2026 Dow City-Alumni Banquet
Greyhound Award goes to Thomsen family
The Dow City-Arion Alumni Association has announced that the 2026 Greyhound Award recipients are the late Jack and Barb Thomsen. A presentation team consisting of
Dee (Leinen) Shaw (’76), Ace Ettleman (’73), and Jane (Feser) Freund (’66) will present the award to the Thomsen family on May 23 at the upcoming Alumni Banquet in Dow City.
Jack Thomsen graduated from Dow City High School in 1953. He lived within a few miles of where he was born north of Dow City his entire life except when he served in the military. He often chose not to be recognized for his service because it was during peacetime.
Barb Delehant graduated from St. Joseph High School in Dunlap, Iowa in 1956 and then attended nursing school in Council Bluffs. The two married in 1958 and spent their lives together raising eight children who would graduate from the Dow City-Arion/Boyer Valley Community School including; Barb (Bobbi) (’77), Jeannie (’80), Steve (’81), Kenny (’82), Rich (’84), Jackie (’85), Andi (’96), and Jamie (’98).
The Thomsens played important roles in the formation of the Dow City Community Club and construction of the Community Building. Jack served on the Building Committee and together they fundraised and donated labor to build the Community Building. They did the same when it was time to update the bathroom, the kitchen, and the exterior over the years. Volunteering for the Community Club also meant tending bar at weddings and events, organizing and working Bingo, soup suppers, Euchre tournaments, pancake breakfasts, Santa’s visits, and so much more.
When Dow City prepared to celebrate its centennial and quasquicentennial, Jack and Barb were there to help plan, fundraise, promote, and execute the celebrations. They set up and rode on a float with a replica of the Dow House in area parades to promote the quasquicentennial celebration.
Barb was known for her pies which she baked for bingo at their church, bingo at the Community Club, church dinners, fundraisers to get marching band uniforms, for after-prom and senior trip soup suppers, and so many other events.
Barb taught CCD at St. Mary’s Catholic Church for several years and served on the Altar Society. Jack served his church through labor by helping set up the Nativity scene each year and handyman jobs. Jack served as a township trustee for Paradise Township.
Much of the Thomsens’ time was dedicated to the school and to the lives of their children. Both worked the concession stand for countless games because as they often said they “were going to be there anyway.” Jack and a hayrack were called upon several times for Homecoming parades and auctions.
Jack and Barb’s pride for their community became highlighted when the Dow City-Arion school was combining with Dunlap. The Thomsens were not against joining, but they fought to keep a school in Dow City knowing what losing the school would mean for the town.
The Thomsens showed up when there was a need, volunteering for the school, their community, and their church throughout their lives. They embody the spirit of the Greyhound Award.
The annual Alumni Banquet will be held May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Boyer Valley North (former DC-A School) Gymnasium, Dow City. Alumni and faculty can make their reservations to attend the banquet by sending $20 per person ($30 per person for responses paid or postmarked after May 15th) to Dow City Alumni Association, P.O. Box 163, Dow City, IA 51528, or by paying via PAYPAL to DCAalumni@hotmail.com.
Please include with your payment, the year of your graduation and, if applicable, your preference to be seated with your class or with your spouse’s class. Responses postmarked or paid after May 15th may not necessarily be seated with their respective graduating classes. Phone reservations are not accepted.
The alumni committee encourages alumni to bring guests who are 16 years of age and older.
For more information about the 119th DC-A Alumni Banquet, please contact Tracey Schechinger at 712-269-2413, or email DCAalumni@hotmail.com.
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Previous ‘Greyhound Award’ Honorees
Dow City-Alumni Award Winners
2025: Mariellen Sharp and Jodi Klein.
2024: John Kline and Mike Weber
2023: Jeri Vogt;
2022: Jack Ahart and Victor Thomsen
2019: Ace and Marilyn Ettleman
2018: Peggy Christie, Helen McCoid, and Elisabeth Petersen
2017: Vincent Leinen
2016: Alan and Maxine Garrett and Jim Steinkuehler
2015: Charles and Jane Smith and Marilynn Keuck
2014: Doris Kahl and Susan Weber
2013: Linda and Verle McCutcheon and Christine Brink
2012: Lois Brasel, Rena Riley, and Patricia Blankman
2011: Nellie Brasel, Phyllis TenEyck, and Robert Custer
2010: Becky Eimermann, Bill Eimermann, and Glen Cary
2009: Laura Westermeyer
2008: Gene Harre, Joan North, and Marvel Heistand
2007: Pat Garrett
2006: Clarice Rule
2005: Helen Hartwig
2004: Albert Ordal
2003: James Kloewer, Melvin ‘Crip’ Miller, and Vernon Shotwell
