4 minute read
Otto’s Column
By OTTO DICK
(The first three paragraphs are from a story first published in the Dixon Evening Telegraph on March 31, 1981)
“The president was shot in the left chest Monday following a speech at the Washington Hilton, along with Press Secretary James Brady, a Secret Service agent and a Washington, D.C., policeman. Reagan is in a Washington hospital recovering from surgery to remove the bullet.
“The hometown that gave Ronald Reagan nearly 80 percent of its vote in November is being asked to give 100 percent of its well wishes for a speedy recovery Wednesday.
“Dixonites were asked to assemble at the Lee County Courthouse for a gr oup phot o on the nort h side of Memorial Arch. Participants in the group photo held large placards spelling out “Get Well Dutch.” Those with white cowboy hats, which were a Dixon trademark, were encouraged to wear them. The Dixon High School Marchi ng Dukes Band assemb led under the Arch to lead in singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
Ronald Reagan visited Dixon in 1941, 1950, 1964, 1980 and 2000. He was inaugurated Jan. 20, 1981, and Jan. 21, 1985. The attempted assassination by John Warnock Hinckley Jr. occurred about two months into his first term as President.
Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of the United States of America. In 1981, the Dixon High School Band, cheerleaders and pompoms marched in his first inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.
In 1985 at his second inauguration, I was asked to help chaperone the pompoms and cheerleaders. They were scheduled to march in the parade with the Tampico Band. Tampico was the birthplace of Reagan. The parade was canceled by a blizzard and the ceremony was held in the Capitol Hockey Rink.
We were seated in the balcony opposite the viewing stand. At the beginning of Reagan’s speech he asked where the students from Dixon were seated. They all stood and shouted and the president acknowledged them and pointed toward our section.
OBITUARY
Photos provided These photos were sent to Mrs. Kraber, a third grade teacher at Jefferson School in Oregon, during the 1981 inauguration.
• Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
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BERNITA B. RUNTE
Born: April 6, 1924 in Carroll County, Illinois Died: June 11, 2022 in Freeport, Illinois
Bernita Bernadine Runte, 98, of Freeport, IL passed away Saturday June 11, 2022 surrounded by her children. She was born April 6, 1924 in Carroll County, IL, the daughter of Merle and Edith (DeWall) Diehl. Bernita married Dale O. Runte December 29, 1943 in Shannon, IL; he passed away February 22, 2013. Bernita worked alongside her husband on the family farm. She was a member of Prairie Dell Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, and baking. She loved attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, continuing to attend well into her 90’s. Bernita is survived by her son, Gary Runte of Forreston, IL; two daughters, Julie Golden of Newton, KS and Diane (Robert) Kuelling of Forreston, IL; sister, Violet Fredericks of Freeport, IL; six grandchildren, Tammy Love and Jonathan (Julie) Bower both of Newton, KS, Mike (Vicky) Kuelling of Forreston, IL, Mark (Sandy) Kuelling of Forreston, IL, Monica Kuelling of Freeport, IL and Luke (Luara) Runte of Polo, IL; 16 great-grandchildren, Ashley Love, Cody Love, Kammie Bower, Destiny Bower, Cassie (Jake) Hargreaves, Josh Kuelling, Kendal Kuelling, Matt (Angela) Pasch, Sydney Kuelling, Morgan Kuelling, Cade Kuelling, Alexis Kuelling, Zachary Saeger, Logan Runte, Celo Runte, Kaden Runte, James Runte, and Finnegan Runte; and eight great-great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Carter, Hadley, Brinley, Wyatt, Avay, Lincoln, and Kyson. Bernita was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Mervin and Harlan Diehl; two son-in-law’s, Thomas Bower and Lyle Golden; and granddaughter, Gwendolyn Runte. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday June 17, 2022 at Prairie Dell Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 P.M. Thursday June 16, 2022 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, and from 10:00 until the time of service. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial has been established in Bernita’s memory.
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