Class Notes

We want to celebrate your life experiences and news.

The Clarkson College Alumni Association and your classmates want to hear about your career achievements, family updates and any personal or community pursuits. Class notes are published two times annually, and photographs accompanying submitted updates are always welcome.

Submit your note to: Trish Weber 101 South 42nd Street Omaha, NE 68131 alumni@clarksoncollege.edu

Melissa Petty VanWey (’63) Moved to continuing care facility. I still bicycle and kayak and travel in the continental U.S.

Daisy Hughson Eickhoff (’63, ’86) Although I retired, I continue to teach Childbirth Education classes at Tucson Medical Center.

Jane Hoesly Conley (’65) I have three children and six grandchildren. One third of them are in Oregon and two thirds of them are in Bentonville, Ark. Rita DeSciscio VanFleet (’67, ’94, ’06) When I retired from Nebraska Medicine in 2007, I thought I was finished with my formal work life. When I was asked by Dr. Louis Burgher to assist with alumni relations at Clarkson College in April 2008, I thought it would be a short stint as the Alumni Coordinator. Now, 11 years later and being another 11 years older, I decided to truly retire effective Jan. 3, 2020. I had a great time with all of the alumni activities and working with the Board. Now, I hope to have a great time traveling, spending time at my cabin on the Minnesota/Canadian border, spoiling my two grandsons and being an active family member with all my relatives. I do volunteer work, so I am not worried about staying busy. I truly will miss all of the alumni I have worked with—it was a sincere pleasure to help with events, work on the Alumni Times and be there for our incredible alumni.

Jean Scherling Huff (’71) I retired in September 2017. We now have six grandchildren ages six and under. Four boys and two girls. We are enjoying retirement very much. We have done lots of traveling and just got back from a cruise of the Baltic Sea. It was very educational and enjoyable.

Jeanette (JJ) Jackson Kassmeier (’72, ’86) On Aug. 5, 2019, I was retired for four years. My spouse and I have enjoyed traveling—Panama Canal cruise, Alaska land and sea excursions, cruise around Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, Netherlands and multiple road trips. We are attempting to see all 50 states and have fewer than 10 left. Following our daughters through Missouri, Florida, Arizona and Texas. Debra Banark Floreani (’75) I retired from nursing after working in Community Nursing at the Friendship Program for 15 years. I enjoyed talking to the many Clarkson College students who did their psychiatric experience at the program. I have connected with classmate Donna Gutschenritter Hoover, which has been fun.

Rita, I thoroughly enjoyed the spring alumni magazine about Clarkson College alumni and their service during WWII. The pictures were amazing, along with the history given in the article. Also, story on Franc Florence Henderson and her work in anesthesia was so interesting.

Colleen Janak Nielsen (’89) My senior year at Clarkson College, I applied for a VA scholarship. At that time, they paid my last year’s tuition and a stipend for room and board. I was required to work at a VA for one year in return. I returned to Lincoln and worked at the VA there. At that time (1989), we had a hospital and outpatient clinic, although the inpatient hospital is closed now, the outpatient clinics remain very busy. I am now celebrating 30 years as a VA nurse and could not have asked for a better career.

A snapshot of the people, ideas and events shaping our history Our community initiates positive change when we rise above obstacles together. Recognize this student who went above and beyond?

Send your responses to alumni@clarksoncollege.edu.

MYSTERY PHOTO REVEALED

There were no identifying responses to the fall edition's mystery photo, so it continues to remain a mystery.

Know more than we do? Let's hear it! If you recognize the alumna captured in this image, let us know! Your insight helps us keep the Clarkson College historical and alumni records current. Each moment is a key piece to our history, and we don't want to lose it.