by Gerri (Osborn) Peterson, MHS Alumni Association Assistant Secretary
The 2026 Mullen Alumni Association banquet was held Saturday, June 13 at the Lariat Auditorium with 201 attending.
Mullen Alumni Association president Wade Edis welcomed everyone.
A moment of silence was held for our deceased members.
Karen (Harding) Juzenas then said a prayer before the meal.
Volunteers, cooks and servers were thanked for all of their help in making the weekend happen. The banquet prime rib was cooked by Doug and Betty (Hardy) Deibler of the Butcher Block; Ben and Jamie Hart made the sides, salads and rolls; and the Mullen Girl Scouts served drinks.
Thank you to everyone who donated raffle items and purchased tickets. This year’s raffle proceeds went into the alumni scholarship fund. Tate Kvanvig, a 2026 graduate and one of the two 2026 scholarship recipients, helped draw this year’s raffle winners. Hayley Donohoe was the other scholarship recipient but was unable to attend. The raffle winners are listed below, with the donors of the generous prizes listed after each.
Susan Ridenour: A Cowboy’s Code sign - Bob & Peggy (Bader) Marsh
Dale Huddle: Mullen Bronco cap - 4J Designs & The Corner Boutique - Janelle (Most) Jennings & Mindy Paxton
Kirk Jacobs: Tribune gift subscription - Hooker County Tribune - Gerri (Osborn) Peterson
Gerri (Osborn) Peterson: Pancake mix - Outpost Feed Store - Jake Ginkens & Tim Andersen
Mick Cotant: Pancake mix - Outpost Feed Store - Jake Ginkens & Tim Andersen
Dale Ginkens: Highway 2 Depot $50 gift certificate, koozie and cap - Highway 2 Depot - Jason & Lindsey (Wilson) Brown
Melissa (Trackwell) Karlson: Cowboy Cold Care tea and Ranch Hands salve - Sandhills Horizon Massage - Rebecca Garrett
Doug Boyer: Swan count-of-cross-stitch kit - Alice (Dooley) Phipps
Mark Ewoldt: Sabbiatos gift box - Don and Deb Cox
Robin (Maire) Hoatson: Cookie platter - various alumni
Buck Boje: Cookie platter - various alumni
Stephanie (Wright) Guy: Cookie platter - various alumni
David Kraye: Sand Hills tumbler - Wade & Jeri (Marsh) Edis
Pam Huddle: Sand Hills seasonings, golf towel and cap - Sand Hills Golf Club
Mike Kvanvig: Sunshade rocker - Ed Carr & Mullen Alumni Association
Stuart Carson: Sunshade rocker - Ed Carr & Mullen Alumni Association
Patrick Wright: Cribbage board - Mike & Arla (Ridenour) Kvanvig
Jeri (Marsh) Edis: Macke’s sausage - Jo Macke & Paula (Macke) Rice
Dena (Brannan) Carlin: Dismal River Club glasses
Julie (Simonson) Olson: Dismal River Club glasses
Kathy (McPeak) Leibhart: Rafter J lotion & soap gift basket - Chris & Laura O’Brien
Bob Marsh: Rooted Touch Massage gift certificate - Laura O’Brien
Mark Hayward: bird bath - Irene (Sexton) Seidler
Two families of MHS alumni were recognized.
The first was the Hampton family. The late Betty (Milander) Hampton graduated in 1945. Present at the banquet were Teresa (Emmons) Hampton from 1970, Don Hampton from 1972, Travis Hampton from 1995 and Cayden Hampton from 2026.
Julie (Pearson) Pfeiffer’s family was then recognized. Her parents were Donald and Marjorie (Reigle) Pearson from 1956. Julie graduated in 1976. Her husband Mitch was also present at the banquet. He didn’t graduate from MHS, but did teach in Mullen Public Schools for 34 years. Sister Linda (Pearson) Boyer graduated in 1978 and her husband Doug graduated in 1974. Brother Donnie Pearson graduated in 1979. Sister Susan (Pearson) Hoyt graduated in 1981 and her husband Phil graduated in 1979. Julie’s children: Nikki (Ewoldt) Gracey graduated in 1995 and her husband Tyler graduated in 1994. Daughter Traci (Ewoldt) McCully graduated in 1997 and her husband Brad graduated in 1995. Daughter Jeri (Ewoldt) Graff graduated in 2002. Son Scott Pfeiffer graduated in 2010 and married Megan (Hoesing), 2010. Grandchildren Haley (Gracey) Furrow graduated in 2015 and her husband is Matt Furrow, 2013. Brittni (McCully) Bradley graduated in 2017, Brady Gracey in 2019, Brooke McCully in 2021 and Chase Gracey in 2024. Three more granddaughters are currently in MPS: Brynne McCully 2028, Abby Gracey 2029 and Elle Gracey 2033.
The oldest alumni in attendance at the banquet was Irene (Sexton) Seidler, class of 1950.
Charlotte (Erny) Benner, class of 1956, was celebrating her 70th year.
Irene and Charlotte were wearing corsages donated by Lyn’s Petals and Plants - Lyn (Bostron) Crisp.
The 60 year class of 1966 was introduced by Mick Patch. He introduced his wife Joyce and class members Eric Kizer, Jim Brannan and his wife Mona (Arends), Dan and Lenora (Brown) Little, Mick Cotant, Nick and Patsy (Elliott) Phipps, Carol Ann (LeLaCheur) Arehart, Cecilia (Buechler) and her husband Neal Hayward.
The 50 year class of 1976 was introduced by Karen (Harding) Juzenas. Their former teacher Sue Pearman and her husband Don were present as class guests. Classmates attending the banquet were Donna (Marshall) and her husband Ron Boyer, Tim Simonson and his wife Deanna (Marshall), Terry Huddle and his wife Pam, Bev (Phipps) and her husband Ken Sestak, Julie (Pearson) and her husband Mitch Pfeiffer, Fredrick Kraye and his wife Judy, Kim James, Ron Roseberry, Rodney Andrews and his wife Yvonne, Tom Edelman and his wife Michele, Kim (Edelman) Minor and Jeff Tuton and his wife Linda.
Celebrating 40 years was the class of 1986, introduced by Terri (Andersen) Sharp. She introduced Leah (French) Carson and her husband Stuart, Mark Hayward, Kathy (McPeak) Leibhart, Buck Boje and classmate Melissa (Trackwell) Karlson who attended MPS K-11.
The class of 1996 was introduced by Aaron Simonson for their 30th year. He introduced his wife Liza, Ryan Anderson and his wife Liz, Chris O’Brien and his wife Laura, Shane Daniels and his wife Kristi and Brandie (Neumeyer) and her husband Kirk Harvey.
Adrienne (Licking) Casale introduced the 20 year class - 2006. Present with her were her husband Michael, Cam O’Mara and Will Neumeyer and his wife Ariel.
Celebrating 10 years was the class of 2016. Jaci (Edis) Hettinger introduced Emmet Storer, Gideon Monette and his wife Alaina, Emily (Durfee) and her husband Casey Giffing, Ally Ginkens, Kelsey Phillips and Traci (Cooley) Johnson and her husband Ethan.
Five of the nine members of the class of 2026 were present. Tate Kvanvig introduced classmates Morgan Hassett, Sydnee Cheever, Cayden Hampton and Jaylon Forsen.
The annual meeting of the Mullen Alumni Association was called to order by president Wade Edis.
The minutes from last year’s meeting that were in the newsletter were approved on a motion by Brandon Peters with a second by Terri (Andersen) Sharp.
The treasurer’s report that was printed in the newsletter was approved by a motion by Jennifer (Anders) Peters with a second by Brandon Peters.
The board would appreciate ideas for activities during the annual alumni weekend, especially ideas for how to get the younger classes to come back and attend the banquet.
Rita (Harding) Fischer not only provided piano music before and after the banquet, but she also sang the original song she wrote as a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln called “Mullen, Mullen.”
Members were reminded that Mullen Alumni Yearbook update sheets were available and to go enjoy music after the banquet at the Highway 2 Depot.
Brian Wright made the motion to adjourn the meeting of the Mullen Alumni Association and Mike Kraye seconded it.
