ANNUAL LOTTERY WINNERS Congratulations to the winners of our 2022 Lottery. $3000 Prize: Gary Vlasnik-1961 $1000 Prize (2 winners): Rose (Kaczmarek) Jensen-1973; Ann Marie (Wiater) Hintz-1965 $500 Prize (3 winners): Linda (Rosenbaugh) Wallis-1971; Robert Patten-1964; Bernie Kaminski-1962 Thanks to everyone who supported SHSAA through this fundraiser! See previous winners at www.OmahaSouthAlumni. Upcoming com/lottery. EVENTS Bowling Party .................... March 25 Hall of Fame ........................... April 29 Packers Give ......................... May 24 Golf Classic ............................ July 30 In T his ISSUE 500 Club ................................................. 4 AlumNotes ............................................ 18 Bowling Party .......................................... 3 Centenarian Corner ................................ 18 Digital Yearbooks .................................... 6 Engraved Bricks .................................... 20 Golf Classic ............................................. 7 Hall of Fame ............................................ 3 In Memoriam ......................................... 21 Lottery ..................................................... 1 Memorabilia Donors ............................. 20 Packers Give! ......................................... 10 Reunions ............................................... 14 Scholarships .......................................... 11 School Update ...................................... 12 Sports Greats .......................................... 8 Teacher Projects .................................... 13 VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2023 The Voice of the South High School Alumni Association Omaha South High School AlumniTOOTER 2023 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Five outstanding alumni will be inducted into the 2023 SHS Hall of Fame: former Douglas County engineer Tom Doyle-1948, retired OPS educator Dr. Jim Vincent-1963, bank senior executive Craig Wilkins-1976, neuroscientist Dr. Cerise Elliott-1995, and engineer Kim (Bunz) Cowman-1999. The Distinguished Administrator Award will be presented to Dr. Roni Huerta. The Community Award will be presented to the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA). See page 3 for event and RSVP details. 2022 PACKER SPORTS GREATS We honored our 2022 Packer Sports Greats at Millard Social Hall on 10-19-22. Our thanks to Rick Benak for MCing the event! See page 8 for more pictures and inductee bios. Pictured above (L-R): Bill Wichita, Contributor Award recipient; Rolly Yost, accepted his uncle Ray Yost-1939’s award; John Jennings-1985; Ron Bernth-1963; Coach Jack Oholendt; Ralph Aranza-1955, Merit Award recipient; Marty Kramolisch, accepted his dad Louis Kramolisch-1950’s award; and Billy Loera-2010.
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Association NEWS Welcome 2023! With the new year we are excited to start our 31st year as an association. We are making several changes to our events calendar this year. We start off with our bowling tournament on March 25, 2023. We have moved this event to Maplewood Lanes because this venue has four extra lanes for our attendees. We had to turn away bowlers last year, so we hope this move will allow additional teams to get involved. Our Hall of Fame ceremony is being moved to April 29, 2023, at Cascio’s Steakhouse. Instead of a brunch, it will be a luncheon. Check out our announcement on the next page. The Packer Sports Greats induction is being moved to September 13, 2023 and will also be held at Cascio’s. This change is so inductees and the celebration can be extended to include a home football game. The annual pasta dinner will not be held this year. Instead, we are going to host a Halloween party on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Further info is forthcoming. I cannot thank everyone enough for your continued support through our fundraisers and your contributions. With your support, we continue our funding of scholarships, special teacher requests, and supporting the staff and teachers throughout the year. Your donations last year funded 31 scholarships, as well as helped with the following: A trip to a regional dance competition for the Luvabulls Dance Team; money to help purchase equipment and entry fees for the powerlifting team; funding for the cross country team to attend camp, and to purchase running shoes; purchase of books for the reading club; purchase of gift cards for the Positive Packer Reinforcement program; funding trips to Iowa Western and Kearney for future college students; funding for Educators Rising to attend the national conference in Washington, DC – to name a few. We also have stepped up our support of the teachers and staff by hosting a back-to-school pancake breakfast; Valentine’s Day popcorn party; and Teacher Appreciation Day with a coffee bar. FROM OUR PRESIDENT, Carole Safley-1976 MARCH 3-1 Packers 500 Club (pg. 5) Membership sales start 3-1 Spring TOOTER mailed 3-25 Bowling Party (pg. 3) APRIL 4-12 Alumni Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Alumni Office 4-22 SHS Community Clean-Up 4-29 Hall of Fame (pg. 3) 4-30 Packers 500 Club Membership sales end SHSAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY 5-1 Senior Awards Ceremony 5-3 Teacher Appreciation Day 5-24 Packers Give! (pg. 10) 5-25 SHS Graduation JULY 7-12 Alumni Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Alumni Office 7-30 Packer Golf Classic (pg. 7) SEPTEMBER 9-13 Packer Sports Greats 2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 3 Spring EVENTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION Starting this year, the SHS Hall of Fame has been moved to April. Our 2023 inductees will be honored at an induction luncheon at Cascio’s Steak House on Saturday 4-29-23 at 11:30 a.m. Advanced reservations are $30 per person and required in advance by 4-21-23. Make your reservation now at the Alumni Office or at www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/HallofFameRSVP. Inductees will be highlighted in the 2023 Fall Alumni TOOTER. Full inductee bios and pictures can be found now at www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/HallofFame.
Page 4 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Packers 500 CLUB Congratulations to the 2022-23 Packers 500 Club winners for September 2022 through February 2023! Upcoming winners will be listed online at www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/500Club. Please note, because we had over 500 members, prize amounts were adjusted in accordance with Nebraska State Gaming Commission rules and regulations. Thinking that you would like to see your name on our winner’s list? Now’s your chance! Membership sales for the 2023-2024 Packers 500 Club are open now until April 30, 2023. See the next page to join. AND THE WINNERS ARE... SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY Thank you to those in red who generously donated some or all of their prize money back to the Alumni Association!
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 5 WHAT IS THE PACKERS 500 CLUB? The SHSAA PACKERS 500 CLUB is a fun and exciting way to support SHSAA! It is a calendar club fundraiser that gives club members the opportunity to win cash prizes every month for 12 months! For just $60 you can become a member in our 6th annual PACKERS 500 CLUB. That’s just $5 a month! EVERY month ELEVEN PACKERS 500 CLUB member’s names will be drawn for cash prizes, giving PACKERS 500 CLUB members 132 chances to win! You do not have to be present to win. *If less than 500 memberships are sold, cash prizes will be reduced to reflect NE State Gaming Commission rules and regulations. WHO CAN JOIN? All Packer Backers, friends and family (18+) can join. Multiple memberships per individual are permitted. You may even purchase a membership for someone else: your children (over 18), parents, grandparents, etc. HOW DO I JOIN? Memberships can be purchased by mail, in person, or online at www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/500Club from March 1 through April 30, 2023. Complete the PACKERS 500 CLUB Membership Form and mail it with your check to the Alumni Office (address on form below). Monthly PACKERS 500 CLUB winners will be announced the first Saturday of each month June 2023 through May 2024. Winners will be immediately listed on www.OmahaSouthAlumni. com and notified by phone. All members with email addresses will receive a monthly winner email. Winners will also be announced in the Tooter, Alumni eNews emails, and on Facebook. Support SHS Alumni Association and South High, join the PACKERS 500 CLUB! Buy your membership NOW to secure your chance to win monthly cash prizes! If 500 memberships* are sold, the ELEVEN monthly prizes will be: 1 - $500 | 1 - $300 | 1 - $200 3 - $100 | 2 - $75 | 3 - $60 THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF SHSAA DEPENDS DIRECTLY UPON THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR PACKER BACKERS. DON’T WAIT! JOIN NOW! Packers 500 CLUB
Page 6 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Association NEWS DIGITAL YEARBOOKS Two more yearbooks are now available digitally online. This leaves just 14 books needing sponsors. Once a book is sponsored it will be opened for all to view. At the time of this issue, 82% of our yearbook collection has been sponsored. That means those SEVENTY-SIX books are available now at: www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/yearbooks! Interested in sponsoring a yearbook? A one-time sponsorship of $200 will ‘unlock’ that yearbook so it can be viewed by all. Contact the Alumni Offi ce at offi [email protected] or go to www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/yearbooks for more info. 2006 Jak Kudlacz -2006 2002 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 UNSPONSORED YEARS 2015 2016 2017 2000 Geoffrey Rodenbarger -2000 2018
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 7 REGISTRATION FORM
Page 8 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Packer SPORTS GREATS 1963 | BASEBALL/FOOTBALL High School Honors • Ron earned eight letters in baseball and football while at SHS • Part of the 1960 state championship runner-up and 1962 baseball teams • Was on the 1963 metro football championship team Post High School • Attended Omaha University (now UNO); graduated with BS/MS/ES degrees. Lettered in baseball 4 yrs. • CIC champions; played at NAIA Small CWS in 1965 (2nd place) and 1968 (4th place) RON BERNTH Complete bios & event pictures online! www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com 1939 | FOOTBALL / BASEBALL BASKETBALL High School Honors • 9 letters: baseball, football, basketball • Starting pitcher; all-city champions, state qualifi er • Starting quarterback; rated as a best Intercity kicker • Starting point guard; all-city runner-up; state qualifi er Post High School • Served in the US Army as a paratrooper during WWII • Married his SHS sweetheart Pearl; had two boys, Marty & Jay • CYO Basketball champs; pitcher for both baseball & fast pitch softball • Lou passed in 2012 LOU KRAMOLISCH 1985 | FOOTBALL / TRACK BASKETBALL High School Honors • Basketball: all-divisions and all-state Honorable Mention 1984-1985; 16.7 points/game and 11.5 rebounds/game (5th) • Track: competed at State 1983-1985 in 800m and Triple Jump, Triple Jump (48.6”) 1985 state runner-up • Football: all-divisions 1984, still holds record for longest interception for TD-88 yds Post High School • Attended UNO: Bachelor of Applied Science focused in Social Work • Attended Luther Rice College & Seminary & Beulah Heights University • Pastor at Rock of Salvation Christian Ministries in GA • Married to Trinita and has three daughters & one son JOHN JENNINGS RAY YOST 1950 | BASKETBALL High School Honors • 3 letters: basketball • 1949-50 Intercity League “hook shot artist of the South team” & scoring champion (132 pts) • 1949-50 OW-H All-State Basketball team • Every NE Boys Basketball All-State Selection of All Time: OW-H, 5-16-2018 Post High School • While studying sociology at Creighton University • Lettered 3 years: frosh team scoring champ (216 pts) • One of the fi rst 2 players to score 1,000 Bluejay pts • Left CU as the single-season scoring mark owner • Joined US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant; was a 82nd Airborne paratrooper, left as a 1st. Lt in 1958 WANTED! SPORTS GREATS NOMINEES Nominate them now at www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com. Click on Best of the Best and then Sports Greats to start the nomination process! Nominations due by April 1st.
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 9 2010 | SOCCER High School Honors • 2009 - 2nd Team All-metro • 2010 - 1st Team All-metro; 1st Team All-state (OWH) & 1st Team Class A; 1st Team Class A (LIS) • Set a state record of 37 career shut-outs Post High School • Studied computer and information systems at Bellevue University • Played soccer for Bellevue University. • Currently works at Hudl and coaches at Evolution Soccer Club. • Volunteers as a youth soccer coach at multiple organizations over the last 14 years. BILLY LOERA While at South, Ralph earned 9 letters in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating, Ralph earned his bachelor’s in education at Peru State where he lettered in baseball and football. In 1962, he obtained his master’s in education at NW Missouri State University. While teaching P.E., Spanish and Drivers Ed in New Market and Hamburg, IA schools, he also coached football, basketball, baseball and track. He coached one AllSouthwest Iowa football player and three All-Southwest Iowa basketball players. His 1974-75 basketball team was the SW Iowa Class 1A Champions (21-1). In 1985, he received the Junior High Coach of the Year from the Iowa Coaches Association. He is married to Kathleen (Moore)-1955; they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. RALPH ARANZA - 1955 MERIT AWARD 1984 BOYS GYMNASTICS Class A State Champions Team Roster: FRONT ROW (L to R): John Stonys, Buddy Benak, Harry Godfrey, Rob McLaughlin and Bob Seefus. BACK ROW (L to R): Coach Richard Beran, Andy Leonard, Steve Cahoy, Joe Sousa, Assistant Coach Denise Moore. Induction Attendees: (L to R): Denise Moore, Steve Cahoy-1985, Rob McLaughlin-1986, Joe Sousa-1984, Bob Seefus-1985, Buddy Benak-1986 and Harry Godfrey-1986. Jack started at South High in 1974 teaching P.E. and coaching JV wrestling and reserve football. He became varsity head coach in 1977 and held that position through 1995. In his second year at South the students voted him Teacher of the Year. Jack helped coach South to metro champions in 1976. As head coach, he led the team to district champions in 1983 and 1984. He was named the Metro Football Coach in 1977 and took the team to the state play-off quarterfi nals in 1983. Jack was also named as an assistant Shrine Bowl coach in 1983 and was named as the head Shrine Bowl coach in 1985. COACH JACK OHOLENDT 2022 INDUCTEES While not a graduate of South, Bill has become an “adopted” alum. For the past 16 years, Bill has been the SHSAA’s landlord, leasing two of his bays to the association for a more than generous cost. He recently replaced all the facade and updated our signage. He also made sure an ADA accessible ramp was put in for ourvisitors. Bill’s generosity has provided the association with a great facility that not only helps with keeping our business costs down, but also allows us to continue our serve to our alumni, South High, and the South Omaha community. BILL WICHITA CONTRIBUTOR AWARD
Page 10 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Packers GIVE! CONTACT SHSAA Alumni Office 5082 S. 107th Street Omaha, NE 68127 (402) 738-9493 [email protected] Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Alumni Office Staff Tony Huerta | Karen Braun TOOTER Designer / Webmaster Jen Kracher Website www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com Facebook SouthHighAlumniAssociation SHS Representatives SHS School: (402) 557-3600 Jodi Pesek, Principal Julie Johnson, Assistant Principal Dr. Roni Huerta, Assistant Principal
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 11 Alumni SCHOLARSHIPS In the past 31 years, just under one million dollars in scholarships from the Alumni Association have been awarded to SHS seniors. A good portion of those scholarships are funded by donations. Listed below are the types of scholarships that can be established with the SHS Alumni Association. ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS Annual scholarships are awarded each year to students in the full amount that is received from the donor. A minimum $500 contribution is required before the scholarship can be awarded in a donor’s name. These also include memorials donations for a specifi c person that amount to at least $500. ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS Endowed scholarships provide continued support for SHS students. A minimum $5,000 in contributions is required before the scholarship fund begins to be awarded. Endowment funds are invested and a portion of the earnings are awarded each year. An agreement between the Alumni Association and donor is developed for each scholarship to determine how it will be awarded. They can be named for an individual, a family, a class, or in memory of an individual. If they like, donors can even hand out their scholarship to the senior recipient during Senior Honors Night. Contact the Alumni Offi ce for more information on starting a scholarship. CLASS SCHOLARSHIPS Class scholarships are donated by SHS graduating classes. Classes will either collect donations from their classmates during their reunion or reunion committees donate a portion to all of their event profi ts. THANK YOU! We want to thank all our scholarship donors over the years. The most recent list of awarded scholarships can be found online at www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/scholarships. 2022 NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS LCpl Carl Burgdorf (SHS-2014) Memorial Sheila Little Cain (SHS-1953) Memorial* Joseph D. Connell (SHS-1941) Memorial General Leo Dulacki (SHS-1936) Memorial* Judith Henggeler Spohr (SHS-1959) Margie Krakowski Speck (SHS-1940) Memorial* Moravec Family Memorial Nancy Mudra (SHS-1962) Family* Curtis & Stephanie (Maloney) Mushlitz-1975 Lily Ann Dvorak Ogden (SHS-1941) Memorial* Alberto Rodriguez Memorial (by Jerry-1987) Joe Semin (SHS-1981) Family Joanne Placek Sokalsky Memorial Fern (Miyeno) Watanabe (SHS-1941) Memorial Robert Fitzsimmons (SHS-1956) Memorial Carlos Barrientos (SHS-1965) Family * endowed scholarships 2022 CLASS SCHOLARSHIPS Class of 1961 Class of 1966 Class of 1968
Page 12 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER PAGE 3 School UPDATE The return to school this past fall was that much closer to normal than it has been in the past couple years. Here are a few of the awesome things that have happened at South since the last Tooter issue. Homecoming royalty were recognized in September. Contestants were Estrella Rodriguez Bernal, Dana Vazquez, Ashley Guatemala-Ortiz, Zahid Falcon, Cesar Jimenez, Maritza Quebrado-Arcos, Teliyah Varoz, Sulan Soto, Jose Lora Amador, Katrina Parker, Niña Casal, and Mariana Corona. Gold winners were Zahid Falcon and Cesar Jimenez. Silver winners were Niña Casal and Mariana Corona. Runners competed in the dark against 30 teams in the Olathe KS Twilight Run. Highlights include Sergio Martinez running the 2nd fastest junior time in SHS history (16:02) and Charlotte Gregor (20:20) running the fastest sophomore time in SHS history. Sergio’s time is currently ranked 8th in the State. Yenifer Juan moves up to 8th on the all-time senior list, and Sofi a Benavidez posts the 7th fastest freshman time in her 2nd race of high school. In October, a group of students attended the Latino Summit in Columbus, NE. Students spent the day listening to motivational speakers and getting to know people from other schools. Eric FuentesMerino and Alondra Molina-Alfaro were awarded scholarships. South alumni and current students performed at the Holland Performing Arts Center as part of the Project Harmony’s 25th Anniversary Gala. Adelita Torres and Cameron Barona made the NMEA All State Band as French Horn players. JROTC member David Guzman took fi rst place marksman in the Marksmanship Championship Match at Burke High. Fifty teams from 20 schools competed in the Tom Dickey Memorial Robotics Tournament in October. The South High dance team, La Fuerza, performed at the Bellevue Dance Academy’s Christmas celebration. Volleyball players Nina Casal, Karina Calderon, and Jazmin Garcia-Alvarez each earned All State and All Metro honors for their achievements as students and as athletes for the fall season. Football players Alex Tapia, Leo Armas, Daniel Espinoza, Jesus Estrada, Aric Thomas, Dylan Sheard, and Daeshawn Tolbert each earned All Metro honors for their achievements as students and athletes for the fall season. Aric Thomas, Dylan Sheard, and Daeshawn Tolbert also earned All State honors. The Ambassadors show choir competed at the Mt. Zion (IL) Midwest Invitational. They came in as 3rd runner up. Mariana Hernandez won the outstanding soloist award and Mekhi Payne was awarded an outstanding performer. In February, OPS held their All-Army Annual Drill Meet. SHS Freshman Drill, Varsity Drill Team, and Armed Regulation Drill Teams were all awarded 1st place. They also received three Best Commander awards. Go Pack! The Alumni Offi ce gives !
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 13 Teacher PROJECTS Every year SHS teachers and staff are invited to submit their ideas for funding for innovative projects or special requests. The SHSAA Board of Directors reviews all applications with the goal of funding as many impactful projects that touch as many students and teachers as possible. Many of these great ideas fall outside South’s budget parameters and will not happen without outside help. SHSAA is happy that, with our generous supporters, we are able to turn these ideas into realities. Here are the approved 2022 teacher special project requests: • Provided funding for Luvabulls regional dance competition • Provided funding for the Positive Packer initiative • Provided funding for power lifting equipment and entry fees • Provided funding for new staff lanyards • Provided funding for new shoes for Cross Country team PANCAKE FUN! In August, the SHS Alumni Association welcomed teachers and staff back to school with an appreciation breakfast. Our *Flippin’ Awesome* teachers and staff were served breakfast of pancakes by the Pancake Man, sausage, and fruit cups. A raffle of gift cards and fun prizes was held for all who attended. YOUR FUNDS AT WORK SHSAA and Judith (Hennegler) Spohr-1959 provided funding for the Luvabulls to travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota in to participate in the Spirit of America Regional Dance Competition and brought home first place in Intermediate Hip Hop!
Page 14 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Reunion TIME lllllllllll 1955-Monthly lllllllllll Classmates meet at 12:00 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the GI Forum (20th & N St.). RSVP not required. All South classes welcome! Contact: Mary (Fahey) Cabral at [email protected]. llllllllllll 1957-Annual llllllllllll An annual gathering will be Saturday 9-23-23 at Legends Patio Bar & Grill-Aksarben (6920 Pacific St.) at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12:30. Details on cost and RSVPing will be on www.OmahaSouthAlumni. com/1957. Contact: JoAnn (Pospishil) Pechar at [email protected] or text 402-598-6627. lllllllllllllllll 1958 llllllllllllllll At the time of printing no plans for a 65 year reunion had been communicated to us. Please check for updates at www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1958. Contact: Angelo Perry at [email protected]. llllllllllllllll 1961 lllllllllllllllll There will not be an annual gathering in 2023. llllllllllllllll 1963 lllllllllllllllll A 60 year reunion will be 6-9 & 6-10-23. A casual gathering on Friday evening 6-9-23 will be at DAV (4515 F St) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. No charge, snacks and pizza provided; cash bar available. A cocktail hour (cash bar), dinner and dance on Saturday evening 6-10-23 will be at Marriott Regency (10220 Regency Cir) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $60 per person. Invites were mailed; RSVP to SHS Class of 1963, 1503 S 25th Ave, Omaha, NE 68105. Visit www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1963 for a link to the full invitation. Contacts: Helen (Earnest) Gladfelter at 402-391-3220 or helenrglad@gmail. com; Ann (Hoffman) Allen at 402-680-0870 or [email protected]; Candy (Fahey) Rezac at 402-733-6788 or [email protected]. llllllllllll 1964-Annual llllllllllll An annual gathering will be Friday 6-23-23 at Darby’s Tavern (6503 Sunshine Dr.) at 6:00 p.m. Pizza and wings will be available for purchase. Check for updates at www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1964. Contact: Betty (Parish) Stern at bettylstern@gmail. com or text 402-639-3803. llllllllllllllll 1965 lllllllllllllllll A rescheduled 55 year reunion will be Saturday 9-16-23 at DAV (4515 F St.). Check for updates at www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1965. Contact: Carol (Brandt) Daley at [email protected] or 402-657-0439. llllllllllll 1966-Annual lllllllllllll An annual gathering will be Saturday 9-30-23 at DAV (4515 F St.). Check for updates at www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1966. More details will be shared this summer. Contact: Micki (Weber) Zbylut at [email protected] or Hilda (Feiste) Gurwell at [email protected] or 402-578-2509. llllllllllllllll 1968 lllllllllllllllll A 55 year reunion will be Friday, 8-25-23 at Sons of Italy (1238 S 10th St) at 6:00 p.m. More details to come including cost and mailed invitations. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1968 for updates. Contact: Janet (Velehradsky) Raddish at 402-669- 0332 (call or text) or [email protected]. llllllllllllllll 1973 lllllllllllllllll A 50 year reunion will be Saturday 7-22-23 at the Aspen Room (9809 M St.) from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $50 per person in advance or $55 at the door and includes an open bar and dinner. Official invitation with RSVP details coming soon. Reservations and checks can be sent to: 50th Class Reunion, P.O. Box 390422, Omaha, NE 68139. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1973 for updates. Contacts: Jerry Cherek at gfcherek@cox. net, Therese Olechoski Stewart at [email protected], or Linda Kroeger Byrd at [email protected]. 2023 REUNION COMMITTEES! Please contact the Alumni Office ([email protected] or 402-738-9493) with your reunion details. We can push those details out to your classmates. Take a group picture of ALL your classmates in attendance and email it to office@ omahasouthalumni.com. We will share it on social media and put it in the next Alumni TOOTER! Photos of smaller groups at reunions will be added to AlumNotes as space allows. CLASS REUNION PICTURES
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 15 TIME FOR A REUNION? LET US HELP! Class Lists Mailing Addresses | Deaths | Email Option Promote TOOTER | Facebook | Website | Emails Non-Profit Mailing Rate for Reunion Communication Meeting Space for Reunion Planning If you are in charge of your class reunion, let us know! Visit www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com and click on Reunions. Fill out the Reunion Planning Form and we will get you a class list, update your class page, promote print and digital media and answer any questions. PICTURE BACKDROP The Alumni Office has a 8’x10’ Packer photo backdrop. If your reunion committee would like to inquire about using it, please reach out! Reunion TIME llllllllllllllll 1978 lllllllllllllllll A 45 year reunion will be Saturday 7-29-23 at the Knights of Columbus (4323 Washington St.) from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Details on cost and how to RSVP will be out soon on www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1978. Contact: Bill Baburek at [email protected]. llllllllllllllll 1983 lllllllllllllllll A 40 year reunion will be the weekend of 9-8-23. On Friday 9-8-23 all are invited to an event under the GI Forum Pavilion (20th & N) at 6 p.m. BYOB or cash bar inside. Pizza and snacks will be provided. Saturday 9-9-23 at 11 a.m. there will be a school tour. Additionally, they are looking forward to their 45th year in 2028 and are planning a cruise open to all alumni! Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni. com/1983 for updates. Contacts: Diana (Knapp) Marshall at [email protected] or Lisa (Andrlik) Muschall at [email protected]. llllllllllllllll 1988 lllllllllllllll Plans are being discussed for a 35 year reunion in July or August, but at the time of printing details had not yet been finalized. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1988 and their Facebook group “Omaha South High Class of 1988” for updates. Contacts: Mary Kosiski-Flynn at [email protected] and Tammy Evans-Morris at [email protected]. llllllllllllllll 1993 lllllllllllllll Plans are being discussed for a late summer/early fall 30 year reunion, but at the time of printing details had not yet been finalized. Check www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1993 and their Facebook group “Omaha South High Class of 1993 OFFICIAL Reunion Group” for updates. Contact: Jose Flores at [email protected]. lllllllllllllllll 1998 llllllllllllllll At the time of printing no plans for a 25 year reunion had been communicated to us. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/1998 for updates. Contact: Laura Pike at [email protected]. lllllllllllllllll 2003 llllllllllllllll At the time of printing no plans for a 20 year reunion had been communicated to us. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/2003 for updates. Contact: [email protected]. lllllllllllllllll 2008 llllllllllllllll Plans are being discussed, but at the time of printing, details for a 15 year reunion had not yet been finalized. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni. com/2008 for updates. Contact: Laney Lafferty at [email protected]. lllllllllllllllll 2013 llllllllllllllll A 10 year reunion will be Saturday 6-10-23. Location TBD. Check www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/2013 for updates. Contact: Jennifer (Alquicira) Reyna at [email protected]. lllllllllllllllll 2018 llllllllllllllll At the time of printing plans for a 5 year reunion had not been communicated to us. Check www. OmahaSouthAlumni.com/2018 for updates. Contact: we have no contact info for this class. 2023
Page 16 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Reunion TIME The Class of 1959 had their 63 year reunion in September. The classmates attended the event at Legend’s Patio Bar and Grill-Aksarben. Attendees: Carolyn (Pipal) Bonner, Clarence Butler, Shirley (Kojdecki) Casey, Larry Cerney, Larry Covalcius, Don Daubert, Pete Faur, Mary Ann Grace, Denny Graves, Dick Gregg, Margo Hathaway, Sandra (Etter) Heskett, Sharon (Barr) Jacobson, Alex Josoff, Jack Kersigo, Richard Kirby, Jack Kiscoan, Jan Kratky, Kay (Krebs) Kronholm, JoAnn (Wolfe) Lemley, Bernard Lorkovic, Robert Lubsen, Robert Marcelino, Nick Mickells, Tom Moore, Julie (Hron) O’Doherty, Mary (Benak) Page, Shirley (McGeorge) Rech, Grace (Velez) Romero, Sharon (Klepper) Schneidewind, Glenda (Elliott) Sempek, Judith (Henggeler) Spohr, Beverly (Balters) Stuart, Tom Towey, Phyllis (Richards) Trumble, George Vlasak, Ed Vlasek, Emile Volquartsen, Donald Wieczorek, Elaine (Akromis) Wolfe 1 9 5 9 The Class of 1987 had their 35 year reunion last fall at Paddy McGowns. 1 9 8 7 The Class of 1992 had their 30 year reunion last fall. Even with the scheduled homecoming game being cancelled and weather wrecking their other plans, the Class of 1992 persevered with their reunion. Friday night was DJ’s Dugout for dinner and Brickhouse for drinks. On Saturday they had a school tour and went to Chops Bowling Alley that evening. On Sunday some gathered at Roman Coin and others at the Dam Bar. We had tons of fun and lots of reconnecting. 1 9 9 2 CLASS GIFTS llllllllllllllll 1959 lllllllllllllll Class of 1959 donated $200 for a teacher special request. llllllllllllllll 1967 lllllllllllllll Class of 1967 donated $67 towards the scholarship fund. llllllllllllllll 1977 lllllllllllllll Class of 1977 donated $500 towards a fine arts scholarship from their 45 year class reunion llllllllllllllll 1982 lllllllllllllll Class of 1982 donated $1,070 for a scholarship from their 40 year class reunion. Thank you to the reunion groups who generously contributed to SHSAA Scholarships via class gifts!
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 17 Your ALUMNI OFFICE The business side of the South High Alumni Association is handled out of the SHS Alumni Office. The ALUMNI OFFICE has standard daily hours that it is open EVERY week! Come see us Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We are located at 5082 S. 107th St (right off 108th & Q). The ALUMNI OFFICE staffs two part-time employees who both graduated from South! Tony Huerta-1969 is there Monday through Wednesday and you’ll see Karen (Blythe) Braun-1971 Wednesday through Friday. The ALUMNI OFFICE handles hundreds of emails and calls from alumni every year. The alumni database is updated daily with changed addresses, donation acknowledgements, and Packer deaths. The ALUMNI OFFICE houses an Alumni Store. Alumni merchandise (including SOB shirts and hats) are available for purchase in person or online: www.OmahaSouthAlumni.com/Store. The ALUMNI OFFICE has a rentable ALUMNI ROOM for events. The ALUMNI ROOM is an event space available for alumni to rent. The ALUMNI OFFICE has a storage room filled with South High archives. Archives date back to the early 1900s and are in the process of being cataloged. THE SHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HAS AN ALUMNI OFFICE THAT IS READY TO SERVE YOU! THE ALUMNI DATABASE TRACKS OVER 37,000 ALUMNI DATING BACK OVER 100 YEARS! THE SHS ALUMNI OFFICE IS ONE OF VERY FEW OPS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI OFFICES.
Page 18 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 1967-James Eisenhardt has been Vice President for Education at the Omaha Playhouse for almost 20 years. At Awards Night last August, he joined Henry Fonda, Dorothy McGuire, Mary Peckham and Dick Boyd in having an award named in his honor. The Youth Acting Award will now be the Jim Eisenhardt Outstanding Youth Award. He was very honored that two of his former students and current Playhouse staff members, John Gibilisco and Kathy Tyree, did the presentation. 1967-Bernadette (Hoffman) and husband, Rick Wooldridge celebrated their 55th anniversary on 1-27-23. 1969-Carl Lee Hudson is a Federallyrecognized Southern Cherokee Indian who has been included in Marquis Who’s Who as Principal Chief Hudson. Prior to dedicating himself to the Southern Cherokee Government, he worked as a hypnotherapist and past life regressionist, a private detective, Boy Scout leader and honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. lllllllll 1970s llllllll 1970-Pamela (Johnson) and Gerald Smith-1969 celebrated their 50 year anniversary on 6-17-22. 1970-Anita (Huerta) Rojas is celebrating 51 years in healthcare in the nursing field. AlumNOTES CENTENARIAN CORNER ALUMNI ELVES Every year a dedicated group of Packer alumni elves put together holiday gifts for hundreds of assisted living residents in South Omaha. This year 300 gift bags full of fun treats were assembled. They were taken to St. Joseph Tower Assisted Living, Hillcrest Mable Rose, and Hillcrest Health Service. Thank you to all who donated items, helped assemble the bags and delivered to each facility. Alumni elves included: (front L-R) Evelyn (Woodard) Winther-1972, Sharon Kracher, Judy (Renner) Storm-1974, Candy (Fahey) Rezac-1963, Alice (Janulewicz) Kunes-1964; (back L-R): Ruth Rodel, Julie (Riha) Diehm-1966, Dean Winther, Bev (Kutz) Hoschar-1966, Carole Safley-1976, Bev (Forman) Riha-1964; not pictured: Jen Kracher. 1934-Rose (Vlcek) Regner, South’s oldest alum, turned 106 on 12-9-22. 1936-Genevieve (Sobczyk) Bosiljevac is 104. 1937-Edna (Hilderbrandt) Schoessler is 103. 1938-Louis Breci turned 103 in December. 1938-Anna (Burda) Kassal turns 103 in June. 1938-Leota “Lee” (Ruff) Brown is 102. 1939-Elizabeth (Ziemba) Passanisi is 102. 1938-Veronica (Hahne) Hefflinger is 102. 1936-Florence (Niksich) Rezek turns 102 this March. 1939-Ella (Bentz) DeVol is 101. 1939-Margaret (Lehmer) Elliot is 101. 1941-Mary (Slavik) Christen is 100. 1 2 lllllllll 1930s llllllll 1937-Edna (Hilderbrandt) Schoessler celebrated her 103 birthday on 7-22- 22 with a cool 103 cake! 1939-Ella (Bentz) DeVol sent in a centenarian questionnaire - we will highlight her in our next issue! lllllllll 1950s llllllll 1959-Denny Graves and wife, Dee, celebrated their 60th anniversary on 8-25-22. 1959-Dick Gregg and wife, Georgia, celebrated their 60th anniversary 9-15-22. They celebrated with family and friends including their 2 children, 3 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. lllllllll 1960s llllllll 1963-Robert “Bob” Kocourek and his wife Janet, celebrated their 50th anniversary on 6-3-22 with a trip to the Czech Republic, Vienna and Salzburg, Austria. They also celebrated with their 4 children and 4 grandchildren. After 35 years, Bob retired from MUD. They have traveled the world and are looking forward to their 60th reunion. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 LET US KNOW! If you are a Packer Centenarian or know of one, and they are not on the above list, please drop us a line and let us know how they are doing! OUR SYMPATHIES Lydia (Bovick) Seely-1939, passed away in August at the age of 104. Our thoughts are with her family as they celebrate her remarkable life. 11 12
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 19 1974-Mike Kerby was inducted into the Nebraska Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame last fall. Captain Kerby, former Commander of the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy, retired from NE State Patrol in 2013 after serving 35 years. 1976-Mary (Jensen) Stanek generously donated gorgeous floral arrangements for the 2022 Hall of Fame last September. Our 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony was graced with the above retired teachers: Kevin Barratt, Sherri Rohlfs Moyers Macht, Ann Underriner, Distinguished Teacher honoree Jim Faiman, Marjorie Waterman and Dr. Pat Salerno. AlumNOTES Some of the Class of 1989 had a 33 year get together last September at the MVP Lounge. REMEMBERING MARY LOU JACKSON Last September, former South High vocal music instructor, Ms. Mary Lou Jackson, passed away. Mary Lou came to South in 1984 after Tech High closed. During her 17 years, she led the Ambassadors, choirs, handbells, and was the vocal music director for the theater productions. She left a huge impression on the countless students who had the pleasure of having her. “There are people who help shape who you are as an adult, and she is without a doubt one of those people. The amount of love, support, and dedication she gave her students is immeasurable. She made you feel important, safe, and special. She pushed you to be your best person, whether that was in a performance or in life.” -Kevin Miracky-1995 “She was a second mother to so many of us. She challenged us to go just outside of our comfort zone, breathe deep, and do our best. The energy that she brought to class daily was immeasurable and the inspiration she instilled in as many of us as she could reach was enough to last a lifetime.” -Natalie R. Adams-1992 “I remember Mary Lou leading, she always got that little hip shake and foot tap going! Music has been and will always be an important aspect of my life thanks to her.” -Angel Albertson “I can’t even begin to explain the impact this one special teacher had on me. She helped me discover talent and confidence that I never knew was inside of me. I am beyond blessed to have had her for 4 years. To this day, I get many compliments on my clarity and diction when singing and can only thank her for constantly drilling pronunciation in our heads. She was truly one of a kind.” -Heather (Koch) Boozikee-1995 1978-Jim Hartung was inducted into the OPS Athletic Hall of Fame. Along with a long list of other accolades, Jim competed in the Olympics in 1984 where he won a gold medal with the US team. He was inducted into the South High Hall of Fame in 2001 and into the South High Packer Sports Greats in 1998. llllllll 1980s llllllll 1981-Shelley (Wynn) Lee and husband, Randy, celebrated their 40th anniversary 8-28-22 with family & friends at South Omaha Eagles Club. llllllll 2010s llllllll 2015-Cassidy (Lee) and Jesse Crowley-2015 generously donated drum equipment to the South High performing arts program. llllllll 2020s llllllll 2021-Wawa Palga has committed to play soccer at the University of NebraskaOmaha. Wawa spent the last two years playing for Iowa Western Community College where he won the 2021 NJCAA national championship. He was part of South’s state championship team in 2021. Class of 1977 holiday potluck and white elephant gift exchange! Front: Lori (Myers) Barrio, Candee (Miller) Rocha, Pam King. Middle row, Teresa CooleyDaniel, Grace (Baez) Salvo. Back: Mark Martinez, Mary (Hazuka) Petersen, Terry Barrio, George Tasich, Sam Albino, Patty Rasmussen, Debbie Campos. lllllllll Staff llllllll Cara Riggs, former South principal, was inducted into the 2022 OPS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Page 20 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 Memorabilia DONORS THANK YOU! We would like to thank everyone who donated memorabilia to the association’s archives! 1932-Stella (Sabutis) Mickeliunas, 1932 Tooter by her son, John Mickeliunas-1975. 1942-Martha (Grgurich) McDonald, her Student Council pin from the years 1938-1942. Martha, who is 98 years young, visited our office with her daughter, Pam, to personally give us this pin. 1948-George Strnad, Jeanne (George’s wife) donated a red pencil from 1940 with the football schedule on it, sponsored by the Pep Club. Also donated a 1992 National Honor Society program listing Cheryl (Leutzinger) Buda-1994. 1950-Lilian Komor, a 35th year reunion picture and a wooden table decoration. 1950-Wayne Siegel, his 1949 Metz American Legion City Champs jacket and hat. 1952-Virginia (Swertzic) Kriegler, her 1951 & 1952 yearbooks, commencement program, 50th reunion memorabilia & group pictures. 1959-Brenda (Elliott) Soukup, 1956, 1957, and 1958 Southite yearbooks belonging to Brenda and her husband, Lee-1959. 1959-Ray Vodicka, through niece Mary (Jensen) Stanek-1976, donated raffle prizes for 2023 events. 1961-Barbara Power, 1960, 1962, 1963 and 1964 yearbooks. 1964-Don Stevens, a set of golf clubs & cart for the SHS golf team. 1966-Mitch Emery, a red & white SHS beanie from his 1963 freshman year. 1967-Sara Sheets, Jr. Varsity cheerleading, Pep Club, and Orchestra/Band emblems, the 1966 yearbook supplement, achievement certificates, Ambassador’s 1967 performance schedule and group picture. 1975-John Mickeliunas, his South High #33 JV basketball jersey from 1973-1974.
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 21 lllllllllllllll 1930s llllllllllllllll 1937-Libbie (Mikovec) Cook of Omaha, 8-11-22. 1939-Gerda West of Omaha, 12-12-21. lllllllllllllll 1940s llllllllllllllll 1940-Gretchen Winheim of Omaha, 11-21-19. 1942-Lois E. (Gamerl) Hassett of Omaha, 1-15-23. Survived by children James-1971, Penny Larson-1963, Paula McIntosh-1967 and Lois Estabrook-1978. 1942-George E. Mach of Omaha, 10-17-22. 1943-Angeline (Colabello) Sterner of Lahabra, CA, 5-14-21. 1943-Viola (Maass) Doerneman of Bellevue, NE, 7-19-22. 1943-Ethel L. (Norton) Cooke of Papillion, NE, 11-8-22. 1943-Elsie (Roza) Cernik of Lincoln, NE, 6-25-21. 1943-George Sneed of Greene, IA, 9-26-21. 1944-Irving Epstein of Omaha, 12-25-22. 1945-Ross Pisci of Omaha, 11-23-22. 1945-Donna (Walters) Mortensen of Colorado Springs, CO, 2-4-22. 1945-James Wilson of Moscow, ID, 5-25-22. 1946-Jeanne (Bancroft) Buskirk of Lawrence, KS, 3-28-22. 1946-Darrell Mudra Sr. of Tallahassee, FL, 9-20-22. Survived by brothers Rudy-1953 and Emil-1960. 1946-Patricia (Schuette) Bonacci of Omaha, 12-31-22. 1947-Joseph Frank of Omaha, 9-13-22. 1947-Rose (Gaube) Knutzen of LaVista, NE, 8-17-22. 1947-Louise (Gloeb) Overfelt of Omaha, 9-30-22. Survived by children James-1972, Alan-1975, Mike-1984, Alice Bunz-1968, Nancy Dahlgren-1969, and Luanne Brightweiser-1986. 1947-Ann (Hazuka) Hudecek of Bellevue, NE, 10-21-22. 1947-Charlotte (Kluson) O’Brien of Highlands, CO, 8-19-22. 1947-May A. (Kunes) Bojanski of Louisville, NE, 12-6-22. 1947-Donna (Pogge) Kennedy of Phoenix, AZ, 2-13-13. 1947-Eugene Staroska of Omaha, 9-29-22. 1948-Thomas D. Doyle of Omaha, 8-6-22. 1948-Betty (Eipperle) Mohr of Omaha, 9-27-22. 1948-Mary Jean (Elvers) Stuehm of LaVista, NE, 11-22-22. 1948-Lorraine (Getzschman) Williams of Omaha, 10-20-22. 1948-Edward Larsen of New Castle, CA, 2-17-22. 1949-Samuel Albino of Omaha, 7-10-08. Survived by siblings Ann Falco-1949 and John-1965, children Samuel-1977, Phillip-1978, Matthew-1986 and Thomas-1988. 1949-John P. Brennan of Omaha, 11-13-22. 1949-Robert Elmore of Spokane, WA, 9-14-21. 1949-Geraldine (Elseman) Erftmier, Pierce of Omaha, 7-14-22. 1949-Theresa V. (Urzendowski) Wetherell of Omaha, 12- 22-22. 1949-Betty (Wischmeyer) Olson of Omaha, 9-7-22. 1949-Dorothy (Yelinek) Richard of San Jose, CA, 11-11-21. lllllllllllllll 1950s llllllllllllllll 1950-Bernice (Loves) Davis of Omaha, 11-28-22. Survived by sisters Marilyn Duros-1954, Jeanette Franklin-1955 and Dorothy Loves-1956. 1950-Bohumil “Bo” Jirka of Omaha, 10-10-22. 1950-Louis D. Lamb of Spring Branch, TX, 11-18-22. 1950-Joseph Mandina of Omaha, 9-2-22. 1950-Cecelia (Povonda) Rynazewski of LaVista, NE, 10-7-22. 1951-Dorothy (Armburst) Allison of Omaha, 1-12-23. 1951-Richard “Dick” Benson of Omaha, 1-24-23. 1951-Dolores G. Peterson of Omaha, 1-15-23. 1951-Beverly (Price) Bidrowski of Omaha, 12-9-22. 1951-Patricia (Stephens) Kraft of Omaha, 11-26-22. 1951-Lucille C. (Sudyka) Kesigo of Omaha, 10-29-22. Survived by son Mark-1972. 1952-Jesse Cardenas Jr. of Omaha, 10-27-22. Survived by brother George-1961. 1952-Rita (Goeken) Tyree of Papillion, NE, 1-8-23. 1952-Shirley (Mesenbrink) Drey of Omaha, 12-29-22. 1952-Walter “Wally” Smith of Omaha, 8-14-22. Survived by children Mary Mohr-1979, Christine Rhoades-1982, William-1973 and James-1974. 1952-Patricia (Wajda) Kavaliauskas of Omaha, 11-3-22. 1953-Marvin Bailey of Omaha, 11-18-22. 1953-Luanne (Blessie) Lindquist of Front Royal, VA, 1-2-22. 1953-Margaret (Brosnihan) Susnjar of Omaha, 11-29-22. 1953-Frances (Brown) Thomas of Omaha, 11-24-22. 1953-Shirley A. (Gaube) Racek of Omaha, 12-30-22. 1953-Mary Ellen (Kocanda) Flott of Ralston, NE, 1-20-23. 1953-Helen Melentovich of Omaha, 11-4-22. 1953-Joyce (McNurlin) Hellbusch of Bellevue, NE, 8-03-22. 1953-Raymond Williams of Omaha, 1-29-14. Survived by son Raymond Jr.-1973. 1954-Shirley (Ham) Roberts of Omaha, 10-19-22. 1954-Louis R. Prchal of Plattsmouth, NE, 10-16-22. 1954-Mary Lou (Shaffer) Battaglia of Omaha, 11-20-22. 1955-Robert Knutson of South Bend, NE, 1-14-22. 1956-Joanne (Bruner) Mauer of Mediapolis, IA, 10-12-22. 1956-Jack Gross of Hawthorne, FL, 9-21-21. Survived by siblings Tom-1960 and Ann Dippon-1963. 1956-Irene M. (Gunia) Sprick of Omaha, 1-26-23. In MEMORIAM This section is comprised of deaths communicated to the Alumni Office between August 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023.
Page 22 Omaha South High School ALUMNI TOOTER Page 3 In MEMORIAM 1956-Frank Anthony Javorsky Sr. of Omaha, 8-29-22. 1956-Margaret (Messiaen) Farley of Omaha, 9-04-22. 1956-Paul Narduzzo of Omaha, 11-2-22. 1956-Kirsten (Terkelsen) Moore of Omaha, 9-19-22. 1957-John “Duke” Barrientos, Jr. of Cedar Creek, NE, 10- 10-22. 1957-Julius “Tito” G. Carmona of Omaha, 1-7-23. Survived by children Julius “Edward”-1980, Jackie-1980, Jean-1981 and Alicia Gillespie-1992. Siblings James-1961, Robert-1968, Michael-1973, Beatriz Wirkus-1964, Theresa Kowalczyk-1971 and Rose Mary1972. 1957-James Fiala of Omaha, 11-8-22. Survived by brother Ed-1956 and sister-in-law Mary (Parys)-1957. 1957-Patricia (Foran) Gawryck of Murray, NE, 9-27-21. 1957-Larry “Buzz” Kozeny of Omaha, 8-27-22. 1957-Edward A. Smith of Omaha, 1-19-23. 1958-Margaret (Rohmeyer) Vacek of Omaha. Survived by children Allan-1979, Steve-1983, Andrew-1985, Deborah-1971 and Kathryn-1977. 1958-Edward R. Skarnjulis of Omaha, 10-6-22. 1959-Larry G. Baker of Omaha, 11-13-22. Survived by wife Janet (Zych)-1958, children Ken-1983 and Linda Vacek-1982. 1959-Karen (Butterfield) Donze of Monument, CO, 5-28-22. Survived by husband Fred-1959 and brother Dennis-1962. 1959-Robert W. Furmanski Sr. of Omaha, 9-8-22. Survived by wife Kathleen (Sheehan)-1959 and son Robert Jr.-1979. 1959-Larry Glesmann of Council Bluffs, IA, 8-29-22. 1959-Shirley (Kacin) Solis of Omaha, 11-3-22. 1959-Thomas M. Koraleski of Omaha, 1-9-23. Survived by brother Jerry-1963 and sister-in-law Kathy-1964, children Scott-1983 and Lisa Goc-1988. 1959-Anton “Tony” Zupan of Omaha, 8-7-22. 1959-Dorothy “Dolly” (McMichael) Pesek of Papillion, NE, 12-04-22. Survived by children Rick-1978, Don-1978, Kathy Lee-1984 and Jodi-1986. 1959-Emilie (Smithberg) Volquartsen of Bellevue, NE, 12-15-22. lllllllllllllll 1960s llllllllllllllll 1960-Eugene J. Galus of Vail, AZ, 11-18-22. 1960-Raymond D. Grace Sr. of Omaha, 1-23-23. Survived by wife Beverly (Quinze)-1960. 1960-Ricardo Z. Simon of Waialua, HI, 12-24-21. Survived by brother Honesto Simon-1960. 1960-Richard “Dick” Ulfers of Bellevue, NE, 9-28-22. 1961-James C. Palmer of Omaha, 12-15-22. 1961-Kathleen (Curtis) Sobetski of Omaha, 11-5-22. Survived by sister Joan Summers-1959. 1961-Bernard Gajewski of Rogersville, TN, 1-14-22. 1961-John “Jack” Gewinner of Omaha, 1-18-23. 1961-MaryJo Susan (Saitti) Hanes of Omaha, 1-14-23. Survived by sons Wayne-1983 and James Latner-1983. 1961-Barb (Susterka) Seefus of Waterloo, NE, 1-14-23. 1962-Robert Beebee of Bellevue, NE 9-30-22. 1962-William “Bill” Nodean of Omaha, 10-20-22. 1962-Kathleen (Olsen) Piksa of Omaha, 11-25-22. Survived by husband, Don-1961. 1962-Gary Tuma of Fremont, NE, 1-19-23. 1963-Don Carman of Seven Valleys, PA, 5-3-21. 1963-Jerry Lee Garrison of Bellevue, NE, 10-3-22. 1963-Lynn Marie (Hagge) Hopkins of Omaha, 9-28-22. 1963-Sue (Hamilton) Peck of Tavares, TX, 7-2-22. Survived by husband Chuck-1963. 1963-Ronald Hicks of Everett, WA, 1-7-22. 1963-Ray Hunt of Omaha, 9-15-22. 1963-Carol (Lantz) Gutchewsky of Omaha, 9-9-22. Survived by husband Tom-1963. 1963-Michael Simsitch of Omaha, 4-4-22. 1963-Catherine (Walker) Hofsheier of Omaha, 9-4-22. Survived by husband Steve-1963 and brother Robert Voboril-1971. 1963-Bonnie (Yost) Fleming of Omaha, 10-16-22. 1964-Joanne (Buhr) Crnkovich of Newman, GA, 11-15-22. 1964-Robert Sarraillon of Pinetop, AZ, 9-14-22. 1964-Kenneth Stankus of Omaha, 10-2-22. 1964-Carlos Tamayo of Santa Rosa, CA, 7-29-22. 1965-John Albino of Tecumseh, NE, 1-9-23. 1965-Ronald Goodrich of Omaha, 10-18-22. 1965-Thomas J. Jensen of Omaha, 7-29-22. 1965-Dewey Maus of Backus, MN, 4-30-22. 1965-Ernest “Jerry” Stump of Plattsmouth, NE, 12-8-22 1965-Mary Lou (Zorkowski) Gibson of Franklin, TN, 6-27-21. 1966-Alan Anderson of Omaha, 12-2-22. Survived by wife Janalee (Rasmussen)-1969. 1966-Gary Christen of Storm Lake, IA, 12-25-21. 1966-Delbert Coomes of Omaha, 11-28-22. 1966-Kathleen (Dougherty) Kopecky of Omaha, 11-11-22. 1966-Ronald F. Hendricks of Plattsmouth, NE, 10-28-22. 1966-Gary Papek of Kansas City, MO, 10-11-22. 1966-Robert Povondra of Omaha, 1-13-23. Survived by wife Susan (McIntosh)-1971, children Joe-1991, Dan-1996, Hope Hart-2004. Siblings Frank-1964, Jane Bonney-1963, Rita Cornwell-1967, and Judy Cerny- 1971. 1967-Dennis “Denny” Kaster of Omaha, 9-6-22. 1967-Ronald G. Lakin of Omaha, 12-28-22. 1967-Ronny D. Mickelson of Omaha, 6-16-21.
Page 2 Omaha South High School ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Page 23 1948-Ralph Godwin given by the Godwin Family. 1951-Donna (Untied) Krambeck given by Cindy (Krambeck) Fleming. 1954-Shirley (Calta) Goodro given by: Nancy (Fitl) Kratky-1954, James Abernathy, Carol (Rohling) Mosley-1955, Kathy Katzenberger. 1956-Florence (Trout) Anderson given by Jerry Palmer-1956. 1957-Nancy (Moore) Algya given by Martha Mayer-1952. 1957-Lawrence “Buzz” Kozeny given by brother, Leonard Kozeny-1960. 1958-Carmella (Lombardo) Egger given by Adelyn (Isaacson) & Jim Scripter-1958. 1962-William “Bill” Nodean given by Julie (Vomacka) Dunn 1961. 1962-Kathleen (Olsen) Piksa given by Judi (Clark)-1961 & Denny Koubsky-1961. 1963-Carmenella (Zaner) Bernth given by Patty Bogatz-1979. 1963-Ray Hunt given by Donna (Slizinski) Bowdish-1963. 1963-Marlin Briscoe given by Donna (Slizinski) Bowdish-1963. 1963-Dennis Crum given by Donna (Slizinski) Bowdish-1963. 1963-Don Loftus given by Donna (Slizinski) Bowdish-1963. 1963-Bill Toll given by Donna (Slizinski) Bowdish-1963. 1965-Ernest “Jerry” Stump given by Steve Povich-1965. 1966-Alan Anderson given by Julie (Riha)-1966 & Ed Diehm-1965. 1966-Richardo Simon given by Honesto Simon-1960. 1970-Ruth (Kantanavicius) Watkins given by Michael Kantanavicius-1967. 1976-Jenelle Moran given by Carole Safley-1976. ALUMNI FRIENDS AND RELATIVES Tom Riha (brother of Julie (Riha) Diehm-1966) given by Marilyn Gillen-1966. Between August 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023, these memorials were given to SHSAA in honor and memory of the following alumni: Memorials GIVEN IN MEMORIAM cont. 1967-Linda Sue (Zajicek) Krueger of Omaha, 4-5-22. 1968-Janet P. (Lorentzen) Nichols of Omaha, 8-6-22. 1968-Terry Noland of Omaha, 9-11-22. Survived by brother Larry-1967. 1968-Geraldine (Bihuniak) Gass of Omaha, 12-1-22. 1968-Thomas Patten of Carthage, TX, 12-22-22. 1969-Rebecca (Anderson) Schmit of Blair, NE, 12-5-22. 1969-Patrick D. Brey of Omaha, 10-14-22. Survived by wife, Debra (Chandler)-1971. Son Jason-1996 and daughter-in-law Kristy (Huey)-1996. lllllllllllllll 1970s llllllllllllllll 1970-Alice M. Aguilera of Omaha, 1-10-23. 1970-Tim R. Kinsella of Omaha, 8-25-22. 1970-Peter “Pete” Kroger of Omaha, 6-26-20. Survived by sister Rosa (Kamman)-1971. 1971-Linda (Lenner) Cervantes of Denver, CO, 12-11-22. 1972-Robert “Bob” Riley of Omaha, 9-2-22. 1972-Joseph Jaros of Omaha, 1-13-23. 1973-David Bouckaert of Omaha, 12-19-22. 1973-Michael Miodowski of Omaha, 8-14-22. 1974-Daniel Chambers of Omaha. 9-29-22. 1974-Vitas Vasiliauskas of Aspen, CO, 9-20-22. 1975-Steven Dugger of Papillion, NE, 1-26-23. 1975-David W. Samson of Omaha, 8-1-22. Survived by sister Carol Ern-1984. 1976-Jenelle Moran of Brighton, CO, 11-5-22. 1977-Kenneth Paul Jensen of Omaha, 7-26-22. 1977-Joe Schulte of Commerce City, CO. 8-28-22. 1979-Ronald Riddle of Omaha, 2003. lllllllllllllll 1980s llllllllllllllll 1980-Russell Nila of Ft. Calhoun, NE, 1-15-23. 1981-Robin (Brown) Riehl of St Peters, MO, 8-20-22. lllllllllllllll 1990s llllllllllllllll 1994-Tina N. Thill of Omaha, 12-10-22. 1997-David Dickey of Omaha, 12-31-22. Survived by brothers James-1989 and Steve-1994. 1999-Isaac Armas of Omaha, 1-3-23. Survived by wife Laura (Galas)-1996. lllllllllllllll 2000s llllllllllllllll 2009-Patique Parham of Omaha, 12-16-22. lllllllllllllll 2010s llllllllllllllll 2015-Kevin Robertson of Omaha, 7-18-22. llllll Staff, Friends, Family llllll Mary Lou Jackson, South High music teacher, 9-11-22. lllllllllllll Correction llllllllllll 1957-Delbert L. Sempek of Omaha, 1-27-22. Survived by wife Vicki (McKinney) Sempek-1958.
Non-Profi t Org US POSTAGE PAID OMAHA, NE Permit No 1652 Alumni TOOTER South High School Alumni Association 5082 S. 107th Street Omaha, NE 68127 402-738-9493 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED T his is Your TOOTER! We can NOT do it without you! Please consider making a gift to the SHS Alumni Association.