A local legend for the Manhattan/Ogden 383 school board, and community leader has passed.
91-year-old Jeune Kirmser was known for her presence at the Manhattan/Ogden 383 school board meetings.
Manhattan Superintendent Bob Shannon remembers Kirmser as being an incredible public servant that cared about public policy and education, and in particular at the local Manhattan schools. Shannon says it was her ability to get her point across in a civil manner is an example for any public discourse.
School board member Walt Pesaresi says that he remembers Kirmser as being a regular sight at the meetings, and made sure the board was on track to do the best good.
Kirmser started her attendance at the meetings back in 1956 and although there is no official number on how many meetings she attended it is estimated she went to over 1,000.
Jeune Kirmser was a dedicated listener to NEWS/Talk 1350 KMAN. On Monday and former Program Director of KMAN, Aaron Leiker went on air with examples of that fact. Those included her calls to station managers when the radio went down at 0300 in the morning.
Kirmser was also known for calling into the studio to talk about various issues of concern and also for the occasional correction of pronunciation. The staff of KMAN soon found out the correct way of pronouncing the Arkansas river from Kirmser.
A memorial service is on Tuesday, June 12 at noon at the Unitarian/Universalist Fellowship on Zeandale Road. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to ‘USD 383 Public Schools Foundation’ with ‘Jeune Kirmser Fund’ on the memo line. Arrangements are being handled by Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, 1317 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan 66502.
