Rembering 115 years: School community gathers in gratitude

Generations of families gathered for a May 31 Mass at St. Wenceslaus Church in Dodge  to prayerfully and gratefully say goodbye to their 115-year-old parish school.

The last day of classes was May 15. The Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Michael G. McGovern, was followed by a reception in the church basement and tours of the school across the street.

Many former students were there, including one of the grade school’s last graduates, Henry Dvorak, who spoke to the congregation at the end of Mass. Also in attendance was Bernardine (Reznicek) Ruskamp, who at 93 remembers being a boarding student at St. Wenceslaus.

Ruskamp’s daughter – Barbara Lethcoe of Sioux Falls, South Dakota – wanted to make sure her mother was there to commemorate St. Wenceslaus School at its closing. They joined one of Lethcoe’s siblings, Steve Ruskamp, a member of St. Wenceslaus Parish, whose five children went to St. Wenceslaus School.

Bernardine (Reznicek) Ruskamp, right, is a former St. Wenceslaus student. With her are two of her 10 children, Barbara Lethcoe and Steve Ruskamp.

Bernardine Ruskamp moved to Snyder years ago, and is a member of St. Leo Parish. She grew up on a farm about 10 miles from Dodge and became a boarding student at a young age.

In an interview after Mass, she recalled how her second-grade teacher taught her embroidery, a hobby she still enjoys.

Dvorak, one of four students in the last graduating class at St. Wenceslaus, was among several generations in his family who were part of St. Wenceslaus.

Henry Dvorak

“I’m very grateful to be a part of the school,” the young teen told congregation members. “I have a lot of memories that I will carry with me throughout my life, many of my family members and individuals here today.”

Enrollment had been declining at the school. A 1986 graduate, Leo Blaha Jr., also spoke after Mass, recalling how the school started in 1911 with 120 students, among those his great-grandmother, another boarding student.

“We all had a great education,” said Blaha, who thanked the many educators and priests who helped form students. His children and their classmates went on to excel after graduation, he said.

Beth Wisnieski said she has been blessed to have worked at St. Wenceslaus for 31 years. At its closing, she was head facilitator, third- and fourth-grade teacher, as well as the music teacher.

“The past few weeks have been filled with many emotions,” she said, including gratitude, pride, joy “and certainly some sadness – but most of all, thankfulness for the countless lives that have been touched within the walls of St. Wenceslaus.”

“It has been a blessing to be with students, families, teachers, priests, staff members and parishioners who made this place so much more than just the school building. Together we created a community of faith, family, academics, service and love.”

Wisnieski acknowledged the many former students, school parents and grandparents, and staff members in attendance at the Mass.

“This school story was written by each and every one of you,” she said. “Although today marks the end of an era, the spirit of the school will continue in the memories, friendships, faith and values that were nurtured here.”

READ MORE FROM THE CATHOLIC VOICE: