Earl Danewicke, age 17, emigrated here from Norway where he had been trained as a painter. He married "local girl" Alma Altona and established Danewicke Painting & Decorating in the 1930s. The company prospered in tandem with the growth of Mayo Clinic, its primary customer. This company photo (upper) was taken in January 1941. Danewicke Sr. is in the dark coat and hat; the boy seated in front is his son, Elmer Jr., who took over the business upon his father’s death in 1956. Danewicke Sr. had a short commute to work as he and his family resided in a house on the corner just south of the business. Both structures still stand on Sixth Avenue Southwest. The building that housed the business has changed little (right).
Next week: A fine farmstead to fine dining
