Senior News & Views

As legacies turn…

The John Gottschalk Freedom Center, a former newspaper production facility, is named for a onetime publisher of The Omaha World-Herald. Completed in 2001 under his watch, it printed the paper until March 2026. Lee Enterprises then closed the plant and moved printing to Des Moines.

Gottschalk had died Nov. 3, 2024.

Meanwhile, among his projects still active is the Modisett Ball Park in his native Rushville, Nebraska.

In June 1913, Rushville Mayor Chris Heiser sought help to repair the 73-year-old structure. What an inspection found is told in “Extra Innings; the Story of Modisett Ball Park,” a book by Jeff Barnes:

                “The stadium was outdated, not only in building materials…it wasn’t up to code for safety and accessibility standards… Gottschalk needed to create a plan and seek assurances from the community that THEY wanted the park to return.”

                An exploratory dinner involving about 20 citizens was held at the Rushville Legion Club on December 9, 2013. Afterward, Gottschalk announced a challenge: If the people of Rushville would raise $100,000 by March 1, 2014, the Carmen and John Gottschalk Foundation would grant $250,000 and raise $100,000 from donors outside Rushville.

                The pledges to restore Modisett Ball Park surpassed $100,000 on February 24, 2014, and reached $126,000 by March 7 for the luncheon to announce success. The foundation reported raising $100,000 and added another $100,000. The $576,000 total assured the project could start.

                Through the summer, the grandstands, dugouts and restrooms were built. Final details were completed minutes before the first game on August 31, 2014. In a Babe Ruth League game, Rushville-Gordon beat Chadron 8-4. Gottschalk threw out the first pitch.