Markgraf retires after 33 years at St. Paul's Lutheran School

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Studying, teaching and administering "on the hill" and just below it became a way of life that Dale Markgraf found fulfilling.

The St. Paul's Lutheran School Principal Dale Markgraf is concluding his 42-year teaching career where he began his Christian education, in New Ulm.

He's the guy with the crew cut before the hairdo came back into style. Returning to New Ulm was one of his life's highlights.

"I really enjoyed it on the hill (in his earlier years)," Markgraf said. "It was a neat experience to come back (to New Ulm)."

Another highlight was working closely with hundreds of Dr. Martin Luther College and its successor Martin Luther College student teachers who got their initial teaching experience St. Paul's School.

Markgraf attended Dr. Martin Luther High School 50 years ago before graduating from DMLC.

Beginning his teaching career in Brownsville, Wis., Markgraf and his wife Becky returned to New Ulm in 1971, the same year St. Paul's School moved into a new building on South Payne Street.

He taught all subjects and was the school athletic director until becoming principal in 1978. He taught religion, math and science three hours a day for many years.

Aside from religion, his favorite subject to teach was earth science. Field trips included the Morton granite quarry, a ravine near the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regional office and the Minnesota Science Museum.

In 1979, he was part of the process that created Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School.

After many meetings, MVL was born with three classrooms and use of the St. Paul's School gym and cafeteria. The next year, MVL moved to the former Shayds of Color Building.

His former students included Terry, Tom and Tim Steinbach.

The Markgrafs plan to remain in New Ulm. Their five children attended St.Paul's and two of them live in New Ulm. Two of their sons teach at Lutheran schools in Sioux Falls and Cincinnati.

Markgraf summed up his feelings about teaching here.

"It has been a joy and a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as principal of St. Paul's Lutheran School and to have played a significant role in the Christian education of hundreds of children during the past 42 years," he said.

Receptions for Markgraf are planned for 1-5 p.m., Friday, May 21 at St. Paul's Lutheran School and 9-10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 23 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.