Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Memorial gift funds purchases of benches, library books
H-M-S Superintendent Patrick Carlin (seated left) and Stephen Litts (seated right) test out one of the two benches that were purchased for the new elementary school thanks to a memorial gift from Litts. Also pictured are, from left: David and Barb Christenson, Wally and Becky Tschopp, Patty and Bill Treimer, Marjean Westerman, H-M-S Business Manager April Hengeveld and H-M-S Board Member Dave Vander Broek.
Each bench has a plaque that includes a photo of Dorothy Litts, who died in 2005.
A memorial gift to the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District will benefit elementary students for years to come.
Former Superintendent Stephen Litts was joined on Monday by district representatives and friends to commemorate the gift in memory of Dorothy Litts, which funded the purchase two benches and books for the elementary library.
Litts had contacted former elementary Principal Cathy Jochims to ask if there was anything she would like to have for the school, but the budget did not allow for.
"She didn't hesitate," Litts said. "Benches."
Further discussion indicated funds for elementary library books would be welcome.
"When I came here one of the things I wanted to see done was updating the high school library," Litts recalled, "so doing something for the elementary library was just a natural."
Since Dorothy's passing in 2005, a book is given to each H-M-S pre-K and kindergarten student through a memorial fund in her name.
"As a family we are happy to honor her for her contributions to the district and make this memorial a part of that," said Litts, who lives in Los Cruces, N.M.
Joining Litts were former staff and board members, and others associated with him and Dorothy during their time in the district.
