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Charted Course

Alumni Newsletter of Columbus Catholic Schools
June 2026 Edition

Dear Columbus Catholic Alumni and Friends,

We are excited to welcome you to a new chapter of Charted Course. Beginning with this issue, our alumni newsletter will be delivered digitally, allowing us to connect with you in a timely, engaging, and environmentally responsible way. While the format may be changing, our commitment to sharing the stories, achievements, and spirit of the Columbus Catholic community remains the same. Whether you graduated this year or more than 70 years ago, you remain an important part of the Columbus Catholic story, and we look forward to staying connected with you through future editions of Charted Course.

As you read this issue, we invite you to consider how you can stay connected to Columbus Catholic through prayer, volunteering, attending alumni events, or supporting our Annual Fund.

In This Issue

Please click an item below to jump to that section.

 

Introducing our Newest Alumni - Columbus Catholic Class of 2026

We are proud to introduce the 75th graduating class of Columbus Catholic High School! The Class of 2026 joins a proud tradition of Columbus Catholic graduates who continue to make a difference in their communities, professions, and families around the world. Their next steps reflect the many ways Columbus Catholic graduates continue to serve, lead, and grow. 20 are attending a four-year college (some with plans to go beyond). 7 are attending technical colleges. 2 are entering apprenticeship programs in the trades. 2 are serving our country in the military. And 6 are entering the workforce. This class earned more than $666,000 in scholarships for their post-secondary education.

Photo caption: The Columbus Catholic High School Class of 2026, the 75th graduating class in school history.

Photo credit: Shane Coombs Photography

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Alumni Making a Difference

Anthony (Tony) Pichler '82 Honored by Green Bay Packers

Columbus Catholic alumnus Anthony (Tony) Pichler, Class of 1982, was named the Green Bay Packers' 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker Award recipient. The award recognizes community leaders who are making a meaningful difference through service and advocacy. For more than 40 years, Pichler has worked to support individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty in Northeast Wisconsin, helping to found organizations such as St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, the Micah Center, and Whatsoever You Do, Inc. His lifelong commitment to serving others continues to make a lasting impact throughout the Green Bay community.

Read more: https://www.nfl.com/causes/inspire-change/changemakers/2025/packers 

April (Folz '99) Seubert Appears on Wheel of Fortune

Columbus Catholic alumna April (Folz) Seubert, Class of 1999, appeared on Wheel of Fortune during the show's Teachers Week. The Wausau educator captured viewers' attention with her memorable maiden name and impressive performance, winning a trip to Ireland, an Audi, and more than $57,000 in cash and prizes. Her appearance was featured by TV Insider and celebrated by Wheel of Fortune fans across the country.

Read more: https://www.tvinsider.com/1227092/wheel-of-fortune-april-folz-fools-teacher/

Randall Ruder '88 Named Club Executive of the Year

Columbus Catholic alumnus Randall Ruder, Class of 1988, has been named the 2025 Club Executive of the Year by the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), one of the highest honors in the club management profession. As General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck, New York, Ruder has built a reputation for exceptional leadership, mentorship, and innovation throughout his more than 30 year career. The January/February 2026 issue of Club Management magazine features Ruder's journey from intern to industry leader and recognizes the lasting impact he has made on both his club and the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Read more: https://www.club-mgmt.com/clubmanagement/library/item/2026january_february/ 

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CCS Athletics Continue to Build Momentum

The 2025-26 athletic year was filled with memorable moments, competitive success, and continued growth for Columbus Catholic Schools. Student-athletes represented the Dons with pride while demonstrating the commitment, sportsmanship, and perseverance that define our programs.

New Facilities Create Opportunities

This year marked the first full school year utilizing the Columbus Catholic Fieldhouse, weight room, batting cages, and expanded athletic performance spaces. These facilities have quickly become an important part of the student-athlete experience while also serving as a gathering place for youth camps, tournaments, special events, and community activities. We remain grateful to the many donors, supporters, and volunteers whose generosity helped make these opportunities possible.

Photo Caption: Area students learn basketball skills from Coach Joe Konieczny '96 in the Columbus Catholic Fieldhouse.

Winter Sports Highlights

The winter season provided many highlights for Dons athletics. The boys basketball team captured another Eastern Cloverbelt Conference Championship and, along with the girls basketball team, enjoyed a successful season that included exciting postseason runs. Freshman Elly Gardner earned First Team WBCA Division 5 All-State honors and participated in the WIAA State 3-Point Challenge after averaging more than 20 points per game. The Spencer-Columbus-Granton wrestling program also enjoyed another strong season, highlighted by state tournament appearances from Anna Becker and Azariah Hoffman.

Photo Caption: Elly Gardner earned First Team WBCA Division 5 All-State honors and participated in the WIAA State 3-Point Challenge

Photo Caption: Anna Becker and Azariah Hoffman competed at State for Wrestling

Photo Caption: The boys basketball team captured another Eastern Cloverbelt Conference Championship

Spring Successes

Spring athletics continued that momentum. Both baseball and softball captured Eastern Cloverbelt Conference Championships, and together the two programs earned an impressive 17 All-Conference selections, showcasing the depth and talent throughout both rosters. Leading the way was Shelby Spata, who earned Eastern Cloverbelt Conference Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Senior Jack Kohlbeck extended his golf season by advancing to WIAA Sectional competition, representing the Dons on one of the state's most challenging postseason stages. On the track, numerous athletes earned all-conference honors, while the boys' 4x800-meter relay team advanced to the WIAA State Track & Field Championships. As this publication goes to print, the baseball team has begun postseason play with hopes of making a deep tournament run.

Photo Caption: The girls softball team captured the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference Championship

Photo Caption: The boys baseball team captured the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference Championship

Photo credit: Shane Coombs Photography

Photo Caption: The boys' 4x800-meter relay team advanced to the WIAA State Track & Field Championships

Photo Caption: Jack Kohlbeck extended his golf season by advancing to WIAA Sectional competition

Photo credit: Lucky Shot Media

Beyond the Scoreboard

Beyond the scoreboard, Columbus Catholic Athletics continues to emphasize faith, character, leadership, and service. Community traditions such as Joe Altmann Night, youth camps, the Dribbling Dons program, and countless volunteer efforts remind us that athletics are about much more than wins and losses.

As we celebrate another successful year of Dons athletics, we look forward to continuing to build opportunities for our student-athletes while carrying forward the proud traditions of Columbus Catholic Schools. We invite you to stop by and see the continued impact of our facilities this summer as they host tournaments, camps, leagues, and countless opportunities for athletes of all ages to learn, compete, and grow. 

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Upcoming Reunions

1956 & 1957 (Combined 69th & 70th Reunion)

  • Date: September 24, 2026
  • Location: Nutz Deep
  • Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Contact '56: Ron Braem '56, 608-335-0165, rsbraem@tds.net
  • Contacts '57:
  • Don Offer '57, 715-207-0091
  • Don Hager '57, 262-628-6484, dhager53017@hotmail.com 

1976 (50th Reunion)

  • Date: September 26, 2026
  • Time:
    • 1:00 p.m. Tour of Columbus Catholic High School
    • 4:00 p.m. Reunion
  • Location: Nutz Deep | 809 S. Central Ave. | Marshfield WI 54449
  • Cost: $25 per person (food provided with a cash bar)
  • RSVP Deadline: August 15, 2026
  • Contact: Mary (Buttke '76) Binder, 715-305-2621, marybinder@hotmail.com  

Gathering the Night before the 50th Reunion

  • Date: September 25, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Home of Bob and Deb Forst
  • Details: Snacks provided, BYO beverages

1986 (40th Reunion)

  • Date: November 7, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Nutz Deep, 809 S. Central Ave., Marshfield WI 54449
  • Contact: Sue (“Braem-o”) Dueber, 612-396-8244, sued328@gmail.com
  • Details: Spouse/Significant other welcome.  Casual. Happy Hour format.  We will request a very small fee - More details to come.

2001 (25th Reunion)

  • Date: June 13, 2026
  • Tour of Columbus Catholic: 10:00 a.m.
  • Reunion at Wildwood Pavilion Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.
  • Location: Wildwood Pavilion at Wildwood Park, 1800 S. Roddis Ave., Marshfield WI 54449
  • Contact: Rory Hanlin, rory.hanlin@gmail.com
  • Details: Kids and families are welcome. More details will follow.

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Reunion Memories

Alumni continue to gather, reconnect, and celebrate lifelong friendships. Here are a few reunion highlights from the past year.

Class of 1965 – 60th Reunion – November 2025

The Class of 1965 held their 60th Reunion at Alpine Holiday 2025. They had a nice turnout and enjoyed spending time at our annual community event.

Photo caption: Members of the Class of 1965 gathered to celebrate their 60th reunion during Alpine Holiday 2025, reconnecting with classmates and sharing memories from their years at Columbus Catholic.

Class of 2010 – 15th Reunion – November 2025

A small but mighty crowd showed up and everyone said it was like no time had passed at all. The tour was also very fun to see all the changes over the 15 years.

Photo caption: Members of the Class of 2010 returned to Columbus Catholic to celebrate their 15th reunion and see the many changes that have taken place on campus since graduation.

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Alumni in Memoriam

The following Columbus Catholic Alumni have passed away since our last Charted Course. If there are any that we have not listed, please let us know so that we can keep our records updated.

Please click on their name to view the obituary online. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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Help Shape the Future of Dons Volleyball

Columbus Catholic Schools is seeking individuals who are passionate about working with student-athletes to help support our volleyball program for the upcoming season.

We are currently looking for a JV2 Volleyball Coach (paid position) and a 6th Grade Volleyball Coach (volunteer position). These roles provide an opportunity to mentor young athletes, teach the fundamentals of the game, foster teamwork and sportsmanship, and help continue the proud tradition of Dons Volleyball.

Whether you are an experienced coach, former player, parent, alum, or simply someone who enjoys working with students, we would love to hear from you.

For information about the JV2 coaching position and to apply, visit the Columbus Catholic employment opportunities page. To learn more about the volunteer 6th Grade Volleyball Coach position, contact Kat Egle at katrinaegle@gmail.com.

Help us make a lasting impact on the next generation of Dons student-athletes.

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Support the Mission of Columbus Catholic

For 75 graduating classes, Columbus Catholic Schools has been forming students in faith, academic excellence, leadership, and service. The successes and achievements highlighted throughout this newsletter are made possible through the generosity of alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends who believe in our mission.

Gifts to the Columbus Catholic Annual Fund help make Catholic education accessible for every student while supporting strong academics, meaningful faith formation, and the programs and opportunities that enrich the student experience.

Thank you for investing in the future of Columbus Catholic and helping us continue our tradition of educating students for lives of faith, service, and success.

Make a gift today and keep the Don moving: https://www.columbuscatholicschools.org/about/annual_appeal.cfm 

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Stay Connected


Visit Our Alumni Page on our Website: https://www.columbuscatholicschools.org/alumni.cfm

  • Connect with other alumni
  • Add your name to our veterans wall
  • Update your alumni information
  • Submit class notes
  • Share alumni achievements
  • Report alumni milestones and reunions

Thank you for your continued support of Columbus Catholic Schools and for helping keep the spirit of the Dons strong for future generations.