THE SHAMROCK
St. Patrick’s Alumni Association Newsletter SPRING/SUMMER 2023
LEGACIES IN EDUCATION
The close of the 2022/2023 school marked the end of two eras, and two amazing careers in education at the North Platte Catholic Schools. Longtime educators
Diane Ostermeyer, forever and lovingly known as Mrs. O... and Raegan (Greenwood ’82) Skillstad both ended their long and storied careers at NPCS. Mrs. O leaves St. Patrick High School after 47 years, and Mrs. Skillstad steps out of McDaid after 31 years teaching 6th grade. Please join us in wishing them both a fond farewell, and a heartfelt thank you for decades of incredible service to our students and families.
If you would like to send a note of thanks or a card of congratulations, they may be sent to:
Diane Ostermeyer Raegan Skillstad
46 S. Jefferson Ave. 1311 Hackberry North Platte, NE 69101 North Platte, NE 69101
If you are inclined to make a gift in honor of Diane or Raegan, the NPCS Endowment is directing funds in their name to the Great Teaching Fund for educators. This fund provides scholarships for current NPCS instructors who are pursuing higher and continuing education.
*The dual credit courses currently offered at St. Pat’s are the result of teachers who utilized the Great Teaching Fund to obtain Master’s Degrees. Donate online at: apps.npcschools.org/donate-now, or mail to: PO Box 57, North Platte NE 69103.
Links to articles and news coverage celebrating these momentous retirements are below:
https://nptelegraph.com/news/mrs-o-closes-out-50years-of-teaching-most-of-it-at-north-platte-st/ article_43c9df64-e601-11ed-9074-e39e656fd01d.html?
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https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/05/17/northplatte-native-raegan-skillstad-retiring-after-31-years -mcdaid-elementary/?
fbclid=IwAR3S2hkqpCsjd6uK_SHwWduLhzYwtu2455
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Mrs. O
*I was thinking, I won’t be here that long. I think God plants us in a particular place and it’s been a wonderful journey.
*I have saved all of the Academic All-Stars awards. I was always very proud of that. It made me feel affirmed as a teacher that the things that I’m doing are for the benefit of the students. If they buy into it, they learn a great deal.
*I started the program of asking my seniors to write to the graduating class of 20 years prior. So in 1972, their letters went out to the class of 1952. The letters that have come back to them have just been very encouraging and heartfelt and full of advice for the seniors as they go forward in their life. I take great pride in that project.
s caused me to have just great fun is making sure that I was always prepared and having a good classroom management plan so students could
*I do have high expectations. I’m a strong believer in high expectations for students. What amazes me is that they will reach that expectation, given the chance. I don’t think a teacher should ever
After 47 years, it’s time to put her feet up and enjoy retirement!
Mrs. Skillstad
*I loved getting to know each of the kids and watching them learn and grow. Witnessing them find a stronger sense of self was a gift to me. And honestly, 10-12-year-olds can be hilarious!
*The project I started and will always feel a great sense of pride about is the 6th-grade book. I look back at all those books and am seriously impressed with the stories, artwork, and mostly the learning that happened. Those books are something I plan to hand down to my future grandchildren.
*I’ll miss hearing about the out-of-school adventures of my students. I’ll miss experiencing those “ah ha” moments with my classes. And, I’ll miss getting “love mugged” by the “littles” as I exit the building each day.
*I can honestly say I have taught with some of the best. It began all the back in my student teaching with Jennifer Kellogg. She was a force of nature, just a tiny lady full of love, creativity, and fun. I learned a lot from her. Teaching across the hall from Sister Elizabeth was a hoot; thinking of her still makes me smile. And JoJo (Pecenka ‘73) Jensen, everyone needs a JoJo in their life. Teaching with people who taught me, to teaching with people that I taught… That’s the good stuff right there.
*I hope that when people think back on me as an educator, they remember someone who honestly loved them, tried to help them become good people, someone who asked for and gave forgiveness, and believed in the power of joy.
GOODBYE IS NEVER EASY
The close of the school year also brings an Irish farewell for 6 other faculty members. We are grateful for the generous service of each of these individuals and wish them much success and happiness in the future.
ANNUAL FUND TO SUPPORT FACULTY
Since 1891, the North Platte Catholic Schools have provided a high-quality, faith-filled education to generations of students. We are grateful for the legacy of so many amazing educators... Especially those who have given multiple decades of service at our schools. We want, and we must continue to be able to attract quality candidates to our teaching staff, while adequately compensating those who currently serve our schools. This is a major challenge during a time of economic uncertainty and a nationwide teacher shortage. The North Platte Catholic Schools need to have the necessary tools and resources to be able to attract new generations of qualified teachers, and to compensate those who have been with us for many years!
As a result of the current challenges facing our school system, and Catholic school systems throughout our state, NPCS administrators and the Board of Education are looking at ways to adjust the salary structure to be more in line with comparable schools of our size, and to allow us to offer a wage that will attract quality candidates to our school system. We know that for employees of our school, teaching is a vocation. Our educators make great sacrifices to teach in our schools compared to their counterparts in the public sector. And, they will tell you that the rewards are great! However, the time has come for us to put forth a concerted effort to increase faculty salaries. One piece of this funding effort will come from donations generated by the NPCS Endowment. Beginning July, 2023, the Endowment will designate all Annual Fund donations to grow faculty salaries. Would you consider a gift to support current and future faculty? Would you consider a gift to ensure the future viability of our school system? This effort simply cannot wait. Annual Fund gifts can be made at any time. By mail: PO Box 57, North Platte NE 69103, or online at: apps.npcschools.org/donate-now, select Annual Fund from the drop-down menu. Thank you for your support of our teachers!
Would you prefer only the E-mail version of the Shamrock? Let us know!
w.dodson@npcschools.org
Pictured L-R: Michelle Pasquinelly (SPHS Office), Diane Ostermeyer (SPHS), Jeanene Lusk (McDaid), Raegan (Greenwood ‘82) Skillstad (McDaid), JoJo (Pecenka ‘73) Jensen (McDaid Office), Rick Elsasser (SPHS), Deacon Michael Davis (‘80) (SPHS). Not pictured: Rachelle Allbery-McQuade (McDaid).In this photo from 1963, senior Jim Waechter poses by the SPHS flagpole with the "Sister's Car" - a 1951 Lincoln that was given to the Ursuline Sisters by Msgr. Thomas J. Murray for transportation to/from SPHS and the convent by the church. Because of the Sisters' dress (habits) which impeded their vision, they were not allowed to drive. So, SPHS seniors were "privileged" with the task of driving them to and fro. Rumor has it that the Lincoln somehow made it to Walker Road to join in drag races now and then after the Sisters were safely delivered home.
Class of 1988 · Bicentennial of the Constitution
Back: Sam Perkins, Mark McKenzie, Naill Mooney, Mike Schneider, Tony Ferris, Todd Gutschenritter, Dan Murphy, Keith Harvat, Matt McNamara
Middle2 rows: Krista Peeks, Jill Fitzpatrick, Scott Pell, Kevin McGahan, Aaron Cosson, Esther Torres-Gonzales, Shawn Burbach, Jill Lawrence, Jim Bennett, Tim VanErt, Luke Ranck, Steve Ramaekers, Jeff Vogel, Jamie Kosmicki, Trevor Larsen, Cheryl Folchert, Jill Cooper, Dawn Kelsey, Mrs. Ostermeyer
Front: Joany Mohr, Janeen Larsen, Jenile Grennan, Pat Rivera Missing: Chris Irish, Randy Barker
Class of 1993
Top Left: Tami Larsen, Chris Reed, John McQueen reading at graduation
Bottom Left: Courtney Thompson receiving her diploma from Mr. McGahan
Bottom Right: Jason Swanson and Tami Larsen at Homecoming
Celebrating our 2023 Honored Classes!
Athletic Banquet 2013
Celebrating Girls Cross Country
L-R: Coach Marie Brosius, Anna O’Malley, Jamie Smith, Mandy O’Malley, Lexi Allison, Maggie Vinton, Jodecci Torrez, Coach Krissy Poston
Class of 2013
The last group to pose in front of the old McDaid building on 4th & Chestnut
Golf practice 2003
Lady Irish Basketball 2003
Team with assistant coaches Mike Smith and Steve Weber, coach Shelly Byrn
SHARING GOOD NEWS
Congratulations and blessings to these classmates who have earned and enjoyed special events in their lives. And, a reminder that we ask always for your help with gathering the news. We have no way to know your news if it isn't shared! We invite e-mails with news to Wendy (w.dodson@npcschools.org) or Bill (wmcgahan1943@gmail.com). Your classmates will be appreciative!
Fr. Tom Mullowney just celebrated 70 years of priesthood. He is pictured here at his 70th Jubilee Mass with Bishop Hanafeldt. Fr. Tom was very much the leader in bringing our school to accreditation and respect. In 1966 he, with board approval, added several staff members and several "new" courses so that we could meet State Accreditation requirements. He also led us into the modular scheduling that we are still following today.
Josh Kramer (’05), wife Jennifer, and father-in-law Bob Morrison took over ownership of Dave’s Place. Dave’s was previously owned/operated by fellow alum Bob Allberry (’82). The Kramer family took the reins in December. Official grand re-opening, pictured below, was held in May. Dave’s has always been a favorite hangout for Irish fans and alumni.
DEGREES
Ashtyn Winder (’19) – Arizona State University
Jacob Swift (’19) – University of NE, Lincoln
Tyler Ferguson (’19) – University of NE, Lincoln
Aiden Skillstad (’18) – University of NE, Lincoln
Hannah Kummer (’19) – University of NE, Kearney
Kaleigh Kummer (’19) – University of NE, Kearney
Katherine (Montgomery ‘16) Piper –
Master’s Degree - University of NE, Kearney
Patrick O’Neill (’19) – University of NE, Kearney
Gracie Rippen (’19) – Mount Marty
Jayden Brosius (’18) – Concordia University
Brittany Lawrence (‘14) graduated with a masters in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Northern Colorado in December 2020, and was issued an Independent Mental Health Practitioner license in February, 2023! Brittany works for Complete Behavioral Health in Millard, working primarily with children and adolescents struggling with trauma, depression, suicidality, and sports performance.
Collin (’14) Pieper is beginning a three-year residency in Dermatology at the University of AlabamaBirmingham.
DEAN’S LIST RECOGNITION
UNK: Caleb Munson ('22); Kate Roberg ('22)
Hastings College: Jackson Lake ('21)
Mount Marty: Gracie Rippen ('19)
Concordia University: Hayley Miles ('22)
Nebraska Wesleyan University: Genna Blakley ('21)
UNO: Kateri Noffsinger ('19)
Chadron State College: Ashley Tolstedt ('21), Bailey Shurigar ('16)
Kansas State University: Teya Carlini ('22)
NEW BRIDES & GROOMS
HAVE YOU MOVED RECENTLY? CHANGED E-MAIL?
IF SO, HAVE YOU E-MAILED US YOUR NEW ADDRESS? We want to keep you informed and involved with your class. Please share current USPS and E-mail addresses!!
Send updates to: w.dodson@npcschools.org, OR wmcgahan1943@gmail.com
Our prayerful best wishes to the following couples who have wed in recent months. May your days and years be blessed with love and all good things!
Toni (Caudillo ‘15) & Eric Francois
Shane O’Connor (’10) & Phuong Nguyen
Sheena Fleck (’02) & Brandon Ruppert
Patrick O’Neill (’19) & Rosie Arbogast (’18)
NEW PARENTS
Our congratulations go to these new babies and their parents. God's blessings and care to each and all!
NEW SONS
Brittany (Saner ’07) & Zechariah Schiley
Shelby (Pieper ‘10) & Cameron Kolling
Jory (‘09) & Nikki Torres
Tiann (Allison ‘06) & Jodan Collwell
Ellie (Buhrman ‘17) & Zach Fischer
NEW DAUGHTERS
Allison (Greenwood ‘04) & Kevin Mattern
Max (‘07) & Victoria Clouatre
Ryan (’07) & Kelsey Nordquist
John (’04) & Neely Miller
Tori (Caudillo ’14) & Zach Koza
Justin & Hanna (Bjornstad) Pieper (both ’03)
Kayla (Thagard ’08) & Byron Little
WINTER/SPRING SPORTS RECAP
Boys Basketball
Coach Bill O’Malley and the Irish Boys Basketball team had another incredible run, ending their season in the State Championship game in Lincoln for the second year in a row. Their 25-3 season included championships at: the Braithwait Holiday Tournament, SPVA Conference Tournament, Subdistrict contest, and District final. The Irish ended the year as Runner-Up at State, falling to Johnson Brock. The team was led by seniors Seth Engler, Will Moats, Andrew Brosius, and Zarek Branch. Junior Brecken Erickson received All-State honors.
Lady Irish Basketball
In her inaugural season, Coach Kelsie (O’Connor ’08) O’Neill led the Lady Irish through a 16-9 season, losing to Southern Valley in the Sub-District Final. The lone senior, Tonja Heirigs, wrapped up her Irish career setting two new school records. Tonja now holds the record for most career points with 1,940, and most three-pointers made in a career at 82. Tonja was an integral part of the Lady Irish's success this year and will be missed.
The Lady Irish were Arapahoe Holiday Tournament Champs and defeated Chase County to take home 3rd place in a very tough SPVA conference tournament. The young team was comprised of 20 total players, with only 3 of those players being juniors, and one senior. Coach O’Neill is excited to have so much talent returning next year and says the future is bright!
Wrestling
Coach Kevin Wood and assistant Justin Pieper (’03) led one of the largest teams the Irish have had in 10 years, with 14 wrestlers hitting the mat. Highlights of the season included 4th place finishes at Mullen, Franklin, and Elm Creek… A 5th place team finish at the SPVA (+ 3 other conferences) tourney, a 5th place finish at Districts, and four Irish wrestlers qualified for the State Tournament in Omaha.
They were: freshman Logan Robirds (#106), freshman Hudson Deeds (#120), sophomore Logan Dodson (#220), and sophomore Braxton Richards (#220).
The Irish Track teams had another amazing season, with athletes setting 10 new school records! Our Irish Cheerleading Squad brought home gold from their State competition in Grand Island, and St. Pat’s qualified 3 teams for Nationals in the Skills USA program. To round out the spring season, senior Matthew Phelps represented the Irish at the State Golf meet in North Platte.
Please join, like, & follow our social media pages for Irish news and updates! We are: North Platte Catholic Schools on Facebook and YouTube, @NPCatholic on Twitter, and npstpatricks on Instagram. In this era of video streaming, you can join us virtually for many of the school sports and music activities!
*Watch the livestream of most varsity Irish sporting events on the Huskeradio YouTube channel! Our “Voice of the Irish” Tanner Struckman is the best in the business!
OUR BELOVED DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers our classmates and family members who have died recently. May God welcome them to Eternal Joy and comfort those who love them.
Special thanks to the families who have chosen to remember the North Platte Catholic Schools with memorial designations to the Endowment. Their legacy lives on through the dedication and good works of our current students.
Memorial donations can be made online at any time by visiting: apps.npcschools.org/donate-now.
Louis Schimek ('63): Husband of Sharla. Brother of Herb, Al ('59) & wife Linda, and Bob. Six nieces and nephews. Sixteen great-nieces and Nephews. One great-great nephew.
Jean (Burns ‘75) Carstensen: Spouse of Tom Carstensen ('69). Mother of Jill ('97) and Josh ('03). Grandmother of three. Sister of her twin, John ('75), Mary, and Gary. In-Laws Skip ('61 deceased), Peggy ('63), and Tim ('68). Deceased siblings Steve and Nancy. Countless nieces and nephews.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Broderson ('57): Wife of Keith (deceased). Mother of Merise, Peter and Joni. Many grand and great-grand children.
Melissa Harp ('02): Parents Terry & Ruth (Boyer) Harp. Sister Michele. Niece-Nephew Courtney & Ronan Blodgett.
Mary Agnes (Cooper ‘56) Patterson: Preceded in death by her husbands Earl, Jim, and Dale, and siblings Ralph, Keith ('46) and Jeanne ('49). Survived by children Debra, John, Jim, and Jerry Smith. Twelve grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Siblings Janet ('54), Jerry ('57), Linda ('63) and Denny ('66).
Bob Karre: Husband of Jacki (Sexton'71). Father of Amy, Brent ('97), Brian ('98), Kristy ('00) and Dustin. Fifteen grandchildren. Six surviving siblings, Alan, Richie, Todd, Karen, Dorothy and Susan. Bob passed in June 2022.
Don Clonch: Husband of Cynthia. Father of Liz ('96), Chris ('98), Aaron ('99), Emily (wife of Ryan McConahay '03), Joseph, Brandon, Sarah, Ashley, and Catherine. Six Grandchildren.
John Barratt: Husband of Darlene Yenni ('63). Father of Jay and Scott. Nine grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.
Catherine (Cohen ‘50) Coder: Wife of George (deceased). Mother of Patricia ('73), Pam, William, and James. Grandmother of six.
Louise (Hackler ‘50) Broeder: Wife of Earl (deceased). Mother of David (deceased), Steve ('70), Tim ('71), Don, Tom, Dan, Jerome, Catherine, Teresa, Elisa, and Trisha ('98), David (deceased). Grandmother of 18; great-grandmother of 32; greatgreat-grandmother of one. Siblings: Dorothy ('52) and Joe ('63).
Joseph King ('45): Husband of Susan (deceased). Father of Peter and Mary. Seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-greatgrandchildren.
David Barnes: Husband of Mary Birdsall ('57) Father of Deborah, Denise, Randy, Sharon, Michael. Fourteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.
Vona Koch: Wife of Kim. Mother of Wendy Dodson (NPCS Endowment Director) and Mother-in-Law of Kevin Dodson ('89-Supt. of NPCS). Grandmother of Logan, Paige, and Hope—students at NPCS. Vona was involved at NPCS as a substitute teacher, and was a major contributor to the planning and initial operation of Little Leprechaun Preschool.
Robert Ponce: Wife Dorothy (deceased). Father of Robert Jr, Philip, and Christina. Six Grandchildren. Siblings: Helen, Mary, Liz ('73), Sue, Debra, Janet, Randy ('73), and Tim ('77). Robert was the son of long-time St. Pat’s Custodian Jess Ponce and wife Jennie.
Cathleen (Wallace) Timm ('60): Mother of Christine and Marianne. Grandmother of four. Sister of Lenore ('57), Mark ('61-deceased), Luke ('63), and Jeannette ('65).
Mary (Easton ‘51) Hunt: Husband Jim (deceased). Children: Judy Hunt and James "Chuck" Hunt (both deceased), Mary White ('74), Geni Karre, Bill, Tom, Scott, Alan, David, Chad. Thirty-seven grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren.
OUR BELOVED DECEASED
Gordon Peeks: Father of Krista ('88). Grandfather of three. Siblings: Karen, Lowell, Bruce and Byron. Several Nieces and Nephews. Gordy was a long-time teacher at NPHS.
Rodney Karre ('58): Husband of Mary Ann. Father of Kimberly and Danielle. Grandfather of three. Greatgrandfather of five. Siblings: Jack, Tom, Tim, Doug, Rich, and Fred. Preceded by siblings Arlene, Norma and Jerry.
Joan (Toro) Davis: Wife of Deacon Michael ('80). Mother of Elizabeth ('12). Siblings: Gary, Bev, Annie. In-laws: Scott & Marci Davis, Shanny Davis, Chris & Leasa Davis, Linda Roggow, Marty & Donna Davis, Tricia & Ted Ferguson, Kelly & Marianne Davis, Andy & Angela Davis. Numerous nieces and Nephews. Joan was a long-time teacher at NPHS.
Gayle Lynn Beran: Wife of Dave ('73). Mother of Trevor and Kyle Stringham, and Katrina Naber. Grandmother of 7. Siblings Kevin and Kim.
Joan Batenhorst: Wife of Dick (deceased). Mother of Gary ('69), Nadine ('73), Russ ('74), Greg ('80). Five grandchildren. Four great-grandchildren.
Dr. Dan Nguyen: Husband of Marie. Father of Kaili ('98) and Danielle ('01). Two grandsons. Dan served generously in North Platte as a member of the medical community.
Cynthia (Corral) McGahan: Wife of Bryan Curtice "Curt" McGahan ('67). Mother of Marie (Chilton) Leedom, Milcy McGahan (Todd Conklin) and Emily (John) Jones. Nine grandchildren. Twelve greatgrandchildren. Sisters Melinda, Leticia, Janet and Claudet. In-Laws Bill ('60), Jim ('62), Beth ('63) & Theresa ('64) McGahan.
Zilphia Branigan: Wife of Jack ('65). Mother of Bob Branigan (deceased), daughter Kelly. Grandmother of six. Siblings Marsha and Curt.
Richard Cantral: Husband of Ardith. Father of Rick (’71), David (’79), Michael (’81), Cindy (’73), Lori (’80), and Denise (’84). Sixteen grandchildren, including Jason Seberber ('97), Kim (Seberger ‘98) Peters, and Rebecca (Seberger ‘02) McNeese. Fifteen great-grandchildren.
William Drummy (’63): Father of Leigh. Brother of Kathy, Shirley (’58), Tad (’61), Laurie (’66), and Pat (’67). Grandfather of two.
Mary Carrizales: Mother of Juan, Pedro (’13), Miguel (’15), Felipe (’16), and Clemente (’17) Martinez. Grandmother of five.
Shirley Snare: Former St. Pat’s faculty. Wife of Gary (deceased). Mother of John and Chuck. Grandmother of 6, and great-grandmother of three.
Donna Collins: Mother of Sue Fleck, Tom Collins, Connie Fleck (deceased), and Pam Ambegg (deceased). Grandmother of Shawn (‘89), Toby (‘92), TJ (‘95), Ty Fleck; Jessica (‘99) & Mike (‘97) Furmanski, Sheena (‘02) Fleck, Alisha (‘00) Olson, Casey Fleck. Great-grandmother of Jayla Fleck (‘22), and current NPCS students Reese Fleck, Trey & Collins Furmanski, Grayson Fleck, and Ross Collins.
Rachel Rivera: Wife of Frank (deceased). Mother of Chris (‘81) and Pat (‘88). Grandmother of three. Great grandmother of one. Sister of Alice. Rachel was a long -time secretary at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Reiny Burbach: Husband of Martha (deceased). Father of Barb (‘64-deceased), Randy (‘69-deceased), Bill (‘66) & Suzanne (Sexton ‘67), Kevin (‘73) & Denise (Dodson ‘75), Rosemary (‘67), and Karlene (‘80). Grandfather of Shawn (‘88), Brian (‘94), Heather (‘90), Jennifer, Heidi (‘91), Aaron (‘96), Sarah (‘94), Kay (‘00), Ann (‘02), Craig (‘02), Adam (‘00), Jamie, and Mandy. Sixteen greatgrandchildren. Reiny served on the Board of Directors for the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment, and was very active in the Knights of Columbus and their fundraising activities to support the North Platte Catholic Schools.
December, 2022
Mom and Dad loved our North Platte St. Pat’s family! We were blessed to grow up surrounded by people living their Catholic faith. We pray that our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren accept the gift of the Catholic faith that offers hope, love, and joy.
The family of Vi Ramaekers
January, 2023
The family of Marilyn Schneider thanks all those from the North Platte Catholic Schools community for donations made in her honor to the Endowment. She was proud to send her children to the North Platte Catholic Schools and to watch them participate in the various extracurricular activities available there. We remember with fondness all those in North Platte who rallied around our family during her health struggles. Thank you for supporting us again with your kind words and your donations to the Endowment.
Jim ('79), Mary ('81), Patty ('85), Michael ('88), Ann ('89), Theresa ('92)
The pictured crucifix was gifted by the Schneider siblings, and will soon hang in the James Schneider Memorial Endowment Office building. Bill McGahan (’60) had it framed and inscribed to honor the founding members of the NPCS Endowment. The inscription reads: This Crucifix was a valued possession of Jim & Marilyn Schneider and was prominently revered in their home for many years. Given by their family in their honor and that of our founders: James E. (Marilyn) Schneider, Ward (Shirley) Lingo, William (Violet) Ramaekers, William (Jessie) McCormick.
February, 2023
We enjoy receiving The Shamrock and the latest news of St. Patrick’s School and alumni.
Gwen (Frazier ‘50) Krenowicz
LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS
February, 2023
The SHAMROCK still arrives to my door. Seeing the entirety of the St. Pat's community continue to thrive always brings me happiness. I can still remember when the blocks were laid for the computer lab. Wes Malone and Ben Schwartz got into a wrestling match and broke a big glass pane by the main entrance (sure am glad they survived that episode of poor situational awareness), and the worn in grooves of the wooden bleachers in the gym. My, oh my, how far we've come. If by any chance you can add me to the digital copy listing, I'd be most grateful. That way it'll be guaranteed to follow me everywhere.
Matt Splichal (’01)April, 2023
My Siblings, Ann (‘74), Mary, Jay, and Pat want to express our gratitude on remembering our Dad, Deacon Jason (JD) Dorwart (‘47) (Lt/Col USAF, ret) in the Book of Memories. Mom, Mary (Farrell ’46) Dorwart and Dad were strong supporters of Catholic Education. Wherever Dad was stationed in the Air Force, if they could enroll us in a Catholic School they would. Dad taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at Greeley Catholic in Greeley, Colorado after he retired. During his years as a Deacon, they supported St. Mary’s Catholic School in Greeley as well North Platte Catholic Schools. Although Dad was officially retired from the Archdiocese of Denver, he continued his ministry through the years. I remember him telling me he officiated at several of his former students’ sacramental ceremonies. The last year-and-a-half of his life he lived in an assisted living facility in Greeley and held weekly Communion Services for the Catholic residents. Ann and I would also like to thank the many St. Pat’s classmates and friends who reached out to us when Dad passed. You are all in our prayers.
Tom Dorwart (‘73)Omaha, Nebraska
May, 2023
Rod loved his four years at St. Pat’s and the life-long friends he made. He tried to make the reunions in July. This year would be his 65th, and sadly, he will not be there. I hope his memorial will richly bless the ones that receive the scholarships.
Mary Ann Karre, Kim Siffring, Danielle Steiner