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EAGLE LAKE — An oil painting by a local rice farmer turned artist who proved he could coax life both from the earth and a canvas will be up for auction during a fundraiser for the Eula & David Wintermann Library.
The artwork by Alvin “Hootie” Wiese is open fo bids during the 44th annual Friends of the Library silent auction and dinner benefiting the library, scheduled for Sept. 23 in the Eagle Lake Community Center, 100 N. Walnut Ave.
Raffle tickets at $20 and dinner tickets at $12 are available soon at the library, 101 N. Walnut Ave., or from any Friends of the Library members.
According to a release, Wiese (1916-2014) grew up on the Lissie Prairie and graduated in 1934 from high school in Eagle Lake.
He served in the Army during World War II in campaigns in North Africa and Italy.
After the war, he returned to Eagle Lake in 1948, working as a rice farmer for the next 50 years.
Longtime friend Linda Balas remembers Wiese as a “friendly, quiet man” who loved to tell stories, according to a news release.
He served on the City Council and the board of First United Methodist Church.
Wiese was always a “hobby artist,” but with the encouragement of his wife, Margaret, he honed his natural talent in painting while attending art classes at Dannels’ Designs, under the keen eyes of local artist, Marilynn Dannels.
He painted prolifically on his patio, usually using oils as his favorite medium, and continued his artwork until his eyes dimmed with age, Friends of the Library said.
However, when he died at nearly 99, he still had a “mind like a steel trap,” his friends said. Wiese’s paintings have been shown in numerous venues over the years and are cherished by those who have been fortunate enough to purchase them, the nonprofit’s statement added.
The silent auction and dinner supports programs and services offered to the community by the library.
