Darlene Czeskleba
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish a tale of the cultural and scientific history of an iconic Wisconsin fish, the lake sturgeon. Throughout the process of writing the book, the authors interviewed community activists, sturgeon spearing enthusiasts, spear and decoy craftsmen, and scientific researchers associated with the Lake Winnebago sturgeon population. Because of the cultural, social, economic, and scientific knowledge captured in these interviews, the UW-Madison Wisconsin Water Library preserved the audio files as a collection of oral histories. This collection, People of the Sturgeon, encapsulates perspectives on lake sturgeon as they are reflected in the book.
The People of the Sturgeon collection includes interviews with outdoorsmen, scientists, and craftsmen associated with the Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, lake sturgeon population.
Collection compiled by the UW-Madison Wisconsin Water Library. Audio courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum. Recordings were collected as part of the research for People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Madison, WI.
National Capital Contracting
Darlene Czeskleba, born in 1933, spent much of her life in Wisconsin. She married Donald Czeskleba in 1951, three days before he joined the Marines. During Donald's service, Darlene joined him in California for about a year and a half before they returned to Wisconsin. The Czeskleba family settled in Wild Rose, where Donald became the manager of the State Fish Hatchery, a position he held from 1956 until 1987. Darlene supported her husband's career, managing their household and raising their children. She worked various jobs, including driving a school bus for twenty-three years and operating a punch press at Rayovac in Madison. Darlene's dedication to her family and community was evident through her active involvement in her husband's career and her efforts to document and preserve their family history.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Darlene Czeskleba, conducted by Kathleen Schmitt Kline, covers several aspects of her life and her husband's career. Darlene discusses her husband's tenure at the State Fish Hatchery in Wild Rose, highlighting his innovations in fishery management, including pioneering techniques for sturgeon propagation. The interview delves into the family's history, their roots in the Bohemian community, and the various businesses established by the Czeskleba family. Darlene shares anecdotes about meeting her husband, their early years together, and the challenges they faced, such as moving frequently and balancing family life with Donald's demanding career. She also reflects on her personal experiences, including her work history and her role in supporting her husband's professional endeavors. The interview provides insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the time, the importance of community involvement, and the legacy of the Czeskleba family in Wisconsin's fishery operations.
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