Letter: Pabst is writer’s pick

Dear Editor,

Beth Pabst is running for register of deeds for St. Croix County. Although we do not know Beth personally, we can say something about her work ethic.

In 1996 our father, Joe Van Ranst, commented that his farm had been in the family for 100 years and would be eligible for the Century Farm Award. We checked with the county office and was informed that the first time any property had been purchased by our family was in 1902 and would not be eligible for the award until 2002.

The project was dropped until the next year when Dad again commented that the farm was “over” 100 years old. We then told him that he must have the dates wrong because the county had checked and the first purchase was in 1902. He gently informed us that there was a mistake someplace.

We called the county back and this time was referred to Beth Pabst. After explaining the situation, Beth rechecked and came back with the same information — 1902!

We told her that this seemed very important to Dad and Beth said, “Many times, that far back, deeds and land transfers might have been filed in the wrong book. Let me look through some old books and see if I can find anything else.” She did this extra search, on her own time, and found an original deed filed in a different book, and Dad was right.

She then helped with the paperwork necessary to file for the Century Farm Award. We took Mom and Dad to the state fair and it was one of the proudest days in Dad’s life when he received that award.

Dad passed away early the summer of 2002. If Beth had not gone the extra step to find that misfiled original deed, Dad would have never seen his family receive the award. Beth has both experience working in the register of deeds Office and the work ethic to make a great register of deeds. Please support Beth by voting Sept. 9 at the primary election.

Tags: editor, hudson, opinion, letter, to, the