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Best Friends of Catholic education
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted Sept. 19, 2002

Organizers of the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education are planning to recognize school volunteers during this year's celebration set for Oct. 20 at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb.

According to Marlene Goecke, a member of the Bishop's Dinner Committee and development director at St. Mary's in Remsen, the idea to honor special friends of Catholic schools came from Father Patrick O'Kane, a fellow committee member.

"It gives schools an opportunity to thank those people who continually are there for the schools and help the schools out," she said. "This is a chance for schools to recognize them and thank them publicly for all they do."

The "Best Friends" are people who have gone the extra mile for Catholic schools.

"Father O'Kane suggested it because of the Diocese of Sioux City's centennial year. This will be the one and only time that we will do this," said Sherry Nilles, a member of the Bishop's Dinner Committee and development director for Spalding Catholic Schools.

Every school had the opportunity to select an honoree. The principals and school boards at each school chose the person they wished to recognize.

These individuals have volunteered at the school and possibly contributed financially - in most cases both.

Nilles pointed out that the man who will be honored from Spalding Schools is someone who contributed financially and gives of his time to the school. He cleans floors twice a year for one of the school's centers. The man has also served on numerous school committees and his children graduated from Spalding.

"These are outstanding people who probably did not receive recognition in any other way," she said. "They aren't the people looking for recognition. Some people, you always see their names out front all the time. These people whose names you probably haven't heard, work behind the scenes for the betterment of Catholic education. They are very important to our Catholic schools. Without these people, Catholic schools wouldn't be."

One of two honorees from Pocahontas is a 101-year-old woman who continues to volunteer at the school.

Nilles noted that some of the "Best Friends" are older and others are younger - a good mix. Despite differences in age, their common denominator is that they are all strong supporters of Catholic education.

"This has generated a lot of excitement because every school is excited about having the opportunity to thank the people who they consider their best friends," said Goecke.

They acknowledged that there are many more people who are devoted to the schools, but they had to limit the number recognized.

"Selecting the honorees was a tough job because we have so many good people," said Nilles.

The Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education is the major fundraiser for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City. Tickets, priced at $125 each, may be purchased by calling the Chancery offices at (712) 233-7524 or by mail at:

Diocese of Sioux City
c/o The Bishop's Dinner
P. O. Box 3379
Sioux City, IA 51102

BEST FRIENDS

BISHOP GARRIGAN HIGH SCHOOL AND SETON GRADE SCHOOL OF ALGONA

Honorees-Steve and Marilyn McCall

Steve and Marilyn played a key role in the just completed Capital Campaign at Garrigan High School and Seton Grade School. Steve started as a teacher in the Garrigan system in the 1960s. He eventually left teaching to start a business, but remained involved in the school. He returned this school year (he is in his 70s!) to be the co-head coach for the basketball team. Marilyn is always there when needed no matter what the job - typing for gala information or helping in the classroom. Steve and Marilyn are the parents of five children-all graduates of Seton Grade School and Garrigan High School.

BANCROFT ST JOHN'S

Honoree-Jim Kollasch

Jim and his wife Glenda have been big supporters and volunteers for the annual bazaar and many other activities associated with Catholic education. He is just a phone call away when something is broken. He is the fix-it and repairman for many jobs around the school and parish. Jim and Glenda have six grown children and a number of grandchildren who attend St. John's Catholic School.

SACRED HEART OF BOONE

Honoree-Arden Collison (deceased)

Sunshine, rain, sleet or snow, you could always count on Arden Collison to be there to clean things up, fix things that were in need or help out wherever needed. As acting custodian for Sacred Heart School for well over 20 years, his continual support was unending, even at the time of his death in memorials.

Arden was married to Ruth and the father of four children. One of his children is Father Craig Collison.

KUEMPER GRADE SCHOOL OF CARROLL

Honoree-Mary Neary

Mary initiated the highly successful KCGS SCRIP Fund Raising Program in 2001 and continues to chair this program. She has helped with the Special Reading Program and the Marketing and Public Relations Committees. From 1997 to the present time, she is involved in the Kuemper Catholic Parents Club and various other events. Mary and her husband Don are the parents of three children, Tyler, Morgan and Cole.

KUEMPER HIGH SCHOOL OF CARROLL

Honoree-Clete Windschitl

Beginning in 1957, Clete's whole professional life has been spent in Catholic education. He planned to retire in 1997 but was asked to stay on and work as a new K-12 curriculum director for the Carroll area Catholic schools. He planned to retire again in 1999 but was asked to serve another year as principal because of the sudden death of the principal. Upon the change of administrative personnel for the school year 2000-2001, he was asked to serve as a consultant and mentor. With another change in personnel in 2001-2002 he was again asked to serve. With the start of the present year, 2002-2003, it appears that his attempt at realizing retirement looks good! Clete and his wife Valerie are the parents of seven children.

DANBURY CATHOLIC OF DANBURY

Honoree-Mary Gaukel

Mary is a generous Christian woman from Mapleton. She is a wife, mother, new grandmother, friend and school volunteer. For the past 11 years she ahs volunteered at school by opening, organizing and operating the school library 2-3 times a week for students and teachers. So many times in today's society people ask, "what is in this for me?" Mary has never once asked what was in this for her. She is more concerned about what she can give the students and how she can help the teachers. Mary and her husband Jim are the parents of three children.

ST ROSE OF LIMA OF DENISON

Honorees-Bill and Patricia Menegay

Bill has volunteered many hours of his time in painting and repairing the school. He is willing to help with any repair project when asked. Pat has served on the school board and has been instrumental in contacting alumni and keeping them informed of the progress of the school and the many needs of the school. She has also been chairperson for the Holiday Cookie Extravaganza, a fund-raiser for the school.

EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF EMMETSBURG

Honoree-Jennifer Myers

Jennifer, a graduate of Briar Cliff University, was instrumental in starting a kindergarten class at Emmetsburg Catholic School. She donated her time for two years to the school as a kindergarten teacher, worked hard to get the materials and funding to provide a quality kindergarten program. Jennifer then put in endless hours making sure the curriculum was well rounded and provided the best possible Catholic education for the children. She is on the school improvement committee and the Auction Fest committee.

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL SCHOOL OF FONDA

Honoree-Margaret Lacey

Margaret, who is over 90 years young, is always available to help in any way she can and never ceases to amaze the teachers with her energy and generosity. Education is very important to Margaret, a former teacher. That is why she continues to volunteer to help with students. She never misses a meeting, always helps with church cleaning, funeral dinners and rectory cleaning. She is now teaching English to Hispanics in the community.

SAINT EDMOND OF FORT DODGE

Honoree-Maurie Stark (deceased)

Maurie Stark's name is synonymous with service, leadership and sacrifice. He has served on the Iowa Catholic Conference Board, co-chair of the Sioux City Diocesan Development Program, organizer of the first Catholic school board at Corpus Christi and the Saint Edmond Athletic Booster Club. Maurie, a pioneer in the field of foundations and development, initiated and established foundation for all three of the city parishes as well as for the Catholic grade and high school. Maurie with his wife, Mary, had six children, all graduates of St. Edmond.

Honoree-Leo Crimmins

Leo always practiced the belief that the more you give, the more God will return to you. He has served on the Pastoral Council, finance and buildings committees, and is a charter member of the Development Board that handles the schools investments as well as helps plan and evaluate the development program. Most recently, he served on the Buildings and Grounds committee that oversaw the construction of the new elementary center that consolidated the Saint Edmond system to a single-site campus. Leo and his wife Genevieve have seven children, all graduates of Saint Edmond Catholic High School.

SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF ALTON, HOSPERS AND GRANVILLE

Honoree-Nic Hansen

"I can't think of anyone who is more deserving than Nic Hansen. I don't know what I would have done without him!" That is a quote from the janitor of the Alton and Hospers center. Nic donates his time during Christmas vacation and summer vacation to strip, wax and polish the floors in the two centers. He has served on the Advisory Board of St. Mary's Grade School (a forerunner of Spalding Catholic) and Spalding Catholic High School. He has also been a parish director from 1963 to 1993. Nic and his wife Flora have six children, all graduates of Spalding Catholic Schools.

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL OF HUMBOLDT

Honoree-Dolores Terwilliger

Dolores recalls her own parents' strong belief in providing a Catholic school education for her and the family, and she fondly relates memories of her parents driving the children ten miles a day from the country in a Model T to get them to a Catholic school. Dolores has served in roles from being a lunchroom cook to serving as a study hall and playground monitor and "helping in any way possible." She is scheduled as a weekly volunteer for the children this school year. Dolores was a young widow who raised her three children while maintaining an active role in the civic community.

GEHLEN CATHOLIC OF LEMARS

Honorees-Gary and Elaine Tillman

Gary and Elaine are chairpersons of Gehlen's capital campaign and serve on several building committees. Gary, with a common sense approach to academics, finances and activities helps guide Gehlen Catholic towards productive results. He also can be found mowing, landscaping or putting up playground equipment. Elaine helps put the monthly newsletter together and volunteers several times a week at school. She is also the chairperson for the school volunteer program and serves on the playground committee. Gary and Elaine are the parents of four children.

ST MARY'S OF REMSEN

Honoree-Sister Florence Vaske

Sister Florence, a St. Mary's graduate, entered the Franciscan convent in 1947. Among Sister's many projects are the Big G box tops, Campbell's soup labels, organizing and chairing the Bingo games at the parish auction since it began to the present time. She has served the school and parish in the capacity of fundraising.

Honoree-Paul Loutsch

Paul is a St. Mary's alumnus, retired farmer and faithful volunteer at the school and parish for the past 15 years. He unselfishly utilizes his many skills in repair and maintenance projects at the high school and parish. His positive attitude and cheerful disposition make him a joy. Paul and his wife LaVonne have four children, all graduates of St. Mary's Catholic School of Remsen.

POCAHONTAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF POCAHONTAS

Honorees-Marie Pavik and Gertie Urich

Marie and Gertie are two people who have never had children in the Pocahontas Catholic School but realize the gift of a Catholic education should be shared with every child. Every year, Gertie, at age 101, makes a tatted dollie for the school auction. Marie always comes with a wonderful gift, also. These two women give not only their treasures but also their hearts to the school.

They know every child in the school and show compassion and respect to every person they meet and know.

ST PATRICK'S OF SHELDON

Honoree-Nancy Claar

Nancy has been the student project chair for Fun and Fund Day, the annual fund-raiser for St. Patrick's School. She works with the students every week during the winter to create and complete the projects. She also started the banking program for grades 3-8 and continues to train the students to be tellers, computes the bankbooks and oversees the whole program. She is a willing driver whenever needed for class field trips. Nancy and her husband Mikal have three children.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF SIOUX CITY

BISHOP HEELAN HIGH SCHOOL

Honorees-Gary and Tracey Althaus

HOLY FAMILY

Honoree-Lori Johnson

In the past two years, Lori has held leadership roles in the reorganization of the Holy Family Schools. She was president of the Holy Family Advisory Board and President of the Home and School Association. Everyone knows you can always count of Lori. Her commitment to her family and faith can be seen by her willingness to drop what she is doing to help a student, teacher or priest. Her compassion to the Holy Family Schools and the diversity it offers is true to her hear. Lori is married to Walt and the mother of three children: Joshua, Zachary and Anne.

MATER DEI

Honoree-Keith Macziewski

Keith is serving his second consecutive three-year term as a member of the Mater Die School Board. He has also been involved with the Middle School Task Force for the Catholic Schools of Sioux City as co-chair for the Enrollment committee. Sports are a specialty for Keith as he assists the Mater Dei Football Team and has coached the Mater Dei Wrestling Team. Keith and his wife Judy have two sons.

SACRED HEART

Honoree-Tim McClintock

A graduate of both Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Heelan High School, Tim was elected to the Sacred Heart School Advisory Board, served as president of the board and on the Catholic Schools of Sioux City Facilities and Transportation Committee. He also was on the selection committee for the new superintendent of the Sioux City Catholic Schools and on the Strategic Planning Committee for the Catholic Schools in the centralization and clustering plan, this year as the chairman. Tim is married to Angie and has two daughters Megan and Leisa.

ST. MICHAEL'S

Honoree-Scott Flynn

Scott became involved with the Catholic School system when Father McCarty asked him to join the School Board at St. Michael's. He has spent three years of the school board with one year as president, of St. Michael's and is currently on the Heelan School Board, also as president. Other committee assignments include Marketing, Facilities and Transportation, the Strategic Planning Board and the Comprehensive School Improvement. Scott is presently on the Catholic Schools of Sioux City Corporate Board of Directors. Scott and his wife Darla have four daughters-Melissa, Nicole, Brianna and Mackenzie.

BLESSED SACRAMENT

Honoree-Patricia Sutherland

Patricia has been a longtime volunteer in the Blessed Sacrament Parent/Teacher Group, spent five years on the Blessed Sacrament Advisory Board (four years as the chair) and is vice chair of the Blessed Sacrament Self-Study Committee. She is also vice chair of the Catholic Schools of Sioux City Board and on the Personnel and Curriculum committees. Patricia, a native of Fitchburg, Massachusetts graduated from Catholic elementary and high school, is married to Keith and the mother of Ashley and Elizabeth.

SACRED HEART SCHOOL OF SPENCER

Honoree-Jean Pruitt

Jean was nominated for her tireless efforts and tremendous support of Sacred Heart School. She has served two three-year terms on the school board, two years as president. She chaired the Assessment Committee, volunteers as the school nurse, provides help time to students in physical education and will wash dishes if the dishwasher is ill. Jean welcomes all involved at the school with her humor and friendship. Jean and her husband Dr. Alex are the parents of four children.

ST. MARY'S OF STORM LAKE

Honorees-Dr. Troy and Grace Ivey

Dr. Troy and Grace are two of the most loyal and supportive parents in St. Mary's School. From readily agreeing to chair the ball and auction to preparing a fellowship supper for the Pre-K-4 families to serving on the school board to planning a new preschool, they have worked tirelessly to further the mission of the school. They have developed ideas and were instrumental in implementing them. They feel there is something different about the Catholic school. It is a place where great emphasis is placed on discipline, orderliness and respect.

Dr Troy and Grace are the parents of four children, Catie, Michael, Bobby and Emily.

HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL OF TEMPLETON

Honoree-Nick Romey

Nick is a long time volunteer at Holy Trinity School. He is the Sports Coach for the school. Nick will do anything for Catholic education and proves it by applying his talents to any job in Holy Trinity. Nick and his wife Terri are the parents of two children-Laura attends Kuemper and Mike is a student at Holy Trinity.

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF WEST BEND

Honoree-Patsy Wirtz

Patsy can be counted on to song lead at the school liturgies, has served as school board president and is a supporter of the parent/teacher organization. She is a willing driver for class field trips, plans the Christmas liturgy with the children, walk ditches for trash removal and provides ideas and help during Catholic Schools Week. She can be depended upon for her generosity, kindness and the wonderful role model she is for the children. Patsy is married to Fred and the mother of two children, David and Kristin.