Alumni News & Notes In Memory

Jeremy (Bud) Gatlin ‘98 died October 13, 2022.

Sharon Furgason Ellis ‘70 died August 19, 2022.

Sheryl Van Voltenburg Proenneke ‘74 died December 26, 2022.

Rosamond Goodlander died January 31, 2023. She taught at Kalona Elementary, Wellman Elementary, West Chester Elementary and Pleasant Hill rural school from 1966-1995.

45 Years Ago...

On March 23, 1978, Mid-Prairie High School held a memorial service for Mid-Prairie Junior High 8th grade student, Jon Swartzendruber. Jon and his father, Wallace C. Swartzendruber, were killed in an airplane accident in Arizona on March 11, 1978. In the Mid-Prairie Junior High newsletter, The Hawk’s Eye, Jon was remembered as a student active in many school activities and deeply involved in science. Along with his demonstrations of metal detecting and rock polishing for his science classes, he also invented a working solar radio at home. He was remembered as a student who set an example for others with his patience, consideration, responsibility and perseverance. As the original Editor-in-Chief of the 1978 issue of The Hawk’s Eye, the paper was dedicated to him in recognition of his interest in journalism and in appreciation of his guidance.

Von Miller ‘65 passed away December 20, 2022, with his wife, Pamela, by his side. He grew up in Kalona and graduated from Mid-Prairie in 1965. While attending Mid-Prairie, Von participated in various activities. As a senior, he participated in basketball, vocal music, science club, chess club and Future Teachers of America.

After graduating from Mid-Prairie, Von attended the University of Iowa and went on to begin a career for the United States Geological Survey, which he continued in for 37 years. He and Pamela were married in 1972, and together they raised two children, Jennifer and Jeremy.

After his retirement from the U.S. Geological Survey, Von worked part time as a courier for Hills Bank. However, he kept his focus on his passion for helping people. He volunteered and served for 25 years as an adult leader on mission trips with the First United Methodist Church and the Appalachia Service Project. During this volunteer work, Von led many housing projects for low-income families. He was also a very dedicated blood donor, achieving a 16-gallon donor status.

Von dedicated much of his life to serving others. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and classmates.

Beth Janecek, former Wellman Elementary teacher from 1961-1985, passed away on January 16, 2023, at 100 years old. Beth was born June 1, 1922, on the family farm near Wellman. She was the youngest of six children and graduated from West Chester High School. Following high school, she attended Parsons College in Fairfield for two years to earn her teaching certificate, and later returned to Parsons to earn a BA degree in 1965. She taught elementary school in Salem, Kalona, West Chester and Mid-Prairie (West Chester Elementary and Wellman Elementary). Beth taught for a total of 30 years and loved it. She was also an accomplished pianist and taught piano lessons for many years. She was a member of the West Chester United Methodist Church and served as the church pianist for her churches in West Chester for over 60 years. Beth enjoyed collecting and displaying rocks and sea shells. She enjoyed living on the family farm and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. Her two children, Carmen Griggs ‘64 and Tracy Janecek ‘69 (Susan Kinsinger Janecek ‘69), and three grandchildren, Amy Janecek ‘93, Curt Janecek ‘96 and Chris Janecek ‘00, are all Mid-Prairie graduates. Her six great grandchildren are current students and continue to carry on Beth’s loyal legacy at Mid-Prairie.