2022 Festmaster & Frau – Douglas & Kimberly Kratt
Doug held several jobs as a youngster, and even started a few businesses. You name it and he probably did it, including piloting houseboats, teaching SCUBA and swim lessons, selling sound equipment, and giving brewery tours. There was even a stint working for the Mouse in Orlando. He volunteered for La Crosse Area Underwater Rescue and Recovery Unit throughout his undergraduate years, before heading off to Veterinary School in Madison.
These days, you can most likely find Doug (and probably Kim) at Central Animal Hospital any day of the week. Sure, being open to serve pets in the community on Sundays takes some sacrifice, but the need is great. The best part is, Doug truly is in the best profession – he absolutely loves his work. In addition to patient care, he has clinic-owning duties and a lot of philanthropic work. He has donated veterinary services to many organizations in the past, but the most high-profile VIPs now are our state and local police K9 officers. Doug started a medical wellness program for all the K9s in the Wisconsin State Patrol over a decade ago. When he learned that these officers weren’t all afforded the same, high level of preventative, medical, and surgical care, the team stepped up. Others have come along since then, with the Central Animal Hospital staff providing care for the Onalaska, Holmen, Tomah, and Campbell Police Departments as well as the La Crosse County Sheriff’s office. Doug and his Frau are extremely blessed to be able to give back and provide everything these VIP K9s need.
Doug grew up with Oktoberfest, which made taking a position on the Board of La Crosse Festivals, Inc. in 2009 a relatively easy decision for him. Professionally, he has led nearly every veterinary organization he is a part of, including the Coulee Region Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, having just finished the Presidency of this national organization. Both Kim and Doug own and practice veterinary medicine at Central Animal Hospital in Onalaska; they also enjoy mentoring future veterinarians and technicians. You can find them at work, which is one place they both love to be, as well as hiking with the dogs, or perhaps on a beach somewhere warm.
Former Festmasters and Fraus
Year | Festmaster | Frau |
---|---|---|
2021-2022 | Tom Tiggelaar | Marilyn |
2019-2020 | Terry Cowgill | Shelly |
2018-2019 | Mike Keil | Karen |
2017-2018 | Brian Rude | Karen |
2016-2017 | Joe Kruse | Barbara |
2015-2016 | Chuck Roth | LuAnn |
2014-2015 | Scott Horne | Sue |
2013-2014 | David Ring | Denise |
2012-2013 | Brad Sturm | Lynn |
2011-2012 | Jerry Kember | Nan |
2010-2011 | Ed Przytarski | Eileen |
2009-2010 | Todd Ondell | Deb |
2008-2009 | Mike Weissenberger | Joan |
2007-2008 | Peter Krause | Krin |
2006-2007 | Terry Collins | Karolyn |
2005-2006 | Peter Stinson | Sally |
2004-2005 | Ted Dewald | Marlene |
2003-2004 | Chris Weiss | Beth |
2002-2003 | Bill Leonard | Kay |
2001-2002 | Tom Sleik | Judy |
2000-2001 | Lyle Quillin | Sandy* |
1999-2000 | Rollo Taylor* | Kay |
1998-1999 | Steve Webster | Katie |
1997-1998 | Duane Moore | Jan |
1996-1997 | Deak Swanson | Jeanne |
1995-1996 | Howard Voss* | Bernadine |
1994-1995 | Al Becker* | Anne |
1993-1994 | Bill Otto* | Mary Jo |
1992-1993 | Bill Larkin* | Jan |
1991-1992 | Karl Friedline | Marcia* |
1990-1991 | Duane Taebel* | Carol |
1989-1990 | Russ Cleary* | Gail |
1988-1989 | Steve Pavela* | Marian* |
1987-1988 | Alex Skover* | Fran* |
1986-1987 | Harry Wiggert* | Beverly* |
1985-1986 | Carl "Cully" Rebhan* | Ruth* |
1984-1985 | Bernie Degen* | Barbara |
1983-1984 | Quinn Johnson* | Lorraine* |
1982-1983 | John Mooney* | Nettie* |
1981-1982 | Bob Mullally* | Mary Ann* |
1980-1981 | Joe Ludden* | Lyn* |
1979-1980 | George Frost* | Jan* |
1978-1979 | Wally Rose* | Helen* |
1977-1978 | Art Dugan* | Leona* |
1976-1977 | Dave Hammes* | Betty* |
1975-1976 | Sam Hagerman* | Betty* |
1974-1975 | Jack Custer* | M.J.* |
1973-1974 | Dick Beggs* | Evalyn* |
1972-1973 | Walt Hammond* | Sally* |
1971-1972 | Joe Rohrer* | Evelyn* |
1970-1971 | Cully Prinz* | Dorothy* |
1969-1970 | Hans Zoreb* | Belle* |
1968-1969 | John Thomas* | Gretchen* |
1967-1968 | Jack Martin* | Elsie* |
1966-1967 | Lincoln Neprud* | Laura* |
1965-1966 | John Coleman* | Adelheid* |
1964-1965 | Roy Kumm* | Hope* |
1963-1964 | Ray Ping* | Mildred* |
1962-1963 | Don Rice* | Lorraine* |
1961-1962 | None | None |
Who will represent La Crosse as the 2023 Festmaster?
The selection of the Festmaster is one of the oldest and most cherished Fest traditions. The selection process and naming of the new Festmaster is very secret and the mystery only adds to the fun!
The Festmaster heads the Oktoberfest Royal Family and is chosen annually by the Board of Trustees. Once selected, the Board of Trustees Chairman, along with the past year’s Festmaster, mentors the new Festmaster, bringing him up to speed on his duties, expectations, and appearances.
The new Festmaster & Frau are announced at the Festmaster’s Ball, held yearly in September.
Nominations for the 2023 Festmaster are now being accepted and will close on January 2, 2023!
If you know a man who is deserving, involved, and would be a great fit in our community-focused organization, submit your nomination below!
Nominations will be accepted for a man who is…
- married
- age 50 or older
- a resident for at least 10 years within 20 mile radius of La Crosse
- actively involved and well-known in the La Crosse community
- has the time to devote to Oktoberfest activities!
The following information is required to complete the nomination:
- Name of the nominee
- Nominee’s address & contact information
- Nominee’s biographical information – this would include such information as occupation, community or volunteer service, church involvement, professional activities, community or professional awards
- Nominator’s name and personal comments as to why they have submitted nominee’s name
The final selection is made by the Board of Trustees however all nominations are kept on file for three years from the date of submission.
Click here to nominate your pick for 2023 Festmaster.