Aufderheide going into broadcast hall of fame

(After a half century at KNUJ Radio in New Ulm, Doris Aufderheide will join Minnesota Twins voice Herb Carneal, Mary Davies, aka WCCO TV personality "Carmen The Nurse," veteran Hubbard Broadcasting television news anchor John MacDougall and Howard Viken, a 50-year veteran of WCCO 830 radio in the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame Oct. 30.)

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The unique, distinct, enunciating voice of Doris Aufderheide can be mistaken for no other as it comes from the radio speaker.

The long-time KNUJ radio personality is in a class by herself. Not to be confused with female ragtime composer May Aufderheide, Doris never went to broadcasting school, although you'd never know it by listening to her.

If you call KNUJ during the day when Aufderheide is there, chances are good she'll answer the phone.

Aufderheide will join an elite list of radio and TV celebrities on Oct. 30 when she is one of the guests of honor at the 4th Annual Pavek Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame Dinner at the Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom in Golden Valley.

Other broadcasters joining the hall that night include long-time Minnesota Twins voice Herb Carneal; former WCCO TV Channel 4's Mary Davies, a.k.a. "Carmen The Nurse," of its children's morning show decades ago; veteran Hubbard Broadcasting television news anchor John MacDougall; Howard Viken of WCCO Radio; and others.

To be considered, Hall of Fame nominees must have at least 20 years service in the broadcast industry and have made significant contributions to Minnesota broadcasting. Local Legends is the theme of this year's ceremony.

Ingstad Brothers Broadcasting Vice President Jim Bartels of KNUJ, New Ulm said Aufderheide is a living legend.

"There aren't many like her in Minnesota or the nation," Bartels said. "I don't know if people around here realize it or appreciate it, but she's an icon."

He cited her district, strong voice, work ethic, knowledge of how to pronounce New Ulm's German names to new station broadcasters and ability to enjoy being on the air.

"She has a blast on the air," Bartels said. "If everybody had as much fun as she does on the air, that's all you could hope for anybody."

Aufderheide's shtick shines during snow storms when she stays until all phone calls are answered and event times are announced to make listeners aware.

"Radio becomes more crucial when things are cancelled due to the weather," Bartels said. "I tried to tell Doris to leave but she wouldn't until everything was done."

Bartels added that Aufderheide was a mentor for him at the station since the first day he began there in 1975.

Station general manager Marj Frederickson said Aufderheide personifies the station's slogan, "your friend in southern Minnesota."

"She makes listeners feel like they know us," Frederickson said. "Many of them tell us they heard things on her show. If she said it, she's right. It's amazing. Her hard work, loyalty and pride brought us through many changes."

Perry Galvin of Green Valley, Ariz., who worked at KNUJ for 37 years before retiring a few years ago, described Aufderheide.

"One of her strengths is doing a good job of personalizing her delivery. It's like she's talking to you one on one," Galvin said.

Her reliability is another attribute.

"She's reliable as heck, on the job day in and day out," Galvin said. "She took very few is any sick days. She's a great gal. A great trooper and was always good to me. A good friend."

Aufderheide began working with the federal rent control program in Rochester. Laid off due to budget cuts in 1954, she came back home to New Ulm.

She began working at The Journal in the advertising department in time for the 1954 Centennial edition. Her duties included layout and paste-up. Not long after that, she took an office job across the street from The Journal at KNUJ Radio. The newspaper and radio were owned by Mickelson Media Inc.

The work evolved into community affairs announcements that include anything and everything in every community the station serves in southern Minnesota.

Her shows, which air several times in the morning and early afternoon, grew to include the recipe of the day, which is submitted by listeners. Never a disc jockey, Aufderheide writes obituaries and takes ball game scores if need be.

She worked seven days a week for many years. She still works five days a week and has no plans to let up.

"Radio gets in your blood, I suppose like anything else can. Since I'm a widow, it's pretty much all I do and it's still exciting," Aufderheide said.

Her favorites include: homemade potato soup, especially in winter, fresh Alaskan salmon fish, oriental, Mexican, German and American food; watching the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Chicago Cubs and food and travel shows on television; drinking coffee or tea; all music; and listening to KNUJ.

The AM 860 station will broadcast Aufderheide's Hall of Fame induction at 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com