Summer 2025 Issue

Class Notes – Summer 2025

June 14, 2025

The ’60s

Harold Kolenbrander ’60 published four books: “In the Arena: The Story of a Blessed Life,” “Coming of Age in a Town That Time Forgot,” “Pushing Boundaries: How Risk Takers Shape Our World” and “Amidst the Noise: Finding Wisdom in Reflection.” Kolenbrander is currently completing a biography celebrating the life of his late wife, Laurie. He and his wife Judy Gosselink Grooters ’60 live in Greenville, Rhode Island.

Doug ’64 and Sharon Kreun Schakel ’67 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2024. Doug recently won the Prairie Highlands Golf Course senior league division championship. The couple resides in Olathe, Kansas.

Jennifer Boerefyn Hart ’69 sang in the Disneyland Hotel lobby bar in October and November 2024 in Anaheim, California, where she lives.

Paul Poppen ’69 received a Golden Faculty Award from George Washington University for 50 years of continuous service. Poppen lives in Washington, D.C.

The ’70s

Jon Lorence ’70, professor of sociology at the University of Houston, retired after 40 years of service. Lorence resides in Houston, Texas.

Tim Meyer ’70 received the Iowa Tree Grower of the Year award. Meyer lives in Amana, Iowa.

Bill North ’70 founded NorthStar Consulting LLC after 50 years in the hotel and resort industry. The business focuses on corporate event planning for the hospitality industry. North lives and works in Bunker Hill, West Virginia.

Michael O’Donnell ’70, associate professor emeritus of journalism at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, co-authored a new journalism textbook titled “Editing.: The Essential Guide to Better Writing Across Today’s Media.” O’Donnell lives in Northfield, Minnesota.

David Vander Meulen ’70 is a lead quality compliance auditor for Qualifyze in Barcelona, Spain. Vander Meulen and his wife Carol live in Aubrey, Texas.

Stan Durey ’71 was selected to participate in the Sunday Puzzle with Will Shortz on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday. Durey resides in Anacortes, Washington.

Barbara Pettitt ’72 is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award. Pettitt is a surgeon-educator at Emory University whose career has combined pediatric surgical care with roles that have advanced education for surgeons in training.

Harry Smith ’73 received the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2025 from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, honoring his five-decade career as an award-winning broadcast journalist and renowned storyteller.

Julia De Vries ’74 visited the Mérida, Yucatán, campus after 50 years where she studied abroad for two semesters and created lifelong memories. De Vries returned with gratitude for her Central experiences and the education she received. She resides in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she owns and operates retail stores. De Vries splits her time between Colorado and her home in Fallbrook, California, visiting family and friends.

BKE Fraternity members from the class of 1974 gathered for a golf outing to prepare for Central’s Homecoming and the Dutch Master’s golf tournament. Left to right: Bill Rollison ’74, Kent Johnson ’74, Dave Gaulke ’74 and Thom Summitt ’74.

Samuel Westrick ’75 retired and lives in Cockeysville, Maryland.

Jann Freed ’77 was featured in the Business Record Insider, HR and Leadership. Freed’s article, “Rethink Retirement: Show Appreciation for Loyal Employees,” highlights Vermeer Corporation of Pella, Iowa. Freed resides in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cathleen Scholten Howe ’77 serves on the board of directors of the Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response Team, which provides flood clean-up and tree removal services after disasters. She spent eight days volunteering in several Florida locations after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Howe lives in Ocala, Florida.

The ’80s

Brent Aufdembfink ’80, senior innovation director at Cargill, was appointed the 2024 Cargill corporate research fellow. Aufdembfink lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.

A group of 1980 graduates gathered at the Iowa State Fair in August 2024. Hailing from different parts of Iowa, Florida and Washington, some hadn’t seen each other in 40 years.
Left to right: Mike Kirkey ’80, Dennis Schrodt ’80, Sheryl Box Bokhoven ’80, Mark Walter ’80, Janice Fitzgibbon Smith ’80 and Liz Conrad ’80.

Chris Hopkins ’82 and Labyrinth bandmates Doug McCaulley ’83, Jeff Knight ’84 and Jeremy Brunt performed in November 2024 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, following the band’s induction to the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Cindy Eaton Klatt ’82 retired from the University of Northern Iowa, where she served as the intramural sports/youth camps coordinator. Her husband, Tim Klatt ’79, retired in 2021. The couple resides in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Melanie Di Bernardo Olson ’82 was invited to join the Design Leadership Network. Olson lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

David Baker ’83 is self-employed as a senior-level consultant for home construction and design. Baker lives in Conyers, Georgia.

John Briggs ’85 is a captain of a Boeing 787 for United Airlines. He currently flies throughout Europe, Asia and South America. Briggs and wife Stacy reside in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Bob Cronin ’85 is the vice president for software engineering at Candescent. Cronin lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ed Ergenbright ’85 retired from teaching and coaching at Newton High School in Newton, Iowa, where he lives.

Lance Newbold ’85 was recognized among the 2024 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans. Newbold is vice president for student affairs at Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and resides in Edmund, Oklahoma.

Matt Schulte ’86 is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes area director for north and south-central Iowa. Schulte lives in Pella, Iowa.

This group gathered for a DeVelder Townhouse reunion in Okoboji, Iowa. Back row: Doug Cahoon ’91, Brian Krob ’92, Todd Connelly ’90, Sara Vander Kooi Huyser ’90, Clay Thompson ’90, Kevin Huyser ’90, Craig Dirks ’90, Kevin Lake ’90, Lorelei Bateman Lake ’91, Rod De Ronde ’90 and Kitty De Ronde. Front row: Elizabeth Clausen Marburger ’89, Heather Moe Subbert ’91, Todd Subbert ’90, Greg Thomas ’90, Michelle Heishman Thomas ’89, Jennifer Moeller, Gary Moeller ’90, Leslie Moore and Mike Moore ’91. (Not pictured, but present: Dan Marburger ’89.)

The ’90s

Tej Dhawan ’91, managing director and co-founder of Plains Angels, was a panelist at the 2024 innovationIOWA event in Des Moines, Iowa. Dhawan is also managing partner in launching a statewide venture capital fund. He lives in Grimes, Iowa.

Amy Fink Ramey ’91 is an area coordinator for the Northeast Tennessee Home Education Association. Ramey resides in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Thomas Robbins ’91 is executive director at Austin Area Arts, overseeing the $4.3 million Paramount Theatre renovation and expansion project. He also manages the Austin ArtWorks Center. Robbins lives in Dubuque, Iowa.

Carmen Steele ’91 was promoted to director of communications at United Way of the Midlands. Steele lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Amy Theobald May ’92 is an early childhood teacher and Early ACCESS service coordinator in Clear Lake, Iowa. May resides in Parkersburg, Iowa.

Jason Reynolds ’93 was named superintendent of the Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also resides.

Angie Leonard Morrow ’94 was recently named one of the top 50 luminaries in Boston sports and entertainment by Boston Common magazine. Morrow coached the Dedham Cubs Babe Ruth baseball team to a repeat championship win in 2024.

Krista Posegate Sackett ’94 is a reading support specialist for the Johnston Community School District. Sackett resides in Johnston, Iowa.

Dennis Markway ’95 is owner and founder of Iron Horse Wealth Management, LLC, which was honored as one of the top four Registered Investment Advisor firms in Iowa. Additionally, USA Today included the firm in its list of the top 1% of firms nationwide following a 2024 survey. Markway lives in Urbandale, Iowa.

Kevin Stittsworth ’95 is development manager at Many Hands for Haiti. Stittsworth resides in Knoxville, Iowa.

Michael Caniff ’96 is the academic program leader for the Bakersfield City School District. Caniff lives in Shafter, California.

Sarah Kuhn Henderson ’96 is the North America regional director for MPS Monitor and Nexera Software. Henderson lives in Urbandale, Iowa.

Jen Foskett DiSessa ’97 is an assistant director of admission at Loras College. DiSessa lives in La Grange Park, Illinois.

Valerie Roush Huyser ’97 is a senior regional business director at Agios Pharmaceuticals. Huyser resides in Pella, Iowa.

Candi Olson-Patras ’97 works in accounting for Hy-Vee in West Des Moines, Iowa, and resides in Waukee, Iowa.

Jana Schwartz ’98 has been appointed president of Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. Schwartz lives in Peoria, Arizona.

Lisa Vander Wilt Shileny ’98 is president and chief executive officer of Hills Bancorporation and Hills Bank and Trust Company.

Amy Jerred Conrad ’99 was awarded a four year R01 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Conrad lives in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Ryan Rumery ’99 won an American Theatre Wing’s 77th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Award for Best Sound Design in the show “Stereophonic.”

Kelly Vielmo ’99 is an IT project manager at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The ’00s

Shannon Hoekstra ’00 co-published a paper on foundational generative AI concepts in Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Hoekstra is chief technology officer and vice president of emerging technologies and innovation at the College of American Pathologists and resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Steve Perkins ’01 is returning to a small-town practice at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Perkins lives in Waukon, Iowa.

Jason Viel ’01 is an athletic trainer for Pleasant Valley High School. The school’s basketball team hosted a game against North Scott High School where Tim Block ’01 is an athletic trainer. The two gathered for a photo with John Roslien, associate professor of kinesiology, who served as director of the athletic training program when they attended Central.
Left to right: Tim Block ’01, John Roslien and Jason Viel ’01.

Justin Fletcher ’02 is senior director of investment operations at the Iowa State University Foundation. Fletcher lives in Norwalk, Iowa.

Angela Vander Werf Kruse ’03 is director of development at Des Moines Christian School in Urbandale, Iowa, where she also resides.

Stacey Lister ’03 is a family nurse practitioner at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine in Grimes, Iowa. Lister resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Jody Rindels Smith ’03 is an associate director of portfolio project management at Collins Aerospace. Smith resides in Marion, Iowa.

Daniel Flaherty ’05, Chip and Jane Rutledge Early Career Associate Professor in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University, has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar. Flaherty received the award to conduct research on antibiotic drug discovery in Australia for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Jared Fritz-McCarty ’05 is vice president of advancement at Roosevelt University and joined the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Guild Board of Directors. Fritz-McCarty lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Adam Gregg ’06 is president and CEO of Iowa Bankers Association. Gregg lives in Urbandale, Iowa.

Dustin Hite ’06 is a district court judge for the State of Iowa. His wife Kate Jackson Hite ’04 is a teacher and librarian for North Mahaska Community School District. The couple lives in New Sharon, Iowa, with their two daughters.

Amanda Wood Kurtz ’06 is the senior associate athletics director for internal operations at Pepperdine University. Kurtz resides in West Hills, California.

Matthew Lynch ’06 is staff judge advocate for the United States Air Force.

Ashleigh Richmond ’06 is the department chair of academic resources at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she also resides.

Katie Haun Schuring ’06 is a historian for the Federal Railroad Administration. Schuring resides in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Ben Bollard ’07 is head football coach at Pella High School in Pella, Iowa, where he resides.

Shelley DeWeerdt ’07 is a registered nurse in the surgical specialty unit of UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital. DeWeerdt also works as a nursing school tutor for nursing students at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she resides.

Allison Fegley Johnson ’08 is one of 45 individuals selected for the LeadDSM Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025. Johnson lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kellee Van Hemert ’08 serves as content manager at Many Hands for Haiti and a part-time worship support liaison at Second Reformed Church. Van Hemert lives in Pella, Iowa.

Ryan and Leah Appelgate Westerkamp ’08 married October 2022. The couple resides in Clive, Iowa, where Westerkamp works as a client success manager for Mākusafe.

Bryanne Hensley ’09 is the program coordinator for Money Follows the Person for University of Iowa Health Care. Hensley lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Aaron and Laura Bade Shaw ’09 married Sept. 28, 2024. The couple resides in Ames, Iowa.

The ’10s

Jessica Steward McQuerrey ’10 was featured in the July 26, 2024, Business Record E-Edition. McQuerrey is the director of programs for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation and lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Jory Houser ’10 is principal of West Elementary in Knoxville, Iowa. Houser lives in Altoona, Iowa.

Nate Nees ’10 is a U.S. sales manager for Jim Pattison Lease. Nees resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Korey Van Wyk ’10 is specialist acquisitions editor at Cognella Academic Publishing. Van Wyk lives in Orange City, Iowa.

Kurtis Brondyke ’11 is associate head coach of the Iowa State track and field team.

Perry Harrah Aguilar ’12 is a facilitator at BCFS Health and Human Services. Aguilar works and resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Abby Lukensmeyer Morrissey ’12 is a senior human resources business partner specialist for Clarivate – London, England. Morrissey lives in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

Emma Putnam Fearrington ’13 is a preview experience manager at Vistaprint. Fearrington lives in Simsbury, Connecticut.

Clemir and Amber Muntz Coproski ’14 married Nov. 9, 2024. The couple resides in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jacob Edleman ’14 is a regional facilities manager for Jones Lange LaSalle. Edleman resides in Waukee, Iowa.

Four Central graduates participated in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program’s white coat ceremony at Des Moines University.
Left to right: Elsie Thoreson Gustafson ’24, Jocelyn Timmerman ’24, Heidi Jones Machin ’14 and Hadyn Miller ’24.

Ashley Cruikshank ’15 is an LPGA professional with aspirations to be part of the Epson Tour. Cruikshank teaches golf lessons to players of all levels and lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

Hayes and Amy Andrews Durbin ’15 married June 29, 2024. The couple resides in Grinnell, Iowa.

Brian and Torie Hollingsworth Seidenkranz ’15 married July 6, 2024. The couple resides in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cole Ebel ’16 is a U.S. seeds content specialist at Corteva Agriscience. Ebel lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Madison Gause ’16 is an attorney with the public defender’s office in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she resides.

Alan Arakkal and Anna Pierce ’16 married May 29, 2024. The couple resides in Denver, Colorado.
Back row: Kyle Hill ’10, Victor Tilstra-Ferrell ’16, Evan Fischer ’16 and Josh Stalsberg ’16. Front row: Allison Wood ’15, Meganne Wilson ’16, Anna Pierce ’16, Alan Arakkal, Jordan Maurer Stalsberg ’16, Kelly Hill Bouchard ’06 and Mary Ohaver Moermond ’79.

Jill Huffman Russell ’16 is an executive assistant at Musco Lighting. Russell lives in Pella, Iowa.

Logan Moeller ’17 is director of sports programs at the YMCA of Washington County. Moeller lives in Riverside, Iowa.

Bethany and Steven Adkins ’18 married April 19, 2024. The couple resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Emily Benedict ’18 is an English teacher at Melcher-Dallas High School. Benedict lives in Knoxville, Iowa.

Austin ’18 and Jennifer Zoutte Chipps ’18 married June 29, 2024.

Seth ’18 and Kendra Miller Eash ’18 married May 18, 2024. The couple resides in North Liberty, Iowa.

Holly Vander Pol Peters ’18 is manager of Child Life and Family Centered services at UnityPoint Health Blank Children’s Hospital. Peters lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kyle ’18 and Ashley Meldrum Schelling ’20 married May 18, 2024. The couple resides in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.
Back row: Nathan Sanders ’21, Kyle Pape ’19, Eli Miller ’20, Cutler Owens ’22, Jordan Toomey ’20, Austin Pfiffner ’20, Jerry Lotz ’21, Preston Kizer ’20 and Taylor Donner ’18. Front row: Carly Klavins ’20, Sarah Salas Sunvold ’20, Ashley Meldrum Schelling ’20, Kyle Schelling ’18, Daniel Sunvold ’20, Aanna Roslien Moody ’20 and Jaden Moody ’20.

Matt ’18 and Jennie Voss Seabold ’16 married July 6, 2024.

Annika Anderson-Dickinson ’19 and Matthew Dickinson ’21 married July 27, 2024. The couple resides in Tipton, Iowa.
Left to right: Victoria Warren ’23, Susan Pagnac, former senior director of writing, Shelley Bradfield, professor of communication studies, Kate Nesbit, assistant professor of English, Kyle Naeve ’21, Kurt Sernett ’21, Lexi Brown Sjullie ’20, Elizabeth Rouse ’20, Ryan Strauss ’20, Anne Coughenour Volkers ’19, Annika Anderson-Dickinson ’19, Matthew Dickinson ’21, Julie Brown Anderson ’89, Alan Brown ’87, Jacob Anderson ’16, Denali Lancaster Jacobson ’22, Cody Jacobson ’22, Brittany Sites ’19, Maddie Allen-Boelman ’19, Danielle Dickinson Thaden ’12, Sheryl Vander Hart Dickinson ’80, Courtney Tabor Ruffcorn ’19, Olivia Coleman, Michelle Dickinson Coleman ’10 and Tyler Coleman ’10.

Daniel Coovert ’19 is a physical education teacher in Sycamore, Illinois, where he resides.

Nathan ’19 and Susie Lupkes Fritz ’20 married June 8, 2024. The couple resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Back row: Eddie Ginnan ’19, Lane Rumelhart ’19, Tanner Zimmerman ’20, Trevor Argo ’19, Matt Seabold ’18, Eric Van Kley, vice president for athletics, Tom Lupkes ’93, Jake Webb ’17, Nadine Lupkes Argo ’91, Lauren Simon Kimm ’20, Trevor Kimm ’20, Andrew Fritz ’16 and Michael Anderson ’20. Front row: Jeremy Scheuermann ’19, Duncan Lee ’20, Jennie Voss Seabold ’16, Michaela Lillie ’19, Sara Lupkes ’92, Nathan Fritz ’19, Susie Lupkes Fritz ’20, Courtney Simmon ’20, Ashley Lupkes ’23, Nathan Kuhlman ’24, Morgan Wilson Fritz ’16 and Raigen Furness ’20. Not pictured: Scott Argo ’90.

Macin Harvey ’19 is a risk management coordinator at UnityPoint Clinic in West Des Moines, Iowa. Harvey lives in Waukee, Iowa.

The ’20s

For information about Elsie Thoreson Gustafson ’24, Hayden Miller ’24 and Jocelyn Timmerman ’24, see the ’10s.

Peter and Samantha Thompson DeTar ’20 married Oct. 5, 2024. The couple resides in Johnston, Iowa.

Braden Furness ’20 is the fisheries program data support specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Furness lives in Verona, Wisconsin.

Jaden ’20 and Aanna Roslien Moody ’20 married Aug. 30, 2024. The couple resides in Ankeny, Iowa.

Cody and Sierra Illa Pollock ’20 married Oct. 4, 2024. Pollock is a physical therapist at NovaCare Rehabilitation-Lakeville. The couple resides in Chaska, Minnesota.

Cheyanne ’20 and Cameron Coles Scholl ’22 married Oct. 19, 2024. The couple resides in Lansing, New York.

Bryant Seuferer ’20 is associate pastor of First Church in Pella, Iowa.

Blake Wooten ’20 is an athletic trainer for the Modesto Nuts, the Single-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, winners of the 2023 California League Baseball Championship.

Kirsten Buniak ’21 is a trainee clinical scientist in nuclear medicine for Queen’s Hospital in Romford, England.

Madilyn Ulrich Capaci ’21 is a legislative assistant for the State of Illinois. Capaci lives in DeKalb, Illinois.

Sydney Rants ’21 is a pediatric occupational therapist at Select Kids Pediatric Therapy. Rants works and resides in Ankeny, Iowa.

Joseph Roberts ’21 teaches world history at Ames High School.

Mark and Jordan Van Maanen Vande Haar ’21 married July 13, 2024. The couple resides in Pella, Iowa.
Left to right: Jenna Clark McBride ’22, Averi Kron ’22, Jordan Van Maanen Vande Haar ’22, Megan Rohr Pregon ’22, Chelsea Roose Smith ’21 and Katie Palmer Reuman ’22.

Will ’22 and Sara Goodenbour DeHaan ’25 married July 27, 2024. The couple resides in Pella, Iowa.

Brad DiLeo ’22, a University of Iowa Recreational Services tennis professional, was honored with the USTA Iowa Award for Adult Player of the Year.

Bekah Walter Gorkow ’22 is an English teacher at Pella Christian High School in Pella, Iowa, where she resides.

Meredith Mahoney ’22 is assistant director of athletic communications for Illinois Wesleyan University. Mahoney lives in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Zoe Runyon ’22 is an accountant at Forge Finance and Management Consulting in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Jack ’22 and Abbi Roerdink Sagan ’24 married June 8, 2024. Abbi is a financial analyst at Vermeer Corporation. The couple resides in Pella, Iowa.

Jaycie Gordon ’23 is a laboratory assistant at Corteva Agriscience in Ankeny, Iowa, where she also lives.

Cole ’23 and Rebekah Cashen Kraber ’23 married July 20, 2024. The couple resides in Pella, Iowa.

Gloria Montiel ’23 is a corporate communications specialist at Vermeer Corporation in Pella, Iowa.

Courtney Mouw ’23 is an application developer at Zirous in West Des Moines, Iowa, where she also resides.

Abigail Boorman ’24 is a natural resource aide at Story County Conservation in Altoona, Iowa, where she lives.

Levi Condy ’24 is a systems engineer at Collins Aerospace. Condy resides in Tiffin, Iowa.

Lindsey Davidson ’24 is a fourth-grade teacher for the North Polk Community School District. Davidson lives in Ankeny, Iowa.

Charles Gaer ’24 is operations manager at Ken Schall Golf Performance Studio in West Des Moines, Iowa. Gaer resides in Des Moines, Iowa.

Solomon Mamola ’24 is a certified personal trainer at Lifetime Fitness in Urbandale, Iowa. Mamola lives in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Jackson Perkins ’24 is a dietary aid at Thornton Manor. Perkins lives in Waukon, Iowa.

Elisa Rooda ’24 is a preschool teacher for the Newton Community School District. Rooda lives in Pella, Iowa.

Elizabeth Michaelson Wilner ’24 is a social worker case manager for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services in Ottumwa, Iowa. Wilner lives in Pella, Iowa.

Gabe ’24 and Kayla Schneider Wilson ’24 married Sept. 15, 2024. The couple resides in Pella, Iowa.

Advanced Degree

Jodi Wadle Pospeschil ’90 earned of Doctor of Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University in 2024.

Krista Posegate Sackett ’94 earned a master’s degree in teaching and learning from Waldorf University in 2024.

Stacey Lister ’03 earned a Master of Nursing from Clarkson College.

Ashleigh Richmond ’06 earned a Doctor of Education in community college leadership from Iowa State University in 2024.

Adrienne Bergman ’20 earned a Master of Arts in communication and media studies from Drake University in 2024.

Sierra Illa Pollock ’20 earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Clarke University in 2024.

Ashley Meldrum Schelling ’20 earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of South Dakota in 2023.

Blake Wooten ’20 earned a Master of Science in sports and recreation administration from South Dakota State University in 2022.

Kirsten Buniak ’21 earned a Master of Science in medical physics from the University of Surrey in Guildford, England, in 2024. There, Buniak was awarded the Physics Best MSc Dissertation Prize for highest dissertation mark in medical physics.

KC Huffman-Wierzchowski ’21 earned a master’s degree in public history from Southern New Hampshire University in 2024.

Sydney Rants ’21 earned a doctorate in occupational therapy from Drake University in 2024.

Joseph Roberts ’21 earned a Master of Science in education from the University of Kansas in 2024.

Sarah Schirm Avery ’22 earned a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 2024.

Meredith Mahoney ’22 earned a Master of Science in kinesiology and recreation with a specialization in sports management from Illinois State University in 2024.

Kelsea Hurley ’23 earned a Master of Science in criminology and criminal justice from Arizona State University.

New Arrivals

Dooley ’18, daughter Finola Elizabeth, March 15, 2024.

Brandon Townsend and Traci Dyer-Townsend ’08, daughter Ty Delila Townsend, Aug. 23, 2024.

Lance and Elizabeth Davis VeDepo ’08, daughter Scarlett Marie, Nov. 22, 2024.

Michael Pastrano and Justine Celoni-Pastrano ’11, son Adrian Michael, April 12, 2024.

Mike ’12 and Alyssa Schwartz Furlong ’13, daughter Margo, March 27, 2024.

Justin and Abby Lukensmeyer Morrissey ’12, daughter Hallie Ann, July 4, 2024.

Jacob and Danielle Vesneske Safford ’12, son Elijah Lee, March 9, 2024.

Trebor and Heather Binkley Holder ’13, son Kannon James, July 30, 2024.

Ryan ’13 and Jessica Chaney Verwers ’14, son Franklin Newell, Feb. 2, 2024.

Jacob ’14 and Emily Benson Edleman ’15, daughter Lily Joy, May 5, 2023.

Tom and Alexandra Cessna Farmer ’14, son Avery, Sept. 16, 2024.

Drew ’15 and Rachel Evans Kleis ’15, daughter Addison Jean, May 18, 2024.

Sam ’15 and Kristina DeGroot Moore ’16, daughter Lucia Jo, Oct. 19, 2024.

Aaron ’15 and Kaitlyn Gillett Rosenstiel ’15, son Tate Michael, July 21, 2024.

John and Bryanna Pierce Schuman ’15, son Zeke Wyatt, May 31, 2024.

Landon and Rachel Cassens Williams ’16, son Taysom Vernon, May 17, 2024.

Owen ’18 and Katelyn Temple McConnell ’17, daughter Ruthie Mae, July 9, 2024.

Matthew and Kora Scotton Skarshaug ’17, son Kai Matthew, June 29, 2024.

Andy ’18 and Rachel Verhun Butts ’18, daughter Charlotte Louise, Oct. 7, 2024.

Nick ’18 and Lexi Johnson Greteman ’18, daughter Collins Mikkel, July 11, 2024.

Reese ’18 and Kalee Findlay Iversen ’18, daughter Stevie Lynn, July 6, 2024.

Bryant ’20 and Rebekah Beard Seuferer ’22, daughter Joanna Elisabeth, Aug. 29, 2024.

In Memoriam

Miyoko Sakaguchi Inaba ’48, Commerce, California, Dec. 6, 2023.

Dorothy Vandergon Whiting ’48, Ashland, Wisconsin, Dec. 15, 2024.

Burton “Burt” Voss ’49, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jan. 13, 2025.

Dr. Jerry Barnett ’51, West Des Moines, Iowa, July 20, 2024.

Etta Ter Louw Hesselink ’51, Holland, Michigan, July 23, 2024.

Amy Jackson Christianson ’52, Columbia, Missouri, Jan. 8, 2025.

Shirley Kooistra Reid ’52, Washington, D.C., Aug. 15, 2024.

Marvin De Heus ’53, Concord, California, Nov. 10, 2024.

Harold “Dick” Lautenbach ’53, Castle Rock, Colorado, Aug. 21, 2024.

Dale Brasser ’54, Madison, Wisconsin, Jan. 13, 2025.

Bonnie Thomassen Lautenbach ’54, Castle Rock, Colorado, July 21, 2024.

William “Bill” Mc Namar ’55, Hartford, Iowa, May 27, 2024.

Rev. Peter “Pete” Mondeel ’55, Lexington, South Carolina, May 5, 2024.

Rev. LeRoy “Lee” Koopman ’57, Zeeland, Michigan, Nov. 3, 2024.

Norman Verros ’58, Pella, Iowa, Sept. 1, 2024.

John Bylsma ’59, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dec. 15, 2024.

Delores De Hoogh Hanson ’59, Wausau, Wisconsin, May 31, 2024.

Mary Templeton Phillips ’59, Milwaukie, Oregon, Oct. 20, 2023.

Lavina “Vi” Snuttjer Block ’60, Orange City, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2023.

Terry Housman ’60, Marengo, Iowa, July 21, 2024.

Rosalie De Wall Park ’60, Freeport, Illinois, July 21, 2024.

Harlan Ratmeyer ’60, Slingerlands, New York, July 19, 2024.

Glen Sandbulte ’60, Winfield, Kansas, Nov. 27, 2023.

Duane “Wes” Westenberg ’60, Saint German, Wisconsin, Oct. 2, 2024.

Sharon Kooiker Christenson ’61, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 22, 2024.

James “Jim” De Bruin ’61, Montgomery, Texas, Dec. 9, 2023.

Robert “Bob” De Smidt ’61, Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, Dec. 13, 2024.

Delores Stiemsma Leach ’61, Penn Valley, California, April 28, 2024.

William “Bill” Wehrle ’61, Chillicothe, Missouri, Dec. 17, 2024.

Robert “Bob” Brodersen ’62, Spring Valley, Wisconsin, June 21, 2024.

Lawrence “Larry” Kappers ’63, Oostburg, Wisconsin, Aug. 2, 2024.

William “Bill” Chen ’64, Gilroy, California, March 7, 2024.

Fred Wesselink ’67, Groveland, California, Nov. 17, 2024.

Donald Scheidt ’68, Byram Township, New Jersey, Oct. 20, 2024.

Margie Readinger ’69, Bettendorf, Iowa, April 7, 2024.

Stanley “Stan” Schuring ’70, Pella, Iowa, Sept. 8, 2024.

Brian Post ’72, Duncanville, Texas, Aug. 6, 2024.

Gary Altman ’73, Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 1, 2024.

Loren Zaruba ’73, Charlotte, Iowa, July 28, 2024.

Timothy “Tim” Ettelson ’74, Hudson, Iowa, June 5, 2024.

Scott Dunkin ’77, Naples, Florida, July 3, 2024.

Jill Campbell Connolly ’79, Winterset, Iowa, Nov. 25, 2024.

Charles “Chuck” Dickinson ’82, Fort Madison, Iowa, July 13, 2024.

Stan Harms ’82, Allison, Iowa, Oct. 12, 2024.

Keith Fournier ’88, Kenner, Louisiana, Nov. 19, 2024.

Stephen “Steve” Wilson ’88, Algonquin, Illinois, June 25, 2024.

Julie Lundeen Trelstad ’91, Le Claire, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2024.

Kirk Wilde ’96, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 31, 2024.

Aaron Cretin ’98, Atkins, Iowa, Nov. 27, 2024.

Jill Egan Birkenholtz ’99, Carlisle, Iowa, Sept. 25, 2024.

Jacob “Jake” Knepper ’03, Jesup, Iowa, July 18, 2024.

Holly Beadle Terpstra ’05, Oskaloosa, Iowa, March 20, 2022.

Robert Dillard, former employee, Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 10, 2024.

Arlen Johnson, former Vienna, Austria, faculty, Hanna City, Illinois, July 11, 2024.

Robert “Bob” Sackett, former Central track coach, Des Moines, Iowa, July 17, 2024.

Max “Dubit” Vander Pol, former owner of Cleats & Spikes and lifelong friend of Central College, Pella, Iowa, Oct. 19, 2024.