ByRich Harp, For the Tribune

Longtime Sebewaing residentCarol Truemner looks through some historical archives while reflecting on the town's past. (Rich Harp/For the Tribune)

Longtime Sebewaing residentCarol Truemner looks through some historical archives while reflecting on the town's past. (Rich Harp/For the Tribune)

Longtime Sebewaing residentCarol Truemner looks through some historical archives while reflecting on the town's past. (Rich Harp/For the Tribune)

Longtime Sebewaing residentCarol Truemner looks through some historical archives while reflecting on the town's past. (Rich Harp/For the Tribune)

Carol Truemner has lived the evolution of small town life

SEBEWAING -- If a person wanted to know something about Sebewaing, they may go to the mayor or to someone in the chamber of commerce.

On the other hand, they may ask someone who has lived in town for many years, such as Carol Truemner whom has resided in the area her entire life.

Carol (Reithel) was born in the early 1940s, and she was raised on a small farm on the outskirts of Sebewaing. She is the daughter of Ralph and Meta Reithel, and her parents' owned a farm located next to the present day USA School property.

Truemner graduated from Sebewaing High School in 1960, later married Rodney Truemner and raised her two children.

In the 1960s Sebewaing was a larger town back then, and it had many more stores than today. Truemner remembers the town had a couple bakeries, two large grocery stores and a meat market. In addition, there were several small grocery/convenience stores in town. There were also five car dealerships, clothing stores, a hat shop and Normans. The town had four barber shops and several bars. At that time, the town boasted it was home to the famous Sebewaing Brewery. Unfortunately, the brewery closed in the 1960s.

The town was home to three large industrial companies and a couple smaller ones. The factories employed large numbers of area residents.

As they began to close, the population dwindled and young adults couldn't find employment locally so they were forced to leave town to find jobs.

Truemner has high hopes for the future of Sebewaing.

In fact, she thinks things are already turning around and are beginning to show improvement. She said improvement must start with a joint effort of residents and entrepreneurs.

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Carol Truemner has lived the evolution of small town life - Huron Daily Tribune