Gary Lembcke
John "Jack" Noennig
John "Jack" Noennig
Coach
Distinguished Service
Gary was a student-athlete at Morris Area High School participating in basketball, baseball, and cross country but basketball is where Gary shined. He became the school's first 1,000 career point scorer and held the school's points record of 1,291 career points for more than 20 years. Gary is a graduate of the Morris Area High School class of 1973.
After high school, Gary continued his education and basketball career at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Upon earning his Elementary Education degree, Gary started a teaching career at Chokio-Alberta Schools. Gary and his wife, Bobbi, then took teaching jobs at Central Elementary School.
Throughout his 30 years as a teacher at Central Elementary School, Gary taught a variety of grades and coached the junior high boys basketball team. Soon after, Gary was offered the position of girls' head varsity basketball coach and served in that role for 39 years.
During his time as head coach, Gary led the girls' team to 689 wins which is the 6th all-time record for girls' basketball in the state of Minnesota. He earned 13 conference championships and led teams to four state tournaments in 2007 (4th Place), 2015, 2016, and 2018 (3rd Place). Gary was not only appreciated by those who played for him but also by his fellow coaches. Gary was voted as Section Coach of the Year four times in his career. He also received the MRC Outstanding Coach award in 2015 and was inducted into the Minnesota Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. For his playing days, Gary was inducted into the University of Minnesota Morris Hall of Fame with his college basketball team.
Through the years, Gary can recall countless memories from standing on the sidelines including some of his most memorable experiences participating in the state tournaments and leading the team to seven consecutive conference championships. Gary has been fortunate to coach many great student-athletes who have come through Central High School and has left an impact on each of their lives. Gary will always be fortunate to be able to coach his two daughters, Anna and Danielle. Sharing the court with them will forever hold special memories for their family. Gary and Bobbi have three children, Nic, Anna and Danielle, and now they have seven grandchildren. Thank you, Gary, for your commitment to Central Public Schools and our basketball program!
John "Jack" Noennig
John "Jack" Noennig
John "Jack" Noennig
1959 Graduate
Distinguished Alumni
Jack Noennig was raised in Hamburg where his father was the principal and a teacher at Emmanuel Lutheran School and his mother was a church organist and piano teacher. He would later follow both of his parent’s paths with education (his vocation) and music (his avocation).
He started piano lessons at age 5 and convinced his mother to let him study violin. Jack traveled by bus to McPhail for lessons since there were no string teachers in the area and went on to perform with “The Golden Strings” six nights a week at the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis as an adult.
After graduating from Central High School as part of the class of 1959, he earned a degree from Concordia and a doctorate from the U of M. He had a long and impactful career in education, starting the string program in Minnetonka where he taught elementary grades and served as assistant principal. He was also principal at Central Elementary from 1972-1979 was known to encourage staff to think out of the box and to take curriculum beyond the textbook and help children apply it.
Bongards On Wheels (BOW) was developed for grades 5 and 6 and was an initiative where students and staff took a one week field trip to Northern MN and lived and applied the curriculum with lessons taught during travel time. Planning stages for a new elementary school began under his leadership. He helped form a committee to explore earth sheltered schools in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s. He served as superintendent in different Minnesota school districts throughout his career.
Family has always been important to Jack. When he was growing up at home, the Noennig Family Orchestra consisted of his mom on piano, dad on violin, brother on cello, sister on flute and Jack on violin. Music continues to bond his family. In 2005 the Noennig Family Orchestra, consisting of Jack on violin, son Joel on string bass, daughter Joy on violin, and daughters Cathie and Melissa playing keyboard and piano, played for the 150th anniversary of Glencoe. The older grandchildren were invited to join in and his wife Janet was behind the scenes making sure everything ran smoothly. Shortly after that, other musicians from the area joined and the group became known as the community strings, which still plays in smaller community venues.
Congratulations and thanks for your huge impact on the community Jack!
Rob Shanahan
John "Jack" Noennig
Dennis Stuewe
1984 Graduate
Arts & Athletics
Rob Shanahan is a member of the class of 1984 who took his passion for music and photography to some rocking places. Rob Shanahan played drums in percussion from grades 5-12 in programs including marching band, concert band, jazz band, drum line, and swing choir. He also lettered in football, was homecoming royalty, and received the John Phillips Sousa Award his senior year.
After high school, he attended Mankato State University until he left his senior year and moved to Los Angeles with his brother, living in a van purchased from teacher Ross Mason.
"After moving to Los Angeles, it took a few years to get traction, then I started as a contract photographer for the NFL, Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the LA Kings, eventually finding my way in the music industry and becoming the 'Photographer to the Rock Stars' (Google’s words, not mine)," said Rob. " I’ve had the honor of working with & photographing almost every major music star of the past 30 years, and it all started with Mr. Schroer and the Central Music Program!"
Rob has published two photography book with foreword by Ringo Starr and Sheila E. respectively, and an epilogue by Keith Richards in his second book. He has also been drumming for The Hollywood Stones for 31 years, serves as a Corporate Keynote Speaker, travels the world and is a self described health & fitness junkie and proud girl dad. Congratulations Rob!
Dennis Stuewe
1983 State Dance Team
Dennis Stuewe
1958 Graduate
Arts & Athletics
Central Public Schools is honored to recognize an alum who made a big impact in his life, Dennis Stuewe. Dennis was a part of the Central High School Class of 1958. He passed away in 2022 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
In high school, Dennis participated in track, football and basketball. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska where he received a full scholarship to play football. Dennis earned a place on the 1962 All-Conference team. After graduating from UNL, his athletic career continued by playing professionally for the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets from 1964-1968.
He moved to New Jersey and met Rita Kane and they were married in 1971. Dennis and Rita were married 51 years and had three children of their own. Dennis was a physical education teacher in Warren Township Public Schools up until the year 2000. During the summer months, he would build decks and take time to tend to his garden. He was actively involved in the community coaching Franklin Township Little League baseball, and helping coach the Franklin Pop-Warner football team for many years. He also enjoyed playing pick-up basketball at Rutgers Prep on Sunday mornings.
Dennis was also an avid volunteer at their home parish St. Matthias Church in Somerset. He was an usher, volunteered at the church carnival and served as a carnival co-chair. Dennis was able to participate in a mission trip to New Orleans and helped families rebuild their homes after Hurricane Katrina.
Dennis enjoyed visiting his family in Minnesota and was always up for a good game of sheephead with his seven brothers talking about the old days on the Hamburg farm. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling all around watching his children's, and later, his grandchildren's various sporting events. He was a humble man, always there, supporting them all, with a smile on his face and we are honored to be able to induct him into the hall of fame!
Charlie Storms
1983 State Dance Team
1983 State Dance Team
1975 Graduate
Distinguished Alumni & Service
Central Public Schools is excited to announce our next Hall of Fame honoree, Charlie Storms from the Class of 1975!
From an early age, Charlie learned the definition of hard work from his early years growing up on a farm in Cologne. Welding and repairing tractors and farm equipment led him on a career path full of opportunities for himself and his family as well as growth for his community. Charlie has been a handyman, a business owner, a coach, an active member of the community, and much more.
Charlie is a graduate of Central High School’s class of 1975. Out of high school, he worked for an engineering company, a construction company and an auto-body shop. Soon after, he established his own company Storms Welding and Manufacturing. Back to his roots, naturally his company built and repaired farm equipment. After years of growth, the company was involved in building large dairy barns and equipment. He even shipped equipment to Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia. After 31 years, Charlie sold the company and stayed involved during the transition.
In his free time outside of building a business and growing a family, Charlie was involved in any impactful community project that headed his direction. He led the efforts in the fundraising and planning of a new community pool, he repaired and planned for upgrades to the local baseball/softball fields in advance of the city hosting a state tournament, and he chaired the Good Friday Fish Fry Event in Norwood.
With an eye for city planning and big ideas, Charlie served in several roles on the city’s planning commission as well as parks commission. Currently, he is on the Council, Planning, HR Commission and the Southwest Corridor Commission. He has also served as board of directors for the Norwood Baseball Club and the NYA Ballpark Association.
Charlie and his wife enjoyed raising their family in the area and their three children also attended Central Public Schools. They were very involved in their children’s education and activities by participating in the Central Booster Club. Charlie also took time to coach his son’s baseball team. Their young family was always camping, fishing, and snowmobiling together.
Our community continues to be an incredible place to live, work and play and we can thank Charlie for his positive impact on our community and continuing to look out for opportunities to make it an even better place to call home.
1983 State Dance Team
1983 State Dance Team
1983 State Dance Team
1983 State Dance Team
This Hall of Fame honoree is not one person, but an entire team. We’re proud to celebrate the Central High School 1983 State Champion Dance Team!
The Central High School dance team dedicated their time to the sport all year long. From summer parades with the band, to dancing at sporting events, to competing at local and state competitions. Under the leadership of Coach Jenny Rosengren, the team attended the state competition each year.
The team put in the hard work to perfect their dance routine choreographed to the song “Desdemona” from the TV Show Fame. At the 1983 state competition, they finally earned the title of State Champions. The final standings were: 1. Central 2. Waconia, 3. Annandale, 4. Archbishop Brady, 5. Crosby-Ironton. Following the championship, the team were invited to dance at a Vikings football game.
Coach Jenny Rosengren was in her sixth year as an Advisor when they were named state champions. She was a danceliner herself as a part of the Highland Lassie, which was known to have the reputation of one of the best in the state.
1983 Championship Dance Team
-Seniors: Susie Beier and Dana Glander
-Juniors: Bonnie Siewert, Mia Wichelman, Andrea Rodgers, Diane Lenzen and Connie Wotczak
-Sophomores: Jody Schuettpelz, Linda Stuewe, Tammy Wald, Carol Panning and Mary Salonek
-Freshman: CoCo Rodgers, Janel Lenzen, Kim Willemsen and Kelly Wolter
-Coach: Jenny Rosengren
Our alumni association reached out to members of the 1983 championship team and many of them shared their favorite memories:
“My favorite moment was at State in 1983 and we just competed in the finals. We were all sitting arm-to-arm in a circle waiting for the results. They started with the lower finishes on their way to first place. The last two teams left were us and the Waconia Lakettes (our rivals). The announcer said, ‘and second place goes to...the Waconia Lakettes’. At that moment, I realized we won and were state champions! We cried, we screamed, and we hugged one another to celebrate such a great accomplishment. Forty-two years later, recalling that moment still gives me goosebumps!”
Jody (Schuettpelz) O'Neil
“At State, the Waconia Lakettes were our biggest rivals, so when we heard ‘in 2nd place, Waconia’ we were ecstatic!”
Kelly Wolter Farrell
“I have so many great memories of my years on the dance team:
Creating a bond and friendship with all the ladies on the team and practicing most days after school. We all took it very seriously and wanted to do our best.
Participating in all the dance competitions at other schools
Dancing at half time for school sports
A top memory for me is when we got first at State, which also meant finally beating Waconia's danceline 
Grateful for Rosie, who made the danceline so fun. She was an awesome coach!”
Carol (Panning) Dvorak
“The danceline competitions were absolutely amazing. Getting all of our hair done before a competition with tons of dipity doo and hairspray! We all did each other's hair. Such great memories. Taking the bus loaded with family, friends and the danceline. Many hours of daily practice in the commons (lunch room) stretching, practicing, helping each other do the splits against the walls. Crazy! Friday pepfest in the gym before games was a highlight and oftentimes the Indianettes would perform. Parades were just as fun in the summer with the band where we did flags and twirled the guns. Super cool to do this with the band. Winning state was incredible for us because we worked so hard to get there! Desdemona was our song and we beat our rival (Waconia Lakettes!). Many happy tears that day! Thank you for honoring us in the CHS Hall of Fame 2025!”
Linda (Stuewe) Sons
“In being a member of the Central Dance Team I learned many life lessons, in personal hard work and in team work. I made good friends and good memories. The best memory I have of that day was after we had finished our final routines and we were waiting on the gym floor, huddled together as a team, hearing the results of the judging. They named off the teams and were down to our team and Waconia. Then they said, ‘Second Place Waconia…’ thus giving us First Place! We were ecstatic! All our hard work had paid off!”
Connie (Wotczak) Gray
Congratulations to the 1983 Dance Team!