When it was all over Sunday afternoon, Larry and Joanne Croker could have been elected mayors of Adams. Mower County commissioners, too.

Who knows? Maybe even governors.

Peter Grover received an affection send-off, when he retired as Southland Elementary School principal two years ago.

Surely, Larry Tompkins, Southland's superintendent retires, he will receive an emotional farewell from a grateful school district when he retires.

But it will be hard to top the celebration at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams Sunday afternoon.

"They said a lot of nice things about Joanne and Larry today. Tell me the truth: Is Larry as good as advertised?" a reporter asked Norma (Mrs. LaVerne) Hoffman afterwards.

Mrs. Hoffman, a school librarian assistant, hesitated for a moment before replying, "He's better."

Ask a Sacred Heart family about Larry Croker's wife, Joanne, and one could expect the same, albeit gender altered, reply.

They are going to be missed after serving a public school system and a Catholic school so diligently for three decades.

Larry Croker is retiring as Southland principal. His wife, Joanne, is retiring as principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Adams.

Larry was hired to be principal and Joanne as a substitute teacher. The year was 1972 and consolidation would follow. Independent schools in Dexter, Elkton, Adams and Rose Creek merged into the Southland district.

The couple raised their children in the small town and watched them progress through local schools after moving to Adams from southeastern Iowa.

Larry left the Southland district ever so briefly to try another administrative job in a neighboring school district, but returned to his Southland post.

Joanne has been a constant force in Catholic education as a teacher and administrator throughout her life in Adams.

On Sunday, over 400 people filled the Sacred Heart Catholic School fellowship hall to honor the couple.

Rick Hinz, a retired Southland High School math teacher, was master of ceremonies for the open house party.

"Larry and Joanne who?" he joked. "If you

thought we were going to be nice today," Hinz warned the couple. " Think again. You're retiring and I'm retired. I've got nothing to lose."

So began Hinz's steady stream of jokes told at the expense of the couple.

Even the Rev. Greg Leif, senior pastor of Sacred Heart and St. John the Baptist Catholic churches, poked fun at the coupe before turning serious. "Larry and Joanne have done so much for this place," the Catholic priest said. "Joanne had a vision for Sacred Heart school and she has been a part of so many accomplishments such as accreditation and teaching the students. The two of them have been a gift to us."

Larry Tompkins, Southland's long-time superintendent, said, "Working with Larry Croker has made me a better person."

Tompkins gave the Southland principal an engraved golden apple.

Kathy Heimer and Jane Boe, teachers at Sacred Heart,

read a poem featuring Joanne.

Maureen Noterman, Southland social worker and newspaper reporter, and Carol Kiefer, secretary for the Southland principal, presented gag gifts to the couple.

Kiefer also presented Larry with a gift from the Southland support staff

Bob Roberts, retired long-time Southland High science teacher, also roasted Larry Croker.

Rick Zillgitt, a 1975 Southland High graduate, said, "I got to know Larry Croker well during my visits to the principal's office."

Zillgitt, whose children have attended both Sacred Heart and Southland schools and who serves on the Sacred Heart Board of education, described the couple as "2 unique people who seem to have it all."

When the honored couple spoke, Joanne Croker was the first. Expressing gratitude for the gesture, she said she felt "overwhelmed" by the gifts and fanfare on her retirement.

Larry Croker expressed his appreciation to everyone for the retirement party and pointedly thank the families for making Southland "one of the most student-centered districts anywhere."

When it was over, the audience gave the couple a standing ovation and afterwards for the second time that day a long line of well-wishers formed to share one last handshake or hug.

The Southland High School graduating class summed up the feelings of all. They gave their principal a one-of-a-kind tee shirt emblazoned with the message "Goin' out with the 2002 best."

That's what two schools think about

Larry and Joanne Croker and what the couple think about the students they served.