2009 Fall

AL c/l( of, T
The Voice ofthe SOllrh High School Alllmni Association
VOLUME xvn, ISSUE2 MNI

Fall 2009

2 ALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Congratu lations to the fol lowing alunmi International Ski Federation, as well as the has also volunteered his considerab le ta l-
who will be inducted into the South High US Skiing and Snowboard Association. cnts and enthusiasm to assist many chari-
School Hall of Fame. A brunch will be Jack and Nancy have two sons, Jack, Jr. ties, including creating theme songs for the
held at the Livestock Exchange Building and Michael, and five grandchildren. Autism Association, Muscular Dystrophy
Ballroom on Saturday. September 19 from Thank YOIl for your service to Ollr countly Teletbon and the Make-A- Wish
10 a.m. until noon . (Contact the Alumni alldfor your leadership i/1 elevating dis- Foundation. George has four grown chil-
office for ticket infonnation.) Also, con~ abled skiing 10 a competitive status.
gratulations to the South Omaha Boys & dren - George m, Chri stopher, Shane and
Girls Club - recipient of the 2009 1971-George Dahir,
Community Hall of Fame Award. (Dare) grew up in Shontell, as we ll as 13 grandchildren.
South Omaha in a Your olltstanding talent, dedication and
1960 - Jack R. neighborhood fi ll ed willingness to help others are velY milch
Benedick, Sr., with family, including appreciated and admired, and we thank
roamed Europe for his parents, six sib-
lings, three aunts, YOIl!
three months and then three uncles, two
grandparents and 22 J979-Jeff Koterba
worked in a slaugh~ cousins. He knew the value of fami ly was in his parent's
terhouse after gradu. early in his life and accred its much of his fTont yard in South
ating from SHS. He success to strong family va lues and to the Omaha in the smllmer
enrolled at UNO, inspirational schoolteachers that he had of 1978 when he was
joined the wrestling while growing up. George attended struck by lighting and
team,' and met his future wife, Nancy Lincoln Elementary School, Bancroft Jr. lived to tell about it.
Rolle. After graduating with a Bachelor's High and then SHS. He has also attended That might have fore-
degree in Sociology and Psychology, he numerous music education classes in Las told the influence he
married Nancy and joined the U.S. Anny. Vegas and Los Ange les. Accomplishing was to have on the
After he completed basic training and his dream of wanting to become a world around him.
advanced infantry training at Ft. Gordon, singer/songwriter has since brought George However, since that day he says he tries to
GA, he was selected fo r officer candidate many honors, including special recognition avoid thunderstonns. In the fall of 1978,
~chool at Ft. Benning, GA. After gradua- at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C . he landed his first job as a cartoonist draw-
tion he attended jump school, and was for his contributions to music under his ing for his high school newspaper the SHS
assigned to Ft. Ri ley, KS. He was a mem- stage name, George Dare. He has since Tooter. After graduation, he studied art
ber of the 911> Infantry Division for training written, arranged and produced music for and journalism at the University of
and dep loyment in 1967. Jack retumed movie film scores, theme songs and jingles Nebraska at Omaba, and joined the Omaha
home for 10 months, and then began his and has also toured the scbools throughout World-Herald as a political cartoonist in
second tour in Vietman, where he stepped the USA and Canada perfonning anti-drug 1989. Jeff's work appears regularly in the
on a land m ine in April 1968, losing both and alcohol concerts for over two million Chicago Tribune and has been in The New
legs below the knee. He was awarded the students. George created the life saving York Times, USA Today, Newsweek and The
Silver Star (2), the Bronze Star with Valor; fire safety song "Stop , Drop & Roll" which Washington Post National Weekly Edition.
the Purple Heart (2), the Cross of is taught to more then eight million stu- King Features Syndicate distributes his
Gallantry, the Army Commendation Medal dents and senior citizens each year, and is work internationally and it appears in The
(2) and the Legion of Merit. He recuper- also a nationa l spokesperson for DARE Chicago 51111- Times, The Dallas Morning
ated in Denver where he took up skiing as (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). He News, and The Atlanta Constitlltion. His
part of the amputee rehabilitation program, has received numerous honors and awards work has been seen on CNN and in
and quickly became an accomp li shed racer. for serving as a positive role model for the Alexander Payne's film, Electioll.
He returned to active military duty for 10 youth of America, as well as for his origi- Koterba's work has also appeared in every
more years. Jack retired from the Anny as nal compositions and Advertising lndustry annual edition of Best Editorial Page
a Major in 1978, and became increasingly campaigns. George is a multi-talented Cartoons of the Year for the past six years.
involved in the US Disabled Ski Team, award-winning pcrfonner, singer, song- The nationally recognized, award-winning
where he served as director. He eventua ll y cartoonist is a member of the Nationa l
served as director on committees for writer, arranger and music producer. f\e Cartoonists Society. Honors include the
International ParaJympics and the 1983 Mark of Excellence for college edito-
rial cartooning from the Society of

PAGE 2 SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER SO; Marquette University in Milwaukee,
WI; and many management and sales semi-
Professional Journalists, the 1986 Best a son, Josh . Stacey is a director with Mary nars. His most recent accompli shment was
Editorial Page Cartoon from Suburban Kay Cosmetics and also does commercial becoming a certified Scuba Diver so he
Newspapers of America, the 1997 voice work. Josh is a songwriter and musi- could dive in Jamaica and S1. Thomas. He
Communication Award from the University cian whose music has been heard on also snow ski s in the Rocky Mountains.
of Nebraska at Omaha, second place in the MTV 's Real World . Koterba's parents are He has been honored for his business suc-
2000 National Headliner Awards sponsored Art and Helen Koterba--Art is also a gradu- cess as Outstanding Salesman of the Year
by the Press Club of Atlantic City, being a ate of Omaha South. We are proud to have numerous times, and has received countless
finalist for Editorial Cartoonist of the Year slich a talel/ted write,; cartool/ist al/d musi- awards fo r hi s charitable activities from the
in 2002, and the first place award for edito~ cian we can claim as olle ofollr own! Jaycees, the O maha Softball League for
rial cartooning in the 2009 Great Plains starting Millard softhall and servi ng as
Journalism Competition. Koterba also was 1963-Howard Shinkle commiss ioner; spearheading or serving on
named a finalist in the competition 's narra- ran the South Omaha many campaigns to raise fund s for worthy
tive story writing division. His hook, Jeff Airport as the Fli ght organ izations and associations - some as a
Koterba .. . Backfrom the Drawing Board, Line Manager at age member of the Board and some as co-chair.
was published in 1995, and his memoir 16, and received his He credits part of hi s strength and grit in
INKLINGS (regarding hi, growing up in pilot 's license at 17. overcoming advers ity to his hardworking
South Omaha and becoming a cartoonist) After graduation, parents who raised him in the projects.
will be published this fall. This multi-tal- Howard served in the Thank YOllfor all YOII have done to make
ented alumnus also illustrates articles and U.S. Army for two life bette/Ior those less fortI/nate!
books, writes music, and plays the guitar, years and in the Anny Reserve National
mandolin and bouzouki in various bands. Guard for six years. He became General 1943-Rudy and 1945-
His jump-blues and swing band, Prairie Manager for Cummins Diesel Engines in Rita (pawlowicz)
Cats, has perfotmed at various locations Sioux Falls, SD when he was 22 years old Stoysicb are the
including a music festival in Austin, Texas, and later returned to Omaha to start Heavy founders of Stoysich
the Derby in Hollywood and in New York Duty Parts, lnc., w hich he later sold. Next House of Sausage at
City. A highlight of his New York City per- he became a manager at Christensen 2532 S. 24 Street, and
formance was performing at the Windows Equipment Company before becoming
on the World in the World Trade Center President and Founder of STATS 2502 S. 130 Avenue in
during the summer of 200 I. In 2008, the Remanufacturing Plant from 1977 to 1990. Omaha. Rudy joined
Prairie Cats were included on three Sony STATS employed 110 people. Afterselling the Marines after
jazz compilations in Europe, including one STATS in 1990 to a Fortune 500 company, graduating from SHS,
compilation that was, for a time, the top- he served as a consultant to manufacturers completed hi s training in San Diego, CA
selling compilation in Po land. He has for marketing tlleir products. He also and at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands
helped raise money for various charitable served on the Distributor Adv isory Council for the invas ion of Guam. Soon after train-
organizations and church groups in Omaha fo r Carlisle Corporation in Blackburg, VA ing, hi s unit left for the invas ion of Guam,
by performing with his band . Koterba is and Truck Lite, In c., in Jamestown, NY. later receiv ing a Presidential Unit Citation
married to Stacey Badura-Koterba and has He is presently semi -retired as an for the part it played. After the unit recap-
Independent Manufac turer 's Representative tured Guam, training continued there for
The Genuine. The Original for Tipton AgencyfPerfor-mance Marketing. the Battle ofI wo Jima. They returned to
His outstanding business s uccess is even Guam again after that battle to prepare for
~!I*,.'• • more remarkable cons idering his early the invas ion of Japan . When President
health problems - polio at age nine, and Truman ordered the atomic bomb to be
Overhead Door Company of Omaha later rheumat ic fever, plus a heart attack at dropped, the war ended . Rudy and Rita
age 56. In spite of these obstacles, he has were married 6 1 years ago, and in 1961
OW'oSiON OF J & A DooR CO., INC. remained a life-long learner attending decided to go into the sausage and meat
1222 ROYAL DRIVE UNO; Augustana University in Sioux Falls,

PAPILLION, NEBRASKA 68046

RICK FRANK (402)331·0526
Geoeral Manager Fax: (402) 331 · 1732

GREEK & AMERICAN FOODS CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Greek Islands

WINE & BEER CARRy-OUTS DINE-IN

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

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Thank You Alumni!

•

SOlllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 3

business. They worked side by side 2417 Alberto "Beto" Gonzales has spent count- Streets at 6 p.m. Contact the Alumni Office
most of their married lives, producing
famous sausage produced only in South less hours in the school since 2004. He for ticket infonnation soon as this event is
Omaha, internationally known for superla-
tive quality and excellence. Over the years delivers the national Street SMART cur- usually sold out. Cost is $35 and it is a
they have won many international, national
and state awards for their sausage and deli riculum twice a week at SHS. He also great time.
products. They volunteered to travel
abroad to Poland, Georgia, Albania, Russia, presents his award winn ing "Gangs 101 "
Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania and
Kazakhstan to teach the business of sausage workshop for SHS and makes himself Lenard Glica-1946; Joe Smejkal-1946;
making. Rita's recipes have been featured
in national, state, regional and local publi- available to parents, teachers and students Gil Dunne-1955; James Collin-1960;
cations. She has been voted "Best Cook
Ever" by H.CG. Group (Husband, ChiIdreo for individual and small group counseling. Dennis Loftus-1964; Bryan Skradis-
and Grandchildren)! Rudy and Rita have
made quite an impact locally also, with Additionally, the South Club has hosted 1977; and the 1958 Intercity team golf
Rudy having served on the Packers Bank
Board for 25 years, as a director of the fundraising events for the Latino Leaders champions. CongratlilatiollS to all!
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce for
two years, and as President of the South group and has made its gym and back field
Omaha Industrial Park for ten years. They available to many of SHS's sports t~aI11S
have both been active members of St.
Stanislaus Church. Besides numerous including boys' soccer, boys' and girls>l bas- DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE
awards for their fine products, they have
been honored by the Volunteer Overseas ketball, and the football team. Mr. FUTURE TOOTERS?
Cooperative (a State Department agency); Gonzales and South Unit Director,
the Spirit of America Award from the
Grocers Association; the Golden Spike Francisco "Paco" Fuentes-1977 wiU "': ~;':. 1 ALUMNI - WE REGRET THAT IF YOU
Award; and the Midlands Business Journal behalf. . !ort;~he DO NOT PAY YOUR MEMBE,RSHIP
Small Business Award in 1989. Rudy was accept the award on CluD. - .;"~.
made an Admiral of the Great Navy of DUES (OR A TOOTER MAILI~G FEE)
Nebraska in 1977. His other community .. I ...':J WITHIN 60 DAYS OF RECEIVING
contributions have included serving as
President of the South Omaha Merchants PACKER SPORTS YOUR STATEMENT, YOUR NAME AND
Association, Commandant Marine Corp ADDRESS WILL BE REMOVED FROM
League; President of the Omaha Executives GREATS WINNERS
Association; President of Owl's Club; OUR MAILING LISTS. (THIS
Board of Directors of the American The following outstanding athletes will EXCLUDES LIFETIME MEMBERS.)
Hungarian Society; member of the advisory be inducted into the 2009 Sports Greats
board for Blue CrosslBlue Shield; Fourth BILLING STATEMENTS WILL BE
Degree Knights of Columbus; member of
South Omaha Eagles (50 years), American Hall of Fame at a banquet on October 28, MAlLED STARTING IN JANUARY, 2010.
Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and
Veterans of Foreign Wars. Congratulations 2009 at Anthony's Restaurant - 72r.d and F
(or your success and positive impact locally
alld internationally! • TRANE ~ Prudential

Community Award Winner - South (r "s HaM mStnpA TrlllU'.')f PAUL R, SOPINSKI
Omaha Boys & Girls Club. The South
Omaha Boys & Girls Club Mammel Unit Hans Heating & Ale 13340 California SI.
and SHS enjoy a wonderful and mutually Omotla. NE 681 S-4
beneficial partnership. Outreach Director Jim Krueger Ok: (04021 493-4U3
frnr. 14(2) 49:)..4805
IiilIIIRICHARDSON HVAC Systems COnSullan\ E·mQI: Plopif1I'=ii'paomoho.cnm
IlL.'l1li1&ASSOCIATES P.C Web!ile: www.paut!CIpiml:l.com
91035. 1471h 51 Phone: 895·6111
- ---I Cern fjed Publi c ACcou~I"nl. Omaha. NE 68138 '"
VNIW.hanshealing.com Fax: 502-21 n
Rob Richardson
Cell: 210· 1529
CPA, CFP. eVA
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO 23,000 OF YOUR FELLOW ALUMNI
1716 North 12O\hStreel . Omaha. NE 68154· 1300
Phone: (402) 496·7000 . Fax: (402) 496·7100 Half Page $125
Email: [email protected] Fourtb Page $75
Web: www.richardsonassoc.com Business Card $25

I want to help underwrite the next TOOTER issue by placing an advertisement as foll ows;

Company/person reserving space _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _

Address,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _

City/State/Zip,_ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ __
TeIepholle'-,--_________________________ ______________________
E-Mail Address'________________________________________________

Camera-ready ad copy enclosed: Yes__ No-, If no, will be mailed on _ _(date)

Amount enclosed: $_____ per ad for ha lf page, fourth page or business card size
payable to SHSAA.

Mail to Alumni Office - 5082 S.107 Street - Omaha, NE 68127. (Call 402/738-9493
with your questions.)

I

PAGE 4 SOlltll Higll Scllool ALUMNI TOOTER

BOARD " '~.'by SOUTH IDGH SCHOOL
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
RE PORT . BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Judi Koubsky A~.t.. Office E-Mail: [email protected]

Secrefary Dick Gulizia 330·3954

Your Board of Directors has met twice We always need your help when mailing Executive Director
since our last TOOTER. We welcomed TOOTERS to our approximately 23,000
another new board member, Jackie alumni, so pl ease call the office to leave Susan Gouger 738-9493
' Menglcr Dower·1961. You' llieam more your name and telephone number and you Carmela Brooks
about her in our next issue. We awarded will be contacted when mailings are under- Office Staff
$13,000 in scholarships to SHS seniors, and way. Also, please contact the office to
$2,3 00 in teacher grants. We held our establi sh schol arship memorials for your Carmela Brooks 896·0284
Spaghetti Dinner, Bowling Tournament, classmates, help us with teacher grants, or Jackie Casper 598-49J4
Garage Sale, Poker Run , and Golf provide other financial assistance needed Lisa Caveny 614-3117
Tournament. We helped select the 2009 by your schoo l. Most of all send in your Ron Cerone - Vice President 896- J631
Hall of Fame winners, and are hard at membership dues! Fred Colanino 292-7889
work on our first ever $50-a-plate major Debbie Contreras 339-7428
scholarship fundraiser dinner called "Tie We will mail membership invoices each Julie Diehm - Vice President 293·1719
One On for Education" scheduled 9-25- month starting in January 20 I0 until all Walta Sue Dodd 733 -4J5 5
09 at the UNO Thompson Alumni Center. alumni have been billed (except Life Jackie Dower 73 J-1 8 17
We hope you will send in your reservation Members). Unfortunately, because of ris- Helene Elsasser 341-9356
for this outstanding event. This fundraiser ing costs, if dues rema in unpaid, and no Lori Hunter 298·7530
is so named because we have been collect- postage payment is received, we will delete Jodi Kava 334·7800
ing signed ties and other items from your name and address from our mailing Sandie Knudsen - President 99J-3 113
celebrities such as movie stars, musicians, list. We urge you to send your check Scott Knudsen 991 -3113
politicians, sports stars, and our own promptly when you receive your billing Paul Kracher - Vice President 6 14·6166
Warren Buffett to auction at the dinner. to avoid any interruption in receiving John Krayneski 734-6617
Details are on the reservation fonn which is your mailings. We are so grateful for your Judi Koubsky - Secretary 33 1-9033
in this TOOTER. We scheduled our help, as are the students and teachers of Jerry Porterfield - Treasurer 73 1-3129
Bowling Tournament and Spaghetti SHS. George Reid 334-8375
Dinner events on 3-27- 10. Please volun- Dean Rezac 733 · 6788
teer for any of these activities and most of We 'd like to publish news about you, so Vic Riha 293·1 272
all attend the events! They are a lot of fun drop us a note with infomlation we can Patty Svajgl 7334117
and support a good cause. share with your classmates and friends. Judy Tesar 334-2299
Send us items fo r our Sports Comer also. Rudy Tesar 334-2299
The Collin Field Dedication is sched- Please continue to share your suggestions Evelyn Winther 558-3840
uled for Sunday, August 23. The first and encouragement with your Alumni
fo otball game will be pl ayed on August 28 Association. We need your help to contin- SHS REPRESENTATIVES 557· 3600
vs. Bryan High School. The Homecoming ue .serving your school.
game is October 23 vs . Creighton Prep. Mrs. e ara Riggs, Principal
Hope to see you there. Respectfully submitted,
Mr. Gary Kastrick, Project Omaha

Mr. Dave Weisser, Webmaster

[email protected]

Our additional office bay has been rent- Judi Limas Koubsky, Secretary SHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
ed for showers, family reunions, card par- MISSION STATEMENT
ties, birthday parties, etc., so book your
party early. Come to see the space when Our mission is to:
you are in the neighborhood, but call first
to be sure th~ office is open . • Organize, develop and build a
dynamic group ofAlumni.

• Promote the success of SHS, its
students and faculty through a
variety of events, projects and
scholarships.

Our E-Mail [email protected]
Our Website address is omahasouthalumnLorg

PAGE 6 SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER the fi e ld at Brown Park "John Stella
Field." People fro m hi s neighborhood and
Cunningham later served as interim mayor been unab le to attend cl ass reunions, they the baseball community felt thi s honor is
of Omaha from November 1976 to June have enjoyed the reports in the TOOTER appropriate because of his outstanding ded-
1977. and thank us for keeping track of everyone. icati on to baseball whi le playing, coachi ng
Thanks for the kind words and update! or as a fan. He started coaching SHS
1941-Lorry Gomez celebrated her 85'" Legion Baseball in 1982, and continues as
birthday with a celebrat ion Mass at Our 1950-Fred Holmquist passed along the an ass istant coach to SHS's baseball team,
Lady of Guada lupe Catholic Church fo l- questionnaire he answered for his class and as head coach of SHS Legion summer
reunion: team. He recently received a National
lowed by a family gathering last May. Award for 500 wins as a hi gh school coach.
Happy Birthday! Fill this out about YOUR SENIOR year of John was featured as an Outstanding
high school! The longer ago it was, the Alumni in our Spring 2008 TOOTER and
194t-Some classmates have expressed an more fun the answers w ill be!! was inducted into the SHS Sports Greats
interest in attending a 1941 class reunion . H all of Fame in 2003. Jolll~ and Steve
. Did you date someone from your school? Cavlovic are shown by the new sign.
If anyone would like to cha ir this reunion, Yes Congratulations Jor receiving all these
well-deserved hOllors, John!
pl ease call the A lumni Association at 2. Did you many someone from your high
4021738-9493. 1953-Joe and Mary Ann (Straley)
school? No Weinert read about the theft and vandalism
1945-Audrey 3. Did you car pool to school? to 2009 College World Series tail gaters'
(Bailey) NO - walked or ran the block from home shade tents and decided to g ive a $250
4. What kind of car did you have? check to the unofficial mayor of "flamingo-
Rommel- Didn't have one ville" so they could buy a couple of tents to
5. What kind of car do you have now? replace the damaged ones. Mary Ann com-
After gradua- '97 Toyota Camry mented, "We don 't believe in w hat those
yahoos did ... We're from South Omaha and
tion, Audrey How would YOU answer these ques- this is how we do things!" The OW-H
tions? Bet most of us walked to school picked lip (he stOlY and we were proud to
attended way back then - and not many of us had know our wonde1ful alumni came through
Omaha cars! ill a bad s ituation to make things bettel:
University for What a lIice thing they did to change the
two years on a scholarship, and then trans- 1950-Edward F. Kasun joined the U.S. impressioll oj amalia to our visitors. We
ferred to UNL for her last two years, earn- Coast Guard after graduation, and retired in salute you!
ing a BA in Psychology. She ran into 1978. He served in Mich igan, California,
C huck Rommel-1945 0 11 campus where he North Carolina, and two overseas tours. 19S4-Jerry C hizek - served as the Labor
One tour he describes as a miserable year Commiss ioner under Senator Jim Exon.
was a student eaming his BS in Business in Vietnam on two 82 ft. patrol boats in and He was the Nebraska Senator from District
around the Mekong Delta. After he retired, 3 1 for nine years. Just before moving to
fo llowing hi s discharge from the Navy. he renmled to school for four years while Minnesota he became the Executive
They were married the fall after their June working part-time for the San Joaquin Director of the Nebraska Sheriff
1949 graduation. After having two children County Sheriff's Department and an Association and later became the Mayor of
and working in Omaha for several years, armored car company. He joined manage- Longvi ll e, MN. He worked on many politi-
Chuck's company, Equ ifax (home office in ment in the annored car company and for cal campai gns in Nebraska and Minnesota
At lanta, GA), transferred them a number of four years ran three branches for them in and over the years has won many awards.
times. They lived in Atlanta, GA three sep- Sacramento and Chi co, CA and in Reno, At this time, he is the Govemment
arate times, as well as in Philadelphia, NV. He then returned to the San Joaquin Consultant for the Leech Lake Bank of
Boston and Chagrin Fall s, OH, near County Sheriff's Department. Following a Ojibwe. We thank yolt for the update!
Cleveland. Hav ing fa ll en in love w ith the heart attack which resulted in bypass sur-
Carolinas, they chose Pinehurst, NC as gery, he worked there for IS more months,
their retirement destination . They enj oy the taking a medical retirement in 1999. He
weather, the ocean all one end and the now li ves in a small golf community near
mountains on the other, w ith the sandhi li s Stockton called Vall ey Springs, CA and
in between. Audrey's memories of SHS plays go lf at least weekly w ith his buddi es
include 3,000 orderly shldents who did not from the cardiac rehab community. He last
leave campus at any time during the day returned to Omaha in October 2005 to bury
since the halls were monitored. Only those his sister, Ann (Kasun) Fader-1945. He
with hall passes were allowed to roam. At doesn 't know when he' ll return, but enjoys
lunch time there was a half hour of "free keeping up with the news through the
time" when students cou ld dance in the TOOTER. Thallks Jor the update!
gym or attend a short movie in another
area. In a study hall of 500, you cou ld hear 1953-John Stella was honored by the City
a pin drop. Being a student at SHS was a of Omaha on 1-27-09 for his work with
little harder for Audrey with her father Mr. baseball teams in South O maha by nijm ing
C . H. Bailey, teaching Math, and her great
aunt Ms. Josephine Copeland teaching
Latin. She especia lly remembers Miss
Ravene (sp?), her English teacher, and Dr.
Edward Kuncel (blind History teacher)
who both taught her life lessons in add ition
to their subject matter. Although they have

Solllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 5

BROWN PARK NEWS SHS, Frank was on the Honor Roll and
played tuba and string base, serving as
ANOTHER BROWN PARK MEMORY SHARED band president for two years. Thank YOlt
for your service to our countly, and thank
By Lee Loth-1948 yOIl for the update!

This group of neighborhood boys met in Brown Park dai ly to play baseball, football, 1941-William Blessie donated a program
or hike over the hill to the river. They organized games with other neighborhood groups from the Fourth Annual Round Up in
or played against each other or older fam ily members. This team won many games, but December 1936. Bill states, "I am getting
was soundly beaten by Omaha South Alumni and WWII vets at this 1946 Brown Park ready to head for Augusta, GA to watch the
Thanksgiving Day Bowl game. Masters Golf Tournament for 10 days - then
come home to watch Nebraska's Red and
White Game - then head out to some of the
NASCAR races." Thankyoufor the histor-
ical program for Ollr archives.

ALU nohp,-tv Emil 1941-Robert G Cunningham was fea-
Hprm"'~'v. Joe tured in the OW-H"The Greatest
Please send liS name, address and telephone Fakettv and Bill Generation" stories on March 23, 2009. He
number changes, as well as names and attended Omaha University (now UNO)
addresses offriends , family and classmates, Reunion which reads and studied aeronautics so he could become
who are 1101 currently receiving the Alumni " 1939-6425" a pilot and fulfill his childhood dream. His
TOOTER. Be sure to include class year alld Anniversary - Class first flying lessons were at the Omaha air-
maiden name where applicable. We need this Reunion 8-1- 1964 - port. In 1942 Bob joined the Naval Cadets
in/ormation to keep Ollr database updated. It SHS Omaha, NE." and continued his flying instruction at a
costs liS $.83 for your new address each time also donated a 1935 base in Pascal, WA. He later trained in
one ofyOIl moves and do not notifY us. reunion booklet which twin-engine aircraft and PBY seaplanes in
belonged to Robert Corpus Christi, TX. He transferred to the
Also, please send ALL information updates, Slovek, her deceased hn.sban,l, Marine Corps in 1943 and was an instructor
clothing orders, membership payments, Class Reunion. Thank you Alice! at the Marine base at Cherry Point, NC. He
donations, archival contributions, inquiries also learned to fly the B-25, or Billy
and all other correspondence to: 1939-Frank J. G Tourek was featured in Mitchell bomber. His unit shipped overseas
the OW-H "The Greatest Generation" sto- in 1944 to a small Pacific island called
Dr. Richard Gulizia - SHS Alumni ries on 3-8-09. Frank graduated from Emirau. His squadron (#413) flew bombing
Association Office - 5082 S. 107 Street - Advanced Anny Finance School and served missions over its main target, the major
Omaha, NE 68127 Or Call 402-738-9493 as a finance officer during the war. He Japanese base at Rabaul, New Guinea. His
landed with invasion forces on Okinawa on next duty station was at Mindanao in the
1937-Louise (Marino) Garofolo celebrat- 4- 1-45 and stayed until the battle ended. Philippines, where his unit and many others
ed her 90th birthday with fami ly and His primary job was to pay the troops and were preparing for the invasion of the
friends. An open house was held in her settle claims, but his secondary job was Japanese mainland. But the dropping of the
honor 5-1 8-09 at the Fountain View Senior food service. Right after the war ended, he atomic bomb on Japan ended the war. In
Living Community. served in Korea, opening a fmance office the Philippines, he received orders to deliv-
there. He continued his duty with the er a top secret satchel to a Russian officer
1938~Eleanor (Reynolds) Leach writes, reserve unit when he returned to the United in China. On that mission he had an
"Keep the Tooter coming. I enjoy them so States. He retired at age 62 as a Chief unscheduled landing on Iwo Jima. Several
much. You do a great j ob." Warrant Officer W-4 after nearly 40 years miles out from the island he was told to
of military service. Frank served as a sec- turn back because of high winds. But fuel
1939-Alice (Cecetka) Slovek donated ond generation Tourek in the family print- was low, and he had no choice but to land
reunion booklets from her 25th and 50th Class ing business, Tourek Printing & Engraving the plane with zero visibility and tremen-
Reunions as well as a spoon/can opener Company. The company produces letter- dous gales. After China, he flew to Guam,
which was given to attendees at their 25th heads, envelopes, business cards, wedding Hawaii and other islands before returning
invitations and other paper products. Frank: to San Francisco. He remained in the serv-
retired as President and continues on the ice until his discharge in July 1946.
Board of Directors and of counsel to the
92-year old company. Updates regarding 7301 MAIN STREET
his grandson and pressroom manager are FWSTON, NEBRASKA ea127
included in AlumNotes below. While at
John Krayneski, Jr.
• President

I

SOl/lh High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 7

19S5-Joseph and Mary (Fabey) Cabral make a difference." Th e Gmaha commlllli-

celebrated their 50'" Wedding Anniversary ty salutes YOIl and tha/lks YOIl for YO llr gen- homelarld as communist

in May. They were marri ed at St. Mary erosity! Russia took over.

Catholic Church in Omaha in 1959. Joe family made it

and Mary were blessed during Mass at Our 1961-Janel (Crofford) a displaced persons'

Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Katz retired after 17 before coming to

New Orleans in May. and plan to travel to years of service to under church

Mexico at a later date to continue their cel- Millard Public Schools spo,nsclfship in 1949.

ebration. Congratulations! as a reading teacher, Her parents worked in packinghouses, and

She was honored by later her dad became a railroad watchman.

1956-Clem Schuette, Nick Chiburis, Joey SHS friends at a retire- Nellie grew lip in South Omaha and has
worked in adveli ising and cOJ11l11unjcations.
, Algya, Bob Fitzsimons, Len Save, Pete ment party celebrating She embraced her Lithuanian heritage and

Sorish, Harvey Harbin, Ray Wilson, Ray ber freedom to pursue

Soucher, Sam Amenta, Bob Johnston, the travel she so loves. Congratulations, was named C itizen of the Year in Omaha's

Pat Casey and John Sousa held a reunion Janet! sister city Siauliai. This honor has been

of U.S. Marine Corps Platoon 3019 on 8- given to only two Lithuanians and Nellie

2 1-08. They met at Horseman 's Park and 1961-John DeGeorge was feahlred in a was the first American to be so honored.

represented 14 of the original 23 classmates 6- J9-09 Midlallds Business J01l1"1lal article Nellie was described as gregarious and ded-

who joined the Marines that year. We ,ha"k about his company, DiGiorgio's icated, and was the catalyst that started the

yOll all for YOUy service 10 Ollr COllllt,y! Sportswear. The company owners include Sister City relationship with Siauliai. She

his sons, Tim and Anthony. Jolm started also raised money to send II Native

1959-Edward Pechar attended Omaha the company in his garage with a small heat Americans from five tribes to sing and

University (now UNO) after graduating press. They now have a storefront in dance in Lithuania. Ne llie sa id she thought

from SHS, receiving his Bachelor's degree Millard Plaza and handle orders from a sin- of her parents as she was being cheered

in Speech Communication. He served in gle tee shirt to an order for $50,000 for during the parade in the homeland they had

the Air Force and then earned a law degree Ameristar Casino or anything in between. to flee and it was a bittersweet moment.

at Sa lmon P. Chase College of Law near Congraflliatiolls 011 your success, John! Nellie is also involved in the Shakespeare

Cincinnati. He spent the last 40 years on the Green concerts as marketing direc-

working in the liquor industry as a business 1963-Marlin Briscoe, the first black man tor! Congratularions!

executive. Today he is the owner and to start as a quarterback in professional

chainnan of McCornlick Di stilling football, received a special honor from 1966-Gary Witkovski donated South High

Company, loc. in Weston, MO, with offices Congress on 2-8-09. He was recognized by TOOTERS and a Military Sail program

in Dallas. He was feahlred in a recent arti- Representati ve Lee Terry on the House from Febmary 1966. Thank YOII for think-

cle appearing in the University ofNebraska floor as part of Black History Month. A ing of the Ailimlli Association!

Foundation newsletter for creating a $ 1 Congressional Record was presented to

million scholarship fund at UNO for snl- Briscoe on 2-10-09 during a ceremony at I 968-Cheryl

dents from low-income fami lies who are Metropolitan Community College by (Sparano) Wild was

not elig ible for Pell Grants. The fund will Omaha-based John Beas ley. honored at the YWCA

provide fu ll tuition awards annually. Ed Congratulations, Marlin ! "Tribute to Women"

comments that "Financial stress is a huge luncheon in June 2009

problem today and without scholarship 1963-Nellie (Sudavicius) MacCallum was for her Professional

assistance, many deserv ing shldents may featured in a Mike Kelly column on 1-27- Volunteer efforts. She

not be able to attend college. I want to 09. Her parents narrowly escaped their was featured in Gala

p'"- "P~ iee<d &U4U RES IDENT I"" - COMMEltCI"l ~~~

&1~A~,1~. PROFESSIONAL

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RALSTON. NEBRASKA 611127
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\""I:!;;V;;., -s: .....~~~. ..,. • Omaha, NE 681" • 89S-6201

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...... e s z : : ? 66-70 ABE HOPAR
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1423 CAMPANILE RD HOME: 402-359-9661

WATERLOO, NE 68069 EMAI L: [email protected]

5088 so. 1071h SI. BUS, 733-2589 Class of 1966

OMAHA, NE 68127

PAGE 8 South High School ALUMNI TOOTER opposite lane, up an embankment and into
a pole. Rick asked for the officer's hand-
magazine's May/June 2009 issue as a cover South High Alumni Association and was cuffs to make a citizen's arrest, and called
story entitled "Wild About Volunteerism," recently elected to our Board of Directors. for help on the cruiser's radio. He
The story chronicled lllany of her volunteer Again, welcome to the Board and thanks received a Citizen's COlllmendation Award
activities including teaching a class to for all YOII do to help others, Helen e! from the Omaha Police Department for his
inmates at the Douglas County Correctional able assistance. Robinson served 23 years
Center, and fundraising for Madonna 1969~Robin Gullie was featured in writer in the Anny Reserve including a nine-
School, founding "Whole Woman's Day" Janice Gilmore OW-H article on 2-3~09 as a month stint in Operation Dessert Stonn,
for Christian women, Child Savings true role model. She said that the newly and has worked part-time as a security offi-
Institute and Omaha Community retired Fire Chief Gullie was an Offutt leg- cer in addition to serving as a veterinary
Playhouse. Congratulations Jor receiving end. After four years in the Air Force, research technician at the University of
this outstanding hOllor! Gullie began his civil service career in Nebraska Medical Center. Congratulations
1973 as the first African American fire- for your heroism alld thank YOll for helping
sEditor Note: Chelyl has been having fighter at Offutt. In 1987 he became the the officer!
first African American chief of fire protec-
some health problems lately. Friends can tion and crash/rescue with the 55th Civil 1975-Thomas Hanus is the manager of the
visit the http;llwww.caringbridge.org/visitlcherylwild Engineering Squadron. His goal was to be pressrooms at Tourek Printing & Engraving
website for updates or to send her a1nes- one of the best fire departments in the com- Company. Congratulations!
sage. Our prayers are with her and her mand. At his retirement party in
family for a quick return to her active life. November 2008, he received the 1977-Francisco "Paco" Fuentes, Unit
Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award Director for the South Omaha Boys & Girls
1968-Helene Elsasser received the 1967 lauding his expertise, consistently high- Club (BGC), received the 2008 Hennan S.
United Way Student Volunteer of the Year level performance and unending dedication Prescott Award for the Midwest Region of
award, and has been giving back to her to duty. A prominently placed American BGe ofAmerica. Congratulations!
community and SHS ever since. She flag was a testament to Gullie's career.
served as historian for the Alumni Deputy Fire Chief Dave Elbin said "Chief 1977-Tim Holland was inducted into the
Association Board, sold clothing, chaired Gullie has dedicated 38 years of his life 2008 Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
sports and bowling events, and bartended defending the values and freedom for (BGCM) Alumni Hall of Fame. He cur-
for Packer Nights. She serves on the which it stands." Again, congratulations rently serves as the Chairman of the Board
Alumni Association Board's Entertaimnent and thank you for your many years ofdedi- of Directors of BGCM. Congratulations!
Committee and served on the Decades cated service!
Dance Committee, and she sells raffle tick- 1989- Matthew Morinelli is a fourth gen~
ets at the annual Spaghetti Dinner event. 1969-Henry Schultz was featured in the eration officer ofTourek Printing &
Helene served on her 25 1h and 30111 class 10-20-07 OW-H for being recognized as a Engraving Company, serving as Vice
reunion committees, and chaired the 40lh member of the American Red Cross First President of Computer Operations and
reunion. She provided three $1,000 schol- Aid Team during the half time ceremonies Marketing. We wish you continued suc-
arships to SHS students attending UNO, at the Nebraska vs.lowa State Football cess!
and a $1,000 donation for the softball game on 9-29-07. He has been a volunteer
equipment shed at the H.P. Smith Girls' for 35 years and a First Aid Team member YEARBOOKS
Softball Field. As a physical education for over 20 years, missing fewer than five WANTED
teacher, various sports have been her life Husker games during that time. He
for over 40 years. She coordinated field received an honorary game ball from We have several SHS alumni
days "in the hole" at Collin Field for for- Heisman Trophy winnerlNU running back who are looking for infonnation
mer students at St. Agnes, Sts. Mary's and Johnny Rodgers and Valerie Call ahan, the in past yearbooks. The Alumni
Guadalupe elementary schools. She ran coach's wife. Congratulations and thank
her own business, Miss E's Gymnastics at you for keeping the Husker game attendees Association would appreciate
Gilder School as an after-school program. safe and well. any yearbook donations.
Helene has coached 43 junior high or high
school teams in gymnastics, volleyball, 1970-Duncan Murphy, President of NOAH'S bARK
track, or swimming, with a high winning Riekes Equipment Co., was elected presi-
record. She is a part-time teacher at St. dent of the Material Handling Equipment VA reME FOIl. DOGS
Matthews in Bellevue, and the coordinator Distributors Association. Throughout his RICK .. NANCY WISE
of her own successful program "Team 40 year career, Murphy has held several PROI'RJITORS
Players Make a Difference" with college other offices for the Association. He
athletes serving as mentors and as coaches received a BS in Political Science and lS4a ctNTER ST/l.fET
in her gym classes. This unique program is Economics from Princeton University in OI1JoHA NE 68 U1S
the only one of its kind in the metro area. Princeton, NJ. Congratlllations!
She is a substitute teacher for District 66
and Brownell Talbot, and is the Gymnastics 1970-Rick Robinson was spotlighted in
Director at German-American Society. She Mike Kelly's OW-H column after he came
is a career bartender for catering events and to the aid of an injured police officer on
a sales marketing representative. Helene 3-30-07, when a dnmken driver struck the
remains active in her community and the police officer's cruiser pushing him into the

•

WORLD WAR II VETERANS SOlllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 9

wwnThese Veterans and SHS alumni Editor sNote: IfyOlt are a veteran and trip! Since the rate at w hi ch our merchant
ships were being sunk was so high, the
were included in the Honor Flight on 4-23 were included 011 allother HOllor Flight to government would not allow the news
Washingtoll, D.C. please tell us abollt it so agencies to report the losses. They didn 't
and 4-24-09 to the WWIl Memorial in we can acknowledge y01l1' service to Ollr want the Axis powers to know just how
COlll/tlY- successfu l they were, and were concerned
Washington , D.C. to thank them for their that the news would lower the morale in
THE WORLD WAR n STORY America.
outstanding service to our country.
OF THE MERCHANT MARINE The U. S. Government desperately need-
Governor Dave Heineman wrote that their ed men in the Maritime Service to keep
(Of the 250,000 who served an estimated these ships afloat and working, and they
"service in WWlJ has played an important 1,800 came from Nebraska) knew it would have been hard to find men
By A. J. Wichita - 1947 and boys who would vo lunteer to serve
role in the protection of our country and the w here the fatality rate was higher than for
One of America 's best kept secrets is the any U.S. Military service including the
Am erican way of life for generations." story of the men and young boys who Marine Corps. That was the reason that
joined the United States Maritime Service - we in Nebraska never heard about our ships
1943-Raymond (Ray) Vacek - US Navy - today known as American Merchant Marine being sunk coming out of the harbors or
Anl1cd Guard; Navy Gunner on Merchant Veterans. The amazing facts and exploits of that one out of every 26 serving in the
Marine shi ps; two cargo ships and tanker these brave Illen should be preserved for Merchant Marine was ki lled or drowned.
(LST). Invasion of Leyte Gulf, ended up posterity. They were the men who kept the
on Yokohama, Japan. Vacek resides in supp ly lines in operation delivering food, Many of the Merchant Mariners, ranging
Plattsmouth, NE. guns, fuel and other desperately needed in age from 15 to 76 years of age, had only
supplies for our European allies before the a few weeks training before being sent to
Pictured left to right in Washington are USA officially entered the war. And they sea. The legal age was 16, but the need to
Wally Hopkins, Jack Connaci and Bob continued supplying US forces when we fill a quota all owed 15 year aids to sign on
Driml. entered the war after Pearl Harbor was board. Many of those men couldn't pass the
bombed on 12-7-41. Without these vital physical requirements for military service,
1943-Lewis (Wally) Hopkins - US Anny supplies, the USA cou ld never have won so j oined the Merchant Marine to serve
Air Corps - Pilot w ith 434111 Troop Carrier the war. President Roosevelt declared in their country. For instance, men were
Group, 9111 Air Force; flew a C-47 transport September, 1944, "The American Merchant allowed to serve w ith only one leg or one
and a glider. England and France 1943- Marine have delivered the goods when and eye - as evidenced by Peter Falk of the
1945 during WWll . Wally resides in w here needed in every tbeater of operations "Colombo" TV detective series who had
Omaha, NE. He attended the Heartland and across every ocean in the biggest, the only one eye and served as a steward.
Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to view most difficult and dangerous transportation
the memorial on 4-23-09. See photo above. job ever undertaken. As time goes on, there They were paid wages similar to those
will be greater public understanding of our received by men in the military services,
1943-Jack Cormaci - US Navy - Anti- merchant fleet's record during this war." but the pay stopped the same day their ship
Aircraft Gunnery Instructor - Point was sunk. The articles they signed only
Montara, CA during WWIl Jack resides in Did you know that most of our merchant allowed pay for the time they could per-
Omaha, NE. He attended the Heartland ships were not allowed to have armament form shipboard duties. If they lived through
Honor Fli ght to Wash ington, D.C. to view to defend themselves during the early years the sinking and survived in a lifeboat, they
the memorial on 4-23-09. See photo above. of the war? Some enterpris ing seamen were not compensated for that or for find-
painted te lephone poles gray to make them ing a way home. After the war seamen left
1943-Robert Driml - US Navy - Boot look like cannons in hopes of foo ling sub- on foreign shores whose ships were torpe-
camp at Farragut, ID; Yeoman School at marine commanders. Did you wonder why doed paid their own way back in many
San Diego, CA; Philippine Sea Frontier Henry Kaiser made so many Liberty ships - cases. And they were considered civilians
during WWIl until discharge. He was over 2,700 of them? It was because the and were not repatriated as were military
recall ed to active duty for Korean War. enemy was si nking our merchant ships personnel.
Bob resides in Omaha, NE. He attended faster than they could be built.
the Heartland Honor Fljght to Washington, Merchant seamen also had to pay for
D.C. to view the memorial on 4-23-09. See Were our merchant ships only torpedoed their own hospitalizat ion for wartime
photo above. when they approached the European or injuries after the war. Very Ij u le has been
South Pacific shores? No! Hundreds were said about the more than 600 merchant
1944-Arthu r (Connie) Johnson - US sunk well within sight of our coastline! marine who became POWs - many dying
Navy - South Pacifi c. Johnson resides in Our coastline was the front line of the war, from torture while others spent over three
Omaha, NE. believe it or not. Veterans called it our years in prison camps. Since they were not
"Second Pearl Harbor" as seyeral thousand considered veterans, our government did
men were lost when over 300 ships were not pay for their hospita lization or aid their
torpedoed on our eastern shoreline. Thi s families whi le they were trying to recover
operation started five weeks after Pearl from their torture, sickness and mental trau-
Harbor and was called Paukenschlag by the ma. A lso, since they were not categorized
German High Command. The average as veterans by our government, these men
length of service for a Liberty ship was were not awarded benefits under the origi-
four trips and some were sunk on their first

•

PAGE 10 SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER

l1al G I. Bill of Ri ghts of 1944. In 1988, lies and alert them of our efforts to secure call publish YOllr stories alld selld us copies
recognition and compensation they were rhat we CO" share with our readers.
43 years after the war, the Merchant denied after the ir service to our country.
2009 CREDIT CARD
Mariners were finally recognized as veter- Contact Mr. Wichita at
605 Laguna Drive - Richardson. TX 75080 PAYMENTS AVAILABLE
ans -- just as many were retiring from the
- phone 972-231-5464 Good news - for your convenience, your
work force, which was much too late for - e-mail [email protected]. SHSAA is accepting VISA or MasterCard
credit card payments for your donations,
them to benefit from the original 01 Bill. Fo r furth er informatio n about our membership payments, memorials,
pending legislation, please contact: clothing orders, advertising, postage
College, or loans, employment and a vari- fee payments, registration fees, ticket
THE JUST COMPENSATION purchases, etc.
ety of fi nancial benefits would have been COMMITTEE
Just call the office at 738-9493 to provide
very valuable assets to returning merchant Telephone: (800) 545-4173 your credit card number, expiration date
email: [email protected] and billing address with the details of your
seamen, but back then they were passed payment. No need to search for an
For other historical infonnation, please envelope or stamp to complete your
over for job openings .meant for veterans check out the website www.usmm.org. SHSAA financial transactions!

onl y. 1\ Thank yon ,
A.J. WICffiTA
N ebraska Senator Ben Nelson has intro- National President
American Merchant Marine Veterans
duced a bill (S -663) in the.Senate called Fonner resident of2629 Harrison St.-
Omaha NE
"B'elated Thank you to the Merchant Grade School: Assumption Parish; High
School: South High School)
Mari ners of World War II Act of 2009."
sEditor Note: Mr. Wichita would especial-
The legisl ~t:ion process requires a majority
ly appreciate hearing the stories ojPackers
of o~lr Senators to sign on and time is nlIl- who served ;n the Merchant Marines so he

ning but. The remaining 10,000 Mariner

veterans who answered the call are praying

. fo r quick-enactment. The bill would not

. only prov ide a monthly cash benefit, but of

utmost importance, would grant these men

, full , official recognition for their heroism

and their vital role in making our wwn

victory poss ible. These veterans, along

with our present veterans returning from

the Middle East, need to be shown that our

country appreciates their gal lant efforts.

We hope to bear from the Merchant

Marine Veterans in Nebraska or their fami-

THOMAS P. CULLINANE

OWNER

13736 Q. Street • Omaha, Nebraska 68137
Phone (402) 895-6555· Fax (402) 895-7810

2009 POKER RUN SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER

By Willie Nalley and Tim Campbell MEMORIALS GIVEN

Memorials were given in honor and
memory of:

The Fifth Annual SHS Alumni Poker Run held on \VilIiam "Bill" Bidrowski·19S2 from
Saturday. May 16 was a huge success. A cri sp 47 degree Frank "Fritz" Stanek and Alice (Vodicka)
morning did not stop the 60 participants from rolling into J- Stane k-1 9S2
Birds in LaVista and signing up for an enjoyable day of rid- Barb Opocensky-from Dennis J.
iog. Hope you enjoy the photos. Koubsky-1961 and Judi (Clark)
Koubsky-1961
This year 's run was a short 120 miles into the beautiful Fra nk G Mona, Sr. -19S4 from Betty J.
Iowa hills. The run ended at Joe Banana's with the drawing (Revers) Mon a-19S7 and family
of cards. With payouts and door prize drawings done Walter Henni~1923 from Arline .l\f.
quickly. and the shorter miles, everyone had a fu n time visiting and telli ng stories of days Henni-19S1
past. Irene (Riha) Blohn-1942 from 12 Rilla
Families
Congratulations to the 2009 Poker Run Eva "Fern" (Mullin) Smith- 1939 from
Winners - First Place $200 - Dalene Karen Carter
Sh,ow:,lt,,,;, Second Place $ 100 - Tom Charles William Kafka-1939 from Greg
""alln,; Third Place $ 75 - Amanda Chapp-I97S
Maxine (Neujahr) Lever~1952 from
A special thank YOll to our sponsors Lavonna (Neuhabr) O ' Keefe-19S3
Edward A. Swanson-1942 from Barb and
those who do nated the great door prizes Steve Seglin
including: Anchor [un, Big House Bar & Anna (Hampton) Vacek-194S from Ray
Grill, Big J's, Dillon Bros. Harley Dav idson, Doc's Roadhouse, Hells Angels Nebraska, Vacek-I 943
J-Bird 's Food & Spirit, J.D. 's Circle Inn, Joe Banana's, Johnson Hardware, Miller Helen Lubsen from Dennis J. Koubsky-
Brands of Omaha, Nettie's Restaurant, Red Eye Tavern, and Sugar's Lounge. 1961 and Judi (Clark) Ko ubs~'Y-1961
Also, thank you to the SHS Alumni Association for Judy (Baumgartner) Weinand-19S6
the door prizes and for all the volunteers who helped from Robert M. Weinand, Sr.
make our event a success - raising more than $ 1,000. Richard A. Slizinski-1965 from his sister
Please remember to support the Alumni Association Donna (Slizinski) Bowdish-1963
throughout the entire year. Edward Swanson-1 942 from his wife
We hope to see all of you at next year 's Poker Run Bette (Erca) Swanson-1946, Emil
to benefit the SHS Scholarship Fund. Swanson-1 9S0 and Jeraldine
(Augustine) Swa nsoo·19S1 , Joe GURis-
ALL BOW TO THE QUEENS OF SHS 1942, John Forrest and Luella (Swanson)
Forrest~1947, A.J. CarriUo-1944,
PROUD HISTORY! Lawrence Routt-194S and Marilyn Routt,
William and Susan Laird, William and
sEditor Note: We had a marvelous response 10 our request for photos and will publish Barbara Helwig, Barb and Steve Seglin,
Jacqueline D. SI. John,
at leasl one class each issue until we have shared them all with you. We appreciate each Julie (HOffman) Vesper-I97S
ofY OII for submitting your photos alld memories. John Yacio, Jr. from Judy (Sebron) Yacio-
1945 - May Fete Queens - 1960
"'Alice (Dolleck) Wehner - Helen June Matya- from Dennis J.
Popularity; Audrey (Bailey) Koubsky-1 961 and Judi (Clark)
Rommel - Achievement; ? Koubsky-1961
_ _ Athlet ics. (See Lucille (Baldwin) Lane-Coscbka -1938
AlumNoles f or anllpdale all from her daughter Marilyn (Lane)
Chal'les & A udrey ROlllmel) Gillen-1966
(ifYO ll kllow who fhe Queell Susanna Feiste from Ed Diehm~196S and
ofAthletics was for 1945, Julie (Riha) Diehm-1966
please let liS kllow her John Ward Hopp~19S1 from his sister,
lIam e.! Dora Dene Hopp Toma-19S3

* = deceased

PAGE 12 SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER India to China. After the war, Jack settled I
in Califomia and owned his own advertis- {
MEMORIAM PRAYER 1936~Arthur E. Helligso of Omaha died ing agency. He was preceded in death by
3-26-09. his wife Marinell and will be missed by his
Life is real, life is earnest 1936-Clifford Kirkner of Omaha died five children, grandchildren and many
And the grave is not its goal. 4-09 from complications of Parkinson's friends.
Dust thou art to dust fetumest, disease. He was tbe owner of Kirkner 1938-Evelyn Marie (pettit) Osborn of
Was not spoken of the soul. Jewelry and Antiques. He served in tbe Monrovia, CA died.
Anuy Air Forces during WWlI as an air- 1939- Lorraine S. Brown (Swetala) of
Author Unknown plane engine repa ir instructor. After tbe Omaha died 6-25-09.
wa r, he leamed watch making and opened a 1939 Robert Peter Grobeck age 87, died
IN MEMORIAM, jewelry store in Ralston. In 1958, the 4-8-09. He was born in 1921 in Omaha to
Kirkner's bought Alvin Jewelry in South Martin and Margrethe Knudsen Grobeck
NOTE: Our apologies - Joan Omaha. Ten years later, they moved the and was reared with bis siblings, Bernice,
(Klauschie) Jacobsen-1951 and store to its final location, 4806 S. 24th St., Ade le and Milton on the Grobeck Dairy
Rachel Zendejas-1958 and Leonard and added antiques. He retired in 200 I . Fanu. After graduating from SHS, he
Gau-1960 are not deceased. They 1936-Donald LeRoy Armstrong of attended Iowa State University. He later
are alive and well. Ventura, CA died 2-27-09. signed up as an aviation cadet for pilot
1936-Waneen V. Johnson died 4-23-09. training in 1942, and was called to active
1929-Maurien (Walls) Christensen died 1936-Clayton Price of Omaha, NE died. duty in early 1943. He flew C-47 and B-52
4-09. 1936-Frank J. Scheiblbofer of Omaha aircraft in New Guinea, the Philippines, and
1930-Charles "Darcy" Smola of Omaha died 5-20-09. Okinawa. Bob was stationed in Tokyo prior
died 10-05. 1936-Benjamin A. Votava of Omaha died to returning to Iowa State University in
1931-Betty A. (Hannigan) Stackhouse of 3-30-09. 1946 to finish his degree in Dairy
Omaha died 3- 14-09. 1937-Lucille (Barta) Binder of Omaha Husbandry. True members of the greatest
1931-Frank Morin of Omaba died 4-2-09. died 1-09. generation, Betty and Bob were married in
1931-Leo E. Pokorski of Wahoo, NE died 1937-William Keating of Omaha died 1944 and had four children, Jodie, Marcia,
3-29-09 at the age of 95 plus. 1-23-09. He served in WWll in the last Debbie, and Jon. Bob's career with
1932-Edith (Ostrovich) Abrams died horse-drawn Sealtest Ice Cream and Kraft continued the
6-09-09. Artillery Unit for the US Anuy and was a rest of his life. The family moved to
1932-June (Jelen) Kahre died 2-09. retired executive of Ford Motor Company. Richmond, VA in 1976. Bob continued to
1932-Kathleen (Konowski) Lux of Omaha, 1937-Edward A. Shukis of Omaha died serve in the Air Force Reserve, retiring in
NE died. 2-09. He served in the Anny Air Corps for 1962 as a Lt. Colonel with 20 years com-
1932-Melvin K. Han of Omaba died five years during WWIl in Europe and bined active and reserve service, including
4-16-09. Africa. He met and marri ed his wife of 62 reactivation for the Korean Conflict in
1932-Catheryn (Riordan) Steuerwald of years in San Severo, Foggia, Italy. He 1951 . He married Brenda Coffman on
Rapid City, SO died. retired from the US Postal Service. 8-30-86. He was known for his quick wit,
1932-Hazel (Welch) Smith died 11-22-08. 1938-Henry J. Bele of Omaha and love of golf, and dedication to bis family
1934-Margaret M. (Kanger) Peers of Counci l Bluffs died 2-19-09. Henry grew and friends.
Omaha died 4-09. up and spent most of his life in Omaha. He 1939-Charles William Kafka of Omaha
1934-Paul T. Harvat of Omaha died worked as a rate analyst for Northern died 2-09.
12-08. Natural Gas Co. 1939-Stanley Kotlarz of Omaha died 1-09.
1935-Naomi E. (Barrett) Nownes of 1938-Lucille (Baldwin) Lane-Coschka of He was a US Anny paratrooper for the
Omaha died 6-09. Omaha died 10-22-08 from colon cancer 82nd Airborne. Stanley worked for the
1935-Beryl (Vasey) Gill died. surgery complications. postal service for 37 years.
1935-Bernard Opitz of Bellevue died 1938-Dorothy E. Groves of Omaba died 1939-Edward Kurmel died.
2-18-08. He was a fonner POW and was a 5-22-09. Dorothy's was a life well lived, 1939-Helen F. (Formanek) Matulka of
Vice President of Mutual of Omaha. full of adventure, love, happin ess, friends Omaha died 1-09.
1935-Lila M. (Batterton) Zbylut, a cher- and family. She was an active 1939-Edward Novak of Bellevue died
ished mother, grandmother, and great- member/leader in PE~, Daughters of the 1-2 1-09.
grandmother and a friend to everyone she Nile, a 50-year member of the Dundee 1939-Sylvia (Gamer1) Vilim of Omaha
ever met. She was a proud resident of Presbyterian Church, and many bridge died 1-09.
South Omaha and graduate of SHS her clubs. 1939-June R. (Wilkening) Newquist of
entire life. 1938-Winifred J. (Burke) Kunkel of Omaha died 12-08.
1936-Mary E . (Edith) Dunn died 5-09. Omaha died 5-2-09. 1939-Victor Russell Schiro died 5-24-09.
She was a member of the Order of the 1938-John "Jack" Hermansky of He was a Fourth Degree member of the
Eastern Star and a 66-year member of the Glendale, AZ di ed 6-29-08 after an extend- Knights of Columbus.
P.E.O. Daughters of the Ni le. ed illness. After graduation from SHS, he 1939-Eleanor D. (Morrow) Skarka of
attended the Un iversity of Nebraska at Omaha died 4- 24-09.
Omaha and the University of Missouri.
When WWII started, he joined tbe Army
Air Force Air Transport Command. He

flew 50 missions over the "Hump" from•

SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 13

1939-Eva "Fern" (Mullin) Smith died 1942-Nellie (Groves) Nicholson died 3-09. 1946-Marcella M. (Hladky) Sobolik of
2-13-09 peacefully in her sleep. She was a Omaha died 2-09.
member of the First Baptist Church for 1942- George Ryck of Omaha died 1-09. 1947-Robert Loren Hansen of Mesa, AZ
over 50 years. She was also a member and died 5-2-09. He was a member of the
a Past Noble Grand of Rebecca Lodge #44 1942-Edward Henry Seifert, Sr. died Pioneers of America.
in Omaha, NE for over 60 years. Fern was 1947-Carroll "Biff' Jones of Las Vegas,
employed at the University of Utah for over 3-09. He served in the US Anny during the NV died 1-09.
26 years. She was registered with the Body 1947-Marie (petello) Simpson died
Donor Program at the University of Utah Korean War Confli ct. 4-25-09.
Medical Center. 1948-William R. Gewinner of Omaha died
1940 Margaret (VanKat) Gember died 1942-Rita (Sosnowski) Sobczak of Omaha of complications due to Parkinson's dis-
12-26-08. ease.
1940-Blanche (Mensik) Novotny died died 2- 16-09. 1948-Joan R. (Hansen) McCracken
6-21-09. She earned many honors at SHS Kaster of Omaha died 4-12-09.
including being named the Omaha World- 1942-Thomas J. Sturek of Omaha died 1948-William "Bill" Mertz of Scottsboro,
Herald Student of the Year. She was also AL died 11 -2 1-08. Kathy Mertz writes,
one of the early attendees of Nebraska Girls 5-09. "He enjoyed reading the Tooter and on our
State, but her parents could not afford col- last trip to Omaha, we drove by the school
lege. Her future husband, Richard 1942-Edward Swanson died 4-5-09. He and the old practice field - he did love
Novotny, came from a similar fami ly situa- SHS."
tion. So Richard and Blanche, who cele- was a founding member of the Bellevue 1948-Robert " Bob" Rodgers of Omaha
brated their 66th wedding anniversary in died 5-4-09. He was a retired sportswriter
May, worked hard to provide an education Little Theatre, and a lifetime member of the in both Omaha and for the NV Global
for their chi ldren. Blanche's primary focus Newspaper in Las Vegas. Working for the
was the rearing of her three girls. Once the Theater Arts Guild. During WWIJ , he was Omaha Star, he wrote weekly sports round
daughters were grown, Blanche and friend ups. Bob was the first blac k man to referee
Carol Montgomery founded and co-owned a Pacific Theater B-29 bombardier in the a varsity basketball game in Omaha in 1958
Custom Estate Sales, an estate liquidation and he poured thousands of hours into his
service. Blanche became an expert in Anny Air Forces. After the war, he worked community. Working for the Near North
antiques, appraisals and merchandising. YM CA, he organized recreation sports
Before Blanche died, she saw her daughters 27 years as 3n administrator for Mutual of leagues. When he wasn ' t coaching youth
graduate from college and pursue advanced baseball or softball, he was "courting" mer-
degrees. She died at home after a long ill- Omaha. He was well known in community chants to pay for shoes, hats or uniforms.
ness. Bob was a "father figure" to many and
1940-Paul Rozmajzl of Portland, OR died theater circles for hi s singing and acting. grew up in south and north Omaha. Every
10-08. day in high school, he rode the streetcar to
1941-Bernard "Terp" Anthony Jarosik He is survived by hi s wife Bette (Erea) SHS, which cost a dime. He was a ta lented
died. athlete and a seven-time varsity letter win-
1941-Robert E. Krakowski, Sr. of Swanson-1946. ner. Clarence Hill, who had known Rodgers
Minneapolis, MN died peacefully of natural for 70 years writes, "I never saw a person
causes on 6-5-08. Robert was a recipient of 1942-Margaret (Boyd) Tunnyhill died who didn't like him. Honest to God. That's
the Purple Heart while serving as an Army something. He was special."
recon scout and a survivor of WWII, Battle 5- 1-09. She was a Sunday school teacher 1948-Gerald "Fritz" Shields of Omaha
of the Bulge and POW camps. He was a died 2-13-09.
long-time employee of Western Electric. for over 50 years. Margaret was a member 1949-Glen Anderson of Omaha died in
1941-Geraldine "Gerry" Vasholz of 2005.
Lincoln died 12-19-08. Gerry was the sec- of the Order of Eastem Star, past Matron 1949-Henry "Hank" Brust of Omaha died
ond recipient of the Governors Meritorious 2-6-09. Henry was a retired engineer at
Award. Adah Chapter and member of the Purple UPRR where he worked for 42 years. He
1942-Irene (Srakovich) Cummings died was a member of the South Omaha Eag les
4-1 6-09. Heart. and Mid-America Woodworkers.
1942-Artbur L. Hanna of Omaha died 1949-Victor Jirka of Omaha died 1-09.
1-09. 1943-Charles J. Feder of Omaha died He was the owner of lirka Auto Services.
1942-lrene (Riha) Blohn of Omaha died 1949-Arthur Floyd Kelly of Hill City, SD
2-28-09. 5-09. died 1-20-09 at his home. He worked for
1942-Joe Cisler of Bellevue, NE died Union Carbide until his retirement in the
2-22-09 after a long illness. He was a 1943-Ferdinand "Ferd" G Perez of Houston, TX area. He was an avid angler
Navy veteran who served during WWll. in the Gulf waters but decided to move to
After retiring from the Omaha Fire Lakewood, CO died 11-21-08. He served nlral Hill City 18 years ago. He continued
Department, he delivered packages for fi shing, and reading. Because of his love
Brandeis for many years. as a Navy corpsman attached to the fifth for singing, he became a member of the

Marines during WWll. He was a veteran

of the Pacific Campaign at Saipan and iwo

Jima and was recalled to service during the

Korean War. Ferd graduated from UNO in

1955 with a degree in journalism and agri-

cuihlre and was a federal gra in inspector

for 25 years.

1943-Robert Small of Omaha died 2-8-09.

1943-Frank Zaloudek of Omaha died

1-09.

1944-Helen Ripley of Omaha died

5-16-09.

1944-William Thompson of Omaha, NE

died.

1944-Robert F. Maruna of Omaha died

5-3 -0 9.

1945-Donita Louise (Short) Griger of

Omaha died 4-09.

1945-Helen J. Lange died 5-09.

1945-Virginia (Beachler) Zalovich of

Omaha died 12-08.

1946-Bernard J. Goodman died.

1946-Richard E. Kovarik died 2-09

1946-Norma Jean (Schroeder) Meisinger

died in 2007.

1946-Ann Marie (Vlcek) Richt of Tucson,

AZ died 2-09.

1946-George Saklar of Inglis, FL died

12-08 of leukemia and prostate cancer at

age 8 1.

•

PAGE 14 SOl/lh High School ALUMNI TOOTER 1960-Ronald D. Carley of Exira, lA died
5-29-09.
Black Hills Singers. He was in the Dakota a loving family including four children and 1960-Marlene (Rose) Moore died 6-2 1-09.
Choral Union and perfonned in "Die four grandchildren.
Fledermaus" in Rapid City. Arthur and his 1954-Robert Burdick of Ok lahoma City, 1961-Gary Lee Berka of Omaha died
wife Fabiola re·dedicated their marriage in OK di ed. 5-09.
July 1996. Arthur was a dedicated mason 1954-Shirley (Olson) Vacek of Omaha 1962-Robert Deuchler of Omaha died
for 56 years. Family and friends wi ll died 6-5-08. 12M22-08. He taught elementary school in
remember what a great host and cook he 1954-Donald Waddell of Omaha died the Omaha Di strict for almost 25 y~ars. He
was when they visited his home known as 9-3-08. loved to fish and was very active in the
the Green Parrot Inn . 1955- Marvin Jourdan of OakJand, NE food pantry ministry at the Church of the
1949-Gerald Frances Kersigo of Omaha died 4-23-09 of heart failure. Resurrect ion.
died 5-09. 1955-Fred R. Martincik of Omaha died 1962-Joseph Novotny, Sr. of Omaha died
1949-Vernon Plambeck died 10-30-08. 3-11-09. 6-27-09. He retired from Kellogg 's
1949-Walter S. Swierczek of Omaha died 1955-James Smutny of Omaha died IM09. Company.
12-26-08. He was a past president of the 1955-Joe Toledo died peacefull y at home 1962-Douglas John Robb, Sr. of Papillion
South Omaha Eagles and a member of the with fam ily after a lengthy battle against died 2-09.
Legion and VFW. He will be missed by cancer. He was inducted into the South 1962-William E. Wade TSGT USAF
many and forgotten by few. High Sports Greats Hall of Fame in 2008. (ReI.) of Bellevue died 4-5-09.
1950-Michael J. Krmpotic of Omaha died 1956-Deanna (Davis) Saldivar died 1963-Patricia (Zoucha) Dixon of Omaha
3-25-09. IM23 M08 in San Jose, CA of comp lications died 2-09.
from Alzheimer's disease and is buried in 1963-Jackie (Chullino) Lang of Loveland,
1951-Joann Cowden of Omaha died 1-09. San Diego, CA. CO died 12-3 1-08.
1951-John Ward Hopp of Omaha died 1956-Raymond Wilson di ed 6- 11-09. 1964-Ma ry Jane Chalen died.
12-19-08. He retired fro m OPPD in 1994 1957-Ed Marecek died 12-08. 1964-1rene Gartigas died 3-08.
after 45 years of service. John was a mem- 1957- John M. "Jack" McG inty of 1964-Garald "Gary" Krawcyk of
ber of the Tangier Shrine, the Ralston Skeet Bellevue died 4-09. Towanda, IL died 6-18-09. He was a US
Club and a 50- year member of the Ashland 1958-Richard L. Kapple of Ohiowa, NE Navy Veteran, having served his country
Trap Shoot Club. died 2-14-09. for four years. Gary worked at State Farm
1951-Leo Mitera, Jr. of Omaha di ed 1-09. 1958-Robert D. Barrett of Bellevue died Insurance, where he started as an agent in
1951-Evelyn (Sheffield) Olson of Omaha 3-09. 1972 and retired as a bond underwriter in
died 2-09. 1958-Anthony W. "Tony" Campagna March 2009. He enjoyed fi shing, and cher-
1952-Walter Babb of Omaha died 6-09. died 6-25-09 ished his time with his grandchildren. He
1952-William "Bill" Bidrowski of Omaha 1958-Kathleen (O'Keefe) Matulevicz died was also an Eagle Scout.
died 1-09. 3-09. 1965-Charles "Butch" Knapp of Omaha
1952-David A. Downs, Sr. died 12-23-08 1958-Michael Patrick Sporcic of Omaha died 2-2-09. He will be missed greatly by
after a long battle against cancer. died 3· 18-09. He was a teacher at Marian his family and friends.
1952-Maxine (Neujahr) Leaver of Omaha High School for 39 years. 1965-Richard A. Slizinski of Papillion
died 9M2M08 of pancreatic cancer. 1959-Donald R. Baltush of Omaha died died 7MOS. He was an E5 Sgt. in the Anlly
1953-Shirley Ann (Lenz) Bogatz of 12-08. and a veteran. He won the 2002 Charles
Arkansas died 7-26M08 of brain cancer. 1959-Janyce K. (Van Cleve) Berzi of Rio Langgle Award for outstanding service to
1953-Hartvig "Harv" Nels Jensen of Rancho, NM died 2-25-09. the Omaha Veterans Day HospitaL
Granada Hills, CA died 3-3-09. After grad- 1959-Judy (Virgin) Collins died 2-3 -09 in 1965-James Smith of Omaha died 2-09.
uation, Harv enlisted in the Anny serving her mountain home in Arkansas. 1966-Kim (Parker) Dinges died.
two years in Korea. Then he attended the 1959-Patricia (Mahaffey) Gwinn - died 1967- Terri Lynn (Moo re) Briley of
University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he 5-09. Omaha died 4M13-09 after a long, hard bat-
earned an undergraduate degree in 1959-Gerald Hammerly of Omaha died tle against cancer. Terri married her best
Mechanical Engineering. Not content with 6- 11 -09 friend and soul mate, Chris D. Briley. They
his achievements, he earned his MBA in 1959-Danny Sigmund died. were married for 37 years and together had
1967 at USc. His time was spent most 1960-Frank F. Pospishil of Omaha died four children. Her pass ion was her family
often in Hanscom Park ice skating and 2M 10-09. Frank graduated magna cum and grandchildren. She enjoyed camping
playing hockey. He had a deep love for the laude and received his bachelor of art wi th her family and riding on the back of
outdoors. If he wasn't skating, he was skiM degree from UNO in 1964. In 1967, he her husband's Harley. Terri also loved her
ing in the mO':lntains, target shooting in the received his law degree from Creighton job as a charge nurse for Pulmonary
desert or taking long walks. He enjoyed University and was a fonner partner at Medicine where she considered the doctors,
traveling and exp loring new places. He Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman. He focused nurses and patients another family.
also enjoyed the theatre, having conversa- his practice on civil litigation, bankmptcy 1967-Cathy (Spompinato) Kasada died
tions with good friends, and dancing - he and administrative law matters. Frank 2-09.
always had so much fun doing the twist! It attended Mary Our Queen Catholic Church 1968-Louis D. Lesac of Omaha died of
was while attending a dance that he met his where he was a trustee and served on the kidney failure 1-1 8-09.
future wife, Laila in 1985. His most finance commi ttee and parish counciL
rewarding career move was working in the Friends will remember his sense of humor
oil industry where he wrote and managed and his ability to see all sides oftbe stQJY.
construction contracts. Harv is survi ved by

1968-Edward H. Sykora, Sr. of Omaha SOlllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 15
died 5-25-09. He was a proud member of
the International Brotherhood of Electrical SCHOOL NEWS Gutheri e Publi c School s where he was a
substitute teacher. He moved to Schuyler
Workers Union, Loca l #22. BOOKS NEEDED FOR SHS in 1997 and was the head Soccer Coach for
LITERACY LIBRARY the boys fo r 12 years, th e assistant Footba ll
1968- Yvonne B. (Kiminsky) Zuroskc of coach for six years, and the head Football
Omaha died 6-09. If you have cl ass ics, westerns, romances, Coach for six years. The Schuyler Warriors
1969-John Kinsella of Carter Lake died novels or short stories you no longer reached football playoffs for only tbe sec-
4·1-09. need, you can help the South High ond time in 22 years in 2007 w ith a 4-6
1970-David R. M inarik - died 4·09. Literacy COllullittee collect books for record. The 2008 Distri ct Champ ionsh ip
1972-Paul Douglas Gardner of their library. Call Lee C orbett at team had a 9-2 record! He was selected to
Plattsmouth, NE died 1-09. Paul died 557-3651 or 73 1-5695 or e-ma il her at serve as an Assistant Shrine Bowl coach in
peacefully at home surrounded by family. li [email protected] and she w ill Ju ly, 2009 for the North w ith two Schuyler
pick up bags or boxes full of your donat- players on the fi eld.
His death was due to inj uri es from a vehi - ed books. Otherwise, drop them at the
Al umni Assoc iation offi ce and we w ill Coach said he was excited to move to
cle accident that occurred 4-7-07. He had a arrange pick up when we collect a stack SHS because of the opportun ity to build a
distinguished and enjoyable career with of books. sllccessful footba ll program for the school.
First Data Resources where he worked as a Bes ides this challenge, he enjoys the urban
Systems Analyst from 1987-2008. Liz Hoff, a j unior at SHS who plays bas- envirolUnent and the myriad of activities
1973-Patricia Lynn Miller of Omaha died ketball for the Nebraska Red Dawgs, a our city offers. In addition to his coaching
6-24-09. wheelchair basketball team that competes duties, he will head the Phys ical Education
1975-James "Jim" Benedict Beam died in places such as Denver and Minneapolis, Department, teach we ight lifting and serve
3- 16-09. was featured in an OW~H article on 2- 14-09 the adm inistrati on. His philosophy. of
1977-Brian Belik died suddenly 8- 1-08 of as a good role model for her peers. Liz, teaching and coaching is to prbv ide an
a brain aneurism. He enjoyed reading the who has cerebral palsy. is multi-talented as env ironment which makes it fun for the shl-
Tooter and was proud of SHS. she also appeared in "Rythmology" (a dents and provides them skill s to ensure
1982-Michael Clark di ed 3-09. blend of Blue Man Group, Stomp and healthy lives in the fuhlre.
1982-Ernest "Ernie" C. Storm of Omaha Barrage) wru ch was presented 3-26, 3-27
died 2-09. and 3-28-09 at SHS. She said she enjoys His hobbies are go lf, indoor soccer and
1983-David J . Sanders of Sarasota, FL both the athletic competition and the acting. weightlifting. He believes in physical fit -
died 4-12-09 as a result of an automobile Congratulations alld best 0/ fli ck in fhe ness and plans to pass on this beli ef to the
accide nt. fill /Ire! sllldents of SI-IS.
1984- Laura Pierce was slain on 1-3-09
during a robbery of the convenience store WELCOME NEW FOOTBALL We look forward to watchi ng our
at 33'" and G Streets where she worked. COACH FRED DOSCHER Packers play on the new stad ium fi eld this
Her pastor described her as gentle and kind, upcom ing year with Coac h Doscher leadi ng
and another friend said she had a great big, Born in them. Welcome!
fo rgiving heart. Patchogue, Long
1991-Ronald J. Andersen, Jr. of Omaha Island in NY, (a CONGRATULATIONS
died 12-08. lovely riverfront vi l- CLASS OF 2009 SHSAA
1992-Michael Lopez of Omaha died lage about 55 miles SCHOLARSIDP WINNERS!
11-15-08. east of Manhattan)
2003-Tomeeka Jenkins of Omaha died Coach Doscher Rebecca Kalskett - Fern Watanable
unexpectedly 12-22-08. graduated frolll B usiness Scholarship; Sara M~\gnotta -
Patc hogue-Medford Fern Watanable Scho larship;
IN MEMORIAM FRIENDS OF SHS High School in 1990. He earned degrees in Molly Frederickson - Dave Powell
Physical Education/ Health and Coac hing Scho larship ; Nicholas Sempek - Mudra
Helen Alice Lubsen was featured in our from Okl ahoma State Univers ity in 1996, Family Scho larship; Jordan Love - Judith
last issue as she celebrated her 100th birth- and hj s Masters in Curriculum and
day. We send our condolences on the death Instm ctional Technology in 2005 from Peru
of his mother in March 2009 to Bob State. He also met his wife, Joan, a 1995
Lubscn-1959 and family. graduate frol11 Schuyler, Nebraska at
F.E. "Fritz" Stanek was a friend to SHS Creighton Univers ity while they were all
and all of South Omaha. He served on the spri ng break. They have two children -
Omaha Public School Board for nearly 34 Johu , age 4, and Lily, age 1.
years and was a passionate defender of the
schools. He went to Assumption Grade He began hi s soccer coaching career in
School with his future wife Alice Vodicka Sti ll water, OK; and served as assistant bas-
Stanek-1952 and they were married for 54 ketball coach fo r 7th and 8th grade girls at
years. He died of non-Hodgkin 's lym-
phoma at age 74 and wi ll be missed by the •
entire community.
Lawrence Fagan of Omaha died 4-26-09.

PAGE 16 SOlllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER

alum Betty Volenec-1965, who gave them RETIRED TEACHER
a personal tour of southern Manhattan. UPDATES
Everyone had a wonderful time, and it was
truly one of the many opportunities unique By Joanne Placek Sokalsky
to students at South High Magnet School.
This trip was supported in part by the SHS Roland Heinrichs - Music teacher at SHS
Alumni Association, and all of the students fTom 1954 to 1984 - turned 86 this May.
and sta ff who attended send a hemtfelt Happy Birthday!
"thank you" for your support of the magnet
programs, the ir students, and statT at South Betty Norton - Assistant Principal and
High! Counselo r in the 1980s - and Jay Ball-
SHS Footba ll Coach unti l 2007, were mar-
ried 11-28-08. Betty is now retired and
works at Huntington's Learning Center.
Jay is now the footba ll coach at Central
High Schoo l.

Gary Caldwell - Social Studies teacher at
SHS in the I960s. He moved to TAC to
become Social Stud ies Supervisor for OPS.
He died 2-17-09 at age 74.

Henggler Spohr- Students were Brandon Baratta, Andy Mary Ann Knappenberger -
Kearney Scholarship; Cervantes, Jennifer Cruz, J.J. Ferguson, Paraprofess ional in Business Department,
Lauren \Vilcox - Alek Fisher, Jared Flanagan, Jaris died 4-4-09. She retired a few years prior
Shirley Cain Garcia, Jerry Geho, Lisa Gerdes, Trisha to her death.
Memorial; Joseph Gurnett, Gaby Hernandez, Mayra
Risenberg - Shane Jacobo, Brock Johnson, Natalie OTHER RETIRED
Kielion Memorial Kammerer, Grace Diaz, Emily Martinez, TEACHER NEWS
Scholarship; Michelle Martinez, Matt DaSilva,
Savannah Peters - South High Alumni Francesca Perotta, , Allison Smith, Billy Willis Brown-writes, "I was a teacher and
Association Scholarship; Zack Wilcox - Smock, Ashli Underwood, Shay footba ll coacb at SHS from 195 1-1 960. I
South High Alumni Association Valentine. Chaperones were Joshua moved to San Jose, CA in 1960 and was a
Scho larship; Araceli Reyna Padilla - Austin, Jennifer Brown, Charnella Milns high scboo l teacher and counselor unti l I
Soulh High Centenni al Scho larship; and David Weisser ret ired in 1991. I sti ll have a home in
Candice Greenhagen - South High Omaha where I spend the fall. I enj oy the
Centennial Scho larship; Amber Mulligan - • TOOTER."
Roy SmithlSHS Alumni Scholarship
(Softball Girl). Barbara Sorenson Moshier - Business
Education- Englisb teacher in tbe late 1950s
SHS STUDENTS VISIT at SHS - moved to Indianapoli s after mar-
THE BIG APPLE rying Fred Moshier fifty years ago. They
have two manied sons, Jeff (an architect),
By Dave Weisser - 1998 - South High and Scott (Health In fonnation Company),
Magnet School Drama Department and two grandsons. Barb worked 27 years
for the Cannel Schools in several admi ni s-
On 5-27-09 a group of 23 South High tJ'ati ve capaciti es and retired five years ago.
Magnet students and five chaperones She was coordinator of a student exchange
departed from Omaha to visit New York program w ith Osaka, a sister city in Japan ,
C ity. The trip was part of the unique mag- and has traveled to that country 14 times.
net offerings for Arts and lnfonnation Barb and Fred have both faced some health
Technology students. Attendees represented problems over tbe years, but moved to a
students invo lved in dance, visual arts, the- bome tbey love where their front door
atre, voca l and instrumental music, film, opens upon the golf course.
and infonnation techno logy. Whil e in New
York City, the students experienced all the
city had to offer, including its many muse-
ums, landmarks such as the Statue of
Liberty and the Empire State Building, as
well as Broadway perfonnances. As a spe-
cial treat, the group was joi ned by SHS

RETIRED TEACHER SPOTLIGHT SOll/h High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 17
- FEATURE STORIES
Span ish," Jackie explains, "and she o ne time, she said six student teachers were
MS. JOANNE (pLACEK) SOKALSKY (Joanne) wou ld meet with me during the teaching at SHS and several others were in
day or after school" to serve as a mentor. other positions in Omaha Public Schools.
By Judy Sebron Yacio Jackie adds she had "the honor of having
Joanne as a teacher during her student From 1959- 1962, before she was mar-
Joanne was at teaching semester under Ms. Giitte r and ried, Joanne spent 12 weeks each summer
SHS so long that again when she became a full-time Spanish living with a famil y in Saltillo, Coahuila
alumni readily teac her." Mexico where she earned her Master of
accept her as one of Arts Degree. She said she fe lt that she "had
us, and she is often This wri ter was also a fonner student died and gone to Heaven" and that except
invited to attend during Joanne's student teaching days, and fo r the very stressful work of writing a the-
alumni gatherings. fondly recalls her enthusiasm for her teach- sis and defendin g it orally in Spanish in
She began her 44· ing profess ion. Joanne became a friend front of a panel of professionals, "this
year teaching j our- who attended my wedding several years experi ence was without paralleL" She
ney as a business teacher after graduating after I gradu ated from SHS. She always recollects the joy of learning an entirely
with a BS degree from Omaha University had a pleasant sm il e and made learning different culture and lifestyle. She also
(now UNO) with majors in Spanish and enjo yab le. smil es when she ~members trying unsuc-
Business. cessfull y to introduce some U.S. customs to
During her 44-year career, Joanne served her Spanish friend s. Whenever she saw
She fondly recalls student teaching at as a cooperative teacher to at least 36 soda on a menu, she thought that meant
SHS in September 1957 "with the fabulous teachers. Her most interesting student "ice cream soda." However, whenever she
Alice Giitter." She said tb'1-t student teach- teacher was the first one who was assigned ordered a soda, she received a bottle of
ing was supposed to be only one daily class to her when she began her th ird year of "pop." She fina lly explained to the
period, but she had such a marvelous expe- teachi ng. While the gentleman had request- Hispan ic peop le that a soda was both pop
rience that she arranged her college classes ed Alice Giitter " because everyone wanted and ice cream . The next time she ordered a
so she could spend the enti re day at SHS. Ms . Giitter," Dr. Krebs assigned him to soda, she received a bottle of pop and a
During her second semester of student Joanne Placek. She reca lls that she " did d ish of ice cream. Obviously her Spanish
teaching, she was assigned to Central High. not dare voice any objections to Dr. Krebs servers never quite understood that the ice
As soon as her one class period was fin- about how inadequate an experience this cream was supposed to be placed inside the
ished at Central , she hurried to spend the would be for the student teacher." Joanne glass with the pop. Another time she said
remainder of the day at SHS, essentially explains thai " for some unexplained reason, that on her "mamci ta 's" birthday, she and
giving her an entire year of student teach- known only to God and Dr. Krebs," the other students living in the house decid·
ing with Packer students. Upon graduating, Anthony Soka lsky thus became her first ed to take the host fam ily out to dinner at a
she was offered a position as a Spanish student teacher. She remembers him as a lovely restaurant. "Mamacita cried for
teacher at Benson, but she was adamant very fonnal gentl eman who fluently spoke hours because to her that meant we didn 't
about teaching at SHS since she had grown eight languages and read and understood enj oy her cooking," Joanne said.
up in South Omaha, a place she describes four others. He was from Europe and had
as having a "diverse, cultural populati on." spent World War II fleeing from the Nazis in 1966, Joanne received a National
and Russians. He was in a disp laced per- Defense Educational Act Scholarship to
A Spanish teaching position at SHS did sons ' camp and spent the post war years on study at the University of Salamanca,
not exist in 1958, but she readily accepted a construction crew in Austria repairi ng St. Spain. She describes this as a response to
Principal Richard Krebs' offer to teach Stephan 's Cathedral and the opera house in the Russians putting Sputnik into orbit in
shorthand, typing and office training her Vienna, two of hi s many assignments. She 1957 and the U.S. finding that "our people
first year. During her planning periods, describes Anthony 's time as her student here in the USA were woefully lacking in
however, she worked with Ms . Giitter in teacher as one "of dismay" and said her knowledge of foreign languages," so the
the Spanish classes. During Joanne's sec- stress leve l soared to new highs and govemment sent American students abroad
ond year, she blissfully accepted the oppor- remai ned there throughout the semester. If to study. Former student Betty Ganem
tunity to replace Dr. J ean Bressler who you caught the student teacher 's last name, W idoe recalls that Joanne "made Barcelona
had moved from Spani sh into English. She you will realize that he became Joanne's come to life for me, and it is sti ll on my
remained as a Packer Spanish teacher until husband as they began dating and were 'bucket li st' to visit because of her."
June 200 I. Even with her Spanish duties, marri ed in 1972. She sa id Anthony shared
she was willing to fill in with shorthand, with her later that he decided "to go with In 1971, Joanne and Dr. Helia Pico
typing and office training classes or English the flow and not request a change" and began a chapter of the National Spanish
as needed but she concedes that Spanish decided to stiek it out with her as his coop- Honor Society at South which continues to
has always been her first and true love. erating teacher. They often saw each other thi s day. Joanne says she "is extremely
at professional conferences and foreign Ian· proud" of this organization . At the Spring
Former student Jackie (Schultz) Casper guage meeti ngs and finally decided to get 2008 initiation, five fonner members of the
lovingly offers that Joanne is well deserv- married. Society are currently teaching at SHS and
ing of the Alice Buffet Outstanding Teacher are sponsors andlor supporters of the group.
Award she earned in 1992. Jackie describes After his graduation, Anthony was hired
her as a "kind, compassionate, thoughtful by Bellevue Public Schoo ls where he In additi on to the coveted Alice Buffet
lady who served as my mentor when I taught Spani sh, Gernlan and World History award, she has garnered several other hon-
attended UNO." "My minor was in until hi s death in 1984. After Anthony, stu· ors incl uding the American GI Forum, a
Star Award fro m the Nebraska Foreign
dent teachers became the norm fo r her. f.-t Language Teachers Association, and several

PAGE 18 SOlllh High Schoof ALUMNI TOOTER taught debate as a Packer instructor. He
then became a counselor and subsequently
sentries in Wh o Who Among American ist rator and corporate executive." He also the director of guidance at SHS. He served
sTeachers. Who Wh o recipients are nom i- credits Da le with help ing him see both SHS students from 1953- 1969. He said his
sides of an argument and how to advance reason for leaving SHS was due to "disillu-
nated by fanner students. She readily adds one's posi tion. He sa id that "without ques- sionment with the modular scheduling pro-
that her "biggest awards are to see fOllncr tion, Dale Marcum had a transformat ive gram that was introduced at Burke and SHS
students make good in their lives, whi chev- effect on my li fe." Jack echoes such acco- as an experiment in 1967." Both schools
er direction this may take, " lades as he describes his "fo ndest memories later dropped the program. Dale then
of SHS to include some of the great teach- began a two-year stint serving as a student
In addition to teaching, Joanne said her ers we had. Dale Marcum is certainly one personnel counselor working with problem
church activities have always been espe- of them, if not the best." Jack had Dale as a shldents throughout OPS. He joined the
cially important to her. She served as secre- teacher in his coll ege prep advanced history "new" Bryan High School staff as director
tary of her Parish Counci l for 12 years and class and describes Da le as "a great of guidance in 197 J.
has taught Sunday Schoo l classes and pre- teacher." Jack said when the class was
pared young people to make their First studying World War II , Dale wore some of When asked about special memories of
Communion . Upon retirement in 200 I, she his ribbons and posed as a guest speaker. South Omaha, he recaU s that in 1939 when
and three other tcachers organized the He describes Dale as "always available to he was 15. he got a job driving hogs at the
retired fema le staff members to enj oy two ta lk to you about anythi ng. As a counselor, stockyards for $5 a week. He adds that
yearly luncheon meetings. Male teachers he was invaluable in his advice about fur- money was scarce at his house during the
had organized such a group for many years. ther schoo ling and the future. He will Depression years and he wanted to keep hi s
Eventually, the two groups decided to meet always be my favorite teacher from high job. His mother went to see SHS Principal
together in April and October to "keep cur- sc hoo l. " Ralph Marrs to ask if he would allow Dale
rent on each others' li ves. " Never one to be to arrange his schedule to attend classes
idle, Joanne is currently a member of the Dale returns favorab le comments on after 10;30 a.m. Dale's stockyard job was
Omaha Education Association, Nebraska both former students. He shares that from 5 to 10 a.m. Mr. Marrs consented
State Education Association, and Nati onal "James Melsa was a good debater of mine. allowing Dale to work that schedule for 3
Education Assoc iation in addition to serv- I wrote to him to congratulate him when he
ing as secretary of Kappa Kappa lata, a was inducted into the SHS Mall of Fame." Yz years until graduation in March 1943.
professional teachers' group. Retirement As for Jack, Dale recalls that he was in his
allows her to "enjoy doing what I want, special history class for bright students. (South was on the quarter system at the
when I want, and fo r as long as I want. " Jack went on to serve in Vietnam and had time.)
Students who were blessed to have this both legs blow n off by a mine. He lauds
dedicated teacher and friend come into their Jack for learning to ski and being very Dale recalls that hi s classmates were
lives all want her to do just that: enj oy li fe instmmenta l ill initiat ing sporting events kind enough to elect him vice-pres ident of
to the fu ll est. around the world for phys ica lly handi- the senior class and "the teachers were gen-
capped athl etes. So the special bond with eraus enough to select me to be the boys'
MR. DALE MARCUM these two and other students remains strong speaker at graduation. At that time SHS had
By Judy Sebron Yacio in Dale Marcum 's life. a girl and a boy try out to become speakers
at graduation. " He thinks SHS sti ll uses
When fanner stu- Dale's high schoo l academic career start- that system as one of his sons was the boy
dents still describe a ed at SHS in 1939. He and wife Maxine speaker in 1972. A high li ght of hi s Packer
teacher as "the best" (Hines) Marcum atten ded SHS at the same teaching days occurred after Sputnik (when
50 years later, one time (1939- 1943). Dale recalls that with the USSR beat the USA into space). He
realizes that a special 4,000 shldents, they never met. Their first explains that our country was putting
bond was forged encounter was when he was on discharge emphasis on identifying bright students to
between teacher and leave from the Navy after WWTI at the become engineers and scientists. He con-
student(s). Both Jim Chennont Ba llroom in March, 1946. Their tinues, "Dr. Ricbard Krebs, Principal, and
Melsa-1956 and marriage has produced fo ur additional I attended a week-long conference at the
Jack Benedick-1 960 Packer alumnj; Mar k, Scott and Kirk University of Colorado for the purpose of
readily describe Da le Marcum an d Christine (Ma rcum) identifying bright youngsters. Dr. Krebs
Marcum as one who had a most favorable Burkman. Dale proudly states, "All four pemlitted me to identify brilliant students
impact on their lives. Jim, who is in the of our chi ldren were provided with good and schedule them into one of my
SHS Hall of Fame and was the Dean of the educations at SHS." All fO llr have been American history classes for juniors. I'm
College of Engineering and professor of upstanding contributing citizens to their sure all those students were smarter than
electrical and computer engineering at Iowa community. Mark served in the Navy dur- me, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with
State University, remembers hi s sophomore ing Vietnam and is now retired from the them. A number of students from that class
year. He said, "I was in speech class and U.S. Postal Service. Kirk has been a prac- eventually became eng ineers. doctors and
was scared ' spitless' to stand in front of the tic ing dentist for 30 years, while Scott and lawyers."
class and give a talk. " He credits Dale Christ ine were educators.
Marcum and the SHS debate program with Dale maintained an active role in the
transforming him into a confident, art icll- Dale earned his Bachelor's and Master's Omaha Education Association and counsel-
late public speaker. Jim adds that thi s skill degrees from Omaha Uni versity in 1950 ing organization. When he retired in 1988.
has been of " immense value in my careers and 1953. He embarked on hi s teaching he joined forces with fanner Packer teacher
as a university educator, educati onal adm in- career in Iowa and after three years arri ved George Wildrick to fonn the first OEA
retirement organization and served on its
•at SHS. He was a history teacher and al so

SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAG E 19

board for many years. J-Ie now participates SLOPPY JOE'S JITNEY LUNCH RECIPE FOUND!
in the semi-annual lunches in the spring
and fa ll every year for retired SHS teachers In our last issue we asked for the Sloppy Joe Recipe served at the jitney lunches. Marilyn
but admits "that since I left SHS 39 years (Lane) Gillen~1 966 kindly sent the recipe from the Lefle r Methodist Church Cookbook,
ago, some of the more recent retirees are whe re she enjoyed jitney lunches of Sloppy Joes. They walked to the church s ince there
strangers to me." was not enough room in Madison School to accommodate ali the grades at the same time.
Ruth Kozel is listed as s ubmitting the recipe to the cookbook committee.
As for a career in teaching, he says it is
still "an honorable profession but not easy 22 Ibs. ground beef
with the cultural decl ine" in our country. 16 (one lb.) cans of red kidney beans (drained and mashed)
His daughter Christine was a teacher until 3 qts. Ketchup
she started to rear her fami ly. His son Scott One 46 oz. can of tomato juice
retired from Benson High School two years One (#2-1 /2 cans) of tomato paste
ago after serving as a teacher and head 1.1 /2 teaspoon of mustard
wrestling coach. Just possib ly there are 2 teaspoons of chili powder
future TOOTER articles about the impact 4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
the younger Marcums have had on their 3 Ibs. of onion - diced
fonner students' lives? Salt and pepper and a few sprinkles of sugar

BEHIND THE SCENES Saute ground beet and onions. Then combi ne all ingredie nts in a large heavy kettle.
Simmer about one hour. More seasonings may be added. Serves approximately 250.
By Helene Elsasser-1968
What do these 13 SOBs and SOGs SPORTS CORNER

Alwuni Packers have in common? They Send itS your news (and piclures ifpossible) aboul y Ollr hole in Olle, pel/ecI bowlillg
are all co-workers with the best part-time
job for entertainment venues at the game, the mOlilltaill yolt climbed, the race YOIl WOII, elc.,
QwestlCivic Auditorium . These alumn i so we call share YOllr success with your school alulIIlli!
(retirees, semi-retirees or still working)
have good old-fashioned South 0 work GOLF
ethics. They share memories of the
decades. The Packer lineup includes Steve Cavlovic-1 950 had a hole in one on Friday, 6- 19-09 at
Cramer Galloway-1956; Janice (Vasek) Shoreline with a 135 ya rd drive on the 1 2'~ hole using a 9-iro n.
Hanna-1957; Ike Pane-1957j Eileen Witnesses were Dave VanMetre, Tony Fucinaro and Andy Hunter.
(Sempac) Crinkl aw-1957; Don Pecha- Congratulations Steve!
1962; Bev (DeCarlo) Hazuka-1963;
Lonnie Bernth-1963 j Sherry (Stuwa rt) CoUin- 1961 won the Women's Go lf Association's Handicap
Pecha-1964; Sheri (Bright) Mosley-1964; TOUrr,.111e",t. Marge led a fi eld of 120 wOlUen golfers in the two-day
Carol (Matula) Whitney-1964; J ack
"John" Monzingo-1967; Helene Elsasser- played on the Isabell a and Cortez Golf Courses on 6-4 and
1968; Angelo Perry-1958 and Jim Bayley- 11-09 in Hot Springs Village AK. Congratlllations!
1973.
BOWLING
Another Recipe from the SHS Kitchen
Frank Koubsl..y-1957 bowled the bowlers dream game. a 300, on 3-
CHICKEN FRICASSEE 31-09 at Mockingbird Lanes in Omaha in the Thursday Seniors
League. C01lgratulations. Frank!
3 cups cooked chicken
1/2 cup onion, chopped ALUMNl BOWLING TOURNAMENT WINNERS
1-1/4 Ibs. cooked carrots Men With Averages - Rich Ghyra - 1st game 230; Tom Gomez - 2001 game 280; Tyler
1/8 cup pimentos, chopped Cary - 3" game 267; Ryan Frank - series high 675.
1 cup peas Men WithQut A\'~ - Barnes Chandler, Jr. - Ist game 222: Steve
Horscheir - 2- game 198, 3" game 214; series high 589.
Chicken gravy: Women With Averages - Joan Welsh - I ' game 191; 2- game 153; 3111
1·1/4 cups butter game 156; series high 500. See photo to the right.
1 quart water Women Without Av~ - Kathy Brown - I" game 138; Reah
1·1/4 cups flour Dalton - 2- game 189 and high series 446; Nancy VOhOTH 3" game
1 quart milk 129.
1·1/2 tablespoons chicken base Congratulations 10 all!
1/4 teaspoon thyme

Dice or cut chicken and place in layers in
9 x 13 pan. Layer peas, carrots, onions and
pimentos over chicken. Prepare chicken gravy.
Add to chicken mixture, mixing genlly.
Warm in slow 250 degree oven for no longer
than 30 minutes. Serve over whipped potatoes
or rice.Serves 16.

PAGE 20 SOlllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER

Ed "Sonny" Svoboda, Alumni 1958 and Greg Spevak, Alumni 1965
Inivite You To Attend The

2ND ANNUAL OCTOBER
BIG BAND AND POLKA FEST
FUNDRAISER FOR THE SOUTH OMAHA SOKOLS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009
AT SOUTH OMAHA SOKOL HALL • 21ST AND U STREET

6 hours of continuous music· 1 P.M.-7 P.M.

Again Featuring Two Great Bands
Ed "Sonny" Svoboda's Red Ravens

from 1 to 2; 3 to 4 & 5 to 6

Greg Spevak's 9 Piece Orchestra
from 2 to 3; 4 to 5 & 6 to 7

Food & Beverages will be available for Purchase
ADMISSION:$7 Per Person - Children Are Free

2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

9-19-09 Hall of Fame Brunch al the Livestock Exchange 12-12-09 6th Annual SHS Craft Show~ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at 10 a.m. Tickets must be purchased through at South High School
the Alumni office, call 402-738-9493. Cost 525.

3-27-10 Fifteenth Annual SHSAA Bowling Shoot-out al
Mockingbird Lanes. More information and
9-25-09 "Tie One On for Education" Scholarship registration form in the Spring 20 10 TOOTER.
Fundraiser - see reservation form in this
TOOTER for silent auction and dinner at The 3-27-10 Fifteenth Annual SHSAA Spaghetti Dinner at
Thompson Center, UNO Alumni House located Sokol Hall South Omaha. More infonnation in
at 67" & Dodge Street. Cost S50. the Spring 2010 TOOTER.

10-10-09 Board of Directors Meeting - 9:30 A.M. Alumni ALL ALUMNI AR.E WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO
Association Office. ATTEND ANY AND ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES. PLEASE

10-23-09 Homecoming Football Game - Omaha South vs NOTE SOME OF THE EVENTS REQUIRE TICKETS
Creighton Prep at Collin Field at 7 PM. AND/OR RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE. PLEASE CALL
Complimentary ticket in this TOOTER. THE ALUMNI OFFICE - 4021738-9493 IF YOU PLAN TO

10-28-09 Packer Greats Sports Hall of Fame at ATTEND A BOARD MEETING OR IF YOU HAVE
Anthony·s. See registration fonn in this TOOTER. QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE EVENTS.
$35 ticket - contact the Alumni Association.

•

I

r------------------- ,4" x8" brick - $75 each minimum donation SOll,h High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 2 1

Please print SHS SPORTS GREATS BANQUET INVITATION
.'1/ ? '\Jjw
Name'________________________ Join us for a fun-filled evening
Maiden if Applicable'_______________ '/.; f' ,~';\
Address_____________________ on October t8, t009 at 6:30 P.M.

City'_______________State_ _ ~ For a wonderful dinner and program
Zip Code'__________ honoring the 2009 Sports Greats Inductees.
Class Year if Applicable'_ _ _ _ __
. J ' l Cost $35 - Check Payable to Sports Greats Committee
Send check or money order to: South High
School Alumni Association Name'____ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
5082 South 107 Street - Omaha, NE 68127
You are allowed a maximum of 48 characters Address_ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
(3 rows with 16 characters per row).
Characters include spaces and punctuation - City, State, Zip,_ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
110 symbols please.
Please copy this form for your friends and rel- Telephol1e_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ __
atives or for multiple brick orders.
Print clearly and exactly what you would like E-Mail Address,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __
engraved on your brick in the boxes below.
SHS Class Year (if Applicable)'_ _ __ AmOl1l1t Enclosed $_ _ _ __
ONE BRICK PER FORM PLEASE.
You may also use you credit card for Alumni Tickets, I wish to be seated
mth: _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

,11111111 111 111111, Please return completed foml by October 14,2009 to:
Sports Greats Committee· South High School Alumni Association
~-------------------~ 5082 South 107 Street - Omaha, NE 68127. Questions, call 4021738-9493.

'TIE ONE ON" For Education

The South High School Alumni Association, a 50 I(c) (3) organization, has collected signed ties and
other clothing items from celebrities such as movie stars, musicians, pol it icians, sports stars and
Omaha's own Warren Buffett. We have asked for autographed items so we might auction them to
t he highest bidder at our scholarship fundraiser dinner to be held on Friday, September 25,2009 at
the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Center at 60th and Dodge Street in Omaha, Nebraska.
No host cocktails and silent auction begins at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. fo llowed by an
oral auction. All funds from the dinner and auction wi ll benefit needy seniors at South High School.
Contact the Alumni office for reservations - 402/738-9493.

C ity, State & Zip Code._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Phone #.________
E-Mai l Address,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I enclose $,_ _ _ for ___ tickets at $50 each for the following attendees:

Note: $35 of your payment is for the cost of the dinner, and the balance wi ll be cred ited as a donation.
Cost for table of ten is $500. Ticket deadline is 9-4-09. Please note if you wish to be seated with others.

We are a 50 I(c) (3) charitable organization. You may also use your cred it card for Al umni tickets.

I

PAGE 22 SOlllh High School ALUMNI TOOTER

•

......,- • ••

•

S .OUTH HIGH SCHOOL ·

CR AFTSHO~

BENEFITTING SOUTH HIGH BAND
& S OCC ER TEAMS

DECE~BE R .. 2 • 9 A.~.-~ P.~.

,'",' AD~ ISSIO N $ " . 0 0

" 4:;"9 SOUTH 2 4TH STREET

""

,-'-

NEED CRAFTERS:
CALL DEBBIE AT ~46-B697

------------------ - - ---------------------------------- ----- ---~

NEW CLOTHING ITEM - RED COTTON T-SHIRTS

_ _All RED Cotton T-shirts w/SOB printed in White $10,00 Ea, $,_ __
(South Omaha Boy printed in black lettering)

Note: Add $5 to your order for postage & handling for one item, plus $3 for each additional item,

My check (payable to SHSAA) is enclosed in the amount of $_ _ _ __

(which includes shipping and handling fees of $ ),

For a credit card purchase order, fill out the information below:

Type of card - VISA / MC (Circle one)

.Name"on card: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ CC#: _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __
.,'\'[
'~', ,

,fo,l',/" .

)'xpirat,J,pn,.date of card: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

, ~" ~ • <

Billiilg Address: _---:-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _--"_
I .!:~~.

l.Your signature: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date: _ _ __ _ _ _ _---''-'-'-

I

. -------------------- -------------------~------------- -------- -

SOllth High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 23

2009 SPAGHETTI DINNER ENJOYED BY ALL 2009 GOLF TOURNAMENT
IN FULL SWING

•

ALUMNI TOOTER Non-Profit Org.
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION U.S. POSTAGE
5082 SOUTH 107 STREET
OMAHA, NE 68 127 PAID
(402) 738-9493 OMAHANE
RETURN SERVICE REOUESTED Permit No 1652

I•S I•S

Your
ooter!

p----------------------------. Editorial Board

I "NIGHT OF THE PACKERS HOMECOMING GAME" I Judi Koubsky, Editor
Carmela Brooks
I COMPLIMENTARY TICKET I Sue Gouger
I I
Judy Sebron Yacio
: Friday I
I Proofreaders
I October 23, 2009 - 7pm I Denny Koubsky
I Omaha SHS vs. Creighton Prep I Vicky DeCoster
I
I Collin Field I Marge Collin
I 20" and L Street

I ALUMNI & FAMILY WELCOME I

~------Pl-eas-e cu-t o-ut-you-r c-om-pli-me-nta-ry -tick-et-(A-BO-VE-) --- --~
for the October 23, 2009 Homecoming Game

Visit our website at omahasouthalumni.org
Our E-mail [email protected]

I