Duane W. Johnson

FORMER BAND DIRECTOR Duane Johnson came to Villisca in 1956 as the new band director and instrumental music instructor. During his nine-year tenure, he reshaped the Villisca band program into one of the best in the state. Mr. Johnson was a 1954 graduate of the music program at the University of Nebraska. He brought to...
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Elwin (“Bill”) Day was a “hard-hittin’ guard” on the 1925 undefeated football team and also participated in track at VHS. After high school, Bill became a carpenter/contractor in Villisca. He built or remodeled many homes in the area. In the 1930s, he was the foreman on a WPA crew who built the Villisca swimming pool...
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At VHS, Linda was active in basketball, band, student publications, drama, student council and Y-Teens. She achieved all-conference recognition in basketball, earned numerous “1” ratings in instrumental music competitions, received the Outstanding Bandsman Award in 1966, and was editor of the Bluejay in 1966. During summers, she was a lifeguard and swim instructor at the...
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29
Jul
At VHS, Dave lettered in both track and cross country all four years. He was undefeated in the half-mile and mile events his junior and senior years until the state meet. As a senior, he placed 4th at the state cross country meet. In addition to being a state officer of FFA, he received an...
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Overcoming a near fatal accident at the age of 13, Pat went on to distinguish himself graduating from VHS as an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society. He was the Class President in 1986. An outstanding student, Pat participated in chorus, science club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, marching band, stage band,...
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The younger member of a sister act, Colleen Means Dempsey was a forward for the Villisca High School basketball team. In her junior year she helped lead Villisca to the Tall Corn Conference championship and then on to play in the Girls State Basketball Tournament. She holds the Villisca 3 on 3 scoring record of...
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Part of a sister act that captured the hearts of Villisca basketball fans, Paula Means Lund was captain of the Villisca High School Basketball team which took the Tall Corn Conference title in 1968 and then went on to play in the Girls State Basketball Tournament. She was an All State guard. She still holds...
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04
Mar
Called one of the best High School Athletes to come out of Southwest Iowa, Phil lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball all four years he was a student at Villisca High School. He also participated in golf his freshman year. Phil was a leader on and off the sports fields. He commanded the respect...
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Lee Gourley was the only student in his class in country school, Douglas #8, in Morton’s Mill, so he joined Villisca’s 8th graders for second semester. He already knew he wanted to attend the Air Force Academy. As a young person he could be found lying in the yard at night talking to his friends...
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04
Mar
An outstanding student in high school Roger was involved in 4-H and FFA. Roger farmed near Villisca all his adult life. He was a member and volunteered his time to many organizations, some of which include: Villisca E.M.T.s, Villisca United Methodist Men, Yard and Garden Club, Optimist Club, Rialto Theatre Board, Farm Bureau, Iowa Army...
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VAFA: CONNECTING OUR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE