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Even the broadcast of the final game of the 2014 World Series couldn’t keep a nice-sized crowd of well-wishers away from an evening reception October 29,  recognizing two men’s longtime service to Shafer Township.  

Carlyle Klinke, who served 24 years on the town board and Roy Johnson, with 43 years under his belt and still counting,  were guests of honor at the Shafer Township Hall reception.

Klinke said a grandfather,  and his father, Charles, who was township clerk for 30 years,  set an example for him of active involvement  in township matters.  The Klinke family farm is 140 years old and continues to operate under son, James.

Roy Johnson, meanwhile, shifted away from 43 years as township clerk, but he’s still in the thick of things. He won election last year to the Board as a township supervisor. (Succeeding Johnson as clerk is Faith Lichtscheidl.)   

Johnson didn’t just do the township’s meeting minutes and bookkeeping, there were times he’d get on his tractor and cut ditches if they needed it.  He won election to the clerk post after Walter Sandberg didn’t seek re-election in 1971. During his service Johnson was also chosen by the Association of Township Officers as an  “Officer of the Year.”

Both men were proud to point out that township  board members have provided fiscal leadership allowing Shafer Township to be “debt free” as of last year.
They could also recall when township board meetings were convened in members’ homes;  the town hall and polling place was established in “Clover Blossom School” a classic one-room schoolhouse that used to sit on about a quarter-acre on County Road 20.   The structure was presented to the Historical Society and is restored and has a new home on the Almelund Threshing Show Grounds.

Johnson and Klinke were also instrumental in constructing the “new” Shafer Township Hall occupied in 2000-2001 and is paid for.

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