This page is under construction.
The plan is to update you with information about our former teachers.
In my seach for Mr Vickers I learned that he recently died in October of 2008. I'm sorry I didn't find him sooner to tell him what a wonderful teacher I knew he was. My favorite memory of him is the loving way he could call you "Ace".
One of our most famous teachers is Mr James Hood:
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Many of you may remember that Mr Hood was awarded Mr Hood has been awarded the Kansas State Teacher of the Year Award and is enshrined in the Kansas Teacher's Hall of fame. He also competed for the 1969 National Teacher of the Year in Physics, Chemistry, and General Science .
After retiring from teaching at St John High School he founded and operates The St John Science Museum. It was his love of learning that lead him to develop this facility as a learning center to continue teaching his own style of "hands on science". Check out his web page:
http://stjohnsciencemuseum.org/index.html
And when you are in town stop by and visit at:
312 North Main Street St John, Ks. 67576 620-549-3818
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Half of our classmates had Ms Lucille Hall for 4th Grade teacher - she was never married but was a world traveler, she is now the namesake of the Ms Lucille Hall Museum in downtown St John. The Museum will be open for the Jubilee so stop by and check it out.
Address : Lucille Hall Museum
Phone : 620-549-3420
Email Address : ajminnis@stjohnks.net
She wasn't a school teacher but was a big part of our life - I found this information on the internet and thought you'd like to read about her too...
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Velma Siegrist Zimmerman
Petite and dark-haired, with large, luminous brown eyes and boundless energy, Velma Zimmerman is a familiar figure to all of us that grew up in St. John. Known for her calm, nurturing manner, limitless patience, and dedication to helping others, Velma Ruth Siegrist Zimmerman exemplifies the ideal nurse. For more than fifty years, Velma has meant the difference between healing and suffering for countless patients, friends, and family.
She was born in 1917 in rural Hutchinson, Kansas, the sixth of ten children. Her parents, Alpha Siegrist and Hazel Urdine Glass Siegrist farmed in the area. Through the first eight grades, Velma attended a country school, then graduated from the high school in Hutchinson in 1934. She, decided upon a nursing career along with a friend, and entered a junior college for one year. The following year she was admitted into the nurse's training program at Grace Methodist Hospital in Hutchinson.
The following years were difficult and challenging: in 1936 an infection took the life of her eldest brother, and in 1939, her mother died suddenly. Velma was determined to leave training and devote herself to the care of her four younger siblings and widowed father. Her father, however, saw things differently and insisted she complete her nursing program. In June 1940 she completed her studies, becoming a registered nurse. Almost immediately thereafter, she found a position. Her supervisor at Grace Methodist knew that Louis Graves, M.D. in St. John needed a nurse. She was interviewed and hired on the spot. That’s when she came to St John.
On December 21, 1941, Velma married Dillian McFarland Zimmerman, son of Thomas Israel Zimmerman and Marjorie Ellen Rothrock Zimmerman. A photographer and printer, Dillian was employed at the St. John News. In November 1941, he had enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Portland, Maine. There, in July 1943, their first child was born: Dillian McFarland, Jr., or "Mac." When Dillian was transferred to Europe, Velma and Mac traveled to St. John. Velma returned to nursing, and continued throughout the war years. In November 1945, Thomas Lee was born to Velma and Dillian. Four more children followed: Judie Ann in 1950, Rex Alan in 1952, Jan Leon in 1955, and Julie Ann in 1959.
Throughout the years, while raising her six children to successful adulthood, Velma continued her work as a nurse. “We went on a lot of house calls and did a lot of tonsillectomies," Velma said with a smile. Velma said doctors performed tonsillectomies in their offices back then and most babies were delivered in homes. She has seen a tremendous change in medicine over the course of her career. Laughing, Velma said she meets up with former child patients who tell her, "I remember when you gave me shots." Velma said she had a special technique to give the shots quickly and without much fuss. She also had a special technique for younger children distracting them by saying, "one, two, three, bumblebee," and then zing the shot was over!
She assisted Dr. Graves until he died in 1970. Upon his death, Hazel Jordan, at the Hearthstone Nursing Center, a senior citizen medical facility, offered her a position. Within her first year at the Center, she was appointed Director of Nursing, and she remained in that position until she retired 13 years later. Switching from a career of helping new life come into the world to helping those getting ready to leave this world. "Velma does a lot of foot care for a number of people, "Jordan said, "and she does other health related things for people too." Velma has risen to the occasion many times, relieving caregivers, helping make the terminally ill more comfortable and giving advice and care when asked. She quietly assists people when they are at their lowest, dealing with illness and loss.
Although she retired as Director of Nursing at the Hearthstone Nursing Center in 1986, Velma still returns to consult and substitute when needed. She is a pillar of strength in the community, loved, and respected by all who have known her caring touch.
In February, 2002, Velma was honored by being named Citizen of the Year by the Lions Club of St. John, Kansas.
Velma’s work as a caring nurse carried over into her role as a private citizen in the community. Velma is also a member of the Stafford County Historical Society Board, and is on the Hall Museum Annex Board. She has been a member of the Shepherd Center's Board for at many years and serves on the United Methodist Church Board. She contributed many intensive hours to the American Cancer Society. Always on call, Velma never ceases to assist those in need, giving treatments, injections, removing stitches, and providing comfort at all hours of the day or night. Now a beloved grandmother of twelve, and great-grandmother of five, she spends considerable time "grandma-sitting," and visiting her children, other family members, and friends. At home, when time allows, she enjoys her flowers, reading, crossword puzzles, and the Kansas City Royals --- especially when they win!
Velma continues to touch many lives in St. John and will continue to do so as long as she is lives.
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Mrs Grunder
Marjorie Elaine Grunder died May 22, 2009, just before our 40th reunion. She was a resident of Leisure Homestead, St. John. She taught Engligh in St John for 16 years and her son, Fred, was our classmate.
Mrs Grunder was born in the home of her parents Edward Friedrich Anacker and Nellie Adolfs Anacker on December 8, 1922 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She married Garel Grunder on October 20, 1945; he died October 15, 2000. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1950 and subsequently earned her M.S. in English from the University of Kansas. She began her teaching career at Turon and taught high school English for 16 years in the St. John-Hudson school district.
Survivors include two daughters, Carol Elaine Byrd of Evanston, Illinois and Patricia Berger of Winters, California, one son, Fred Grunder of St. John, five grandsons, one granddaughter, and two brothers, Robert and Edward Anacker.
Interment was in Neelands Cemetery in the Antrim area. Memorials in her honor should be given to the charity of the donor’s choice in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 34, St. John, Ks 67576.
