Commodore Career: General Manager, Clason Buick GMC

Commodore Date of Birth: 6.7.1957

Commodore Hometown: La Crosse, WI

Siblings in order: Vernadine Doll, Virginia Weiner, Jerry Doll, Marian Doll

First Mate Career: Kindergarten Teacher, Houston, MN (36 years)

First Mate Date of Birth: 8.31.1957

Hometown: Burlington, WI

Siblings in order: Carey Kroner, Tim Clason,
Vicky Subera, Lisa Clason, Alex Clason

Children 1: Stefany Doll Lorang (1984) Spouse: Adam (1985)

Grandchildren: Theodore Lorang (11.2.2018)

Children 2: Christine (1995)

Date of Marriage: 7.24.1982

How did you and your partner meet? Aquinas High School.

Commodore Hobbies and Interests: Fishing, boating, hunting, collecting cars, trap shooting.

Commodore Community Involvement: Rotary, Automotive boards, Aquinas Foundation, Western College Board, church.

First Mate Hobbies and Interests: Reading, walking, traveling, boating.

First Mate Community Involvement: Crucifixion Council of Catholic Women, Houston Early Childhood Family Education Advisory Board, Meals on Wheels, RSVP , Who Will Be Smarter Than a 5th Grader?,
La Crescent Friends of the Library Board.

Interesting Family History: Jill’s Mom and Dad, Ralph and Joyce, were Commodore and First Mate in

1991, so we are fortunate to have spent lots of time Riverfesting and getting to know the Commodores & First Mates. We’ve been to almost all the Commodore Banquets since 1991.

An ancestor of Jill’s was tried as a witch in Stamford, CT, in 1692. The witch trial of Elizabeth Clausen (Clason), accused of witchcraft, was held and Elizabeth was bound hand and foot and put into the water. The theory was that if the accused was tied hands and feet with a rope and she sank, she was innocent. But if she floated, she
was guilty. Elizabeth swam and bobbed up like a cork! A large contingency of Elizabeth’s friends, 76 individuals, signed an affidavit attesting to her good character. After a long deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a decision. Several months later, the court reconvened and additional testimony was heard. The jury found Elizabeth not guilty.

Tell the story of how you were asked to be a Commodore and First Mate: We were invited to a sponsorship information session at Shenanigan’s.

One thing on your Bucket List: Steve: European river cruise. Jill: Australia/New Zealand trip.