The pictures in the article were furnished by David Meyer of Chamberlain.  You may phone him for reprints @ 605-234-5369. Email: davesd33@hotmail.com

Click on the pictures for an enlarged view!

Click here for the Miller Photos: submitted by Barbara Miller

Iona Community Centennial Reunion

June 17, 2006

The lawn was mowed, the insects were killed, tents, tables, livestock, panels, and porta-potties were in place - preparations complete and we were ready to welcome guests to The Iona Community Centennial Reunion on June 17, 2006.

The day started at 10:00 a.m. with registration and tours of the community. Gwen Meinen helped register over 500 for a great celebration!   

Thanks to David and Dick Shoemaker who donated their hunting busses, 5 bus loads, probably 100 people, enjoyed the 50 mile tour of the community.  The tour host, Mark Kenzy with the help of several guests – narrated.  

The “runners” Brett Kenzy, Frank Kenzy, Charlie Drews, David Meinen, Dick Shaffer, Arlyn Feyereisen & Marvin Christensen, helped get folks where they needed to be.  They were busy with parking and shuttling most of the day.  It is said that Dick Shaffer quit in time to recharge his batteries so he could compete in the “pull” later.  Way to go Dick!

Guests came from as far as Texas and California, Minnesota & Illinois.  Fred “Skeeter” Ripley came from California, the trip - a Father’s Day gift from his children.   His parents, Fred and Carrie Ripley, moved to Iona, SD in 1923 and farmed and Fred was postmaster in Iona from 1929 – 1942.  “Skeeter” was in the 3^rd grade when they left Iona.  Barbara Miller and her sister & brother-in-law, Susan (Miller) Joyce & Mike Joyce, from Texas made the day special for a lot of Iona residents.  These sisters were the daughters of Stanley & Fannye Mae Miller and granddaughters of Harmon and Florence Miller.  Their family moved to Texas in 1962.  Many former residents returned for the reunion, renewing acquaintances and making new Iona friends.     

Thanks to the Friendly Neighbors Club and Jo Dooley coolers were unpacked, deserts were cut and dinner was ready to serve, by the time the first two busses returned.  Thank you Friendly Neighbors Club for the paper products and utensils you donated for the meal.  We needed 4 - 20’ feed bunks topped with plywood for serving tables.  One bunk was lined with plastic to hold salads which were packed with ice. The great cooks of Iona didn’t disappoint anyone!  

The parade was next with more than 70 entries.  Jami Svoboda and Lori Whitney, were the parade chairpersons and nearly missed dinner as they worked to line up the parade.  You gals did a great job.  It seemed to go off without a hitch!

Honored guests, the Pioneers, lead the parade in a wagon furnished by Frank Kenzy.  

Those present were Kenneth Kenzy, Inez (Nelson) Kenzy, Dorothy (Dobbin) Carpenter, Laverne Salzmann, Lyle Shaffer, Betty Shaffer, Blanche Raschke & Harry Kenzy.

Antique tractors that were on parade were furnished by these fellows:

Harold Winter lead the antique tractor parade with his 1948 “B” John Deere.  His dad, Nellis M. Winter was the original owner.  Harold pulled Bob Vrbsky and his accordion. 

Bob continued to entertain under the tent in the afternoon.

Harold was followed by another of his tractors which was driven by Artie Lindquist.  This one a 1949 IHC “Cub”. 

Jack Dooley drove Harold’s 1937 “B” John Deere which sports spoke wheels.

Russ Nelson drove his dad’s F-20 McCormick Deering Farmall.

Tim Walker got a chance to show off his 1952 V A C Case which had been given to him when he was 11by his grandfather, Lynn Walker, Sr.   It was the first tractor Tim owned.  He said Tim could have it if I could get the motor broke loose.  Tim said, “After about a week, Dad got tired of me messing with it and he pulled it about 20 feet and broke the motor loose.”

Dennis Walker driving a 1949 “A” John Deere.

Ken Gossand and His 961 Ford Diesel.

Ivan Vosika - 435 JD diesel.

Ray Serr on his GP John Deere.

Joe Frasch with his 1951 Co-op E 3

Bob Brozik and this 50 series John Deere.

Dale Keiser’s 901 Select Speed Ford

John Jones showed off his Oliver Hart-Parr, an 18-27 Row Crop which is a 1930 model.  Actually John and his tractor are the same age!

Red McManus joined in with his D-14 Alis.  Red was sure the parade would have moved much faster if the his Alis would have been the lead tractor.  “Those John Deere’s just won’t go fast."

Charlie Drews was right at home on this MM “Z” which is owned by Harold Winter.

The Boots and Calico Square Dance Club danced throughout the parade route and were pulled by Richard Stanley driving his 1953 Super H McCormick Farmall which was previously owned by Ed Carlson. 

Darl & Teresa Ellis own this tractor which pulled the Bob and Barb Fenenga wagon.  Both of these families date back to the days of settling this Iona country.  Pictured:  Darl’s 1940 John Deere B which was purchased new by Darl’s grandfather, Lynn Walker Sr.  Driving the tractor is Josh Sandiago, friend of Sydney Thurman, who is seated by Teresa Ellis with Bob Fenenga and Darl Ellis in the back. 

The United Methodist Church was represented by the choir which included Kathy Winter, Sally Shaffer, Colleen Springer, Joan Kenzy, Cheryl Smutny Jan Christensen and Linda Svoboda.  Rev. Royal & Cheri Archer had these folks under control?

Jim Fulwider pulled the bell that originally hung at the Methodist Church.  This bell can be seen at the Lyman County Historical Museum.  It should be noted that the bell was donated to the Church by Clarence Lilly.   No picture available at this time.

The Iona School entry was pulled by Svoboda Ranch vehicle, and it should be noted the passengers represent the last students of the Iona School.

The Dixon Lucky Clover 4-H Club also had an entry.  They were busy people, as they also had a concession stand selling drinks for a benefit for Brandon Borszich.

The parade also included entries representing pioneer families in the area. 

The one that boasts the most roots in this community was the entry by Arlyn and Linda Feyereisen.  Arlyn Lee, & Melissa, were on the 4 wheeler, with Kaelee and Kaleb Feyereisen on the wagon.  These two children are the 6^th generation of the John Feyereisen family, James Ward Anderson family, John Richard Halligan family, and the 5^th generation of the Lynn Oran Walker family.  Each of these families has had ties to the Iona community since homestead days.

Shaffer Farms was represented by the Bride’s float.  The models were Angie Stas wearing her own dress 1985, Nikki Walker wore Theresa  Svoboda’s dress from 1932, Amy Fossing, wore  the wedding dress of, Gwen Meinen from 1960, Nikki Matucka  wore her Great Grandmother, Lucille Bailey dress from 1918.

Click on the pictures for an enlarged view!

Luan and her goat, Vanessa, joined the parade.  They hitched a ride with the brides of Iona.  Luan (Hansen) Klemann represented the family of Leonard and Geneva Hansen who lived around Iona in the 1950’s.  Luan was remembered by many around Iona for riding a steer to school, much like others rode a horse. 

The Meinen Ranch was represented with a display in memory of Everett Meinen and Fred and May Meinen.

Fiala Farms also entered a 4 wheeler. (No picture available)

Ralph & Millie Kenzy's family entered a float representing

“Only USA Beef”. 

Kenzy Cutters owned and operated by Frank Kenzy

entered their modern day “Mule”.

Schuiling/Dobbin Farm was represented

by Eric Hamilton on a 4 wheeler.

Frank Fulwider drove Reed’s car –

a Chrysler product, no doubt!

Rod Vosika was in his “Cougar”

Leroy & Mary Wagaman were in a 1953 Ford pickup.

The Shoemaker buses also joined the parade – advertising the next tour! (No picture available)

Commercial Entries were also part of the parade.

 They were from Ace’s Backhoe Service of Gregory,

VanderWerff’s Implement of Platte sent Pat Kayl on this Mower.  He didn’t do so good in the lawn mower race, but can he ever trim and turn with this prize!

H & J Sales, Rosebud Electric, Bank West of Gregory, & Hieb Oil of Reliance. ( No pictures available.)

Jason Cernetisch & Kevin Talsma, in charge of the team with Keith Talsma & Cassidy Cernetisch representing the Iona Fire Department and Mr. G’s, who supplied the ice to keep food cool.  Thank you, Brenda!

Numerous horses with wagons and buggies were also part of the parade.  Others pictured and identified  were:

Ron and Deb Volmer representing Presho Livestock and Medicine Creek Feedlot.

Leroy Miller & Teri Jo Weidner and company,

Gary Zimbelmann entered his horses and covered wagon- representing Zimbelmann Ranch of Hamill since 1908,   

Skip & Mary Floyd, Grady & Tyson Floyd and Laddy Christensen.

Joe Olivier owner of a proud horse and buggy, accompanied by his wife, his son Clay, Clay’s wife and daughter.

Tim & Peg Boysen represented Lyman County Title Company with this team and covered wagon.

Chris Cernetisch,Tanya Talsma and Cheyenne Cernetisch with a horse and buggy.  They also had an outrider, Mr. Kerner.

Ashley Sengelman & Teri Jo Weidner

Horse 1 big girl 1 little girl

Horses & Girls

Jerry Hutchinson on the mule, Rod, Lori, Tucker & Zane Whitney on the horses.

The Fire Departments from Gregory and Reliance were covering the activities also and lots of horses and riders.  Lots of little kids had a ride on a horse!

The Friendly Neighbors Club members pulled double duty.  Sally Shaffer, Joan Kenzy, Cheryl Smutny, Kathy Winter, Jan Christensen, Lois Sinclair and Linda Svoboda rode on the trailer.  They were the parade finale!   

After the parade, the fun continued, with plenty of activities for all ages.  The youngsters were entertained by Jason Cernetisch and his helpers, Kevin Talsma and Chris Cernetisch.  Jason and John King picked up sheep, goats, and mules which were furnished by Bob & Jerred Serr.  The kids were roped, and they all got a chance to ride the sheep and tie the goats.  Bigger kids rode mules. Time slipped away and all of the activities that were planned did not take place.  The candy scramble was a success for the kids, thanks to Buches and Louie’s grocery of Gregory. 

The big boys were entertained with a 4 wheeler pull.   There were approximately 35 entrants in 5 classes.  Pat Kayl took honors in the 300 and below class.  Other winners were Matt Klein in the 3-400 class and Rob Kuper in the 4-500 class.  In the open 4 wheeler class, Heath Taylor took first place, and Dick Shaffer took the honors in the Open - Side by Side Class.  

Three lawn mowers were entered with Tucker Whitney taking the speed honors.

The cooks, Jack Dooley and Harold Winter had the pork and beef roasts ready to serve and the grill was attended by John King and Frank Fulwider to add hamburgers to the menu.  The aroma soon made the crowd return to the school yard for a free sandwich feed around 6 p.m.  Jim Spann, Harold Winter, Vince Svoboda and Anna Fiala donated the meat for sandwiches.  

Jack and Kathy working hard

Harold Cooking!

The weather was a perfect 76 degrees with no wind. Very few went home before dark. 

This is not a complete copy of the parade entries.  We are sorry for those that were missed.  The pictures in the article were furnished by David Meyer of Chamberlain.  You may phone him for reprints @ 605-234-5369 or e-mail davesd33@hotmail.com.

The committee would appreciate any pictures you may have as we didn’t have time to take any!  If you have digital pictures to share you may e-mail them to magbiz@gwtc.net.  We will post them on the Gregory Website, at www.gregorysd.com .  If you are interested in prints of these and other photo’s submitted I must have your e-mail address, as they will be posted on a web site where you may purchase prints.

 Most of the Iona Heritage books have been delivered locally and the prepaid books are being shipped in the order they were purchased.  More books will be available in August.  If you still want one, contact Kathy Winter at 605-835-8440 or e-mail magbiz@gwtc.net.

Thanks to all who participated!  We had a great time!  Kathy Winter

3288 Elsie(Schuiling) Todd, Ruth (Dobbin) Whiting, Juanita(Carlson)Bell, David & Debbie Edinger.JPG

3289 Inez Arlene Marie Susan Joyce.JPG

Frank and Charli practicing.

Miner P Feyereisen W Hammerbeck

 Jerry, Lori & Kolton Salonen looking for Garrett!

 Jessie, Lu, & Millie swinging girls

Joe Meinen doing what he does best?

Food line with Old Glory watching over us!

 Zane Whitney & Jason Cernetisch chowin' down.

Is this Boy on the slide Garrett?

Triston and the girls with Jerry Hutch and his mule.

 (This picture is real big, so you can identify spectators if you click on it.)

 A good crowd watched the parade from the school yard.

The following photos were submitted by Barbara Miller for all to enjoy!

Dennis Walker, Warren & Roger Hammerbeck

Ken Mass & Sam Feyereisen are identified here!

The food line was a popular place!

Inez & Harry Kenzy

Lyle Shaffer

Blanche Raschke

Esther Kenzy

Sheila (Walker) Cox & Barbara Miller

Debbie Edinger and her mother Juanita (Carlson) Edinger

Juanita (Carlson) Edinger & Marilyn (Bell) Schneider

These folks are off-spring of the Jacob Salzmann family. They are left to right - Carson Bell, Marilyn (Bell) Schneider, Juanita (Carlson) Edinger, & Darline (Bell) Brightman, grandchildren of Henry & Minnie (Salzmann) Bell, and Theresa (Kenzy) Vanorny & Ralph Kenzy, grandchildren of George & Theresa (Salzmann) Kenzy.

These folks were students of Star School just prior to it's closing.  Back row: Carson Bell and Dennis Walker Front: Juanita (Carlson) Edinger, Marilyn (Bell) Schneider, Barbara Miller, Darline (Bell) Brightman, Sheila (Walker) Cox, & Susan (Miller) Joyce.

Judy Walker (Mrs. Dennis), Rita (Walker) Taggart, Rita Bell (Mrs. Carson), Cec Walker, & Tim Walker.

The food line!

and memoribilia.