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Nov. 27, 2013
HARTINGTON — Leadership and community service are two words that will forever be synonymous with Gerry Miller’s name.
Hartington’s former three-term Mayor, and long-time business owner died Friday of complications from pneumonia. He was 86.
He wore many hats during his storied career here — auctioneer, public servant, John Deere Implement dealer, volunteer, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
After graduating from Hartington High School in 1945,Miller spent two years in the Air Force. When he returned from the service, he farmed south of Hartington until 1960. He also went to auctioneer’s school in 1947, a career he actively enjoyed the rest of his life.
He purchased shares in the local McFarland John Deere dealership in 1960, and in 1965, became the sole owner of Gerry Miller Implement.
Miller was known as an ambassador, and also known as a friend.
Nov. 27, 2013
HARTINGTON — For the past 12 years, Russ and Kim Kathol have set up a temporary store here to sell and repair jewelry at the annual Candlelight Christmas celebration.
The duo, who own Main Street Jewelers/ Diamond Floral in Plattsmouth, say offering their expertise is about giving back to the town.
“We feel good when we come up here,” Russ said. “People appreciate it.” Russ, son of Darrell and Laurie Kathol, was born and raised in Hartington and is a 1981 graduate of Cedar Catholic High School.
After high school, he attended the University of South of Dakota and pursued a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
There he met Kim in 1982, who is originally from Parkston, S.D., a town similar in size to Hartington.
The two sat next to each other in English. Later the same year, they started dating.
Both went on to earn their bachelor of science degrees in business administration.
In 1985, two weeks after graduating, Russ and Kim tied the knot. The couple then relocated to Sioux Falls, S.D., where Kim started working in the management program at Pizza Hut.
At the time, Russ had not yet found a job, but that would soon change.
One night, while playing poker with some guys in their new apartment complex, one of them asked Russ what he did for a living.
Russ informed him that he was just out of college and currently unemployed.
His response was not one Russ expected.
“The guy said, ‘Come in for an interview, I’ll hire you,’” Kim recalls. “And, he was the manager of Greenberg’s Jewelers.”
Russ started in 1985 at the Sioux Falls location and worked his way up until he eventually was appointed district manager of the three stores in Omaha.
During his time there, Russ also became a certified diamond grader. Nov. 27, 2013 HARTINGTON — The Hartington City Council took another step forward in the process for their paving overlay project.
The Council authorized Dale Bohac, JEO Consulting, to go to bid at their Nov. 25 meeting.
The project plans are 80 or 90 percent done, Bohac said.
“I’m still working on how to handle the ramps on this project,” he said.
Work will be done on Main Street from Highway 57 to Broadway Avenue, Broadway Avenue from Main to Elm Street, Main Street from Broadway to Madison Avenue, and State Street from Summit to Broadway Avenue, according to Mayor Brad Peitz.,Also included are State Street from Broadway to Madison Avenue, Centre Street from Summit to Broadway Avenue, Centre Street from Broadway to Madison Avenue, and the intersection of Summit Avenue and Elm Street.
Overlay paving is laying down asphaltic concrete on top of the current road. Doing so will improve the quality of the road.
