Grinnell couple celebrates family, friends, music and old cars at Labor Day gathering

       Doug and Roberta See, center, are joined by their two daughters, Tammy Sue Kriegel, left, of Grinnell and Shelly Manly of Okoboji. Most of the See’s family and grandchildren were at the event on Labor Day afternoon south of Grinnell. The event was held in honor of the See’s late son, Doug See Jr., and late son-in-law, Dwayne Kriegel.

By J.O. Parker
 
         Music from the 50s and 60s filled the airwaves and antique cars lined the yard at the Doug and Roberta See farm south of Grinnell on Labor Day afternoon.
        An estimated 200 friends, family and former car club members came to enjoy good food, good music and to fellowship, reminisce, reconnect and remember.
        The event was held in honor of the See’s late son, Doug See Jr., 49, who passed away on June 3, 2023 from a torn aorta and their late son-in-law, Dwayne Kriegel, who passed away five years ago from a wasp sting while delivering mail in Grinnell.
         The music was provided by Dylan and Zach Zmed of the Nashville area and Richie Lee of Des Moines, all friends of the See’s.
        The Zmed brothers duo travel the United States and Canada performing the Everly Brothers Experience and appreciated the See’s, who they became friends with some years ago, inviting them to perform at their Iowa farm.
        “We met the Zmed Brothers in Shenandoah, home of the original Everly Brothers, and have visited them in Nashville,” said Roberta, who was glad they were there.
       Doug and Roberta are also good friends of Richie Lee, who gave a performance of music by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.
        Lee typically performs with his band, the Fabulous 50’s, but for this event he was there as a solo act.
        “I enjoyed performing,” Lee said after the show.
       “We love history,” said Dylan of the Zmed duo’s music. “The fact that we are brothers, we love to celebrate brothers in music, thus the Everly Brothers. Our favorite thing is getting to sing harmony.”
        The brother duo has been singing together since 2009.
       “We discovered the Everly Brothers Music in 2015 and started performing the Everly Brothers Experience that year,” noted Dylan.
      The duo performs about 60 – 70 shows a year and has performed all over Iowa including the opera houses in What Cheer and Brooklyn, and in every state outside of Alaska and Hawaii and in all of the Canadian provinces.
         Roberta said she and Doug have held car club events and get-togethers at their farm in past years, but this one was special to them. It was their last one.
         “We had good food, old cars and old people,” Roberta said with a chuckle. “Lots of people came to help us celebrate and remember.”
        Also in attendance were members of the former MotorIoway Car Club, a once celebrated cross-state auto tour held in Iowa and neighboring states, who the Sees helped spearhead.
         “Some of our school friends and car club members came, too” said Roberta.
        The Sees helped found the Happy Days Car Show (not connected with the Grinnell Car Show) held in late August in Grinnell for 25 years.
        “The Central Iowa Classic Cruisers hosted the show at Central Park every year,” said Roberta.
        “It was a really nice day and a good turnout,” said Leon and Pat Rowell of Montezuma, who brought their 36 Chevrolet to the event. “There were lots of nice cars and a lot of people we haven’t seen in a while.”
        “A beautiful day,” said Mary Purdum of Montezuma, who was at the event with her husband, Mack. The couple brought their customized car to the event.
        Ron Hauser, a now retired Grinnell veterinarian, and his wife, Joyce, also came to the event.
      “It was fun,” said Ron. “It was great to see Richie Lee. We first saw him when he was 16-years-old and performing at the Cattle Congress in Waterloo sometime in the early 1990s.”
       “It was a wonderful event in honor of Doug and Roberta’s son,” said neighbors Lance and Deb Longman, who have lived just down the road for 23 years. “We used to visit the Candyland Station in Grinnell when Roberta was owner. It’s good to remember and reminisce with friends.”
      “I just love that my grandparents were able to host this event,” said Ashley Diedrick of Humboldt, who was there with her family. “It was good to see people I grew up with and have known all my life.”
     The See’s daughters, Tammy Kriegel of Grinnell and Shelly Manly of Okoboji, were also at the event. Both agreed that it was a great day.
     “We are so grateful that our parents are healthy and were able to do this,” the sisters said. “It was fun to have the old cars out for one last time and watch these performers, who we have followed for years.”
      “We’ve had several parties out here and this will be the last one,” said Roberta as cars and people left for the day. “It was a very nice turnout and we are thankful for all those who came to help us remember our loved ones and to celebrate.”