Back: Kari, Heidi, Don; Front: Lana, Rachel, Randi.
Lana Ringgenberg moved with her husband to Manning in the fall of 1983. She substitute taught in the junior high and high school in Manning as well as in Manilla. In the school year of 1986 she was hired by the Manilla Schools to teach a 5/8 position of English in seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. The following year Manilla began a sharing agreement with Irwin-Kirkman, which later became the IKM School. Lana's position then became a full-time position of teaching seventh and eighth grade English and reading classes. She continued teaching there for twenty years retiring in the spring of 2006. She recalls moving her room from Manilla to Irwin and to Manilla and back to Irwin where she remained many years and finally back to Manilla for the last five years. "My room depended on where the middle school or junior high was located and that changed several times in those years," Lana said. "I was fortunate to be able to attend the Iowa Writing Project classes during those years," she said. "It changed the way I taught writing, and I loved it. I also enjoyed teaching reading."
Lana was a graduate of Clarion High School, Waldorf Jr. College, Wartburg College and received her Master's Degree from Drake University. She began her teaching career in Olin, Iowa, and also taught at Linn-Mar. She substitute taught in Boone and Denison before moving to Manning.
Lana was active with proof reading and editing of the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book and has continued her volunteer efforts of proof reading and editing this 2010 Manning School history book.
Don Ringgenberg was hired as the ninth through twelfth grade school principal and athletic director in the fall of 1983. As duties shifted, he became the 7-12 principal and no longer was the athletic director, replaced by Loren Clausen and then Floyd Forman. He served with Superintendent Paul Bjorkgren and later with Superintendent Wayne Curlile.
All four of Don and Lana's daughters, Kari, Heidi, Randi, and Rachel graduated from Manning High School.
Don believed that the Manning School was well respected throughout the area and in the state. He felt fortunate to work with strong administrators, supportive school boards, and a staff of teachers and support people who were second to none. He still finds it rewarding to meet former Manning graduates who have done well and become contributing citizens of their own communities, and he is always interested in their accomplishments.
Don was a graduate of Lytton High School and Wartburg College. He received his Specialist Degree in Administration from Iowa State University. His teaching and coaching history included the towns of Cedar Rapids, Mt. Vernon, Waverly-Shell Rock, Boone, Marshalltown, and Denison before coming to Manning.
He retired from his principal's position in the spring of 2001 and continued part-time employment driving for Windstar Lines out of Carroll. Lana and Don moved from Manning to Pella to be closer to children and grandchildren in the fall of 2007.