[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

Snapshots of History: Graceland University

GOEHNER, VREDENBURG, HYDE, TAYLOR, CARLISLE, PARKS, PUTNAM

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/11/2018 at 05:10:30

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 18, 2016, Page 8

SNAPSHOTS of HISTORY: Graceland University
By Mike Avitt

Graceland University lies like a sleeping giant in the southeast corner of Lamoni, Iowa. It was established by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1895 as a private, two-year college. The college became a four-year institution in 1960 and a university in 2001. Also, in 2001, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints became known as Community of Christ. Graceland is still affiliated with Community of Christ.

I took this week's photo of the administration office, built in 1895-96, early one morning before work. I have been fortunate enough to have been employed by Graceland to paint the dormitories this summer. It has been interesting.

My first experience with Graceland came in the 1970s when the indoor swimming pool was available to the public on Thursday evenings. I often rode down with Pat Monaghan as he was an expert diver and liked to keep in practice throughout the winter months.

I started working at Graceland May 2, 2016 and, as usual, began asking many questions. Most of my questions were answered recently when I spotted a copy of "The Graceland College Book of Knowledge" by David Goehner. I found the book in a student lounge where I have been known to take extended breaks (just kidding, Dennis).

Some of you know what a huge hockey fanatic I am so imagine my delight when I found the history of Graceland's ice hockey team. The squad started out small in 1965 and quickly grew until Graceland was playing other colleges and universities in the 1966-67 season. This program would last until the 1981-82 season with the team first being called the Flyers and, in 1979, the Fighting Saints. However, the Graceland Flyers/Fighting Saints won only as many home games as I've won Pulitzer Prizes - none!

Graceland's ice hockey team practiced on Founder's Lake, a two-acre lake built in 1959 at the northwest edge of the college campus, but had no home rink to play in. All games were played in the Des Moines Ice Arena (now called Des Moines Buccaneers Arena). The Flyers/Fighting Saints did battle with Iowa State University, Drake University, and Grinnell College for many years. In 1968-69, the Flyers won the conference championship.

Other sports, like rugby, came and went. Men's golf at Graceland is now in its third run after World War II broke up the sport in its first run.

Hy-Vee co-founder David Vredenburg's son Dwight graduated from Graceland College in 1934. Dwight's future wife, Ruth Taylor, graduated in 1936. The main offices of what would become Hy-Vee were moved from Lamoni to Chariton, Iowa in 1945. Rail service on the Burlington Route to Lamoni was cut back yet again in 1945. I'm sure this had something to do with the move.

Hy-Vee's other co-founder Charles Hyde's future wife also attended Graceland College. Mabel Carlile married Mr. Hyde in 1943. Mrs. Hyde taught vocal music at Graceland for many years. Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg started their first store together in Beaconsfield, Iowa in 1930.

I've noticed many Ringgold County folks are employed at Graceland. Every employee I've talked to down there said they either liked or loved their job. That's extremely impressive. I also heard a rumor that Graceland University Library is open to the public. I'll be checking that out.

Transcriber's Note: Charles Leverett Hyde (1883 - 1970), Mabel Alberta (Carlisle) Hyde (1896 - 1988), Charles' first wife Nola Ann (Parks) Hyde (1891 - 1942), Charles and Nola's children Alice Hortense Hyde (1917 - 1935) and Paul Leverett Hyde, David Milton Vredenburg (1884 - 1949), David's wife Kate Emaline (Putnam) Vredenburg (1886 - 1940), and David and Kate's son Milton Putnam Vredenburg (1911 - 1968) and granddaughter Susan Ann Vredenburg (1941 - 1970) were all interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2018


 

Decatur Documents maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]