High School Alumni, Columbia, Brown County, South Dakota (Pt. 3) CLASS OF 1950 The freshmen enrolled at Columbia in 1946 were: Joyce Buntrock Geraldine Weifenbach Merlin Tunby Doris Bohling Dean Johnson Fern Weismantel Marvin Kluck Arlyce Schaeffer Melvin Larson Darlene Davis Wanda Miller Beryl Melcher Shirley Rathert Bernard Shore Donald Smilloff Charlotte and Wayne Green and Michael Healy joined us in our sophomore year. During our junior year, Geraldine Dehne was with us and Bernard Shore transferred to Groton. Shirley Rathert was chosen as Girls' Stater and Merlin Tunby was named Boys' Stater. Joyce Buntrock represented us as D.A.R. Good Citizen. Our junior play was "The Elusive Bachelor", and was presented on April 21 and 22, 1949. The school band was reactivated during our senior year with Mr. Eldon Froke as instructor. Merlin Tunby and Geraldine Weifenbach were chosen Carnival King and Queen in October, 1949. Charlotte and Wayne Green transferred to Eureka, S.D. Commencement was held on May 14, with Mr. Ernie Gunderson as speaker. Darlene Davis was Valedictorian, and Joyce Buntrock was Salutatorian. Donald Smilloff was unable to attend graduation because a heavy rainstorm, a few hours before, had washed out the road by his home. Those who graduated were: Joyce Buntrock Darlene Davis Arlyce Schaeffer Shirley Rathert Beryl Melcher Donald Smilloff Geraldine Weifenbach Fern Weismantel Wanda Miller Doris Bohling Dean Johnson Melvin Larson Merlin Tunby Michael Healy Two members of our class have died since graduation, both in car accidents. Joyce Buntrock was fatally injured in November, 1953, and Merlin Tunby in December, 1963. Darlene Davis is married to Curtis Wockenfuss and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have four children. Arlyce Schaeffer is married to J.R. Poppino and has one son. They live at 17718 Scherginger Lane, Saugus, California. Shirley Rathert is married to Carl Nilsson and lives on a farm near Bath, S.D. They have five children. Beryl Melcher is married and has five children. Beryl is in the ministry and his address is: 305 E. Broadway, Ritzville, Washington, c/o Parsonage. Donald Smilloff lives on his parents' farm near Columbia, S.D. He has been the Assessor for the Columbia Township for several years. Geraldine Weifenbach is married to Orlan Bremmon and lives at Britton, S.D. They have seven children. Fern Weismantel is married to Harry Preston and has three children. They live at 1506 Squire Lane, Aberdeen, S.Dak. Wanda Miller is married to Eugene Edwards and lives at 1022 Sherrill St., Anaheim, California. They have three children. Doris Bohling is married to Lloyd Dennert and lives on a farm north of Columbia. They have four children. Melvin Larson and his wife, Janice, live on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. Dean Johnson is married to Janice Spencer and they have four children. He is a graduate of N. S. T. C. and is now Supt. of Building and Grounds at his Alma Mater. Their address is 1745 S. 4th St., Aberdeen, S.D. Michael Healy is married to Irene Buntrock and lives in Aberdeen. They have three children. Mike is a graduate of N. S. T. C. and teaches school at Monroe Junior High. CLASS OF 1951 Thirteen freshmen enrolled in Columbia on Sept. 2, 1947. They were: Arlen Hanson Myra Tunby Betty Yeske Marvin Yeske Donald Wright Marilyn Everson Doreen Burns James Richardson Dialo Schmidt Merle Larson Robert Vitense Ellen Shore Harley Kruse Betty and Marvin Yeske left us at the end of the year. The Good Sportsmanship Awards went to James Richardson and Marilyn Everson at our initiation party. Marilyn Everson and Doreen Burns left during our sophomore year. Marilyn rejoined us as Juniors and Connie Tuchek was a new student. Donnie left us during our senior year, which left the following to graduate: Marilyn Everson Ellen Shore Myra Tunby Robert Vitense James Richardson Dialo Schmidt Harley Kruse Arlen Hanson Merle Larson Our Senior Class officers were: Pres.-James Richardson; Vice Pres.- Dialo Schmidt; Sec.-Treas.- Ellen Shore; Student Council Rep.- Myra Tunby. Marilyn Everson was Valedictorian and James Richardson was Salutatorian. Marilyn Everson was chosen as D.A.R. representative. The Carnival King and Queen were Dialo Schmidt and Marilyn Everson. As juniors we presented our play, "Take It Easy". Our senior play was "The Colonel's Maid". The girls won the Conference Basketball Trophy at Hecla in March. The boys' team won a trophy at the Claremont Invitational Tournament and 4th place at the North Central Conference in Aberdeen. They also won 2nd place at the District at Claremont, S.D. We also witnessed the grade school boys win a trophy at the North Central Conference at Frederick, S.D. Baccalaureate was held on May 13, 1951 with the Rev. Olah Moore giving the address. Ralph Herseth, a C.H.S. graduate, gave the Commencement address on May 17, 1951. Our class motto was "Enter to Learn-Depart to Serve". Our colors were crimson and grey and the flower was the iris. On May 10, 1951, Columbia Community and surrounding districts formed a Columbia Athletic Association for the purpose of building an auditorium on the Columbia school grounds. By September, contracts had been awarded and a plea for workers and money had been made. They began pouring cement for the foundation and in December, the blocks were laid. The big beams were put up on the sides and across the top. In April, the Auditorium Women's Auxiliary was busy having food sales, parties and coffee breaks to raise money for a kitchen and the equipment. After eight months, more money was raised to put up the walls. A community auction netted $1,500. Tickets were sold on a 1952 Chevrolet, to be given away at the dedication of the Auditorium. A three-act play presented by Columbia Community Players marked the official opening of the Auditorium on January 29, 1953. The first basketball game was played in January; we were also hosts to the District Tournament. The Auditorium was officially dedicated on April 8, 1953. Marilyn Everson is married to Wayne Morgan and lives in Burlington, Washington. They have two sons. She attended the Aberdeen Business College. Ellen Shore is married to Lyle Boyce and lives near Shelby, Ohio. They have two children. Myra Tunby is married to Paul Michaud and has one daughter. Myra attended Aberdeen Business College. They live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Robert Vitense is self-employed in Columbia where he lives with his wife, Kathryn, and four children. Bob also served in the U.S. Army. James Richardson served in the U.S. Army and now manages a Red Owl Store in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He is married and has four children. He is a graduate of Michigan State University. Dialo Schmidt manages the Sexaur Grain Elevator at DeSmet, S.D. He is married to Margaret Kluck and they have three children. He served in the U.S. Army. Harley Kruse is employed by the Farmers' Union Station in Columbia. Harley is a bachelor and lives on a farm with his mother. Arlen Hanson is in partnership with Hanson Farms, Inc. and lives northeast of Columbia with his wife, Ramona, and one son. Merle Larson works for South Dakota Wheat Growers in Aberdeen. He married Yvonne Goetz and they have three children. CLASS OF 1952 Ten freshmen began school on Sept. 6, 1948. They were the following: Blaine Buntrock Margaret Kluck Jermitt Krage Bonnie Miller James Woolery Arlo Roettele Richard Spiegler Donald Weifenbach Beverly Weihrauch Jeron Zastrow Margaret Kluck left us when we were sophomores and Richard Spiegler joined the Army when we were juniors. The senior class officers were: Pres.- Beverly Weihrauch, Vice Pres.- Arlo Roettele; Sec.-Treas.- James Woolery. Student Rep.- Jermitt Krage and Student Council Rep.- Blaine Buntrock. Bonnie Miller was Valedictorian and Jermitt Krage was Salutatorian. Bonnie was chosen as Girls' Stater and also represented the school as D.A.R. Jermitt was selected as Boys' Stater. The Carnival King and Queen were Jermitt and Bonnie. Homecoming was held on October 12, 1951 and the newly organized six-man football team began its career. Columbia defeated Barnard 56-0, under the coaching of Bud Hurin. The boys had a busy and exciting year in basketball. We were runners-up at the Kidder, S.D. Invitational Tourney, Nov. 29- 30, 1951. Columbia won the first place trophy in the North Central Conference Tourney at Spafford Gym on December 13-15 by defeating the Hecla Rockets 55-50. The Comets won the district Tourney by defeating Westport 53-51. It is noted that thirteen years ago, in 1939, Columbia defeated Westport in the District finals. The Comets defeated Britton 34-31 in the Regional finals and won their way to the first State "B" Tournament. They placed sixth in the State that year. As juniors we presented the play, "One In A Million" on March 30-31, 1951. Our senior clay was "Zeke and Daisy" held on April 2-3, 1952. The basketball banquet was held in the Lutheran Church on April 8, 1952. Our Skip Day trip was taken to Minneapolis, Minn. for a weekend. The Junior-Senior Prom was held on May 9, 1952. Baccalaureate was held on May 18 at the Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carl J. Stapf as our speaker. Commencement was held in the Congregational Church on May 22 with Robert Thompson of N.S.T.C. as the guest speaker. Our class motto was "The Higher We Climb The Broader The View". The graduates were: Blaine Buntrock attended N.S.T.C. and served in the U.S. Army. He married Blanche Rozella on July 2, 1960, and they have two children. Blaine now teaches school in Bellcourt, N.D. Jermitt Krage attended N.S.T.C. and the University of South Dakota. He served in the Army Medical Corp and is now teaching in high school. He is married to Doris Yeske, a schoolmate, and they have a daughter. James Woolery is married to Patsy Edinger and are both employed in Aberdeen, S.D. Beverly Weihrauch is a laboratory technician and is married to Ervin Fossum. Her husband is a plumber and they live in Fargo, N. D. Donald Weifenbach is a foreman at the Thermo Plastic Inc. in San Carlos, Calif. where he lives with his wife, Anita, and their five children. Arlo Roettele attended the University of S.D. and has served in the U.S. Army. Arlo is Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager at Creative Group Inc. He lives at 5017 York Ave., Minneapolis, Minn., with his wife, Irene. Bonnie Miller is married to Marvin Yeske and lives on a farm near Columbia. Bonnie was a telephone operator before her marriage. They have four children. Jeron Zastrow attended Radio School and also served in the U.S. Army. Jerry is now a radio engineer and announcer for Radio Station KABR. He is married to Tamara Smith and lives in Aberdeen, S. D. with their three children. CLASS OF 1953 The graduates of 1953 were: Jean Arvidson Loren Buntrock Janice Hansen George Healy Jeanette Krage Willis Kruse Richard Nelcher Lynn Padley David Richardson Larry Spencer Joel Wilson Clayton Buntrock Donald Dennert Jan Hanson Mary Lou Johnson Orville Krage Kurtis Lile Marcella Olson Donald Pence Myrna Schmidt Mavis Vitense Doris Yeske We enrolled at C.H.S. with 25 students. During our sophomore year, we lost three classmates. Two of them moved away and Wilson Weismantel died in a car accident. We gained one student who was Donald Pence of Frederick, S.D. Lynn Padley was chosen as Girls' State and Joel Wilson as Boys' State Representative. During our junior year, a new Civic Auditorium was started. During our senior year, an annual was published for the first time in eleven years. Our new Civic Auditorium was completed and the District IV basketball tournament was held in it. Jean Arvidson was named as our D.A.R. representative. In 1953, our basketball team went to the State "B" Tournament in Huron. Jean Arvidson was Valedictorian and Mavis Vitense was Salutatorian. Our class was the first to hold the prom and graduation exercises in the new auditorium. The class Of 1953 was the largest class to graduate from Columbia School to date. Jean Arvidson attended Aberdeen Business College before her marriage to Gene Hamilton. Her husband is an Elementary Principal in Osseo School District in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have two children. Clayton Buntrock attended St. Olaf College in Northville, Minnesota and is now working for the Washington National Insurance Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is married to Virginia Lee and they have two children. Loren Buntrock graduated from N.S.T.C. and is now a Credit Supervisor for International Harvester Co. in Fargo, N. D. He is married to Jane Cassels and they have two children. Donald Dennert graduated from N.S.T.C. and is now Supervisory Fiscal Assistant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in Park Falls, Wisconsin. He is married to Marilyn Spencer and they have two children. Janice Hansen is married to Melvin Larson and they live on a farm near Columbia. They have three children. George Healy is a U.S. Army Veteran and now works at Kolzman Aircraft in Long Island, New York. He is married to Delores Kaccane, an Elementary School Teacher. Mary Lou Johnson married Martin Weismantel and they have three children. Her husband works in the bank at Columbia, S.D. Jeanette Krage is married to Richard Baker who owns and operates the Jerry-Lynn Drive-In and Restaurant in Alliance, Nebraska. They have two children. Orville Krage is a U.S. Veteran and is now Interviewer in the Employment Security Dept. in Aberdeen, S.D. His wife, the former Janice Howell, works in I.B.M. in the Employment Security Department. They have two children. Willis Kruse is married to Darlys Wenck and farms near Columbia. They have four children. Kurtis Lile is a teacher in Irvington School District in San Jose, California. Richard Melcher works for Culligan Soft Water Company in Pierre, S. D. Marcella Olson was a bookkeeper at Thompson Yards before her marriage to Harold Brauer. They have four children and live on a farm near Sidney, Neb. Lynn Padley attended Aberdeen Business College and is married to James Hanson. Her husband is employed in the Internal Revenue Service in Aberdeen, S.D. They have three children. Donald Pence is employed at Verne's Place and lives in Columbia, S.D. David Richardson is a Design Draftsman for the Beckman Instruments, Inc., in Fullerton, California. He is married to Roselyn Ledbetter and they have two children. Myrna Schmidt is married to Gordon Mack and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. with their six children. Her husband is a teacher at Simmons Junior High School. Larry Spencer is a contractor and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. He is married to Arlene Weismantel and they have four children. Mavis Vitense is married to John Leif and lives in Huron, S.D. with their three children. Her husband is Instrument Man for the Survey Crew, Bureau of Reclamation. Joel Wilson is a farmer and lives near Houghton, S.D. Doris Yeske is working toward a degree at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. She is married to a schoolmate, Jermitt Krage, and has a daughter. CLASS OF 1954 Seventeen freshmen enrolled on Sept. 5, 1950. They were: Arlene Weismantel Shirley DeHoet Carroll Thompson Marlene Woolery Kay Lile Lila Richardson Grant Buntrock Robert Zastrow Jerome Wright Joan Gesling Joanne Wilson Geraldine Daly Darlene Swanson Anna Felix Frank Daly Robert Mertz Larry Karlen Geraldine Daly and Frank Daly were voted the best sports following our initiation. As sophomores, we lost Anna Felix but gained Ray Schliebe. Our highlight of the year was a one-act play, "He Tried With His Boots On" presented at the school carnival. Bud Hurin was our class advisor and he supervised a pheasant hunt. In the evening, a big pheasant supper was held at the Congregational Church basement. It was such a success, that we made it a yearly affair. Arlene and her parents went to California in our Junior year. Frank Daly was Homecoming King from our class. We were the first junior class to present our play, "Comin' Around the Mountain" in the new Auditorium on March 20-21, 1953. We were also the first class to decorate the new gym for a Junior- Senior Prom. The theme was "The Stork Club". As seniors, Arlene returned to our class. Darlene Swanson left and Mareta Hillen joined us. History was made in Columbia on October 3, 1953 when the hot lunch program went into effect. The cooks were Pearl Lyons and Hattie Gesling. We presented our senior play, "Mumbo Jumbo", on Nov. 18. Columbia hosted a Holiday Invitational Basketball Tourney on Dec. 21. We were also hosts to the District Tournament. We had an active Band and Glee Club, directed by Mr. Brusse. The Seniors gave a formal dance for all the schoolmates on March 5, 1954. We left for Skip Day on March 26. It was at a school board meeting held on April 13, 1954, that plans were drawn up to remodel the old gym into new classrooms. We attended Northern Day on April 23. The fourth annual Athletic Banquet was held on April 26. The boys participated in the N.C.C. Track meet on April 20. We presented our annual Spring Concert on May 6. Frank Daly and Larry Karlen were the first four-year lettermen in football to graduate from C.H.S. Senior class officers were: Pres.-Larry Karlen, Vice Pres.- Frank Daly, Secretary-Geraldine Daly, Treasurer-Joanne Wilson, Student Council Rec.-Lila Richardson. Arlene Weismantel was Valedictorian and Joanne Wilson was Salutatorian as well as D.A.R. and Girls' Stater. Larry Karlen was Boys' Stater. Carnival King and Queen were Ray Schliebe and Geraldine Daly. Robert Zastrow was Homecoming King. Duke and Duchess representatives were Jerome Wright and Lila Richardson. As seniors we chose "Always Forward" as our motto. Our colors were yellow and white with a yellow rose as our flower. On May 9 1954, Baccalaureate was held in the Auditorium. "Measure for Measure" was the sermon by the Rev. Olah Moore. The Commencement address was given by Chester Lind of Aberdeen on May 13, to the following seniors: Shirley DeHoet is married to Robert Buntrock and they live in Bath, S.D. with their two children. Arlene Weismantel worked in California where she married a schoolmate, Larry Spencer. They now live in Aberdeen, S.D. with their four children. Carroll Thompson is married to Richard Nickerson and lived in Orleans, France until 1958. They now reside in Great Falls, Montana where Richard is a Sales Rep. for the Anderson Corp. They have two children. Kay Lile is married to Joseph Dolan and resides at 1004 16th Ave., S.W., Aberdeen, S.D. Lila Richardson went to a beautician's school in Rapid City. She is married to Eugene Rottenbucher and they live at 948 Alta St., Longmont, Colorado with their five children. Joann Gesling is married to Harlowe Howe who manages the elevator at Andover, S.D. They have two children. Joanne Wilson attended Yankton College before her marriage to the Rev. Ervin Hummel. They live at 9616 Melrose Ave., Elkgrove, California with their three children. Geraldine Daly was employed at Daniels Drug Store in Aberdeen, S.D. prior to her marriage to Kenneth Webb. They live on a farm near Houghton, S.D. with their three children. Frank Daly joined the service after his graduation. He is married to Eileen Slaney and lives in Germany with their two children. Grant Buntrock is manager of the A.S.C.S. Office in Webster, S.D. He is married to Darlene Kruse and they have three children. Robert Mertz served in the U.S. Army and is employed in Aberdeen. He and his wife, Ruth reside at 917 S. Penn with their three children. Robert Zastrow is Manager of the Peavey Lumber Co. in Columbia. He is married to Nyla Martin, a former teacher at Columbia. They have two children. Larry Karlen was stationed in the Hawaiian Islands with the rank of Captain. He has been with the Marine Corp as a pilot for five years. Larry, his wife Donna Jensen, and two children live at 1350 Phyllis Ave., Mountain View, California. Ray Schliebe is employed by a Dairy Company. He is married to Rose Shipman and they have three children. They live in LaMirada, California. Jerome Wright served in the U.S. Army and is now a farmer near Columbia. He is married to Carol Fluke. Mareta Hillen is married to Eugene Hormann. Their address is Qtrs. 9, Carter Road, Schofield Barracks, APO 957, San Francisco, California. CLASS OF 1955 On September 4, 1951, sixteen freshmen entered C.H.S. They were: Jeanette Arvidson Paul Dennert Ervin Kruse Richard Thompson Ralph Buntrock Larry Hanson Margie Pence Forrest Vitense Carol Davis Joyce Heim Marlene Podoll Jerry Weifenbaoh Dennis Dennert Shirley Krege Minerva Richardson Robert Weismantel The Columbia High School band marched in the Gypsy Day Parade for the first time in 1951. Robert Weismantel left us in our sophomore year. Another student, Paul Dennert, was severely burned in an accident but recovered in sufficient time to complete the school year. As juniors, we maintained the enrollment of the previous year. Richard Thompson was chosen Boys' Stater and Carol Davis was Girls' Stater. Carol was elected as a U.S. Senator while attending Girls' State. Our junior class float won first prize in the Homecoming Parade. "Uncle Josh Perkins" was our junior class play and was directed by Mr. McMillan. We were also the first class to completely decorate the new gym for the prom. Our theme was "Moonlight and Roses". As seniors, we lost Joyce Heim, who moved to Aberdeen. Ralph Buntrock was elected class president and Paul Dennert as president of the Student Council. Marlene Podoll was Editor of the Annual. Ralph Buntrock and Minerva Richardson were chosen as Carnival King and Queen. Our senior class play was "Keep Moving". Royalty chosen at the Holiday Ball were Margie Pence and Ralph Buntrock. Members of the Senior Class were active in all school activities, participating in chorus, band, declam, basketball, football and cheerleading. We spent Skip Day at Clear Lake, S.D., with our advisor, Mr. Ervin Kusler. Valedictorian was Margie Pence and Salutatorian was Jeanette Zick. The Commencement address for fourteen seniors was given by Mr. Robert Chamberlain of Hecla, S.D. Margie Pence was Columbia's first Snow Queen. She was crowned by Miss Aberdeen, Marlys Schrieber. That same year, Larry Hanson won two purple ribbons at the State Fair with his shorthorn steer. Our team won the District Basketball Tourney at Columbia in Feb. This was our third District IV title in four years. Ralph Buntrock received honorable mention on the All State Class B Basketball team. Ervin Kruse was awarded a one year scholarship in engineering at South Dakota State College in Brookings, on April 23, 1955. Larry Hanson served in the U.S. Army and is now farming north of Columbia. He is married to Lana Yeske and they have one son. Margie Pence is employed by the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. She is married to Ralph Buntrock and they have three children. They live in Aberdeen, S. D. Minerva Richardson was employed at the N.W. Bell Telephone Company in Aberdeen before her marriage to Donald Cassels. Her husband works for Dauby's Shop in Sioux Falls, S.D. They live at 805 S. Williams with their three children. Forrest Vitense served in the U.S. Air Force. He is a T.V. technician at R.C.A. in Aberdeen. He is married to Georgia Van Stone and they have one child. Dennis Dennert is a transport driver for Midwest Coast Trucking of Sioux Falls, S.D. He is married to Carmen Caldwell and lives in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with their two children. Dennis is also a Nat'l Guardsman. Ralph Buntrock is a graduate of Northern and is now a teacher and coach at Warner High School. He and his wife, Margie Pence, live in Aberdeen with their three children. Jerry Weifenbach is attending the Aberdeen School of Commerce. He and his wife, Lisa, and four children live in Aberdeen, S. D. Richard Thompson is a graduate of Northern and now works in Niagara Falls, New York. He is married to Karen Wilkins. Marlene Podoll is now Mrs. Oscar Oland and lives at 6151 W. Cheery Lynn Drive, Phoenix, Arizona. Her husband is a salesman for the Proctor-Gamble Co. They have three daughters. Ervin Kruse is a graduate of Northern. He is now teaching school at Claremont, S. D. He lives on a farm near Columbia. Shirley Krege is married and lives in Rapid City, S. Dak. with her husband and their son. Paul Dennert farms west of Columbia. He is married to a schoolmate, Peggy Daly, and they have two girls. Carol Davis is a graduate of Presentation College in Aberdeen. She is married to Seb Axtman who manages a National Food Store in Huron, S.D. They have two boys. Jeanette Arvidson is married to Donald Zick and lives on a farm near Ordway, S.D. They have four children. CLASS OF 1956 On August 29, 1952, fifteen students entered C.H.S. as freshmen: Warren Felix Marilyn Richardson Gary Sieber Deanna Dennert Donna Dill Kent Elliott Janice Spencer Donald Krege Owen Swanson Wanda Vitense Verl Ringgenberg Doreen Wright Jean Rathert James Hiepler Gary Olson Our class presented a carnival play which was probably the last one to be given in the old gym. Deanna Dennert and Gary Olson were elected to the Student Council. Doreen Wright was chosen Homecoming Queen. Warren Felix had polio and due to the loss of time in school, joined the class of 1957. During our sophomore year we presented our class play "Comin' Round the Mountain." Deanna Dennert was Homecoming Queen. Marilyn Richardson and Verl Ringgenberg were elected to the Student Council. Cleo Brekke and Arlis Hanson joined us as juniors and Owen Swanson moved away. Later in the year, Cleo Brekke also left us. Doreen Wright and Janice Spencer were elected to the Student Council. Gary Olson was Homecoming King. Donna Dill received a superior rating in the declamation contest. As seniors, we produced the annual under the guidance of Ervin Kusler. Janice Spencer was the Editor. Our Homecoming King was Donald Krege and this made a record for us. All four years at C.H.S. our class had a Homecoming King or Queen selected by student body vote. Arlis Hanson and Janice Spencer were selected Carnival King and Queen. Marilyn Richardson, Doreen Wright and Deanna Dennert attended the All State Chorus in Aberdeen, S. D. This was the first time Columbia was represented. Donna Dill was selected as our Girls' Stater and was also crowned Miss Columbia in the Snow Queen Contest. Marilyn Richardson was Valedictorian and Wanda Vitense was Salutatorian. Our Commencement speaker was Henry Wockenfuss Jr., a former graduate of Columbia High School. Marilyn Richardson attended Northern and taught before her marriage to Ronald Hoops. Her husband is employed by R.T.A. in Groton, S.D. They have two children. Wanda Vitense lives on a farm near Verdon with her husband, Leon Stange and their four children. Gary Sieber attended the Wahpeton State School of Science in North Dakota and also served in the U.S. Army. He is married to Karen Hart and they live on a farm north of Columbia. Verl Ringgenberg serves in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in California. He is married to Betty Buddenhagen and they have five children. Deanna Dennert attended the University of South Dakota and now works in a bank in Rapid City. Her husband, Ted Hanson, teaches at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D. They have two daughters. Arlis Hanson served in the U.S. Army before his marriage to Arlene Kuebler. He farms south of Columbia. They have three children. Donna Dill is married to Joe Kuda and lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Her husband is a teacher there. They have three children. Jean Rathert is married to Merlyn Bach and they have two boys. Her husband is employed by a radio station in Pierre, S. Dak. Kent Elliott attended Northern and is now employed by the Northwest Bell Telephone Company in Aberdeen. He is married to Karen Vig and they have one daughter. Kent also served in the U.S. Army. James Hiepler lives on a farm north of Columbia with his mother and brothers. Janice Spencer is married to Dean Johnson and lives in Aberdeen, S.D. They have four children. Gary Olson drives a U. S. Mail Bus and lives in Sioux City, Iowa. He is married to Bernice Bartel and they have two children. Donald Krege is employed by the Northwest Bell Telephone Company in Lemmon, S.D. He is married to a schoolmate, Dorothy DeHoet. Donald also served in the U. S. Army and was a paratrooper. Doreen Wright is married to Jerry Dell and lives in Bath, S.D. They have four children. CLASS OF 1957 We began school on August 31, 1953, with 20 freshmen. They were: Marjorie Ringgenberg Keith Davis Bruce Zastrow Gary Buntrock Wayne Felix Lois Wright Janice Tollefson Kenneth Miller Robert Kruse Merlyn Olson Anthony Daly Marlys Mertz Arla Buntrock Richard Spencer Gerald Podoll Allan Weismantel Carol Weihrauch Peggy Daly Janice Krege Arlan Krege On August 30, 1954 we lost Janice Tollefson and Kenneth Miller but gained Warren Felix. As Juniors, we enrolled on August 29, 1955. We lost Arlan and Janice Krege but welcomed Quentin Stevens and Shirley Neubauer. On August 31, 1956, 123 students registered with 57 students in the grades and 67 in high school. As seniors, we boasted the largest class with 17 students. We lost Robert Kruse, and Quentin Stevens left us after the first semester. Dorn Hicks joined us in mid-term. As sophomores, we presented our play, "Billy's Coming" on Oct. 30, 1954, under the direction of Ervin Kusler. Our play during our junior year was "Deadly Ernest", given on March 23, 1955. Our sixth annual Homecoming was on September 28, 1956. Gerald Podoll was crowned King by Bruce Zastrow, Student Council President, and Marlys Mertz was crowned Queen by Peggy Daly. Our Carnival was held on Oct, 25, 1956. Tony Daly and Peggy Daly were crowned King and Queen. Eighteen boys were out for football with nine lettermen back. We won three and lost two games during the season. Tony Daly and Gary Buntrock were selected as Honorary Co-Captains of the Comets. New basketball suits were purchased and first used at the Columbia Invitational Basketball Tournament on December 17- 18, 1956. The Comets won second place, losing to Frederick by a score of 42-41. The Conference Tourney was held in Columbia on Jan. 16-18, 1957. Frederick again defeated Columbia in the finals by a score of 49-47. Columbia was host to the district Tourney, finally trimming Frederick 73-54. The regional was held in Webster on March 1-2. Corona defeated the Comets 67- 43 in the finals. Bruce Zastrow led the Comets in the season's scoring for the second straight year. Tom Hanson was high-point man for the "B" team. Keith Davis and Warren Felix were Co-Captains of the basketball team. The boys participated in the Dual Track Meet in Hecla and the Relays in Redfield. The girls were busy too. They presented their annual Band and Glee Club Concert on Dec. 6, 1956. They participated in the Region IV Music Contest in Aberdeen on April 4-5, 1957. The band won a superior rating and the Glee Club received an excellent. Keith Davis received a superior rating with his saxophone solo. Keith Davis and Marjorie Ringgenberg attended the Scholarship Recognition Day at S.D. State College. Both received pins and Keith also received a scholarship in Engineering. The Reader's Digest Association Award went to Keith Davis. As seniors, we presented our play, "Finder's Creepers", on April 25. Our Junior-Senior Banquet and Prom was on May 10, with Linda Zastrow as toastmistress and Mr. McMillan as speaker. Our senior class officers were: Pres.-Gerald Podoll, V. Pres.-Wayne Felix and Sec.-Treas.-Peggy Daly. The following awards were presented to: Valedictorian Keith Davis Salutatorian Marjorie Ringgenberg Boys' State Keith Davis Girls' State Peggy Daly D.A.R. Peggy Daly Duchess Lois Wright Duke Warren Felix Snow Queen Peggy Daly Homemaker of Tomorrow Marjorie Ringgenberg Kenneth Molum of Groton, S.D. gave the Commencement address on May 16 in the school auditorium to the following seniors: Keith Davis attended S.D. School of Mines, Rapid City. He is now employed by Univac in Minneapolis, Minn. Bruce Zastrow attended the State School of Science at Wahpeton, N.D. He is married to Berdette Craig and lives on a farm west of Columbia with their son. Gary Buntrock is manager of the S.D. Wheat Growers' Elevator at Frankfort, S.D. He is married to Marlys Mertz and they have two children. Merlyn Olson attended tho State School of Science at Wahpeton, N.D. He is married to Linda Zastrow, a former schoolmate, and lives on a farm near Columbia, S.D. with their son. Allan Weismantel served in the U.S. Air Force and is now employed at G.T.A. in Aberdeen, S.D. He is married to Joan Rowhr, a Columbia schoolteacher, and lives in Columbia with their two daughters. Marjorie Ringgenberg attended a Business school and is now employed in Washington, D.C. She is married to Henry Groover and lives at Box 537, Rt. 2, Stafford, Virginia with their daughter. Carol Weihrauch is married to Dallas Sombke and lives on a farm south of Ferney, S.D. They have two sons. Marlys Mertz is married to Gary Buntrock and lives at Frankfort, S.D. with their two children. Anthony Daly served in the U.S. Army and is now a carpenter in Aberdeen, S.D. He is married to Norma Mertz and lives at 217 10th Ave. S.W. They have two sons. Arla Buntrock is married to Robert Fuller and lives in Aberdeen, S. D. with their two children. Her husband is a teacher in the Aberdeen school system. Richard Spencer is employed by Larry Spencer as a carpenter and lives at 1729 S. Fourth St. in Aberdeen, S.D. He is married to Arlowyn Harn and they have two children. Gerald Podoll is employed by Northwest Bell Telephone Company in Watertown, S.D. He is married to Carol Kusler and they have one son. Wayne Felix served in the U.S. Army and is now employed by Aberdeen Motors. He and his wife, Virginia, and two daughters live in Aberdeen, S.D. Peggy Daly is married to Paul Dennert and lives on a farm near Columbia. They have two daughters. Shirley Neubauer is married to Roy Weismantel. They have three daughters and live on a farm near Bath, S. Dak. Warren Felix, a graduate of Northern served in Germany with the U.S. Army. He is married to Beverly Barry and will teach this fall. Lois Wright attended business school and worked in Washington, D.C. She married Tom Petroski and is now employed in Aberdeen, S.D. They have two children. CLASS OF 1958 As freshmen, we began high school on August 30, 1954 with twelve students: Roger DeHoet Allen Weifenbach Ronald Ringgenberg Linda Zastrow Linda Buntrock Darlys Karlen Monty Woolery Kenneth Daly Zoe Ann Dill Lana Yeske Marilyn Krage Nancy Daly A new form of sport was introduced in the fall of 1954, which was called "Donkey Ball". The farmers led by Emil Krage, and the city men, led by Supt. Parker, played basketball on donkeys. We were the second class to participate in the newly organized Homemaking class under the direction of Mrs. Florence Arnstead. As sophomores, we began school on August 29, with two additional students who were Eugene Spiegler from Barnard, S.D., and Carolyn Rothleutner of Douglas, Wyo. Zoe Ann Dill and Donald Krege were chosen to reign at our Homecoming on September 23, 1955. As juniors, we returned to C.H.S. on August 31, 1956, minus five students. Roger DeHoet returned to Houghton, S.D. to farm. Allen Weifenbach worked in Columbia and is now married to Ruth Voeller. Zoe Ann Dill returned to Minnesota where she later took a course in cosmetology. She is now married to Dan Helle and lives in Holt, Minn. with their children. Linda Buntrock became a licensed beautician. She is now Mrs. Gary Brietag and they live in Milbank, S.D. with their three children. Carol Rothluetner returned to her home in Douglas, Wyo. We presented our class play, "Star Crazy", on March 29, 1957. Darlys Karlen was Editor of the Comet. As seniors, Darlys Karlen and Ronald Ringgenberg were selected to reign over the Homecoming festivities on September 20. The carnival was held on October 24, and Darlys and Ronald were again chosen to reign. Our senior class play was, "Me and My Shadow", directed by Mr. McMillan and presented in the auditorium on December 7. Lana Yeske was chosen to represent Columbia in the Snow Queen Contest. Darlys Karlen won the District IV Wool Contest in Aberdeen and went on to Belle Fourche on Nov. 23, 1957. There she won the right to compete in the National Contest at Phoenix, Arizona, in January of 1958. Our boys had a very good basketball season, winning 22 games and losing 7. We won a trophy at the All Conference Tourney held at Columbia on January 15-17 by defeating Leola 62-47, allowing us to go to the Regional. We won the Columbia Invitational first place trophy in Dec. 1957. We were North Central Champions in 1957 and 1958 and also second team champions. Linda Zastrow was chosen to be Editor of the Annual which was completed in February. We dedicated our yearbook to Mr. J. C. McMillan in honor of his service to the students and the community. Our Skip Day was spent in Minneapolis on April 13. The Junior-Senior Prom and Banquet were held on May 2. The Spring Concert was presented on May 5. Linda Zastrow and Nancy Daly were the only two from our class to have perfect attendance for three of the four years in C.H.S. We chose, "We Finish To Begin", as our motto. Our colors were white and blue and our flower was the white carnation. Baccalaureate was held on May 11, with the Rev. Ham giving the address. Commencement was held on May 15, with Ralph Herseth, a former graduate, as our guest speaker. Our senior class officers were: Pres.-Ronnie Ringgenberg, Vice Pres.- Eugene Spiegler, Sec.-Treas.-Darlys Karlen and Lana Yeske was our Student Council Representative. The honors were awarded to the following: Valedictorian Darlys Karlen Salutatorian Nancy Daly Girls' State Linda Zastrow Boys State Kenneth Daly D.A.R. Linda Zastrow Snow Queen Lana Yeske Cheerleaders Darlys and Lana N.S.T.C. Representatives Darlys and Eugene The 1958 graduates were: Kenneth Daly is a graduate of South Dakota State College and is now living on a farm near Columbia. He is married to Karen Durheim and they have one son. Marilyn Krage is an X-ray technician and works at St. Ann's Hospital in Watertown, S.D. She is married to Donald Biegler and lives at 519 Fourth St. S.E. with their daughter. Eugene Spiegler is employed in a bank in Las Vegas, Nevada. He lives at 2625 East Tamapoh Ave. Nancy Daly went to business college and worked for K. O. Lee Co. before her marriage to Ronald Ringgenberg. They live on a farm near Columbia with their son. Linda Zastrow is a graduate of the Aberdeen School of Commerce and was employed by the St. Paul Fire and Marine Co. and the First State Bank of Columbia. She is married to Merlyn Olson and lives on a farm near Columbia with their son. Darlys Karlen is a graduate of Northern and became one of our few Alumni who returned to teach in her Alma Mater. Darlys lives at 101 S. 20th St., Benson, Minn. with her husband, Jerry Hess, and two girls. Her husband teaches school in Benson. Lana Yeske is married to Larry Hanson and lives on a farm north of Columbia with their son. Monty Woolery is employed at a service station in Glascow, Montana. His address is: Kolstad Trailer Court-Lot 16, Glascow, Montana. He was recently married. Ronald Ringgenberg farmed with his father prior to his marriage to Nancy Daly, a classmate. They live south of Columbia with their son. CLASS OF 1959 On August 29, 1955, twenty-one freshmen enrolled at Columbia High School. They were: Dean Daly Linda Meints Petrea Wright Dorothy DeHoet Ardyth Zastrow Kay Dennert Keith Weismantel Douglas Padley Barbara Felix Jerry Daly Dean Ringgenberg Tom Hanson Robert Davis Janet Mitchell Carol Weifenbach Clarice Krege Sharon Rathert Tom Howell Norma Mertz Rhea Dennert Robert Daly During our sophomore year, we lost Clarice Krege but gained Delmar Moench. As juniors, we lost Robert and Jerry Daly and Ardyth Zastrow. As seniors, we gained Sandy Andre but lost Sharon Rathert and Carol Weifenbach. In our junior year, we had five boys on the starting line-up in football. They were Dean Daly, Delmar Moench, Tom Hanson, Dean Ringgenberg, and Bob Davis. This was the year we won the Invitational and Conference basketball Tournaments. The five who started were Bob Davis, Tom Hanson, Delmar Moench, Keith Weismantel and Doug Padley. During our senior year, Barbara Felix was chosen as Miss Columbia. Kay Dennert was the winner of the D.A.R. award and was also Valedictorian. Rhea Dennert was Salutatorian. Linda Meints was chosen as our Future Homemaker of Tomorrow. Petrea Wright represented Columbia at Girls' State and Tom Hanson was selected as Boys' Stater. Our Carnival King and Queen were Bob Davis and Rhea Dennert. Homecoming King and Queen were Keith Weismantel and Norma Mertz. Tom Hanson and Dean Daly were co-captains of the football team which had a season record of eight wins and no losses. We received the Associated Press Trophy for eight-man football. In our senior year, we won the Invitational Tournament and also took the Conference, District, and Regional Tournaments and Placed fifth in the State B. Bob Davis, Tom Hanson, Doug Padley, Delmar Moench, Sandy Andre and Keith Weismantel participated in the State Track meet. Kay Dennert was chosen as our yearbook editor and her assistant was Rhea Dennert. The girl's Chorus won a Superior- Plus rating at the music contest and sang in the Grand Concert in Aberdeen, S.D. Skip Day was spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. J.C. McMillan gave the Commencement address to the following seniors: Sandy Andre is employed by Terrace Park Dairy in Aberdeen, S.D. He is married and has two children. Doug Padley is employed in Vancouver, Washington, and also attends a trade school. He is married to LaVonne Pirnie. Thomas Hanson graduated from Huron College and is one of our few students who returned to Columbia to teach in his Alma Mater. He is married to Alice Dennert and they have two children. Kay Dennert is a graduate of Colorado State College and teaches second grade at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City. S.D. She is being married this summer. Rhea Dennert is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and is employed as a stenographer in New Jersey. She is married to Robert Davis. Linda Meints is a graduate of Northern and lives at 504 E. 26th St. in Cheyenne, Wyo. She and her husband, Allen Miner, are employed by Boeing Co. at the Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. Petrea Wright is a graduate of Northern and is now teaching at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City. She is married to Miles Campbell who is stationed in Germany with the U.S. Air Force. Petrea will teach in Germany this fall. Barbara Felix attended school in Minneapolis, Minn. She is married to Richard Halverson and they live at Farmington, Minnesota. Norma Mertz was employed by the A.S.C.S. Office in Aberdeen, S.D. She is married to Tony Daly and lives at 217 10th Ave. S.W. with their two sons. Keith Weismantel farms with his father near Columbia. He is married to Audrey Mertz and lives in Columbia with their two children. Delmar Moench attended Northern and now teaches in Minnesota. He is married to Ellen Rosenbohm. Janet Mitchell is attending the Aberdeen School of Commerce and will finish in June, 1965. Dean Ringgenberg served in the U. S. Air Force and is now employed by Martinizing Cleaners in Aberdeen. He is married to Lorie Schliebe and they live in an apartment in Aberdeen, S. Dak. Dean Daly farms with his father near Columbia. Robert Davis is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and is now stationed in New Jersey with the U.S. Air Force. He is married to Rhea Dennert. Thomas Howell served in the U.S. Army before his marriage to Betty Hegge. They live on a farm near Ordway, S.D. with their one child. Daulton Stowell is a graduate of Northern and is employed in Yankton, S. D. He is married to Rita Fetherhuff.