Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Class of 2017 ISD 88 Hall of Fame Induction took place at New Ulm High School Saturday night. Front row, left to right, Paula Johnson, Class of 1972; Bonnie Mohr, Class of 1980; Joy Reinhart for the late Faith Reinhart, Class of 1965; and Marlys Zetah for the late Jim Zetah, staff, 1969-1999. Back row, George Glotzbach for the late Flip Schulke, Class of 1949; and David Sturgis for the late Helene Fesenmaier, Class of 1955.

NEW ULM — Four women and two men were named to the Class of 2017 ISD 88 Hall of Fame at New Ulm High School Saturday night.

Honorees included the late Helene Fesenmaier, Paula Johnson, Bonnie Mohr, the late Faith Reinhart, the late Flip Schulke and the late Jim Zetah.

Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chairperson Kathleen Backer thanked Foundation Board member Jim Senske for making the event happen.

“Just think of all the sacrifices of these people,” Backer said. “They’re soaring with the eagles above. Helene Fesenmaier, a teacher, painter and sculptor, left behind a rich palate of art. She often hunted for mushrooms in her school days here, which are a recurring theme in her work. She continues to influence the art world.”

Fesenmeier was active in music, the arts and many other school activities. A graduate of Smith College and the Yale University School of Art and Architecture, she became a world-renowned abstract painter and sculptor with works found in public and private collections around the world.

David Sturgis, who accepted the award for Fesenmaier, said she loved to share her art, especially through teaching.

Johnson excelled in academics, music and other activities. She earned an English degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Anthropology and Folklore at the University of Texas at Austin.

For the past 18 years, she’s been the curator in the Division of Work and Industry at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Johnson is responsible for the food technology and marine resources collections.

She is also an author and has served on boards of various organizations including the Council of American Maritime Museums and the Maryland Humanities Council.

“What a treat to be in the new school. My heart still skips a beat when I drive down into the Minnesota River Valley and see Hermann and the Cathedral tower,” Johnson said. “New Ulm has such a sense of history. New Ulm schools prepared me with a curiosity for places and people that led me to my work. When you’re in Washington (D.C.), look me up, please, so I can show you around the museum.”

After being active in many activities including 4-H and FFA at New Ulm High, becoming the first female FFA president, Mohr graduated from the University of Minnesota in Waseca with degrees in Ag Production and Ag Communications. She returned to dairy farming and took up painting in 1988.

Mohr has become a renowned painter of rural American art and author. She may be best known for her cow paintings, which are sold and displayed across the country. Mohr has gifted more than 300 oil paintings to various national organizations.

“She is a shining example of giving back with grace,” Backer said.

Mohr said her family taught her how to be a team player.

“I found my passion, taking a leap of faith. It’s been a wonderful journey. Better than I ever could have imagined,” Mohr said. “I’m in awe of the talent in this room and for people who care so much.”

Despite becoming a quadriplegic during the Polio epidemic, Reinhart was involved in music, debate, and wrote for the school newspaper. She earned an undergraduate degree at Mankato State and a master’s in vocational rehabilitation at Kansas State.

Reinhart was instrumental in improving the lives of people with disabilities. She worked at the Disability Resource Center at the University of Reno, the New Mexico State Board of Transportation and the Director of State Clients Assistance Project.

Reinhart suffered a broken back when another vehicle broadsided her van in 1989. She died at age 47.

“She cultivated liaisons to get the job done. Her efforts took her to Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Reinhart’s sister Joy. “She saw problems and worked to fix them.”

Speaking for Schulke, George Glotzbach of New Ulm said he ran away from home as a teenager to escape abuse and wound up in New Ulm.

“If Flip was here, he’d tell you New Ulm saved his life when he was homeless and penniless,” Glotzbach said. “People here fed him and took care of him.”

Schulke got his first camera at age 15 and became one of the premier photographers of his generation. He pioneered underwater photography over a 50-year career, amassing a collection of more than a half-million photographs, many considered iconic images of their era.

Flip’s work with and documentation of the Civil Rights Movement were among his most lasting contributions to society.

He photographed John F. Kennedy and seven other U.S. presidents, Dr. Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali and Fidel Castro, to mention a few of his subjects.

Zetah was a Minnesota High School Counselor of the Year and a high school teacher, coach and counselor for 30 years. He was considered a tireless advocate for students who understood that academic success was dependent on a stable personal life.

Even in retirement, he remained dedicated to assisting others. He was active in many organizations including the Brown County Child Protection Team, the American Cancer Society, the Crisis Support Team, and was among the founders of New Ulm’s Life Living Series.

Zetah created STABLE (School Team Approach for Better Living for Everyone) in which high school student mentored elementary students.

“He spent most of his time helping people,” Backer said. His programs are still in place today. That is how you change the world.”

“Students told me my dad save their life repeatedly,” said Shannon Zetah, who became a teacher.

ISD 88 Foundation President Nicole Schmiesing said the organization is nearly one-third of the way to raising $1 million for its endowment fund.