Arsene Coon visits friends in Sioux Rapids

On Tuesday, August 19, Arsene Schweitzer Coon of El Segundo, California, had the opportunity to visit with old friends and acquaintances at the Sioux Rapids Historical Museum. Gayla and Allen Sorenson organized the reunion for Arsene and her family, who lived in Sioux Rapids many years ago. Arsene and her husband, Wayne and his brother, Ellis, owned and operated the Sioux Cafe.

Arsene was accompanied on her visit by her son, Jim Coon of Gainesville, FL and her daughter, Janice Coon Boehnlein and her husband, Jim of El Segundo, CA. Jim lived in Sioux Rapids until he was four years old.

Arsene was able to visit the house on Main Street where she was born and raised. The house is presently owned by Dewey and Betty Ludwig. Arsene was born in November 1910 and lived in the house until 1932 when she married Wayne Coon. She noted several changes inside the home - the fireplace once in the house is no longer there and the bathroom is much more modern. She shared the seemingly unknown fact that the Ludwigs' home was the Sioux Rapids courthouse before her father purchased the property in the early 1900's. Arsene also had a chance to visit with Virginia Holleson.

Arsene's family was joined in Sioux Rapids by Nola Coon Naughton and her husband Jack of Iowa City. Nola is the daughter of Ellis Coon and Mary Dickinson Coon and lived in the city until she was seven.

Also present were other members of the Coon family: Judy Ward Perkins of Claremont, CA, Brian Ward of Brooklyn Park, MN. and his daughter Shelly of Buyck, Minnesota and also Don Lawson of Brigham City, Utah.

The Coon family enjoyed dinner with Sioux Rapids residents at the American Legion and then spent the afternoon at the museum. They met and visited with many members of the community that included Allen and Gayla Sorenson, Aubrey George, Lois Olson, Irene Blount Gottschall, Don Yungbluth, Lavon Kephart and others. This very special occasion was enjoyed by all and the Coon family is most grateful the chance to meet with the Sioux Rapids community and share memories.