IRON MOUNTAIN -- It started with one cow and one acre of land in 1917, and Henry Wender always dreamed of Edelweiss Dairy Farm being part of his family for generations to come.  But after his son, Duane, lost a seven year battle with cancer in October, the farm became too much for Wender to handle.  He decided to sell his dairy cows.

"You've got to love it and I loved it and my son, Duane, loved it and we had a good ride and it’s been fun,” said Wender.  “There have been good years and bad years, but all and all, it’s been a good ride."

With the help of sales agents, Wender plans on selling all 88 of his dairy cows.  Around 200 people are expected to attend Thursday's sale from across the region.

"We expect a good, large crowd,” said United Producers Sales Agent Chad Kreeger.  “These cattle, with the genetics they have and the breeding that has gone on here over the last 70 years and the development of this herd, it is drawing quite a bit of interest from all over."

Wender said he has mixed emotions about the sale, but it is the right move for his family and the cattle.

"It's going to be sad to see them loaded in trailers, and I just hope there's some that aren't too far away so I can still see them,” he said.  “I certainly hope that the buyers here have the success with them that we enjoyed."

Thursday's sale will also be the end to some U.P. history.  The Wender family has been bringing cattle to the U.P. State Fair every year since it began in 1927.