Ed and Mary Hadenfeldt have been chosen as this year’s Solon Beef Days Cornerstone Grand Marshals of the 2024 Celebration. This special recognition is awarded for their involvement in community activities that have made a positive impact on the Solon community and
surrounding area.
Ed began teaching and coaching in Solon in fall of 1978, coaching football for 37 years, and track and wrestling for many of those years also. Many athletic successes were achieved during that time including State Championships. During wrestling season when their boys were younger, he would take a station wagon full of kids to tournaments most weekends. Always a storyteller, Ed has developed many strong friendships with students, parents, staff and coaches along the way. He always taught Junior High social studies and enjoyed working with JH students.
Ed and Mary were married in 1981 and have lived in Solon ever since. Mary supervised Spartan wrestling tournament concessions for 20+ years with lots of help from Spartan wrestling parents. She also assisted with catechism instruction at St. Mary’s for a long time and various other volunteer activities. Mary began working in real estate in 2001 and found it a pleasure to serve buyers and sellers and show them around this beautiful area. This community and school were big draws, she said. One of her favorite things was when former Solon students wanted to move back to the area after getting married and starting their families.
Ed & Mary were blessed to raise three sons in Solon. All three are currently teachers: Adam {Jenny} is head football coach at Grinnell, Aaron {Kourtney} is head wrestling coach at Solon, and after 11 years at Jefferson, Augie {Caitlin} will begin teaching at Prairie this fall and has coached on and off throughout his tenure. They are currently grandparents of five, with one more expected to arrive before Beef Days.
Because they are both now retired, they thoroughly enjoy the extra time to spend with the kiddos. They enjoy taking them camping and fishing when they can and also enjoying traveling in their RV to many different spots in this great country, trying to visit as many National Parks as they can.
Ed noted, “Beef Days has long been a favorite in our family, and we always try to get together for a steak dinner, see some hay bales tossed, and check out the other concessions. The parade is also a highlight, and the grandkids love the amusement rides.”
Mary shared, “from my time in our real estate office on Main Street, it was always fascinating to watch things get set up for Beef Days and see many volunteers putting in so much time. What a lot of work and organization, but it shows in the end and always a well-run event. Another favorite of Beef Days is seeing so many people, it seems everyone comes back, and it is so good to catch up. Thank you to all who make this such a memorable event that gives so much back to our community!”
-30-