Cliff Buchan
News EditorJuly 10, 1939 was an important date in the history of the Wyoming area. That was Myles Giese's first day on the job as a bookkeeper at First State Bank of Wyoming.
Just 21 and fresh from completing the banking program at Mankato Commercial College, Giese arrived on the Wyoming business scene without a hint that Wyoming would become his home for life.
Giese (right), who logged 65 years with the bank and was bank president since 1961, died on Wednesday, Jan. 7 in Mesa, AZ, where he and his wife Maddalyn spent parts of the winter. He was 85.
As a young man looking for a start in life, Giese was quick to adopt Wyoming and First State Bank as his home. When Giese started work in 1939, the country was just emerging from the great Depression and nothing was certain.
"I didn't know where I was headed in Wyoming," Giese said in a July 1989 interview as he marked his 50th year with the bank. It was also an uncertain time for the area.
But Giese persevered and so did Wyoming, thanks in part many times over to the bank and Giese's belief in the area and its people.
During his 65 years in Wyoming, Giese became an ordained deacon, fought fires as a volunteer and was the city clerk all while filling the role of banker.
2 friends remember
Giese's work and the efforts of the bank were both remembered this week by two long-time friends in Forest Lake.
The Rev. John Blackford, an associate pastor at Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Forest Lake, first met Giese and the Giese family at a church summer camp where he was a counselor. They became friends over the years through their Methodist ties.
"He (Giese) was a banker, benefactor and a com
munity-minded person," Blackford said. He said Giese's loss would be deep for all the good that he did in the community and often times with little fanfare.
Henry Houle of Forest Lake met Giese in 1962 when he went to the bank to help get his Houle Realty business off the ground. Houle recalled telling his wife that he had met someone (Giese) who had faith in his business vision in Forest Lake.
Houle said he was just one of many up-and-coming business owners who found financial backing, encouragement and friendship from Giese during his many years at the bank.
"He helped a lot of people get small business loans," Houle said. "He believed in young people starting out."
That first meeting in 1962 opened the doors to a long business and personal relationship. "That started our friendship," Houle said. "We had so many good trips together fishing and hunting in Canada."
Houle continues on the bank's board of directors today.
Many works
While Myles Giese will be remembered by many for his work with the bank, he was busy in many other areas of personal and community life.
During his tenure, the bank provided needed banking services to the growing population base and business concerns. First State Bank of Wyoming played a major role in the development of the city's industrial park and other independent business moves.
In many ways he was a pillar of the community, Blackford said.
As a community member Giese served 20 years on the Wyoming Fire Department, spent 16 years as city clerk; served on the Chisago Lakes Hospital Board, was active with the Red Cross, the parent-teachers association, Scouting programs and youth athletic programs.
In the mid 1950s, his religious faith led to expand on his duties as a lay leader and Sunday School teacher at United Methodist Church in Wyoming. Over several years of study at Hamline University in St. Paul and correspondence courses with the United Methodist Church of Nashville, TN, resulted in Giese's own ministry as a full-time pastor at West Bethel Church.
He continued to work his full-time job at the bank while pastoring the church. The strain of two demanding jobs led him to back away from the church duties in 1978 after some 20 years of work.
Banker to the end
Although Giese spent less time at the bank in recent years, he remained bank president and active in bank functions. The day-to-day operations have been in the hands of his daughter and son-in-law, Bea and Myron Zaruba, for a number of years.
In addition to his bank work and volunteer duties at church and in the community, Giese also enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, golfing, oil painting, woodworking and the time he spent with family.
His community work in recent years has included organizational duties for the Tri County Old Settlers' Association annual potluck picnic in Wyoming each September.
Funeral details
A funeral service for Myles Kenneth Giese was Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Wyoming United Methodist Church in Wyoming with the Rev. Sharon D. Mills officiating. Interment was at Wyoming United Methodist Church Cemetery.
He was born Jan. 19, 1918 in Milaca.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years and bank partner, Maddalyn; children Bea (Myron) Zaruba, Don (Mary) Giese, Bob (Cindy) Giese and Ginni (Tom) Peterson; grandchildren Debbi (Kurt) Peters, Mark Zaruba, Tim (Mindy) Zaruba, Dennis Giese, Ryan (Tanya) Giese, Erin (Scott) Breen, Melanie Peterson, Mindy Peterson and Missy Peterson; great-grandchildren Sam, Ellie, Joe and Luke.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Flora Giese; one brother, Reid and one sister, Lottie.
Memorials may be directed to the Wyoming United Methodist Church Building Fund or the American Heart Association.
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