Family Tree Awards presented

Six families with long-standing ties to Chadron State College were recognized as recipients of the institution's Family Tree Award on Saturday.

Families with three or more generations that have attended the institution are eligible for the award, which is presented as part of CSC's annual Family Day festivities. Members of five of the families were in attendance for Saturday's recognition brunch and were introduced prior to CSC's football game against Western New Mexico University.

The first Family Tree Awards were presented in 1996. This year's group brings the total number recipients to 53.

Following are narratives about the families that were honored this year. To alleviate confusion, the institution is referred to by its current name in all references. CSC's official name from 1911-1948 was Nebraska State Normal School at Chadron and was Nebraska State Teachers College at Chadron from 1949-1962.

Floyd and Lela Holmgrain Family

Floyd and Lela Holmgrain represented the first of four generations to become alumni of Chadron State College. They came to Chadron after graduating high school in Guide Rock and Simeon, respectively. The couple first taught school in the Philippines and later moved to Gordon where he was a principal and she was a teacher. They each died in the 1980s.

The Holmgrain's daughter, Phyllis, and her husband, Dean Simpson, also each attended the institution. They have four grown children and now live in Alliance. Dean ran Alliance Livestock in Auction, Colo. for 26 years and then after it closed was an officer at Western Bank. Phyllis taught school, ran Simpson's bootery, which they owned, and was the site coordinator for the Alliance Campus of Western Nebraska Community College. They both are retired.

Each of the Simpsons' children attended CSC.

Their son Stuart and his wife Lisa earned degrees from CSC in 1982. Stuart became business manager for North Platte Public Schools in 2006 after serving in the same position at Alliance Public Schools for 17 years. Lisa worked in nuclear medical technology for two years and in radiologic technology, MRI and CT for 18 years.

Dean and Phyllis' daughter, Stephanie (Simpson) Diehl, was at CSC from 1979-1982. She is a respiratory therapist and is working toward her bachelor's degree at an institution in Denver, where she lives with her husband, Robert.

Another daughter, Betsy (Simpson) Houlden of Elwood, attended CSC in 1982-1984 before earning degrees in nursing and audiology at other institutions. She became the director of nursing at Cambridge Hospital in 2007. She and her husband, Gary, have one son, Tristan, 13.

Dean and Phyllis' youngest son, Jason, graduated from CSC in 2002 with degrees in human biology and biological chemistry. He also earned a nursing degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center after graduating. Jason's wife, Theresa (Cool) Simpson, also graduated from CSC in 2006 with a degree in chemistry. While at CSC, Jason was active in Student Senate and Theresa was a resident director in campus housing as well as being active in several other clubs. They now reside in Denver where Jason is a registered nurse and Theresa is a pharmacy tech. They have two sons, Parker, 3, and Riley, 3 months.

The fourth generation of the Holmgrain family was represented at CSC by Joslynne Simpson, daughter of Stuart and Lisa, who graduated in May 2008 with majors in human biology and Spanish. She was active at CSC in several clubs including Cardinal Key, Beta Beta Beta, Sigma Tau Delta, and Student Alumni Council. She will be studying in the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Accelerated Nursing program at Scottsbluff starting in January. Stuart and Lisa also have a 9-year-old daughter, Jordynn.

 

Clarence and Jessica (Brott) Phillips Family

Jessica (Brott) Phillips, who was born in Missouri and later lived north of the Sandhills community of Hecla between Mullen and Whitman, was the first in a long line of her family to attend college in Chadron. She attended CSC in the summer of 1919 and was awarded a teaching certificate. She valued education and continued taking correspondence courses throughout her life.

Jessica and her husband, Clarence, had three children: Clarence Jr., Jacqueline and Lynn. Jacqueline met her future husband, Ernest Lemmert, while taking courses in Chadron in 1938-1939.

Lynn and his wife, Joellen, had five children, four of whom attended CSC.

The two oldest, Rosalee and Lyle, attended in 1970 and 1980, respectively. Lyle's wife, Twila (Kriz) Phillips, was active in Cardinal Key and the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1980. Lyle and Twila own and manage the operation started by Clarence Phillips, which is now called the D-Lazy L Ranch.

Lynn and Joellen's daughter, Joyce, earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1981 and a master's degree in plant sciences in 1988. Joyce also holds a doctorate in botany from Brigham Young University and was hired to teach science and mathematics in 1991. She is now professor of science, and also has served as interim dean and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. Joyce's husband, Bob Hardy, graduated with a degree in earth sciences in 1981 and furthered his studies in 1998 and 2002. He is self-employed.

The youngest of Lynn and Joellen's children, Barbara, was awarded a bachelor's degree in business in 1984. She lives in Chadron with her husband, Larry Olson. She also is a graduate of the Colorado School of Banking and is assistant cashier and compliance officer at First National Bank of Chadron. She was active in Cardinal Key, Ag Club and the Eagle Newspaper when at CSC.

Another son, Leonard, and his wife, Alisa, did not attend CSC, but all three of their children are alumni.

In all, nine members of the Phillips family's fourth generation have attended CSC.

Joellen (Crofutt) Clark, daughter of Rosalee and husband Wayne Crofutt, obtained a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 2004 by completing all of her studies in North Platte. She works at the Wal-Mart distribution center in North Platte and also is a substitute teacher.

Two of Lyle and Twila's children have attended CSC. In 2005, Casey Phillips graduated with a business degree and his wife, Heather (Hostetter) Phillips, earned a bachelor's degree in special education. Casey is a loan officer and Heather a teacher near Kansas City, Mo. Lyle and Twila's daughter, Carrie took courses from CSC in 1999 and moved to Omaha after later graduating from another institution. Lyle and Twila have four more children, Kyle, Katie, Kory and Kelsey.

The three children of Leonard and Alisa (Bullington) Phillips who have taken courses from CSC are Melissa (Phillips) Shepherd, Denise Phillips and Michael Phillips. Melissa was active in numerous music groups and Cardinal Key and earned a degree in music education in 2005. She now teaches K-12 music at Eustis-Farnam. Denise was active in many clubs and organizations at CSC, including Student Senate, Campus Activities Board and campus committees for safety and technology planning. She graduated with a degree in family and consumer sciences in 2007. She fills orders at the Wal-Mart distribution center in North Platte. Michael attended in 2006-2007, but has since transferred to Wayne State College to play on its intercollegiate golf team.

Bob and Joyce's two children, Johannah and James, also completed studies at CSC. Johannah earned a degree in music in 2006 and James attended that year. Johannah is an accounting manager at Chadron's Wal-Mart and James is a groundskeeper at CSC.

 

Iva and William Schommer Family

The late Iva (Wagner) Schommer, a native of Grafton, was awarded a two-year diploma from Chadron State in 1948 and earned a bachelor's degree in 1957 at the age of 61. Her husband was William Schommer.

One of the people in attendance at her graduation was her daughter, L. Gwen (Schommer) Peltz, who had graduated from CSC with a history degree in 1944. Gwen is now retired and living in Rimrock, Ariz., with her husband, Leonard. Iva's son, Paul, graduated from CSC with a degree in English and Latin in 1942. Both Gwen and Paul are graduates of Chadron High School.

Gwen's son, Jeffrey Peltz, represents the third generation of the family to attend CSC. He took courses in 1974-1975 after graduating from Alliance High School.

 

Harry and Jeri Simonton Family

Harry and Jeri Simonton began their families' association with Chadron State College in 1958 when Harry was hired to be a physical education teacher and coach at the institution. He was head coach for wrestling, men's golf, and gymnastics, and was an assistant for football during his tenure. He died in 1998 at age 70.

Jeri, a native of LaCrosse, Wis., earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1966 and a master's degree in education from CSC in 1966. She is retired after 32 years working at Chadron High School.

Both of the Simonton's children are graduates of CSC.

The first, Laurie (Simonton) Harris, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting in 1980. She has been employed by CSC since 1982 and has been the institution's assistant director of financial aid since 2000. Laurie's husband Mike attended CSC from 1976-1978. He is director of support services at Chadron Community Hospital.

Harry and Jeri's other daughter, Spring (Simonton) Chittim, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1992. She is a service coordinator for Nebraska Health and Human Services at Alliance, where she lives with her husband, Marty.

The Harris' two children earned bachelor's degrees from CSC. Kayan earned a chemistry degree in 2004 and Shane completed the criminal justice program in 2007. Kayan is a validation scientist at MDS Pharma Services in Lincoln. Shane is a police officer at Gering. Shane's fiancée, Jessica Brottlund, attended CSC 2004-2007 before moving on to the University of Nebraska Medical Center's nursing program in Scottsbluff.

 

Stanley and Ann Tuton/Mick and Ann Megown Families

Stanley and Ann Tuton came to Chadron State College from Keya Paha County, where they live today. Stanley earned a bachelor's degree in 1960 and Ann took courses for more than a year. Stanley pitched for the CSC baseball team three seasons and was a member of the Beta Beta Beta biological fraternity.

Stanley and Ann live near the north-central Nebraska community of Mills. He has been a member of the KBR Rural Public Power District's board of directors since 2002, the same year he retired from 41 years in education. He earned a master's degree from Augustana College of South Dakota in 1993.

The Tutons have three children, Mark, Brenda and Amy Jo.

Mark earned a bachelor's degree from CSC in 1986. He lives in Sioux Falls, S.D. with his wife, Evangeline.

Brenda studied social work and criminal justice at CSC and graduated in 1983. Her husband, Eric German, participated in track and field and football at CSC and graduated in 1982 with a degree in agriculture business. The Germans did mission work in Venezuela and the Philippines for 19 years. They live in Imperial where Eric farms and feeds cattle.

The oldest of the Germans' four children, Jed, was on the CSC football team for two years and earned a degree in accounting and finance in 2007. He is studying toward a master's degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Their other children are Jenny, 21, Jordan, 19, and Justin, 14.

Stanley's sister, Ann (Tuton) Megown, earned a bachelor's degree in education from CSC in 1969. Her husband, Thomas "Mick" Megown, a Chadron native, earned a bachelor's degree in 1963 and a master's degree in 1969. He played four years of baseball and basketball at CSC. They now live in Pine Bluffs, Wyo.

Both of the Megown's children, Mack and Mindi, are CSC graduates.

Mack played basketball three years and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1990. He and his wife, Debora, have three children and live in Las Vegas, Nev. Mack is the dean of students of a Las Vegas middle school.

Mindi was a captain of the CSC women's golf team, played basketball and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1992. Mindi's husband, Steve Loyd, participated in football and wrestling at CSC and earned a degree in science education. Both have earned master's degrees from Nevada institutions. Mindi teaches fifth grade and Steve is a middle school principal at Wheatland, Wyo. They have two children, Jace, 12, and Mickenzi, 10.

In addition,Stanley and Ann (Tuton) Megown's brother, the late Gary Tuton, earned a bachelor's degree from CSC in 1961. He died December 2007.

 

Lionel "Lonny" and Delores Wickard Family

Long-time Chadron State College sports fans have become familiar with the family of Lionel "Lonny" Wickard and his wife, Delores.

Lonny was a standout athlete in football, basketball and track and field for Chadron State and holds three degrees from the institution. He is a member of the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame and was inducted to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2000. A native of Minatare, he earned a bachelor's degree in 1959, a master's degree in 1962 and a specialist in education degree in 1980. He is now retired after many years in education. Most recently, he was the elementary principal and high school superintendent at Bayard High School.

Lonny and Delores have four children, three of whom attended CSC.

The oldest, Vernon, participated in wrestling and track at CSC and earned a bachelor's degree in 1989. He and Jeanne live in Cheyenne, Wyo., where he has been a line foreman for Tri State Generation and Transmission since 1979.

Another son, Greg, attended CSC 1975-1977 and participated in wrestling and track. His wife, Wendy (Lyster), earned a bachelor's degree in 1987. Greg has been a material clerk for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in Alliance since 1978 and Wendy has been a first-grade teacher at Bridgeport since 1987.

The youngest of Lonny and Delores' children, Laurie, was an All-American shot-putter on the CSC track and field team and also is a member of the CSC Hall of Fame. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1983 and a master's degree in 1988. is an elementary teacher at Kimball, where she lives with her husband, Larry Janicek.

Vernon's daughter, Alexis, is a second-grade teacher at Sheridan, Wyo., and is nearing completion of a master's degree from CSC. She and her husband, Andrew Nikirk, are expecting their first baby in November. Another daughter, Ashley, is a current CSC student. She was a member of the CSC volleyball team in 2004-2005.

Greg and Wendy's oldest daughter, Katie, is in her fourth year of CSC's elementary education program and participates in intramural sports. Her fiancé, Matt Bloyd, is a senior at CSC. Greg and Wendy's daughter Emily is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska.

Laurie and Larry have three children, Loni, Lanelle and Lyle. Loni attended CSC for a 1½ years and was a member of the women's golf team. She and her husband, Cody McWilliams, have two children and live in Kimball. Lanelle, a sophomore at Western Nebraska Community College, plans to study elementary education at CSC after completing her studies there.