Otto Norenberg: Mail Boats

Last week, I was distracted by a squirrel in a 1943 newspaper clipping. At the end of the blog post, I shared a photo of grandpa Otto Norenberg (1911-1997) standing in one of the mail boats.

What was this mail route?
Which boats were used?

Otto Norenberg aboard the Mary Ada on Cass Lake, 1939¹Photo of Otto Norenberg, digital copy owned by Karrie Blees, October 26, 2023.

Mail Delivered by Boat

In the late spring of 1939, Simon “Si” Neises (1887-1987) and Otto Norenberg were awarded the contract to deliver the mail on the “Lake Route.” This 4-year contract included 3 sections:²Northland Times (Bemidji MN), February 5, 1943, page 16, col 3. “The four year contract for S. J. Neises and Otto Norenburg [sic] …”

1. around the main part of Cass Lake
2. the west part of Cass Lake, into Lake Andrusia and to the west end of Big Wolf Lake
3. around Pike Bay (a land route)

Each season, deliveries began May 15th and discontinued October 1st.

In 1943, the partnership of Neises and Norenberg successfully bid and won the 4-year contract for a second term, but the Pike By portion was eliminated.³Northland Times (Bemidji MN). Jun 4, 1943. page 14, column 1.

Boats

The first 2 boats put into service were the Mary Ada and the Anna May. Mary Ada had an old automobile engine with clutch. Typically Mary Ada ran the main route through Cass Lake.

Mary Ada docked at Cass Lake. Bob and Ken Norenberg standing on the (automobile) engine cover.

Anna May was built at the Cass Lake Boat Works and purchased second-hand by Neises and Norenberg. This boat was used for the route in Andrusia and Big Wolf Lakes.⁴Conversation Kenneth Norenberg and Karrie Blees. October 30, 2023. North St. Paul MN.

Anna May on Cass Lake, a little scuffed up from the recycled tires used as dock bumpers. Date unknown.

Anna May on Cass Lake. Passengers seated in the stern. Date unknown.

KenRob

In June of 1941, a new boat was added to the fleet. The KenRob was a beautiful, new Chris-Craft Cruiser, named for Otto’s two sons.

The KenRob is put into Cass Lake. June 24, 1941.

KenRob on Cass Lake

Anna May and KenRob: U.S. Mail, Cass Lake, Minn. postcard, 1944

What’s next?

More stories of the mail route?
Mae (Lydick) Norenberg’s involvement?

SOURCES

• 1
  Photo of Otto Norenberg, digital copy owned by Karrie Blees, October 26, 2023.
• 2
  Northland Times (Bemidji MN), February 5, 1943, page 16, col 3. “The four year contract for S. J. Neises and Otto Norenburg [sic] …”
• 3
  Northland Times (Bemidji MN). Jun 4, 1943. page 14, column 1.
• 4
  Conversation Kenneth Norenberg and Karrie Blees. October 30, 2023. North St. Paul MN.