SWEENEY, EDWIN J. AND KATHRYN V. (KOSTOS)

by Ed and Kathryn Sweeney

Entry F413 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Edwin J. and Kathryn V. Sweeney 1987

Ed and Kathryn Sweeney have resided in
Mullen for several years.

Ed was born at Merna, Nebraska, fifth of
eight children to Edward and Delia Sweeney.
Ed was born on his parents farm that will be
recognized in 1989 as belonging to the same
family for 100 years. Ed is the owner of this
farm.

Ed served in the United States Air Force
during World War II. At the end of the war
Ed was discharged with the rank of Staff
Sergeant.

Ed worked on Sandhill Ranches for a
number of years. In 1958 he decided to
change his career. He moved to Mullen and
worked at Mathews Chevrolet as a mechanic
later becoming a successful car salesman.

In 1963 Ed and Kathryn were married at
Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Island,
Nebraska.

Ed became an employee of the Mullen
School System in 1964.

Ed has a special ability of making the
buildings and grounds under his jurisdication
most attractive.

Kathryn was born to George and Erma
Kostos who resided at Thedford.

Kathryn attended grade school at Thed-
ford, Hecla and Ashby. After graduating from
Ashby High School, she attended Chadron
State College. Upon her graduation she
started her teaching career in Mullen.

In 1945 Kathryn married Claude Henry
Crain who was a postal clerk. Claude passed
away in 1961.

Kathryn was appointed in 1945 to fill the
position of Hooker County Superintendent of
Schools. During this time all school districts
merged into one school district. In 1950 she
resigned to return to classroom teaching.

1950 to 1952 she spent teaching at Seneca,
in the fall of 1952 she returned to a position
in the Mullen Elementary school.

One of the highlights of her career was to
move into the new high school building in
1965.

Kathryn ended her teaching career of 43
years in May 1987. Even the end was a superb
occasion. During the school year the one act
play and the speech team were outstanding.
First place trophies were received by each.
The speech team won the district contest.

Kathryn received many awards and pla-
ques: Fan of the Year, tribute from the senior
class, brass bell, an original poem by Mabell
Cox, and a retirement party hosted by the
Hooker County Education Association which
really proved her favorite statement - To
Teach Is to Touch a Life Forever.

Ed and Kathryn remain very active in
church and community affairs where they
find the greatest people in the world are right
here in Mullen and the Sandhills.