August 26, 1935 - August 27, 2022
Chuck Brotherton, age 87 of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away at home on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Charles Howard Brotherton was born on August 26, 1935, to parents Howard and Margaret (Howard) Brotherton in Remsen, Iowa. He grew up and attended school in Wall Lake, graduating with Wall Lake High School's Class of 1953. Chuck furthered his education by attending Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, and then the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
On July 24, 1956, Chuck married the love of his life, Betty Roth, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. This union was blessed with five children: Amy, John, William, Beth, and Christopher. Chuck and Betty raised their family in Manning where Chuck was a teacher for seven years before becoming the high school principal for another ten. In 1974, Chuck drove to Wall Lake daily to work alongside his father at Wall Lake Lumber Company. In 1975, Chuck and Betty moved to Wall Lake and for the next forty-four years, Chuck, along with his sons, expanded the family business owning lumberyards in Wall Lake, Lake View, Odebolt, and Carroll. He officially retired in June of 2018. Chuck worked hard for the lumber industry serving on the Northwest Lumber Association as an Iowa Director from 1995-1998. He was honored as the Iowa Dealer of the Year in 1995 and was chosen as an Honored Lumberman by the South Dakota Lumber Association in 2010. Chuck was very proud to see a fourth-generation family business still going and even more proud to see a fifth generation become leaders in the business/industry.
In his younger days, Chuck enjoyed brisk early morning walks. He would walk the high school track and then back to the lumberyard to start his day. He was a coin collector and collected all of the state coins as they became available. He shared this hobby of his with many of his grandchildren and now they too collect coins. Chuck was an avid reader and "history buff" and read many history novels throughout his life. Chuck enjoyed traveling, especially when it was with family. The Black Hills, Washington DC, California, and New York City, were just a few of the places they visited together. He and Betty hosted four foreign exchange students over the years, and were able to go visit their home countries of Japan and Austria. Chuck treated them as if they were his own, and to this day, those relationships remain strong. They were great additions to Chuck and Betty's family. He was not only an avid East Sac County Raider fan (he adored watching his kids and grandkids play all sports), but also followed the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Vikings, and his favorite Iowa Hawkeyes.
Chuck loved his community and made it a point to be very involved when it came to supporting it. He served as a member of the Lion's Club, Chamber of Commerce, was on the Economic Development Board, served as a member and president of the WLVA/ESC School Boards, and was a Eucharistic Minister and active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. The list could go on and on as he played a part in so many community/school district-related events.
Most of all, Chuck treasured time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Being around them always brought a smile to his face. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 66 years, Betty Brotherton of Wall Lake, Iowa; children: Amy (Dave) Stickrod of Glenwood, Iowa, Bill (Deb) Brotherton of Wall Lake, Iowa, and Chris (Carmen) Brotherton of Lake View, Iowa; grandchildren: Carrie Beth Stickrod, Christian Stickrod, and John Stickrod; Jessica (Todd) Miller, Craig (Rachel) Brotherton, Abby (Weston) Wicks, Alison (Tanner) Bengford, and Philip (Megan) Brotherton; Morgan (Matt) Birt, Madison (Kennedy) Drey, and Maxwell (Nicole) Blum; Amanda (Taylor) Bengford, Aaron (Rebecca) Brotherton, and Hannah (Nolan) Warnke; great-grandchildren: Sloane Ware; Malia, Ava, and Miles Miller; Brock, Bennett, Maddy, and Mara Brotherton; Marcella, Walter, and Wilder Wicks; Teagan, Bohden, and Crew Bengford; Lennon Brotherton; Aiden and Poppy Birt; Baylor Drey; Sadie, Lanni, and Tobin Bengford; Niall Brotherton; and Vivian Warnke; siblings: Ken (Joanna) Brotherton of Pittsford, New York; Kaye (Bob) Jungk of Platte City, Missouri, Judy (Don) Kingfield of Algona, Iowa; Janet (Merritt) Olsen of Rochester, Minnesota; and Vicki (Larry) Peyton of Sac City, Iowa; sister-in-law Betty Roth of Wall Lake, Iowa; foreign exchange daughters: Aya Yaegashi Katahira, Naho Yaegashi Tanimura, Ines Bensic Steiner, and Maria Steiner; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Margaret Brotherton; infant son John Charles Brotherton; daughter Beth Ann Blum; parents-in-law Roy and Esther Roth; brother-in-law Alvin Roth; sisters-in-law Eva (Jeryl) Reiter, Ruth (Gerald) Bengford, and Hazel (Marion) Ryan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Charles Brotherton Memorial Fund in care of the family.
I was communicating with Chuck and his son Bill, about coming to Manning sometime in 2022, so I could interview/record Chuck about his memories while living in Manning and
his school days here, but sadly now this will never happen.
I always seem to be just a little too late with so many interviews I had planned with various people over the years.
Charles graduated from Buena Vista College in May of 1957, and signed a contract in Manning to teach Junior High Science, Physical Education and coach all Junior High Boys' Athletics for $4000 (there was no girls' athletic program in Manning at that time). Charles (also known as Chuck) was hired by Superintendent William Baley and Junior High School Principal Oliver Himley. Chuck came to Manning on a Saturday afternoon to interview. He visited with Bill and Elaine Baley at their home and was sent to the old Elementary-Junior High building on Second Street to see Principal Oliver Himley. After visiting for about one-half hour they went back to the Baley house. Bill was out in the backyard leaning on the fence looking at his ponies in the pasture. They visited for ten or fifteen minutes about everything but school and suddenly Superintendent Baley said "Do you want to sign a contract today?" Taken a bit by surprise, Charles said "Who, me?" Bill then asked "there isn't anyone else here is there?"
Charles' wife, Betty, was a little unhappy that he had signed a contract without her even seeing the town but Mrs. Baley was the public relations representative and had convinced Charles that moving to Manning to teach would be like moving to the "Garden of Eden." In years to come both Mr. Baley and Mr. Himley received their Educational Doctorates and moved on to become associate superintendents at the Iowa Department of Public Instruction (Department of Education today).
After working several summers Charles started a Master's Degree in Secondary Education at the State College of Iowa (now the University of Northern Iowa) and completed it in five summers during the fall of 1964. That winter he signed his first High School Principal contract at Manning for $7000. There were 65-75 students per class at that time. Today that contract would be worth $50-$55,000. Charles' last contract for the 1973-74 school year was for $16,385. He taught at Manning for seven years and was the High School Principal for 10 years, which included supervision of a teaching staff of about 35, was in charge of the activity fund, scheduled all students into their classes, and was curriculum director and never drew $17,000 per year from the district.
Charles has many fond memories while working at Manning. The students were great kids, many of whom are still among some of his best friends today. They experienced a lot of academic, athletic, vocal and instrumental music, speech, and drama successes; which made his job very rewarding. Charles could write a book about the humorous things that happened, but one of the funniest involved a mother who sent him a very scathing letter about the punishment administered to her daughter. The letter was full of misspellings, incorrect usage, and punctuation errors. Without adding any comments Charles took his red pen and circled all of the errors, put a big red "F" on the letter, and mailed it back to her. He never heard from her again.
Charles' wife, Betty, taught on a regular basis and did a lot of substitute teaching. Their oldest daughter, Amy, was six weeks old when the Brotherton family moved to Manning in August of 1957; the other four children, John, Bill, Beth, and Chris were born while they lived in Manning. John died of viral lung disease at four months.
Amy graduated from MHS in 1975 received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Dakota and taught several years. She is currently a bookkeeper in a dental office in Glenwood. Amy married Dave Stickrod who is now an AEA Consultant. They have three children. Bill graduated from Wall Lake High School and attended Northwest Missouri State. After college he joined Wall Lake Lumber Company and married Deb Aschinger who is a graduate nurse and a director of nursing for Carroll Area Nursing Service. They have five children. Bill is now president of Wall Lake Lumber Company, a four-yard corporation. Beth graduated from Wall Lake High School and received her Elementary Education Degree from Buena Vista University. She taught several years before marrying Al Blum. Al, who was working for Jordan Millwork Company in Omaha, moved to Wall Lake to become assistant manager at Wall Lake Lumber so they wouldn't have to raise children in the city. Beth was working for Con Agra in Wall Lake when she became ill on December 10, 2001, with a viral infection of the brain, and died on December 17 without ever regaining consciousness. Chris graduated from Wall Lake High School and received his BA in Business from Buena Vista University before joining Wall Lake Lumber. He now manages the yard at Lake View. Chris married Carmen Freese who has an Associate Degree in accounting, and is an accountant for ConAgra at Wall Lake. They have three children.
When Charles left the Manning School System at the end of the 1974 school year he knew Elaine Baley had been right; it was their Garden of Eden. The Brothertons loved Manning then and still do today. Many of the world's best people and some of their best friends still call it home. Charles has a hard time accepting the end of the Manning Bulldogs!
When he left Manning he had spent all seventeen years of his educational career in this school system. It is still Charles' feeling today that Manning did more for him than he did for the community. The family moved to Wall Lake where Charles went to work at Wall Lake Lumber Company, which he eventually purchased. Since then, they have added three other yards to the corporation: Lake View Lumber, Odebolt Lumber, and Carroll Lumber. Charles is still active in the business as CEO and spends 11-12 hours on the job each day.
Faculty 1954-1960 High School:
Gerald Andrew, William Baley, John Beach, Don Buhr, Edward Dakan, Robert Downs,
Richard Euchner, Frances Fields, Tom Fogarty, Eugene Goltl,
Charles Hummer, Dale Johnson, Babette Johnson, Letha Johnson, Verna Karsten,
Lois Kemper, Lois Klisart, Kenneth Laverty, Robert Leahy, Kenneth Loats, Sam Mast, Kathryn McNamara, Dwane
Mickelson, Richard Munster, Roger Naylor, Lawrence Nothwehr, Marion Pantell, Barbara Parsons, Frank Plambeck, Will Robinson,
Christine Sanders, Gladys Schmidt, Ray Standerwick, Raymond Stover, Norman Vandehaar, Douglas Wilcox
Junior High:
Raymond Bechen, Charles Brotherton, Virginia
Dethlefs, Oliver Himley, Roy Karbula, Carol Mast, Esther Paulson, L. Dean Peterson, Ila Rix, Kay Roelfsema,
Dolores Sextro, Bill Swassing
Elementary:
Helen Adamson, Grace Andresen, Janice Anthony, Vivian Boyd, Irma Bromert, Betty Brotherton, Liane Ann Clarkin,
Marietta Demuth, Marjorie Grammar, Sally Haworth, Hazel Herring, Oliver Himley,
Rose Hugeback, Louise Koester, Lois Laverty, Beverly Leahy, Luann Maasen,
Marjorie Morse, Mabel Mullen, Phyllis Munster, Margaret Ohde, Carol Olsen,
Sharon Olson, Esther Paulsen, L. Dean Peterson, Anna Rainthorpe, Ruth Sand,
Golda Sander, Carol Schmidt, Janet Schultz, Dolores Sextro, Teresa Shoemaker,
Carol Smith, Lena Steinke, Eunice Templeton, Irene Weddum
Since Charles and his family moved from Manning after the 1975 school year, his 3 younger children did not graduate in Manning.
So I don't have school pictures for the most part for these 3 Brothertons.
Here are their names and the year the students they would have graduated with.
Bill Brotherton 1978
1978 MHS graduates: Marsha Jean Beck, Bradley James Bjorkgren, Donald R. Blum, Bruce Michael Bruhn, Del Ray Christensen,
Lynn Everett Christensen, Ann Crandall, Joan Elizabeth Croghan, JoAnne Rose Croghan, Patricia Joan Croghan, Cynthia Jolene Curlile, Anna Marie Drees,
Robert Dean Ehlers, Michael G. Fara, Patricia Ann Ferneding, Lori Marie Foote, Janet Lee Genzen, Daniel Lee Gore, Hans Kristian O. Hegland,
Mark Herman Hagedorn, Joan Marie Hass, Dean Raymond Heithoff (valedictorian), Gail Arlene Hoffmann, Sharon Dee Houghton, Charles Arthur Hughes,
Kevin Lynn Irlmeier, Jeff Lynn Jahn, Brenda Sue Juels, Joyce Ann Justice, Joseph W. Kalkhoff, Paula Jean Kanne, Joni Kay Karsten,
Thomas Walter Knop, Carlys June Kusel, Michael Linell, Mary Jane McNutt, Shirley L. Milkert, Jeffery Lee Mohr, Michael Dean Mohr,
Joleen Kaye Muhlbauer, Neil V. Muhlbauer, Lori J. Mundt, Susana Beatriz Nakazaki, Jane Ellen Nelson, James Ivan Opperman,
Steven Wayne Phillips, Diane Kay Reinke, Shirley Ann Renze, Daniel L. Rohe, Doris J. Rohe, Lonny Dean Rowedder, Jill Renee Schmarzo,
Gregory Joseph Sextro, Leon E. Sporrer, Scott Alan Stripling, William Lee Strosahl, Richard George Struve, Donna Rae Stoelk,
Steven Tank, Jean Marie Voege, Kevin Lee Vollstedt, Janelle Jo Wanninger, Kevin Gene Warner, Dean Michael Wegner,
Donna R. Weiskircher, Kyle Lane Wiese, Kathleen Jean Willenborg (salutatorian), Randy Lee Willenborg, Ginger Wolfe, Donald Wurr
Beth Brotherton 1982
1982 MHS graduates: Richard Duane Amsden, Lynna Marie Andresen, Ken E. Bauer, Sara Mae Carter, Lyle Kevin Christensen, Julie Jeralyn Collison,
Susan Crandall (salutatorian), Gerald Thomas Croghan, Owen Jerome Croghan, Jessica Sue Dammann, Mary Helen Drees, Janice Marie Eickman,
Kenny Roger Eischeid, Michelle Angelique Fiddelke, Scott Edward Fielweber, Vicki Lin Frank, Robert Allen Genzen, Todd Karl Gruhn, Craig Frank Hacker,
Jon Michael Hagedorn, Shelli Dee Hagedorn, Roxanne A. Halbur, Kristie Sue Haskins, Lisa Sue Hass, Donna Lea Herbers, Delia Lee Hicks, Alan R. Hinners,
Jeff Houghton, Patricia Ann Hughes, Brett David Irlbeck, Jeff L. Joens, Denise Elaine Johnson, Thomas James Johnson, Lori Sue Justice,
Daniel C. Kalkhoff, Annette Kinsey, Chris Elmer Langel, Trudi Margaret Lewis, Patrick Alan Lutwitze, Margaret Renee McAdams, Ron McKay,
Mary Jane Miller, Julie Ann Mohr, Rebecca Renee Mohr, Rourke Francis Mullen, Edith Dawn Myer, Christopher D. Nelson, Kent E. Pfannkuch,
Richard Allan Ramsey, Dean Wayne Rohe, Donna Jean Rosonke, Mary Jane Marie Rothfolk, Karla Ann Sailer, Barry Schwiesow, Julie Ann Siepker,
Kevin Sporrer, Randall Lee Sturm, Wanda Jean Tank, David Scott Thompson, LaDonna Lorraine Vaughn, Kathy Linn Vollstedt, Lisa Marie Wanninger,
Tim Waterbury, Carmen Beth Weets, Craig Alan Wegner, David Robert Wegner, Valerie Lynn Weller (valedictorian), Jean Marie Wiese
Christopher Brotherton 1984
1984 MHS graduates: Rosa Maria Alonso, Robert Joseph Amsden, Kevin Garrett Boersma, Carolyn Janis Bruhn, Jay Edward Curlile, Joyce Marie Dammann,
Karen Ann Dammann, Michael John Dammann, Valerie Ann Dentlinger, Donnie Eugene Eischeid, Kimberly Renee Frank, Bruce Allen Grau,
Michael James Gruhn, Jackie Sue Hagedorn, Carla Joan Halbur, Carla Kay Henkelman, Darsi Marie Hicks, Nathan Arlo Hodne, Lisa Marie Hughes,
Laurie Ann Irlbeck (salutatorian), Lana Sue Jensen, Kevin C. Kahl, Dan Frank Kerkhoff, Kathy Jo Klocke, Julie Ann Lamp, Tyler Gene Larsen, Thomas John Long,
Todd Eugene McAdams, Edward Michel Meeves, Keith Joseph Muhlbauer, Beth Ann Opperman, Martin Allen Popp, Andrea Sue Puck, Daniel Edward Ramsey,
Brian Virgil Reid, Kenneth G. Rohe, Julie Lynette Schroeder, Jean Marie Stangl (valedictorian), Karla Kay Stoberl, Kumi Suzuki, James Gerard Wanninger,
Lori Renea Wanninger, Jeffrey Allen Waterbury, Nancy Ann Wegner, James R. Weiskircher, David Alan Weller, Rick H. Willenborg, Joanna Marie Zerwas, Barbara Gerrine Zubrod
Back: Dennis Rowedder, David Schroeder,
Dale Moeller, John Hornberger, Ron Leitschuck, coach
Middle: Larry Stangl, Dale Pfannkuch, Larry Mohr, Gale Tibben, Charles Brotherton, coach
Front: Bruce Grimm, Jim Dobler, Mark Spack, Robert Case, Eddie Meiers
Charles Brotherton, Myra Weems, Betty Brotherton
December 12, 1963 photo in Monitor
Junior Hight
Back: Ron Arp, Craig Ruhde,
John Detlefsen, Kelly Pratt, Ron Leitschuck - coach
Middle: Keith Joens, Gary Knueven, Terry Irlmeier, LaRay Freese, Charles Brotherton, coach
Front: Darrell Ohde, Terry Hargens, Rick Hargens, David Kuhn, David J. Schroeder
Amy Brotherton MHS 1975
1975 MHS graduates: Corine Altenhein, James Lyle Anthony, Bruce E. Antone, Cathleen Susan Arp, Cindy Kay Bilsten, Amy Lu Brotherton, Renee Lee Christensen, Peter Joseph Croghan, Jill Renee Escher (valedictorian), Dean D. Grau, Robbie Charles Grundmeier, Jane Francis Hacker, Thomas A. Handlos, Jeff L. Hargens, Jon Merlin Hass, Peter M. Heinicke, Dale H. Hinners, Liesa Deloris Hinners, Ricky R. Jahn, Bruce L. Jensen, Mark Kenneth Jensen, Kerry Lynn Joens, Christine Ann Kanne, Jan LaRae Karsten, Mary Imelda Kerkhoff, David August Kusel, Brian Charles Lage, Suzanne Renee Long, James Russell Mohr, Lynn Davis Mork, Richard D. Mundt, Carol Ann Musfeldt (salutatorian), Todd Randall Nelson, Debra Kay Nissen, Thomas George Opperman, Marcus dosSantos Paes, Bruce Arlo Pfannkuch, Steven Craig Pfannkuch, Johannes Helmut Plessing, Royce Lynn Ranniger, Sharon Ann Reischl, Mary Lou Rohe, Merlin Rohe, Craig Norman Rothfolk, Mark J. Rowedder, Mildred Jean Saunders, Steve Merritt Sebring, Jeff R. Siepker, Karen Rose Sporrer, Larry Francis Sporrer, Dale Kenneth Stangl, Mark Steven Stangl, Lee A. Stein, Judy Mae Stoberl, Marlys Ann Stoelk, Allen Lowell Stribe, Carol Jean Struve, Ronald E. Venner, William Henry Voge, Cynthia Kay Wanninger, James V. Weitl, William Kenneth Weitl, Kent L. Wiese, LindaLou Bernice Willenborg, Maureen Williams, Karen Marie Witt
1975 former students: Michelle Aiken, Barbara Anthony, Esther Benter, Mary Boell, Cindy Brincks, Jeff Chandler, Lori Dentlinger, Lynn Eich, Carol Espenhover, Donna Gerhardt, Dean Graves, Dennis Graves, Russell Hargens, Robert Iddings, Jerome Irlmeier, Jeanine Klemme, Jeri Ann Kloewer, Timothy Lakers, Pam Marr, Steven Mathisen, Luann Miller, Ricky Mohr, Kelly Poldberg, Martha Robertson, Michael Schiltz, Michael Schlichte, Mark Schwaller, Steve Schwaller, Dyann Sheldon, Brenda Shipps, Linda Wanninger, Paula Warner, Paul Weis
Top: Luann Wurr, Debra Nissen
Middle: Amy Brotherton, Diane Hinners (March 21, 1958 - April 25, 1974), Jessica Zerwas
Bottom: Becky Tank
1969-70 Junior high cheerleaders
Top: Debra Nissen
Bottom: Nylene Frees, Jessica Zerwas, Amy Brotherton
1973-74
Top: Luann Wurr, Debra Nissen
Middle: Amy Brotherton, Diane Hinners, Jessica Zerwas
Bottom: Becky Tank
Fannie Brice - Amy Brotherton sings "Cornet Man" 1974
The beautiful bride - Fannie Brice - Amy Brotherton
1978 boys' track records
Discus Kevin Pfannkuch 136' 1973
High Jump Larry Zerwas 5' 11" 1957
Long Jump Brian Joens 20' 9 3/4" 1976
Pole Vault John Doyel 11' 9" 1965
Shot Put Kevin Pfannkuch 52' 10" 1973
100 yard dash John Dobler 10.1 1969
120 yard High hurdles Jim Opperman 15.56 1977
180 yard Low hurdles Jim Opperman 20.5 1977
220 yard dash John Dobler 22.2 1969
440 yard dash Dan Anderson 50.4 1972
880 yard dash Russ Baker 2:01.1 1969
Mile run Barry Kusel 4:43.6 1963
2-mile run David Kusel 11:05 1972
440 yard relay Keith Stribe, Kent Rutz, Dan Anderson, Don Rowedder 45.1 1971
Shuttle hurdle relay Eugene Stoelk, Paul Renze, Rick Lohrmann, John Opperman 1:01.5 1973
880 yard relay Keith Stribe, Kent Rutz, Dan Anderson, Don Rowedder 1:32.8 1972
Mile relay Kim Jahn, Scott Renze, Randy Lohmeier, Dan Anderson 3:32.9 1972
Mile Medley Kent Rutz, Don Rowedder, John Dobler, Russ Baker 3:35.4 1969
2-mile relay David Kusel, Rick Lohrmann, Kim Jahn, Kent Wiese 8:15.4 1973
Freshman/Sophomore records started in 1972
Discus Mark Rowedder 124' 1972
High jump Jon Ahrendsen, Jeff Karsten 5' 4" 1972
Long jump Randy Renze 19' 1972
Pole vault Rick Lohrmann 10' 1972
Shot put Kevin Pfannkuch 47' 4" 1971
100 yard dash Keith Stribe 10.7 1972
120 yard high hurdles Paul Renze 16.9 1972
180 yard Low hurdles Jim Opperman 22.8 1975
220 yard dash Jeff Sebring 23.7 1974
440 yard dash Brian Joens 54.4 1975
880 yard dash Kent Wiese 2:05 1973
Mile run Randy Renze 4:46.4 1972
2-mile run David Kusel 11:05 1972
440 yard relay Tom Handlos, Tom Gore, Randy Renze, Keith Stribe 47.9 1972
Shuttle hurdle relay Rick Lohrmann, Tom Gore, Jeff Karsten, Paul Renze 1:04.9 1972
880 yard relay Jon Ahrendsen, Tom Handlos, Tom Gore, Keith Stribe 1:39.7 1972
880 medley relay Kyle Wiese, Scott Stripling, Bill Brotherton, Del Christensen 2:01.2 1975
Mile relay Rick Lohrmann, Randy Renze, Randy Baker, Kent Wiese 3:52.5 1972
Mile medley Jon Ahrendsen, Tom Handlos, Randy Baker, Kent Wiese 3:56.2 1972
2-mile relay Randy Baker, Rick Lohrmann, Kent Wiese, Randy Renze 9:12.5 1972
Iowa High School Music Association All-Staters:
Kent Weible, 1963; Harlan Moore, 1964; Michael Edgerton, 1964,65,66;
Patricia Pfoltner, 1966,67,68; Keith Jones, 1966; Irene Felker, 1968; Kathy
Stangl, 1968; Jim Stangl, 1969,70,71; Francine Kruse, 1969; Twyla Misselhorn,
1970; Richard Schmidt, 1972; Martha Heinicke, 1972; Mary Heinicke, 1972,73; Jessica
Zerwas, 1973; Amy
Brotherton, 1974; Kevin Linder, 1974,75; Sue Grimm, 1974,75; Laurie
Vonnahme, Mary McNutt, 1975; 1975,76; Becky Heinicke, 1976; Shirley Renze,
1977; Brian Pfoltner, 1977,78,79; Teresa Johnson, 1979,80; Rhonda Meeves, 1982;
Diane Rohe, 1982; Sonia Johnson, 1984; Kurt Pfannkuch, 1984,85; Traci Rix, 1984,86;
Luann Andresen, 1987; Jeff Jensen, 1987; Amy Ulrickson, 1991,92; Christy Lensch, 1991,92; Mollie Ulrickson, 1993,94,95,96; Dawn
Willenborg, 1995,96; Tonya Wurr, 1997; Crystal Bruhn, 1997,98,99; Rachel
Pfannkuch, 1998,99; Jacquie Dammann, 1997,98,99,2000; Jennifer Stribe, 1997,98;
Ross Muhlbauer, 1998; Jamie Irlbeck, 1998; John Ulrickson, 1998,99,2000; Paul
Brown, 1999; Sara Brown, 1999,2000; Holly Ehlers, 2001; Jill Willenborg,
2001,02; Brian Stessman, 2002; Ashley Croghan, 2003,04; Erin Dammann, 2003,04;
Danielle Drees, 2004,06,07; Kelsey Feser, 2003,04,05,06; Andy Stessman, 2004; Melissa Weets, 2005.
Ruth Mork began working for the Manning Community School District in January of 1965. She replaced Ruth Moore as the high school principal's secretary. Ruth enjoyed working for and with Charles Brotherton in that capacity for quite a few years. In 1979, Ruth became secretary to Superintendent Paul Bjorkgren and school bookkeeper. Later she became Secretary for the school board. After Mr. Bjorkgren's retirement, she worked for and with Wayne Curlile. Ruth enjoyed the opportunities to advance her education and training, which enhanced and improved procedures for the school district. After 27 1/2 years of service to the Manning School District, she retired in 1993 - only to occasionally return as a substitute in the offices for several years after that.
Jim enjoyed driving kids to and from school, as well as numerous athletic events and extra-curricular activities. One evening while at a basketball game in Perry, it started to snow. After the game they headed home and by the time they got east of Coon Rapids, it was snowing so hard, Jim could hardly see to drive. He called the Superintendent of the Coon Rapids' school to see if they could spend the night in the Coon Rapids gym, and were given permission to do so. The next morning they followed a snowplow with the bus so they could get back to Manning.
Safety of the students was important to Jim when dropping them off the bus and he waited to make sure they got into their homes. He appreciated the opportunity to be around and touch the lives of students, even in the small ways of a bus driver.
Ruth passed away in 1996. In 2005, Jim sold their home at 102 East Street where he and Ruth lived and raised their family. Jim now lives in the Terrace Apartments and enjoys participating in the MCS Senior Center activities. Ruth and Jim have two children, Denise and Lynn.
Denise and Gordon have two children Kristine and Brad. Kristine is attending Wartburg College in Waverly, double majoring in elementary education and music performance. Brad is a freshman at Indianola High School.
Lynn graduated from MHS in 1975. He married Pam Husman in 1979 and has been in Berlin, Wisconsin, for 28 years. For the first 17 years he taught fifth grade and the last 11 years he has been the assistant principal at the high school. He also has coached football and has been a track starter for 28 years. He enjoys the education field and remembers the years in high school helping his kindergarten teacher, Virginia Dethlefs, in her classroom. Lynn has many fond memories of school in Manning from washing tables in the old school on First Street, third grade in Ms. Biggs class, to sitting in the elementary office closet as a freshman in high school.
Lynn and Pam have two children, Erik and Laura. Erik is married and is a fireman in Canton, Georgia. Laura is attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison.