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KARL ALUMNI NEWSClick to view alumni obituaries
Class VIII graduate, Gary Millershaski, Lakin, is Secretary-Treasurer of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) recognized the Kevin and Mary Ann Kniebel family of White City as "Commercial Producer of the Year" during the group's annual convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. KLA nominated the Kniebels for the award. Mary Ann Kniebel is a graduate of KARL Class VIII.
Bill Wood, a Douglas county agricultural Extension agent for Kansas State University, recently joined the KFAC Board of Directors. Bill is a graduate of KARL Class VIII.
The Kansas Environmental Leadership Program (KELP) recently announced
22 Kansans as class members for 2008. They include KARL Class V
graduate, Brian Lindley (Wamego) and Class III alum Cameron Peirce
(Hutchinson).
Dan Grafel, KARL Class VIII graduate, reports:
Jim Michael, KARL Class VII graduate, has recently served as Crawford County Farm Bureau President, member of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Board, and also on the Producers COOP Nominating Committee.
Rodney Jones, KARL Class VII graduate, has recently served on the Chair Faculty Recruitment Search Committee for the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics and has participated in the National Extension Leadership Development Program.
Mary Ann Kniebel, KARL Class VIII graduate, is on the USPB Nominating Committee, Twin Lakes Water Board and also the fair board for Marion County Extension Executive Council.
Gary Haag, KARL Class VIII graduate, is Treasurer for the Acacia Fraternity Alumni Association and is also a member of the C-Store Committee for PMCA of Kansas.
Dan Grafel, KARL Class VIII graduate, is currently serving on the USD 294 School Board.
Jeffery Morgan, KARL Class VIII graduate, is on the Cloud County Soil Conservation Board.
Marcine Moldenhauer, KARL Class VIII graduate, is on the Cattle Alliance Cooperative Board of Directors, the Wichita Cargill Womens Council and the USDA Animal ID Secretary of Agriculture Advisory Board.
Verle Carlson, KARL Class VIII graduate, is currently President of the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners as well President of the Lyons Housing Authority.
Matthew Welsh, KARL Class VIII graduate, is currently a Church School Instructor as well as a Beef Empire Days Board Member.
Janna Dunbar, KARL Class VIII graduate, is on the K.A. advisory board, the KSU College of Agriculture Alumni Board, the Douglas County 4-H P.D.C. and is also the Treasurer for the Douglas County Extension Board.
Kevin Journagan, class III graduate, is serving as Vice Chair of the Friends University Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Executive Board for K-State Research & Extension - Shawnee County and is also on the State Extension Advisory Council.
Doug Bassett, Graduate of KARL Class VIII, has been appointed to the City Planning Commission by Topeka's Mayor for a three year term. Doug is also serving on the Community National Bank Advisory Board..
Mark Goehring, KARL Class II graduate, is the Executive Vice President of the American Bank in Baxter Springs.
The 2007 president of the Kansas Livestock Association is David Cross of Lewis. The leader resume built by Cross includes positions at the state and national levels. He serves on the KLA Executive Committee and on the KLA Animal Identification Working Group. Cross is a past chairman of the KLA Stockgrowers Council and KLA Water Committee. He represents KLA on the NCBA Ag Policy Committee and the NCBA Board of Directors. David is a KARL Class I graduate.
The Office of the State Bank Commissioner had their annual conference for 2007 and selected (KARL Class V graduate) Tim Kemp as 2006-2007 Employee of the Year.
After a rigorous selection process, Barbara Oplinger of Manhattan and
Jewell, Kan., KARL Class I alumni, was selected
to be housemother of FarmHouse Fraternity at K- State.
Larry Jones, KARL Class II graduate from Holcomb, is a Finney County Commissioner and is a board member of KARL, Inc.
Cathy Musick is the Executive Director of the Kansas Foundation for
Agriculture in the Classroom. Cathy is a graduate of KARL Class II.
Five KARL Program Alumni have been elected to terms with the K-State Ag
Alumni Association.
Class IV graduate Ron Suppes, Dighton, is the Chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates. Ron also serves on the Scott Co-op Board of Directors and is a Kansas Wheat Commissioner.
Jerry McReynolds, Class I graduate from Woodston, is a past president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and has announced he is a candidate for the Secretary-Treasurer position of the National Association of Wheat Growers.
Kendall Hodgson, Little River, KARL Class IV graduate is the immediate past president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.
David Stroberg, Class III graduate from Hutchinson, was re-elected to the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District board. David has served on the board nine years.
Lee Mattix, Class VI alumnus from Independence is employed by Cessna's Flight Department and works with the Mustang Jet flight crews.
Class V graduate Brian Lindley, Wamego, has been appointed by USDA Secretary Johanns to the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force.
Mark Knight, KARL Class II graduate from Lyons has been elected to the USD #405 Lyons School Board.
Jay Warner, Class IV graduate from McPherson is a member of the McPherson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Jay is also now EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) Level 1 certified.
Ken Rahjes, KARL Class III graduate, is the Associate Farm Director for KRVN Radio in Lexington, NE.
Dana Hoffman, Manhattan, serves as the American Agri-Women Vice President of Communications and also as the Chair for the Kansas Foundation for Ag in the Classroom. Dana is a graduate of KARL Class VII.
Jim Michael, McCune, serves as Vice President for Young Farms and is also a member of the Farm Bureau Board. Jim is graduate of KARL Class VII.
Clark Boyer, Kingman, is serving on the KARL, Inc. Board of Directors. Clark is a graduate of Class VII.
Paul Friedrichs, Mission, is a member of the International Relations Council, Kansas City, Committee. Paul is graduate of KARL Class VI.
Terry Faurot, graduate of KARL Class VI from Scott City, serves as City Councilman as well as a Church Trustee.
Mary Lou Peter, Manhattan, serves as the advisor to the Collegiate Agri-Women and Sigma Alpha Professional Ag sorority. At work, she has implemented numerous changes as News Coordinator for K-State Research & Extension. Mary Lou is graduate of KARL Class VI.
Jeff Koch, Concordia, is a member of the Kansas Society of CPA's Leadership Board of Directors and also the Clifton Clyde School Board. Jeff is a graduate of KARL Class VI.
Bill Spiegel, Manhattan, is serving on the K-State Ag Alumni Board and as the Randall Alumni Association President. Bill is a graduate of KARL Class V.
Carolynn Burns, Class V graduate from Pittsburg, is Chair for the Cherokee County Conservation District, is a member of the SEE-KAN RC & D Board, and serves as secretary for the KARL, Inc. Board.
Amy Roeder, Humboldt, is the lead person for the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) Insurance Development Contracts and presented information to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors regarding PRF insurance development. Amy accompanied Under Secretary J.B. Penn to Denver, CO to make announcement of the PRF Contract Awards, etc. at the NCBA meeting, serving as the technical expert for the announcement, Q & A's and Press Conference. She also assisted press in writing stories, editing material that ultimately were published in various farm magazines, papers, etc., nationally. Amy serves on the National Cattlemen Beef Association (NCBA) Committee and is a Team Member of the Crop Insurance Handbook work group. Amy is also a Team Member of the Declining Yield Technical Evaluation Team. She attended and acted as a technical expert during the Solicitation Meeting, explaining the issue and the development process. The meeting was lead by Congressman Jerry Moran, Ross Davidson (Administrator USDA, Risk Management Agency, RMA), Keith Collins, USDA Chief Economist and Tim Witt, Deputy Administrator, RMA. Amy is graduate of KARL Class V.
Brian Dunn, Class IV graduate from St. John and his wife Carolyn, were recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation for their creative and innovative management techniques and their ability to adapt to a changing agricultural industry. They were named Runners-Up in the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award contest. Brian serves on the Governor's Rural Life Task Force, as the secretary for Seedstock Plus LLC, vice president for the Stafford County Fair Board, and treasurer for Stafford County Farm Bureau.
Stephen Hennessey serves as the Tecumseh Township and Topeka-Tecumseh Fire Department Trustee. He is also President of the Kansas Alliance for Rural Development. Stephen is a graduate of Class IV.
David Stroberg, Hutchinson, serves as the secretary for the Ground Water Management District #2, participates in the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce Agri-business, and helps with the 4-H District and county fair. Doug is a graduate of KARL Class III.
Ron Rahjes, Kensington, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Rural Telephone / Nex-tech. Ron is graduate of KARL Class I.
Mark Winger, Colby, serves as the KARL, Inc. Treasurer, has been elected to the Colby Municipal Airport Board, and is the past president of the Colby Community College Endowment Foundation. Mark is a graduate of KARL Class III.
Doug Haverkamp, St. George, has been appointed by Governor Sebelius to the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board. He is also the president of the Kansas Society Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, secretary for the Finance Committee for St. Thomas More, and serves on the Manhattan Catholic Schools Endowment Committee. Doug is a graduate of KARL Class V.
I wanted to THANK YOU for honoring the KARL Class II at the graduation banquet in April! Gary Barker made phone calls to all of us in the former "KARL car pool". He encouraged us to attend. What a blast from the past! Gayla Moeckel, Gary Barker, Linda Hamilton Belcher, and I were in the same vehicle commuting to Salina laughing the miles away! Of course, we had to have some drama -- Gayla locked her keys in her vehicle and had to pay for a locksmith! Ha, ha.
The Kansas State Board of Agriculture voted in a new slate of officers for the advisory board. New chairman for 2005-2006 is Louise Ehmke, KARL Class III of Dighton/Healy.
Class VI alumnus Melanie Mainquist was named to the 2005 "40 under 40" Class by the Wichita Business Journal.
This class is selected every year to honor Wichita area businesspeople and public servants younger than 40 years
old who are making a difference in business and the community.
Western Kansas agribusinessman and KARL Class V graduate Jay Garetson of Copeland has been named to the State Board of Agriculture by Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Jay joins an advisory board that makes recommendations to the governor on legislative initiatives and proposed rules regarding the agricultural industry.
Gayla Moeckel, Class II graduate from Reno County is responsible for Reno County Farm Bureau Communications/PR, is Secretary/Treasurer for the Reno County Cattleman's Assoc., serves on on the Wheat Committee Advisory Board for Kansas Farm Bureau and is the South Central Board of Director representative for the Kansas Agri-Women. Gayla was selected as one of three delegates to the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004 by the 101st District.
Michael Leitch, KARL Class V graduate from Wamego is serving as the vice president for the KARL Alumni Association. In recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship and service to their communities, six Kansas couples were
named 2004 Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers. * Vance and Louise Ehmke, Dighton (Lane County) The KARL Class III graduates are:
The award program dates back to 1927 and is sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension and Kansas Farmer Magazine.
Bob Haselwood, Class I, has been elected to serve on the Kansas Soybean Commission.
John Burns, Class VI, is a Director for Frontier Farm Credit which provides services for the eastern 1/3 of Kansas. John says he has the highest regards for all the other 14 directors and the entire management team at Frontier Farm Credit, led by Doug Hofbauer.
"Top Producer" magazine has identified KARL Class V graduate Jay Garetson, Copeland, as the runner up for the Top Producer of the Year Award. "Top Producer of the Year finalist Jay Garetson of Copeland, Kan., jokingly calls himself 'the polar bear of the cotton industry.' At age 33, he is a one of the farm leaders who recently brought this alternative crop to a region plagued by incessant drought and plunging water tables. Last year, Garetson used just 7" of irrigation on cotton, versus 22" on corn. He's convinced that the life of the Ogallala Aquifer can be extended and that Kansans can compete as low-cost cotton producers." (From Top Producer Article "Crossroads" by Marcia Taylor) Here is a link to the article
Carissa McKenzie, Class I graduate from Alta Vista is currently producing the second edition of a newsletter for The Navy League - South Central Council. The purpose of the organization is to promote the sea powers, and that understanding national security is the same, whether for military readiness or agriculture production. Carissa was elected president of the organization in December.
Duane Flaherty, Class IV graduate from Salina, has been elected to the Saline County Extension Council and was also appointed by the Saline County Commissioners to sit on the Saline County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Steve Baccus has been elected to a two-year term on the board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation at the organization's annual meeting. Steve, a farmer and food producer from Minneapolis, KS is currently serving as President of Kansas Farm Bureau. Steve has served as a member of the board of directors and Vice President for several years. He is a member of the Kansas Corn Growers, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers and Kansas Soybean Association. Steve is a graduate of KARL Class I.
Ten alumni of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program joined the recent fact finding mission to Cuba led by Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky and K-State Ag Economist Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh. The members included (back row l to r) Jerry McReynolds, Woodston, Class I; Doug Palen, Glen Elder, Class III; Jeff Deeds, Goodland, Class III; Martie Floyd, Johnson, Class I; Ron Suppes, Scott City, Class IV; Jeff Crist, Garden City, Class VI; Mark Coberly, Gove, Class VI; Ken Wood, Chapman, Class II. (front row l to r) Steve Baccus, Minneapolis, Class I; Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, KARL, Inc. ex-officio advisor; Renee Laird, Elmhurst, IL, Class V. Many of the KARL alumni members attending were representing organizations they currently lead including the Kansas Wheat Seminar; Kansas Association of Wheat Growers; the Kansas Wheat Commission; Kansas Farm Bureau and No-Till on the Plains.
Three KARL graduates recently participated in a National Conference on Survival Strategies for Small and Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture. The conference was held in San Diego, CA October 6th through October 9th, 2003 and was targeted to Agri-business leaders, businesses, universities and organizations who work with small and limited resource producers. Duane Hund, KARL Class III, Diane Endicott, KARL Class IV, and Amy Roeder, KARL Class V participated in this conference. The 350 participants came from coast to coast as well as leaders from Alaska and Hawaii. The conference featured a day of workshops on the five risks producers face. Those risks were production, marketing, human resources, legal, and financial. In addition workshops were conducted for Alternative Enterprises, Risk Management Tools, and Grant Writing. Networking opportunities were also incorporated into the meet schedules. Duane Hund, Paxico, led a workshop under the Financial Risk on Record Keeping. He outlined the "Eight Knows" that every operation must be aware of in order to be sustainable for the duration. His presentation kicked off the day for the Financial Risk workshops and served as the base for the other presentations. Diane Endicott, Bronson, led a workshop under the Marketing Risk. She was the last speaker in this track and covered the marketing process – start to finish by outlining what she has done with "Good Natured Family Farms" and Hen House Grocery stores. Her presentation pulled the marketing process all together and provided a good summary. Amy Roeder, Humboldt, was selected as a member of the Conference Steering Committee representing the Risk Management Agency. She was also appointed Chairperson of the Financial Workshop Committee and was a member of the Alternative Enterprise Workshop Committee. GROUP TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE RURAL LIFE IN KANSAS Governor Kathleen Sebelius has assembled a Kansas Rural Life Task Force that includes several KARL Program graduates. "The Rural Life Task Force is intended to examine ways to preserve, renew and sustain the value of rural Kansas in the economic and cultural life of Kansas," Governor Sebelius said. Among the many representative voices or rural communities are the following KARL graduates:
The topics to be addressed by the group include: health care, human services, agriculture, diversified economy, energy, infrastructure, government in rural Kansas, and community empowerment. The outcomes will include practical recommendations for action by local leaders, communities and the state of Kansas.
KARL Alumni Involved in Formation of Foundation to Help State Fair On Thursday, September 11 at the 91st Kansas State Fair a newly formed foundation, The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation met for the first time. Eight Kansans with a passion for the Kansas State Fair have formed a Foundation whose mission is to raise funds for the renovation, preservation, and beautification of the Kansas State Fair. Members include KARL Class III graduates Roy Crenshaw, Manhattan, who was elected Foundation Chairman, and Jeff Deeds, Goodland, elected Vice Chairman.
Roy Crenshaw, Class III graduate from Manhattan, spent three fascinating months learning about agriculture and culture in Israel in the fall of 2002. The stories he wrote about his life changing experience can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
Roy Crenshaw, Class III graduate from Manhattan, is now doing private mediation work. He is also the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manhattan.
Lee Masenthin, Lawrence, is the Quality Assurance Manager at Kerry Ingredients, New Century. Lee is a graduate of Class V.
Renee Laird, Class V graduate is living in Chicago, IL and working at the Derivatives Trading Desk for Agriculture at Fimat USA.
Linda Helmer, LSCSW, EAGALA Level II, is the director of Carousel Live! The business provides equin assisted experiences and equin assisted psychotherapy. She in an experienced mental health therapist and has been a horse enthusiast since the age of 5. Linda is a graduate of KARL Class V and lives near McPherson. Her business website is located at http://www.carousellive.org/
Class V graduate Betty Johnson, Manhattan, is the President and Director of Development for Betty Johnson & Associates.
Marieta Hauser, Class V graduate from Ulysses is VP of Grant County Economic Development Board and serves on the Board of Directors for the Grant County Bank.
Brad Fuller, Class III graduate from Lakin is President and Owner of Western Horizons Corporation, an agriculture marketing consulting company.
Sandra Fruit, Class IV, will be the new Vice President of Advancement for Prairie View, Inc. in Newton, KS beginning May 1, 2003.
Lance Woodbury has been made an associate (partner) of Kennedy and Coe LLC. Lance joined the company in 1996 and was admitted as a principal in 2000. He is in charge of the firm's Garden City office and the firm's mediation and planning group. Lance is a graduate of George Mason University, Fairfax, VA., with a master's degree in conflict analysis and resolution and Sterling College with a bachelor's degree in history and government. He has a master's degree in business administration from Purdue University. Lance is a graduate of KARL Class IV.
John Nye, Class I graduate currently in Texahoma, OK, is serving on local and state school and fair boards. He also serves on the Panhandle Regional Economic Development Coalition.
Tom White, Class V graduate from Lakin, is serving as the Chairman of the Kearny County Extension Executive board of directors.
Jeff Varner is serving as Chairman of the Butler County Planning and Zoning board of directors. Jeff is a Class V graduate.
Dollie Mathes, Class V graduate recently helped in acquiring approximately $500,000 of Kansas Department of Transportation grants to renovate the Historic Red Barn in downtown Harper.
Doug Haverkamp is serving on the St. Thomas More Religious Education Committee, is a member of the board of directors for the Kansas Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, is the Vice President for the Manhattan Catholic Schools Council of Education, and is a member of the Manhattan Catholic Schools Endowment Campaign. Doug is a graduate of Class V.
Steven Riffel, Class III graduate from Stockton, is continuing in leadership by serving on several local boards of directors.
Gayla Moeckel from Plevna is serving as the President of the Reno County Farm Bureau, and is also the Southcentral Director for Kansas Agri-Women. Gayla is a graduate of Class II.
Muriel Bonsall, Class II graduate from Minneola, has started a new company, Am Agra, Inc., an animal ambulance service.
Doug Strickler, Class II graduate from Iola, is serving on the Eastern Kansas Agri-Energy board of directors. The organization is managing the development and operation of an ethanol production facility in Garnett, Kansas.
Louise Ehmke, Class III graduate from Healy, has been appointed by Governor Sebelius to serve on the Governors Agricultural Advisory Board, representing District 1. The board is made up of individuals from across the state who are actively involved in agricultural production or agribusiness. They help keep the secretary abreast of trends in agriculture, and they review the agency's rules and regulations before they are made final. Members are appointed by the governor and serve four-year terms.
Class III KARL graduate Liz (Perkins) Hendricks of Howard completed her term on the Governors Agricultural Advisory. She was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of an Elk County commissioner in August of 2002.
KLA President for 2003 is Larry Jones, Holcomb, a graduate of KARL Class II. KLA reports that Larry represents the third generation of his family in the cattle business. His father, Taylor Jones, was KLA president in 1963, while his grandfather, L.L. Jones, served as KLA president in 1945. Larry and brother Bob are co-owners of J.O. Cattle Company, a diversified cattle feeding and farming operation. He is a past chairman of the Kansas Beef Council Executive Committee and completed a term as vice chairman of the National Cattleman's Beef Association Information Committee.
Dee Elliott, KARL Class IV graduate from Virgil is President of the School Board at USD 390 (Hamilton, KS).
Donnie Young, Class IV graduate from Ulysses has been elected as the President of the K-State Ag Alumni Association for 2002-2003. Donnie is a first generation farmer and serves on the board of directors of Santa Fe Dairy which milks 4,000 cows 3 times a day in Grant County. Donnie credits the establishment of the dairy to information and contacts gained through the KARL Program. Donnie also serves on the Kansas Corn Commission.
Brian Lindley, Class V graduate from Wamego, has taken the program coordinator position at Notill on the Plains.
Linda Martin, KARL Class III graduate and former K-State Animal Science Genetics Professor, has been hired as Oklahoma State University's assistant dean for academic programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resource.
Robert Haselwood, Berryton, is the President of the Shawnee County Farm Bureau. Robert is a Class I graduate.
Brock Thurman, Class V graduate from Kiowa, has been active in economic development projects, church council, is a Boy Scout leader, and a Masonic & Shrine office.
Richard Felts, Liberty, has been elected District 3 Director for Kansas Farm Bureau's board. Rich is a graduate of KARL Class I.
Class V graduate Jill Zimmerman is the Director of Development for East Kansas Agri Energy, LLC in Anderson County.
Joe Allen, graduate of Class IV, has been an Elder of his church.
David Wesseler, graduate of Class II, is a new father and a church Deacon.
Mike McClellan, Class IV graduate, is the president of the Rooks County Conservation District, and a member of the Northwest Housing Inc. board of directors.
Al Davis, Class V graduate, has been the coordinator of the Kansas River Youth Leadership program, and has recently been elected to the Johnson County Advisory Board (Juvenile Detention).
Tammy Gigstad, is involved with the Jefferson County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Extension Council, Union Church Transformation team, is a 4-H leader and a school teacher. Tammy is a graduate of Class III.
Michael Jensen, Wamego, was elected to the K-State Alumni Association Board of Directors. Mike is the President and CEO of the Kansas Pork Association and is a graduate of KARL Class I.
Martie Floyd, Johnson, is a Stanton County Commissioner. He is also a member of the KARL, Inc. Board of Directors, the Pioneer Electric Board of Directors, the Coop Board of Directors, the Kansas Bank Corporation Board of Directors, the First National Bank, Liberal Board of Directors, and several local church committees. Martie is a graduate of KARL Class I.
Ray Ladd, Class IV graduate, is has been active with the Developmentally Disabled Workshop Board of Directors, the Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, the Amelia Earhart Earthwork Committee, and is a 4-H project leader.
Kyle Hughbanks, graduate of Class IV, is a Kansas Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee member, and an Oklahoma Bankers Association Lending Committee member.
Bradley Goering, Class I graduate, has been hired as the Vice President of Citizens State Bank in Hesston.
Gregg Gartrell, Class III graduate has been a 4-H Club community leader and Church Pastor Parish Chairman.
Ken Rahjes, Class III graduate, has been hired as the new producer for Agra-Talk. The studio and offices are located on the grounds of the National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs.
Dan Doyle, KARL Class III graduate, and his wife Pat were recognized by Kansas Farm Bureau as the Farm Family of the Year in District 1.
The following is a letter from Duane Hund, KARL Class III, to Jack Lindquist, President of KARL: You may remember the story I told at the Farm Credit seminar last summer, concerning the school bond issue I was involved with. After four failed attempts the fifth try was successful yesterday with over 60% in favor. As I stated previously, I credit the KARL seminar which featured Dr. Edward Barlow, as giving me the guidance in directing this successful effort. I was chairman of the facilities task force and co-chairman of the informational campaign prior to the election. I want you to know this is an example of the importance to rural communities KARL has. Without the exposure to the principles Dr. Barlow expressed, I would not have been able to influence the many volunteers who worked so very hard to achieve a successful outcome. For over 30 years our school district has been, at times, sharply divided because of school consolidation. We overcame the old prejudices by remaining non-confrontational, by involving patrons very early in the process, and acknowledging that the right to disagree was important in finding a solution. It has been a long 10 years since the first task force, which I served on, made recommendations for improvements to the school board; only to have the board propose something completely different. This is truly a success story which KARL can take credit for and I want you and the board to know KARL WORKS! Thank you, Duane Hund
Class IV graduate Merlyn Stasser passed away on April 20, 2004. Merlyn was born Feb. 25, 1952, in Goodland. He worked in the banking industry in Larned, Tribune, Leoti and Goodland during his professional career. His position in Goodland was Vice President of Western State Bank. His leadership included the Ambassadors of Goodland; Western Facilitation Consortium, where he served on the board; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Burlington, Colorado, where he served as Elders Quorum President; and Wichita County Economic Development, Inc., while living in Leoti. Survivors include his wife, Arlea of Goodland; a son, Justin Lee of Goodland; a daughter, Heather Banda of Dubuque, Iowa; his parents, Merle and LaReatha Stasser of Goodland; two brothers, Alvin Stasser of Mesa, Ariz., and Gaylord Stasser of Goodland; and three grandchildren. Memorials may be designated to KARL.
Stacy Steward, 44, died March 30, 2002, at Garden Valley Retirement Village, Garden City. He was born May 31, 1957, at Shawnee, Okla., the son of Clarence Wallace "Jim" and Betty Godwin Steward. He attended school in Dale, Okla., and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1979. A resident of Garden City since 1982, he did crop consulting in Texas and then was a crop consultant for Maxima Corporation for four years before becoming owner and operator of his own crop consulting firm in 1986. He belonged to St. Dominic Catholic Church, Garden City, the Sand and Sage Rifle Club, Ducks Unlimited, was a founding member and past president of the Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants, National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants and a Class IV graduate of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program. On Nov. 7, 1987, he married Peg Diamond at Garden City. She survives. Other survivors include: two daughters, Kelsey and Megan Steward, both of the home; mother, Betty Lowrey, Alamo, Texas; and two brothers, Bruce, Overland Park, and Scott Steward, Shawnee, Okla.
JOHNSON - Sally G. Peterson, 46, died Oct. 15, 1999, at Johnson. She was born Oct. 1, 1953, at Ulysses, the daughter of Melvin and Mona Edmisson Winger. A longtime Johnson resident, she was the owner and operator of Unique Flowers and Gifts in Johnson, and, with her father, was a manager and partner of Winger Farms. She belonged to First United Methodist Church and the Joyful Noise Bell Choir, both at Johnson, served as director of Groundwater Management District No. 3, was a Kansas State Corn Commission representative, a KARL-Class 4-member, a director of the board of First National Bank of Elkhart, had been a youth-group leader for many years, and was a council member of St. Paul School of Theology. On Dec. 22, 1971, she married Mike Peterson at Lawrence. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include: two sons, Brant, Johnson, and Brian, Hays; her parents, Johnson; a
brother, Dr. Raymond Winger, Hutchinson; a sister, Melva Jo Winger deRondon, Denver; a
grandchild; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by a brother, Edwin
Winger.
Phil was a farmer with Markley Farms. His leadership roles included serving as President, Young Farmers and Ranchers Farm Bureau Program; and membership with the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. His achievements included: National Young Farmer Award, 1986; Future Business Leaders of America: National and State Public & Impromptu Speaking Awards, 1984; Future Farmers of America: American Farmer, State Farmer, State and District Prepared and Impromptu Speaking; Local, State and National Farm Power Awards; 4-H Electrical Proficiency Awards; Key Award, "I Dare You" Award, Gold Award, Silver Award, Bronze Award, Parliamentary Procedure Awards, and Public Speaking Awards. Phil is survived by his parents, Howard and Geta Markley of rural Dennis.
John D. Nelson, 46, Class II graduate of rural Green, died on November 10, 1995 while awaiting surgery for a heart transplant. He was born January 28, 1949 at Westmoreland. He was a farmer and stockman in the May Day Community, northeast of Green. In addition to his position as the President of USD 384 Board of Education at Randolph, John was director of the Riley County Conservation District Board, a director on the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and a member of the Green United Methodist Church. John married Ronda Eggerman on August 7, 1970, in Green. She survives as do two sons, John Marc and Pete and a daughter, Christina. KARL Class II members would not hesitate to credit John as the "ideal" leader. He constantly earned their respect and admiration. John Nelson lived up to the ideals of a true servant leader.
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"With Leadership Comes Responsibility" |
