Grand Marshalls have been selected for the 100th Lodgepole Old Settlers Parade

by Maryann Dickinson, special to the Sun-Telegraph

Jerry and Maryann have lived northwest of Lodge Pole since 1977. They were married in 1971 and have 2 sons and 1 grandchild, Wade, wife Kristin, and their daughters, Shaleigh and Jay.

Jerry moved to Lodge Pole in 1956 from a small farm southeast of Sunol with his parents, Marion and Clara, and 2 sisters Alta and Betty. They purchased a place on the west part of town on Bates Blvd from Hank Neuman which was built by Burt Bates. Jerry attended the Lodge Pole Public School system and graduated in 1966. He had several jobs before working for the State of Nebraska Road Department at Chappell. In 1971 he began his 40 years with the Union Pacific Railroad. He retired in 2013.

Jerry has participated in the Old Settlers parade since he was a small child. He has missed 3 parades that he knows of to this point in time.

Maryann was raised on a farm northwest of Sidney. She attended a country school north of Sidney through the 8th grade. The next 4 years of high school were spent at St. Patrick's High School in Sidney graduating in 1967. Maryann attended St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island, Nebraska, and graduated in May of 1971 as a Registered Nurse. She began her nursing career at the Chappell Hospital and Nursing Home for 1 year and then started her career as a school nurse for 40 years, 36 of which being with E.S.U. #14 & 13 in Sidney and four years with the Sidney Public Schools, Potter-Dix Public Schools, and Chappell Public Schools. She was also a member of the Lodge Pole School Board for 16 years and has been involved with the Old Settlers celebration for over 25 years. They enjoy spending time with their family and friends.

Lodgepole Days are held every year as a way for residents and individuals from surrounding communities to take part in a variety of activities over the four-day Labor Day weekend.