Lillian Leonard Primary

06/15/2022

St. Joe!! Our new home base!!

05/24/2022

05/10/2022

03/18/2022

This is my beautiful Grandma Lil (far right) and her sisters! Grandma Lil = Lillian of Lillian Leonard Primary ☺️

It’s safe to say musical talent ran in the family for the Theisen Sisters of Cold Spring. The quartet consisted of sisters Rosie, Lollie, Lillie, and Angie; daughters of Leo and Augusta Theisen. When the singers started attaining community recognition, they ranged in age from 11 to 15 years old.

As early as 1937 the sisters were performing at local venues such as the Last Man’s Club dinner, where they were described as being “popularly received as usual.” The group was also part of the entertainment program at the 1939 Central Minnesota Creamery Operators and Dairymen’s association banquet where, “now becoming a famous quartet, were the popular entertainers on the program and responded to several encores.”

Later in 1939, the Theisen Sisters signed an 11-week contract with KFAM radio. The show would be 30 minutes long and feature Byron Holtz on the novachord. In praise of the singing sisters, the St. Cloud Times reported, “Theisen sisters quartet has sung in the St. Cloud area for the past three years and appeared in 15 towns in this part of the state during time as well as Minneapolis and St. Paul. Their ambition to become radio singing stars started with home practices.”

In a 1999 interview with the St. Cloud Times, Angie (Theisen) Monnens stated, “I am the only survivor of the Theisen Sisters, but I still recall every moment I spent entertaining around the state. We were there when KFAM opened its doors with a special Sunday afternoon program. People were very happy to have our own radio station with much local news and musical broadcasts.” The KFAM radio program was broadcast from the Paramount, and the program helped raise money for war bonds during World War II.

As you might expect, the sisters grew up and went on to pursue other endeavors. Although all of the sisters are now gone, their contributions to local music history live on.

The photo shows the four sisters in a 1939 photo taken by Myron Hall. From left to right are: Angie, Rosie, Lollie, and Lillie.

12/26/2021

Happy Holidays from all of us at…

10/23/2021

We are, and will continue to be, Jacob's Hope. Do leave a light on tomorrow in honor of Jacob and in honor of families still searching for loved ones. In addition, please be a light tomorrow. Positive choices make a positive difference. May our words, actions, and choices radiate the hope that we have in making a better world for kids.

05/16/2021

I would say this video from action painting week speaks for itself! So much fun!!! 🎨💦💥‼️