Joe and Charlotte Kodada named Community Days Grand Marshals

For years, Joe and Charlotte Kodada have worked behind the scenes of Lonsdale Community Days, however this year will be different because the life-long Lonsdale residents are this year’s parade grand marshals.

Earlier this month, the Kodadas received news from Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanna Gutzke-Kupp. In her letter, the director said the couple was chosen because they have been an integral part of the community for years.

The couple has been married for 42 years and has deep ties to the community. Joe grew up in Lonsdale and attended the Lonsdale Catholic School to the eighth grade. Charlotte was raised in Kilkenny and attended Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery until the eighth grade. They both attended Montgomery High School, but didn’t meet until after graduation.

Joe is well-known in the area through his company, Joe Kodada Construction, Inc., having worked for his father’s business, LA Kodada & Sons when he was young, and later Jirik Construction. He has been in business for 34 years.

Charlotte is the vice president/operations officer at Frandsen Bank and Trust in Lonsdale. She also does bookkeeping for Joe. According to Dan Hardel,  the President of the Montgomery and Lonsdale Frandsen Bank and Trust markets, this December Charlotte will celebrate 45 years with the bank.

See more in the print edition.