Skip to main content
  • ☎ 1-800-456-6720
  • ✉ western@westerncoop.com
Menu

Pay My Bill with eBiz

f_logo_RGB-Blue_144.png
Home
  • My Account
    • Billing
      • Pay My Bill via eBiz
      • Ways to Pay Your Bill
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Update Account Info
      • New Rates
      • Rate Tariffs
      • Winter Storm Uri
    • Payments
      • Cold Weather Rule
      • Deferred Payment Plan
      • Capital Credits
      • Avoiding Scams
      • Sales Tax Info
      • Prepay Power
    • Service
      • AMI Meters
      • Start/Stop Service
      • Outages & Emergencies
      • Rate Schedules/Tariffs
      • Mobile Apps
      • Communication Alerts
      • Solar and Wind
    • Help
      • FAQ
      • Prepay Power FAQ
  • Member Services
    • Community
      • Sharing Success
      • Youth Tour
        • Youth Tour Application
      • Revolving Loan Fund
      • Western Cares
      • Rural Economic Development Fund
      • Economic Development Projects
      • Operation Round-up
      • Kansas Country Living
      • Co-op Connections Card
      • Rebates
  • My Cooperative
    • About Us
      • Our Story
      • WCE History by Pat Parke
      • About WCE
      • Careers
      • Our Locations
      • By the Numbers
      • Contact Us
      • 75th Anniversary
      • The Cooperative Purpose
    • General Info
      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Meeting Minutes
      • Board of Trustees Process and Responsibilites
      • Co-op Bylaws
      • Annual Meeting
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Rules & Regulations
      • Seven Co-op Principles
      • Our Partners
  • My Resources
    • Safety
      • Safety at Western
        • General Safety
        • Grain Bin Clearance
        • Lineworker Safety
        • Tree Trimming
      • Electrical Safety
      • Storm Center
      • Call Before You Dig
    • Education
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Kids' and Teachers' Zone
      • Emergency Responders

75th Anniversary

You are here

  1. My Cooperative
  2. About Us
  3. 75th Anniversary

Western Logo 75th Revised.png

Celebrating 75 Years 

Lacking the benefits of electricity,a group of farmers got together to form a cooperative so all the area farms could receive electric service. As a result of their efforts, Western Cooperative Electric Association was incorporated under the laws of the state of Kansas in May 1945.
The months following incorporation were spent soliciting members,applying for REA loan money, obtaining right-of-way, staking lines, and ordering materials. Construction didn't begin until March 11, 1947.

Progress was slow due to material and labor shortages, but on Dec. 22, 1947, the long-awaited moment arrived.Western's president, Irving Walker,turned on the electricity in the garage at the Frank Landauer farm near Ellis. The first light bulb glowed in testimony of our members'willingness and determination to help
themselves. Later, Mr. Walker recalled he had to stand on a half-bushel bucket to reach the pull-chain light fixture.

About 30 families on Western's lines were able to enjoy electricity for the first time by Christmas 1947. Western’s incorporators and original trustees were:

  • FRED J. HAMBURG, Ellis
  • ALVIN L. SALEEN, Ogallah
  • IRVING WALKER, WaKeeney
  • W. D. IKENBERRY, Quinter
  • MELVIN REINECKER, Quinter
  • L. R. MILLER, Quinter
  • fC. W. KRAUS, Hays
  • ED J. NIERNBERGER, Ellis
  • WARD SULLIVAN, Hays

We’re thankful for their dedication to bringing light to our rural homes and communities.

 

1950%20November%20Mrs%20Andrew%20Jensen%20Electric%20Stove%20and%20baking.png
1950 -- With electricity new to the farm, it changed the way women were working. We believe this photo was taken in November of 1950 and is Mrs. Andrew Jensen baking a pie in her new electric stove on a farm in Hays.

 

1990%20Board%20and%20Dennis%20Deines.png
At the December 1989 Christmas party, board president Larry Evans (left) and board member Richard Schaus (middle left) presented five-year service awards to Western linemen Dennis Deines (right) and Kelly Owens(middle right). Dennis has recently retired, finishing his career as the manager of member services, and Kelly is still working with the linemen as a crew foreman.

 

Jay%20Scott.png
Before and After photos of Olmitz Line Foreman, Jay Scott.

 

Previous Next
Back to Top

We dare you to follow us

Quick Links

  • Statement of Non-discrimination
  • Legal Info
  • Privacy Policy

©2021 Western Cooperative Electric. All Rights Reserved

  • My Account
    • Billing
      • Pay My Bill via eBiz
      • Ways to Pay Your Bill
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Update Account Info
      • New Rates
      • Rate Tariffs
      • Winter Storm Uri
    • Payments
      • Cold Weather Rule
      • Deferred Payment Plan
      • Capital Credits
      • Avoiding Scams
      • Sales Tax Info
      • Prepay Power
    • Service
      • AMI Meters
      • Start/Stop Service
      • Outages & Emergencies
      • Rate Schedules/Tariffs
      • Mobile Apps
      • Communication Alerts
      • Solar and Wind
    • Help
      • FAQ
      • Prepay Power FAQ
  • Member Services
    • Community
      • Sharing Success
      • Youth Tour
        • Youth Tour Application
      • Revolving Loan Fund
      • Western Cares
      • Rural Economic Development Fund
      • Economic Development Projects
      • Operation Round-up
      • Kansas Country Living
      • Co-op Connections Card
      • Rebates
  • My Cooperative
    • About Us
      • Our Story
      • WCE History by Pat Parke
      • About WCE
      • Careers
      • Our Locations
      • By the Numbers
      • Contact Us
      • 75th Anniversary
      • The Cooperative Purpose
    • General Info
      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Meeting Minutes
      • Board of Trustees Process and Responsibilites
      • Co-op Bylaws
      • Annual Meeting
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Rules & Regulations
      • Seven Co-op Principles
      • Our Partners
  • My Resources
    • Safety
      • Safety at Western
        • General Safety
        • Grain Bin Clearance
        • Lineworker Safety
        • Tree Trimming
      • Electrical Safety
      • Storm Center
      • Call Before You Dig
    • Education
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Kids' and Teachers' Zone
      • Emergency Responders