January. . .
Phyllis Rodgers, 90, of San Diego died Dec. 25, 2022, after a short illness. She was born in Osmond and graduated from Osmond High School in 1949. Before her marriage, she taught at a school near Osmond.
Eugene “Gene” Blunck, 88, of Osmond died Dec. 26, 2022, at Osmond General Hospital. Gene was born in Osmond and attended Country School District 61. He farmed with his father on the Blunck farm north of Osmond before joining the U.S. Army. He returned to Osmond in 2019.
The Osmond-Randolph Lady Hawks were runners-up in the Holiday Tournament Dec. 29, defeating Winside 56-46 before falling to Niobrara-Verdigre in the championship round, 32-63.
A “changing of the guard” was held during the Monday, Jan. 9, District 42R school board meeting. Outgoing board members LaDonna Stanosheck and Aaron von Rentzell stepped down while recently-elected Tiffany Rice and Justin Koehler took their places on the board.
Eleven Osmond Tiger studentathletes received NCPAAcademicAll-State awards for fall activities: Erica Heiman and Keely Gubbels, Unified Bowling; Keli Aschoff, girls’ cross country; Robert Aschoff and Karter Johnson, boys’ cross country;Cali Gutz and Anna Kahny, volleyball; Trevin Larson and Owen Severson, football, and Baylen Guenther and Erica Heiman, one-acts.
Winter weather ended one year and began the next as a Winter Weather Advisory was issued Dec. 29 with rain and heavy, wet snow causing slick, slushy sidewalks, streets and roads; followed by a Winter Storm Warning in the first days of the new year. Sev eral more inches of snow fell, causing the first day of school after Christmas break to have a late start.
The Osmond-Randolph Lady Hawks took the runner-up trophy at the Wausa Post-Holiday tournament Jan. 5 and 7, defeating the host Vikings 3937, before falling to Niobrara-Verdigre once again, 38-64.
At the January city council meeting, council members discussed snowfall problems. With the recent snowfalls, there had been some problems with vehicles parked where they shouldn’t be. Police Chief Tyler Wells said he had contacted all but one of the vehicle owners.
Arnold “Bud” Gutz, 95, died Jan. 11, 2023 at his residence in Osmond. Bud was born on the family farm near Osmond and attended school at Immanuel Lutheran of Osmond. He and his wife farmed in the Foster and Osmond areas, and Bud served on Osmond’s Rural Fire Board for many years and was active in the American Legion.
Once more, a Winter Storm Warning was issued for the area, this time bringing 6-8 inches of the white stuff, resulting in a school snow day and lots of work digging out.
Four Osmond musicians — Landon Oltjenbruns, Jack Berg, Matthew Alderson and Caleb Miller — attended the Lewis and Clark Conference Honor Band Clinic on Saturday, Jan.
21. Three received a first chair medal placement: Berg, Alderson and Miller.
Joan Koehler, 88, died Jan. 21, 2023, at Osmond General Hospital. Joan was born on a farm southwest of Osmond and graduated from Osmond High School in 1952.
Robert Aschoff won the conference wrestling championship at 126 lbs. at the conference meet in Creighton on Jan. 23. He won by pin over Thomas Beavers, Isaac Barclay and Franco Tapia, and won by 7-3 decision over Aidan Robles for the title.Also placing were Dominic True and Carson Bolz, both in third place.
Dennis Fleming, 78, of Norfolk died Jan. 24, 2023, at Faith Regional Health Services. Dennis grew up on a farm five miles south of Osmond and graduated from Osmond High School in 1963.
Another snowstorm blew through Osmond at the end of January for another 6 to 8 inches of snow on top of what the area had so far in January.
Dale Lorenz, 79, of Osmond died Jan. 27, 2023, at Faith Regional Health Services. Dale was born in Osmond and graduated from Osmond High School in 1961. He and his wife farmed south of Osmond, and Dale also worked at The Osmond Republican for 18 years.
February. . .
Among athletes chosen to play on the White Team in the Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Classic was Alex Vinson, a senior at Osmond High School. Neil “Bushel” Bloomquist died Feb. 4, 2023, at his home in Randolph. Neil lived on a farm north of McLean for nearly 80 years. He graduated from McLean High School in 1951.
Robert Aschoff won three wrestling matches to just miss out on a medal at the Clarkson-Leigh invitational on Feb. 3. In the process, Robert picked up his 100th win of his career.
Ricky Lee Koehler, 63, of Osmond died Feb. 7, 2023, at his residence in Osmond. Ricky attended grade school in Osmond and graduated from Osmond High School in 1977.
On Feb. 1, six Osmond FFA members submitted their records for review at the District FFA Proficiency Review. Caden Wingert earned Top Gold in both Grain Production and Diversified Ag Production; 2nd Gold in Ag Services, and 3rd Gold in Beef Production Entrepreneurship. Zach Reikofski received Top Gold honors in both Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance and Turf Grass Management; 2nd Gold in Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication, and 3rd Gold in Beef Production Placement. Reese Hanna earned Top Gold in both Specialty Animal Production and Swine Production Entrepreneurship, and 2nd Gold in Beef Production Placement. Cali Gutz earned 2nd Gold in Hospitality, Restaurants and Tourism. MatthewAlderson earned Top Gold in Poultry Production Entrepreneurship and 3rd Gold in Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance. Cody Gansebom received Top Gold in Swine Production Placement and a Silver in Turf Grass Management.
Among those honored with the ERA Premier Team 2022 Circle of Honor Awards was Jim Schmit of Osmond, realtor, ERA Premier and owner of Schmit Auction Service.
March. . .
The Osmond High School speech team competed at the District D1-5 meet on Monday, March 6, and came home as the district champion. All 14 speech members placed with four Osmond entries earning first-place fin - ishes. First-place finishers were James Doyle in Humorous, Ava Reikofski in Persuasive, duet of Erin Wagner and Erica Heiman, and OID team of Jack Berg, James Doyle, Erin Wager and Erica Heiman.
Knox Koehler, wrestling with the Osmond youth wrestling club, competed in the Nebraska USA Wrestling District 3 tournament on March 4 and took first place in the 95-lb.
division, qualifying him for the state tournament.
Osmond High School junior Erica Heiman was selected to represent American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326 at Cornhusker Girls’ State in Lincoln. Callie Hoffman was selected as the alternate.
The Osmond speech team, traveled to Kearney for the state speech meet on Friday, March 17. Placing first in duet acting were James Doyle and Matthew Alderson. Placing second was Erin Wagner in informative speaking and placing third were Erin Wagner and Erica Heiman in duet acting. The Osmond team placed sixth overall.
The Osmond Sons of the American Legion hosted a lunch for residents of the Norfolk Veterans Home and members of American Legion Post 326 and its Auxiliary on Wednesday, March 22, at 3rd Street Bar & Grill.
The New Frontier bowling team won the roll-off with Manzer Equipment for the Thursday Night League second half on Thursday, March 23. Scores were 2,771 for New Frontier and 2,420 for Manzer Equipment.
April. . .
Donald Liewer, 87, of Fremont died April 1, 2023. As a boy, Don helped out at his father’s newspaper, the Osmond Republican, and at his mother’s cafe. He graduated from Osmond High School in 1953.
Seven young adult members of Immanuel Lutheran Church were confirmed during services on Palm Sunday, April 2, with Rev. Scott Kirchoff officiating. Members of the confirmation class were John Broekemeier, Klaire Johnson, Delilah Koehler, Deanna Kumm, Addison Miller, Nicole Severson and Addison von Rentzell.
Osmond Community School junior James Doyle participated in two powerlifting competitions. In a competition at Verdigre, he came away with a second-place finish. At a meet in Orchard, James finished fourth. At the latter meet, Osmond Coach Bradley Wright also competed and had first-place finishes in two different divisions An early-morning fire destroyed a large barn on the property of Neil and Brenda Wattier on Monday, April 10. The fire whistle blew at about 2:30 a.m., and the Osmond fire department was on scene until about 10 a.m. Destroyed in the fire were two vehicles — one of them a 2023, a skid loader, golf cart, Grasshopper mower and a couple motorcycles. The cause of the fire was "undetermined." Tiger Town Food Center was under new management following the sale of the business by James and Nancy Bessmer to Luke and Kayla Hart. The Bessmers had owned the store since 2011.
The 2023 Osmond High School prom was held Saturday, April 15, at the city auditorium with the theme, “A Night of a Thousands Lights.” Candidates for prom king were Gavin Geneski, Trevin Larson, Zach Reikofski, Robert Aschoff and Caden Wingert. Queen candidates were Leia Buchanan, Mary Jane Herrera and Reese Johns. Chosen as king and queen were Trevin Larson and Reese Johns.
At the April 10 Osmond board of education meeting, the board accepted the letter of resignation from fifth grade instructor Denise Schmit, who had announced her plans to retire after 35 years of teaching in the Osmond school district.
American Legion Post 326 announced that James Doyle of Osmond would join nearly 230 other high school juniors from across Nebraska participating in the American Legion Cornhusker Boys’ State program for 2023.
Manzer Equipment was recognized by AGCO Corporation’s Aftersales Division for achieving the Pro level on both the 2022 Parts Index and 2022 Service Index, for a consecutive year.
Six OHS students received 2023 winterAll-State awards: James Doyle, speech; Trevin Larson, basketball; Jaxson Vinson, wrestling; Robert Aschoff, wrestling; Cali Gutz, basketball, and Erica Heiman, speech.
On Tuesday, April 11, Adalyn Koehler was honored at Osmond Community School as the newest Honor Reader. Adalyn’s named was added to the list of 18 others on a plaque displayed at the school.
Reese Hanna was awarded a top spot in Swine Production Entrepreneurship at the state FFA convention and earned the right to represent the state of Nebraska in the national competition.
Osmond High School vocal and instrumental students excelled at the District Music Contest held in Osmond on Friday, April 21. Fourteen groups received a Superior or highest rating, with eight receiving an Excellent rating.
During the monthly meeting of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326 on April 17, the winners and other participants in the annual Americanism essay contest were honored. Winners, in order of first and second place, were: Third and fourth grades, Elliot Kumm and Olivia Hille; fifth and sixth grades, Bentley Frank and Klaire Stech; seventh and eighth grades, Mason True and Caleb Vinson.
Steven Thelen, 68, of Osmond died April 21, 2023, at his home in rural Osmond. Steve was born in Osmond, graduated from Osmond High School in 1973 and served his country in the Army from 1973 to 1976.
Five first grade students of St. Mary’s Catholic School made their first communion during Mass at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday, April 16. The students were Bennett Aschoff, Alivia Vinson, Clara Steffen, Raelynn Schieffer and Kolby Gubbels.
May. . .
High school careers came to a close for 20 Osmond High School seniors on Saturday, May 6. Valedictorian of the class was Cali Gutz and salutatorian was Karter Johnson. Ranking third was Trevin Larson; fourth was Zach Reikofski; fifth, Robert Aschoff, and sixth, Caden Wingert. The motto chosen by the Class of 2023 was “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”
Osmond Community School student Owen Severson was announced as the first-place winner in the annual AviationArt Contest hosted by the Department of Transportation-Divison of Aeronautics.
A new sign for the American Legion hall, installed May 15, included logos of American Legion Post 326, American Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4838 and Sons of the American Legion.
At the District D-3 track and field meet on Wednesday, May 10, eight Osmond High School Tigers qualified for the state track meet: Hunter Buchanan, long jump; Trevin Larson, 100 meters; boys’ 400-meter relay team of Buchanan, Larson, James Doyle and Alex Vinson; boys’ 3,200-meter relay team of Robert Aschoff, Jaxon Vinson, Hudson Schultze and Karter Johnson; Erica Heiman, 400 meters and 300 hurdles; Cali Gutz, 800 meters and 1,600 meters; Keli Aschoff, 3,200 meters.
OHS junior Baylen Guenther qualified for the state golf meet by placing seventh at the District D2 golf meet at Pender on Monday, May 16.
Charles Dempster, 81, died May 8, 2023, in Castle Rock, CO. He attended high school in Osmond, graduating in 1959.
Eight Osmond High School students were named to Academic Allstate: Golf — Baylen Guenther and Owen Severson; girls' track and field — Erica Heiman and Cali Gutz; boys’ track and field - Zach Reikofski and Trevin Larson; music — Callie Hoffman and Alex Vinson.
The Osmond Emergency Medical Technicians announced that they would like to purchase a new ambulance unit. They had received a $75,000 grant which would help (Continued on Page 4, No. 1) with the purchase; however, a new unit is going to cost $325,000. The Osmond Rural Fire Board currently owns two ambulances: a 1999 unit and a 2012 unit.
Lavern Brown is the owner of “Third World,” a private shop on State Street where he works on old motorcycles, mostly those he owns himself.
The speaker at the Memorial Day program held at Osmond Community School on Monday, May 29, was Roger Folkers. Giving readings were Boy and Girl Staters James Doyle and Erica Heiman, respectively. Dropping poppies as names of departed Legion and Auxiliary names were read were Kaitlyn Gubbels, Shailey Orr, Raelynn Schieffer and Remi Schieffer, and placing the wreath on the Cross of the Unknown was Alexa Aschoff.
Helen “Maxine” Gutz died May 25, 2023, at Homestead Assisted Living in Norfolk. Maxine and husband Bud Gutz farmed near Foster for 20 years, then farmed near Osmond for 45 years.
Bill Ryan of Osmond, a regular contributor of articles for the Osmond Republican, was informed that he received honorable mention in the 2023 Bess Streeter Aldrich Short Story Contest.
June. . .
Elsa Gloe died June 3, 2023 at Edgewood Memory Care in Norfolk.
After 43 years as a Registered Nurse, all of it here at Osmond General Hospital, Pat Blunck hung up her stethoscope.
Two months after purchasing Tiger Town Food Center, Luke and Kayla Hart hosted an open house on Thursday, June 22. It featured free hamburgers and hot dogs, free grocery tote bags and other door prizes.
A number of visitors attended the June 12 school board meeting. Members of the daycare committee gave a report on an online survey that was taken.
At the June 12 Osmond City Council meeting, Osmond Library Board member Blake Gutz informed the council of the group’s two applicants for the open library director position. She recommended that LaVail Aschoff be hired for the position, which the council agreed with.
In the 2023 Brandon Gerdes Memorial Trap Shoot, Garret Kuhl of Osmond took first place in the first flight of the trap shoot competition.
Kendra Gardner took home a specially engraved gun in memory of Brandon during the raffle drawing.
The Osmond Emergency Medical Technicians announced that they had received a $75,000 grant which they were putting toward the purchase of a new ambulance. With the grant and another $10,000 in donations that had come in, the fund had $85,000 of the $325,000 needed to buy a new ambulance. By the end of the month, the amount was at $86,300.
July. . .
A new superintendent began duties at Osmond Community School beginning July 1. Steven Bremer took over the position vacated by Dave Hamm, who had served here for 13 years.
It may be been a smaller version of the event, but Summerfest ’23 turned out to be a fun event nevertheless. Held on Saturday, July 1, to coincide with Ganseboom, the day began with some much-needed rain, which stopped in time for things to dry out.
The Revs. Alan and Claire Gager decided to pursue a new path behind the pulpit in 2023. The couple took over as the co-pastors of a new sixchurch parish that covers the United Methodist Church in Osmond, as well as the ones in Bloomfield, Plainview, Verdigre, Wausa and Crawford Valley.
DixieLee (Reed) Tripp died July 7, 2023, at her home in Sanford, N.C. She was born in Osmond and graduated from Osmond High School in 1954.
The Osmond City Council heard an update on the daycare survey at its July 10 meeting, and heard that Little Tigers Daycare will be closing its doors on Dec. 31, 2023.
Some 50 people participated in a Go Fish Poker Run on Tuesday, July 11. Participants could walk or bike to several stations around town to get four of a kind in their “poker” hand. Those getting four of a kind were able to pick a prize. The event was sponsored by Community HOME Team.
Mitsue Brunckhorst, 97, of Osmond died July 12, 2023, in Alliance. She came to Osmond after marrying Harold Brunckhorst in Okinawa.
Dance Bright, a dance company located in Plainview, experienced their first dance nationals July 5-7 in Wisconsin Dells. They returned with three national championships and many overalls, high point placements and judges choice awards. Among the members is Evynn Kumm of Osmond.
Many residents were awakened early Monday morning, July 24, by the sound of hailstones hitting their roofs or sides of their houses. At sometime after 2 a.m., a loud thunderstorm passed through the area, dropping hail anywhere from pea-sized to golfballsized. The hail was accompanied by about a half inch of rain and luckily didn’t seem to cause too much damage to the shingles of houses that, in some cases, were finally replaced after the previous year’s storm.
Acommunity members who recycle paper and cardboard had discovered, the Green Fiber company in Norfolk discontinued the community recycling program as of the end of June, pulling their bins from all locations in northeast Nebraska. This left many communities, including Osmond, scrambling for other options.
Boyd Doyle of Osmond and Nathan Pospisil of Wayne, as a team, received a third-place award in the “fuse cut out” event at the Nebraska Lineworkers’ Rodeo in Broken Bow on July 23.
The amount in the Osmond Ambulance Fund as of July 31 was $89,370.
August. . .
After 50 years, changes were coming for Manzer Equipment. The business merged with West Point Implement in Columbus and Merz Farm Equipment in Falls City, under a new company known as True Ag and Turf.
The Petersen Family Farm was one of the families receiving the Aksarben Foundation Pioneer Farm Family Awards. Accepting the award were Robert and Barb Petersen of Osmond, along with their children and grandchildren.
The issue of the shortage of childcare options in Osmond was discussed at a community meeting held at the city auditorium Monday, Aug. 7. About 50 residents attended the meeting to hear input from the local daycare committee and Pierce County Economic Development Director Susan Norris, and to ask questions.
Among 4-H champions at the 2023 Pierce County Fair were Landon Oltjenbruns, junior champion air pistol shooting sports contest; Colt Hoffman, junior champion sheep showmanship and champion breeding ewe; Cayden Holan, champion market heifer, champion top rate-of-gain market heifer; Henley Marks, reserve champion commercial breeding heifer, reserve champion top rate-of-gain market steer, junior champion cake decorator, junior reserve champion rocketry exhibit; Aubrey Jensen, reserve champion registered breeding heifer-British breed; Cara Hoffman, reserve junior champion sheep showman; Keegan Holan, reserve champion stocker feeder breeding heifer; Cody Hoffman, junior champion poultry showman; Amberlin Marks, junior champion beef showman, reserve champion ag engineering exhibit, junior champion rocketry exhibit, junior clothing construction, champion human development exhibit; MatthewAlderson, champion poultry exhibit, senior champion poultry showman, reserve champion poultry-1 dozen eggs, champion food preservation, champion dehydrated food, champion canned food, senior champion photography exhibit, re- serve champion floriculture exhibit, senior champion livestock judging.
Three new staff members joined the team at Osmond Community School. They were Jaci Kumm, fifth grade instructor; Kennedy Moes, paraeducator, and Kathy Bremer, paraeducator.
St. Mary’s Catholic School welcomed three new teachers for the 2023-24 school year. They were Susan Harstad, 5-8 math and science and K-8 music instructor; Sonja Kirchoff, 3-4 grade and physical education, and Robin Cheney, 5-8 grade social studies, English language arts and Spanish.
Jason Gubbels and Garret Kuhl took first place in the 47th annual Bob Owens invitational and the calcutta at Rolling Hills Country Club Aug. 12-13.
Nickolas Kumm, an eighth grader at Osmond Community School, earned junior grand champion in air rifle competition and junior grand champion companion goat at the 2023 Knox County Fair.
At the Aug. 14 board of education meeting, Terin and Anabelle Vinson were guests. Terin spoke about her daughter’s desire to participate in the sport of wrestling. Anabelle, who is a senior, spoke to athletic director Brian Guenther on the subject. She comes from a family of wrestlers and had been wanting to do this for several years.
Osmond EMTs accepted a check from the Brandon Gerdes Foundation for $5,000 to go toward the purchase of a new ambulance. The ambulance fund as of Aug. 21 stood at $117,040.
The Osmond High School cross country team had three letter winners returning to the boys’ team — Dominic True, MatthewAlderson and Caleb Miller — while the girls’ team had one returning letter winner — Keli Aschoff.
There were 11 returning letter winner on the OHS volleyball team: Julianna Kumm, Anabelle Vinson, Erica Heiman, Anna Kahny, Callie Hoffman, Caydence Krienert, Brianna Kumm, Sophia Gansebom, Erin Wagner, Abigail Brown and Ava Reikofski.
In the District 42R proposed budget, the school had a disbursement and transfer total of $6,194,574. The total tax requirement was $3,315,040.
Marlin Gansebom, 96, died Aug. 16, 2023. Marlin graduated from OHS in 1943. He was drafted into the United States Army and served with the occupational troops in Germany.
Kevin Schuettler, 70, died Aug. 22, 2023. Kevin was a 1971 Osmond High School graduate. He owned Schuettler’s Grocery from 1992 to 2011 and served as mayor of Osmond from 1996 to 2000.
The amount in the Osmond Ambulance Fund as of Aug. 28 was $117,040. (Continued on Page 8, Number 1)
September. . .
Tessa Gardner was breaking down barriers at Osmond High School and taking it all in stride. The OHS senior was the first female to play on the Osmond Tiger football team. At the Sept. 11 school board meeting, one of the topics of discussion involved the proposed football co-op with Randolph. After much discussion, the board voted not to move forward with the football co-op, but to explore other options.
Osmond High School senior Matthew Alderson reported on his recent trip to Europe as a member of the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music. He was nominated for the honor by OHS music director Christalin Ginn who said, “Matt is very skilled and dedicated to working on his musicianship. He is also very intelligent and so I thought this trip would be an enriching experience and increase his knowledge of the world around him.”
Twenty kindergartners began their educational careers at Osmond Community School and St. Mary's Catholic School - eight at St. Mary's and 12 at the public school.
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the Osmond EMTs, Volunteer Fire Department, Osmond General Hospital and the staff and crew at Helena conducted an emergency drill involving a “chemical spill” and injury.
At the Sept. 11 city council meeting, council members approved Resolution 2023-4 authorizing the mayor to sign an application for Community Development Block Grant Funds for the 2023 Downtown Revitalization Plan.
After many years, the names of two Osmond firemen were recognized at the Nebraska firemen's memorial. In 1931, fireman Nick Goeres was killed while on his way to a fire when his car and his brother’s crashed into each other. In 1950, Bill Woolley was killed when he was struck by a piece of boiler plate in an explosion that occurred while fighting a fire on the William Timmerman farm. The journey to having the men’s names added to the firemen's memorial was started
by Brian Goeres-Latenser who had been researching the circumstances surrounding Nick’s death.
Nominees for OHS Homecoming queen and king were: Tessa Gardner, Erica Heiman, Anabelle Vinson, Anna Kahny, Owen Severson, James Doyle, Matthew Alderson and Dominic True. Named king and queen were James Doyle and Anna Kahny who, coincidentally, were the kindergarten attendants in 2011.
The Brian Moes family received the Tree Planter of the Year Award at the Nebraska Natural Resources Districts Conference in Kearney on Sept. 25-26.
The amount in the Osmond Ambulance Fund as of Sept. 25 was $118,255.90.
October. . .
The Osmond High School Marching Tigers competed in the Harvest of Harmony Parade in Grand Island on Oct. 7 and finished second in Class D and 10th overall.
Nicolas Velasco-Morlans of Madrid,
Spain, was introduced as Osmond High School’s foreign exchange students for the 2023-24 school year.
During the Oct. 11 city council meeting, Mayor Dennis Kuhl stated that Pam Polenske had completed her probation and training as clerk, and she was appointed as city clerk of Osmond.
At the district cross country meet on Wednesday, Oct. 11, Caleb Miller placed 14th, which qualified him to run in the state cross country meet.
Cindy Kumm, 70, entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, Oct.
11, 2023. Cindy first served as a parish worker at Immanuel Lutheran Church, but also as a volunteer school librarian, Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, church dinner coordinator, member of Ladies’ Aid, funeral luncheon committee and member of the Legion Auxiliary PEO, and was also on the library board for the City of Osmond.
On Oct. 9, four high school band members traveled to Northeast Community College for the fifth annual Hawkfest Honor Band and Choir Festival: Matthew Alderson, Erin Wagner, Jack Berg and Keely Gubbels.
Anna Kahny, a senior at Osmond High School, was nominated as one of the 2023-24 Believers & Achievers, a program designed to give recognition to Nebraska’s future leaders.
Erin Wagner, a junior at OHS, was among the 440 students selected to be a part of the 2023 All-State Chorus.
Erin also participated in 2022.
Osmond Future Business Leaders of America members competed in Wayne State College's annual Wildcat Business Invitational on Oct. 18, and took home the third-place trophy.
An OHS teacher, Bradley Wright, was inducted into the Wayne State College Football Hall of Fame. It highlighted his achievements as a former college football player and recognized his significant contribu tions to the sport.
Sydney Brunssen was named as the 2023 Osmond General Hospital Caring Kind recipient. Sydney joined the OGH team in May of 2022.
Matthew Alderson was named the Outstanding 4-H Exhibitor and Outstanding 4-H Member for 2023 at the 4-H Achievement Day held in Osmond on Oct. 22.
The amount in the Osmond Ambulance Fund as of Oct. 30 was $126,704.54.
Wiley Timmerman and Grayson Koehler were the winners for the costume contest in the younger group at Osmond General Hospital. Axyl Rice and Toby Koehler were the winners for the contest in the older group.
November. . .
Callie Hoffman, a senior at Os mond High School, was one of the recipients of the Heisman High School Scholarships for 2023.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John Meier was the speaker at the Osmond Veterans Day program held on Friday, Nov. 11, at Osmond Community School.
Two Osmond Lady Tiger volleyball players were named to the Lewis and Clark West Division All-Conference Volleyball Team. Sopho moreAbigail Brown and seniorAnna Kahny received honorable mention.
Osmond High School junior Erin Wagner was the winner in the Voice of Democracy essay contest sponsored by the Osmond VFW and its Auxiliary. Second-place honors went to Keely Gubbels and third place to Keli Aschoff.
Elvis was “in the building” at the annual Christmas Wishes program held on Sunday, Nov. 26. Elvis (Joseph Hall) wore typical Elvis Presley attire — rhinestone-studded jumpsuits — and entertained with many of his popular songs. Also present at the program were Corey and Jennifer Briest of Yankton, who
were featured speakers at the 2018
Christmas Wishes program. Jennifer gave an update on how Corey, who was injured in an IED blast in Iraq in 2005, is doing now.
Tyler Moes discovered a calf that was born on the family farm that was one in 400 million! The two-headed calf was born Nov. 24 on the Moes family farm northeast of Osmond. Unfortunately, the calf died the next morning.
Eugene Schmit, 90, died Nov. 24, 2023. Eugene was born in Osmond, attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Osmond High School in 1951. Eugene served his country from 1955 to 1957, before coming back to farm.
The Osmond one-act team wrapped up its season at the District D2-3 play contest at O’Neill St. Mary’s High School on Nov. 27. Osmond received a superior rating and brought home the district runner-up trophy.
The amount in the Osmond Ambulance Fund as of Nov. 27 was $140,361.92.
December. . .
Summit Contracting, a south Dakota-based farm and grain system construction company, signed a purchase with Nebraska-based Petersen Ag Systems and will take ownership Jan. 1, 2024.
Stacy Jean Kuhl, 62, died Dec. 1, 2023. Stacy owned Shine Workz, a professional detailing business.
Although there was a chilly wind blowing on Saturday, Dec. 9, the weather otherwise was perfect for Santa Day as a light snow fell, making it easier for Santa to arrive on his “magic sleigh.”
Osmond High School earned a spot on the W!se 2022-23 Blue Star Schools national ranking released by Working in Support of Education. To earn the coveted Blue Star School award, a school must have achieved an 80% passing rate on the Financial Literacy Certification Test.
Michael Alexander died Dec. 12, 2023. He became partners with Jerry Thomsen and took over ownership of Thomsen's Corner from the late Louis Thomsen.
Faye Wangstrom, 94, passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2023, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton.
She was born at the family farm south of Osmond and attended country school, Immanuel Lutheran School, and Osmond High School, graduating with the Class of 1947.
