In 1982, Mrs. Milton (Betty) Ehrenfelt thought that an Avenue of Flags in the Sharon Hill Cemetery during the Memorial Day Weekend would be both a tribute and memorial for departed loved ones.

The suggestion met with favor from the two Kalona women’s clubs, Idris and Alpha, whose members spearheaded the project.

The first Avenue of Flags that flew for Memorial Day in 1983 was modest, with approximately three dozen flags.

However, all the flags were ones that had been flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., a tradition that continues.

“They were all cotton flags,” explained Jan Peterseim, who has coordinated efforts for the Avenue since its inception. “And when it rained, they became too heavy for the poles.”

Since then, the flags have been nylon, and the numbers have increased to more than 120.

Each year, the Avenue is made possible because of numerous volunteers that, this year, included the City of Kalona, members of the Mid-Prairie FFA Chapter with advisor Neil Knobloch and some 54 Mid-Prairie Middle School students led by teacher Sarah Reitz.

“They help erect and take down the flags,” said Peterseim “Without these volunteers we would not have the Avenue. The committee is very grateful to them for showing up each year.”

The only unfortunate note is that Mrs. Ehrenfelt, who died in October, 1982, did not live to see her plan realized.