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By Brian Roebke

Editor

Linda (Kaminski) Felten from the Kaukauna High School Class of 1975 will serve as the rallymaster at the Kaukauna Alumni Foundation rally.

Held Saturday, June 21, the rally was originally scheduled for the traditional Father’s Day weekend, June 14, but was moved to June 21 due to scheduling conflicts.

While Felten wasn’t extremely active at Kaukauna High School, she’s been plenty active following high school, mostly known for cantoring in church and performing on the stage.

Her parents, Carl and Jan, were born and raised in Manitowoc. She spent her early years in Little Chute before moving to Kaukauna for third grade. 

“Music has always been in our family,” she said. “Our family did Christmas Mass at St. Al’s for over 40 years,” she said.

Her mother played organ and piano and taught piano, and her grandfather was in the Green Bay Packers Band and had his own orchestra.

When she received a call from Kristine Landreman, the chairman of the board for the Kaukauna Alumni Foundation, Felten had the “why me” question that most people ask themselves.

“I wasn’t popular in high school, I didn’t have a lot of friends, I was in choir and band, I didn’t do theatre until after high school,” she said.

Felten was a member of the Sole Singers starting when she was a teenager, performed in the Kaukauna Catholic School System “Bravo” production for 10 years, Christmas Stars for 10 years, and Kaukauna Community Players for more than 25 years in addition to being a longtime cantor with her mother at St. Aloysius Catholic Parish.

While in high school, she was shy and quiet, something people now would be surprised by because she’s most at home performing in front of people.

“Jim Romenesko actually kind of gave me my start,” she said. “He was a year behind me in high school.”

She started singing with him in Sole Singers then he asked her to be in Classic Arts, a dinner theatre, in Appleton. 

“He knew I could sing and he was looking for ladies to be the wives in ‘Joseph,’ so I said I would try it and I got paid for doing it, and then I thought, this was kind of fun. I also did a Christmas show with him there too.”

When her two daughters got a little older, she saw her brother Brian in a show in Kaukauna where her mother also played piano.

“It seemed like, ‘I could do this,’ and it was something I could do with my girls,” she said. “Music Man in 1998 was the first one we did. From there, I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Her oldest daughter, Melissa Brandom, has stuck it out with her through it all. 

Her other daughter, Vanessa, has a 15-year-old son Camdon, who’s Linda’s only grandson, but also has 7 additional grandkids with her husband Scott.

She met her current husband, Scott, on an online dating website in 2005, and he’s also heavily involved in music and theatre. Three months later, he proposed.

Scott said, “When you know, you know.”

“Both of our moms played for our wedding,” she said.

They met in person for the first time at Sergio’s in Appleton, where they went for karaoke. He admits to being too chicken to sing that night. She got him singing a later time and he was hooked.

Although he had done some acting, she also got him involved in Kaukauna Community Players for his first musical.

Felten was also involved in Girl Scouts for 25 years. “I started in Brownies with my mom being the troop leader for most of my years, then I became a leader for my girls along with her mom and a few others,” she said. “I was also a counselor at Camp Winnecomac in Kaukauna, as well as the Camp Director for a few years.”

She always enjoyed working with the girls, teaching them camp songs and outdoor skills.

When she thought about all the kids who have been touched through KCP in the 26 years she’s been   involved, she realized how music has touched people.

“There was a guy who came to Music Man the second time we did it and he came up to us afterward and said, ‘my wife has dementia, I brought her to the show, and as soon as the music started, she kind of came alive and was singing along. He said, ‘you brought my wife back.’”

Scott’s mother also had dementia, and the family sang and Linda played guitar at a place she was at. She was trying to play the piano on the table and starting to sing along. They were playing Christmas songs where she also came out of the dementia for a short time.

“It’s just amazing how powerful music can be, and all the kids that have come through,” Linda said.

She noted KCP alumnus Ben Kern is involved in shows out east, the Murphy family started with KCP and family members are all over the United States doing music.

Many kids get involved with organized sports as soon as they’re old enough but some don’t have the talent or desire to continue. The arts is a spot they can find their “place in life.”

“A lot of these kids we see when they come to KCP, they’re very shy and introverted kind of people and have anxiety but you get them on the stage and they turn into a whole different person,” she said.

They find a family within the arts community that can be as close as any sports team.

It’s not unusual for a person to post on social media they miss their “family” from a show they had performed together because they spend so much time together for a few months, then the show is over.

Scott noted people who’ve been on Broadway say community theatre is harder than Broadway because they practice for months and only perform a few shows and it’s over.

“It’s so challenging but yet so rewarding,” he said.

Linda has an older brother, Gary, who lives in Oregon; a sister, Kathy, who lives in Tuscon; and a sister, Tracy, who lives in Denver. Her brother Brian passed away in 2013.

Her biggest memories of high school were Robert Lamont telling the class, “Don’t slide,” into the note and her band teacher, Vern Lorbeicki, who famously didn’t like marching band.

She grew up as a southsider who remembers walking to high school past Hilltop Bakery and down the hill. The Kaminski kids played with the Rennicke family next door on Kenneth Avenue and loved to climb trees.

Behind them was a farm owned by the Thelen family. Over on Glenview St. thru the houses were twins Connie and Keith Kuehl.  

She was an at-home mother until she divorced in 1992 and worked in several office jobs over the years, including Madsen Marketing, and she retired three years ago from Time Warner Cable/Spectrum, where she pointed out she had nothing to do with customer service but worked as an admin in the Construction/Engineering Dept.

Despite her years on the stage, Felten admits to being terrified of speaking at the rally.

“I can get up on a stage because I have memorized lines but for me to make a speech, it’s like ‘why did I say yes,’” she said.

However, she thinks it’s a great way to bring increased awareness to music and theatre.

The KHS Class of 1960 holds montlhy class lunches at Electric City Lanes in Kaukauna. At its March lunch, classmates were invited to attend the upcoming 65th Class reunion of June 20, 2025, at Electric City in Kaukauna and also to attend the KHS Alumni Foundation’s Rally at Van Abel’s in Hollandtown on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

Linda Kaminski Felten has been chosen as the Rally Mistress for the 89th annual Alumni Rally. Felten is a member of the class of 1975 which is celebrating 50 years. The Rally will be held at Van Abel’s on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

We are also looking for correspondents for the classes of 1955, 1990, and 2000. E-mail gallopingghosts@kaukaunaalumni.com to volunteer or learn more about it.

Under the warm glow of the setting sun, Kaukauna High School’s Class of 2024 prepares to close a monumental chapter of their lives at the 2nd annual Senior Sunset event hosted by Student Council President Reese Brooks. As they gathered on the Bank of Kaukauna football field on May 24, 2024, seniors enjoyed a night of yard games and memories watching the sun tuck its glow behind the Earth. 

Closing out a significant part of their journey together at Kaukauna High School, the Kaukauna Alumni Foundation generously gifted can koozies to the attending seniors as they now have transitioned into esteemed KHS Alumni. This thoughtful gesture not only provides a practical keepsake but also serves as a poignant reminder to stay connected to the spirit of KHS. With the Galloping Ghosts’ spirit coursing through their veins, they carry forward the legacy of their alma mater with pride and passion.

River View gym renamed Ken Roloff Gymnasium

By Brian Roebke

Editor

What was known at River View Middle School as Gym B and is known to many Kaukauna High School graduates from the mid-60s and earlier as the “the gym” and those after that as the “old gym” now has a new name.

The Kaukauna Area School District held a dedication ceremony for the Ken Roloff Gymnasium on June 16 at River View Middle School.

Emcee Jack Pautz, who made the nomination to the board of education, said Roloff was a gifted athlete, dedicated educator and coach, community-minded server, and a respected family man.

“In terms of being the person to have this gymnasium dedicated to him, Ken Roloff checked all the boxes,” he said.

Pautz told a story of how he learned about Roloff from one of his former colleagues when he taught at Pulaski, Fred Kestly, who was two years behind Roloff at UW-Stevens Point.

Kestly told him what an outstanding classmate and collegiate athlete Roloff was when they played together, but he never heard any of that from Roloff himself.

“He realized he had special gifts but never was boastful or full of pride,” Pautz said. “Instead, he used what was given to him to pay it forward to benefit other young people in their lives.”

Pautz also pointed out that Roloff was kind, one of the more significant dispositions we should strive for in our lives and one of the most important qualities we should model for others.

“He had such an amazing positive outlook on life from my experiences,” Paultz said. 

Ken’s son Chris thanked the crowd of about 60 people for attending what was a happy and joyful day.

“You’re either here because you had history with my dad or thought enough of him or you’re here to support my mom and I,” he said.

When his mother came to him with the idea, Chris could not think of a better space or place to do it than this gym.

“My dad boxed in there when he was a freshman in high school. It is where he played three years of varsity basketball … and he played numerous post-graduation basketball games with some of the really good basketball players who came through Kaukauna High School over the years.”

He often came out on top of those games and one-on-one matches.

Al Borchardt said Roloff beat him both left-handed and right-handed.

“It’s also where he was based for teaching phy ed,” Chris said. “In all those years he taught phy ed, this place was near and dear to his heart. It’s where his office was.”

He explained the office was dark and cave-like with every issue of Sports Illustrated from when it started publishing until that week. 

“He loved that place. That was truly his home away from home,” Chris said. 

Chris asked if the gym was dedicated to his father because of his athletic ability, coaching, teaching, or personality traits.

“I think the answer is yes, yes, yes, and yes.”

Fred Barribeau, who came to Kaukauna in the 1940s, once told him around 1990 he had never seen a more pure athlete come out of Kaukauna than his dad.

As a coach, his highest profile was 1969-74 when he was the varsity football coach and the teams were known for being tough.

“My dad did have a gift for offensive scheme and between his offensive game plans and people executing them, like Karl Mueller, like Warren Hacker, and Reed Giordana for his entire tenure here, his scheming and their execution were quite a formidable opponent,” Chris said.

He noted his dad loved teaching kids who never were in school sports after school or had outstanding talent.

His curriculum was diverse and challenging, but line dancing was gone by the time Chris got to high school.

Chris thought his dad’s personal qualities were why so many people were there for the ceremony.

“Personal qualities, integrity, and a caring demeanor are what relationships are really built on,” he said. “There are a lot or relationships here in this room with my dad in this room.”

Barb said he had heard more about her husband that day than ever before.

“You have all been so great to be here to share this with us, and I’m so proud of the relationships I have with all of you,” she said. 

She thanked Pautz for his hard work to get this done and offered hugs to everyone who came to pay tribute to her late husband.

She said Chris perhaps knew more about Ken than she did but she pointed out she was rolling on the mats in the gym in 1936 when she was 3 years old.

Brian Roebke photos 

Chris Roloff spoke at the Kaukauna Area School District’s dedication ceremony to name a gym after his father, Ken Roloff, on June 16 at River View Middle School.

Barb Roloff spoke about her late husband when the gymnasium known as “Gym B” at River View Middle School was named the Ken Roloff Gymnasium.

Class of 1949 — 75 years

Gene Wenzel, Betty (Leick) Vander Wyst, and Lois (Lettau) Derfus.

Front: Tom Nytes, Joann (Driessen) Yingling, Virgie (Killian) Meulemans, Janice (Wierschke) DeBruin, Mickey (Mangold) Vanevenhoven, Mary Carla (Runte) Bossert, Kay (Killian) Vandenberg, Celine (Ryan) Voris. Back: Nancy (Mayer) Jansen, Jerry Vande Loo, Dick Jaeger, Dot (Coenen) Schmidt, John Schuh, Marion (Van Eperen) Kobussen, and Marilyn (Hartjes) Coonen.

Front: Lee LaRock, Eanie (Campbell) Nytes, Sharon (DeBroux) Lettau, Donna (Schaefer) Vanden Heuvel, Karen (Hahnemann) Lenhart, Bridget Kurth. Back: Doug Micke, Lance Goetzman, Don Feldkamp.

Front: Joy (Piepenberg) Lambie, Pam (Tepolt) Van Dera, Marilyn (Mischler) Kavanaugh, Karen (Hermsen) Broeren, Kitty (Collins) Verhagen, and Mary Bongers. Middle: Barb (Nack) Vander Zanden, Ken Arps, Tom Yingling, Reg Van De Hey, Dennis “Squirrel” Kiffe, Luann (Schmalz) Christian, and Maggie (Landreman) Calmes. Back: Nancy (Britten) Diedrich, Joan (Biese) Hagens, Jim Lorenz, Dale Mooney, Don Verhagen, Dan Biese.

Dick Vandenberg, Jesse James Weiland, Carolyn (Van Lanen) Muir, Judy (Jaeger) Schmitt, Ken Kilgas, Marie Pratt.

Front: Jackie (Zondag) Van De Hey and Kyle (Vandenberg) Brush. Back: Bruce Lamont, Bruce Van De Hey, Greg Eiting, and Craig Kandler.

Front: Amy (Gerow) Schroeder, Bridget (McGinnis) Wirtz, Sarah (Gertz) Larsen, and Sue (Seif) Jansen. Back: Janet (Lenz) Sager, Jane (Lenz) Eiting, Mike Cronin, and Anne (Merbach) Krautkramer.

Barb (Little) Roloff, Jim Kobussen, Ron Van De Hey, Bill Newhouse, Joe Jacobson, and Kay (Killian) Vandenberg.

Janet (Lenz) Sager, Robert Lamont, and Barbara (Little) Roloff.

Kaukauna Alumni Association: Celebrating Our Legacy and Future 

2024 Rally Awards

We came together to celebrate our cherished memories and the remarkable achievements of our fellow graduates and announced the highlights of this year’s alumni gathering. This event is not only a time to reconnect with old friends but also an opportunity to honor those who have significantly contributed to our community.

Rallymaster: Inspiring the Next Generation

This year’s Rallymaster was Bill Newhouse. Known for his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering school spirit, Bill has been a beacon of motivation in building a sense of unity and pride for Kaukauna. Rallymaster speech

Paper Dedication: KHS Alumni Foundation Website

We dedicated our annual paper to KHS Alumni Foundation Website

Alumni Award Winner: Celebrating Excellence

Alumni Award Winner

We are proud to announce Van Abel’s of Hollandtown as the recipient of this year’s Alumni Award. This prestigious award recognizes Van Abel’s and co-owners, Chris Coonen and Anne Coonen Golden as a partners with the alumni association. Van Abel’s has hosted the Rally for the last 88 years. 

Chairman of the Board: Leading with Vision

Our Alumni Association continues to thrive under the exceptional leadership of Kristine Landreman, our esteemed Chairman of the Board. Kristine’s vision and dedication has been instrumental in strengthening our community and advancing our mission. 

Current and past Rally Masters, Paper Dedications, Alumni Award Winners and Chairmen of the Board