United Presbyterian Home News

Former UPH resident Paul Swank who passed away in 2015 was featured in the recent addition of the Mid Prairie Alumni and Friends Association Uniting the Golden Hawks. The article written by Brent Reschly a former student of Mr. Swank, remembers his mentor as an 'exceptional teacher who cared deeply about his students and their success well after the classroom and graduation.” Paul Swank taught Agriculture Education at the Mid-Prairie High School for 28 years from 1964 until 1992. Mr. Swank leaves a legacy of encouraging his many students to explore new things and step outside of their comfort zones, which led many pupils to successful careers in various fields. The article is a glorious tribute to a wonderful man who was passionate about his teaching profession.

John Minneman returned recently from Manhattan, Kan., where he attended the graduation of his grandson, Jared Chase, son of Dr. and Mrs. John Chase of Norman, Oklahoma. John was accompanied by his son John Stewart Minneman of Panama City Beach, Florida. Jared is the third generation in his family to graduate from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., beginning with Grandpa John Minneman, John Stewart Minneman and Jared Chase. Jared graduated with a degree in finance.

It was with great pride that Al Kinzler watched his granddaughter Katheriene Claes graduate Cum Laude from Drake University in Des Moines on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Katherine earned her degree at Drake in just four years. Katherine's mother is former Washington resident, Anne Kinzler Claes.

Congratulations to our UPH staff members who will receive high school diplomas this weekend, Christina Brinning, Carly Burlingame, Allison Hippen, Amber Holmes, Claire Horak, Garrett Ikerd, Trista Kelly, Lincoln Kleese, Raul Rios, Maddie Ross, Ashley Telleen, Lorenzo Zamudo and Ben Zuehlke. United Presbyterian Home residents and staff share in your pride.

Charlotte Magdefrau served cupcakes in the Town Center Monday morning to celebrate her birthday and Richard Anderson furnished treats on Wednesday morning to the delight of coffee drinkers.

In a salute to military members this Memorial Day weekend, third floor Kerr Hall residents displayed pictures of family members and loved ones in military uniforms. There is a lot of history displayed in the hallway with many pictures dating back to World War II and including the Battle of the Bulge. Some of these men and women returned home safely while others sacrificed their lives. We offer our gratitude to all members of the military and are proud to have the following veterans currently residing at the United Presbyterian Home: Richard Anderson, Larry Bartlett, Jim Bennett, Gary Blain, Jeanne Boardman, Jim Bower, David Brinning, Wayne Brock, Clarence Brown, Mary Case, Carl Chalupa, Richard Colby, Tonnie Crile, Don Dayton, Gene Driscoll, Bill Dusenbery, George Fulton, Dean Garrett, Maynard Goff Jr., Herbert Hammen, Leon Hansen, Dave Henderson, Dick Hendrickson, Richard Henningfield, Harvey Holden, Edward Jarrard, Jerry King, Al Kinzler, Robert Koehler, Duane Krotz, Jim Lloyd, Duayne Lynch, Richard Magdefrau, Mike McGuire, John Minneman, Raymond Nebel, Marjorie Noble, Mike Orris, Reid Orris, Jim Redlinger, Bob Ross, Jim Schmidt, Myron Shields, Ted Stewart, Norman Thomas, Hank Tompkins, Marion Turnipseed, Darwin Widmer and James Wilson.

Classics Et Cetera for May 23, 2019, included the overture to 'The Siege of Corinth” by Gioachino Rossini; 'In My Garden” by Idabelle Firestone; 'The Hen” by Louis Moreau Gottschalk; 'Psalm 150” by César Franck; 'Kentucky Sunrise” by Karl L. King; 2nd Movement of Piano Concerto No. 5 ('Emperor”) by Ludwig van Beethoven; 'Fame and Glory,” a march by Albert E. Matt.

Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) was a pianist and composer for the piano born and raised in New Orleans. Recognized early as a prodigy, he was taken by his father at age 13 to Paris where he was rejected without being heard by the prestigious Paris Conservatory. But he concertized in Western Europe to great acclaim including from pianists Chopin and Liszt. He returned to America in 1853, then visited Cuba and the West Indies. He concertized through the North by railroad, then left the States again. He died of yellow fever in Brazil at age 40. Gottschalk is considered to be the first American pianist and composer to be accepted by European masters and critics as their equal.