(Editor’s Note: The following article is being run this week since the information included in this article was not made available to the Patriot until this week.)
Three prominent Becker citizens and graduates of Becker High School were honored last Wednesday as this year’s Hall of Fame award winners.
Charlene (Hubbard) Dorn
Class of 1984
Charlene graduated in 1984 as a highly decorated and successful female track participant. She was the state champion in the mile and earned five other state medals. Her times still stand at the top of Becker’s record board. Charlene continued her athletic career as a student athlete at South Dakota State University. Charlene earned All-American status in Cross Country (1986) and in indoor track (1985). Her running success earned her the invitation to train at the Olympic Training Center in 1985. Her post race career has been defined by serving others. Charlene served as the Pennington County social worker in Rapid City, South Dakota for 30 years, including time as the Assistant Director. A very active member of her church, she has led small groups including “Armor of Hope” for those facing cancer treatments. Her own battle with cancer has influenced her to give even more of herself to impact others. Married to Tim, they have three children and five grandchildren.
Glenn Anderson
Class of 1947
Glenn graduated from Becker High School in 1947. While in high school, Glenn worked for his father Otto at Anderson Chevrolet. After attending St. Cloud State University, Glenn and his brother Allan took over the family dealership. This began a life of significant business involvement in the Becker community. Eventually the dealership was co-owned with Virgil Gilyard to form Anderson-Gilyard Chevrolet. The business partnership included such ventures as a gas station, a service station, a laundromat, rental properties, and built Tom Thumb (later Deli Plus Shell) in town. Dubbed as the “perfect partnership,” the business ventures provided countless job opportunities to Becker residents. Living most of his life in Becker, Glenn devoted himself to the betterment of his community. Married to his Beverly for nearly 70 years, they had three children. Glenn passed away in 2021 while his partnership of Anderson-Gilyard continues as he and Virgil Gilyard are both 2024 inductees.
Virgil Gilyard
Class of 1946
Virgil graduated from Becker High School in 1946. After graduation, Virgil received a BA degree in business from the St. Cloud Teachers College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. While starting out as a farmer, in 1960 the Anderson-Gilyard business partnership launched with the co-ownership of the Chevrolet dealership. The business partnership included such ventures as a gas station, a service station, a laundromat, rental properties, and built Tom Thumb (later Deli Plus Shell) in town. Dubbed as the “perfect partnership,” the business ventures provided countless job opportunities to Becker residents. Virgil opened and operated other businesses in Becker, including: the Coffee Cup, Gily’s Bar and Grill, and the Jubilee grocery store. He and his wife Muriel had four children. His business connections remained in Becker until 2022 when they were sold. Virgil passed away in 2023, while his partnership of Anderson-Gilyard continues as he and Glenn Anderson are both 2024 inductees.
