Tri-County Job & College Fair

Obituary: Margie Jessie (Kuhl) Bonta

Margie Jessie (Kuhl) Bonta, age 87 of Exeter, Nebraska, died on February 28th, 2017 in Lincoln, NE at Bryan LGH West Medical Center. She was born on January 21, 1930 in Sholes, Nebraska to Genevieve and Isidor Kuhl. Margie was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis de Chantal Catholic Church in Randolph, NE. She attended grade school and high school in Randolph and graduated from Wayne State Teacher’s College and taught school for a short time. Margie had five siblings: Donald Kuhl, Randolph, Nebraska, Jackie (Kuhl) Volk, Belvidere, Illinois, John Kuhl, Harvard, Illinois, Joanne (Kuhl) Ver Bockel, Appleton, Wisconsin and Ruth (Kuhl) Carstens, Randolph, NE.

On September 23, 1948 Margie married William A. Bonta. They made their first home in Alexandria, NE where Al began his career in the printing industry, and they started their family. They eventually moved to Exeter, NE and bought a newspaper business, the Fillmore County News. Al was the Publisher and Margie was the Editor in Chief for 40 years. Margie also wrote her own column under the name Copperknob. Margie achieved her Geriatric Aide certificate and Certified Nursing Assistant certificate from Southeast Community College and worked part time at the nursing home in Exeter. She volunteered at Blue Valley and was on the Fillmore County Election Board committee for many years. Margie was also very active in her church, Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter, where she was a member of the Altar Society, the church circle, and participated in many church related functions. Margie had many hobbies that included: gardening, canning, baking, reading, riding her bike, and taking care of her cat, Spunky.

Margie’s greatest joys in her life were devotion to God, spending time with her family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and being married to the love of her life for 47 years. They had 10 children together and resided in Exeter, Nebraska throughout their retirement.

Margie is survived by nine of her ten children: Douglas and Chris Bonta of Cave Creek, AZ, Barbara Bonta, Clifton, NJ, Dr. Chris and Cynthia (Bonta) Sill, Rochester, MN, Dr. Charles and Janice (Bonta) Hoffer, Algonquin, IL, Thomas Bonta, Laurie (Bonta) Noltimier, Peachtree City, GA, Dr. Mary (Bonta) Ritzdorf Ed.D., Omaha, NE, William and Alisa Bonta, Stillwater, MN, Son-in law Daniel Billerbeck (Michele Bonta), and John S. Bonta, M.D., Lincoln, NE; sisters Jackie (Kuhl) Volk, Rockford, Illinois, Jack and Joanne (Kuhl) Ver Bockel, Appleton,Wisconsin, Dean and Ruth (Kuhl) Carstens, Randolph, Nebraska, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Margie is also survived by her lifelong friend, Kathleen Selig, of Fairbury, Nebraska.

Margie was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Bonta, her youngest daughter, Michele “Shelly” Rose (Bonta) Billerbeck, her parents Isidor and Genevieve Kuhl, brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Vayle Kuhl, and John and Imelda Kuhl.

Exeter-Milligan stunned by Falls City Sacred Heart

 I'm sure every Exeter-Milligan fan would like to forget the first quarter of this game.  The Lady Timberwolves were held scoreless while the Fighting Irish racked up 15 points.  The Timberwolves fought back and at one point during the fourth quarter were only down by 11 points.  They pulled up their hightops and fought their way back into this second round game.  Unfortunately, despite all of their effort it just wasn't enough and the Timberwolves lost their bid for a championship title 45-26.  The Timberwolves will play #2 seed St. Mary's for third place on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lincoln Southwest.

Exeter-Milligan Moves on to second round at State Tournament

 Samantha Horne, above and below, handles the ball for the Timberwolves

 Exeter-Milligan band helped their team warm up and also pumped them up during half time!

 Sydney Hall heads to the hoop for the Timberwolves. (above and below)

Exeter-Milligan Cheerleaders

Tara Mueller puts in two more points.

 Hannah Beethe's jump shot is good for two.

 Katherine White gets it to the hoop and shoots a free throw below.

Hannah Beethe in for two below.

 Above, Katherine White, works around a Lady Knight while below she and Sydney Hall surround a Sandhills/Thedford player.

The Exeter-Milligan Timberwolves played every bit out of their wild card berth at the State Tournament on Thursday.  The Timberwolves met Sandhills/Thedford for the early 9 a.m. game at Northstar High School.  The Knights put the first two points on the board but the Timberwolves trailed right behind putting up two every time the Knights would.  At the end of the first quarter the Timberwolves were just trailing by one and at the half they trailed by just two points 18-16.  Out of the break the T-wolves jumped right on and went ahead by one just a few minutes into the third quarter.  They never looked back and took a seven point lead with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.  With three minutes to go in the third the Knights tied up the game but the Timberwolves constantly edged ahead.  The Exeter-Milligan team led by one point with 10 seconds on the board and were able to sink two free throws.  A final free throw for the t-wolves was too much for the Knights and the T-wolves won 44-41.  They will meet #1 seed Falls City Sacred Heart Friday night at Bob Devaney Sports Center at 7 p.m.

Death Notice: Margie Jessie (Kuhl) Bonta

Funeral Mass for Margie will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2017, at the St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska with Father Steve Thomlison officiating.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Catholic Church

Rosary will be Sunday Evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Catholic Church

Burial will be follow the Funeral Mass at the Exeter Cemetery. Memorials are directed to the St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Exeter, Nebraska

Exeter-Milligan Girls Basketball Start State Tournament Thursday Morning

The Exeter-Milligan Girls Basketball Team will meet Sandhills-Thedford at 9 a.m at Northstar in Lincoln at the State Basketball Tournament.  The girls earned a wild-card berth into the tournament.

Happy 150th Birthday Nebraska

Celebrate today in Exeter with the Exeter G.F.W.C. Woman's Club at the UCC Church at 2 p.m.

Fillmore County Leadership Class Views State Government

The Odegeo class members looking toward the ceiling of the hallway to the north of the NE State Capitol rotunda. 

 

The Odegeo. . . Leadership for Fillmore County is shown seated and standing by the Nebraska Supreme Court bench along with Chief Justice Heavican.

 

Fillmore County Leadership Class Views State Government

The 2016-2017 Odegeo...Leadership for Fillmore County class traveled to Lincoln on February 21, 2017, to the State Capitol to learn more about the Unicameral and the issues facing the Legislature.

The Leadership group began their day with Chief Justice Heavican presenting information about the Nebraska court system in the Supreme Court courtroom.  Fallowing that the group had a short tour of the capitol.

The group observed the Legislature when LB62, introduced by Norfolk Senator Jim Scheer, was discussed. The bill would repeal a law prohibiting public school teachers from wearing religious dress or garb at school. The debate continued the next day and senators gave first-round approval that would protect the right of a public school teacher to wear religious dress or garb in the classroom.

Senator Ebke then joined the group for lunch at the Capitol.  She gave some updates of what has been going on in the first few weeks of the Legislative session.  Ebke is Chairman of the Judiciary committee.  After lunch, Larry Dix, a lobbyist for the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), presented information about the role of a lobbyist in the Nebraska Unicameral.

In the afternoon class members attended various Committee Hearings, depending on their interest. Several comments were made as the class traveled home how much they enjoyed the day.

The March session of the Odegeo. . . Leadership for Fillmore County will be about Agriculture in Fillmore County.  Persons interested in learning more about Odegeo…Leadership for Fillmore County may contact the Fillmore County Development Corporation by calling 402-759-4910 or emailing lentfer.fcdc@genevamail.com or go to www.fillmorecountydevelopment.org.

 

FCDC Holds Annual Meeting

Picture L to R

Brandy VanDeWalle, Marcus Ruhl, Eric Kamler, Bart Brinkman, Bryce Kassik, Ann Jansky, Amie Underwood, Amanda Schropfer, Don Bristol, Megan Williams, Nate Hughes, new board members - Jaminson Jensen, Jeff Spiehs, not pictured-Derek Betka.

FCDC Holds 2017 Annual Meeting

The 2017 Annual Meeting of the Fillmore County Development was held at Gary’s Brickhouse Grille in Grafton.  The evening started with FCDC hosting a social gathering with complimentary Hors d’oeuvres.

Eric Kamler, President of the Fillmore County Development Corporation welcomed everyone to the 2017 annual meeting. He then introduced special guests, Sarah Skinner, Constituent Services & Outreach Representative from Senator Deb Fischer’s office and Jerad Reimers, Community Liaison from Senator Adrian Smith’s office, who then read a letter from Congressman Smith.  Fillmore County officials were recognized as well.  Kamler gave an overview of his time of serving on the FCDC Board of Directors

Eric Kamler called the Annual Meeting to order.  The minutes of the 2016 annual meeting were approved as well as the proposed budget for 2017.

Derek Betka of Fairmont, Jamison Jensen of Fairmont, and Jeff Spiehs of Milligan were elected as new Board of Directors of the FCDC to serve four year terms. 

Eric Kamler recognized and thanked the 2016 FCDC members for their investment and support. He also recognized the FCDC Board members:  Bart Brinkman, Don Bristol, Ann Jansky, Amanda Haumont, Nate Hughes, Bryce Kassik, Marcus Ruhl, Amie Underwood, and Brandy VanDeWalle and Megan Williams. Ann Jansky and Amanda Schropfer were recognized as they will be going off the board after serving a four-year term.

Patt Lentfer, Executive Director, thanked the FCDC investors, Board members, and committee members. Business growth and new businesses in the County continued in 2016. She talked about FCDC believing in their Vision Statement and working tirelessly to achieve the most dynamic business climate in Fillmore County. This is not an easy task but there is lots of cooperation between public and private entities. So even though there are challenges there are also opportunities.

After the meeting adjourned, Sue Bauman “Laura Landon”, a local author, told her story writing 27 books and how the books have gotten published.  She has now sold over one million books. Gary Kudlacek, the owner of Gary’s Brickhouse Grille along with his wife, gave a short history of Gary’s Brickhouse Grille.