As we dug through the archives, the earliest mention of a Grand Marshal was in 1953.  According to the Montgomery Messenger, Sgt. Leslie White of Waseca, who arrived home the Saturday before the Kolacky Day celebration after spending two years in a Communist prison camp in Korea, was bestowed the honor of Grand Marshal.  Since then many great men and women have received this cherished honor! 

MACC felt there was no one more deserving than Dr. Mark & Mary Brahs to serve as the 2025 Grand Marshals. The couple moved to Montgomery in the summer of 1976 and founded Family Dental Care in October 1976 that currently exists today as Montgomery Family Dental. They raised their two (2) children and were involved in many activites throughout the community. Mark was involved in the Montgomery Jaycees, the Montgomery Golf Club Board, Kolacky Days Bun Run Volunteer, Youth Basketball Coach, School Board Special Committee regarding buildings and consolidation, Lions Club, Mobilize Montgomery, and the Montgomery Food Shelf. Currently, Mark is the St. John Lutheran Endowment Committee Chairman, City of Montgomery Public Works Advisory Board Chairman, and a Montgomery Community Club Member where he previously served as their President in the 1980s. Mary was a member of the Montgomery Jaycee Women and was a former President. She was one of the founding members of the Montgomery-Lonsdale PTO and also served as their President. Other community service organizations she was invovled included Aging Services Board, Meals on Wheels Volunteer, Mobilize Montgomery Design Team, Montgomery-Lonsdale Superintendent Selection Committee, and the Queen of Peace Hospital Foundation Board. At St. John Lutheran, she served as the Sunday School Preschool Teacher, Confirmation Class Assistant, Chuch Council, Altar Guild, and Chair of Operation Christmas Child Project. Currently she is involved with the quilting group at St. John Lutheran and helps with the assembling the baby bundles and personal care kits that go to Lutheran World Relief. She also currently volunteers for the Arts & Heritage Center and is an active member of the Montgomery Area Community Club.

Every spring since 1958, the MACC announces they are seeking nominations for the Kolacky Days Grand Marshal.  These individuals have played a significant role in the development and success of the Montgomery Area.  Congratulations to all our Grand Marshals.

  • 1953 - Sgt. Leslie White

  • 1958 - Matej David

  • 1959 - Carl Fischer

  • 1960 - Dr. Fred Westerman

  • 1961 - F.J. Turek

  • 1962 - P.X. Kennedy

  • 1963 - Emma Mladek & Lil Charles

  • 1964 - Emil & Mary Franke

  • 1965 - Queen of Snows Carla Augst & Grandfather August Augst

  • 1966 - Elmer Westerman

  • 1967 - Judge Frank M. Turek

  • 1968 - Joe G. Hruby

  • 1969 - Richard Mikiska

  • 1970 - Linus & Mary Ulbricht

  • 1971 - Jim Zelenka

  • 1972 - George & Ceil Feipel

  • 1973 - Dr. Henry Kucera

  • 1974 - Mrs. Joe (Leatta) Trnka

  • 1975 - Helen C. Keohen

  • 1976 - Ronald Novotny

  • 1977 - Frank & Ella Wisdorf

  • 1978 - Milton & Helen Bentley

  • 1979 - W.J. & Al Krenik

  • 1980 - Don & Rose Sweeney

  • 1981 - John & Margaret Ziska

  • 1982 - Ed & Eleanor Berninghaus

  • 1983 - C.J. & Helen Korbel

  • 1984 - Lloyd & Helen Richter

  • 1985 - Joe & Franny Kohout

  • 1986 - Babe Sery

  • 1987 - Jerry & Mary Ann Ruhland

  • 1988- Ed & Dorothy Herman

  • 1989 - Al & Rita Vlasak

  • 1990 - Elroy & Armella Mladek

  • 1991 - Blanche Zellmer

  • 1992 - Glen & Marge Flicek

  • 1993 - Mike & Ramona McGuire

  • 1994 - Glenn & Tatty Malone

  • 1995 - Butch & Jule Franke

  • 1996 - Emmanuel & Betty Vikla

  • 1997 - Jerome & Noreen Schleis

  • 1998 - Lorraine "Tiny" Dvorak

  • 1999 - Clarence & Dorothy Hruby

  • 2000 - Jerry & Cathy Herrmann

  • 2001 - Andy & Mary Regenscheid

  • 2002 - Larry & Karen Parsons

  • 2003 - Emma Pomije

  • 2004 - Leonard &Joan Ouradnik

  • 2005 - Jerry & Lorraine David

  • 2006 - Chuck & Berneice Kasper

  • 2007 - Ed & Mary Blumhoefer

  • 2008 - Roger & MaryAnn Heyda

  • 2009 - Ralph & Doris Hendrickson

  • 2010 - Berlyn & Garie Teig

  • 2011 - John Grimm

  • 2012 - Bill & Cheryl Marek

  • 2013 - Dave and Mary King

  • 2014 - Ruhland Family: Gary and Linda, Dale, Bob and Jan Ruhland and Ken and Mary Ruhland Tupy

  • 2015 - Steve & Bonnie Flicek

  • 2016 - Bob & Barb Rotter

  • 2017 - Bob & Lisbeth Janovsky

  • 2018 - Jake (John) & Kay Keohen

  • 2019 - Jim & Patti Mladek

  • 2020 - Buck (Arnold) & Gladys Zahratka

  • 2021 - Gerry & Dianna Smith

  • 2022 - Bob & Colleen Pavek

  • 2023 - Mick McGuire

  • 2024 - Marc & Kathy Peterson

  • 2025 - Dr. Mark & Mary Brahs

The Montgomery Area Community Club would like to thank the Montgomery Messenger and the many relatives and friends of past Grand Marshals who provided these pictures for our photo gallery. 

If you have better picture of the Grand Marshals from the weekend, please consider emailing us at kolackydays@gmail.com or mailing it to 206 1st St. S, Montgomery, MN 56069.  The photo will be returned to you if you provided a mailing address.