Admin

Distinguished Hall of Fame

Click the link below to submit your nomination form. 
Please email nomination forms to Larry Wilson to [email protected]


Online Beckman Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Beckman Hall of Fame Nomination Form.pdf



2023 Hall of Fame Presentation Video

2023 Hall of Fame Press Release

2022 Hall of Fame Presentation Video

2021 Hall of Fame Presentation Video


2020 Hall of Fame Presentation Video

2019 Hall of Fame Presentation Video

2018 Hall of Fame Presentation Video

 




 BECKMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

HALL of FAME
(Click on name to view Biography)

 ALUMNI-ATHLETICS  
 Steve Olberding '75   2023
 Joe Burger  2022
 David Rahe  2021
 Lynn Tauke Mawe '82  2020
 Dave Haight '84  2020
 Matt Tobin '08  2019
 Nic Ungs '98  2018
 Jason Nurre '91  2018
 Kate Witte '78  2017
 Coach Tom Jenk Jr. '71  2017
 Bruce Klostermann '81  2017
 Mike Haight '81  2017
   
   
 ALUMNI-TEAM   
 2000 State Baseball Champs  2023
 1999 Boys Track Team  2022
 1997 Boys Track Team  2021
 1969 Football/Perfect Season  2020
 1992 Girls Golf State Champs  2019
 1986 State Baseball Champs  2018
 1968 State Baseball Champs  2017
   
   
  DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI  
 Donna Wilhelm '70  2023
 Tim Pins  2022
 Fr. Mark Weber  2021
 Tom Klaren '71  2020
 Mark Brady '83  2019
 Marilyn Noel '71  2018
 Fr. Mark Schramm, SVD '67  2017
   
 
 ALUMNI-ACTIVITIES/FINE ARTS  
 Sr. LaDonna Manternach '78 2023
 Ian Goldsmith  2022
 June Wessels Francois  2020
 Becky Williams '00  2019
 Jeff Jacque '73  2018
 Jacqueline Jasper Tsao '71  2017
 Dr. James March '72  2017
   
 DISTINGUISHED FRIEND OF BECKMAN  
 Ann and Alfred Reinert  2023
 Ray & Therese Reicher  2022
 Jerome & Mary Lansing  2021
 Ric & Bec Willenborg  2020
 Leo & Dorothy Mensen  2020
 John & Lois Lansing  2020
 Jack Klein (posthumously)  2019
 1973 Fundraising Committee  2018
 Coach Dick Mesher  2017
 Sister Mary Clare Miller  2017

 


 



Hall of Fame Biographies

 Alumni-Athletics
(Click to Return to Top of Page)


Steve Olberding ‘75
Steve earned varsity letters in football, wrestling, and baseball. In football, he received all-conference and all-state recognition. He held several rushing records for many years as well as being an outstanding defensive back. In his two years of varsity football, Beckman Catholic lost only 1 game and that was by only 2 pts. Steve was also an outstanding wrestler. In 1978 his record was 25 wins and 5 losses. He was the conference champion and placed 3rd at the state tournament. If that wasn’t enough, Steve also excelled in baseball; he played on some very good Beckman Catholic baseball teams. Steve was an outstanding hitter and versatile fielder capable of playing many positions. Steve was a teammate that led by example and helped bring out the best in those around him. If the opportunities for accolades in the seventies were as prevalent they are today, Steve would have received many more awards. Steve is considered by many to be one of the finest running backs to have played at Beckman Catholic. His teammates have said that it was a privilege to have played with and known Steve. After graduation Steve continued his participation in sports by playing and managing the Worthington Cardinals semi-pro baseball team. He also spent many years playing semi-fast-pitch softball, and his team won six state titles. In 1988 he was one of the extra ball players in the making of the movie “Field of Dreams.” He continues to entertain people by being a Field of Dreams Ghost Player. In 2008 he was inducted into the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame. They and their children are all Beckman Catholic graduates. They are great supporters of Catholic education with their time, talent, and treasures. 

Joe Burger '73
He was a well-rounded student participating in the men's choir for four years. Joe was a standout on the baseball team and was named all-conference as a catcher in both his junior and senior seasons. Following his graduation from Beckman, Joe attended Ellsworth Community College to play baseball. He was a standout for Ellsworth and was named captain of the team his sophomore year. Joe received a full scholarship to play baseball at Morningside College. In both of his years at Morningside, he was named to the NAIA District 15 baseball team as a catcher and was captain of the team his senior season. After college Joe continued to play baseball for the Worthington Cardinals and was inducted into the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. Joe coached for several years and was the coach of the 1997 American Legion team that won the state championship. He saw coaching as a way to spread knowledge and love of the game to future generations.

David Rahe '02

     David was active in student government serving as president of his class for four years and student body president his senior year. He was recognized as a State of Iowa Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society and the District 5 football All-Academic team in 2001 and 2002. David was also active in athletics winning four state titles in track, setting several records that have yet to be broken at Beckman. He was a starter and top defender on the 2002 basketball team that finished third in the state. At that year’s state tournament he was awarded the Class 2A Student Athlete Achievers Award recognizing the state’s top student athlete. In football he played quarterback and safety his junior and senior years and was named all district both years. During his senior year David had the honor of being named all state in three sports; football, basketball and track. He went on to play football at Iowa State University where he was a two-year letter winner earning 1st and 2nd Team Academic All Big 12 honors. At the end of his senior year he was the recipient of the Ennis Haywood Award given by the coaching staff to the most outstanding team player. A vice-president of McGough Construction, David and his wife Megan live in Plymouth, Minnesota with their four children. They enjoy being very active in their local Catholic parish and serving on several parish and youth athletic organizations.

Lynn Tauke Mawe '82
     
While at Beckman, Lynn was more than an athlete, she served on the Student Council and was a Member of the National Honor Society. She had much success as a golfer at Beckman. As a junior she was state runner up and topped that her senior year by becoming the state medalist. Lynn was the first individual State Champion in Beckman history. After graduation, Lynn attended the University of Iowa on an athletic scholarship. While golfing for the Hawkeyes she accomplished many things and received many awards. Lynn set the 18 hole scoring record which wasn’t broken until 2007. Lynn was named an All American in both 1984 and 1985.  In 1986 she was named Iowa MVP, All Big Ten and Academic All American. She was elected onto the Iowa Academic All Decade team 1981-1991. Lynn used her experiences in golf when coaching the Grinnell girl’s golf team for five years, going to state four out of those five years. Lynn and her husband Mark live in Grinnell and have three grown sons. She is a great example of a true student athlete.

Dave Haight ‘84

      During Dave’s Beckman years he participated in both football and wrestling. He was an outstanding lineman for the Blazers. He was named to the First team all-state in his senior year. After graduation Dave attended the University of Iowa on a football scholarship. Dave played on the Hawkeyes defensive line for four years. His performance gained him several awards which include; three time First team all-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the year 1987, and a two time All American, second team in 1987 and first team in 1988. He is the only Iowa player to record over 100 tackles in each of two seasons and his total of 346 tackles ranks 12 in Iowa history. Along with his football accolades Dave lives in Coralville with his wife Dawn and their two daughters Brandi and Mackenzie.

Matt Tobin, ‘08

     
Matt was a standout football player at Beckman Catholic—even if he didn’t start a game until his senior year.  In that year, he achieved much. Matt earned second-team all-state and first-team honors (all district and all area); he was also named captain of the all-area squad.  After graduating from Beckman, he continued playing football as a walk-on at the University of Iowa, and he worked construction in the summers to help pay for his education.  Matt started his final 22 games as a Hawkeye, and though he went undrafted, he persevered and got signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. He went on to play with the Eagles for four years, with the Seattle Seahawks for one year, and with the New England Patriots for his final season.  Matt is a true example of what hard work and dedication will help you achieve.

Nic Ungs, ‘98
     Nic was a three year starter for the baseball team; his sophomore year he was named 2 nd team all-district and all-conference.  His junior year he batted .453 and 8-1 as a pitcher, and was 1 st team all-conference, all district, all INA.  Nic had a 13-0 record with an ERA of .068 and 158 KO’s in 92 innings his senior year.  He batted .453 with 17 home runs. He was named to the Super Elite All-State squad, as well as first team all-conference and district.  During his career at Northern Iowa, Nic was named the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2001 after going 11-2 with a 2.48 ERA and finishing with 114 strikeouts with only fourteen walks in 109 innings. He was a second-team All-American, a first-team All-Valley selection, and was later named to the MVC All-Decade team. Nic played professionally for eleven years after being selected in the twelfth round of the 2001 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins.  He played in the Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers organizations--four years at the Triple-A level and five years in Double-A. He had an 82-68 career record with a 3.79 ERA, and he tossed a no-hitter in 2005. During his first season with the Utica Blue Sox in the New York-Penn League, Ungs had 40 strikeouts without issuing a walk in twelve appearances (11 starts). Nic played internationally in Venezuela, Taiwan, Australia, and Cuba, and was a member of the U.S. Olympic team in 2005 and 2006. He was a pitching coach in Georgia for nine years, coaching 45 players who went on to play D-1 baseball and nine players who have been drafted in the last two MLB first-year player drafts.  He is currently Director of Baseball Operations at the University of Iowa.

Jason Nurre, ‘91

     
Jason was a wrestling standout in his four years at Beckman.  His junior year he placed third at state in the 103 # division and finished the season with a 36-2 record.  Jason wrestled at 112# his senior year and became Beckman High School’s first state champion. His season record of 35-1 is a school record (tie).  He also holds the school record for most tech falls--six, and finished his high school career with 114 wins. Jason went on to wrestle at Iowa State University where he became an all American at 118# division, won a Big 8 championship title and finished 2nd  in the Nation in NCAA tournament in 1996.  He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in engineering. He has been at John Deere as a Product Engineer since.  He was a wrestling coach at Des Moines Dowling.

Kate Witte, ‘78

     
Beckman Catholic Hall of Fame: Alumni- Athletics Kate was a four sport athlete at Beckman Catholic, team captain in all four. She was selected female athlete of the year her senior year. She
walked-on the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team, and became a scholarship athlete the next three years. She worked as a graduate assistant volleyball coach while earning her Master’s Degree at the University of Indiana. She has been the head volleyball coach at Ohio
Northern University for the past 26 years. She has logged 664 victories, a .750 winning percentage. She has several conference championships, and 20 NCAA D-III tournament appearances. She has been named conference coach of the year seven times and AVCA regional coach six times.


Coach Tom Jenk, Jr., ‘71
   
 
Beckman Catholic Hall of Fame: Alumni- Athletics-Coach Tom started coaching the Blazer baseball team in 1975. His record is 1056-496 which ranks 4th highest in victories in the state. In his 42 years coaching, he has 19 conference championships, 26 district championships, 16 state appearances, with seven runner-up trophies and four state titles; 1986, 2000, and back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2103. Tom has been selected state coach of the year four times, and has been
inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.


Bruce Klostermann, ‘81
     
Bruce was football co-captain his senior year at Beckman Catholic and was selected 1st Team All-Conference Linebacker, and 2nd Team All-State Linebacker. Bruce graduated from South Dakota State in 1986 where he was all-conference line backer and selected to the ‘50 year’ all-time team. He was drafted in 1986 by the Denver Broncos, playing five years in the NFL and three Super Bowls.

Mike Haight, ‘81
     
Mike was co-captain his senior year at Beckman Catholic and received a full ride scholarship to the University of Iowa. In 1985 he was co-captain, Hawkeye Co-MVP and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and played in the Rose Bowl. He was the 1st overall pick of the 1986 USFL draft by the Orlando Renegades and 1st round draft pick by the New York Jets. He played six years with the Jets and one year with the
Washington Redskins.



Alumni-Team
(Click to Return to Top of Page)

2000 State Baseball Champs
The 2000 baseball team was committed from the first day of practice. They set three goals at the beginning of the season: win the conference championship, make it to the state tournament, and not lose the last game they played. They accomplished all 3. The team had t-shirts printed with their philosophy for the year “21 outs get it done”. They did have to get more than 21 outs in a game at least once during the year. They started the year with a loss to North Scott and went on to face some very tough competition at the Iowa City High tournament where they faced 4A #1 Des Moines Dowling, 3A #1 Davenport Assumption, and 4A #2 \ Iowa City High. The Blazers played great and finished the weekend with 1 win and 2 losses. Coach Jenk always thought, and rightfully so, that playing
tough competition throughout the year would pay dividends at tournament time. They continued to play a tough River Bend conference schedule. In the middle of this was a highly anticipated double-header. An overflow crowd was on hand at Commercial Club Park when Cascade came to town. Cascade was 28 - 0 and ranked #1, while the Blazers were 18 - 8 and ranked #7. Thanks to outstanding play by the Blazers they swept the double-header 9 to 5 and 13 to 3. Coach Jenk said that no place in the state can lay claim to the experience created when Beckman Catholic and Cascade competed against one another. Beckman Catholic lost only 1
more game to finish the regular season with 24 wins and 9 losses. Tournament play began with a 12-0 victory over Ed-Co. Next up were the Comets of Bellevue, and what followed was another 5-inning victory 12-1. The district final was a rematch with Cascade. Again the Blazers were victorious 10-7 in 10 innings. Coach Jenk stated, “This game could have been considered for the 2A state championship.” The substrate game was another hard-fought victory over Mount Vernon. Beckman started the state tournament with a 3-0 victory over Sheldon, followed by a 4-2 victory over Osage. The final opponent was West Branch and the Blazers came out on top with a 4-0 victory. This team worked the entire year to accomplish their goals, which were all achieved with the winning of their last game.
Head Coach; Tom Jenk Jr., Assistant Coach Tom Jenk Sr.
Players:
Class of 2000: Tim Conrad, Aaron Johnson, Tony Kruse, Tim McClimon
Class of 2001: Tim Breitbach, Travis Fitzgerald, Luke Helle, Ben Hogan, Cory Kluesner,
Dan Martin, Aaron Rahe, Nate Trumm, Nate Zitelman
Class of 2002: Brent Goldsmith, David Rahe, Matt Roling, Matt Ungs

1999 Boys Track Team
The 1999 track team accomplished their goal of a state championship through teamwork. The consisted of many excellent indiviual athletes, but they were best when running in relay events. The team won at Tipton winning all four relays contested at the meet. They finished 2nd at the Saber Relays and sent thre relay teams to Drake. The events that qualified for the Drake Relays were the 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400. They sent a large number of events to the State Track Championships. The events that qualified for state were the following relays: 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800, and 1600 Medley. Also qualifying were individuals in the 800 meter run, 100 hurdles, and 400 hurdles. Beckman was one of the favorites for the championship. When the 4x100 relay team dropped the baton and failed to advance, most people thought that the hopes of a State Championship fell with it. The team rebounded and won the 4x800 (with a school record time of 8:01.84), 4x200, and the 4x400 securing the team championship with the showing of a can do attitude.
Team members are as follows:
Class of 1999: Chad Gaul, Ed Riesberg, Josh Showalter, Charlie Vorwald, Matt Wessels; Class of 2000: Brad Burger, Tim Conrad, Jeff Hoeger, Rob Honkomp, Shea Kelly, Nick Knepper, Bob Loesche, Tim McClimon; Class of 2001: Tim Breitbach, Brett Graham, Luke Helle, Ben Hogan, Dan Martin, Brian Milbert, John Steger, Nate Trumm, Luke Wilgenbusch; Class of 2002: Rob Bauer, Mike Hayes, Mike Juehring, David Rahe, Matt Roling, Johathon Schroeder, Rob Thole, Zac Wessels.; Coaches: Pat Davis and Todd Troutman

1997 Boys Track Team

     The 1997 Boys track team wanted to improve on their strong runner-up finish in 1996. The goal was to win it all in 1997. Throughout the season this team was led by the performance of their relays. They had a strong early-season showing at the Dickinson Relays with the mile relay team setting a meet record of 3:32.8. The team won several meets during the year among them were the Cascade Invitational, Cardinal Relays in Maquoketa, Saber Relays in Dewitt, and the Big Bend Conference meet. Some of the highlights from these meets were while winning at Cascade, Beckman had 8 first-place finishes and won the Big Bend Conference meet with 3 relay teams placing first. Beckman went into the State Meet with 5 individual qualifiers and 5 relay qualifiers. The team achieved its goal of winning a State Championship with many good performances across the board. They were led by the first-place finishes of both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Beckman performed for one another throughout the entire season forming a true team.
The team members are as follows:
Class of 1997: Kevin Casey, Jayme Gaul, Drew Jenk, Jamie Kennedy, Max Knepper, Joe Kubicek, Tom Martin, Tony Schroeder, Corey Soppe, Doug Wessels; Class of 1998: Kyle Conry, Ted Kruse; Class of 1999: Ed Riesberg, Terry Steger, Charlie Vorwald, Matt Wessels; Class of 2000: Dave Koch: Coaches: Pat Davis, Todd Troutman


1969 Football Team
     The 1969 football team was the first football team at Beckman to have a Perfect Season. Led by Head Coach Bob Timmermann their record was an impressive 10-0. Only on one occasion all season did an opponent stay within two touchdowns of them. Only two classes existed in football at that time and Beckman was in Class 1 with schools of over 500 students.  The Des Moines Register ranked Beckman 16th at the end of the season, quite an accomplishment. If only there had been a state tournament they could have shown the state that they deserved a higher ranking. During the season they were outsized by most of their opponents, but you can’t measure the desire in a person’s heart. That is how they prevailed. The members of the team are: Class of 1970: Mark Etscheidt, Tim Fitzgerald, Mike Gebhard, John Goerdt, Mike Hildebrand, Keith Klostermann, Dan Mensen, Brian Noethe, Tom O’Connor, Larry Osterhaus, Tim Ruden, Sam Schnieders, Paul Schramm and Randy Schuster.
Class of 1971: William Ament, Bob Benke, Charles Bruggeman, Charles Bruggemann, Thomas Hildebrand, Tom Jenk Jr., Kevin Kartel, Rick Kass, Dave Keffeler, Gary Maiers, Loras Mensen, Dan Mulder, and Elmer Ries. Class of 1972: Bob Hittenmiller and Merle Kramer. This group of men were led by Head Coach Bob Timmermann and Assistant Coaches; Jerry Abing, Dick Mescher and Brother Leo Kramper.

1992 Girls Golf State Championship Team

     
In 1992, the girls golf team had an overall record of 37-2.  A tremendous regular season was only topped by a more spectacular postseason.  The team finished in 2nd place in the Big Bend Conference.  They were champions of both the district and regionals.  The state tournament was next on the list—and this team was determined to return and complete for what they left unfinished the year before.  The Blazers finished the season by winning the Class 2A Girls Golf Championship by 25 strokes! The team members included the following: Leah Willenborg, Carla Boeckenstedt, Sarah Wessels, Becky Jacque, Carrie Wienke, Kathy Streit, Heather Showalter, Emily Bell, and Coach Jim Sheston.

1986 STATE BASEBALL CHAMPS

     
The 1986 Blazer baseball team brought home the second state championship trophy for Beckman High School.  The ’86 Blazers won thirteen of their last fourteen games, finishing the season with a record of 23-9. They defeated Centerville 11-4 in the semi-finals and Pella Christian 8-6 in the Class 3A championship game.  The Blazers placed six players on the ECIC all-conference team, three players on the all-district team, three members on the All-State team, three members on the All-tournament team with Tom Wegmann receiving MVP honors.  Coach Jenk was named NE Iowa coach of the year. Members of the 1986 state championship team: Head Coach Tom Jenk, Jr., Assistant Coaches Rick Laue and Pat ‘Rico’ Vaske. Team members: Tim Boge ’88, Tim Brunkan ’87, Mike Budan ’88, Lee Cusick ’87, Tom English ’86, Roger Feldmann ’86, Tim Greiner ’86, Jim Hermsen ’86, Dennis Jaeger ’88, Todd Lawrence ’88, Jeff Maiers ’86, Brian Moss ’86, Jim Offerman ’87, Scott Ruden ’89, Wayne Ruden ’87, Tim Weber, Ken Wedewer ’88, Terry Wedewer ’86, Tom Wegmann ’86, Greg Wessels ’86, and Ron Wilwert ’86.

1968 State Baseball Champs

     
Beckman Catholic Hall of Fame: Alumni- Athletics The 1968 baseball team and Head Coach Art Huinker paved the way for the rich baseball tradition at Beckman Catholic. Coming off a 19-3
spring season, the Blazers completed an undefeated summer campaign finishing 21-0 and winning the state title. Their tournament run included wins against Davenport Assumption, as well as perennial powerhouse and previously undefeated Cedar Rapids Washington. They defeated Norway 5-4 in the championship game. Norway had won the previous spring and fall championships and attempting to three-peat. Members of the ’68 champs; Head Coach Art Huinker, players, Jerry Bildstein ’68, Tom Burlage ’68, Dan Goerdt ’68, Gene Knipper ’68, Lloyd Koelker ’68, Bob Klostermann ’69, Rick Knipper ’69, Lee Kruse ’69, Jim Overman ’69,
John Goerdt ’70, Ron Kramer ’70, and Keith Krapfl ’70.


 Distinguished Alumni
(Click to Return to Top of Page)

Donna Wilhelm ‘70
Donna is a 1970 graduate of Beckman Catholic; this was the first class that spent all 4 years at Beckman. She is married to Charlie, who was a graduate of the first Beckman graduating class in 1967. Their children all spent time in Catholic education. Donna began working full-time at Beckman Catholic in 1984. She continued full time until 2018, when she cut back to part-time employment until 2023. That is 39 years of dedication to Beckman Catholic. Donna always went above and beyond her assigned job description at Beckman. She always remembered all the employee's birthdays with treats, and she made signs that were put up in the staff room. The school was always decorated for all the holidays because Donna did it. Donna also volunteered to make and repair costumes for the
plays and musicals. This is a significant undertaking, and she did this for over 30 years. Nearly everyone has seen her handiwork and how it enhanced our great productions. Donna is a true Trailblazer and was always ready to help and do any job that was needed without complaint. Donna’s love for Beckman Catholic was shown every day. When talking with Donna, one thing that she continually said was that Beckman Catholic is her second family. We are so fortunate to have her as a member of our family. is a 1972 graduate of Beckman where he was involved in football, baseball, speech, drama, and student council delegate. In 1976 he married his high school sweetheart Mary Kramer, class of 72. Together they raised three daughters, all Beckman graduates: Missy, '96, Shelly, '98, and Mandy, '99.

Timothy J. Pins '72
     Tim was hired as Development Director at Beckman in November of 1994, and served in that capacity for 24 years, until his retirement on January 1, 2019. During his tenure, Tim was in charge of student recruitment, and fundraising which included the Gala, three major raffles, and the Annual Appeal. As alumni director he established the alumni database, oversaw the alumni newsletter, and coordinated the publishing of three alumni directories. He also coordinated the Alumni Summerfest softball and volleyball tournaments for several years. Under the guidance of the pastoral coordinator, a Planned Giving program was started at Beckman. His committee involvement included two Capital Campaigns, planning of the multipurpose building, an implementation of the softball facility. He was also a Booster Club  member for 27 years, including co-chairing the Youth Basketball tourney held annually between Christmas and New Year's. He wsa the P.A. announcer for Beckman Football for 39 years. Tim stated that his most gratifyiing and humbling experiences at Beckman was his involvement with the Deceased Alumni Liturgy and luncheon.
     Tim's volunteer service included 36 years as a member of the Dyersville Fire Department, 20 years as Emergency Management Director, and Glood Commission Director. He has served on several fire service committees at teh county level and has been the IFA state convention announcer for over 25 years.
     His community involvement included coaching softball for twelve years. He was a church lector and Eucharistic Minister. He also taught CCD at Xavier. He served as a board member of the Dyersville Area Community Foundation and Kid Project.

Fr. Mark Weber
'72
     
Mark was involved in student council, speech, and football during his years at Beckman. Upon graduation, he entered Divine Word College just down the road in Epworth. He continued his formation as a Divine Word Missionary in Mississippi and Chicago, Professing perpetual vows and getting ordained in 1982. He served seven years as a missionary in Ghana, before returning to the Chicago area where he was engaged in justice ministry, formation of seminarians, and African-American parish ministry in Chicago’s south side. He has been assigned various posts in administration, including a 6-year assignment as general secretary for formation and education for the worldwide Divine Word community of some 6,000 Brothers and priests. He is currently the rector of the formation program of the Divine Word Missionaries in Chicago.

Tom Klaren '71
     
Tom is truly honored and humbled to be selected as the recipient of the “Distinguished Alumni” award for exemplary service to the Beckman community. Tom learned, at a very early age, the importance of volunteering his talents in any way possible to the service of others. He received the Beckman Class of 1971 Service Award.  Later, his years serving in the Iowa Army National Guard reinforced his strong patriotism and regards to service. He continued volunteering throughout his life as a member and President of the Dubuque County Pork Producers, the Xavier Parish Finance Board and Parish Council, an Honor Flight Guardian, and numerous positions at Beckman Catholic and the city of Dyersville. Some of those positions at Beckman included being a Beckman Booster Club Board Member for 12 years, 6 of them as President, Endowment Board for 6 years, co-chair of a Capital Campaign, and a very instrumental force in the creation of the Beckman Memorial Wall, the design and purchase of the mobile concession stand, and the new softball complex. Tom is continuing his lifelong love of volunteering by residing on the Dyersville Commercial Club Board. Tom lives in Dyersville with his wife Kay. They have two adult children who also graduated from Beckman.

Mark Brady ‘83
     
Mark was involved in many activities during his time at Beckman.  He was a member of the band, math club, drama club and National Honor Society.  He also performed in several plays and musicals. Mark graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Economics from Northwestern University.  He went on to earn his MBA from the University of Chicago, School of Business in 1991. Mark is the Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at William Blair and Company, which happens to be the largest investment banking company in Chicago.  He joined them in 1991 and was named a partner in 1996. Mark has successfully completed over 200 acquisitions and financing transactions with companies domiciled in over 20 different countries. During his time with William Blair, he has earned different recognitions, and they include the 2008 Midmarket Banker-of-the-year by Investment Dealers’ Digest and the 2012 Dealmaker-of-the-year by Mergers and Acquisitions Magazine.  Mark has been married to his wife Jamie for 28 years—and they are blessed with four children. Mark is a board member for several Chicago-based nonprofits, and this philanthropic work is an extension of the service started at Beckman Catholic.

Marilyn Noel, ‘71
     
Marilyn dedicated 43years to Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  The last 29years as the student counselor at Beckman Catholic. In addition to her full-time counseling duties, she coordinated the Senior Awards program, the National Honor Society program and induction, Real Life Academy, and the Mentoring program.  She worked countless after school hours helping students secure college scholarships. One of her major accomplishments during her tenure at Beckman Catholic was to create a Career Development program that prepared students for post-secondary education.  Mrs. Noel’s commitment and dedication has proved instrumental to countless Beckman students.

Fr. Mark Schramm, SVD, ‘67

     
Beckman Catholic Hall of Fame: Distinguished Alum Fr. Mark is a graduate of Divine Word College and was ordained in 1975. He spent 18 years doing missionary work in Ghana, Africa. He was the director of the main mission station and 40 villages. He was also director of the Language Centre in Abetifi, Ghana. He received his doctorate in 1996 and taught priest candidates for several years. He is an adjunct faculty member of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he was also the Director of Field Education and chair of the CTU committee on World Mission. He is currently on a mission parish assignment on Mtserrat Island in the West Indies.

Alumni- Activities / Fine Arts
(Click to Return to Top of Page)


Sr. LaDonna Manternach ‘78
LaDonna Manternach grew up in rural eastern Iowa. Singing was a natural activity at home. She started piano lessons in 4th grade, organ lessons in 6th grade, and guitar in 7th grade. She attended Beckman High School during her junior and senior years. While there, she participated in the choir and swing choir, speech and vocal competitions, and musicals. After graduating from Beckman High School in 1978, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, in vocal performance with a concentration in music education. She taught elementary music and religious studies at St. Joseph Grade School in
Bellevue, Iowa, before entering the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). She then taught classroom music at the School of the Madeleine in Berkley, California, and St. Augustine School in Oakland, California. After the novitiate, LaDonna taught K-8 music at St. Paul Elementary in San Francisco, California, and earned a master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in the Kodaly [Ko’-dye] methodology from Holy Names College, in Oakland, California. She then taught music at St. Anthony Grade School in Des Moines. A favorite activity at the elementary school level was putting on musicals with the children in grades three to eight, focusing on classical stories including The Wizard of Oz, Alice (in Wonderland), Peter Pan, and Oliver. When she joined the staff at Clarke College in 1996, Sister Manternach served both on the campus ministry team as the liturgical minister and as an instructor of music for three years. After completing coursework for a doctoral degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in choral conducting at the Hartt School in West Hartford, Conn., she returned to Clarke College in
the fall of 2002 where she conducted three vocal ensembles: the Collegiate Singers, the Chamber Singers, and the Cantabile Singers. She instructed voice privately and taught elementary music methodology, diction for singers, world music, sight-singing, and music theory courses among many others. She chaired the music department at Clarke for nine of her 17 years at the school. Sister Manternach enjoys sharing her voice as a lyric soprano. For 40 years, from age 13 on, she frequently sang and played the organ and guitar at weddings. Beckman provided the first opportunity for a major stage performance for LaDonna as Maria in The Sound of Music. More recent local performances include being a soloist with the Archdiocesan Chorale (which she later conducted for seven years), the Dubuque Chorale, the Sinsinawa Mound Chorus in the annual Messiah sing-along, and featured soloist for Clarke’s For a Blessed Christmas. She also performed the operatic roles of Mrs. Gobineau in The Medium by Menotti and Annina in Verdi’s La Traviata. In addition, LaDonna performed as a soloist with orchestras in Rochester, N.Y., and Maui, Hawaii, and internationally—in Japan and Ecuador. She has a passion for performing new music and has recorded several albums including Love’s Rondelay by Robert Dvorak, and It Takes a Bee: Songs of Teasdale and Dickinson by Amy Dunker. She also has a YouTube channel featuring select live performances. For the last 39 years, LaDonna has been a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She has served on the leadership team for seven years and is currently President of the congregation. LaDonna continues to engage in her love for singing as a cantor at liturgies at Mount Carmel Bluffs and St. Joseph the Worker parish in Dubuque and is a member of the Dubuque Chorale. 

Ian Goldsmith '08
Ian's tenure at Beckman was largley defined by participation in drama and music. Cast in every eligible play and musical-including notable roles in the Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, and Hello Dolly- he was a two time Best Actor award recipient. He was also a section leader in band, jazz band, choir, and troubadours, and a three-time All-State performance selectee for the Iowa High School Association Festival. Outside of the arts, Ian was a Student Body President, a member of the National Honor Society, and class salutatorian.
     Ian went on to graduate with degrees in theater and psychology from the University of Nortern Iowa. His collegiate productions involved acting, singing, directing, and writing; most notably, creating a comedic-satire play performed annually for 4,500 audience members during the UNI Glee Club Christmas Variety Show. In addition to extracurricular activities, such as his elected term as UNI's Student Body Vice President, Ian's time on campus was most remembered by his co-creation of the "The Interlude Dance:" a viral dance that inspired hundreds of participation videos, recorded in settings around the world. Ian was invited to perform this dance with former First Lady Michelle Obama during a 14,000 student Let's Move event, and it has remained a lasting tradition for UNI sporting and school events.
     After college, Ian hosted and produced a local arts and entertainment TV program before relocating to Chicago. There he studied and performed sketch and improve comedy at serveral premiere theaters throughtout the city, including The Second City, The iO Theater, ComedySports, and the Annoyance. His experience culminated in a multi-media, on-man show he wrote and performed at The Second City Theater. Ian now resides in Atlanta, GA with his extraordinary wife, Jackie, where they remain active members of the Catholic and art communities. In addition to owning a wedding DJ company, he continues to perform and teach comedy, and is a two-time "Best Micro Short Film" winner at the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival.
     
June Wessels Francois '75
     
June was involved in chorus, speech and drama during her years at Beckman. She began her involvement within the drama department helping with costumes and soon auditioned for the productions. June held many leading and supporting roles in the musicals and plays, earning Best Supporting Actress for Flora in “No, No, Nanette”. June served the school in music ministry with guitar and voice at school Masses. Performing in the choir she was selected as Best Soprano. After high school, June attended Briar Cliff University earning a degree in Religious Education.  While there she continued singing and performing. June is married to Deacon Nick Francois, they have been married for 40 years.  Together they raised 2 children and are blessed with 2 grandchildren. June continues to serve her church by being involved with liturgical music, playing guitar and singing. Her service didn’t stop there; June served as Director of Religious Education at St. Benedict Parish for 11 years.  In doing all of these things, she truly reflects the Catholic ideals of a Beckman Blazer.

Becky Williams ‘00
     
While at Beckman, Becky participated in band, jazz band, pep band, choir, musicals, and plays.  She received the following Beckman awards: Semper Fidelis Music Award, Iowa Choral Director’s Association Award, and Best Actress award for the musical Bye, Bye, Birdie. Becky competed and succeeded as a pianist at local, regional and international levels.  Some of these competitions included IMTA, the Terrace Hill Piano Competition, and the Stravinsky Awards International Piano Competition.  She continued her studies at the University of Northern Iowa and focused on degrees in Piano, Marketing/Public Relations, and Organizational Communications.  Becky has always enjoyed a passion for liturgy and sharing the wide and rich history of music in our Catholic faith. She has used this passion as the music director at the Basilica and currently as Coordinator of Music and Liturgy for the St. Thomas Aquinas Pastorate in Cascade.  She has also been the staff accompanist and musical accompanist at Beckman since 2007, and she has done all of this with the help of her biggest fan, her husband Blake, and their five Cheerleaders.

 Jeff Jacque, ‘73
     
Jeff started his theatre career while in high school at Beckman when he landed a role in the FallPlay as a junior in the production of Arsenic and Old Lace, in 1971.  He continued to be active in the Drama program appearing in all the subsequent plays and musicals.  After high school, Jeff
became involved in theatre productions at Five Flags and Divine Word. Later he became involved with numerous productions at the Bell Tower Theatre in Dubuque.  In 1985, Jeff was asked to help with productions at Beckman. The following year, Principal Jack Klein offered Jeff the opportunity as Director of the spring musical. Jeff went on to direct 29 Fall Plays and twenty musicals.  His commitment to the Fine Arts program has made him a great role model to hundreds of Beckman students. Jeff continues his dedication to the Beckman Fine Arts Program
as director of the 2018 Fall Play.


Jacqueline Jasper Tsao, ‘71
     
Jacqueline is a renowned portrait artist. She is the recipient of numerous awards in international competition including the Portrait Society of America and The American Society of America. In 2017 she received the honor of ‘signature’ status from The Portrait Society of America as an accomplished portrait artist. Her commissioned portraits include Senator Tom Harkin, John Cardinal O’Conner, from the Archdiocese of New York, Michael J. Malloy, U.S Circuit Court Judge, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, 16 college/university presidents and nine past university presidents.

Dr. James March, ‘72

     
Jim graduated from St. John’s University in 1976, received his Master of Fine Arts, University of Iowa in 1980, and completed his Doctorate of Music from the University of Iowa in 1983. He has been a professor of music at Morningside University for the past 28 years. In addition to his teaching and service on several boards at the university, he has founded the Iowa International Piano competition through his affiliation with the Sioux City Symphony. He has handcrafted several musical instruments for/and with the help of his students, including a fortepiano, harpsichord, clavichord and a 4-part harmony board for a blind student.


Distinguished Friend of Beckman
(Click to Return to Top of Page)
Ann and Alfred Reinert
Ann, and her late husband, Alfred, farmed and lived in the Petersburg area as a family of modest means. Even so, they sent 10 children through Beckman Catholic because they knew the difference a Catholic education would make in their children’s lives. At times, this was a great financial burden, but they always found a way. Ann was always involved at Beckman as a band, football, softball, wrestling, and art club mom. Ann can still be found at almost all Beckman Catholic events, cheering loudly, singing the fight song, or praying in the stands for a victory, just as she was at this year’s state baseball tournament. Ann doesn’t sit idly; she gets involved. For many years she volunteered at Saint Peter and Paul and Hennessy schools. She is remembered by many former students as Annie. They
remember her for the lessons she taught and the way she led by example. Ann has and still volunteers at the Beckman gala. She helps serve the meal and makes a comforter each year for the gala auction. Ann’s strong faith led her to send her children through the Catholic education system, and this has been passed on to her children and grandchildren. Ann has had 11 grandchildren graduate from Beckman Catholic, with more on the way. Ann and Alfred have had a child or grandchild at Beckman Catholic each year since 1977. This is a true Beckman Catholic family. 

Ray & Therese Reicher
Ray and Therese Reicher put eight children through Beckman from the first year it opened and have remained staunch supporters ever since. They showed their children that it was necessary to be a part of the bigger community and to work for those causes that are important to you. Beckman Catholic was extemely important to them. When the school was being threatened with closure in its early years, they became part of the core group that started the Endowment Fund. They served jointly as the treasurers of that group. 
     During the years, Ray and Therese participated in extra fundraising projects which included: toy tractor sales, breakfasts, concessions stands, and bake sales. These activities were all part of their family life. As time move on, Ray passed away and those eight children raised their own children, Therese continued to support Beckman. She attended most football and basketball games, all the plays and concerts, until recent health problems curtailed much of her mobility. Even now, she continues to participate in the St. Francis Xavier choirs and the Layette group whenever she is able. Though her life has slowed, Therese continues to be an active participant in the Beckman life. She participates in weekly devotions at the Beckman Chapel, still teaching us all how we should serve our community.

Jerome & Mary Lansing
     Jerome and Mary Lansing have supported the Catholic Church and education system throughout their lives. Their gratefulness to God for his blessings through lean and bountiful farming years lead to their desire to give back to Him of their time, talent and treasures. They raised four children, sending them all to the Catholic elementary and Beckman Catholic Scholls wanting to instill in each the value of their own faith and a desire to serve the church and school. Many of their grandchildren have also attended and graduated from Beckman and several great-grandchildren currently attend a Catholic school. Mary and Jerome have served on parish councils, boards, school boards, including the Beckman Endowment Board. Prior to the public school busing of private school students, they were instrumental in starting a bus route for the rural St. Paul Catholic School students in their community. They have supported Beckman from its formation, Contributing to capital campaigns, annual appeals, endowment appeals, STOs, Gala attendance, donations, purchases, breakfasts, and through anonymous donations to the school. When Beckman was struggling, Jerome and other committee board members personally spoke to other supporters encouraging them to contribute to Beckman to keep the school viable. As members of the Band Parents, they volunteered at events and helped chaperone trips. They also attended sporting events, plays, musicals, and other events of their children, grandchildren, and the exchange students hosted by their children, and now their great-grandchildren.

John & Lois Lansing
     
John and Lois Lansing enrolled their first child at Beckman High School in 1972, attended graduations of their 9 children from 1977 through 1995 and will potentially witness a sixth grandchild graduate from Beckman Catholic in 2022. Likely they did not foresee as young parents in the 70s that they would be embarking on a nearly 50 year involvement in secondary Catholic Education. John and Lois were members of the Booster Club for “around 25 years” and led the group as president for two years. John served on the Finance Committee in the early 2000’s and was also involved with various Endowment committees in 1974, the mid- 80’s and in the early 2000’s to solicit funds and contribution commitments to keep the doors of Beckman from closing. Both John & Lois served on the Saint Boniface School Board and Lois also served two terms on the Beckman School Board. John and Lois were also actively involved in the Band Parents Association from the mid-70’s through the mid-90’s. In addition to their service commitments, they rarely missed a ball game, and attended more plays, band & choir concerts, musicals, breakfasts, world cultures fairs, and Beckman Gala’s than can be counted. Lois invested in her own Catholic education, graduating from St. Joe’s in Farley and then earning a nursing degree from the Mercy School of Nursing. Circumstances only allowed John to attend St. Boniface in New Vienna through the 8th grade, later earning a GED while in the Army. Together their staunch faith and belief in the value of a Catholic education paved the way for their children to not only attend Catholic grade school and high school, but to also graduate with college degrees from Loras, Mount Mercy, Marycrest, Viterbo, DePaul & St. Scholastica. John and Lois laid the foundation for their children to collectively acquire over 50 years of post-secondary education leading to careers in nursing, laboratory science, physical therapy, pharmacy, anesthesiology & education. To help students continue to have the opportunity to attend Beckman Catholic, John established the Lois Lansing Scholarship after her death in 1998.  This Scholarship has awarded $5500 over the past years for tuition assistance to students who exemplify the values of faith and hard work that John and Lois instilled in their children and lived throughout their lives.

Leo & Dorothy Mensen
     
Leo and Dorothy Mensen raised 11 children and each of them attending Catholic schools and graduating from Beckman Catholic High. They knew the financial burden of sending all of their children to Catholic schools and the sacrifices it would take.  Leo and Dorothy realized that the importance of a Catholic education far outweighed the costs with the lifelong benefits it would provide to their children. Leo served on the Beckman Board of Education for many years.  He and Dorothy were lifelong members of the Booster club. They attended sporting events, plays and musicals, breakfasts and many other activities. Leo and Dorothy continued attending Beckman events even after their children had graduated. They always supported Beckman financially through the annual appeal. They were the definition of a Friend of Beckman with the support they gave to Beckman in time, talent and treasures. Their daughter Cindy said it best, “They are more than a Friend of Beckman, they are a Family of Beckman.”

Ric & Bec Willenborg
     
Ric and Bec have served and continue to serve Beckman Catholic in numerous ways.  They were members of the Booster club for 37 years, many of those years they operated the concession stand.  Bec has announced basketball games and been the scorekeeper for 28 years. They led the collector tractor sales, raising many thousands of dollars for Beckman. Each of their four children attended Catholic elementary and high school. All of the children are Beckman graduates. Bec collects newspaper articles about Beckman and compiles scrapbooks each year.  You could call her our Beckman historian. They are involved in many community, school and church related activities. Whenever they are called upon they always step forward to help Beckman in any way they can.

Jack Klein (Posthumously)
     
Jack began teaching at Xavier High School in Dyersville in the year 1965.  He moved to the new Beckman High School in 1966. During his time at Beckman, he wore many hats: teacher, coach, and administrator.  His love of Beckman and Catholic education was shown in everything he did. He taught from 1966 until 1976. At that time, Jack became the assistant principal, and in 1980, he became the principal until 1992.  When he was named principal, he was the first and the only lay principal in the archdiocese for several years. Jack and his whole family were a big part of Beckman—because Barbara taught at Beckman for several years and their children both graduated from Beckman: Dennis in 1988 and Debra in 1990.  After leaving Beckman, he continued to do what he loved—teaching. He taught Anatomy/Physiology and Microbiology at NICC until his retirement in 2001.

1973 Fundraising Committee
     
On November 5, 1973, at the Beckman Inter-parochial School Board monthly meeting, discussion was held regarding the future of Beckman High School.  At this meeting (lasting over four hours with adjournment at 12: 05 AM), the Board voted 4-1 to close Beckman High School due to extreme financial constraints.  The following evening, a public meeting was held in the Beckman commons to discuss raising funds to keep Beckman open. There were over 300 people in attendance.  Twenty-four people pledged $51,000, the Beckman Endowment was established, and an organizational committee was formed to raise the balance of funds to keep Beckman open.  The committee formed at the November 6, 1973 meeting, included Linus Showalter, General Chairman; John Witte, Treasurer; Joe Ertl, Secretary; parish chairmen were: Worthington, Don Pettinger and Loras Gravel; New Vienna, Ed Maiers; Petersburg, Bud Domeyer; Earlville, Elmer White; Dyersville, Ray Reicher.  Jim Engler, Allan Ertl, and Mark Peckham were assigned to chair the major gifts and foundations committee. This committee, along with an expanded group of volunteers, reconvened on November 19, reporting cash and pledges at $570,655 from 775 individuals. The group was present at the December 6 monthly meeting of the Beckman Inter-parochial School Board, and reported they had surpassed their goal and raised a total of $717,626 in cash and pledges.  The Beckman Board voted unanimously to rescind the November motion to close Beckman at the end of the 73-74 school year.

Coach Dick Mescher
     
Coach Mescher was one of the first lay teachers at Beckman Catholic. He fulfilled many roles in his 23 years as guidance counselor, athletic director, teacher, assistant football and softball coach, and head boys basketball coach for 16 years. Coach Mescher influenced countless students with his positive role modeling, his integrity, and his sense of dignity. His role as honorary co-chair of the recent capital campaign, exemplifies his life-long commitment to the Beckman community. Coach Mescher is receiving a dual award for his dedication to Beckman Catholic, as a Distinguished Friend of Beckman for his role as teacher and counselor, and Hall of Fame Athletic award for his outstanding  coaching credentials.

Sister Mary Clare Miller (Posthumously)
   
Sister Mary Clare had numerous roles during her tenure at Beckman Catholic. Her first, and probably her most difficult, role was to conduct meetings with the constituents of the three parish high schools and convince them that closing their parish schools and consolidating to a central school in Dyersville was in their best interest. Her initial role when the school opened in September of 1966 was assistant principal and dean of female students. Additional roles included teacher, registrar, and alumni director. Her vision, which took shape in the mid 1960’s, became her passionate life’s work for the next 37 years. She was truly the matriarch of the Beckman community.
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.