Matt Anderson ’98 and his wife, Lori, welcomed a baby girl, Hailey Elizabeth, on Oct. 8, 2003. The family bought a house in Manchester, Mo., in April 2004. Both Matt and Lori are pursuing doctoral degrees in chemical biology from Washington University in Saint Louis, Mo.

Melissa (Lewis ’02) Schere and her husband, George, are the parents of a son, Grant William, born Aug. 26. Grant weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces. The family lives in Omaha.

Denecia (Siemers ’98) Royer and her husband, Todd, welcomed a daughter, Morgan Jane, on Aug. 13.

Kara (Koehler ’96) Johnson and her husband, Matt, welcomed son Cole Hunter on May 14. Cole weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and was 21 inches long. He joins sister Paige, 2.

Gretchen (Last ’95) Stanley and her husband, Michael, had their first child, Noah Michael, on July 16. Gretchen teaches K–4 at Fort Dodge (Iowa) Community Schools.

Barbie (Bentley ’94) and Shawn Bluml ’96 welcomed a new baby, Isabelle Ruby, on Dec. 22, 2003. Isabelle joins siblings Tucker, 7, Tatem, 5, and Gracelyn, 2. Shawn works at CSG Systems in Omaha. Barbie is a stay-at-home mom.

Krista (Sesker ’94) Pocta and her husband, Christopher, had their first baby on June 11. Benjamin Christopher weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21 inches long. The family lives in Champlin, Minn.

Mike Haller ’92 became Mr. Arizona Body Builder for the second time in July. Mike works as a personal body trainer in Meza, Ariz.

A group of Dana alumni got together at the home of Lisa (Hansen ’90) Frank in Elkhorn, Neb., to visit with former Dana Danish instructor, Anni Boelum, who taught at Dana in 1986–87. After spending the week with the Franks, Anni and her husband, Peter Aaskov, traveled throughout the western United States. Pictured here, from left, is Peter, Gordon Frank, Connor Frank, Ted Bansen ’89, Lisa, Mary Miller, Christian Bansen, Anni and Margie (Miller ’87) Bansen.

This group of Dana grads has been getting together for a reunion for nine years. They are Shelly (Peterson ’83) and Scott Grorud ’82 and their children, Kirsten and Andrew; Kari Jo (Molzer ’85) and Kevin Johnson ’83 and their children, Kirsten, Kaitlin and Kurtis; Julie and Monty Scheele ’83 and their children, Jorie and Jacob; Val (McCoy ’84) Rosenthal and her children, Ben and Jackson; and Leanne (Danahy ’83) and Mark Buland and their children, Matt and Claire. This year’s reunion was in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Lydia (Kerns ’90) and Mark Rothfusz ’91 are the proud parents of a baby girl, Kaitlyn Jean, born Aug. 20. Kaitlyn weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 inches long. She joins siblings, Lisa, Andrew and Aaron. Mark works in Harlan, Iowa, as co-manager of Hineline Home Furnishing. Lydia earned her master’s degree in social work in 1995 and has been a full-time homemaker since 1998. The family lives in Atlantic, Iowa.

Jerry Wallace ’78 is the new K–12 principal for Banner County Elementary and High School in Harrisburg, Neb. Jerry served for the last five years at Norfolk (Neb.) Catholic High School as a boys’ basketball coach and history instructor.

A reunion weekend was held July 8–9 in Blair and on the Dana campus for this group of friends from the classes of ’69–’71. Pictured, from left in the front row, are Jan (Penke ’70) Bates, Diane (Schmidt ’71) Christenson, Betsy (Buck ’69) Anderson and Judy (Zimmerman ’71) Mathiesen, middle row, Jan (Schneider ’71) Young, Toni (Bailey ’70) Feuerbach, Karen (Lausterer ’70) Riddle and Eileen (Taake ’69) Simonsen, back row, Nancy (Munn ’70) Anderson and Nancy (Blobaum ’70) Ludwig. Not pictured is Rikki (Forney ’70) Hulsebus.

A group of Dana alumni spent a week together at Norman Dynneson’s ’68 cabin in Wisconsin this summer. Pictured here, from left, front row, are Nikki (Shields ’00) Riffner, Max Riffner ’99, Norman and David Shield ’97; back row, Joe Shields ’69, Sharon (Dynneson ’69) Shields and Leshara (Means ’97) Shields.

In April, a mini-Dana reunion was held in Hollywood, Calif. Pictured, from left, are Roma (Geisler ’54) Bunch, Margaret (Christiansen ’53) Madsen, Liz Callaway, Ann Hampton Callaway, Dorothy (Kloth ’56) Petersen and Jon Petersen ’56. Liz and Ann are the daughters of Shirley (Andersen ’55) Callaway.

DESTINY'S DEEP SEA

00s | 90s | 80s | 70s | 60s | 40s | Deaths

00s

Tanya Chadwick ’04 married Steve Bruck on July 17 in Earling, Iowa.
Anne Sonntag ’04 married Kyle Quist on July 2 in Atlantic, Iowa.

Sandra Wakeman ’04 and Derek Fey ’03 were married on June 12 in Omaha. Sandra is director of before- and after-care at Underwood Hills Elementary in Omaha. Derek is employed at Westside High School in Omaha. The couple resides in Omaha.

Rachel Ahrens ’03 is a full-time preschool teacher at Children’s Respite Care Center in Omaha.

Brian Erickson ’03 is the band director for both the Woden-Crystal Lake School District and Titonka schools in Iowa. Brian lives in Titonka with his two sons, Scott, 18, and Logan, 14.

Erin Sorensen ’03 and Matt Reed ’04 were married on July 31 in Omaha. Erin is pursuing a nursing degree from Creighton University in Omaha. Matt is a Medicare auditor for Mutual of Omaha.

John Brummer ’02 married Tracy Maciejewski on July 24 in Loup City, Neb. John is a science teacher at St. Edward (Neb.) Public Schools.
Kaj Nielsen ’02 is a surveyor at Thompson, Dreesen & Dorner, Inc. in Omaha.

Mark Sukraw ’02 earned a master’s degree from the Cadre Teaching Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in August 2003. He works at Beadle Middle School in Millard, Neb., where he teaches geography and reading, and coaches football, track and chess. Mark married Angela Barnhard on July 3, 2004. He serves in the Bennington (Neb.) Lions Club, coaches little league football and is on the church council at St. John Lutheran, where he teaches Sunday school and sings in the choir. Mark is a member of the Nebraska Choral Arts Masterworks Choir.

Christian “CT” Holz ’01 married Erica Blodgett ’01 on Sept. 25 in Omaha. Christian is a sales coordinator for Hertz Equipment Rental.

Tara (Zellmer ’00) Clark is working at ConAgra Foods in Omaha as a benefits customer service specialist. She and her husband, Ed, in live Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Lee Heimes ’00 married Joan Clarkson on July 17 in Bow Valley, Neb. Lee is a teacher and coach at Wynot (Neb.) Public School.
Jason Mitchell ’00 is a first-year football coach at Minatare (Neb.) High School.

Bob Spangler ’00 married Terra Riediger on July 5 in Rapid City, S.D. Bob completed his master’s in special education degree this summer and works at Benson High School in Omaha. He is also the head cross country coach and assistant track coach at Dana.

Razzy Sparacino ’00 and Luke Connell ’02 were married Sept. 11 in Omaha. Razzy is a middle school science teacher at Norris Middle School in Omaha. Luke is a marketing representative with John Hancock in Omaha.

Anthony Ward ’00 is the director of music for campus ministry at Creighton University in Omaha. He lives in Omaha with his wife, Jennifer (Patience ’99) Ward, and their two children, Anna and Ian.

90s

Jon Barta ’99 married Sarah Ricke on April 30. Jon is a physical education teacher at Sandoz Elementary in the Millard (Neb.) public school system. The couple lives in Omaha.

Tony Eitzmann ’99 has been promoted to manager at Seim Johnson Sestak & Quist, a certified public accounting firm in Omaha.

Lindsay (Bruning ’99) Paulsen and her husband, Craig, have moved to Omaha. Lindsay is the 2-1-1 data resource and outreach manager for United Way of the Midlands.

Nikki Kinsey ’99 traveled to the Motown 45 TV special taping on May 17 to participate in the Celebrity Retreat. During the show, Nikki represented her e-business design firm, Sol Chicks Design, while displaying her glassware, jeans and accessories backstage for Motown legends and other stars who attended the show.

Kolette (Haskell ’99) and Cedric Satterfield ’00 welcomed their third child, Rowen Kaley, on May 30. Rowen weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. She joins older brother Trevelian, 4, and sister Briallen, 1. The family lives in Lincoln, Neb.

Jill Williby ’99 married Jason Garrett on June 9 in Las Vegas, Nev. The couple lives in Omaha.

Terra (Schmidt ’98) Beethe graduated in May from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a master’s of science in reading degree with an endorsement in library media. She is currently working at Bellevue (Neb.) University as a student support specialist.

Susan (Weddingfeld ’98) and Brent Jensen ’98 welcomed a daughter, Riley Marie, on April 8. Riley weighed 9 pounds, 8.5 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Jami (Prouty ’98) Finazzo runs her own salon, Salon at Prouty Place, along with her sister Juli Prouty in the family’s building across from the Qwest Center in downtown Omaha.

Fafani (Goecke ’97) Bents earned her master’s degree in education in December 2003. She is currently a school psychologist in River Falls and Hudson, Wis. Her husband, Gerd Bents ’99 continues his studies at Luther Seminary. They welcomed their second child, Harm Frederick, on Aug. 2. Harm weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and joins his big sister, Raena.

Stephanie Carlson-Pruch ’97 is teaching K-6 art at Castelar Elementary in Omaha and working on her master’s degree in special populations in education at Creighton University.

John Chandler ’97 started a new job at Bramming Kostskole in January 2004. He lives in Grindsted, Denmark.
Cameron Arthur ’96 teaches criminal justice at Dana and Hamilton College in Omaha, where he also serves as the director of student services. He has retired from law enforcement after serving with the Kansas City (Mo.) Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Nicole Stromgren ’96 is the new basketball coach at Omaha Mercy High School.

Angela Martinsen ’95 is working at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. She lives in Omaha.

Cara (Lucas ’95) Richt completed a master’s in educational leadership degree from Doane College in Crete, Neb., in May 2004. She is now working as a supervisor for special education in the Omaha Public Schools.

Kelly (Wesemann ’94) Martinson has been elected president of the Omaha Chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants. She is serving a one-year term from July 2004 to June 2005.

Patty Ross ’94 is teaching second grade in the Omaha Public Schools. She is starting her 11th year of teaching and is working on a master’s degree through Peru (Neb.) State College.

Amanda (Prideaux ’93) Blazek is teaching music at Trinity Catholic School in Protivin, Iowa. She lives in Lawler, Iowa, with her husband, Tony, and children, Destiny and Anthony.

Matthew Plowman ’93, associate professor of history at Waldorf Collge, recently attended the Fourth Galway Conference on Colonialism at the National University of Ireland. Matthew presented his paper, “The Alliance and Leadership of Sinn Féin with the Gadar Party in the Indo-German Conspiracy of World War I,” which was based upon an article recently published in the New Hibernia Review. He also was recently granted tenure at Waldorf.

Diana (Jones ’90) Thomas graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision recently. She is teaching MH:Mild students at the high school level for the Omaha Public School District. She lives in Bellevue, Neb.

80s

Jennifer (Crosley ’88) Kelley and her husband, Britt, welcomed a daughter, Kaliska Mae, on April 27. Jennifer is a medical social worker at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, where she does discharge planning for renal, oncology and trauma patients. She also serves as a practicum field instructor for Dana’s social work program.

Jeralyn (Holling ’87) Callahan earned her master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in December 2003. She has been teaching at Brady (Neb.) Public School for 17 years in the first and sixth grades. She has also been the head volleyball coach, assistant girls’ basketball coach and quiz bowl coach. Jeralyn and her husband, Tim, have been married for 14 years and have a son, Ethan, 11, and a daughter, Tera, 5. They live in Brady.

Steve Godwin ’87 and his wife, Ann, had their first child, Sydney Sadiya, on March 4. Sydney weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Steve is a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, studying great gray and northern spotted owls. The family lives in Eagle Point, Ore.

Mark Pickel ’86 is the assistant principal at Kamiakin High School in the Kennewick (Wash.) School District, where he lives.

Dixielee (Reed ’84) Tripp and her husband, Robert, have purchased the Galloway House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Weiser, Idaho. The Galloway is a 104-year-old home of Queen Anne design. It is a three-story home with five guest rooms. Dixilee said, “We’d love to have people from Nebraska come out to see how beautiful Idaho is.”

Kim (Rasmussen ’83) Pierce recently took a position as the administrative assistant to the executive pastor and director of local ministries at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha. She is also the wedding coordinator and works with the Inside-Out and Sudanese ministries.

Paulette (Strecker ’81) Orr started a new position as a special education resource room teacher at Offerle (Kan.) Elementary. She is employed by the Tri-County Special Education Cooperative of Larned, Kan. She and her husband, Byron, have a son, Wesley, who is a sophomore in high school, and a daughter, Christine, who is a fifth grader. The family lives in Larned.

Elizabeth (Falksen ’80) Brockhoff has taken the position of director of choral music at Park Hill South High School in Parkville, Mo. Her husband, Merle Brockhoff ’81 is on leave from ministerial call.

70s

Howard Kulzer ’78 and his wife, Alice, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Aug. 4 at their home in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jeanmarie Nielsen ’78 and her husband, Michael Anderson, have moved to Oklahoma City, Okla., after teaching at Dana for 18 years. Michael is professor of trumpet at Oklahoma City University, and Jeanmarie is adjunct professor of voice at Southern Nazarene University. Their children, Colin and Maren, are attending school in the Putnam City (Okla.) School District.

Dennis Nelson ’76 spoke on “Breaking the Links Between War and Energy, Enhancing Our National and Energy Security” at Peace Fest in Chicago, Ill., on July 11. Dennis is a researcher for Sustainable Energy Technologies and Global Warming with the Nuclear Energy Information Service in Evanston, Ill. He lives in Chicago.

Norma (Wolf ’71) Potadle is retired and living in an assisted living retirement home. She leads a Bible study group once a week and is a member of a residents’ choir.

60s

Pat (O’Dell ’67) Otto received the 2003–04 Burke High School Community Leader Award in recognition of her commitment and support of Burke High in Omaha. She was the first woman to be selected for the award. Pat works as an athletic director assistant aide and substitute teacher at Burke. She also volunteers as a worker for the Nebraska state track meet, and the state softball and baseball tournaments.

Nancy (Jacobsen ’64) TeSelle judged the “Celebrate the Hills” art exhibit in Moorhead, Iowa.

Elaine (Lillethorup ’60) Olson spent a week in Koyukuk, Alaska, as part of a volunteer group to teach Vacation Bible School to Alaskan natives. The trip required a plane landing on a gravel strip runway, 24 hours of sunlight a day and lots of water hauling. But Elaine said she felt God had truly blessed their work and is looking forward to returning next year. She lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

40s

Marilyn (Guyer ’48) McCormick is one of 10 docents at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha who have volunteered for more than 30 years. Now in her 31st year, Marilyn is at the zoo nearly every weekday, performing a variety of tasks from weeding plants to assisting in the genetics lab.

Deaths

Lucille Lindahl ’83 died Aug. 8 in Vancouver, Wash. Luci was very active in the Vancouver Vinyard Church and enjoyed music, reading, painting and taking care of her cat. Survivors include her parents, and two sisters, including Lorie (Lindahl ’86) Thomas.

Donald Wernz ’66 died July 21 in Baltimore, Md. He worked at the Bethlehem Penwood (Md.) Power Station for 42 years. Donald had a lifelong interest in railroading and model trains. Survivors include his wife, Julie, two sons, a daughter and three granddaughters.

Walter Fox ’64 died March 10 in Sioux City, Iowa. After six years in the 185th Air National Guard, Wally operated Fox Implement as a chain saw dealer. Several of his chain saw carvings grace the yards of his family and friends. He also farmed in Turin, Iowa, using innovative soil conservation methods for stewardship of his beloved Loess Hills. Survivors include his wife, Faye (Byriel ’64) Fox, a daughter, Chere (Fox ’85) O’Reilly, a son, nine grandchildren, two sisters and his step-mother.

Charles Hansen ’50 died June 16 in McCook, Neb. He and his wife, Arlene (Hatt ’50) Hansen, owned and operated Hansen’s Market in Arlington, Neb., for 34 years until they retired. Charles was a scout master for 10 years and served on the Arlington Village Board of Trustees. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.