O'Neill Couple Inducted Into Irish Walk of Fame

Don and Charlotte Linquist recognized for decades of St. Patrick's Day contributions

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:17am

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The O'Neill Irish Walk of Fame has announced its 2026 inductees, honoring Don and Charlotte Linquist for their longtime involvement in organizing and supporting the city's annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The Linquists were active members of the Jaycees and Mrs. Jaycees, helping to establish the kid's carnival, parade floats, and other traditions that have become integral parts of O'Neill's St. Patrick's Day festivities over the past 50 years.

Why it matters

The Linquists' dedication to preserving and enhancing O'Neill's Irish heritage through their volunteer work exemplifies the community spirit that has allowed the city's St. Patrick's Day celebration to thrive for decades. Their induction into the Irish Walk of Fame recognizes their outsized impact on one of Nebraska's most beloved annual events.

The details

Don and Charlotte Linquist moved to O'Neill in 1970 and quickly became involved in the city's St. Patrick's Day planning efforts. Don joined the Jaycees and the Irish Booster Band, while Charlotte helped establish the kid's carnival that is now a staple of the celebration. The couple spent countless hours behind the scenes, from ordering parade supplies to scraping logos off old mugs to be reused. They were also fixtures at the American Legion Club, working every weekend except for St. Patrick's Day, when they were busy with their other volunteer duties.

  • Don and Charlotte Linquist moved to O'Neill in the fall of 1970.
  • The first Jaycee-organized St. Patrick's Day celebration in O'Neill was held in 1967.
  • The kid's carnival that Charlotte helped start likely began in the late 1970s.
  • Don and Charlotte were actively involved in St. Patrick's Day planning and volunteering until the late 1990s.

The players

Don Linquist

A longtime member of the Jaycees and the Irish Booster Band who helped organize many aspects of O'Neill's St. Patrick's Day celebration over the years.

Charlotte Linquist

Helped establish the kid's carnival that became an integral part of O'Neill's St. Patrick's Day festivities, and was actively involved in other volunteer efforts for the celebration.

Pat Fritz

Worked at the O'Neill Chamber of Commerce and helped the Linquists and others with the St. Patrick's Day kid's carnival.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee

The takeaway

The Linquists' decades-long commitment to preserving O'Neill's Irish heritage through their volunteer work for the city's St. Patrick's Day celebration exemplifies the community spirit and values-driven approach that has allowed the event to thrive for generations.