Helping our youth

This Fremont reserve police officer pursued a fast-moving career.

Ron Giesselmann recently became executive director for the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont.

His pursuit was in the cards.

Years ago, while working as an officer, Giesselmann met students who lived at the home. On his days off, he went to the home and played cards with the youth. Football and basketball, too.

These days, Giesselmann has a lot of cards in his hand and rarely gets a rest.

Since 2000, he has been child care director there. He still fulfills that role of youth director until a replacement is found. And he works weekends as a reserve officer -- if time permits.

“Every day is different -- that’s the beauty of the job,” Giesselmann said.

Most days begin with individual meetings with houseparents.

“Paperwork engulfs the rest of the morning,” Giesselmann said.

“A few years ago, we started a structured activity schedule,” he added.

After-school and summer activities include art, ceramics, computers, games and beautification of the grounds.

Giesselmann’s wife, Teresa, teaches ceramics at the home.

The couple has four children. The youngest, Joe, was only 3 when Giesselmann first began working at the home.

“Since we live on campus, it’s fun to see him grow up here,” Giesselmann said.

Giesselmann is well suited to his position.

He studied English and education at Midland Lutheran College and received a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration from Bellevue University.

He uses his education background when training houseparents.

He also has an agricultural background. The north 50 of the 80 acres owned by the Masonic home is farmland.

Currently 25 children are at the home. Recently all competed at the Dodge County Fair.

“Lots of awards,” said Giesselmann, who clocked 402 miles between Fremont and Scribner that week.

Typically, about 30 students live at the home.

“We had a few leave unexpectedly -- but for good reasons,” Giesselmann said.

One joined the Army, one the Marines and another left to attend school in Milford.

Sometimes students leave unexpectedly for other reasons.

“We get some kids who disappear without permission. We have to notify the police. It happens a couple times a year. They go to a friend’s house and come back late,” Giesselmann said. “It’s a huge worry.

“Last summer, we had four girls who thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence,” Giesselmann said.

Through a cooperative effort between staff and police, the girls were found in Omaha, Denison, Iowa, and Washington, D.C.

“Policing is my hobby. I’ve tried fishing, carpentry and golfing,” Giesselmann said.

From police work came another strong suit -- powerlifting.

In 1996, he won the national competition in the law enforcement division.

Giesselmann became goal-oriented through sports. A mentor in high school was coach Jon Appleget, he said.

Previous students from the home stay in touch at unexpected times.

“Calls in the middle of the night, wanting a little advice,” Giesselmann said. “At Thanksgiving -- you hear a knock on the door.”

Dusty Rogers, whom he met in 2000, remains in contact.

“He was here a few years (then) he chose to be here longer. He liked agriculture and was successful in school,” Giesselmann said.

Rogers joined the Army and is probably serving in Iraq, Giesselmann said.

“It’s fun to hear what they are doing and a good way to learn how effective the program is -- or what might need to be changed,” he said.

Giesselmann appreciates the input he receives from others.

He gives accolades to the home’s board of directors, houseparents, Fremont Police Department and Fremont Public Schools.

“Without community effort, it would make this job difficult,” Giesselmann said.

With that framework, it should be a smooth road ahead.