High School Alumni, Columbia, Brown County, South Dakota (Pt. 2) CLASS OF 1937 The 1937 graduation class started with 12 students: Robert Johnson Ruby Klepfer Rose Schliebe Alice Holland Irene Karlen Millicent Atkins Howard Rossman Ernest Wandry Leola Goodman Dorothy Howell Ruth Yeske Monica Felix The second semester we were joined by Camilla Jerde who left in her junior year. Before the year was completed, Robert Johnson and Ernest Wandry left school, leaving Howard Rossman the only boy in our class to complete his four years in Columbia High. Our sophomore year we were joined by Marian Everson, who attended only one year. This same year Leola Goodman and Dorothy Howell transferred to other schools. Our junior year, Joyce Albrecht, who had attended Daly Corner school, enrolled for her last two years. This was the year Ruth Yeske left Columbia to attend school in Barnard. Pauline Daker was with us as a junior and part of her senior year. Our junior play was "Dumb Dolliver", and our senior play was "Comin' Through the Rye", which was given April 30, 1937, at the Legion Hall. Our Senior Skip Day, chaperoned by Mr. Loessin, was spent at the State School in Redfield; a tour of the greenhouse in Aberdeen was followed by a movie in the evening. The Baccalaureate sermon was given by the Rev. Lindgren. Commencement was held on May 21, 1937. Alice Holland was Valedictorian and Ruby Klepfer was Salutatorian. Our class donated a hall clock to the school. On checking with the class of 1937 we find: Alice Holland is married to John Dopra, who works in the iron mines in Sunrise, Wyoming. They have a family of eight. Joyce Albrecht married Clarence Kimball of Houghton and now lives in Great Falls, Montana. Clarence met with an unfortunate accident and is unable to work. Joyce is employed at the hospital and has a family of ten. Howard Rossman married Pauline Daker, a former student of Columbia. They were living in Dayton, Ohio, when Howard passed away in 1942 after a long illness. Rose Schliebe is Mrs. Ernest Jasmer of Leola and resides on a farm. They have three children. Millicent Atkins lives in Aberdeen and is frequently seen in Columbia as she tends to her farm interests. Millicent taught school for a few years before going to work in an office. Ruby Klepfer is now Mrs. Leland Hall and lives in Culver City, Calif. Ruby worked for many years as a secretary, but at present is enjoying life at home. Irene Karlen married Emil Krage, also a Columbia graduate. Irene taught school for 12 years and was the second graduate to return to Columbia to teach. They have two sons. We are sorry that our history is brief, but we have been unable to locate any yearbooks or Comets published during our school years. CLASS OF 1938 Eighteen students entered C.H.S. in 1934 as freshmen. Thirteen students graduated in 1938 and only four of these were from the original class. These four were: Floyd Chase, Ione Vitense, Delila Schliebe and Leona Nelson. The eighteen freshmen were: Roger Davis Thomas Goodman Eileen Grace Virgil Grace Helen Klepfer Mildred Lyons Jack Nelson Robert Prunty Lois Seligman Perry Smalley Beulah Torgerson William Sieber Jr Richard Russell Harley Karlen Floyd Chase Ione Vitense Delila Schliebe Leona Nelson The senior class play was, "The Eagle Screams." The Junior- Senior Banquet of 1938 was held on May 6th at the Tumble Inn in Aberdeen, S.D. Senior Class officers were: Pres.-Pearl Tollefson; Vice Pres.-Charlene Hammond; Sec. and Treas.-Ione Vitense. The class motto was, "Build for Character; Not for Fame". The red rose was the class flower and blue and gold were the class colors. Charlene Hammond was Valedictorian and Pearl was Salutatorian. Commencement was held on May 20 in the Congregational Church. The graduates were: Charlene Hammond, now Mrs. Boyd Gant, lives on a farm near Stratford, S.D. They have three children. The family belongs to a Flying Farmers Organization. Blanche Herther, now Mrs. Morris Campbell, lives in Indianapolis, Ind. They have three children. Ione Vitense lives on a farm near Strang, Nebraska with her husband, Lloyd Schelbritzki. They have five children. Delila Schliebe, now Mrs. Orval Steward, is living in Eugene, Oregon. They have one child. Pearl Tollefson was married to John Wilson, who is now deceased. She has four sons and lives on a farm north of Columbia. Kurt Schliebe lives in Aberdeen, S. D. He is Farm Announcer for Radio Station K.A.B.R. and is also an auctioneer. He married June Ellis and they have two children. Thelma Mertz is married to Warren Lindeman and they live on a farm near Wabacco, Minn. They have three children. She attended Lamberton Teachers College in Minnesota before her marriage. Henry Carlson served in the Armed Forces during World War II. He married a Wisconsin girl, LaVina Laehn, and they have four children. He works at Douglas Aircraft and they live at Artesia, Calif. Nellie Kilpatrick, is now Mrs. Fritz Marko, and they live in Pontiac, Mich. They have four children. Leona Nelson Jensen lives in Rapid City, S.D. She is employed in a hospital. Her husband is deceased. Other graduates in 1938 were: Floyd Chase, Keith Phillips, Inez Buntrock. No information was received from these people. CLASS of 1939 In September of 1935, there were 19 freshmen who enrolled at Columbia High School. They were: Lyle Buffington Grace Dunwoody Phyllis Everson Ellis Gibbons Roberta Goodman Robert Graves Elmo Jerde Clare Johnson Kenneth Johnson Willis Krage Gertrude Larson Kenneth Lee Eldon Neff Helen Nelson Marie Schmidt Dorothy Smalley Elsie Wandry Elnora Weismantel Wilma Weismantel During our junior year, the Latin Club was formed by the students of the Latin II class under the direction of Miss Kropuenske. Walt Buntrock transferred from Westport to Columbia this same year. The Junior Class play was "Blowing Bubbles". In 1939, our graduation year, Columbia High School's basketball team won their way to the Regional Tournament for the first time. It was held at Clark, S.D. Columbia was defeated by Langford. Willis Krage and Clare Johnson were on the team. "George in a Jam" was the Senior class play. All four boys of the 1939 graduating class were in the Armed Service during World War II from 1942 to 1946. The graduates were: Lyle Buffington served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He graduated from Tufts College in Medford, Mass. and received his B.A. and M.A. Degree. He also attended Williams College at Williamstown, Mass. for one year. He studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and has done graduate work at Columbia University. At the present time, he is a high school mathematics teacher at Demarest High School in New York City. Gertrude Larson attended Remely's School of Hair Styling and Cosmetology in Aberdeen, and has worked as a beautician since. She is married to Richard Ruden and they live on a farm near Groton, S.D. They have three daughters. Clare Johnson served in the Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. He is married to Donna Knecht, and they have three children. Clare is custodian at Columbia High School. Elsie Wandry is married to William Hehn and they live in Aberdeen. They have two children. Elnora Weismantel attended N.S.T.C. at Aberdeen and taught school several years. She now works at the U.S. Naval Base at San Pedro, Calif. She is married to Clyde Haas and lives in Long Beach, California. Walter Buntrock attended N.S.T.C. He served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He is married to Wilma Weismantel and they have two children. They live on a farm near Columbia. Wilma Weismantel attended Remely's School of Hair Styling and Cosmetology and also N.S.T.C. She is married to Walt Buntrock and they have two children. They live on a farm near Columbia. Willis Krage served in the Army from 1942 to 1946. At the present time, he is a garage mechanic. He is married to Phyllis Lile and lives in Puyallup, Wash. with their two children. Phyllis Everson is married to Ralph Davis and they have one daughter. Phyllis is a grocery clerk at Ridgefield, Washington. Helen Nelson lives on a farm near Aberdeen and is married to Harry Pendroy. She works as a bookkeeper in Aberdeen, S.D. They have six children. CLASS OF 1940 As freshmen, we had 28 students enrolled. This is the largest enrollment of any class to attend C.H.S. The freshmen class was: Rex Hammond Alma Buntrock Kermit Wahl Della Neitzel Robert Markin Edward Daly Audree Hall Joe Gibbons Marie Klepfer Raymond Lunzmann Lorena Bohling Paul Gilchrist LaVonne Rumrey Marvin Grace Esther Kilpatrick Robert Walsmith Doris Zick Henry Wockenfuss, Jr. Irene Hanson Edwin Sharkey Kathlyn Kanaly Robert Graves Esther Buntrock Edwin Carlson Irene Dennert Grace Dunwoody Doris Weismantel Gerhardt Schliebe At the start of our sophomore year we had lost a few classmates, but Ruby Buntrock, Keith Ringgenberg and Nellie Kilpatrick joined us. Our Junior year saw more students had gone but Joyce Kilpatrick joined us. Miss Daulton was our class advisor. It was during our Junior year that our basketball boys won the District championship and made their first trip to the Region II play. They were defeated by Langford in the Championship game. The Junior class play, "The Absent-Minded Professor", was under the direction of Miss Daulton. The Junior-Senior Banquet was held at Teigen's Cafe with a basketball theme. Our senior year left us with only 13 members. The class officers were: Kermit Wahl, Pres.; Esther Kilpatrick, Vice Pres.; Lorena Bohling, Sec. & Treas.; Rex Hammond and Lorena Bohling were chosen carnival King and Queen. Girls basketball was started again that year under the direction of Miss Wismer with Marie Klepfer, Lorena Bohling and Esther Buntrock participating. Music was taught as a regular class subject for the first time. That year the Girls' Glee Club, under the direction of Miss Griffiths, won a superior rating in the Class C division and went on to represent S.D. in the National Music Contest in St. Paul, Minn. The senior girls participating in this honor were: LaVonne Rumrey, Audree Hall, Marie Klepfer, Irene Hanson, Esther Kilpatrick and Doris Zick. The senior class play was "Aunt Tillie Goes to Town". A music theme was used for the 1940 Junior-Senior Banquet. Baccalaureate services were held in the Congregational Church with the Rev. J.D. Warkentin delivering the sermon. Commencement exercises were also held in the church with Prof. V.H. Culp of N.S.T.C. as the speaker. Audree Hall was Valedictorian and Esther Kilpatrick was Salutatorian. Esther was also our D.A.R. representative. Our class donated an electric clock to the school. The class flower was the American Beauty Rose and the colors were rose and white. "Finished Yet Beginning" was our class motto. Members of the 1940 graduating class were: Irene Hanson is married to Raymond Jones and they live on a farm near Houghton. They have three children. Irene attended N.S.T.C. and taught school before her marriage. Robert Markin is married to Darlys Reed. They have three children. Bob spent three years in the Navy during World War II. He attended N.S.T.C. and is now engaged in the aerospace industry. They live in Huntington Beach, Calif. Esther Kilpatrick is married to William Weir. They have three children. Esther attended N.S.T.C. and was a teacher. Now she is a senior account clerk in the Transit Department, Ventura, California. Lorena Bohling is married to Albert Podoll and they live in Aberdeen, S.D. They have four children. Lorena clerks in a store in Aberdeen. Doris Zick is married to Everett Beckler and they live on a farm near Bath, S.D. They have six children. Kathlyn Kanaly is married to James Ziegler and lives on a farm. She attended N.S.T.C. and taught in rural schools for seven years. She was also Deputy Supt. of Brown County Schools for 22 years. They have three children. Joyce Kilpatrick was married to Kenneth Henridson and they had two sons. Joyce passed away March 23, 1962. Rex Hammond was in the Army Engineers from 1942 to 1945, serving in the South Pacific and Japan. Rex was married and has one daughter. Esther Buntrock is married to Leland Herther and they live in Columbia. Esther attended N.S.T.C. and was a teacher in rural schools for three years. She has worked as a bookkeeper with I.H.C. Company and the Dakota Farmer and is now doing part- time bookwork for the S.D. Wheat Growers. They have twin boys. Marie Klepfer is married to William Barnhill. They have two children and live in Salinas, California. Marie did secretarial work for a number of years. Kermit Wahl is married to Marjorie Kreiter and they have six children. Kermit attended Indiana U. and earned his B.S. degree in Education. He served in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps for 7 months before a medical discharge for a knee injury suffered in his senior year of basketball. Upon graduation from college, Kermit signed a professional baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds in the National League. He spent the next 10 years, from 1945 to 1954, as a baseball player in the major and triple-A leagues with Cincinnati, Syracuse, Montreal, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Kansas City and Toledo. On Oct. 27, 1950, Columbia had a big affair in honor of Kermit Wahl who was playing third base for the Philadelphia Athletics at that time. Nearly 140 friends and relatives gathered at a dinner in the Congregational Church. Mayor Rudy Buntrock presented him with a key to the city. A gold wrist watch was given to Kermit by his fans and presented to him by Reese Lawrence. Coach Bud Hurin was toastmaster. When Kermit retired from baseball in 1954, he taught school and coached at Groton, S.D. for 2 years. He then joined the staff at N.S.T.C. in Aberdeen as Assistant Director of Special Service. He was at Northern for 6 years. He is now Director of Admissions at Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell. S.D. LaVonne Rumrey is married to Jack Keeney and has one son. They live in San Francisco, California. She attended Minnesota Business College and worked as a secretary. Audree Hall is married to Maurice Roettele and lives in California. They have four sons. CLASS OF 1941 The graduating class of 1941 started with the following freshmen: Eleanor Bohling Boyd Johnson Lillian Bohllng Joe Johnson Marion Buntrock Darlys Reed Margaret Chase Cecil Roberts Blanch Rossman Geo. Wilke Jr. Narcille Jones Edwin Sharkey Bennet Tollefson Elizabeth Wandry Verle Smalley Theresa Schliebe Paul Seligman Irene Yeske Jaccy Hall Paul Talmage The seniors chose as their motto, "Honor Waits at Labors Gate". The colors were blue and white and a white carnation was their flower. Baccalaureate and Graduation exercises were held in the Congregational Church with P.K. Cesander from N.S.T.C. as speaker. Verna Mertz was Valedictorian and Darlys Reed was Salutatorian. Our senior class play was "Mama's Baby Boy". Members of the 1941 graduating class were: Eleanor Bohling is married to Ray Podoll and lives on a farm near Westport, S.D. They have six children. Lillian Bohling is married to Richard Pratt and lives in Long Beach, California. They have four children. Marion Buntrock married Allen Jasmer, a Standard Oil Agent. They live in Columbia and have two daughters. Ruby Buntrock is married to the Rev. Arnold Mueller and lives in Brenham, Texas. They have three sons. Margaret Chase is married to Elmo Capra and lives in Berkeley, California. They have two sons. Edwin Carlson married a classmate, Verna Mertz, and has three sons. They will make their home in Houston, Texas. Alice Johnson is married to Don Elliott, a grocer, and lives in Columbia. They have one daughter. Boyd Johnson is married to schoolmate, Francis Hinderks and lives in Sturgis, S.D. with their seven children. He is an Occupational Therapist at the Ft. Meade Hospital. Joe Johnson is married to Yvonne Fergenson and lives in Bountiful, Utah. They have four children. Narcille Jones is married to Welby Cox, a Supervisor for R.E.A. Express Line. They live in Houston, Texas and have two children. Darlys Reed is married to Robert Markin, schoolmate, and lives in Huntington Beach, California. They have three children. Blanch Rossman married Edward Heltzel and lives in Kirkland, Washington. They have one son. Cecil Roberts is married and lives in Las Vegas, Nev. Maurice Roettele married a schoolmate, Audree Hall and lives in Bellflower, California. They have four children. He is a building contractor. Geo. Wilke, Jr. is married to LaVila Fuhrman and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. Irene Yeske is married to Joe Huff and lives in Beaufort, North Carolina. They have one daughter. Edwin Sharkey: No information received. CLASS OF 1942 In September, 1938, about twenty students enrolled as freshmen at Columbia. Over the years many of these departed and a few new ones joined us. On May 14, 1942, the following graduated: Ellen Buntrock Hazel Cole James Doris Nelson Ellie Schliebe Henry Wockenfuss Jr. Donna Dennert Jacqueline Hall Erling Podoll Ethel Weismantel The class published the first annual in four years, which was called "The Columbia Gem". "The Twirlers" were organized in 1942 with Miss Huettner as advisor. The Pep C's and the Columbia High School Band were organized in October, 1941. The band won third in the Class C music contest. Our class donated a mimeograph machine to the school. The class of 1942 is quite unique because none of them live at Columbia nor did any of them marry anyone from Columbia. The graduates were: Donna Dennert Carville, lives in Victoria, Texas. She and her husband are wholesale fishing tackle distributors. They have six children. Erling Podoll is married to Constance Keeler of Barnard, S.D. They live in Bismarck, N.D. and have three children. He is a Wildlife Biologist. Hazel Cole James was married in her senior year. She and her husband live in San Marcas, California and have five children. Hazel is a real estate broker and an eyagraphic Bible Lecturer. She has been lecturing for more than ten years and has spent some time in Europe and the Holy Land. Ellen Buntrock Hall lives in California and has one daughter. Ellen is employed as a bookkeeper. Ethel Weismantel married Connie Bakken and lives on a farm near Barnard, S.D. They have seven children. She has been township assessor for four years and is a Clerk for the Barnard School District. Jaccy Hall married Melvin Mack and lives in Hawthorne California. They have four children. Henry Wockenfuss, Jr., married Margarete, while serving in the Armed Forces in Germany. They have three adopted daughters and live in California. "Wockie" was Brown County Sheriff from 1953 to 1961. He has also returned to Columbia High School as a Commencement speaker. Ellie Schliebe married Howard Poe and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. They have five children. Ellie is employed by Nash-Finch Company. Doris Nelson Spencer lives on a farm near Claremont, S. D. and has one son. CLASS OF 1943 In 1939, those who enrolled as freshmen were: Marie Albrecht Eldon Neff Herb Buntrock Lucille Carlson Marie Daly Ralph Dunwoody Gladys Dobrick Marvin Graves Edwin Heidzig Francis Hinderks Betty Johnson Alice Zick Marie Kilpatrick Loretta Larson Fern Moule Esther Schliebe Darryl Weston Esther Warkentin James Wockenfuss Harley Schmidt Robert Smalley Our Glee Club won first place in 1939 for Class "C" schools in district competition and the right to compete at St. Paul in the spring of 1940. We placed second at St. Paul, Minnesota. As sophomores, our class was smaller as eight students did not return. As Juniors, we were joined by five students. A music band was organized and participated in two concerts and a music contest. Daryl Weston was elected Carnival King. In our senior year, Herb Buntrock was Carnival King, and Marie Daly was Queen. Lucille Carlson was our Valedictorian and Jeanne Mertz was Salutatorian. The graduates were: Herb Buntrock is married to Virginia Gross and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. They have three children. Herb served in the U.S. Army and is now a barber. Lucille Carlson is married to Victor Collins and they reside on a farm near Columbia. They have four children. Lucille taught school before she married. Marie Daly is married to Leslie Bain and they live at Frederick, S.D. Marie was a schoolteacher and her husband does veterinary work. They have five children. Ceva Hall lives in Gardena, California. Marx Herther married Freida Kolb and lives in Columbia, where they own and operate Herther's Store. Marx served in the U.S. Navy. They have three children. Frances Hinderks is married to Boyd Johnson and they live at Sturgis, S.D. Frances is a former school teacher. Boyd is an Occupational Therapist at Ft. Meade Hospital. Frances returned to Columbia in 1947 to teach grade school. They have seven children. Betty Johnson is married to Gerald Omland and they live in Overland Park, Kansas. Her husband works for the Morton Salt Co. They have six children. Marie Kilpatrick married Floyd Woods and they live in Richmond, California. They have two children. Loretta Larson is married to Maurice Lueb and lives on a farm near Ipswich, S.D. They have two children. Loretta was a teacher prior to her marriage. Margaret Lyons is married to William Ackerson and lives on a farm near Houghton, S.D. They have five children. Jeanne Mertz is married to Lyle Groberg and they live at Redwood City, California. Her husband is an electrical engineer. They have three children. Esther Schliebe is married to Carl Stensness and they live in Altadena, Calif. They have two children. Marian Tunby is married to Floyd Jacobson and they live in Portland, Oregon. Her husband is District Parts Supt. for International Harvestor Company. They have four children. Darryl Weston is a printer in Long Beach, California. He married Jean Becker and they have two children. James Wockenfuss married Vera Wandl of Germany and they have two children. James has made the Army his career and is a Captain in the Chemical Corps. He is stationed in Germany where his family resides. CLASS OF 1944 The graduating class of 1944 began with 17 freshmen. They were: Irene Buntrock Beverly Wahl Dorthea Seligman Mary Felix Delores Weifenbach Milton Schliebe Keith Hall Gordon Roettele Monna Becker Donna Weston Charles Schliebe Clifford Hall Willis Weismantel Beverly Smith Leroy Ogden Verne Tunby Bebe Lee Don Prunty and Harley Schmidt joined us in 1941 and 1942. Edwin Heidzig and Grant Nelson joined us in 1942 and 1943. Our class motto was "Success Be Our Destiny" and our colors were blue and gold. The carnation was our flower. Baccalaureate was held on May 21, 1944 with Rev. Bone giving the address. Graduation was held on May 25, 1944. Our diplomas were presented by the President of the School Board of Education, Mr. R. H. Dennert. Clifford Hall was Salutatorian and Beverly Wahl was Valedictorian. Carnival King was Clifford Hall and Carnival Queen was Beverly Smith. Our cheerleaders were Beverly Wahl, Donna Weston and Bebe Lee. Edwin Heidzig and Willis Weismantel were captains of the basketball team and Clifford Hall was student manager. Classmates that served our country were: Edwin Heidzig, Grant Nelson, Clifford Hall and Verne Tunby. One graduate, Clifford Hall, was killed while serving his country. The graduates were: Beverly Wahl married Ward Wallace and lives in Rockford, Illinois. They have two children. Beverly is the only teacher from our class and teaches 6th grade in Rockford. Her husband is an Accountant Industrial Engineer. Willis Weismantel married Arlene Kruse and they live on a farm south of Columbia. Willis is the only graduate to choose farming as an occupation. They have seven children. Verne Tunby married Mabel Schnaibel and they have five children. Verne is a Rural Mail Carrier at Houghton, S. D. Monna Becker is now Mrs. Van Guseghem and lives in St. Charles, Illinois. Her husband is a Core-Maker with the Moline Moleable Iron Co. They have four children. Donna Weston is married to Orin Fulbright and lives in Long Beach, California. Donna is a secretary for the Long Beach District Board of Realtors and her husband is an Oil Supt. in Long Beach. Irene Buntrock is married to Michael Healey and they live in Aberdeen, S.D. Her husband teaches school at Monroe Junior High. They have three children. Bebe Lee is married to Phil Gauchas and lives in Houston, Texas. Her husband is President of the Dixie Palms Glass Co. They have one daughter. Edwin Heidzig is married to Joyce Halstead and they have three boys. Ed is a Marketing Representative for the Mobil Oil Company in Fargo, North Dakota. Beverly Smith is married to Adolph Bohling and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. Grant Nelson married Darlene Krage and lived in Minn. Darlene was fatally injured in a car accident and Grant has since remarried and now lives in Owatonna, Minnesota. He is employed at the Owatonna Truth Tool Shop. They have five children. CLASS OF 1945 There were 21 students who graduated from Columbia High School in 1945. They were: Mary Lou Boatman Archie Daly Verna Carlson Jean Everson Vera Carlson Robert Hinderks Helen Daly Donna Knecht Delta Heidzig Dale McCormick Delwood Kindschi Josephine Nelson Beverly Larson Roland Roetteles Joyce Mertz Theodore Wahl Arlene Olson Beven Roth LaVerne Weismantel Duane Weifenbach Ruth Johnson We had two students who transferred to other schools. Irene Borden graduated from Aberdeen and Marjorie Podoll graduated from Westport. Mr. Roy "Swede" Wahl was our Coach the year our team was runner-up in the Conference Basketball Tourney. It was decided not to print an annual that year because of the paper shortage during the war. Ruth Johnson and Robert Hinderks were chosen Carnival Queen and King. "Skip Day" was in Aberdeen, with a picnic dinner, movie and a steak supper. Joyce Mertz was Valedictorian and Delwood Kindschi was Salutatorian. Our class motto was "Tonight We Launch, Where Shall we Anchor?". Our class play was "People Are Funny". The graduates are: Mary Lou Boatman is now Mrs. Mary Schuelke and has three children. Mary graduated from Brookings College and is now a Registered Pharmacist at Daniel's Pharmacy in Aberdeen, S.D. Vera Carlson married Keith Ringgenberg and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have two children. Verna Carlson is now Mrs. John Knott and lives on a farm near Lebanon, S.D. They have one child. Verna attended college at Berea, Kentucky for one year and finished her schooling at Northern State. Verna is a Principal of the Lebanon School and teaches the third and fourth grades. Archie Daly is married to Helen Larson, a former schoolmate and lives in Aberdeen. They have three children. Archie served in the Army and then attended college at Northern State and Wahpeton, N.D. He is head foreman for Kyburz Construction in Aberdeen, S.D. Helen Daly lives in Aberdeen, S.D. and works for the Northwest Bell Telephone Company. Jean Everson is married to George Burns and lives in Vancouver, Washington. Delta Heidzig is Mrs. Del Bergamo and has two children. She lives in Aberdeen and is manager of the Aberdeen Office of KDLO TV Station. Roland Roettele is married to Jean Quam and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have four children. Robert Hinderks lives in Webster, S.D. and is manager of the Holiday Inn Motel. He is married and they have three children. Bob served in the Navy for two years and then attended college at Northern State. Delwood Kindschi lives in Marshall, Minnesota with his wife and two children. Delwood served in the Navy and was a graduate of the University of Vermillion. He is now a field representative for the Social Security Administration. Donna Knecht is married to Clare Johnson and lives in Columbia. Her husband is custodian at Columbia High School. They have three children. Beverly Larson is married to Leonard Odde and lives in Wahpeton, N.D. They have four children. Beverly taught school and also worked as a secretary. Dale McCormick is married to Vivian Herman, a former schoolmate. Dale works in the Homestake Gold Mine at Lead, S.D. They have twin sons. Joyce Mertz is married to James Smith and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. They have three children. Joyce graduated from the Business School at Chillicothe, Missouri. Josephine Nelson is married to Herman Bittner and lives at Chelsea, S. D. They have four children. Her husband is a Rural Mail Carrier. Arlene Olson is married to Arthur Neinhuser and lives in Sidney, Nebraska. They have four children. She is a registered nurse in Sidney and is also a graduate of St. Luke's in Aberdeen, S.D. Beven Roth is married and has four children. They live in Walla Walla, Washington where he is Chief Engineer of Radio Station KTEL. Beven served in the Army and took band training at Camp Lee, Virginia. He served with the First Cavalry Division Band in Tokyo in 1946 and was discharged in 1947. He graduated from Everett J.C., Washington in 1949. Theodore Wahl is married to Yvonne Hanson, a school mate. They have three children and live at Sand Lake Refuge, near Columbia, where Ted is Ref. Clerk. Ted served in the Navy and also attended college at Brookings and Indiana University. Duane Weifenbach is married and has eight children. Duane has made the Army his career and is a Sgt. 1/c in Indianapolis, Indiana. LaVerne Weismantel and his wife, Mary Jean, have two children and live in Columbia. LaVerne is owner of "Verne's Place". Ruth Johnson was married to Arthur Daly who farms near Columbia with their four children. Ruth passed away at the age of 31. CLASS OF 1946 Nine seniors graduated in May of 1946. We began with a freshman class of sixteen. Five of the original sixteen dropped out during the first year. In our junior year Bonnie Dennert left us to become Mrs. Forrest James of Houghton. They farm near there and have two children. In our senior year, Evelyn Cole left us to marry Ivan James of Houghton. They live on a farm near there and have two children. Evelyn received her high school diploma from Columbia through a correspondence course. She is employed by the First National Bank of Groton. The theme of our Senior Prom and Banquet, "A Dutch Treat", included little wooden shoes with our names burned into the side as place cards, tulips, windmills and an imitation pond. Bill Klitz's orchestra furnished the music. Helmuth Heidzig and Yvonne Hanson were chosen as our Carnival King and Queen. Evelyn Weismantel was our D.A.R. candidate. In our 1945-46 season, Columbia defeated Frederick 20-18 in consolation play at the Conference Basketball Tournament. In the District Tournament, Columbia defeated Claremont 30-22 in Consolation play. Two members of our class, Herschel Kemnitz and Helmuth "Pete" Heidzig, were selected to the All Conference Basketball Team. A North Central Baseball record was set in 1946 when Helmuth Heidzig struck out 19 men in 7 innings defeating Hecla 15-0. We also won the Baseball Tournament that year defeating Westport 1-0. On Skip Day we left Aberdeen by train to go to Redfield, S.D. We toured the high school and the Redfield State Hospital and School. We also took in a movie and then attended the Policemens' Ball. We stayed overnight and returned the next day by bus. For many, it was their first trip by either train or bus. The year 1946, showed "signs of the times" in skirts being worn just above the knees with sweaters or blouses and saddle shoes. The hair styles were "Page Boy or the Cap Cut". Some of the boys sported "key chains". Baccalaureate services were held on May 19 with the Rev. L.C. Benson giving the sermon. Commencement exercises were held in the Congregational Church with Charles E. Booth from N.S.T.C. as speaker. Yvonne Hanson was Valedictorian and Jean Hall was Salutatorian. The class motto was "In Ourselves Our Future Lies". Our class colors were green and gold and the American Beauty Rose was our flower. The senior class officers were: Herschel Kemnitz, Pres.; Alfred Larson, Vice Pres.; Helmuth Heidzig, Sec. & Treas.; Yvonne Hanson, Student Council Representative. Our junior class play was "When Sally Comes to Town" and our senior class Play was "Sound Your Horn". The graduates were: Jean Hall is married to Norman Wendt and lives in Redondo Beach, California. Yvonne Hanson is married to Ted Wahl, a schoolmate. They live at Sand Lake Refuge north of Columbia, and have three children. Yvonne attended S.D. State College and N.S.T.C. She was a secretary before and after her marriage. Herschel Kemnitz is married to Jean Hinderks and they live in Aberdeen, S.D. They have four children. He served in the Army and is the only member of the class to get his B.A. Degree. Herschel is employed at the Hub City Livestock Sales Pavilion. Evelyn Weismantel is married to Gerry Holdhusen and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. Her husband is employed by Butler Steel Buildings Firm. They have five children. She worked in the Columbia State Bank before her marriage. Alfred Larson is married to Doris Dennert, a schoolmate, and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. Helmuth "Pete" Heidzig, and wife, Marian, live near Columbia. They have four children. Pete is associated with his father in the Meints Livestock Order Buyers Business. He also served in the Armed Forces. Helen Larson is married to Archie Daly, a schoolmate, and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. They have three children. Doris Kruse Ringgenberg is married to Wilbur Bohling and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. Darline Krage was married to a former schoolmate, Grant Nelson. We regret that Darline passed away following an automobile accident near her home in Mankato, Minnesota. It is noted that five of the nine graduating seniors married schoolmates. We are claiming this as a record, percentage- wise. We observed our Tenth Anniversary at the Columbia Park with all but one member present. CLASS OF 1947 Sixteen freshmen began in 1943 at Columbia High School. They were: Duane Kindschi Marvin Werr Martin Weismantel Connie Everson Jean Hinderks Marjorie Weifenbach Charlotte Smith Shirley Vitense Colleen Hanson Amelia Felix Ardell Olson Mike Felix Janice Weston Maynard Ackerson Lloyd Dennert Vivian Herman During our sophomore year we were joined by Ivan James, Elmer Albrecht and Donnie Veske. At the end of the year they left, as well as Mike Felix, who left for the U.S. Navy; Amelia Felix, Janice Weston and Maynard Ackerson. Our Junior Prom theme was "An Old Fashioned Garden". Delores Zahrasa of Hecla joined us when we were Seniors. Marjorie Weifenbach was Valedictorian and Jean Hinderks was Salutatorian. Our class motto was "Today We Follow. Tomorrow We Lead". Our class flower was a carnation and our colors were black and gold. The baccalaureate address was given by the Rev. Olah Moore and Commencement address by M.J.R. McAnelly of N.S.T.C. The graduates of 1947 were: Martin Weismantel is married to Mary Lou Johnson and they live in Columbia. Martin is employed in the Columbia Bank and also has the Columbia Insurance Agency. Martin served four years in the Air Force. They have three children. Marvin Werr lives in Savage, Minnesota and is married to Marlene Meints. Marvin is in the contracting business and also served in the U.S. Navy. They have two children. Connie Everson is married to Shirley Wolner and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. Duane Kindschi married Marilyn Morris and has two children. Duane served in the U.S. Army and has a M.S. Degree. He is teaching in Morris, Minnesota. Ardell Olson is married to Victor Meyer and they live on a farm near Sidney, Nebraska. They have five children. Shirley Vitense is married to Ben Dayton and lives on a farm near Columbia. Shirley attended N.S.T.C. They operate a hunting lodge north of Columbia. They have four children. Jean Hinderks is married to Herschel Kemnitz and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. She attended N.S.T.C. They have four children. Colleen Hanson was married to Virgil Stange and is employed at the Brown County Supt. of Schools office. She has two children. Marjorie Weifenbach is married to Russell LeMoreaux and lives in Woodland, California. They have four children. Charlotte Smith is married to Harvey Bohling. They have three children and live on a farm near Columbia. Delores Zabrasa is married to Wilbur Mankey and lives in Portland, Oregon. They have six children. CLASS OF 1948 The freshmen enrolled in the fall of 1940 were: Robert Hanson Dale Herman Francis Larson Eddie Weifenbach Frank Felix Nadine Roettele Maurice Miller Elaine Vitense Joe Rossman Kathy Shore Curtis Wockenfuss Arlene Kruse Milo Herman Phyllis Lile Those graduating were: Robert Hanson Francis Larson Frank Felix Maurice Miller Joe Rossman Nadine Roettele Elaine Vitense Kathy Shore Arlene Kruse Phyllis Lile The Junior class play was "A Pair of Country Kids". The senior play was "His Name Was Aunt Nellie". Our Skip Day trip was to Bismarck, N.D. Our class contributed to the new score board. Francis Larson served in the U.S. Army and is now farming near Columbia. He is not married. Robert Hanson is married to Lovila Jark and lives on a farm hear Stratford. They have two children. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He attended N.S.T.C. Frank Felix is married and has two children. He served in the U.S. Army. He lives in Arlington, S.D. and is a bank employee. Joe Rossman is employed by the All American Transport Co. in Aberdeen, S.D. He served in the U.S Army. Maurice Miller served in the U.S. Army and is now a buyer for the Montgomery Ward Co. in Chicago. He is married and has one child. Maurice received his B A Degree from N.S.T.C. and his M.A. from Greeley, Colo. Elaine Vitense is now Mrs. Frohling and they live on a farm near Hecla. They have five children. She attended N.S.T.C. and taught school before her marriage to Ernest Frohling. Nadine Roettele is married to Edward Bickel and lives on a ranch at Firesteel, S.D. They have two children. Phyllis Lile is married to Willis Krage and lives in Puyallup, Washington. Her husband is a garage mechanic and they have two children. Kathy Shore is married and lives in the Philippine Islands. Prior to her marriage, she was a Wave in the U.S. Navy. Arlene Kruse is married to Willis Weismantel and they live on a farm near Columbia. They have seven children. CLASS OF 1949 Eleven freshmen enrolled in Columbia in 1945. They were: Dean Johnson Allan Dennert Delbert Hillen Daryl Cole Billy Hedbloom Mary Lile Caroline Hiepler Bonnie Kemnitz Darlys Yeske Doris Dennert Dean Buntrock Dean Buntrock Bonnie Kemnitz and Doris Dennert were elected cheerleaders and served all four years. The school was proud of their baseball team which won the Conference Baseball title and a nice trophy. An exciting first year for the class ended with the production of "Calm Yourself", the first freshman class play to be given. As sophomores, we lost Dean Johnson, Caroline Hiepler, Billy Hedbloom and Delbert Hillen. The highlight of the year was the carnival play, "Bobby Sox". In our junior year, we gained two new classmates, Dale Johnson from Westport and Betty Bean of Barnard. The Junior Class play was "Look Out Lizzie". The decorations for the Junior-Senior Prom were elaborate and made the scene in the old gym one of the most beautiful in the history of the school. Dean and Doris were chosen by the Seniors to lead the Grand March at the Prom and also the Processional at Commencement. In the summer of 1948, Allan Dennert represented our school at Boy's State and Bonnie Kemnitz, to our knowledge, was the first girl to represent Columbia at Girl's State. The school picnic was held at Sand Lake as the Columbia Park was flooded. As Seniors, we were missing Darlys Yeske who moved to Barnard. Mary Lile was chosen Pep Club President and was also an outstanding girl athlete during her four years of high school. Bonnie Kemnitz represented Columbia High in the annual music contest at Aberdeen and won a first with her vocal solo, "Green Cathedral". Daryl Cole and Doris Dennert were elected King and Queen at the annual Carnival. Doris was selected as candidate in the D.A.R. citizenship contest and went on to win the Brown County award which made her eligible for the State Contest. Daryl Cole was elected honorary captain of the Columbia Comets basketball team. Allan Dennert, forward, and Dean Buntrock, center, were chosen Conference All Stars. This was the first year the Conference picked An All Star Team. Allan Dennert was Valedictorian and Bonnie Kemnitz was Salutatorian. Allan made school history at Commencement. When he received his diploma, he was the first of the second generation of Columbia graduates to do so. His parents, Robert and Lucille Dennert, are both C.H.S. alumni. The Commencement address was given by William Padley, an attorney from Gothenburg, Nebraska. He was a member of the first four- year graduating class in 1926. Bonnie, Daryl and Allan had been classmates in the Columbia School system all twelve years. After graduation, all the boys served in the Armed Forces. Daryl Cole is married to LaVonne Hochhalter and they have two children. Daryl is an Insurance Department Manager at Redfield, S.D. He graduated from S.D. State College with his B.S. Degree. Dale Johnson is married to Jean Mullaney and has seven children. Dale is a Project Engineer with the Highway Department in Madison, S.D. Dean Buntrock is married to Betty Jo Huizanga and has two daughters. He was a graduate of St. Olaf College and is now in the sanitation business in Chicago. Allan Dennert is married to Connie Reed and they have four children. He attended N.S.T.C. and also served in the U.S. Air Force. They farm north of Columbia. Doris Dennert is married to Alfred Larson and lives on a farm east of Columbia. Doris attended State College at Brookings, S.D. They have three children. Mary Lile is married to Chris Feickert and lives in Lancaster, California with their three children. Mary attended N.S.T.C. and taught school. She is now a clerk in a drug store. Betty Bean is married to Arthur Lent and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. with their two children. Betty is a hairdresser.