AlumNotes...Check out what your fellow alum are up to! |
|
1936-Leo Dulacki Lt. General USMC passed away days after his 100th birthday. The SHS Alumni Association extends our gratitude for the generous donations he gifted us through the years.
1937-Florence (Sterling) Hert celebrated her 100th birthday July 2018 with family and friends.
1941-Fern (Miyeno) Watanabe passed away in February 2019. Fern provided many scholarships at SHS supporting young women interested in a business career as she was a powerful business woman in Omaha. With the support of her three children, their family businesses, Oriental Trading, Tender Heart Treasures, and Nobbies all found great success. Fern’s greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. The SHS Alumni Association extends our gratitude for all her scholarship support through the years.
1942-Harold Sliva celebrated his 95th birthday on 9-7-18. Harold served in the Army Air Corp. in WWII. and then served on the Omaha Fire Dept. for 29 years. He is currently the longest living retired Omaha Firefighter.
1943-Claire (Wisniski) Wickenhauser passed away at the age of 92 on 12-30-18. Claire and her husband Ted owned Emminger’s Bakery at 3818 “Q” St. The couple bought the bread side of the bakery in 1962 and the cake side in the 1970s. They sold the bakery in the late 1980s.
1945-Arnelda (Buras) Kepka and husband Raymond celebrated their 45th anniversary on 8-22-18. They have 3 sets of twins, 1 grandchild, and 2 great grandchildren.
1945-Richard Slovek graduated early from high school and entered the army where he served in WWII. After the war he returned home to his sweetheart and future wife, Loretta (Seidl)-1945. For several years, the Millard students from Black Elk Elementary have been pen pals with Richard. On 10-29-18 Richard was invited to meet with his pen pals. At that time he was presented with commemorative WWII Victory Ribbon and the Army Occupation Medal for Germany that had been mistakenly left behind after the war. The presentation was made by Army National Guard Lt. Col. Steven Collins and 4th grader Charlie Fish.
1948-Theodore “Ted” Kisicki passed 9-16-18. Ted grew up in Sheelytown and played baseball for SHS. He served with the Army Reserves military police from 1950-1962. Ted was a bricklayer for three decades. Being a business agent for the bricklayers union he often donated those construction skills making repairs at South Omaha churches, including Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Peter.
1949-Florence (Miller) Egr and husband Richard were married 9-26-53 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Omaha. For their 65th anniversary they took a family vacation and their children hosted a family brunch. They have 3 children: David and Judy Egr of Omaha, Beth and Steve Feldhaus of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Lori and Bill Miller of Hill City, KS and 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
1951-Shirley Jean (Olson) Gros-Louis passed away on 11-11-17. Melissa (her daughter) sent us her yearbook and school time memories book. Melissa says “thank you for the memories that kept our mother happy until her final days”.
1951-Emil Radik Jr. passed away in August at 84. He came out of SHS as one of the main offensive threats for Omaha University’s unbeaten 1954 football team. The longtime OPS administrator was also a four-sport athlete at South. He attended UNL where he played football and boxed in the 1952 Golden Gloves. The Baltimore Colts drafted him in 1955. Radik was an Omaha Police Officer and also served in the Air Force. In the World Herald Publinks golf tournament he was a three time champion. At 79 he was believed to be the oldest to play in a Publinks final.
1952-Richard V. Peterson let us know that he was from class of 1952 and was still here. Richard is 83 years old and resides in Lampe, MO.
1956-Allan Vacek and Margaret (Rohmeyer)-1958 were married on 9-13-58 and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. A favorite of Allan and Margaret: “Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me like days of old; Lighting the spark of love that fills me with dreams untold. Each day I pray for evening just to be with you. Together at last at twilight time” -At Twilight Time by the Platters.
1959-Daniel “Dan” Mahoney passed on 8-8-18. Dan was an employee of Stockyards National Bank until 1973 when he moved to Las Vegas. He began working for Mr. Jackie Gaughan at the El Cortez Hotel where he learned the hotel-casino business. Dan retired as the Administrative Manager of the El Cortez in 1998.
1959- Eileen (Vacek) Koos in Tempe, AZ says: I am in my third year as president of a 70-80 member ladies golf league. I also play in three bridge groups, couples pinochle and lots of casual card games. We visit family in Omaha every summer. I look forward to the mailings. The Alumni Association should be very proud.
1960-Jim Collin was inducted into the 2018 OPS Athletic Hall of Fame. He played football, basketball and baseball where his team won city and state championships. Collin was also a teacher, basketball and baseball coach at OPS.
1960-Jeanie (Kubovy) and Jerry Porterfield celebrated their 50th anniversary on 11-16-18 at Sts. Peter & Paul.
1960-Lad Nemecek was inducted into the 2018 OPS Athletic Hall of Fame. Nemecek is one of two OPS players to play in the NCAA College World Series and is featured on a memorial plaque behind home plate at the infield at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
1961-Janet Katz donated $200 to the SHS Alumni on her 75th birthday. This gift celebrated her birthday and her many friends from the class of 1961. Happy Birthday Janet! Thank you for your donation!
1961-Vic & Vince Riha celebrated their 75th birthday last September with family. Over the last 26 years the twins have volunteered countless times for the alumni association. Vic has been a board member for the last 20 years.
1964-Mary (Povich) and John Krajicek-1966 celebrated their 50th anniversary on 9-1-18 with a vacation to Lake Tahoe.
1965-Don Preister, a Bellevue City Councilman, recently drew national attention with his zero-carbon footprint achievement.
1966-Linda (Howard) and Sid Armstrong-1965 celebrated their 50th anniversary in October.
1967-Karen (Clyde) and Don Hofsheier-1965 celebrated their 50th anniversary last fall.
1968-Carol (Szczepanowski) and Bob Kraft-1964 celebrated their 50th anniversary with a party at the DAV Hall last July. Their two daughters are married with 5 grandchildren.
1971-George Dare has sung for the past 12 years with the Kids Voting USA organization. They use his song, “Let Freedom Ring” as their theme.
1977-LeRoy and Catherine (O’Leary) Peters were married in 1978 at St. Peter and Paul. They have been blessed with two children: Jon and Jennifer, and four grandchildren: Landen, Lauren, Lillian and Madeline.
1979-James Horton is a Senior Pastor-Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in Cleburne, TX. Presently pursuing MDiv-Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. James and his wife Le Nora just celebrated their 14th anniversary. They have one son and two grandchildren.
1985-Mike “Mantaur” Halac was part of the inaugural class inducted into the 2018 Omaha Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame.
2006-Michael Beverly Jr. inspired 300 SHS students last fall with his story and challenged them to overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. Michael currently serves as a credit union CFO.
2016-Caleal Walker is playing in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) league with the Dallas Ballers, was chosen to play in the JBA All-Star Game last July.
2016-Noah Fant declared for the 2019 NFL Draft late in 2018. In his college career at Iowa, he caught 78 passes for 1082 yards and 19 receiving touchdowns while rushing the ball 4 times for zero yards.
SHS STAFF
John E. Jensen was a SHS curriculum specialist in Mathematics, Science and Technology and had a career in education for 36 years. John held leadership positions in Omaha and the nation. He advocated for students and teachers to the end of his life. John passed away 10-18-18.
Joanne Sokalsky, a South High teacher of Business, English, and Spanish retired after 44 years in 2001. She is now at Hillcrest Millard Rehab at 13225 Westwood Lane Room 153. She’d appreciate a card or visit if you knew her.
Antonio Perez graduated from Boystown in 1999. He was recently named Educator of the Year by the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs at UN-Kearney. He was determined to be an educator who makes a strong impact on minority students. In 2012 he earned his Masters degree at UNO and joined the staff at SHS as a guidance counselor.
1937-Florence (Sterling) Hert celebrated her 100th birthday July 2018 with family and friends.
1941-Fern (Miyeno) Watanabe passed away in February 2019. Fern provided many scholarships at SHS supporting young women interested in a business career as she was a powerful business woman in Omaha. With the support of her three children, their family businesses, Oriental Trading, Tender Heart Treasures, and Nobbies all found great success. Fern’s greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. The SHS Alumni Association extends our gratitude for all her scholarship support through the years.
1942-Harold Sliva celebrated his 95th birthday on 9-7-18. Harold served in the Army Air Corp. in WWII. and then served on the Omaha Fire Dept. for 29 years. He is currently the longest living retired Omaha Firefighter.
1943-Claire (Wisniski) Wickenhauser passed away at the age of 92 on 12-30-18. Claire and her husband Ted owned Emminger’s Bakery at 3818 “Q” St. The couple bought the bread side of the bakery in 1962 and the cake side in the 1970s. They sold the bakery in the late 1980s.
1945-Arnelda (Buras) Kepka and husband Raymond celebrated their 45th anniversary on 8-22-18. They have 3 sets of twins, 1 grandchild, and 2 great grandchildren.
1945-Richard Slovek graduated early from high school and entered the army where he served in WWII. After the war he returned home to his sweetheart and future wife, Loretta (Seidl)-1945. For several years, the Millard students from Black Elk Elementary have been pen pals with Richard. On 10-29-18 Richard was invited to meet with his pen pals. At that time he was presented with commemorative WWII Victory Ribbon and the Army Occupation Medal for Germany that had been mistakenly left behind after the war. The presentation was made by Army National Guard Lt. Col. Steven Collins and 4th grader Charlie Fish.
1948-Theodore “Ted” Kisicki passed 9-16-18. Ted grew up in Sheelytown and played baseball for SHS. He served with the Army Reserves military police from 1950-1962. Ted was a bricklayer for three decades. Being a business agent for the bricklayers union he often donated those construction skills making repairs at South Omaha churches, including Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Peter.
1949-Florence (Miller) Egr and husband Richard were married 9-26-53 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Omaha. For their 65th anniversary they took a family vacation and their children hosted a family brunch. They have 3 children: David and Judy Egr of Omaha, Beth and Steve Feldhaus of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Lori and Bill Miller of Hill City, KS and 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
1951-Shirley Jean (Olson) Gros-Louis passed away on 11-11-17. Melissa (her daughter) sent us her yearbook and school time memories book. Melissa says “thank you for the memories that kept our mother happy until her final days”.
1951-Emil Radik Jr. passed away in August at 84. He came out of SHS as one of the main offensive threats for Omaha University’s unbeaten 1954 football team. The longtime OPS administrator was also a four-sport athlete at South. He attended UNL where he played football and boxed in the 1952 Golden Gloves. The Baltimore Colts drafted him in 1955. Radik was an Omaha Police Officer and also served in the Air Force. In the World Herald Publinks golf tournament he was a three time champion. At 79 he was believed to be the oldest to play in a Publinks final.
1952-Richard V. Peterson let us know that he was from class of 1952 and was still here. Richard is 83 years old and resides in Lampe, MO.
1956-Allan Vacek and Margaret (Rohmeyer)-1958 were married on 9-13-58 and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. A favorite of Allan and Margaret: “Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me like days of old; Lighting the spark of love that fills me with dreams untold. Each day I pray for evening just to be with you. Together at last at twilight time” -At Twilight Time by the Platters.
1959-Daniel “Dan” Mahoney passed on 8-8-18. Dan was an employee of Stockyards National Bank until 1973 when he moved to Las Vegas. He began working for Mr. Jackie Gaughan at the El Cortez Hotel where he learned the hotel-casino business. Dan retired as the Administrative Manager of the El Cortez in 1998.
1959- Eileen (Vacek) Koos in Tempe, AZ says: I am in my third year as president of a 70-80 member ladies golf league. I also play in three bridge groups, couples pinochle and lots of casual card games. We visit family in Omaha every summer. I look forward to the mailings. The Alumni Association should be very proud.
1960-Jim Collin was inducted into the 2018 OPS Athletic Hall of Fame. He played football, basketball and baseball where his team won city and state championships. Collin was also a teacher, basketball and baseball coach at OPS.
1960-Jeanie (Kubovy) and Jerry Porterfield celebrated their 50th anniversary on 11-16-18 at Sts. Peter & Paul.
1960-Lad Nemecek was inducted into the 2018 OPS Athletic Hall of Fame. Nemecek is one of two OPS players to play in the NCAA College World Series and is featured on a memorial plaque behind home plate at the infield at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
1961-Janet Katz donated $200 to the SHS Alumni on her 75th birthday. This gift celebrated her birthday and her many friends from the class of 1961. Happy Birthday Janet! Thank you for your donation!
1961-Vic & Vince Riha celebrated their 75th birthday last September with family. Over the last 26 years the twins have volunteered countless times for the alumni association. Vic has been a board member for the last 20 years.
1964-Mary (Povich) and John Krajicek-1966 celebrated their 50th anniversary on 9-1-18 with a vacation to Lake Tahoe.
1965-Don Preister, a Bellevue City Councilman, recently drew national attention with his zero-carbon footprint achievement.
1966-Linda (Howard) and Sid Armstrong-1965 celebrated their 50th anniversary in October.
1967-Karen (Clyde) and Don Hofsheier-1965 celebrated their 50th anniversary last fall.
1968-Carol (Szczepanowski) and Bob Kraft-1964 celebrated their 50th anniversary with a party at the DAV Hall last July. Their two daughters are married with 5 grandchildren.
1971-George Dare has sung for the past 12 years with the Kids Voting USA organization. They use his song, “Let Freedom Ring” as their theme.
1977-LeRoy and Catherine (O’Leary) Peters were married in 1978 at St. Peter and Paul. They have been blessed with two children: Jon and Jennifer, and four grandchildren: Landen, Lauren, Lillian and Madeline.
1979-James Horton is a Senior Pastor-Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in Cleburne, TX. Presently pursuing MDiv-Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. James and his wife Le Nora just celebrated their 14th anniversary. They have one son and two grandchildren.
1985-Mike “Mantaur” Halac was part of the inaugural class inducted into the 2018 Omaha Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame.
2006-Michael Beverly Jr. inspired 300 SHS students last fall with his story and challenged them to overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. Michael currently serves as a credit union CFO.
2016-Caleal Walker is playing in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) league with the Dallas Ballers, was chosen to play in the JBA All-Star Game last July.
2016-Noah Fant declared for the 2019 NFL Draft late in 2018. In his college career at Iowa, he caught 78 passes for 1082 yards and 19 receiving touchdowns while rushing the ball 4 times for zero yards.
SHS STAFF
John E. Jensen was a SHS curriculum specialist in Mathematics, Science and Technology and had a career in education for 36 years. John held leadership positions in Omaha and the nation. He advocated for students and teachers to the end of his life. John passed away 10-18-18.
Joanne Sokalsky, a South High teacher of Business, English, and Spanish retired after 44 years in 2001. She is now at Hillcrest Millard Rehab at 13225 Westwood Lane Room 153. She’d appreciate a card or visit if you knew her.
Antonio Perez graduated from Boystown in 1999. He was recently named Educator of the Year by the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs at UN-Kearney. He was determined to be an educator who makes a strong impact on minority students. In 2012 he earned his Masters degree at UNO and joined the staff at SHS as a guidance counselor.