When I started writing this article, I vowed that I was going to write as much as I could about the great people in our community. Because I believe we have a great community, and it proves itself time and time again.

We rally around each other in time of need. I witnessed this again just last week.

A very good friend passed away last week, Fred Stoneburg, a long-time resident of our town. Fred was someone who many, including myself, looked up to.

Fred and his wife, Jean, were very active in Little League for many many years. Fred was a long-time coach and was very active in the community. Fred started the Conquest Park many years ago with very little help and resources. He told me so many times how proud he was of our park.

Well Fred, it wouldn't be if it had not been for you and Walt Rubenau and some of the other pioneers in our community.

At last Tuesday's town board meeting, it was decided to build a baseball field in Fred Stoneburg's memory. The field will be named after him (Fred Stoneburg Memorial Field).

Jean Stoneburg was on hand and presented the town with more than $1,000 in donations from friends and family in Fred's name.

Thank you to the Stoneburg family; we will do everything possible to keep Fred's dream alive. Conquest has just lost a great one, but hopefully, he has instilled enough of himself in everyone he touched to keep our community as strong as ever.

We will miss you, Fred Stoneburg, but we will never forget you.

Charlie Knapp is supervisor for the town of Conquest