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National Bus Driver Appreciation Day is April 23rd this year. The Wagner Community School bus drivers deserve to be appreciated and recognized for their unwavering contributions to the Wagner school and students. The WCS bus drivers transport the most precious cargo, the WCS, students, every day to make sure that the students of Wagner have the opportunity to get a good education that will prepare them for their future. WCS currently has nine bus drivers including Terry Hollmann, Kevin Andersh, Todd Johannsen, Tom Cartney, Steven Koupal, Brenton Fuchs, Lenny Gramkow, Jeff Stucky, and Rodney Dally.

Terry Hollman

Terry Hollmann has been driving bus for WCS for almost 44 years. He originally took the job of assistant mechanic with bus driving as a secondary part of the job. The best part of being a bus driver for Terry is getting to be around the students and taking them on outside of school activity trips. Terry’s day starts at around 5:30 a.m. when he gets to the bus barn and ends at 5:15 each day. Terry has two brothers and three sisters. Besides driving the bus, Terry is also a mechanic for the Wagner School District and farms what his grandfather homesteaded. When Terry is not busy at work, he enjoys fishing, hunting and drag racing. He has a stocker drag car that he loves to race at Thunder Valley in Marion.

Kevin Andersh

Kevin Andersh has been driving a school bus for WCS for the past 41 years. Kevin started driving as a substitute route driver when he was 18 years old in 1974. He first became interested in driving bus because the schedule allowed for him to work for the school and farm at the same time. When he started the bus drivers did not have any benefits like the drivers do now. For Kevin, the best part of being a bus driver is having former students come up to talk to him years later or when the pre-schoolers tell him that their mom or dad told them that Kevin was their bus driver when they were in school. Normally, Kevin’s day starts at 7 a.m., but does start earlier in the winter months. Kevin is married and he and his wife have three children and nine grandchildren. He also farms and is a co-owner of Wagner Theatre. When Kevin is not busy with work, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Todd Johannsen

Todd Johannsen has been driving a school bus for WCS for the past 30 years. Todd first became interested in driving the school bus after Ray Kostel convinced him to join the team. The best part of being a bus driver for Todd, are the kids. They are always cracking him up with their jokes and comments. Todd’s day starts at 6:30 a.m. and he drives bus until 8 a.m. Then he is off to work at Wagner Feed Supply from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. From 3 p.m. until about 4:30 he is back driving the bus. Todd is married to Barb Johannsen and they have two sons Tyson and Tait. The couple also has four grandchildren Harvey, Eva, Cora and Isla. Todd works on the farm and at Wagner Feed Supply in addition to driving bus for WCS. When he is not busy working, he enjoys yard work and fixing things.

Tom Cartney

Tom Cartney has been driving a bus for WCS for the past 11 years. He became interested in the job because it was an entry job to begin working for the Wagner Community School system. He later served as a coach and a teacher while also driving for the school. The best part of being a bus driver for Tom is getting to build relationships with the students. Tom’s day starts at 6:00 a.m. when the drivers start checking buses until 8 a.m. Then his afternoon route is from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tom is married to his wife, Julie, and they have two daughters Elisabeth (Omaha, NE) and Rebekah (Carpenter, SD). Besides driving for WCS, Tom is also the pastor at two churches the East Lake Andes Lutheran Church and the Armour Community Church. When Tom is not busy working or preaching, he enjoys running and riding his motorcycle.

Steven Koupal

Steven Koupal has been driving bus for WCS for just short of ten years. Steven first became interested in driving the school bus because of the benefits and great pay for the hours, plus it allows for him to be able to farm between the morning and afternoon routes. The best part of driving the school bus for Steven is getting to know the kids. Steven drives the preschool bus and his day starts at 7:20 a.m. until 8:10 a.m. and then his afternoon route runs from 2:45 p.m. until 4 p.m. Steven is married to his wife, Taylor, and they have two children Carter and Hayes. Steven also farms with his father on the family farm. When he is not busy working, Steven enjoys hunting whatever is in season, spending time with his family and playing and coaching softball.

Brenton Fuchs

Brenton Fuchs has been driving a bus for WCS for the past 9 years. Brenton first started driving for the school when they were short a driver and asked him if he would help out. Brenton gave it a try and really enjoyed it and has been doing it ever since. For Brenton, the best part of being a bus driver is greeting the kids in the mornings. Brenton’s day begins at 6:30 a.m. when he leaves the bus barn and starts his route. During the day Brenton works at the school and then drives the bus route again from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Brenton and his girlfriend, Amanda, have a dog named Pixie. Besides driving the school bus, Brenton also works at the school doing IT/Technology. He works with all the computers, cameras, door fobs, access points, etc. at the school. When Brenton is not busy at work, he enjoys golfing and watching sports.

Lenny Gramkow

Lenny Gramkow has been driving a school bus for WCS for the past two years. He first became interested in the position because of the hours and the opportunity to be around all the kids. The best part of being a bus driver for Lenny is being able to see and talk to the kids every day. Lenny starts his day at 6 a.m. when he gets to the bus barn and is back home by 8:30 a.m. He returns to the bus barn around 3 p.m. and is home by 5:00 p.m. Lenny is married to his wife, Tina. They have two sons, Kyle who is 34 and Dalton who is 18. Lenny has 28 years in law enforcement and was a substitute mail carrier for five years. When Lenny is not busy at work, he enjoys watching the Dallas Cowboys play, going to local car races, and riding his motorcycle.

Jeff Stucky

Jeff Stucky has been driving bus for WCS for the past eight months. He first became interested in driving for the school because he enjoys spending time with kids. The best part of being a bus driver for Jeff is Free Hug Friday. Jeff’s day begins at 6 a.m. when he gets to the bus barn. Jeff also works as a custodian at WCS in between driving the bus routes. He is married to his wife, Mary, and has two stepsons, Brenton and Kyle Fuchs. When Jeff is not working, he enjoys golfing and fishing.

Rodney Dally

Rodney Dally has been driving bus for WCS for the past two months. Rodney first started driving for WCS because the school needed bus drivers as he was already working for WCS, he decided that he would happily help them out. The best part of being a bus driver for Rodney is getting to greet the students when they get on and off the bus each day. Rodney starts his day very early, getting to the bus barn around 5:40 a.m. Rodney also works as the Technology Director for WCS, so in between bus routes, he is back working at the school. Rodney is married and has two sons and a daughter. When Rodney is not busy working, he enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors.

Thank you to all the wonderful WCS bus drivers for starting off and ending students’ day with a smile and transporting them safely to and from school each day.