Milligan's June Jubilee

 Lonestar performed Friday night at June Jubilee

 Eric Johnson presents ribs for the judges at the Rib Cook Off contest

Members of the Exeter American Legion Post 218 along with the Sons of the Legion members march in the parade at June Jubilee.  The theme was "Thanking Our Veterans, Celebrating 100 years of the American Legion."

Above - Reed and brother Ryker Wince compare candy at Milligan’s June Jubilee parade on Sunday.

Milligan’s 32^nd Annual June Jubilee certainly lived up to its theme “A great place for a good time!”  the weekend of June 6,7 and 8.

Friday morning started with a tractor drive and lunch before the beer garden opened with the Forgotten Highway Band.  Country Singer Darryl Worley warmed up the stage and then joined the band Lonestar to play some of their greatest hits.

Saturday’s activities included a sand volleyball tournament along with softball.  Main street in Milligan was filled with classic cars for the car show as the pork rib cook off began and the road rally began.  The tractor pull was in the afternoon and Angie Kriz and the Polkatoons performed in the beer garden.  Ribs from the cook off contest were on the menu for supper and the band “High Heel” played until a thunderstorm chased everyone out of the venue at 11 p.m.

Sunday morning dawned cool and cloudy but the sun came out for a beautiful day as family and friends gathered for the Catholic church’s Polka breakfast.  The afternoon activities were highlighted by the parade and the theme was “Thanking our veterans, Celebrating 100 years of the American Legion.”

After the parade the beer garden hosted free face painting, the kids’ pedal pull, the kolache eating contest and Wilbur Alumni Band along with the Milligan Czech Brass Band performing. 

Czechlanders were the closing band for the event.

Below – Mike Kassik trains the youngest member of the Milligan Czech Brass Band, his grandson Weston Yound, during Sunday’s performance at Milligan’s June Jubilee.

Exeter Class of 1959

Members of the Exeter class of 1959 who attended the reunion are pictured front row from the left: Larry Schneider, Velma Adams Cain, and Don Due.  Back row from the left are: Agnes Ekeler Anderson, Carolee Gewecke Schneider, Carol Ethington Starr, Jack Hassell, Laura Petersen Krupicka, Larry Erdkamp, Erma Luksik Zumpfe, Frances Horne Rasmussen and Gary Rasmussen.

Exeter Class of 1954

Members of the Exeter class of 1954 who attended the reunion are pictured from the left: Gary Pribyl, Dorothy Krejci Zordel, Delores Rasmussen Bailey, Barbara Barkmeier Heffelfinger.

Obituary for Janet Marie Miller

Janet Marie Miller was born to Lawrence & Ann (Davis) Roth on April 14, 1956 at Seward, Nebraska. After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, she passed away at her home in Exeter, Nebraska, surrounded by family, on June 2, 2019 at the age of 63 years, 1 month, and 19 days. She was the oldest of 4 children born in the family.

Janet grew up in Friend, Nebraska graduating from Friend Public School. While in school, she enjoyed cheerleading activities. After high school, Janet worked in the nursing field for many years.

On September 22, 1997, Janet was united in marriage to Roger L. Miller in Wilber, Nebraska. After her marriage to Roger, they made their home in Exeter, Nebraska. Janet enjoyed going in the truck with Roger, camping, and also helping Roger with his many projects. She had a loving heart and was fond of their cats, Marlin & Joscelyn, and their dog, Magnum P.I. Janet also enjoyed writing, painting, and drawing.

Janet was preceded in death by her father and mother, Lawrence & Ann Roth; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Bernard and Ruth Miller; and her grandparents Lester & Ollie Roth.

She is survived by her husband Roger Miller of Exeter, Nebraska; Brother Jerry & Carrie Roth of Lincoln, Nebraska; sisters Lori & Rick Sheehan of Friend, Nebraska and Renee Choudhry of Exeter, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service for Janet was held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Exeter and Kim Dunker officiated the service. Recorded selections played for the service included “The Old Rugged Cross,” “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “Angel,” and “Grandpa.”

Pallbearers for the service included Mark Miller, Jerry Roth, Kevin Bernard, Dave Elznic, Andrew Elznic, and Daniel Elznic. Honorary Pallbearers included Mark Becker and Vincent Mounce. Interment was held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Exeter Class of 1939

Eyvonne Jensen Johnson was the only member of the 80 year class who was able to attend.

Exeter-Milligan Kindergarten Graduation

Above – Kindergarteners at their graduation ceremony are pictured from the left: Dahlia Zeher-Lewis, Kolton Songster, Willie Lock, Brooklyn Lawson, Kaidence Koehler, Saydee Kassik, Tommy Kallhoff, Landri Johnson, Kyson Holtzen-Mitchell, Kora Havel, Braxton Harre, Archer Engert, Anton Classen.

Below –Kindergarten graduation was held the last day of school at Exeter-Milligan.  Graduates are pictured in the front row from the left:  Dahlia Zeher-Lewis, Kolton Songster, Willie Lock, Brooklyn Lawson, Braxton Harre, Archer Engert, and Anton Classen. Back row from the left: Kaidence Koehler, Saydee Kassik, Tommy Kallhoff, Landri Johnson, Kyson Holtzen-Mitchell, and Kora Havel.

Death Notice: Janet Marie Miller

A Funeral Service for Janet will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Kim Dunker will officiate the Funeral Service.

A Graveside Service will be held in Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Exeter-Milligan Update: Mailboxes

As Bon Jovi says:

“There’s only one place left that I want to go,

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T GO HOME!”

This was the message the Exeter Area Community Foundation and the Exeter-Milligan School Foundation expressed to the 2019 graduates at Exeter-Milligan.  Each graduate received a personalized mailbox, reminding them that they will always have a home at Exeter-Milligan and are always part of the pack.  It may not be on the graduates radar now, but in five or ten years, when they have a family of their own and are looking for a place to raise that family, the hope is that little voice will be telling them, “Who says you can’t go home!”

Pictured front L-R: Joel Klemm, Kate Jansky, Macy Due, Peytan Brandt, Colton Bossaller, James Becker and Johnny Babula

Back row: Trever Zelenka, Katherine White, Blake Steuben, Mitchell Manning, Theron Odvody, Spencer Pribyl, and Josie Kresak.