From farm auctions to Wisconsin champion, second generation auctioneer takes state title

Feb 6, 2019 | WAA Champions, Women Auctioneers

Carol Spaeth-Bauer | Wisconsin State Farmer

DOUSMAN, WI – Jenny Markham-Gehl cashiered $300,000 auctions when she was in eighth grade. It didn’t make any

difference what the weather was like or what they had going on, if there was an auction her dad Jim Markham was doing, Jenny and her brother Tim were expected to be there to help. There was no such thing as a day off. If an auction was booked, they were there to help — running tickets, holding up items for sale and eventually ringing. 

Growing up in an auction family poised Markham-Gehl for a career she loves and the recognition of being named Champion at the 2019 Wisconsin Auctioneer’s Championship Contest at the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association (WAA) annual convention in Stevens Point, WI on Jan. 27.

While Markham-Gehl grew up around farm and estate auctions in Dubuque County, Iowa, when she decided to take the leap to become an auctioneer, it was as a benefit auctioneer. 

Source: https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2019/02/06/farm-auctions-wisconsin-champion-auctioneer/2753578002/

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

Elevating Together

Dec 4, 2024

Elevating Together

2025 Wisconsin Auctioneers Convention January 27-29th Hotel Marshfield Annual Auctioneers Convention: Elevating Together The annual Auctioneers Convention is right around the corner, and this year’s theme, "Elevating Together," promises to inspire, connect, and...

Read More

From the President’s Desk

Jun 15, 2019

From the President’s Desk

From the President’s Desk, by Jeff Hines Hello everyone!First, I hope everyone is having a wonderful beginning to the New Year. When we were halfway through January, I thought maybe we will have an easy winter. Then it was Groundhog’s Day and the groundhog saw his...

Read More

Auction History

Oct 12, 2025

Auction History

It seems that auctions have touched almost every century, every industry and every nationality. Auctions date back so far in history, that no one really knows for sure how they started or who started them. The First Auctions Records handed down from ancient Greek...

Read More

From the President’s Desk

Apr 4, 2023

From the President’s Desk

Fellow Members, Have you ever tried to drink out of a firehose? That is a saying they used at the CAI Training Course that was held March 27-31 in Bloomington, IN. They used this saying in many contexts but I think it explains my experience perfectly. I attended...

Read More

Join Auction Professionals

Oct 11, 2025

Join Auction Professionals

Join auction professionals from across Wisconsin for an inspiring and action-packed weekend at the 2026 Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Annual Convention! This year’s theme, “Collaborating Together,” celebrates the power of connection, teamwork, and shared...

Read More