GHS EDUCATIONAL TRUST ANNOUNCES $2 MILLON DOLLAR BEQUEST FROM THE ESTATE OFJAMES “JIM” A. PARKE

The Glasgow High School Educational Trust is honored to announce the recent receipt of a donation of $100,000 from Don Pehlke, long-time Glasgow resident and businessman.  In making his gift, Pehlke said, “Community service and education have always been important to our family, and I want to continue to support them.”  His late wife, Beryl Pehlke, a passionate educator, and community volunteer, is also recognized in this designation, as well as in one made previously by her family. 

Beryl (Arnold) Pehlke graduated from Glasgow High School with the class of 1950 and continued her education at Northern Montana College (now MSU-Northern) where she earned a degree in Education.   While at Northern, she met Don Pehlke, a graduate of Havre High School in the Class of 1948.  After Don completed two years of active duty in the United States Army, Beryl and Don were married and moved to Missoula where he enrolled in the University of Montana, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1955. 

Following his graduation, the Pehlkes moved to Glasgow.  Don was employed by the first contractor to begin construction on the Glasgow Air Force Base.  He later worked for Morgan and Oswood Construction, both in Glasgow and then Great Falls, and, subsequently, the Pehlkes returned to Glasgow where Don formed a partnership with his friend, Virgil Braden, in 1967. 

Braden and Pehlke Construction, Inc., grew with the community, building many public structures, such as the Valley County Courthouse, Opportunity Bank of Glasgow (originally First National Bank), and several additions and major projects at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. The firm also built the Glasgow Public Swimming Pool, completed in 1974, where three of the four Pehlke children worked as lifeguards, swim instructors, and in cleaning and maintenance. 

Virgil Braden and Don Pehlke also owned and successfully operated B & P Rentals in Glasgow for many years.

While Don was busy building, Beryl was busy teaching.  She taught third grade then fifth grade at the South Side School for several years, and later taught kindergarten in her home.  She co-founded the first school in Glasgow for children with special needs, called the Opportunity School, in the basement of the First Lutheran Church.  In addition, she was a long-term substitute for the Glasgow Public Schools. 

The Pehlkes’ children all attended Glasgow schools and were very active in music, drama, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.  Don and Beryl were very supportive of these endeavors and made it a priority to be present at all events.  Reflecting on their experiences growing up in Glasgow, the Pehlke children commented that they were blessed to have such devoted parents and to live in such a supportive community. 

There is ample evidence of the Pehlkes’ commitment to others, as well.  With roots deep in the Montana prairie, their adult lives were invested not only in their careers and family, but also in improving opportunities for all and in strengthening bonds within the community.  They also were engaged in the larger world, serving as a host family for an exchange student through the American Field Service (AFS) in 1973.

Beryl was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years.  In addition, she served as a Girl State teacher and advisor and as a Girl Scout leader.  She was a devoted and enthusiastic member of Soroptimists, Beta Sigma Phi, and the American Legion Auxiliary, where her children attended classes in patriotism and service. 

Don, despite his demanding work schedule, served on the Glasgow School Board, and was an active member of the American Legion, Glasgow Kiwanis, Shriners, Sunny Side Golf Club, and the Elks.  He enjoyed these activities and the many friends he made through them.

As with all donations to the Glasgow High School Educational Trust, the Pehlke gift will be invested.  Income on the trust’s assets (now valued over $11 million dollars) is used to award financial aid to qualified GHS alumni pursuing higher education at colleges or trade schools throughout the nation, and/or online, through a semi-annual application process administered by the trustees.  Since its inception in 1964, the trust has given over $2.9 million dollars to hundreds of different students.  Many of these students have received multiple awards over their courses of study. 

Students enrolled in four-year programs must have completed one year of study to be eligible.  Those who are enrolled in two-year programs, must have completed one-fourth of the time and credits required for certification or for a two-year degree.  All applicants must be enrolled full-time (12 credit minimum) and be in good academic standing.  The application is available online at www.ghsedutrust.org.  It lists all the additional requirements that must be met, as well as the deadlines--July 1st and October 15th of each year.  Students who apply by July 1st may be eligible for financial aid for both semesters of the upcoming academic year.  Those who apply by October 15th may be eligible for financial aid for the upcoming spring semester only.  

The awards made by the GHS Educational Trust are not traditional scholarships only for those with very high grade-point averages.  All students in good standing who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.   They should log on to the trust’s website now to begin to organize the required documentation.  Applications will not be considered if they are late or if directions have not been followed. 

In addition to the financial aid given to students, the Glasgow High School Educational Trust also purchases enrichment programs and materials for GHS that cannot be financed through traditional, taxpayer funding.  Every department of the school has benefitted from these purchases, as does the public at large when it uses the school’s property or attends events held at the school.  The total dollar value of gifts to the school now exceeds $312,000.    

Donations to the GHS Educational Trust may be made in honor, recognition, or memory of a specific individual, organization, or event.  Contributions that total $500 or more in the name of a specific individual or organization allow for a one-time gift to be awarded in that name.  Donations of $10,000 or more allow for an ongoing naming opportunity on a regular basis.  More information about the trust, (its history, mission, past recipients, and donor forms, etc.) is available on its website at www.ghsedutrust.org.

At its regular semi-annual meeting last November, the trustees gave financial aid for the Spring 2024 semester to the eight students listed below in honor, recognition, or memory of the name(s) listed after theirs.  These students are in addition to the 22 students who were awarded financial aid in July 2023 for both semesters of the 2023-2024 academic year.   

First-time recipients:

Tyann Graham, Miles Community College, IHO Beryl Pehlke; Kyler Hallock, Dickinson State University, IMO Lois Wilson Markle; Michael Hoyer, Montana Technological University, IHO Dorothy Kolstad; Kate Parks Knight, Utah State University, IRO Tom and Flora Coghlan Family; Bergen Miller, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Leonard H. & Kathryn L. Langen; Wilson Overby, BYU-Idaho, IMO Mary Jean Combs Mahugh; Blaire Westby, MSU-Bozeman, IHO Bill and Peggy Pattison Endowment.

Third-time Recipient: Elijah Zeluff, Montana Technological University, IHO Carl L. Dix. 

The first award in recognition of both Don and Beryl Pehlke will be given in the summer of 2024.  Their devotion to family, country, and community, and their generosity and service to others, will long be remembered and will stand as a model for all those who proudly call themselves Glasgow Scotties.