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1898
Fred Kolb arrived in US
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1925
The launch of Lena Cheese dairy
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1929
Frieda kolb and Karl Renter’s wedding
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1933
Dorothy’s birth
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1936
The Kolbs incorporate Kolb-Lena Cheese Company
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1944
The new beginning
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1953
Dorothy’s graduation from Iowa State University
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1954
Dorothy and James Demeter union
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1970
Kolb Lena joins with Modern Foods
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1983
The launch of the new Kolb Lena plant
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1984
Grand champion of Illinois State Fair
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2001
James Demeter death
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2017
The renew of Kolb Lena with Dorothy’s Cheese
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1898
Fred Kolb arrived in US
1898Fred Kolb arrived in US_At age 25, Fred Kolb begins his lifelong love affair with cheesemaking when he emigrates to the US for the promise of a job at the Muscatine French Cheese Company. -
1925
The launch of Lena Cheese dairy
1925The launch of Lena Cheese dairy_After moving his family to the quaint rural town of Lena, Illinois, Fred Kolb launches Lena Cheese Company with an army of dairy farmers. -
1929
Frieda kolb and Karl Renter’s wedding
1929Frieda kolb and Karl Renter’s wedding_Fred’s daughter, Freida Kolb, marries family friend, Karl Renter, and they develop new ideas about cheesemaking after visiting relatives in his home country of Germany. -
1933
Dorothy’s birth
1933Dorothy’s birth_Dorothy, the only child of Karl and Freida Renter is born. -
1936
The Kolbs incorporate Kolb-Lena Cheese Company
1936The Kolbs incorporate Kolb-Lena Cheese Company_The Kolbs incorporate Kolb-Lena Cheese Company, and Dorothy and other children work in the plant before and after school. -
1944
The new beginning
1944The new beginning_Fred Kolb passes away, and Karl and Freida give Kolb-Lena Cheese Company the steam it needs to carry on. -
1953
Dorothy’s graduation from Iowa State University
1953Dorothy’s graduation from Iowa State University_Dorothy Renter becomes the first female graduate from the Dairy Industry Department of Iowa State University. -
1954
Dorothy and James Demeter union
1954Dorothy and James Demeter union_Dorothy marries fellow classmate and Greek Fulbright scholar, James Demeter, and together they breathe new life into Kolb-Lena Cheese Company, creating their own Baby Swiss. -
1970
Kolb Lena joins with Modern Foods
1970Kolb Lena joins with Modern Foods_After a period of mergers, Kolb-Lena joins with Modern Foods before being taken over by Katy Industries who supports Dorothy’s desire for a new, modern plant. -
1983
The launch of the new Kolb Lena plant
1983The launch of the new Kolb Lena plant_The Demeters announce the opening of the new Kolb-Lena plant on a 40-acre farm in Lena, which is sold to the French Bongrain Division in 1987. -
1984
Grand champion of Illinois State Fair
1984Grand champion of Illinois State Fair_Became grand champion of Baby swiss cheese. -
2001
James Demeter death
2001James Demeter death_James Demeter passes away, and Kolb-Lena continues to operate under Bongrain USA, becoming the largest user of goat milk in the country. -
2017
The renew of Kolb Lena with Dorothy’s Cheese
2017The renew of Kolb Lena with Dorothy’s Cheese_Kolb-Lena and Dorothy’s continue to play an important role in the economy with specialty cheeses that continue the traditions started by the Kolb, Renter, and Demeter families.