Cambridge sculptor creates 'Our Canteen Lady' to honor volunteers of World War II

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Artist Sondra Jonson, front left, with Gerri and Terri Krolikcowski, Dean and Jean Niedan, donors. (Courtesy photo)

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Cambridge artist Sondra L. Jonson's original bronze, "Our Canteen Lady," was unveiled Sunday in the preview opening of the Prairie Arts Center, 416 N. Jeffers in North Platte.

The structure was built as a post office and later housed Mid Plains Community College classrooms and offices.

The sculpture, honoring the volunteers who met every troop train during World War II at the North Platte Canteen, was donated to the center by Dean and Jean Niedan of North Platte.

They had seen the sculpture on display at Yankton, S.D.'s RiverWalk Art Show, and wanted her to greet visitors to the Prairie Arts Center.

Dean and Jean Niedan, their oldest daughter Terri Krolikkcowski and her husband, Gerri, and Artist Sondra Jonson were on hand Sunday to unveil the Canteen Lady and present the sculpture to Arts Center guests.

Since 2009, a dedicated group of volunteers and community leaders have undertaken the renovatio and redesign of North Platte's original federal building, built in 1913 to serve as post office and courthouse. The three-story brick building was modeled after the architectural style of an Italian Renaissance Villa, with high ceilings, marble floors and extensive woodwork.

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