp player and was also know for his annual "Mutt's Chester Chicken Golf Tournament" at the golf course. He was the father of three sons and a daughter and was always supported in his many activities and ventures by his wife of 28 years, Patty. |
