Obituary: Lois Ann Kuska

Lois Ann Kuska of Burress area passed away on October 17, 2017 at the age of 94 years
11 months, 6 days. She was born November 11, 1922 in Dannebrog, Nebraska to Jens Peter and Louise (Christensen) Jacobsen.

Lois Ann was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended Dannebrog Public Schools. Upon graduation in 1939, she attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln for two years where she took pre- med courses. In 1942, she enrolled in the Sophie Teter's School of Nursing at Lincoln General. During those war years, a student nurse was given many patients to care for. After graduation (RN) in 1945, Lois worked as an RN supervisor at Lincoln General and later a nurse for an orthopedic Surgeon.

During training, Lois had a special course at Hastings Hospital. It was in Hastings that she met Mel Kuska, who was a Lieutenant at Harvard Air Base. He was sent overseas and they met again in July of 1946. They were engaged in 1947 and married at Dannebrog on August 10, 1947. They settled on the farm where Lois lived a happy life. They traveled to all the U.S.A. states with several trips to Europe. They especially enjoyed Czechoslovakia and Denmark ancestor excursions. They were blessed with three children: Paul, Carol, and Kathy, and they added much joy to her life.

Lois Ann belonged to many organizations. She was a 60+ year member in the United Church of Christ, American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star Chapter 41, UNL Alumni Association and Woman’s Club. She was also P.E.O. member. Lois Ann enjoyed several Bridge clubs and she valued her close friendships, especially with the Burress Belles Ladies.

She was preceded in death by her loving Husband, Mel; parents J.P. and Louise Jacobsen; sister Genevieve (and Hans) Hoiberg; Brother James (and Wauneta) Jacobsen; Parents-in-law Emil and Katherine Kuska; and Brother-in-law Donald (and Camille) Kuska.

She is survived by children Paul Kuska (Fairmont), Carol (Neil) Leipzig (Salem, WI) and Kathy Kuska (Omaha); grandchildren: Gena (Aaron) Dalan (Centralia, WA), Chris Leipzig (Salem, WI), Paul (Maggie) Homer (Seattle, WA) , Ben Homer (fiancé Megan Palmer)(Omaha), and Scott Homer (Omaha); Great Grandchildren: Soren Dalan, Julia Dalan, and Evelyn Homer; nieces and nephews and many friends.

Husker Helicopter rides

Being an altar boy for St. Stephens in Exeter or St. Wenceslaus in Milligan paid off big time on Friday afternoon when the boys were treated to a helicopter ride around Exeter.  The boys, who range in age from fourth grade through eleventh grade took turns riding in the Husker helicopter which is out of Columbus.  The generous rides provided by Husker helicopter owners Kim and Jill Wolfe were very exciting for the boys.  Father Steve Thomlison, the priest serving at both parishes, knows the Wolfe’s through his work as the Nebraska State Patrol Chaplain and the FBI Chaplain.  “I was out east for a meeting with Kim for a meeting with Director Comey (earlier this year) and mentioned I wanted to do something special for the boys and Kim was very generous to do this.”

Several other church members were able to experience a helicopter ride as they took off and landed from the Exeter site football field.

 The boys were all smiles as they got out of the Husker helicopter.  Still in the helicopter is Brett Kallhoff with his brother Troy Kallhoff in the middle and Marcus Krupicka on the right.

Jonah Geiger loved his ride on the Husker helicopter and it shows on his face. 

Exeter-Milligan Fourth Grade Class

 The Exeter-Milligan fourth grade class is pictured:  front row from the left are Jonah Geiger, Avery Nichols, Carver Kanode, Trevin Ronne, Brett Kallhoff, Logan Krupicka, Jase Luzum, Tucker Svec and Ronnie Babula.  Back row from the left are Alexis  Saatmann, Alivia Luzum, Kiley Oldehoeft, Selah Petersen and  Mrs. Shelli Mueller. Kaydence Haase is not pictured.

The Exeter-Milligan fourth grade class started the year by reading “The Energy Bus” by John Gordon.    Their teacher, Shelli Mueller, explained how this theme of positivity helps in the classroom, “When a student comes to me with a problem, we talk about how to solve the problem and make sure we follow the five rules of the energy bus.  One that I use a lot is to not let them on your bus and drain your fuel.”

Mueller has especially enjoyed the love of reading that this class has, “They love to be read to.  They listen very well, and I love reading books to them.”

Currently the class is reading “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in their reading class.  During Makerspace last week, the students made witches wand.  The immediately shared them with Mueller and explained to her that they were for Oz.  “They are making connections,” according to Mueller.

Even fourth graders deal with stress and that is one subject that the students are exploring in health.

Mueller explains, “We sit on the floor and talk about the different posters. We started with stress and how to deal with stress. We also talked about good stress and bad stress. Now we have moved into conflict and ways to deal with that. It ties in really well with ‘The Energy Bus’.”

The afternoon in the fourth grade class starts with a quick sentence to correct on the smart board.  Above, Jonah Geiger makes the correction he identified.

Alexis Saatmann (left) and Jonah Geiger (right) tear pieces of paper to help understand the science concept of physical change (a change that begins and ends with the same type of matter).

 Kiley Oldehoeft is a little unsure of mixing the baking soda with the vinegar during the Exeter-Milligan fourth grade science class.

 Tucker Svec is shocked at the chemical reaction when the vinegar hits the baking soda and fizzes in his science class.

 Alivia Luzum mixes her two substances.

 Carver and Selah Petersen work on their study guides.

 Exeter-Milligan fourth graders have some tools in their classroom to help their writing improve.

 Exeter-Milligan fourth graders, along with their teacher, Mrs. Shelli Mueller, share their form of stress relief.

Above and Below: The Exeter-Milligan fourth graders have read the children’s version of “The Energy Bus” and have all gotten on the positivity bus in their classroom.

 Logan Krupicka tracks the science study guide as the class reads the information together.

 Carver Kanode looks for the information he needs to highlight in his science study guide.

 Trevin Ronne highlights and important fact in his science lesson.

 “The Energy Bus” rules of positivity are posted in the fourth grade classroom.

 The Exeter-Milligan fourth grade class in front of their lockers are pictured from the left:  Avery Nichols, Alexis Saatmann, Alivia Luzum, Kiley Oldehoeft, Tucker Svec, Trevin Ronne, Brett Kallhoff, Carver Kanode, Selah Petersen, Jonah Geiger, Jase Luzum, Logan Krupicka and Ronnie Babula.

  Jonah Geiger gives his teacher Mrs. Mueller a high five.