Surprise Valley

Surprise Valley School District No. 13
Compiled by Mrs. Deloris Huber
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)

     Surprise Valley at one time consisted of four schools-Deutsch, Butterfield, Black and Littau.
     The first school that was held in Surprise Valley was on Minnie Steinmeyer's homestead. This was located about one mile northeast of the permanent school. She had two small rooms-a kitchen and a bedroom. In the daytime the bedroom was used as a schoolroom and at night the desks were pushed back. Miss Steinmeyer taught the first year in 1913-1914. The following
year Ruth Steinmeyer taught at the same location.
     In 1915 a new schoolhouse was built. There was a dispute as to the location of the building that was finally settled when Silas Counts offered to donate land if they wanted to build on the southwest corner of his homestead. This was centrally located just across the road from the Butterfield house. It was called the Butterfield School. During the next few years Etta Cash, Mrs. Jennie Eilts and Mary Baker Kary taught.
     In 1921 the locality, which had previously been a part of White River District No. 2, withdrew from that district and formed Surprise Valley District No. 13. The first school board members were J. H. Parker, John Cayler, and C. D. Philips. Agnes Hedmen taught the Butterfield School. Butterfield School was closed in 1932 and was not reopened until the fall of 1958 when it was moved to a new location further south, where it is still in operation.
     The Littau School, now known as the Surprise Valley School, was built in 1927 by John Littau and Joe Yellow Robe. John hauled all the lumber from Crookston, Nebraska and was paid by renting the school building until it was paid for. The school board members at this time were Dave Deutsch, Bert Butterfield, and C. D. Philips.
     School opened September 12 and ended May 25. The first teacher was Miss Mercedes Kendall of rural White River, and her salary was believed to have been fifty dollars a month.
     Her first pupils were Donald Claybough, Matilda Wild, Albert Wild, Amelia Brunsch, Edna Littau, Fred Littau, William Wild, Martha Littau, Phoebe Otterman and were joined during the year by Marjorie and James Holder.
     First to graduate from Littau School were Donald Claybough, Matilda Wild, and Ida Banek. Ida moved to Mellette County with her parents in 1928 and finished her schooling there. She later came back as a teacher in this school.
     Some of the earliest teachers, including Miss Kendall, were Miss Ella Lawyer, Mrs. W. F. Kary, and Mrs. Zona Rajewich.
Mrs. Rajewich taught from 1933 to 1938 and went on to become Mellette County's Superintendent of Schools for many years.
     Some of the families who attended school in the earlier days were the Clayboughs, Wilds, Littaus, Ottermans, Holders, Baneks, McKinneys, Greers, and Rasmussens. Many families since then have had their children begin and finish school here.
     The largest enrollment as far as the records show was in the year 1933-1934 when nineteen students were enrolled. Our present enrollment is four-Clifford and Ellen Krogman, Paul Karlin, and Carol Banek.
     The Surprise Valley School has been in continuous session since 1927 in the same building, except from 1941 until 1953. During this time the Black Schoolhouse was moved in and used until destroyed by fire. The Deutsch School was also destroyed by fire several years ago. Many improvements have been made since the schools were first opened. These include electricity, telephone, and gas heating.
     Surprise Valley School has graduated many fine students. Many have gone on to become valedictorians and salutatorians of their classes. Others have done well in various occupations. Among our outstanding students was Fred Littau, who is wellknown for his ability as an athletic coach.
     Dean Adrian was another student who went on to further his education. He has attended Notre Dame University, where he received his degree in civil engineering and liberal arts. At the present time Dean is working on his Ph. D. at Stamford University in California.
     Berthold J. Banek graduated from eighth grade in 1933. After attending White River High School he obtained his degree from State College. During World War II he was with the U. S. Sixth Division on Luzon and received the Silver Star.
     Agnes Banek Guess, another Surprise Valley pupil, became a registered nurse and served in the Army Nurse Corps in Hollandia, New Guinea during the Second World War.