Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Changing Neighborhood Of Central Elementary

The Carnegie Library was just across the street south of Central. It was turned into a Cultural Community Center when the new library was built on the south end of the block in the 70's. Ignore the date on the picture; I was borrowing the camera and I did not know if this whole project would even turn out as planned. Thankfully, it was not too bad.
As an old building, it needs to be refurbished periodically. Our own Ron Kruse is in the boom.

This phot is similar to the one in our 1967 yearbook. The band was sitting/standing in the area behind the flagpole.

A closer view of the previous shot.


This is the view looking east down Fourth Street from in front of the old high school. The Presbyterian Church is on the left.

The building now houses offices and apartments, and is called "The 1921" because it was built in that year. The annex was demolished when the remodeling began in the early 2000's. Mark Kratochvil, as a deputy states attorney, works here.

Our beloved(?) Central Elementary School. The halls and rooms seemed so big when we first entered 50 some years ago.

The lawn appears to have been well taken care of. In reality, this sod was only put in a week or so ago. The playground of our kindergarten days is no longer there.


This edifice is the main addition to the exterior. It is adjacent to the classroom of Miss Neubauer, one of our fifth grade teachers. Notice the large swallowtail butterfly in the middle window.



This is the view from home plate of the baseball field in the southwest corner.

This picture was taken about where third base would have been.



As you can see, much landscaping has taken place. This is the west side of the gym. The outdoor basketball courts were in this area.




This photo was taken from the home plate area of the northwest ballfield (right across the street from the First National Bank). The whole area is now encircled by a gate. On the left, one of the posts sneaked into the picture.

Here is a gazebo with Tyrannosaurus Rex nearby. Those workmen might satisfy her voracious appetite.


This view is looking toward the north and is what Robyn would see if she were standing on her porch.

Here is another look at Mrs. Tyrannosaurus Rex. Her baby is supposed to arrive in a few weeks. A good articel can be found at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2010/08/10/super-sized-tyrannosaurus-comes-to-south-dakota/

This is what we would have seen if we were playing on the old swings and monkey bars.
This is one of the "back doors" to the school, and the entrance to the gym, Mrs. Petersen's third grade was in the corner to the left. Her husband taught junior high science and shop. I believe he was more affectionately known as "Uncle Petey."


The conversion of Central Elementary into the first children's museum would not have been possible without the generosity of the Larson Family (Vern Olson's employer). The opening date is scheduled for mid-September.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Central Elementary




Central Elementary is no longer an elementary school. It is being converted into a children's museum, which will be the first one in the state of South Dakota. The opening date is ony a few weeks away. Funding for this renovation is being provided by Larson Manufacturing (Vern Olson's employer). Some of the people on staff there are colleagues or former students. They asked me this summer if I had any memorabilia of the old school. I gave them what I could find. If any of you have items of interest, you may contact
Jill Hungerford
Director of Marketing
Children's Museum
521 4th St.
Brookings, SD 57006
or email her at jhungerford@cmosd.org (605-692-6700).

In my search, I came across these two photos from the late 50's, early 60's. The first photo is First Communion at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. The year may have been 1959. I think the fourth row, from the left, consists of Arnie deBlonk, Jerry Martinson, Dan Holm, unknown, Tim Serlet, unknown, John Martinson, Greg Graff, Doug Biggar, and Jim Wakeman. The third row is Rick Thompson, Steve Braley, Mike McClemans, Pat Durland (?), John Iverson, Alan Leibel, Stan Skubic, Jim Herrig (?), unknown, Rocky Watson, and Kevin O'Connell. The boy on the left in the second row looks like Jim Antonides. The only girls I recognize in that row are Cecilia Kellogg in the middle, and perhaps Kathy Howell (from Volga) on the end. In the front row, the second and third girls from the left look like Patsy Bates and Kathy Funk respectively. The two middle girls appear to be Debi Shirley and Robyn Connelly, while the girl on the end seems to be Margaret Pearson. We were not all in the same class; I don't know the reason for that.
The second one is the Cub Scout pack (den?) some of us were in. From the left is Greg Graff (anybody know whatever happened to him? Didn't he move when we were in Jr. Hi?), Jim Egeberg, Jim Wakeman, Arnie deBlonk, Mike McClemans, Lynn Roberts, and John Iverson.




Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Reminiscing


Finally, some good news. Have been exchanging emails with Janice (Briggs) Remmele. We had the same 5th and 6th grade teachers, and virtually the same schedule in the 7th and 8th grades. We both went to Central, and had Mrs. Walker as our teacher. Another teacher was Miss Joyce Pedersen, whose class is pictured above (how many of these students can you identify?). Does anyone remember who the other 6th grade teacher at Central was? Could it have been Mrs. Travis? If anyone has pictures of our school years that you would not mind posting, you can email them to me and I will try to get them up here.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Former Superintendent Passes Away



Our thoughts, condolences, and prayers go out to the family of Bruce Crosswait, who passed away recently. He became superintendent for the Brookings school district in 1966, succeeding Mr. Horrigan, who had been in Brookings many years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. The funeral arangements have been made by Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. The manager and one of the owners is Ken Kirk, a BHS graduate of 1971. He also had an older sister Kathy, who graduated in 1968.

I became acquainted with Dr. Crosswait when I began teaching at the Brookings Middle School in 1973. His son Mark was in the seventh grade and played on the basketball team that I was coaching. I was promoted to eighth grade basketball coach next year, so I had essentially the same boys again. I was reassigned to the ninth grade coaching spot the following season, thus having the good fortune of teaching the same boys three years in a row. That class graduated in 19979. When they had their class reeunion last summer, they invited a number of their former high school teachers (Mr. Tlustos, Mr. Jostad, Mrs. Fiedler, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Walder, Mrs. Gerberding {she was our student teacher for sophomore English; Joan Donaldson, Nancy Webbenhurst's sister, was one of the sophomore English teachers}). I was honored that they included me in that elite group.

Thanks to Nancy Webbenhurst for informing me of his passing. Her father, as the business manager for many years at the school, worked very closely with Dr. Crosswait.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Georgia Wright's Father Passes Away


Just received word yesterday that Georgia Wright's father passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2010. Some of you may remember Kenner Plumbing from our younger days. Mr. Kenner passed away a number of years ago, and Mr. Wright married his widow. I often saw them in church. The Kenners had two boys, Marty and Brian. Marty was two years behind us in school (some of us had siblings in that class, also), and Brian was a little younger yet. Marty went to Dartmouth, and returned to Brookings to teach Middle School science in 1975. I got to know him quite well during that time, as we were just down the hall from each other for many of those years. He then went to the Twin Cities area in 1983(?), where, I think, he made a little bit more than he did teaching. Our thoughts, condolences, and prayers go out to Georgia, her brother Jim and sister Barb, Marty, and Brian at this difficult time.


Kenneth M. Wright age 92, of Brookings, South Dakota., died Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at Brookview Manor in Brookings. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, July 10, 2010, at Ascension Lutheran Church of Brookings, with interment in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Humboldt, South Dakota. Visitations will be from 4-7 P.M. Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Ken’s family requests that memorials be directed to Ascension Lutheran Church.Kenneth Milton Wright was born on February 10, 1918, in Elliot, Iowa, to Gail and Blanche Wright. He grew up in Elliot and graduated from Elliot High School. In 1939 he moved to Humboldt, South Dakota, to work at Tuthill Lumber Yard, prior to entering the army. On October 8, 1942 he married Dorothy Bunning in Humboldt. Ken was stationed in Portland, Oregon, and Okinawa, Japan.After World War II, Ken and Dorothy returned to South Dakota, where Ken worked in lumber yards and in the construction industry in Sioux Falls, Gregory, Lennox, and Clark, South Dakota. In 1960 the family moved to Brookings, where Ken built houses for Oliver Gottschalk. In his retirement, Ken and Dorothy owned and operated Ballons Because from 1983 to 1988. Also during this time, Ken started the Wright Locksmith business. He was Journeyman Electrician, as well as a masterful carpenter.Dorothy died July 22, 1996. November 8, 1997, Kenneth married Audrey (Welsh) Kenner. Ken was a charter member of Ascension Lutheran Church and a Lifetime Member of the VFW.Ken is survived by his wife, Audrey of Brookings; two daughters, Barbara (Darwin) Egeberg of Madison, South Dakota, and Georgia (Bill Kopp) Wright of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a son, Jim (Nancy) Wright of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; five grandchildren: Chad and Eric Egeberg, Colin and Jason Kopp, and Lauren Wright; two stepsons: Marty (Pam) of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Brian of Philip, South Dakota; two step grandchildren; Abbi (Cory) Koscielski, and Patrick Kenner; a sister, Katherine Slater; a sister-in-law, Ollie Wright; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; his parents, Gail and Blanche Wright; two brothers, Donald and Jack; three grandchildren, Dane and Johannah Wright in 2005, and infant, Sean Kopp in 1987; and a nephew, Dennis Slater in 2010.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Teresa Steen's Father Passes Away


Teresa Steen's father passed away last week. I personally became acquainted with him when I worked at the post office during 1968. He was wonderful to work with, and was very kind and helpful to me as I learned the ropes. He took great interest in our basketball team, and really cared about the players. He was a pretty talented athlete himself. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Teresa and Russ at this difficult time. Here is the obituary from http://www.rudesfuneralhome.com/index.php?option=com_obituary&task=details&oid=762



Wayne E. Steen
May 10 1923 - Jun 30 2010
Wayne E. “Husker” Steen, 87, of Brookings, SD died Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Brookings Hospital, Brookings, SD. Memorial Services have been set for 11:00am, Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Ascension Lutheran Church, Brookings. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Monday, July 5, 2010 at Rude’s Funeral Home, Brookings. Wayne E. Steen was born May 10, 1923 in Brookings, SD the son of Elmer and Ruth (Hollands) Steen. Wayne was baptized in the Baptist Church and was raised in Brookings where he attended grade school and high school. Wayne was called into active duty in the U.S. Naval Air Core in August of 1943. He went from Brookings, SD to St. Olaf Minnesota. After several weeks there he was transferred and attended classes at Wold Chamberlain Field in Minneapolis. When his tour of duty was over he was called into the University of Minnesota for a brief session and was then transferred to the University of Chicago, Illinois. After several weeks of instruction he was called in for a meeting and given the option of assignment. Wayne chose Bell Telephone Research in New York. While attending classes at the Bell Telephone Research Lab, he stayed at the Dolphin Hotel at 57th and Broadway, New York.He served until June of 1946 when he was honorably discharged.Wayne was united in marriage to Leona Meyer on October 8, 1949 in Yankton, SD. He worked in Pickstown, SD helping build the Fort Randall Dam and also worked in Amarillo, TX with the Atomic Energy Commission. He returned to Brookings and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a window clerk for 31 years. During his career at the Post Office he was also a Civil Service Examiner, was promoted to Chief Examiner, and gave tests for the Peace Corp. He retired from the Postal Service in 1983. Wayne will be long remembered for his love and devotion to his family and many friends across the nation and Canada. Wayne loved the outdoors and spending time at his cabin at Lake Poinsett. During his high school years he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and tennis. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and hiker. After his retirement he enjoyed playing golf nearly everyday with many of his friends and spending winters in Florida with his wife Leona. When he returned to Brookings he enjoyed working in his yard and having morning coffee in his backyard. Wayne was an avid organizer of various reunions for his high school classmates.Wayne has been a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church since 1964.Wayne is survived by his wife, Leona of Brookings; his children, Teresa (Russ) Anderson of Rock Springs, WY, Marcia Greene of Ft. Myers, FL and Randall (Kathy) Steen of Eden Prairie, MN; two granddaughters; one grandson; one brother Clarence (Bette) Steen, a brother-in-law Alan (Colleen) Rickert and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Betty Rickert, son-in-law Patrick Greene, and his niece Debra Rickert.The family suggests memorials be directed to the Ascension Lutheran Church in Wayne’s memory. 2030 3rd Street, Brookings, SD 57006.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Linda Perkins' Mother Passes Away

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Linda Perkins on the death of her mother. This is the obituary from the funeral site's homepage:
Ada (“Cookie, Aday”) Yvonne Perkins died June 28th 2010 in the presence of her family and care givers at her home at Park Place Assisted Living in Brookings, South Dakota. Memorial services will be 3:00 P.M. Friday, July 23, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings, with interment of cremated remains at Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Brookings Hospice Care, Brookings Park Place Assisted Living, and/or Alzheimer’s Research.She was born December 11, 1927, in Lead, South Dakota to Gladys (Clark) and Orlan Cook. Her early years were spent enjoying life in the Black Hills area. Cookie went on to study at South Dakota State College, Brookings, SD, and Macalester College in St.Paul, MN. Aday married Douglas E. Perkins on December 29, 1949. While Doug was busy with the family moving business, Perkins Storage and Transfer, Aday/Cookie graduated from South Dakota State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. In 1968 she finished her teaching certification in Art Education and subsequently taught art at Central and Medary Elementary Schools in Brookings. She retired from teaching in 1988 and in 1994 moved to Port Angeles, Washington to live with her sister, Mary Alyce. After 14 wonderful years in beautiful Washington State she returned to live in Brookings in 2008. She lived most recently at Park Place Assisted Living where she enjoyed many great conversations with wonderful friends.She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, belonged to the Retired Teachers Association, Nature Conservancy and participated in many local charities and church activities and Girl Scouts during her lifetime. Her interests included family, art, sewing, knitting, reading, nature, volunteering, visiting with family and friends, and having peaceful hours spent at the lake. Aday is survived by her sister, Mary Alyce Washburn (Port Angeles, WA); 4 children and their spouses, Linda and Len Rasmussen (Port Angeles, WA); Clark and Deb Perkins (Brookings, SD); George and Barb Perkins (Madison, WI); Boyd and Jessi Perkins (Aberdeen, SD); a foster daughter and spouse, Isis and Rich Koenders; 7 grandchildren (one more to arrive soon) and 2 great-grandchildren. She is fondly remembered by her nieces and other close friends and family.She was preceded in death by her parents; Orlan and Gladys, husband Doug, and brother-in-law Jerome.
Also passing away recently were Mel Henrichsen and Rhys Schmidt. Mel ran the bookstore at SDSU for many years. Rhys played basketball for Pierre when we were in school. Their obituaries can be viewed at http://www.rudesfuneralhome.com/