reunion (5) - Kearney High School Class of 1963

RE-ECHO
NEWSLETTER
Re-EchoALUMNI
Alumni Newsletter
MARCH, 2015 EDITION
Inside this issue:
Reunion Bulletin
Board
2
“We Remember” Staff
2
ROKA Award winner
3
Wayne Olson and Tom
McCann—Freedom Award
winners
4
2014 KPS Retirees and
Alumni Association
Membership Form
5
Jon Bokenkamp’s Hit
TV Series
5
We Remember Deceased
KHS Alums
6-9
Legacy of Harold
“Mac” McClure
10
Coach Mathiesen in
“Hall of Fame”
10
Bob Ayres: Publisher,
Photographer, Pilot
and Alumnus
11
Leave a Legacy at New
Kearney High
12
2015 Kearney High
School All-Class
Reunion Registration
13
All-Class Reunion
Headliners
14
Alumni Association
Members
15
Jobs in Kearney
16
Plan to attend
the 2015
Kearney High
School
“All-Class”
Kearney High School to Have New Home
September 10, 2013
marked a day in history
for the Kearney Public
School District when
voters went to the polls
and approved a $68
million bond issue and a
second issue of a pool in
the facility for an additional $7.4 million, for a
total amount of $75.4
million.
The district then
began the process of
selecting an owner’s
representative in BD
Construction and
a
general contractor in
Sampson Construction.
The architectural firm for
the project is WilkinsHinrichs-Stober
Architects of Kearney.
The site of the new
Kearney High School is on
the southeast corner of the
intersection of 11th Street
and 30th Avenue. The
main entrance of the
campus will be at 11th St.
and 27th Avenue. The
building is scheduled to be
completed by the start of
the 2016-2017 school
year.
The new facility will not
only
represent
a
dramatically improved
physical plant, but will also
incorporate a new learning
philosophy in the concept
of SLCs (Small Learning
Communities) within the
building so students are
clustered in areas of study
with students of similar
interests and career paths.
The building will be
further enhanced through
the generous donations of
the Cope Foundation and
the
Morris
Family
Foundation. Funds from
the Cope Foundation will
be used to create a
Jenison model performing
arts area, and the Morris
Family Foundation monies
will be used to build the
Scott D. Morris Institute on
the northeast corner of the
building for industrial and
technological education.
Alumni will be able to
view the new school site
during the 2015 Kearney
High School All-Class
Reunion, September
11-13, 2015.
New Kearney High School facility from left to right: pool, gymnasium, commons area, administrative
offices, theater, classrooms, and industrial technology area, including the Scott D. Morris Institute.
Page 2
REUNION BULLETIN BOARD
Class of 1953 -
Class of 1965 -
Class of 1995 -
The Class of 1953 celebrated its 60-year
reunion on September 6, 7 & 8, 2013. On
Friday, September 6th the class had an
evening of socializing in the pre-function
area of the Holiday Inn with 45 class members and spouses attending. On Saturday,
September 7th, the classmates spent the
day touring many of Kearney’s great
attractions. The evening banquet in the
Loper Room of the Holiday Inn was attended by 61 classmates and spouses. Fred
Harvey was the M.C. and Jim Cudaback
provided background music during the
banquet and the dance that followed. On
Sunday morning, September 8th, there
were 38 in attendance at Valentino’s for
brunch and final farewells. The class
plans to have a 65-year reunion in 2018.
The KHS Class of 1965 plans to hold its
50-year reunion the weekend of the AllClass Reunion, September 11, 12 & 13,
2015. Watch for information coming
from the class.
The KHS Class of 1995 plans to hold
its 20-year reunion the weekend of
the KHS All-Class Reunion, September 11-13, 2015. Watch for the class
page coming soon (Kearney High
School, Kearney, NE class of 1995).
The contact for the Class of 1965 is:
Sue (Rusmisell) Johansen
[email protected]
The contact for the Class of 1995 is:
Katie (Sutko) Twit at
[email protected]
Class of 1970 -
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Class of 1955 The Class of 1955 plans to hold its 60-year
reunion the weekend of the All-Class
Reunion, September 11, 12 & 13, 2015.
Watch for more information from the class.
The KHS Class of 1970 plans to hold a
reunion June 12 & 13, 2015. Friday
night there will be a bonfire at the
residence of Dan Cavanee and on
Saturday night there will be a dinner at
the Eagles Club.
The contact for the Class of 1970 is:
Sue (Wise) Divan at
[email protected]
Class of 1975 -
The contact for the Class of 1955 is:
Gretchen (Lecron) Treadway—
[email protected]
The KHS Class of 1975 will hold a
reunion July 31 & August 1, 2015.
Class of 1957 -
Friday,
July
31st—Cunningham’s
Journal loft at 7:00 P.M.
The Class of 1957 held a 57-year reunion
on April 26, 2014 with around 40 classmates in attendance.
Class of 1959 The Class of 1959 held its 55-year reunion
September 18 & 19, 2014. A social was
held at the UNK Alumni House on Thursday evening. On Friday, September 19th,
the class enjoyed a box lunch at the ERC
Building at Yanney Park from 11:00 A.M. to
3:00 P.M. Trolley tours of the City were
provided in the afternoon. Friday evening,
the class had a social, dinner and program
from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M. at the Kearney
Holiday Inn. The class had a great turnout
and a good time was had by all.
Saturday, August 1st—Elks Country
Golf Course at 7:00 P.M.
The contact for the Class of 1975 is:
Deb Eickhoff [email protected]
Class of 1985 The KHS Class of 1985 will hold a
reunion the weekend of June 13 & 14,
2015. Watch for more details on the
KPS website and on Facebook. There
will be a casual gathering on Friday
night, a tour of the current high school
Saturday and dinner on Saturday night.
The contact person for the Class of
1985 is:
Wendy (Muller) Braden
[email protected]
William “Bill” Nelson, died September 24,
2014 at Clark Jeary Retirement Community in
Lincoln, Ne. Bill was a music instructor at
Kearney High School from 1952 to 1959, and
later served on the Kearney Board of Education.
Audrey Nelson, died March 30, 2014 at the
Tabitha Journey House in Lincoln, Ne. Audrey
was a 2nd grade teacher at Park Elementary
School for the 1961-1962 school year.
John Johnston, died March 31, 2014 in
Omaha. He served as the Superintendent of
the Kearney Public Schools from 1965 to
1969.
Tom Tonack, died October 30, 2013 in
Lincoln, Ne. He taught science and computer
technology in the Kearney Public Schools for
20 years, and then worked for the Nebraska
State Education Association until his retirement in 2006.
H. Laroy Fread, died October 13, 2013 at
Mother Hull Home in Kearney. He worked as
a custodian for the Kearney Public Schools for
14 years.
Linda Brennfoerder, died November 30, 2013
in Juniata, Ne. Linda taught at Kenwood and
Central Elementary Schools from 1978 to
2009.
Alvin Brisbin, died November 20, 2013 in
Kearney. Al worked as a custodian for the
Kearney Public Schools for 5 years.
Mary Ann Fisher, died January 13, 2014 at
Mother Hull Home in Kearney. Mary Ann
worked as a cook and kitchen manager for
Kearney Public Schools for 23 years.
Mary Wichman, died October 1, 2014 at the
North Kansas City Hospital. Mary taught for
27 years at Emerson Elementary School in
Kearney.
Ralph Hunkins, died June 12, 2013 in Oregon.
He taught debate and English at Kearney High
School in the 1950-1951 school year.
Donna Crawford, died March 1, 2015 in
Kearney. She worked for the Kearney Public
Schools as an elementary teacher and media
specialist for 31 years.
Page 3
Page 4
2014 Hub Freedom Award Winners
Giving back and taking care of others is a way of life for Wayne
Olson, KHS Class of 1958, of Kearney. Whether it’s his family, the
community or those in need, Olson is always there to help others.
I’ve been around Kearney all my life, and I’ve watched people that
have given to the community, and I wanted to be part of that giving
back, Olson said. “I just like to give back.”
After noticing a large quantity of food being dumped at the Kearney
landfill 4 years ago, Olson approached Apple Market in Kearney and
asked if he could have the overstocked food they were going to
throw away. He wanted to give it to needy people.
The store agreed, and 4 times a week, Olson picks up food from
Apple Market, Boogaart’s, and Family Fresh Market. The food is
then distributed at the pantry at First United Methodist Church,
where Olson is a member, and the church’s pantry at East Lawn
Mobile Home Estates.
In March, 220 families or 600 people were served at East Lawn. In
the last 4 years, Olson has collected $202,000 worth of donated
food.
For his efforts, Olson, 72, was awarded the 2014 Kearney
“Humanitarian “Freedom Award.
Hub
For Tom McCann, former wrestling coach at Kearney High
School, wrestling has been more than a sport, it has been his
life’s passion for nearly 5 decades—a passion that he has
passed on to countless others.
Humbly, Olson said the church saw a need and is trying to fulfill it.
In 1970, McCann began volunteering as a wrestling coach with
the Amateur Athletic Union, a commitment that he maintains to
this day, 44 years later.
Lori O’Brien, KHS Class of 1978, nominated Olson for the award
because Olson saw a need and found a solution.
Because of his decades of volunteerism, McCann was named
the 2014 Freedom Award winner in the “Education” category.
“The pantry keeps many nearby residents from being hungry,” added Bob and Ardie Hobbs of Kearney. They also nominated Olson
for the award.
You see little kids at a young age, and then you see them develop into adults,” McCann said. “Just seeing the individuals go
on and be successful and knowing that maybe I had a little part
in that.” For McCann, seeing young people develop has been
the most rewarding part of his coaching career and the reason
for his years of work as a volunteer.
Olson has also served on the City of Kearney’s Civil Service
Commission for 36 years and on the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years.
(Excerpts from Kearney Hub story and photo by Kim Schmidt)
McCann wrestled in high school and college and went on to
coach high school wrestling for 45 years, including 42 years at
Kearney High School. He built a program that produced 1 state
championship, 8 runner-up finishes, 21 conference championships, and 14 district championships. In that time, he also
coached 34 individual high school state champions and 14
wrestlers who earned All-American honors at the college level.
One former state champion, Warner Phipps, Class of 2008, who
later wrestled for Cornell University, nominated McCann for the
award. According to Phipps, McCann made students his top
priority. “He was never too busy to take time out of his schedule to visit with kids,” Phipps said. “It didn’t matter whether
you were an athlete or a non-athlete, he always tried to motivate
kids and get them excited about living fit, healthy, active lifestyles. McCann who retired from KHS in 2012, wasn’t out of the
action long before accepting an assistant wrestling coaching
position at UNK.
(Excerpts from Kearney Hub story by Josh Moody)
(Hub file photo)
BOKENKAMP CREATES HIT SHOW “THE BLACKLIST”
Page 5
In 2013, Jon Bokenkamp, KHS Class of 1991,
created NBC's hit television series, "The Blacklist"
starring James Spader. This past month, "The Blacklist"
was renewed for a third season that will begin airing in
the fall of 2015.
Throughout his time at the show, Jon has continued
to work with his non-profit, The World Theatre Foundation. Each week, he does a Q and A with a live
audience at the theatre over Skype before "The
Blacklist" airs.
In other news, Jon recently purchased
a Fitbit pedometer and is trying to retroactively win
“most athletic” in the yearbook. He currently resides in
both Kearney and Los Angeles with his wife, Kathy
(Scott) Bokenkamp, also a KHS graduate (1992), and
their two children, Jackson and Ella.
________________________
2014 KPS RETIREES HONORED
Jon Bokenkamp, Class of 1991
The 2014 retiree “class” from the Kearney
Public Schools included: Front row, kneeling from
left to right: Cyndi Ries, Terri Weeces, Art Hansen,
and Kathy Gifford. Second row standing, from left
to right: Darlene Sweeney, Dee Antillon, Carol
Ellenwood, Patty Pecha, Greg Girard, Sandy
Hanson, Sharon Fritson, Diane Johnson, and Pat
Hild.
The retirees were honored at the annual
“Evening of Excellence” banquet held at the
Kearney Holiday Inn on Friday, April 25, 2014.
Kearney Public Schools employees were also
honored for their years of service, and Foundation
awards and grants were also presented. The KPS
Foundation “Outstanding Alumni” award was
presented posthumously to Sharon (Peterson)
Knapp, Class of 1950.
Kearney High School Alumni Association Membership Form
I wish to become a member of the Kearney High School Alumni Association. The membership dues are $10.00 per person, per year; or
$250.00 per person for a lifetime membership. You may pay for as many years as you wish.
Name_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________________________
City__________________________________ State____________________ Zip +4_________________________________
E-mail Address______________________________________________________ Class_____________________________
Return this form and payment to:
Kearney High School Alumni Association
310 West 24th St.
Kearney, NE 68845-5331
Make checks payable to the Kearney High School Alumni Association.
Page 6
In Memory…
E-mail obituary
information to
Dianne Lamb at
[email protected]
Bertha Altmaier, ‘28, died December 26,
2013 at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney. She
worked as a secretary at the Safeway store for
many years and retired in 1973.
Mabel (Hartman) Lade, ‘30, died February 20,
2015 at Mother Hull Home in Kearney. They
operated W & M Ceramic Shop until 1973.
Aileen (Katzenmeyer) (Gross) Borden, ‘31,
died June 11, 2007 in Colorado Springs, Co.
She and her mother and grandmother lived in
Georgetown, Co., where they made meals for
the many silver miners in the area. She was
later adopted by a family from Kearney. She
taught school in Farmington, New Mexico and
Denver, Colorado for several years.
Doris (Frederick) Wink, ‘32, died August 10,
2013 at Mother Hull Home in Kearney. She
worked at Anderson Jewelry Store, the ASCS
Office and the Kearney Air Base until moving
to Elm Creek where she worked as a
bookkeeper for the John Deere dealership,
which they owned and operated until 1972.
Mabel (Webster) DeBrie, ‘34, died December
7, 2014 at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney.
She and her husband lived in Gibbon, Ne.
Marguerite (Bass) Richardson, ‘34, died January 16, 2015 at Mother Hull Home in
Kearney.
Geraldine (Benzler) Prather, ‘34, died
November 18, 2013 at Mount Carmel Home in
Kearney. She worked at Coca-Cola Bottling
Co. after graduation. She worked in the shipyards in California after World War II, and later
worked as a receptionist for the Nebraska
Employment Office in Kearney for 28 years.
Ella (Kahle) Jiede, ‘37, died September 11,
2014 at St. John’s Center in Kearney. They
worked in the Chicago area for 10 years and
then returned to Kearney in 1952 where they
co-owned Central Typewriter until they retired
in the late 70s.
Helen (Haase) Frazer, ‘37, died August 1,
2013 in Fresno, Ca. She was secretary to the
county attorney for a time then relocated to
Lincoln where her husband was adjutant
general of the Nebraska National Guard. She
worked for U.S. Engineers during the Air Base
construction and was later the secretary to the
commanding officer and adjutant.
Maynard Cleland, ‘37, died March 9, 2014 at
Mother Hull Home in Kearney. He farmed east
of Kearney for many years and then worked at
DeKalb for 25 years.
Marian (Mougey) Wisch, ‘37, died February
14, 2013.
Bernard Richter, ‘37, died December 17,
2013 at St. John’s Center in Kearney. He
served as superintendent at Riverdale and
principal at Tilden Public Schools. In 1949, he
purchased a farm north of Kearney where he
farmed and resided all his life. Bernard was
also a licensed broker for insurance, securities,
investments, and real estate and was an active
real estate broker for 25 years.
Marietta (Gallagher) Sims, ‘38, died July 13,
2014 at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney. She
served as the office manager in the Business
Department at Kearney State College from
1966 to 1988.
Letha (Rose) Lewis, ‘38, died March 16, 2014
in Kearney. She worked at the Safeway store
and also for the Kearney Kamper Center.
Eileen Davidson, ‘38, died March 28, 2011 in
Colton, Ca.
Sylvia (Aden) Mandigo, ‘38, died August 2,
2013 in Clear Lake, Ca.
Wanda (Dady) Evans, ‘38, died July 27, 2013
at her home in North Platte, Ne. She worked
at Dady’s Café after graduation. She then
married and moved to North Platte where her
husband managed Swans’ Furniture, They
later purchased the business.
Gerald Pickerell, ‘39, died January 11, 2015
in Kearney. He worked for several Nebraska
newspapers and owned and published three
weekly newspapers of his own.
Betty Johnson, ‘40, died December 8, 2010.
Duane Day, died January 6, 2015 in Omaha.
He was given an honorary diploma from
Kearney High School in December, 2000, by
the military’s Operation Recognition.
Jean (Edwards) Backlund, ‘41, died September 27, 2014 in Carefree, Az.
Dorothy (Wiseman) Thomas, ‘41, died
September 10, 2014 in Montgomery, Tx. She
and her husband lived in Colby, Ks., various
places in Nebraska, Denver, Co., Taiwan, and
Oakland, Ca., before moving to Gibbon in
1988. She moved to Texas in 2013.
Audrey ((Pratt) (Wild) Hendrickson, ‘41, died
October 25, 2013 in Lincoln, Ne., She worked
for the Buffalo County Court where she was
the clerk magistrate until she retired in 1991.
Paul Miller, ‘41, died May 31, 2014 at Good
Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He worked
many years for the Nebraska Public Power
District.
Wayne Hardin, ‘41, died March 12, 2014 in
Oshkosh, Ne. at the age of 90.
Wendell Mears, ‘42, died August 4, 2013 in
Ogallala.
Betty (Spangsberg) Burgeson, ’42, died February 26, 2015 in Alma. She worked for
Consumer Public Power, which is now NPPD.
Barbara (Overhiser) Johnson, ‘42, died
November 15, 2014 in Greeley, Co.
They
lived in Colorado since 1955 where she was a
homemaker and worked for K-Mart for 15
years, until her retirement.
Charles Lucas, ‘42, died December 13, 2014
at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.
Charles worked as a plumber for the majority
of his life. He retired in 1995.
Jack Gifford, ‘43, passed away February 2,
2014 at Vashon Island, Wa.
Robert Imming, ‘44, died June 10, 2014 at
Mother Hull Home in Kearney. He played
center on the football team at Kearney State
College and played outfield for the Kearney
Irishmen semi-pro baseball team. He taught in
Ravenna for three years and then for Nabisco
Foods from 1953 until he retired in 1988.
Bernard Laue, ‘44, died August 31, 2014 at
St. John’s Center in Kearney. He and his wife
lived in the Fort Kearny area where he farmed
and was a cattle feeder until 1986.
Page 7
In Memory...
“Live as if you were
to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were
to live forever.”
~Gandhi
Dick Mercer, ‘45, died November 22, 2014 in
Kearney. He and his first wife, Eileen, spent 55
years farming and feeding cattle in the Kearney
area. He was awarded the Aksarben Court of
Honor for Agriculture, the Farm Bureau Silver
Eagle Award, and the Nebraskaland Wagonmaster Award. He also received the Kearney
Hub Freedom Award in Agriculture, and was
named to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural
Achievement.
Shirley (Veal) Cover, ‘45, died May 17, 2014
in Elkhorn, Ne. She taught 5th grade for two
years at Kenwood Elementary School in
Kearney and later in Minden where she taught
2nd and 3rd grades. She was also the music
teacher at East Elementary School in Minden.
Edith (Anderson) Rights, ’45, has passed
away.
Rosalie (Mercer) Sheen, ‘46, died July 24,
2014 in Grand Island. She was a homemaker
and worked part-time at Kaufmann-Wernert
and was later a tax preparer for H & R Block in
Kearney for more than 30 years.
Joseph Mettenbrink, ‘46, died July 8, 2014 in
Summerville, S.C. Joe served in the Korean
War where he earned three bronze stars. Joe
retired from the maintenance department at
Kearney State College in 1991.
Charles Hunnel, ‘46, died February 4, 2014 at
St. John’s Center in Kearney. He started his
career in education as a teacher, then later as
a principal, and finally as a superintendent. He
also worked for the U.S. Postal Service before
he retired.
Rosemary (McCarthy) Walters, ‘46, died September 30, 2013 in Sun City, Az. She was
employed with N.P. Dodge Real Estate Co.
R. Lyle Imel, 46, died March 7, 2014 at St.
John’s Center in Kearney. He worked for Baldwin Filters in Kearney before retiring in 1994.
Robert Harden, ‘47, died May 22, 2014 at
Holdrege Memorial Homes. He was a mechanic at the Lincoln-Mercury and Ray Nelson
Dodge dealerships in Kearney. In 1953, he
moved to Holdrege and worked at Gabus Ford,
which later was known as Don Loar Ford.
Robert Baker, ‘47, died August 26, 2013 in
Countryside Home in Madison, Ne. Bob taught
in Cozad for 5 years, and then became principal at Bloomfield, Ne. for 6 years. In 1969, Bob
became assistant superintendent in charge of
business affairs for the Norfolk Public Schools
until he retired in 1991.
Elnor (Kiehl) Vannier, ‘48, died April 6, 2014
at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Elnor
spent several years working at the Safeway
Store in Kearney and as the cafeteria manager
at Park Elementary School in Kearney.
Phylis (Sidwell) Bredenkamp, ‘48, died
February 3, 2015 in Orange County, Ca.
Ray Schmitz, ‘48, died March 16, 2015 in
Kearney. He worked as a CPA in Denver and
a teacher in Fort Morgan, Co., Alliance and
Madrid, Ne., before joining the staff at Kearney
State College in 1963 until he retired in 1992.
Bud Farm, ‘49, passed away August 27, 2009
in New Mexico. He was working in real estate
when he retired.
Ray Bartusiak, ‘49, died July 6, 2014 in
Littleton, Co. Ray taught high school business
classes in Arapahoe, Ne., and then worked for
Texaco in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado,
where he retired after 37 years as a
comptroller.
Jacqueline (Swain) Zimmerman, ‘49, died
January 26, 2014 in Grand Island. She enjoyed music and was an accomplished pianist.
Margery (Lewis) Hinrichsen, ‘50, died
February 23, 2015 in Broken Bow. She was a
teacher at Overton and later was a paraeducator in the North Platte Public Schools.
Robert Trimble, ‘50, died September 8, 2013
at Mother Hull Home in Kearney. Bob worked
at West Pharmaceuticals in Kearney for 27
years.
Margaret (Dryden) Michalski, ‘50, died
February 9, 2014 in West Chicago, Il.
James Lancaster, ‘50, died October 19, 2014
in Barrington, Il. After 15 years in marketing
management at IBM, he entered the banking
career with National Bank of Detroit which
ultimately became First Chicago. He retired in
1996 as executive vice president of First Chicago and First National Bank of Chicago.
Ralph Hunkins, ‘50, died June 12, 2013 in
Oregon.
Jack Dobberstein, ‘50, died January 30, 2015
in Kearney. He taught high school math and
physics for 3 years in Holdrege and in 1962, he
became a partner in Dobberstein Roofing until
he retired in October, 1994.
Darrell Fellows, ‘51, died August 22, 2014 at
Midland, Tx. He served in the U.S. Air Force
for 25 years and at the Big Spring State Hospital maintenance department for 19 1/2 years.
Larry Seery, ‘51, died September 7, 2012 in
Alvarado, Tx.
Bonnie (Husemoller) Nabower, ‘51, died
December 26, 2014 in Kearney. She worked at
the Holiday Inn and Baldwin Manufacturing.
Richard Bowen, ‘52, died September 28, 2013
in Fredricksburg, Va. Colonel Bowen had a
distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force, and
following his retirement from the military, his
civil service positions included Atomic Energy
Commission, State Department Scientific and
Technical attache’ to the International Atomic
Energy Agency, and the Department of Energy.
Mary Lou (Wink) O’Brien, ‘53, died April 28,
2014 in Kearney. She taught at Cathedral Elementary in Omaha for 2 years, and while living
in North Platte taught elementary education,
was a counselor for Lutheran Family Services,
and later worked at Herberger’s in Kearney.
Loren Thompson, ‘54, died October 2, 2009.
Ken Worley, ‘54, died in Poway, Ca.
Janice (Smith) McMindes, ‘54, died October
3, 2013 at St. John’s Center in Kearney. She
worked for the Kearney Water and Waste
Department and later the St. Francis Alcohol
Treatment Center in Grand Island and Holiday
Tour and Travel.
Page 8
In Memory...
“Perhaps they are not stars,
but rather
openings in heaven
where the love
of our lost ones
pours through and
shines down upon us
to let us know
they are happy.”
An Eskimo Proverb
Ronald Kreutzer, ‘55, died August 27, 2013 at
Cambridge Court in Kearney.
He was a
member of the National Guard, worked at International Harvester for 7 years and worked in
the maintenance department at Eaton Corporation for 30 years, until retiring in 1999.
John Schmidt, ‘55, died February 11, 2013 in
Dallas, Tx. He was hired by Lyon Metal Products in 1963 and worked in sales and management from Florida to California to New York. In
1978 he was transferred to Dallas. He retired
from the company with 26 years of service.
Don Mason, ‘55, died December 2, 2012.
Duane Burton, ‘56, died July 27, 2014 at his
home in Clarinda, Ia. He taught school and
coached in Thedford and Columbus, Ne. After
teaching, he worked for Burroughs Corporation
in Omaha, Ne. and Red Oak, Ia. In 1968, he
began working at Lisle Corporation in Clarinda
where he remained until he retired in 2001.
Monty Cope, ‘56, died April 2, 2011 at the
Louisville Hospice Care Center.
While in
Kearney, Monty owned the Yamaha Motorcycle
business for 20 years.
Larry Kearney, ‘56, died April 29, 2012 . He
had been a teacher among many other
occupations.
Norma (Shafer) Harvey, ‘56, died September
12, 2011 at Covenant Medical Ctr. in Lubbock,
Tx.
William Kinkaid, Sr., ‘56, died February 5,
2015 in Kearney. He worked for Bamford
Plumbing and then the Hale’s Show of
Tomorrow Carnival. In 1976, he started his
own company, Kinkaid Plumbing. He also took
over the family business—Kinkaid’s Greenhouse and Nursery.
Milfred “Mel” Vogt, ‘56, died March 15, 2015
in Kearney. He was a meat cutter at Boogaart’s
& George’s Market, then worked at West
Company and the Kearney Public Schools.
Sharon (Silas) Strong, ‘57, died August 8,
2013 at her home in Kearney. She taught
school in Gibbon, at the YRTC in Kearney, and
in Loup County. She was involved in speech
communication in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s
in the counseling department at Kearney State
College.
Merrill Berkheimer, ‘57, died June 22, 2014 at
his home in Hazard, Ne. Merrill was on the
construction crew that built the Rockwell plant
in Kearney and later worked for them as a
machinist for 50 years. They then moved to a
farm north of Pleasanton where he farmed and
worked for Ace Irrigation and Sargent Pipe in
Broken Bow. He retired in 2009.
Jean (Freeburg) Davis, ‘57, died in May, 2014
in Portsmouth, Va.
Don Halbert, ‘58, died November 6, 2010. He
worked as a carpenter, plumber, and electrician all his life.
Kenneth Reicheneker, ‘59, died March 5,
2014 at his home in North Platte. He worked
for the National Guard for several years and
later switched to the U.S. Army Reserve and
retired from it in 1980. Ken worked for the
Union Pacific Railroad and retired in 2006.
Jim Miller, ‘59, died February 10, 2015 in
Ravenna.
He worked as a plumber for
Anderson Brothers in Kearney.
Mary (Loeffelholz) Gillming, ‘59, died September 21, 2013 in North Platte. She worked
at the Ordinance Plant in Grand Island and
Becton Dickinson and other places in Broken
Bow. She retired in 1998.
Ilene Joan (Yendra) Lieske, ‘59, died October
8, 2012. She lived in the Charlotte, N.C. area
for more than 34 years.
Diana (Einspahr) Hernandez, ‘60, died
January 19, 2014 in Kearney. She worked at
Baldwin Filters.
Janice (Barnes) Stephens, ‘60, died November 27, 2014 in Kearney. In 1988, she opened
a craft store in downtown Kearney. She then
worked for Security Specialist Insurance Co.
George Monroe, ‘62, died in November, 2012.
He resided in Parker, Co.
Jan (Martindale) Marshall, ‘ 62, died March 1,
2015 in Grand Island where they lived since
1974.
Allen Sheen, ‘62, died December 4, 2014 in
his home west of Kearney. He farmed and
ranched with his father west of Kearney and
helped his cousin run Sheen’s Trailer Court.
He and his son and daughter-in-law owned
Sheen’s Irish Dexter’s cattle.
Virginia (Gressett) Grothen, ‘63, died October
11, 2014 in Hastings. She worked as a
bookkeeper for Central Soya and Nebraskaland Distributing.
Sandra (Stults) Stenka, ‘63, died September
13, 2014 in Kearney. They made their home in
Grand Island, Denver, and Kearney with their
final move in 2006 to Ogallala.
Steve Glover, ‘64, died January 5, 2014 in
Kearney. Steve attended seminary in Boston
and was ordained as an Orthodox Church
priest. At the time of his death, he was the
Executive Director of the Kearney Jubilee
Center.
Terrie (Jones) Peck, ‘64, died March 22, 2012
in Hastings, one day before she was to retire.
She began her 37-year banking career at First
National Bank in Kearney. They moved to
Texas and Germany while her husband was in
the military. They returned to Kearney for 18
years, then moved to Omaha, Ne., Marysville,
KS., and finally Hastings, Ne..
She was
employed there by Heritage Bank.
Tom Jackson, ‘66, died December 6, 2014 at
his home in Fort Collins, Co., after a battle with
cancer. In 1978, he became the Executive
Director of Hope Counseling Center until 1998
and later was a master teacher and academic
advisor at Front Range Community College.
Mary (Gifford) Daake, ‘67, died May 27, 2014
in Kearney. She worked for the Kearney Area
Council of Governments, Good Samaritan
Hospital, Director of the World Affairs Conference, and political science teacher at Kearney
State College, and as the Director of Academic
Advising and Career Services at UNK.
Beverly (Horton) Hochberger, ‘67, died
March 5, 2015 in Lexington. She worked for
Samsonite in Denver and EMRG/Sallie
Mae/EdTech in Kearney.
Page 9
In Memory...
“The purpose
of life
is a live
with purpose.”
Robert Byrne
Tom Heller, ‘67, died February 9, 2014 in Castle
Rock, Co.
Thomas Nelson, ‘67, died June 27, 2013 in
Omaha, Ne. He served in the U.S. Air Force and
then made his home in Denver. He had returned
to Kearney recently.
Carol (Peterson) Zapata, ‘67, died December
11, 2013 in Kearney. She was a teacher at Bryant Elementary School in Kearney for 40 years.
Susan (Johnston) Counsell, who attended
Kearney High School through her junior year in
1967, died November 14, 2014 at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, Ks. She worked
for National Indemnity for 10 years and for the
Corps of Engineers for 5 years. She later
worked as an accountant for various companies
before retiring in 2012.
Kathleen (Zimmerman) Henry, ‘69, died June
21, 2014 in Kearney. She worked as a housekeeper at several hotels in Kearney.
Christine “Kristi” Swanson, ‘69, died November 17, 2014 in Cheyenne, Wy. She worked as
an accountant for Taco John’s in Cheyenne for
26 year.
Jim Ransom, ‘69, died February 24, 2015 in
Franklin. He worked for the phone company in
Franklin.
Marjorie Babcock, ‘70, died December 22, 2014
at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in
Kearney. She was a long-time employee of
Baldwin Filters in Kearney.
Susan (Schrack) Kincaid, ‘70, died September
3, 2013 in Kearney. She taught 3rd grade at
Kenwood Elementary School in Kearney for 27
years and then worked for the KPS communications department for 7 years, before retiring in
2008.
Mary Ellen (Dickson) Hewett, ‘72, died
February 15, 2015 in Tucson, Az.
Randy Bauer, ‘72, died December 25, 2014 at
St. John’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney.
He worked for Carl Jensen Photography, then
owned and operated Bauer Publication Services.
He lived in Windsor, Co., then Brady, Ne., until
moving back to Kearney.
Jim Williamson, ‘73, died May 29, 2014 at his
home in York. He was the business manager at
McCormick Heating and Air Conditioning.
Jolynn (Stewart) Nichols, ‘73, died July 4, 2013
in Denton, Tx. She had various careers during
her life and she and her husband opened Cedar
Rock Castle, a wedding and event venue in
Pottsboro, Tx., in 2009.
Joe Nye, ‘73, died June 20, 2013 at his home in
Los Angeles, Ca. He was an acclaimed interior
designer. He worked in furniture retail management in Kodiak, Alaska, and Kansas City, then
settled in Log Angeles. In 2002, he launched his
interior design business, Joe Nye, Inc. His work
appeared in many leading publications. He
published a book “Flair: Exquisite Invitations,
Lush Flowers and Gorgeous Table Settings”. In
recent years, he also designed a series of lamps
for Virtual Comfort Lighting Co.
Mary (Campbell) McGee, ‘73, died March 26,
2015 at her home in Kearney. She worked for
many years for Dr. Martin G. Tilley.
Dean Vasquez, ‘74, died October 30, 2014 in
Kearney. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad
as a foreman and also at Eaton Corporation.
Linda (Adams) Bramer, ‘76, died December 28,
2013 in Kearney. She worked for Coleman
Powermate and as a cook at UNK, Cambridge
Court, and St. Luke’s Village.
Terrie (Mitchell) Moreau, ‘76, died July 10,
2014 in Lincoln. She was a long-time employee
of Wal-Mart.
Kent Sheen, ‘77, died February 19, 2014 in
Lexington. At the time of his death, Kent was
working for Russell’s Appliance in Kearney
where he had worked since 1997.
Rebecca (Knapp) Anderson, ‘78, died of
cancer on December 6, 2013 in Lincoln. She
worked as a paralegal for her father’s law firm
and then moved to Grand Island with her husband where she worked for Superior Mortgage.
Tamera (Hendrickson) Trampe, ‘78, died
January 21, 2014 at her home in Riverdale. She
and her husband farmed and ranched in the
Riverdale area and she worked at the Cowpoke
in Kearney and Stockman’s Café in Amherst.
Brook Wiegand, ‘81 died September 4, 2013 at
his home in Clarksville, Tn. He was retired from
the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Ron Huckins, ‘83, died October 26, 2013 at his
home in Kearney.
Gustavo (Gus) Vasquez, Jr., ‘83, died December 31, 2013 at St. John’s Center in Kearney.
He worked in the cafeteria at UNK until he retired
in October, 2006.
Jeffrey Krewson, ‘83, died August 17, 2014 in
Kearney. Jeff worked for Baldwin’s, Cabela’s
call center, and Tractor Supply.
Brian Hilty, ‘84, died May 3, 2014 at the UNMC
in Omaha. He was a cook for several Kearney
restaurants.
Tracy Beyer, ‘89, died August 25, 2014 at her
home in Omaha. She worked for several banks
and financial institutions in Omaha, including
Ernst & Young. Her work in technology and
security risk management took her all over the
country.
Colleen Danielson, ‘89, died November 25,
2014 at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village in
Kearney. She taught dance lessons throughout
her life. She worked in car sales and for the
Good
Samaritan
Hospital
Environmental
Services Department.
She died of multiple
sclerosis.
Jeff Ingram, ‘90, died September 17, 2014 in
Grand Island, as a result of a work accident. He
worked in construction in Kearney.
Sasha (Walz) Ellmers, ‘99, died January 29,
2014 at her home in Kearney. She worked for
U.S. Bank for the past 8 years and she turned
her hobby into a career when she started Photos
by Sasha in 2010.
Amanda (Welsh) Meyers, ‘04, died October 25,
2014 in Kearney. She worked at Little Mexico
Restaurant in Kearney.
Chaucina Coslor, ‘12, died July 14, 2013 in
Kearney. She worked at Good Samaritan Hospital and later at Subway in Kearney.
Page 10
Former Kearney High School
Principal Remembered
Zikmund, too, remembers McClure as a role model. “I was
a rookie counselor, and he was really important to my
career,” Zikmund said. He added that McClure “was a really
caring man” who brought a parental style of leadership to his
position. “He was very firm.” Zikmund said. “He wasn’t
above saying things to kids what you would expect a father
to say.”
Kenagy remembers McClure as someone who built a strong,
well-qualified staff at KHS.
“He was very adept at hiring competent, caring individuals,”
Kenagy said.
McClure, who was honored with the Hub’s 1995 Freedom
Award for Education, remained active in education even after
retirement by serving on the Board of Governors for Central
Community College.
“You always want to provide the best possible education for
children and students,” McClure told the Hub in an interview
from March 14, 1995.
He is survived by his son, Patrick; and his daughter, Jane.
(Kearney Hub story by Josh Moody. Hub file photo.)
COACH MATHIESEN
INDUCTED INTO “HALL OF
FAME”
Harold “Mac” McClure, a lifelong educator and Kearney High
School principal from 1968 to 1987, passed away on Saturday,
July 12, 2014 at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village in Kearney. He
was 88. He was the longest serving principal at Kearney High
School.
“Kearney High School has an excellent reputation across the
state, and I really feel like that was built on the foundation that
Mac provided during his 19 years as principal,” said Dr. Bill
Kenagy, who served as assistant principal to McClure from 1983
to 1987 and then as KHS principal from 1987 to 2005.
“He was just a great guy and he treated everyone the same,” said
Patricia Morse, who spent 33 years as secretary to the principal at
KHS.
“He was a real fixture in this community,” recalled former KHS
guidance counselor, Jim Zikmund, who started his 28-year career
at KHS under McClure’s tutelage.
A native of Riverdale, McClure spent time on active duty during
World War II as part of the U.S. Army Air Force Reserves.
Following his service, McClure earned a degree in biology and
social sciences from Nebraska State Teachers College, now UNK.
In 1959 he earned his master’s degree from NSTC.
McClure got his start in education at Wilcox in 1949. During his
career, McClure worked as a teacher, a guidance counselor, and a
tennis coach before moving into the role of principal at KHS.
“He had been in the shoes of a teacher and a counselor and a
coach,” Kenagy said. “I can’t imagine a better role model and
mentor for a young administrator like myself at that time.”
Roger Mathiesen, whose Kearney boys’ track and field teams
have 16 state titles, compared his good fortune to that of a
New Englander who found valuable Goshen stone on
property he purchased from his aunt to pay for her nursing
home expenses.
“For me, it was people—Steve Larson and Craig Lathrop
who came in at the same time with me.” “They weren’t good
coaches, they were great coaches,” Mathiesen said. “Our
athletes did common things uncommonly well, which is why
I’m up here today with a plaque in my hands.”
Mathiesen was inducted into the Nebraska High School
Sports “Hall of Fame” at the Hall’s 21st induction ceremony in
Lincoln in September, 2014.
Mathiesen, who retired from teaching in the Kearney
Public Schools in 2009, has continued coaching track at
Kearney High School.
Story by Stu Pospisil, Photo by Buck Mahoney
Page 11
Ayres: Publisher, Photographer, Pilot and Alumnus
The newspaper publisher who flew B-25 bombers in World War
II and later documented Kearney’s growth with aerial
photography, died September 15, 2014 at Edgewood Vista
Assisted Living in Hastings, Ne. He was 92.
Bob Ayres, Class of 1940, was president and publisher of the
Hub from 1965 to 1985, but he said his affiliation with
Kearney’s daily newspaper began in the mid-1930s when he
caddied for Hugh Brown, the Hub’s publisher from 1932 to
1939. Brown’s father, Mentor A. Brown, established the newspaper in 1888. Ayres’ newspaper career included stints as a
carrier, circulation manager, business manager, and eventually
publisher when he succeeded his wife Jane’s father, Ormond
Hill, in 1965. Ayers delivered the Hub as a teenager. His route
was west of the UNK campus and stretched along U.S. Highway
30, which Kearney residents at the time called the “Seedling
Mile” because it was Kearney’s first paved section of the Lincoln
Highway.
Just as street names and the landscape of Kearney changed, so
did the manner in which newspapers were produced. Ayres’
interest in photography provided him a valuable skill as newspapers evolved from pages with mostly headlines and text into
more visual formats with lots of photos. Ayres wrote that when
he became publisher, veteran Hub Editor Ed Chittenden
wouldn’t allow him in the newsroom because he couldn’t spell.
However, Chittenden did allow Ayres to carry a camera for the
newsroom, a bulky Speed Graphic. “He (Chittenden) wanted to
make use of the photo skills that Frank Raasch, a local dentist,
had taught me as a teenager. That camera was so big, I almost
had to use two hands to lift it.”
Ayres said collecting photos for the Hub allowed him to build a massive file of 15,000 to 20,000 images. Some of those now are
stored at the Nebraska State Historical Society. Ayres was about 10 years old when Raasch talked to his young dental patient about
photography and planted the seed for a lifelong interest. The boy turned the family’s only bathroom into a darkroom. Later, when
he was a bomber pilot for the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, Ayres occasionally sneaked a camera along on bombing missions.
He said the wartime images were real conversation starters after the war. “The photos were great years later at reunions.”
He returned to Kearney after the war and started a flying business with a friend while he finished college. “I took a few more
pictures from the air,” he said. “It started an interest because it was fun.” After earning a business and finance degree from the
University of Colorado, Ayres joined the Hub in 1951 as circulation manager. When he wasn’t supervising carriers, he often was
aloft, collecting news photos, sometimes of fire and train wrecks, and frequently shooting aerial images of the city below. When
Ayres began as circulation manager, Kearney’s population was a little more than 12,000. Today, 63 years later, the city has grown
to 32,000. The Hub published two books of Ayres’ aerial photos. The first “Kearney from the Sky” rolled off the press in 1999 and
featured 104 photos from the 1950s to 1990s. The latest edition of 140 photos was published in 2012. “Kearney is surely among
only a few communities that can chart its growth with a comprehensive record of aerial photos, Steve Chatelain said in a 2012
interview about the book.
City officials have used Ayres’ work. His photos hang in banks, in Kearney City Hall, at the Kearney Public Library, and at UNK. “This
was just my hobby, but I ended up making a historical record that will be useful to the City,” Ayres said.
In 1965, Ayres became general manager and then chairman of the board of the Hub in 1970. He was publisher until late in 1984
when the Omaha World Herald Co. purchased the Hub. Although he continued to serve on the board, he retired from the Hub in
1986 to pursue other interests. Ayres was active in civic affairs during his career. He served many years on the Good Samaritan
Hospital Board of Directors and played a role in the drive to purchase the old post office to house the Museum of Nebraska Art. He
also served on the Kearney State College Foundation. Among his interested in recent years was the development of the Spillway
Park near UNK.
(Hub story by Mary Jane Skala and Mike Konz, Hub staff; Hub file photo)
Page 12
LEAVE A LEGACY
Be remembered forever with a personalized seat in the new KHS auditorium….
$400 for Reunion attendees!
Checks payable to: Kearney Public Schools Foundation, 320 W. 24th St., Kearney, NE 68845
Page 13
2015 Kearney High School All-Class Reunion Registration
Friday, September 11 3:30-5:30 P.M.— Registration at Merryman Performing
Arts Center—225 W. 22nd St.
5:30-7:00 P.M. - Booster Club Tailgate Party at Foster
Field at UNK—KHS vs. North Platte
football game at 7:00 P.M.
Recognition of KHS Athletic Hall of Fame
recipients
Homecoming Royalty announced
9:30-11:30 P.M. - After-game Social—Classic Car
Collection on east end of Cabela’s
building— 3600 East Highway 30
Please indicate the events you wish to attend. If registering for other people, please submit a form for each party.
Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
Tailgate Party– 5:30-7:00 P.M.
Foster Field (pay at event)
Number ______
KHS vs. North Platte
Number ______
football game—Foster Field
(pay at event)
After-game social—9:30-11:30 Number ______
Classic Car Collection– Cabela’s
($12.50 for admission to Car Collection and snacks)
(Cash bar available)
Saturday, September 12 8:30-10:30 A.M. - Registration at Merryman Performing
Arts Center
8:30-10:30 A.M. - Central Elementary Open House (former
Kearney Junior High School)
9:00 A.M.—
Golf Outing with shotgun start at Awarii
Dunes Golf Course— 592 “S” Road
9:30 A.M. Kids’ Mile Run/Walk at Yanney Park
10:00 A.M. Adult 5-K Run/Walk at Yanney Heritage
Park—2020 W. 11th St.
1:00-4:00 P.M. - Kearney High School Open House
3610 6th Avenue
1:00 to 2:30 &
Trolley tours of Kearney
3:00 to 4:30 P.M. Will leave from MPAC parking lot 225 West 22nd St.
6:15 P.M. Social hour at Younes Conference Ctr.
416 Talmadge Road
7:00 P.M. Banquet & entertainment—Younes
Conference Center Art Ferguson “Charlie Tuna” - M.C.
Entertainment by Steve Lungrin
Golf Outing ($60.00 per person) - Shotgun start at
9:00 A.M. at Awarii Dunes Golf Course
Number______ Amount ______
5-K Run/Walk at Yanney Heritage Park— 9:30 A.M. (Kids’
1 mile run/walk) & 10:00 A.M. (Adult 5K run/walk)
($25.00 per registrant—t-shirt included)
T-shirt size: Youth: XS S
M L
XL
Adult: S
M
L XL XXL XXXL
(Please circle size/s)
Number______ Amount______
Central Elem. Open House 8:30 to 10:30 A.M.
Number ______
High School Open House 1:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Number ______
Tour of Kearney
Number ______
(first come-first served basis) (Maximum
capacity for 2 tours is a total of 64 people.)
Sunday, September 13 1:00 P.M._________ or 3:00 P.M.__________
8:30-10:30 A.M. Free Farewell Continental Breakfast New Harmon Park Activity Center (Families welcome)
Community Attractions Museum of Nebraska Art—2410 Central Ave.
11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The Archway—1 Archway Parkway—
9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Nebraska Firemen’s Museum—2434 E. 1st St.,
9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Yanney Heritage Park—2020 W. 11st St.
Classic Car Collection—east end of Cabela’s
3600 E. Highway 30—9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Sunday 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Trails & Rails Museum—710 W. 11th St.
Monday-Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Social & Banquet ($30.00 per person) Cash bar available.
Younes Conference Center . ($35.00 per person at the
door.)
Class__________Number_______ Amount_______
Complimentary Farewell Continental Breakfast at New
Harmon Park Activity Center.
Number _______
(Families welcome!)
Online Registration is available as of April 1,
2015. Go to khs2015.eventbrite.com or
access the Kearney Public Schools website:
www.kearneypublicschools.org, select the
Alumni Association page and then select the
above link.
Page 14
REUNION HEADLINERS
Charlie Tuna has worked as morning drive personality for more
stations and formats than anyone in Los Angeles radio history. In
1990, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Charlie with
his own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, January 10, 1990.
Charlie was inducted in 2008 into the National Radio Hall of
Fame, and his home state Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall
of Fame in 1999.
In 1997, Los Angeles Radio People readers voted Charlie one of
the Top 10 L.A. Radio Personalities of All Time. Tuna was heard
around the world daily on the Armed Forces Radio Network for a
25 year – 6000 show run from 1971 to 1996, as well as on
numerous nationally syndicated radio shows, since the early 70’s.
He’s now heard across the U.S., Canada and internationally on his
5 hour daily and weekend shows, plus a daily Hollywood Minute
entertainment feature, from Black Card Radio Syndication in Las
Vegas. Charlie's Weekend syndicated show is heard locally in
Kearney from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays on KKPR 98.9 FM.
Tuna was the announcer for the television game show Scrabble
which ran for seven years on NBC, and a dozen other TV shows
ranging from the Mike Douglas Show to America’s Top 10 with
Casey Kasem. Appearances in two movies, hundreds of TV and
radio commercials, VH1’s use of Charlie’s Celebrity Interview
Archives, dozens of radio station voice imaging clients, narration of
the U.S. Air Force’s 50th Anniversary CD, and even serving as a
musical network TV consultant round out the media side of Charlie
Tuna.
Charlie has also raised nearly 2 and half million dollars for
Children’s Hospital in L.A. with his annual “Tunathon” in past
years, hosted the red carpet and emceed the Revlon Run/Walk for
5 years, and emcees the annual 4th of July Warner Park in Woodland Hills celebration which attracts annual crowds of over 50,000
spectators.
“PIANO MAN”STEVE ENTERTAINS
“Piano Man” Steve Lungrin, KHS Class of 1996, will provide
instrumental and vocal music entertainment for the 2015 KHS
All-Class Reunion banquet at the Younes Conference Center
on Saturday, September 12th.
Steve is a one-man-band with well over 150 songs in all
genres ranging from rock, pop, country, standards, jazz and
originals from the early 20th century through the music of today.
Charlie calls Tarzana home in California and has served as
that city’s Honorary Mayor since 1977.
Charlie Tuna (Art Ferguson, KHS Class of 1962) will
serve as Master of Ceremonies for the 2015 Kearney
High School All-Class Reunion!
Art Ferguson “Charlie Tuna”, KHS Class of 1962
After graduation from KHS, Steve attended UNK and majored
in communications. While in college, he continued to play in the
Kearney area and made his first album in 2000 called “Time for
the Show”. He moved to the resort community of Mesquite,
Nevada in 2005. He has been playing 100 to 120 shows per
year since 2010 and plays in Southern Nevada, Southern
California, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska.
Steve has had the pleasure of working with Glennis Jones
(former lead guitarist for Marvin Gaye, the Marvelettes, and
Edwin Starr), Scott Grove (former lead guitarist for John Michael
Montgomery, Alabama, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and many
others, was well as a former member of the Grand Ole Opry
House Band), and Chris Pinnick (former guitarist for his favorite
band, Chicago).
In 2011, Steve launched LearningMusicIsFun.com, a series
of video piano lessons that he has created and filmed out of his
home. He had sold individual videos and subscriptions to
people in over 40 countries and every continent.
Steve performs solo, but plans to form a band of some kind in
the next year or so. He has a recording studio in his home to
make accompaniment tracks to play along to at his live shows.
We are pleased to have Steve back in Nebraska to perform
at the 2015 KHS All-Class Reunion! Plan to join us for a fun
time!
Page 15
KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Name
Expires
Gaylene Aden 2015-Feb.
Roger Ahrens
2016-Sept.
Dick Albrecht
2016-Sept.
Lynn Andersen 2016-Jul
Marlin Anderson 2016-Aug.
Susan Anderson 2015-Feb.
Ken Anderson 2015-Jan.
Marilyn Armagost Life
Nancy Barney 2015-Feb.
Kenneth Beahm 2017-Oct.
Bill Beavers
2023-Jul
Roy Bennett
Life
Jeannette Bergt 2016-Sept.
Faye Berkheimer 2015-Sept.
Donna Best
2019-Sept.
Dottie Bettar
2025-Aug.
Ron Bickford
2015-Dec.
Jerry Billings
2015-Nov.
Josephine Bissell 2027-Feb.
Carmen Blake 2016-Sept.
Judy Blevins
2016-Jul
Randi Bohr
Life
Debbie Bramlage 2015-Mar
Genny Brandorff 2016-Jul
Lean Brandt
2023-Jul
Brad Brauer
2016-Apr
Geraldine Brewer 2015-Sept.
Barbara Brock 2017-Jul
Julie Brooker
2017-Aug.
Bob Bryant
2016-Aug
John Bryant
2016-Jul
Katie Bullard
2015-Sept.
Robert Burns
2015-Oct.
Mary Jo Buresh 2015-Sept.
Lester Burnham 2016-Jan.
Kay Bush
2019-Nov.
Alan Butler
2015-Sept.
Robert Campbell 2023-Jul
Larry Carlson
2015-Sept.
Dorene Carmann 2015-Feb.
Jack Cavanaugh 2015-Jul
Jerry Cavanaugh 2018-Oct.
Al Cepel
2017-Jul
Frank Cepel
Life
John Cochran Life
David Colsden 2015-May
John Colsden
2015-May
MM Samuel Corder 2015-Sept.
Donna Cousino 2015-Jan.
Martha Crowe 2015-Jul
Ron Daake
2015-Mar
Carol Daly
2015-Feb.
MM Boyd Deets 2016-Feb.
Lois Detrow
2017-Feb.
Tom Detwiler
2016-Jan.
Barbara Dinsdale 2015-Aug.
Delores Dobberstein 2015-Mar
Wayne Dobberstein 2018-Aug.
Edith Dreiling
2015-Feb.
Howard Dungan 2017-Feb.
Don Edwards
2018-Jul
Deb Eickhoff
2015-Jun
Jo Ann Entwisle 2015-Aug.
Mary Ellen Fagan 2016-Jul
Sharon Fehringer 2022-Mar.
Sara Fitzke-Hermanson Life
James Fox
Life
Robert Fox
2015-Mar
Ron Fox
2015-Feb.
Don Frazier
2016-Jun
Krista Fritson
2015-Sept.
Patricia Fuller
2015-Sept.
Elizabeth George 2017-Aug.
Dee Gerih
2015-Jul
Alan Gibbons
2015-Aug.
Name
Expires
Michael Gibreal
Life
MM William Giesler 2015-Mar
Ernest Gillette
2015-Sept.
Jerome Gordon
Life
MM Gary Gragson Life
Kathryn Griffin
2023-Aug.
Sue Grove
2015-Nov.
Nancy Guthmann 2015-Sept.
Fred Hammer
2019-Sept.
Nancy Hansen
2015-Sept.
Gary Hartman
2015-Sept.
Shirley Hazzard
2015-Jun
MM Duane Heiliger 2017-Jul
MM Robert Heinzman 2017-Feb.
Larry Henderson
2015-Sept.
Julia Hernandez
2016-Apr
Edward Herzog
2015-Sept.
Eunice Hibbs
2023-Jul
Beth Hill
2023-Aug.
James Hoefer
2017-Aug.
James Hofstetter 2015-Mar
Loretta Houtchens 2015-Jul
MM Jerry Idt
2017-Feb.
Janet Irlmeier
2016-Aug.
Julia Jackson
2016-Feb.
Tracy Jatczak
2018-Oct.
Gary Jensen
2015-Jun
Ronald Jiede
2024-Feb.
Judith Johnson
Life
Nancy Johnston
2015-Sept.
Betty Kaaz
2015-Aug.
Fred Kempf
2023-Jul
Marilyn Kenton
2019-Sept.
Jeffrey Knapp
2015-Aug
Susan Knights
2023-Jul
Antigone Kotsiopulos 2015-Sept.
George Kotsiopulos 2016-Jul
Peter Kotsiopulos 2016-Apr
Charles Kreutzer 2015-Oct.
Douglas Laflan
2015- Mar.
John Lancaster
2015-Sept.
Connie Lantis
2015-Sept.
Jeff Leaf
2015-Sept.
John Ledbetter
2015-Nov.
Gerry Leibee
2017-Sept.
Bettelee Lewis
2017-Sept.
Marilyn Lindly
2015-Aug.
Connie Love
2025-Oct.
Clifford Lowell
2023-Sept.
Melvin Lowell
2015-Jun
Warren Lynn
2015-Oct.
Richard Martin
16-Mar
Sharon Mason
2015-Aug.
Janet McClaren
2015-Sept.
MM Wayne McKinney 2015-Sept.
Ardienne McNulty 2015-Nov.
Nelson Merryman 2015-Jul
MM Carl Meyer
Life
George Mitchell
Life
John Mitchell
2015-Jan
Mark Morris
2016-Mar
Irene Motis
2015-Sept.
Barb Mowrey
2015-Jul
Sharon Mulford
2015-Aug.
MM Bill F. Nelson 2016-Sept.
Marcia Nelson
2015-Jun
Rita Nielson
2018-Sept.
June Nutter
2015-Sept.
MM Alan Oldfather 2023-Aug.
Carol “Sally” Olsen 2015-Jul
Marjorie Olson
2015-Jul
Corinne Olmsted 2015-Jul
Stephen Osberg
2016-Nov.
MM James Panek 2015-Aug.
Kay Patterson
2016-Sept.
Name
Expires
Name
Expires
Virginia Pawley
Richard Peck
Mercedes Peebles
Gary Petersen
John Peterson
Hildred Piel
Dan Pierce
John Pierce
Dick Plank
Veda Reese
Linda Reising
Jack Roberts
Sheryl Robison
Richard Rogers, Jr.
Joseph Rookstool
Heather Roubicek
Mary Ann Roucis
Lela Rust
Fr. Tom Ryan
Steve Samuelson
James Sanks
MM Jeff Scharff
Jacque Scholz
Donna Schonbrun
Allison Selk
Tony Shada
Carroll Sheldon
Lou Shields
Arthur Shiers
Loren Shiers
Clifford Shiers
Glenda Smallcomb
MM Harold Smith
Kathy Smith
Marcia Smith
2015-Jul
2016-Oct.
2020-Aug
2015-Sept.
2015-Sept.
2015-Sept.
2015-Aug.
2015-Sept.
2016-Dec.
2015-Aug.
2015-Dec.
Life
2016-Mar
2015-Feb.
2016-Sept.
2015-May
2015-Jan.
2015-Aug.
2018-Jul
2018-Nov.
2015-Sept.
2015-Oct.
2015-Jun
2015-May
2015-May
2015-Sept.
2017-Feb.
2016-Sept.
2016-Jan.
Life
2020-Sept.
2027-Aug.
2017-Feb.
2015-Feb.
2016-Jul
Ron Smith
2025-Feb.
Sharon Spencer
2016-Oct.
Susanne Stearns Life
Kara Steffen
2016-Apr
MM Milo Stubbs
2016-Jul
Pamela Stumpff
2015-Feb.
John Sweeney
2015-Oct.
Evelyn Swezea
2015-Sept.
Kathleen Taylor
2015-Sept.
Julie Thatcher
2015-Aug.
Lynn Thomas
2022-Apr
Paula Thorson
Life
Ronald Thurow
Life
Gretchen Treadway 2017-Sept.
Kay Triplett
Life
Kenneth Vannier
2015-Sept.
Georgia Van Ornam 2015-Jul
Freddy J. Vavra
2016-Sept.
Ross Vohland
2030-Aug.
Janeen Vokoun
2017-Sept.
J. Harold Walker
2016-Sept.
Don Welch
2016-Jul
Jill Westcott
2015-Sept.
Charles Whitcher 2015-Sept.
Lee Whitman
Life
Paul Wice
2015-Sept.
Delores Williams
2015-Sept.
Anna Williams
2015-Oct.
Janet Winkelbauer 2015-Oct.
Chuck Wolf
Life
David B. Wright
2016-Sept.
Diana Wubbenhorst 2028-Sept.
Jim Zikmund
2025-Sept.
Julie Zobel
2015-May
BOOK YOUR HOTEL NOW FOR
THE KHS ALL-CLASS REUNION!
Americinn - 215 W. Talmadge St., 308-234-7800, $94.90 + tax
Best Western Plus - 224 2nd Ave., 234-2541, Government rate of
$83.00 + tax
Comfort Inn - 2302 1st Ave., 236-3400, $99.95 + tax
Country Inns & Suites – 105 W. Talmadge St., 236-7500, $135.00 +
tax – limited rooms
Fairfield Inn – 510 Talmadge St., 236-4200, $119.95 + tax
Hampton Inn – 507 Talmadge St., 234-3400, $129.95 + tax
Holiday Inn – 110 2nd Ave., 237-5971, $109.95 + tax
Holiday Inn Express – 508 S. 2nd Ave., 234-8100, $109.95+tax
Microtel – 104 Talmadge St., 698-3003, $74.95 + tax
Midtown Western Inn – 1401 2nd Ave., 237-3153, $59.95 + tax
Motel 6 – 101 Talmadge St., 338-0705, $54.99 + tax
Ramada Inn – 301 2nd Ave., 237-3141, $89.00 non-poolside, $119.00
poolside + tax
Rodeway Inn – 421 S. 2nd Ave., 698-2810, $69.00 + tax
Super 8 Motel – 15 W. 8th St., 234-5513, $65.00 + tax
Wingate Hotel – 108 3rd Ave., 237-4400, $94.95 + tax
Kearney High School Alumni Association
Kearney Public Schools
310 West 24th Street
Kearney, NE 68845-5331
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 118
GRAND ISLAND, NE
SPRING, 2015
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED