150+ Notable KHS Graduates

Thank you to everyone for nominating these "Notable KHS Graduates" We know there are thousands more and we are happy to continue adding anyone who has gone above and beyond in their occupations. Please email kps@kearneycats.com with the following information: First/Last/Maiden names, year of KHS graduation, the reason you believe they are notable, and a link to a webpage to verify. Some photos were unavailable in our yearbook files. Some links require a Hub subscription. We are working on our third round of nominated Notable Graduates to be published in December.

Warren Allen

Class of 1936
Military
War Hero
Link

Steve Altmaier

Class of 1973
Entertainment
Media Person of the Year
Link


Drew Anderson

Class of 2000
Sports
Milwaukee Brewers Baseball
Link


Ken Anderson

Class of 1962
Business
Task Lighting
Link


Jason Armagost

Class of 1988
Military
Global Strike Command
Link

Jeremy Armagost

Class of 1992
Military
Air Force Reserves
Academy Admissions
Link


James Armitage

Class of 1964
Medicine
Physician & KHS Distinguished Graduate Honoree
Link


Neal Arnold

Class of 1993
Sports
St. Louis Cardinals Baseball
Link


Robert S. Ayres

Class of 1940
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate Honoree
Link

Dr. John Bancroft

Class of 1950
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate Honoree
Link


Steve Barth

Class of 1995
Entertainment
Crane River Theater Founder
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Ashley (Batie) Moss

Class of 2001
Science
Biochemist Land O'Lakes
Link


Dr. Marc Bauer

Class of 1988
Sports
Two-time National College Wrestling Coach of the Year
UNK Director of Athletics
Link

Dr. Paul Bauer

Class of 1986
Medicine/Business
Pediatric Odalarian Surgeon
International Speaker
Link

Joshua Bauer

Class of 1999
US Government
Dept of State Diplomatic Security
Federal Agent

Chloe Bauer

Class of 2013
Military
Airforce US Strategic Command


Tanya (Beavers) Schleiger

Class of 1980
Business
Redman Shoes
Link


Keith Becker

Class of 2002
Philanthropy
Todd Becker Foundation
Link


Jim Bielenberg

Class of 1995
Business
Outstanding KHS Alumni
Link

Bob Bielenberg

Class of 1992
Business
Designer Nascar Bumpers
Link


Ryan Black

Class of 2000
Entertainment
Producer
Link


Dr. Megan Black

Class of 2005
Education
MIT Teacher & Author
Link


Bruce Blankenship

Class of 1975
Business
"Mr. Kearney"
Link

Jon Bokenkamp

Class of 1991
Entertainment
Producer, Writer
Link


Brian Botsford

Class of 1995
Entertainment
Crane River Theater
Link


Perry Brandorff

Class of 1976
Business
Market Leader, Greater Chicago
Link

Dr. Halie Bricker

Class of 2007
Medicine/Philanthropy
Dentist - Mission of Mercy
Link


Julia Burchell

Class of 2011
Science
Formula Process Engineer
Link


Dr. Alissa (Burchell) Paudel

Class of 2009
Medicine
High Risk Obstetrical Physician
Link


Leslie (Burchell) Pillen

Class of 2001
Education
Pen State Farm & Food Systems
Link

Darrin Butters

Class of 1988
Entertainment
Animator
Link


Allison Bauer

Class of 2015
Athlete
Denver Broncos Cheerleader
Link


Jake Bunger

Class of 2012
Business/Entertainment
Producer, Booker
W67 Media Inc. NYC
Link


Richard Cady

Class of 1987
Government
Special Agent
Regional Agent in Charge

Brenda (Carpenter)
Benjamin

Class of 1983
Business/Philanthropy
President/CEO B|D Construction
Link


Frank Cepel

Class of 1950
Business/Philanthropy
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Dr. William Clarke

Class of 1989
Medicine
Director of Research
John Hopkins
Link

Curt Coffman

Class of 1977
Author/Business
The Coffman Organization
Link

Tim Coultur

Class of 1981
Science
NASA Spacecraft Operations
Link


Jack Crowley

Class of 1956
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Lucas Dart

Class of 1993
Business
UNK Alumni Relations
Link


Dr. Jenna Derr

Class of 2003
Medicine
founder Forward Family Health Care Clinic
Link

Brandon Duhaim

Class of 2016
Sports
National Hockey League
Link


Leslie Easterbrook

Class of 1966
Entertainment
Actress
Link


Shawn Eatherton

Class of 1988
Business
Ne Crime Commission
Prosecutor of the Year 2019
Link


Randy Enochs

Class of 1972
Business
Society Generale, NYC
RDEnochs Designs, NYC
Link

Bill L. Fairfield

Class of 1965
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Terry L. Fairfield

Class of 1967
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Ross Fellows

Class of 2003
Sports
Track Coach UCCS
Link

Art Ferguson
AKA Charlie Tuna

Class of 1962
Entertainment
National Radio Personality
Link


Shun Lee Fong

Class of 1991
Entertainment
Actor, Producer, Lawyer
Link

Angela (Foster) Meyer

Class of 1991
Philanthropy
National Cornhusking Champ
State American Legion Order of the Purple Heart
Link


Sonie (Foster) Munson

Class of 1998
Military
Public Affairs/Engineer Officer
US Northern Command
 Link



Heidi (Frost) Mausbach

Class of 1995
Business CEO
Marketing Fortune 500 Companies
Link



Jeff Ganz

Class of 1995
Education
KHS Graduate that came back to lead Kearney High School
Link


Dr. Susanne (George) Bloomfield

Class of 1965
Author
Link


Tracy George

Class of 1986
Author/Business
Everyday Blessings
Link


Jason Gerdes

Class of 1996
Business
NE Outdoor Lutheran Ministries
Executive Director
Link


Bill Giffin

Class of 1976
Sports
TransAmerica Bike Race
Link

David Gleason

Class of 1960
Military
US Joint Forces Command
Link


Jon Goedert

Class of 1992
Business
Senior US Manager Direct TV
Link


Matt Hansen

Class of 2007
Business
Director of Clinical Operations
Link


Robert Hauver

Class of 1943
Sports
Nationally Recognized
Athlete & Coach
Link

Tom Henning

Class of 1966
Business/Philanthropy
CashWa Distributing &
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Dan Hirschfeld

Class of 1959
Business/Philanthropy
Buckle CEO
Link


Linda (Houtz)
Parker

Class of 1986
Sports
KHS Outstanding Alumni
Link

Dave Hoyt

Class of 1985
Business
Rehab Specialist, Children's Counselor, Critical Incident Responder
Link


Dr. Dori Hunt

Class of 1989
Medicine
Plastic Surgeon
Summa Cum Laude at UNK
Link




Margot (Icenogle) Larsen

Class of 1999
Business
Executive Director CASA
Link


Royal F. Jester

Class of 1941
Business
KHS Outstanding Alumni
Link

John Johnston

Class of 1968
Entertainment
Actor
Link


Krisa (Kamrath) Smith

Class of 1993
Business
PowerHouse Dance Academy
Link

Mike Keehn

Class of 1980
Sports
Texas Rangers Baseball
Head Baseball Coach
University of North Alabama
Link


Kimberly Kempf

Class of 1977
Education/Author
Outstanding KPS Alumni
Link


John Kendall

Class of 1934
Business
American Suzuki Training
Link

Brandon Kershner

Class of 2004
Business
International Furniture Designer
Link


Doug Koster

Class of 1991
Business
Mr. Ms Basketball Tournaments
Link


Peter G Kotsiopulos

Class of 1966
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link

Ron Larsen

Class of 1961
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Kyle Larsen

Class of 1999
Sports
Cincinnati Bengals Football
Link


Stephen R. Lawhead

Class of 1968
Author
Dragon King Trilogy
Link


Amy Lillis

Class of 2000
Military
Foreign Service Officer
Link

John Lowe

Class of 1978
Government
Nebraska State Senator
Link

Kristin (Lowenberg) Olson

Class of 1981
Author/Business
Miss America Top 10
Link

Steve Lungrin

Class of 1996
Entertainment
Internationally known
"Piano Man"
Link

Brett Maher

Class of 2008
Sports
Dallas Cowboys Football
Link


Abree (Main) Taillon

Class of 1997
Business Founder
Spectrum Center for Autism
Link


Philip Marlatt

Class of 2002
Entertainment
Producer, Actor
Link


Harold A. Mattson

Class of 1936
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link

Preston McDaniels

Class of 1971
Business
Illustrator of Children's Books
Simon & Schuster
Link


Wayne McKinney

Class of 1942
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Kristy (McLaughlin) Pilakowski

Class of 1985
Business
Link


Jon McNeill

Class of 1985
Business
Lyft CEO, Tessla Sakes
Link

Luke McNitt

Class of 2013
Sports
Atlanta Falcons
Coach for Arizona Football
Link


Robert Merryman

Class of 1939
Philanthropy
Merryman Performing
Arts Center
Link


TJ Michel

Class of 1990
Business
Owner- Mid Plains Heating & Air
Link

Jackie (Miller) Purdy

Class of 1950
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Friend of Kearney
Link


Trevor Moore

Class of 2012
Sports
National Hockey League
Link

Scott D. Morris

Class of 1966
Business/Philanthropy
Morris Printing Group Inc
Scott D. Morris Institute
Link


Erik Mumm

Class of 1995
Sports
GTE First-Team Academic All American & Outstanding KHS Alumni
Link



Brian Niemann

Class of 1987
Business
Graphic Design - Niemann Design
Outstanding KPS Alumni
Link

Dr. Mark Nispel

Class of 1984
Business
Engineer - Stellantis,
Motorolla, Kenwood
Link


Dave Nispel

Class of 1988
Business
Engineer, Refining Manager
Burns & McDonnell
Link


Amy (Northwall) Schicke

Class of 1988
Business
Restaurant Entrepreneur in NYC, and Omaha (Dario's, Avoli)
Link


Wayne Olson

Class of 1958
Business/Philanthropy
Olson Oil, Developed Food Bank
Link

Steve Osberg

Class of 2002
Business
Senior Director Transportation & Urban Development Greater Omaha
Link


Steven Payne

Class of 1990
Military
Outstanding KPS Alumni
Link


Jordan (Peterson)
Cochran

Class of 1998
Medicine/Business
Owner - Cochran Dental
Link


Peter George Peterson

Class of 1943
Government
US Secretary of Commerce
Link


Dr. Larry Peterson

Class of 1975
Business
Cyber Security
Link


Sharon (Peterson) Knapp

Class of 1950
Philanthropy
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link

Brian Pickering

Class of 1990
Government
US Secret Service
Link

Kent Pilakowski

Class of 1989
Business - Ignite
Outstanding KPS Alumni
Link


Dr. Thane Plambeck

Class of 1980
Business/Philanthropist
Software Engineering
Link


Jeff Porter

Class of 1970
Sports
Professional Golfer
Link


Sarah (Preston) Hesler

Class of 2002
Medicine/Philanthropy
Naturopaths Without Borders
Link

Jessica (Proskocil)
Thoene

Class of 1997
Medicine/Business
Owner - Alpha Rehabilitation
Link

Lynne Quiggle

Class of 1924
Military
Rear Admiral US Navy
Link


John P. Rademacher

Class of 1989
Government
Judge - 9th Judicial District
Link


Dr. Chris Raymond

Class of 1990
Medicine/Public Health
Medical Researcher
Link


Mindy Raymond

Class of 1997
Entertainment
Actress
Link

Lee Redden

Class of 2004
Science/Business
Blue River Technology Co-Founder
Link


Dr. Brad Rodgers

Class of 1975
Medicine
Family Practice & Sports Medicine
Link

Susan (Rogers) Reiber

Class of 1959
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Dr. Lynn (Rosenlof) Hoelting

Class of 1980
Medicine
Surgeon
Link

Dori (Brooke)
Roth

Class of 1990
Business/Medicine
InnoMed Management
Link

Brody Ray Runge

Class of 2006
Entertainment
Singer/Musician
Link


Vickie (Sakurada) Schaepler

Class of 1972
Philanthropy
Nebraska's Japanese Hall
Link


Chuck Salestrom

Class of 1970
Entertainment
Musician, Timberline
Link


Jim Salestrom

Class of 1974
Entertainment
Musician, Timberline
Link


Tim Schlattmann

Class of 1981
Entertainment
Screenwriter
Link


Dan Schlissel

Class of 1988
Entertainment
Record Producer, Label Founder
Link


Morgan Schulte

Class of 2008
Athlete
NBA Dancer Memphis Grizzlies
Link


Kathy Lou Schultz

Class of 1985
Author
Poet, Scholar
Link


David Thorne Scott

Class of 1988
Entertainment
Musician
Link


Todd Schug

Class of 1984
Military
Colonel in the Airforce
Link



Dr. F.M. Mike Shada

Class of 1939
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Tim Shada

Class of 1976
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Cory Shafer

Class of 1988
Military - Marines
Safety for Marine One Helicopters
Link


Dr. Krista (Sheldon) Fritson

Class of 1984
Education/Author
UNK Professor of Psychology
Link


Colin Snider

Class of 2010
Law
Nebraska Assistant
Attorney General
Link


Dr. Shannon Steinhauser

Class of 1990
Medicine/Business
Optometrist
Owner Phoenix Eye Care
Link


Jeff Stelling

Class of 1989
Business Entrepreneur
Saxophone Design
Outstanding KPS Alumni
Link


Chris Stelling

Class of 1991
Military- Airforce
Heartland of America Band
Link


Gary Straatmann

Class of 1971
Business/Philanthropist
Volunteer, Funeral Home
Link


Alex Straatmann

Class of 1996
Military
Legal Advisor to
US Space Command
Link


Larry Swanson

Class of 1955
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Jess Sweley

Class of 1995
Business
Food Science - Kraft
Link


Kully Thatcher

Class of 1995
Business
Owner AYS Plumbing
Link


Steve Thomlison

Class of 1988
Government
FBI Chaplain,
Political Campaign Manager
Link


Mary Elaine
(Thornton) House

Class of 1936
Education
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Tom Tye II

Class of 1978
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate,
Attorney
Link


Elizabeth T Uldall

Class of 1931
Business
Linguist, Phonetician
Link


Brenda (Ward) Zabel

Class of 1982
Education
Outstanding Kearney Alumni
Link


Sarah Warth

Class of 2008
Business
Head of Research- Jean Niel
Link


Don Welch

Class of 1950
Author
KHS Distinguished Graduate,
American Poet
Link


Chuck Welch

Class of 1966
Author
Writer, Artist - Cracker Jack Kid
Link


Lizabeth (Wells)
Everett

Class of 1990
Business
Director of Payment Solutions
for TRG
Link


Cathy Welter

Class of 1972
Sports
NCAA Softball Coach
Link


Paul Wice

Class of 1962
Entertainment
KGFW "Voice of Kearney"
Link


Donna (Wick) Rios

Class of 1984
Military
USAF Cryptologist Linguist, FBI
Link


Kristin Wiebe

Class of 1987
Business/Philanthropy
Attorney
Fights Human Trafficking
Link


Woodrow Wirsig

Class of 1933
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Colby Wissel

Class of 2004
Sports
Cross Country Al-American
Link


DeWayne Wolf

Class of 1940
Business
Economic Development
Link


Dale E. Wolf

Class of 1940
Business/Government
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Vincent Wolford

1939
Business
KHS Distinguished Graduate
Link


Trevor Woodward

Class of 2010
Education/Medicine
Trauma Nursing/Education
Link


Cory Wroblewski

Class of 2002
Military
US Army, Attorney
Link


Michael B. Yanney

Class of 1952
Business/Philanthropy
Banker
Link