News

Larry Vlasin, previous teacher and coach, was inducted into the Nebraska Prep Sports Hall of Fame at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, NE. An all-around athlete, Vlasin holds the national eight-man football record with total yards per game with 338.9, helping Madrid to back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1963 and 1964. In basketball, he averaged 26.9 points and 12 assists per game and qualified in four events at the state track meet. Vlasin earned the Journal Star “Athlete of the Year” award in 1965, the first Class D athlete to receive the honor.

Evie Caldwell, music teacher, was honored for 40 years of service at the 73rd Annual Fall Conference/Clinic of the Nebraska Music Educators Association in Lincoln, NE.

Jack J Gardner has established an annual Jack J Gardner Scholarship program with the McCook College Foundation. The $500 scholarship is for full or part-time students who are veterans of the U.S. military. The program’s inaugural year will be academic year 2009-2010. For more information please contact Stephanie Gunter at 308-345-5233 or email atmcfoundation@mccooknet.com. Jack, who is retired from military service, and his wife Bonnie Jo Leibreth ‘48 currently reside in Florida.

Gerald McIlmoyle ’48 was certified as a tax preparer and quality reviewer for the AARP/IRS site in Venice, FL, and is currently working through April 15th, preparing taxes for the low income and elderly. Gerald also recently gave a talk to Lakeside High School in Seattle (Bill Gates graduated from there) to students on “How the Cold War Influenced My Life”. Gerald is a retired Brigadier General in the USAF.

Jack Stevens ’50 had his photographs on display last November at the “Lens View” art exhibit at the Lauritzen Gardens Omaha’s Botanical Center. Using a 35mm camera, much of Stevens’ work consists of florals, but he also does seascapes and landscapes, including scenery from the Great Plains.

Harry Lebsack ’51 has hung up his scissors after 45 years of cutting hair at his barber shop in McCook. Harry reminisced about the hair styles that have gone out and come back around. On the long styles of the 60’s and 70’s, he said we just watched them walk on by. One other change over the years was the price rising from $1.25 to $10.00. Lebsack said he was the place for the men who needed “just a haircut.” One of his clients commented that they also stopped in to “Harry’s” to visit and to catch up on things, to get the latest news. Harry said, “I’m just a manure spreader. The guys bring it in and I spread it around. We have talked about all kinds of things, sports, fishing, weather, politics, but mostly sports.”

Dick Budig ’56 honored Al Cuellar ‘56 by painting a portrait of his classmate and donating it to the Museum of the High Plains in McCook. Dick feels strongly about honoring those who do the right thing day after day without getting much credit. Dick said that Al has been the “go to” guy for him and their classmates; he has kept the class together by keeping track of everyone. He is the glue that over time holds society, classmates and students together.

Bonita Boyd Lages ’57 recently retired from Civilian Service with the Department of Army, Munson Army Health Center, Fort Leavenworth, KS. During her nearly 29 year Civil Service career, the last 22 years in the same position, she was the recipient of two Achievement Medals for Civilian Service, The Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and upon retirement was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award which is the second highest award for Civilian Service in the Department of Army.

Judy Chinn Wortley ’58 shared words of encouragement during the regular meeting of Compassionate Friends in McCook. Judy is the author of  Forgiving the Murderer of my Child, her 5th book. She also authored “To Know Him is to Love Him” and three instruction books on children’s ministry after retiring from a position as a director of children’s ministry in California.

Corlyn “Corky” Billesbach Gettman ’60 has written a book titled, Sound of the Moon. This book is the autobiography of a young girl growing up in a small mid western town (McCook) in the 1950s. You’ll find the information at www.lulu.com, where you can order or read the book on-line at no charge. They print the book after you order it and send it righout.

Hans Ulrich Maerki, ’64 is a Swiss citizen and retired chairman of IBM in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is one of 14 “student-fellows” in a new Harvard program. The Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative is seen as a new “third stage” for universities, beyond undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. The year long program is intended to help them learn how to be successful social entrepreneurs or leaders of nonprofit organizations focused on social problems like poverty, health, education and the environment.

Steve Keene ‘65 and his wife Patty returned from San Francisco in 2008 to make their home in McCook.

Gary Ginther ’65 was commissioned by the Keith County Visitors Committee to sculpt a bronze statue for their Spruce Street Station and Visitors Center in Ogallala. So he created a 6’6’ bronze statue of a 1920’s era “gas jockey” called “Full Service”. Gary said he tried to capture the friendly, hometown Nebraskan, with his work-torn overalls, dirty oil rag, $2.95 work boots and strong rough hands, with an inviting welcome to serve the community.

Ursula Wozniak Leeds ’66, uula @usfamily.net, is thankful we put her in contact with a former flight attendant, New York roommate, and friend she had lost contact with in 1970. She quit flying for United in 1972, got married, moved to Minneapolis, opened a boutique, and sold European clothing and skin care for 14 years. She and her husband travel, ski, and golf and just built a new home in Vail, CO with some thoughts of moving there more permanently in the future. She keeps in touch with her classmates by the internet and has fond memories of her school years and friends in McCook. She says, “Growing up in a small town has many wonderful benefits!”

Dr. Fred Steier ’67 of Port Charlotte, FL, fred.steier@steierconsulting.com, has retired  from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as the Assistant Director for Rehabilitation Services. He now provides consulting services back to VA in 19 States (which includes Nebraska). His consulting work provides vocational rehabilitation and employment services to veterans who sustained injury or illness while serving on active duty. These services are provided at no cost to a veteran with physical or psychological disabilities. Dr. Steier says, “The work is rewarding, particularly when we can help someone to improve the quality of their life through our services”.

Randy Peters ’71 was re-elected to a three-year term as director of the Omaha-based Farm Credit Services farm lending cooperative.

Dale Dueland ’72 and Leigh Ann Lyle Miller ’78 have been elected to the McCook Community Foundation’s fund advisory committee board of directors. The McCook Community Foundation, formed in 2001, is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation. In 2008, total assets of the McCook Fund approached $1 million.

Mary Dueland ’73 was honored with one of the three Nebraska Excellence in Teaching Awards during the 2009 Nebraska Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Teaching Awards Luncheon at the Nebraska Governor’s Residence.

Jim Harris ’73 wrote and also plays a role in the musical, “Civil War Voices.” After a performance in Lincoln, the full cast, crew, and orchestra of 32 performers traveled to McCook in February for the play’s out-state premier at the Fox Theatre. Thanks to Jim’s talent and the generosity of the Harris Brother’s Ranch and Eleanor Harris, the net proceeds of the production here in McCook went to the theatre in their efforts to restore the historic building. More than 600 people filled the theatre and everyone was thrilled with the two-hour performance. If you get a chance to see this production, do not miss it! (More in the Fall newsletter.)

Cal Siegfried ’73 was named in February as the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce “Ag Builder” of the year. Cal emcee’s many area events for charitable programs. He has been involved for a lifetime in farming, livestock production, ag banking, and agriculture-related government issues.

Rob Putz ’74 recently retired after 33 years of service with UPS in McCook. He started with UPS in 1975 and started driving in 1979, delivering about 450 packages a day. Putz said the job was great and he enjoyed working for UPS. “I’ll miss the people but not the packages,” he joked. Putz, who is also the pastor of Cornerstone Church in McCook, said he will spend retirement in full-time ministry.

Bill Buxton ’76 of Brighton, CO received the 2008 “Leader of the Year” award from Rose Medical Center in Denver, CO. Buxton is the Director of Plant Operations and has been employed at Rose Medical Center for 28 years.

Steve Lytle ’78 of McCook became just the third bowler to roll a 300 game at TJ’s Family Fun Center, formerly the Willow Lanes. He posted the 300 in his first game and bowled a 768 series. He was three pins shy of the league record for high series.

Douglas Martin ’78 recently was inducted into the Concordia University in Seward, NE Athletic Hall of Fame. Martin participated in swimming during his four years at Concordia, lettering each year. A multiple record holder for the Bulldogs, he currently teaches for Lutheran High School Association of Rockford, IL.

Roxann Doyle Owens ’79 of Painting Plus has signed up recently as a distributor/installer for Stoney Brook Wallcoverings. She is thrilled to find a source for this uniquely durable wallcovering that is applied by tearing into random strips and sizes, giving texture and depth to any surface.

Kim Miller Schilling ’81 has been elected to the Board of Directors of the McCook College Foundation.

Annette Kool Wagner, ’85 was honored as the Cordial of the Year at the McCook Chamber of Commerce Annual banquet in February.

Congratulations to Kris Nelson-Westhoff ‘90 for running in the Boston Marathon and requalifying for this year.

Leanne Michaelis Miller ’92 is the new director of human resources at the McCook Community Hospital.

Donnie McCorkle ’96 and Paul Wood ’80 are two of the members of Capella Nova, a McCook brass quartet. The other two members are Lonnie Weyeneth and Joanne Wendelin.

Trooper Doug Petty ’97 of the Nebraska State Patrol was presented Employee of the Year honors from Gov. Dave Heineman. Petty is a 9-year veteran assigned to the Nebraska State Patrol’s Troop D-North Platte Traffic Division. He was also the MADD 2007 Outstanding Law Enforcement Award winner for Adult DUI Enforcement, Trooper Petty’s commitment to public safety and the citizens of Nebraska results in safer travels on Nebraska’s roadways.

Lekha Hileman Waitoller ’97 of Tempe, AZ is an Assistant Curator at University of Arizona State University Art Museum and did much of the work on their most recent exhibition. She is especially interested in the way art both reflects and impacts social issues and is currently working with art on the U.S.-Mexico border. After recently spending three weeks in Argentina, she is now back in Tempe where she stays in touch with Jasmine Powell Hogan ’97 who also lives in Tempe and works as a physical therapist.

Kristie Phinney Winters ’97, kristie@bigredagency.com, will be taking over retiring agent Ron Penner’s State Farm Insurance Agency. She is buying a building at West 4th and B street and renovating it with hopes to be moved in by May 1st. Kristie formerly owned and operated a Curves franchise and sold the franchise and started Nebraska Concrete Coatings with her husband Travis five years ago.

Teresa Donze ’00, was pictured on the front cover of the latest “One Nebraska”, the biannual publication of the University of Nebraska Foundation. Teresa conducts research in the Ken Morrison Life Sciences Research Center at UNL, where she is completing her doctoral dissertation in molecular plant virology. She is hoping to do her post-doctorate work at Oxford University in England.

Julie Hileman ‘00, juliehileman @gmail.com, is practicing law with a small firm in the St. Louis area. She practices general law and is doing more and more work for banks. She also writes a fashion blog, www.shinylittlethings.com.

Sara Beckenhauer ’01, sara@dgm investgroup.com, recently moved to Denver, CO. She started her own speech therapy business specializing in augmentative communication for children with severe communication disabilities. Sara is also a partner in DGM Investment Group, which teaches people how to build wealth through real estate investing.

Chet Hileman, chileman@firstliberty mtg.net , who would have graduated in 2001 had they not moved from McCook, enjoys playing in an indoor football league and spending time with friends. He is a broker for First Liberty Mortgage and helps refinance or purchase homes in Nebraska and several other states. He lives in the Washington University area of St. Louis known as “the loop”.

Kayla Guthrie ’02 displayed her watercolor at the Wrightstone Fine Art Gallery on the MCC campus. The theme for her show was the concept of beauty, with one picture named “Conversations With God: Beauty is Important, But Love is Blind”. Her painting is the result of her own struggle with the idea of beauty and what she said God revealed to her about it. Also included in her show were nearly 30 photographs of the people, customs and landscapes of Africa, where she spent more than a year with an international organization promoting the arts.

Nate Reicks ’03

is making his way back to the wrestling mats after five years. His collegiate wrestling career was put on hold after a Tour of Duty overseas. But he shook off the rust and placed second in the Amateur Division of the 2008 Kaufman-Brand Open in Omaha. It is the largest single one day collegiate tournament in the country; the non-team scoring event drew some of the best wrestlers in the nation. Reicks was the 2003 Nebraska Class B state champ at 189; he now wrestles at 285.