Thursday, January 22, 2015

Marlin Janas DHS1959 Lead Deadwood High School 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Plus all Past DHS Inductees written by Leatha Heinrich Satterlee DHS1959


As a fellow Deadwood High School 1959 classmate and friend of Marlin and Marge Lindstrom Janas, it is with great pleasure and pride that I submit this article about these two very successful DHS alumni and, in particular, the recent honor bestowed upon Marlin. Marlin Janas, Deadwood High School Class of 1959, was inducted into the Lead-Deadwood High School Hall of Fame in a special ceremony in Lead, Saturday, January 10, 2015.   Being influenced by the right people at the right time and lots of hard work launched Marlin on a career path which included setting athletic records in high school to a full paid athletic scholarship to Adams State College in Colorado. Son Bill Janas attending his father’s induction ceremony addressed the committee by stating “While Marlin was  in College, he continued to excel in athletics and was further challenged by the advice of a well-respected Deadwood High School Coach, Glen Burgess who told him 'Marlin, you stick with it and finish college. You will love being a teacher and coach . . . and if you love what you do, you will never dread going to work a day in your life.'  He found Coach Burgess’ words to be true, and that advice led to the most exciting and rewarding life’s work that he could ever have hoped for."

Meeting during their Freshman year at DHS, teamwork became an early part of Marlin and Margie’s lives.  Seeing in him his ability to reach his full potential, Margie, an honor student, became one of Marlin’s biggest supporters and encouragers. While enrolled in the same college, they married and had two children. Balancing parenthood and rigorous college studies gives a small glimpse at their tenuous strength and commitment. They both graduated college in four years with Margie going on to a full 33-year teaching career. Marlin continued to pursue his career in teaching, coaching and school administration.  Their sports loving family produced a son and three grandsons who all have excelled in numerous sports. The achievements of both Marlin and Margie Janas are testimony to the excellent  foundation for future success received at Deadwood High School.
Marlin’s stellar record setting athletic career includes 5 DHS records which were still standing when Deadwood merged with the Lead Schools in 1972. In college he set more track records, one record not broken for another 11 years. He coached track at Del Norte, Colorado for 14 years with his team being champions 9 of those years and runner up the other 5 years.  Teaching, coaching, and setting athletic records were but a small portion of the many accomplishments of Marlin Janas. He eventually went into school administration and spent many years as a principal and then as Superintendent of Schools in Del Norte, Colorado. Eighteen years after retirement he was called back to Del Norte to view a bronze plaque with his picture upon it installed at the entrance of the track and football stadium with the following inscription: “In honor of Marlin Janas for over 40 years of service to the Del Norte School District as teacher, principal, coach, superintendent of schools, and school board member. The lessons he taught about generosity, passion, high expectations and hard work have inspired numerous Del Norte students throughout the years to recognize their potential and ultimately realize it.” This was the first time Del Norte had given an honor like this. Marlin adamantly believes the great life he has enjoyed was given to him by God.

The super-achieving Janas’ story does not end here. It is of significance I mention that in 1987 Margie was chosen Teacher of the Year for the San Luis Valley Schools in Colorado which is comprised of 13 schools. Thereafter, she received honorable mention for the entire state of Colorado for Teacher of the Year.

Both Margie and Marlin are quick to acknowledge they are privileged to have had such excellent administrators, faculty, coaches, and staff at Deadwood High School.



Lead SD, January 10, 2015
Marlin Janas, Deadwood High School Class of 1959


Marlin Janas
DHS Class of 1959

Marlin held four school records in both high and low hurdles, the mile relay and the 880 relay while attending DHS.

1957 - Marlin set two Black Hills Conference records in high and low hurdles.

1959 - He set school record scoring 36 points in his final home game as a senior at DHS.

Marlin attended Adams State College, Alamosa, CO on a four-year scholarship for basketball and track.

1961 - He set an ASC school record in the high hurdles with a time of 14.6seconds, which was not broken for eleven years.

1962 - Marlin placed fourth in high hurdles at the National Small College Regionals in Emporia, KS.

Marlin was a teacher and coach at Del Norte, CO.  He coached track for 14 years.  Marlin's track teams were Conference Champions nine of those years, and runners-up the other five years.  His teams placed third three times and fourth twice at the State Track Meet.

Marlin was a junior high principal for 16 years at Del Norte, CO and spent the last nine years of his career as Superintendent.

2012 - After eighteen years of retirement, a stone marker featuring a bronze plaque was constructed in Marlin's honor at the entrance of the Del Norte track and football stadium for his 40 years of service to the Del Norte School District.


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Lead Deadwood High School Wall of Fame

Past DHS Classmates, Coaches, Supporter Inductees


Carole Rypkema Hillard

DHS1954 State A Basketball Champions

Bill Jones

Coach Glenn Burgess

Supporter Vince Coyle

 Coach Stewart Ferguson "Fergie"

Renold "Dint" Furois

Hugh "Hootie" Burrington

James Shea

Roland "Rollie" Furois


Carole Rypkema Hillard

DHS1954 State A Basketball Champions


Bill Jones

Coach Glenn Burgess

Vince Coyle

 Coach Stewart Ferguson "Fergie"



Renold "Dint" Furois

Hugh "Hootie" Burrington

James Shea

Roland "Rollie" Furois
Roland (L) Ronald (R)

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Barbara Rich Larson DHS1959 died Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital - Reported by Margaret Crary Sager DHS1961