by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
It is the honor of the Easton Valley Community School District to announce the next class of the Easton Valley Hall of Fame have been formally inducted. Members of the 2024-25 Hall of Fame inductees are:
Deb Bruhn Hedden
Jerry and Terry Mertens
Steve Feuerbach
Dan Marburger
Jason Nolting
1988 East Central Girls Golf Team and
1974 Miles Boys Basketball Team
The committee wishes to thank all of the sponsors and those that helped contribute information about the inductees, Jim Vorland for serving as MC for the induction ceremony, for the many individuals who introduced each of the inductees, to Sheila Lindstrom for her beautiful table decorations and the Downtown Pub for catering the event. The committee also appreciates the help that the high school students gave in setting up the tables and chairs before the event. anyone that lent a hand to make this another successful event is much appreciated.
The Hall of Fame is designed to honor impactful, positive contributions to the communities of Miles, Preston, Sabula, Spragueville. The purpose of the Easton Valley High School Hall of Fame is threefold: (1) To honor those River Hawks (or former members of retired schools of the district) who have accomplished extraordinary feats in extra-curricular activities; (2) To honor those who have made great contributions to Easton Valley High School activities over a period of many years; (3) To honor those Easton Valley High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in life after high school.
Each year, the Hall of Fame selection committee meets to review past nominations and consider any new nominations made since the last induction class. At a subsequent meeting (or meetings), the committee then closely scrutinizes and discusses the “finalists”. After discussion, using a voting procedure designated by the Chairperson (or other voting procedure adopted by the majority of committee members present), a “target” of 5 nominees becomes the Induction Class for that year. At the discretion of the Selection Committee, the charter member class and any subsequent induction class may exceed the annual target of 5 inductees. The current selection committee is composed of 16 individuals and a non-voting chairperson.
If you have the name of someone that you believe should be nominated for consideration, please provide the committee with name and stats on the person’s/team’s accomplishments so that they are on the annual list when the voting process takes place.
Dr. Steve Feurbach humbly accepted his award and was very appreciative of his induction into the Hall of Fame. He kept the attendees entertained explaining his version of a prank that was played on his parents while out in Des Moines. Coach Dan Beck has a different version of events.
Jerry and Terry Mertens were inducted into the EV Hall of Fame for their many years of support and coverage of all the area schools and their events at all age levels and in so many areas from sports to the arts, and from academics to special events.
A full house in attendance to welcome back this year’s Easton Valley Hall of Fame Inductees
A proud coach talks about the basketball team that he coached all the way to a state championship.
Coach Beck had the privilege to introduce Jason Nolting and welcome him into this year’s Hall of Fame class. He also introduced Dr. Steve Feurbach into the Hall of Fame.
Elizabeth Marburger had the room’s full attention as she talked about her husband Dan Marburger and his special skills as an educator and administrator from the beginning of his career until the last day in which he did what he would always do protect his students and work with those troubled students to find a way to make poor choices back into good choices.
Jim Vorland was the master of ceremony and can be seen and heard, along with all the other speakers and inductees on the school’s Facebook page.
Members and coach of the 1974 Miles Boys Basketball Team. This team was known state-wide and was successful despite being from the smallest school. They are still mentioned at the State Tournament and one phrase that comes to mind is – They were TALL!
Pat Kedley spoke about and on behalf of Deb Bruhn Hedden who was unable to make it to the Hall of Fame Event. Deb was inducted as a distinguished alum for her many achievements in the field of music and teaching. Her music skills took her to many places around the world and garnished her many awards in her field.
The 1988 East Central Girls Golf Team and award presenter, Easton Valley Activities Director Derek Erwin
