This is the Hall of Fame’s 10th year of induction. The Hall of Fame seeks to honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their lives or vocation and who have made a difference in the communities in which they live, or lived.

The ISD 88 Hall of Fame allows current students an opportunity to understand the value of their education and the possibilities to which it may lead. The Hall of Fame is a way for the school and the community to honor exceptional individuals who, through example, inspire a new generation of students and staff.

An induction ceremony and banquet will be held Friday, April 21, 2023 at New Ulm Turner Hall in conjunction with the Eagles Extravaganza. All are invited to attend! More information and ticket purchases can be found at isd88foundation. org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce and the School’s District Office. A delicious meal will be served and entertainment will be provided by the ISD 88 Oak Street Singers, Jazz Band and Pops Choir.

The inductees include:

Ruth Klossner

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Morris “Morrie” Ness – Service was at the core of who Morris “Morrie” Ness was. The desire to help others was evident early in his adulthood when the Kenyon, Minn. native graduated from Luther College early so that he could join the Navy. On D-Day Morrie valiantly escorted Gen. Bradley safely ashore during the harrowing event.

He proudly served in the Navy from 1943 to 1947 and continued in the Naval Reserves until his retirement as a commander in 1964. It was in 1948 an opportunity to teach at New Ulm High School arose, and Morrie jumped into the teaching career with gusto. He served in many teaching roles at NUHS from social studies and history to physical education. He was also a winning basketball coach and football coach. He was integral to the early success of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and was involved in building the church at its current site. Morrie taught at NUHS until 1962 when he sought to further his education in guidance counseling. He and his wife, Dee, and children, David, Steven, and Julie moved to Excelsior. He attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota, receiving a master’s degree. He went on to become a guidance counselor at Wayzata High School and served as department head. Morrie retired in 1982 and spent his winters with his wife Dee in San Diego. Being close to the ocean and the nearby Naval base was a great fit for retirement. Morrie passed away in 2011 but his legacy remains. His service to our country, the students he taught, and his guidance has left an indelible mark on all the lives he touched.

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Ruth Klossner — For Ruth Klossner, a 1966 graduate of New Ulm High School, life’s path has taken her from 4-H to athletic events to cow collecting to decades of service in this area. Her remarkable zest for the community she loves dearly, and the people in it, has allowed Ruth to create friendships wherever she goes.

Morris Ness

Upon graduation from NUHS, Ruth attended the University of Minnesota. It was there that she found her passion for agriculture was stymied by a professor who told her that women in the profession had two choices: lab work or journalism; neither of which interested Ruth at that time. She changed her major to home economics, though that wasn’t much better. Ruth knew that if she wanted to work with 4-H that going the home economics route was her way into employment in the extension program. She worked a few jobs after college in that arena, then went back to school to get her master’s degree in animal science. Working in extension, she suddenly found her position was eliminated and sought other employment options. An opportunity arose at the Lafayette Nicollet Ledger in 1984, thus began Ruth’s career in journalism. Ruth covered everything from city council meetings to basketball games. She has gone on to write for the Dairy Star and the River Valley publications.

When not writing or taking photos, Ruth has spearheaded hundreds of events in the community through her involvement in many groups including New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club, the Lafayette Lions Club, and Bernadotte Lutheran Church. Her tenacity and drive have been an asset to so many organizations. In addition, Ruth has gained a few bovine friends throughout the years, actually around 19,000 of them. That’s how many are in her Guinness Book of World Records cow-related collection. She opens her home, where the collection is located, to the public with kindness, sharing her love of cows with everyone who visits. Ruth’s impact on the community spans decades, she continues to give of her time and talents, writing and capturing lasting images, educating people on cows, and lending a hand to so many.

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John “Fritz” Burnett — A leader from an early age, John “Fritz” Burnett thrived during his time at New Ulm High School. Fritz was elected class president, participated in choir and marching band, and excelled in football, wrestling, and track. After graduating in 1971, John went to West Point where he was a member of the wrestling team. He also taught Sunday school, joined the glee club and Russian Club, and was part of the cadet acting troop and the Plebe football team. It was during Fritz’s time at West Point that he developed a passion for languages; he became fluent in Russian, German, and Spanish. A couple of weeks after graduating from West Point, Fritz proposed to Sara Josefina (Sari Jo) Disdier and they married in 1976.

Fritz’s career in the military included attending Airborne and Ranger school. He served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, where he received a commendation medal for his exemplary service. He went on to serve with the 72nd Artillery Group in Germany, where he commanded two batteries. He received a Meritorious Service Medal as well as a Commendation Medal for heroism. He then went to Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif. where he received the Commandant’s Award as the top student that year at the institute. This assignment allowed Fritz to not only learn more about the Russian language but also spend quality time with his wife and four children: Ginny May, Sarita, Marisol, and Fritz Jr.

In 1984, Fritz passed away from melanoma. Though only on this earth for 31 years, the impact Fritz made during that short time was immeasurable. From those high school days when his leadership skills and athletic talent took shape, to discovering his passion for foreign languages and proudly serving his country, Fritz’s hard work and determination never wavered.