Barb Franz (Meyer)

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

Hello Beloved Friends and Family of Doug,

We truly appreciate your patience and care during these last two years. It wasn't easy to organize a ceremony that reflected the great impact and character of my uncle, and we ultimately had to cancel it due to COVID safety concerns back in 2020. 

I wanted to take a moment to let y'all know about 2 upcoming things: 

1) We are planning a memorial service for Doug at Sunnyside Christian Church in Colorado Springs on September 17 (exact date and time to be confirmed). Please save the date and spread the word. If you know people on Facebook who would like to attend, please also extend this invite to them. Doug touched so many lives, so we could use all the help we can get in spreading the word. You may also share my email address and phone number with anyone who would like more details. 

2) In order to make this ceremony as accessible as possible (since many live out of state or may not have a way of getting here in September), I would like to create a video montage of people's stories and memories of Doug. Please share any memories or stories you have of him with me by phone 719-322-4012 or email by August 1st. A simple video of yourself talking about Doug or how he impacted you would be very much appreciated! In the video you are also welcome to share photos you have or anything else that reminds you of him. I will then put all the videos together that I receive to make one video to share on Sept 17th with everyone present at Sunnyside, and can share it with everyone here on the email list. 

Thank you all for your care and love,

With gratitude,

Sophie Thunberg

SophieLThunberg@gmail.com

719-322-4012

P.S. Anyone may message me on Facebook with their video or questions about the service in September. 

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

The Kearney High School Varsity Football Team from the fall 1966 season will be inducted into the KHS Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, September 2, 2022, during halftime of the Kearney vs. Fremont football game at UNK Cope Stadium in Kearney. 

The team's roster included 16 Seniors (Class of 1967), 13 Juniors (Class of 1968), and 10 Sophomores (Class of 1969).  All 39 players and their 4 coaches (Head Coach Claire Boroff and Assistant Coaches Jack Ramey, Riley Harris and Dennis Long - all of whom are still living) will be invited to stand on Foster Field during the halftime recognition ceremony.

Before the September 2nd game, all of the coaches, players and their families are invited to a private reception at 6 p.m. on the 3rd level of Cope Stadium in the Wiens Room which overlooks Foster Field. 

The Bearcats football team scored an all-time school record of 261 points during the 1966 season (an average 29 points per game), while only allowing a total of 27 points by 9 opponents all season (an average 3 points per game).  The varsity team boasted an 8-1 season record (the best since 1944), sharing the West Big Ten Championship with Scottsbluff which beat the Bearcats by only 1 point.  The 1966 team also set an all-time school record for the "Most Points Scored in a Single Football Game" by beating McCook by 60-0, one of six shutouts during the Bearcat's 9-game regular season.

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

https://www.tribute.co/douglas-thunberg/

If you'd like to leave a tribute for Doug Thunberg's memorial service, click on the link above.  Please submit your messages by September 1, 2022.  The video tribute will be shown at Doug's memorial service in Colorado Springs in September.

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

DATE:  August 26, 2022

FROM:  Ryan Hogue, KHS Athletic Hall Of Fame Committee Member

T0:  All Coaches, Players and Student Managers on the 1966 KHS Varsity & Reserve Football Team who will be inducted into the Kearney High School Athletic Hall Of Fame on Friday, Sep. 2, 2022

KHS Athletic Hall of Fame Honorees:

We are looking forward to our Friday, September 2nd activities and seeing all of you.  I hope this email will answer any questions that you might have, but if it does not, be sure to call KHS Hall Of Fame (HOF) Committee Member Ryan Hogue, KHS Assistant Principal and Activities Director at (308) 698-8066 or email Ryan at:  ryahogue@kearneycats.com

·        > All activities are for you and any of your family members who would like to attend.  Please let Ryan know ASAP approximately how many family members will be in your “entourage”. 

·        > We are trying to arrange KGFW Radio “Talk of the Town” and local ESPN Radio interviews on Friday morning.  Would any of you be in town and willing to join us on the radio? They usually are about 15-minute spots (guaranteed low key).  A couple HOF Committee members will also be there.  If you are willing to do this, let Ryan know ASAP and he will let you know where and when the radio interviews will be scheduled.

·        > Our first formal activity, a KHS tour, will be at the new Kearney High School located at 2702 West 11^th Street.  We will meet at 2:00 pm Friday.  Plan to meet at the “Big K” entrance on the east side of the building.  If you are not able to be on the KHS tour, please let Ryan know ASAP.

·        > The KHS vs. Fremont football game starts at 7:00pm Friday.  Parking at Cope Stadium at UNK is usually a little problematic, so if you don’t want to walk a little, I would suggest being dropped off at least by 6:30pm. We have the Wiens Room & conference area reserved for the game. Enter at Gate D. This room is located in the Press Box on the 2^nd level on the West side. The room is available to us from 6:00pm until after the game is over.  There is an elevator, if steps are a problem. There is no entrance charge or ticket required for you and any of your family.  There is ample room for game watching in the Wiens Room and at an outdoor elevated patio viewing area.  We will have refreshments available throughout the evening.  

·        > At the KHS tour, we will explain where to access the Wiens Room area at the stadium and answer any questions.

·        > Attire would be what you might normally wear to a September football game. (Blue and Gold is always nice for KHS, but not necessary.)

·        > Shortly before half time, the honorees will be escorted to the field, or you can meet us in the Southwest corner of the football field entrance.  We ask that you be down there with about 6:00 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.  After the end of the first half, the Band will do a short performance, then we will begin our Hall of Fame recognition on the field.  We plan to have KHS ECHO photographers to take pictures, but your family photographers are welcome to join you on the field.

·       > A Hall Of Fame Committee member will make the presentation to the KHS 1966 Football Team and all other KHS Athlete Honorees.

·       > After the presentation ceremonies, we will all return to the Press Box. KHS 1966 Football Team players and others may stay on the sidelines, if they would like.  If anyone needs to leave after half time, that is fine, but we have the Weins Room and conference area available for the entire game.

Please RSVP as soon as possible.  You can either call Ryan Hogue at (308) 698-8066 or email Ryan at: ryahogue@kearneycats.com

KHS Athletic Hall Of Fame (HOF) Committee Members

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

Please keep Jerry Foote in your thoughts and prayers.  Jerry had a mass removed from his brain recently and then was air flighted to Omaha with a bleeding ulcer after receiving two transfusions. Pray that the bleeding can be stopped and that the pathology report on the brain mass is negative.  

Cathy Clark (Lawson)

Thank You Nancy for the information and up-date on Jerry!

Our Prayer's are going out to him and his Family! May God be a source of Strength to them through this difficult Time! 

Doug Nickel

Thanks Nancy for the update.

Prayers

going out for Jerry and family. Doug Nickel

Monte Krueger

Hi  everyone I have some sad  news. We have  lost  another classmate John Geist.  He  was one  of the  quiet ones but  I lived  next door to him through the8th grade  and  all the Kenwwod  KIds  will remember him.  we  terrorised  the  neighborhood  together in grade school.

Dale Winslow

Sad news. John was a good friend of mine when we were in our late teens and early 20's. We both liked hot rods and working on cars. He was a lot better mechanic than I was though, LOL.

Roy Livingston

I had the privilege of working with and getting to know John when we both were delivery drivers at Sharadono's Pizza. John was friendly and easy to work with. He was always on time and our customers really liked him. I didn't hang with John outside of work but I always considerd him a good friend. I am glad I got to know him.

John Wolf

I was sorry top hear of John's passing and missed his memorial gathering yesterday in Kearney.  John and I met in Junior High School and we bonded from day one.  He was one of those friends you could always count on.  After junior and senior high school we lost track of each other.  Then, two years ago we reunited in the checkout line at Apple Market.  We let two or three customers go a head of us because we were having so much fun reminiscing together!  Godspeed, my friend.  

Wolfie '69

Doug Nickel

Sorry to hear about John remember well from Kenwood. Doug Nickel

Lana Horn (Christensen)

So sorry to hear about John Geist! Prayers for his family!!  Any word on Jerry?

Janet Browne (Rose)

The Hub lists the death of classmate, Tovey Bickford Srack.  Although I was not well acquainted with her, I send her family my condolences.  

Mary McKinney (Kommers)

Janet, I didn't see this in the Hub and was unable to search for it.  Did you see this recently?

Monte Krueger

Janet   and  Mary I worked  with  Tovey for  most  of the years  she worked  at Chief.  I have  found  that if  you  go to the mortuary web sites obits  are  easier to search for. Tovey was  a  different  breed  of  cat but she loved her  son and  family and  was  a  huge  Bingo Player. may  she RIP...

Candi Imming

Condolences to her family and friends.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kearneyhub/name/tovey-srack-obituary?id=51299551

Mary Louise Steffens (Nelson)

As some of you know, Pat and I have retired back in Wyoming. I don't remember Tovey and I haven't unpacked my '69 Log.  Yet.  I do want to share with all of you that I ran into a group of ladies who were in the same sorority as Kristi Swanson.  They shared such fond memories of Kristi!  They went on and on about her sense of humor, kindness, and her loyalty.  For those of you who were lucky enough to be her close friends, I thought you would enjoy knowing this.  I felt a sincere sense of pride that yet another '69er left such a wonderful imprint on this earth during her lifetime.

John Wolf

Dear Classmates;

Wayne Garrelts, Terry Keiss and myself had the opportunity to stop by and visit Jerry Foote at his home last Friday.  Jerry looked and sounded great! 

A few days earlier, he had finished his last radiation treatment.  He's scheduled for an MRI this coming week, so they can track his progress and determine what further treatments he may need.  In the meantime, he will continue his chemotherapy (the pill form).

Jerry wanted to tell all of his classmates hello and how much he appreciates your thoughts and prayers for him.  His wife, Cindy, is taking such good care of him and making sure he makes it to all of therapy appointments -- which are many every week.

I personally was inspired by Jerry's determination, his humility, and yes, his humor, during our visit.  He said more than once how much thinks about his classmates (both near and far) and appreciates everyone's thoughts and prayers very much. 

I had passed Jerry in the hallway at Good Sam a couple of weeks ago and he said "Johnny, we're going to beat this thing!"  There's no giving up in Jerry's mind. 

Jerry and Cindy have another family in Kearney who have gone through the very same circumstances.  This has been a wonderful blessing.  And, Tom Abood (Congo) gave them some advice they are using to help alleviate the affects of radiation.     

Before we left Jerry's house last week, Wayne lead us in a heartfelt prayer for Jerry.  The journey continues, but with everyone keeping Jerry in their thoughts and prayers, "we're going to beat this thing"!

Wolfie '69    

      .   

Bob Elliott

Thanks John, Wayne, and Terry.  I'm certain that your visit was powerful medicine for Jerry & Cindy.  This situation reminds me of a football game where the home team is down 3 touchdowns at the half and comes back to win.  Footie is one tough s.o.b.  Prayers for the Foote family and blessings upon you 3 guys.

Mole

Terry Yost (Westing)

These recent posts are highlighting the new life phase we are entering, arent they? This past year has been one of big transition for me, too. My husband died in July.  https://www.ueckerwitt.com/obituaries/Daniel-P-Kover?obId=25454419#/obituaryInfo His loss was extremely difficult but somewhat of a relief to see his suffering and pain come to an end. Though most advisors say not to make any major changes the first year, I have had nothing but change, all for the best so far. I decided I didnt want to stay in our big house and shovel snow this winter in WI so had two auctions, and sold or donated everthing in it except what I could fit in my Equinox  and a Ubox. After retiring from a career I loved, I went on an exploratory driving and air tour of where to resettle, accepting invitations from friends and family to check out AZ, CO, AK,  NE, AK where my son lives, and FL where my daughter lives. Just this week I had an offer accepted on a condo near Melrose, FL (just 15 minutes from daughter Julie and family,) so will be moving in next month. I have made a vow to myself to stop collecting "things" and opt for collecting new experiences, instead. The winter and fall was a healing and warm time of reconnection with many loved ones from my past. I have empathy and support for those of you going through the difficulties and would be glad to connect and share with any of you as we come to grips with our own mortality. 

I hope to have time to learn to paint, and quilt, write a few books that are spinning in my head, travel yearly to AK to see those grandkids, and join a music group. Not to mention watching my 4 and 6 year old FL grandkids grow from a closer vantage point now. Time is flying.

Mary Louise, thanks for sharing about Kristi. I count her as one of my best and loyal friends all through Park School days up until our final hug  from her wheelchair that she and I shared when we attended one of our reunions a few years back.

Dick Barney

What a beautiful post Teri.  Although our paths have not crossed since our final walk across the stage  to receive our diploma, I feel I know you better now and it makes me smile.  You are right, life is about change and adapting and finding ourselves amidst the work and family that have held our attention for many decades.  Yikes!  I did say "decades" and everytime i do I shudder a little to watch that timeline that has been my life.  Many wonderful adventures to you in the coming years!  I look forward to your book! (s).  My girls always encourage me to write about what my life has been and how I became who I became.  And it all started in a little town in Nebraska with many wonderful friends.

Roy Nagakubo

Terri Yost-you go, girlina.  And hug those grandkids, in a warm climate!

Martha Rivero (Helton)

Our condolences to Tovey and John's families and pray Gods comfort and strength surrounds them all.

Terry, John and Wayne..beautiful to hear you lifted Jerry's spirits...thank you for the update...we send healing prayers for Jerry.

Terry what a beautiful post...we are so sorry for your loss..and we pray your new life will be filled with joy and wonderful new experiences to put in your book..

Thank you Nancy and all who started this wonderful way for us to keep in touch...

Blessings to all ❤️