Summer 2002 Newsletter

LHS Class of 1964

Summer 2002 Newsletter

Celeste Girard Bowman: Since last year, we’ve moved into our newly built home. I continue to work as Director of Nursing, which I anticipate being my last job as a nurse. The big challenge this year has been dealing with Ron’s illness, over the course of 10 months. Thankfully, he has recovered fully. Ron and I wish all of our LHS Class of ’64 friends the very best and look forward to seeing you in 2004!

Bill Brooks: Due to a layoff, I abruptly retired December 5th from Thermo King. I am trying to develop the point of view of an eccentric pensioner. I have applied for admission to MetroState with a major in technical communication. Surprisingly, the transcripts I presented showed that I was just a few credits short of having enough for a Bachelor’s degree with an IT major. I also joined the International Webmasters Association so that I can start taking their courses in Web Design. In my spare time, I will be painting and redecorating my three residential rental properties. Perhaps a little travel will be possible, too.

Trudi Saam Claxton: Greetings to all! Here we are again and another year has passed. I missed hearing all the news last year. I somehow missed the newsletter so will have 2 years of news to relate. In 2001, the biggest news was Nick’s high school graduation. He has grown into a handsome young man. He planned to join the Navy but needed to lose a little weight. However, working at a Pizza Place doesn’t help. He wants to be a Navy Seal so I hope he makes it. I told him he could do it if he just sets his mind to it. He met a girl he works with and has been dating for awhile. In August my sister and son and his wife came down to visit. I also found out my nephew and his wife were expecting their first child. I took them to some of the sights in Dallas and also went to San Antonio for a few days. They were a little disappointed as it rained much of the time, but enjoyed it nonetheless. They returned a week before 9/11, which has significance for them since it is their wedding anniversary. 2002 brought the new bundle of joy to Matt and Amy, a baby girl: Madison-Marie, born Feb. 5th. She was going to be baptized in April so I thought it would be a good time to go and see my new great niece. A few days before I was to leave, I got a call from my sister and she said my brother had suddenly passed away. He had been in the hospital since November but was doing better. So I had to go for a funeral as well as baptism. I was only thankful it worked out I would be there. I know he is in a better place and released from his physical as well as mental anguish. Kathy Borst Perry’s husband, Jerry, gave a beautiful tribute to my brother and I know my family and I were truly moved. I do thank her. I am still doing Home Health as well as School Nursing. I am sure looking forward to retirement. It can’t come soon enough for me. All I do every night is paperwork. I don’t get time to do things around the house. I’m planning a cruise to Alaska in late August and hopefully one of my friends will join me if she can afford it. I am so looking forward to our 40thReunion. My girlfriend is getting ready for hers in Pennsylvania and we have been shopping for something to wear. I will be glad to volunteer to do anything to help, just let me know. So in closing, I want to wish all a safe and great summer!

Jane Quiter Conner: I hope everyone is doing well. I get more jealous every year, as I read about more and more retirements and grandchildren! Jerry is heading towards retirement, but I have a ways to go, and grandchildren seem to be off in the distant future. Our oldest, Jenny, is working toward her doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at the U of MN. She was a counselor for a few years. Our second, Jill, teaches Special Ed at BlaineHigh School and recently started working toward her Master’s at MN State U. She has become an avid outdoors person, and helps with the Outdoor Adventures class at Blaine, and helps teach classes like rock climbing. Joel works at Piper, Jaffrey and is steadily advancing towards his goal of being a trader. Jackee (the youngest) will be married in July. She will be the only one married! She and Marc are both "fish" people. She is working on her Master’s in Fisheries and Wildlife, and he works for the DNR. They always have something interesting to relate about their field and the environment. They all live in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, so are only a short drive away, which is nice. Jenny was in Rhode Island when she was working on her Master’s, and may not stay in this area after finishing school, so we have to enjoy it while we can. My parents are living in Charter House in Rochester. I hear about a lot of other classmates' parents from them.

Steve Cronin: All is well with my family. Son, Spencer, is going to Spain this fall to study Spanish. I suggested he just get a job at the local McDonald's, where he'd get free lunch, language immersion, and make $7 an hour, and I could actually save some money for a change. He gave me that deadpan You-Owe-Me look that children of his species, oops, generation, have learned while living in a parallel universe. Son, Patrick, studies cooking at Hennepin Tech in Eden Prairie. Both sons have an ongoing debate about which one of them should get the money should something happen to Denise and I. Irish gallows humor. And what money? Denise was on a Fellowship at the UMN this year studying technology and writing Ed curriculum for the upcoming UMN Art teachers. She's way smart now. I still work for Adobe Systems and manage Education for the Big Ten schools. The whole family traveled to Ireland in May for 10 days and we had a great time in Dublin, Kinsale, and Dingle.I get a one month sabbatical this year so I'm considering the options for travel starting this September. Tell me about your all-time fave location. Denise and I are going to NYC in July where I'll be giving away scholarships at an award program held at the GuggenheimMuseum. Students from the top U.S. Design schools participate in an Adobe
sponsored contest with 8 categories, i.e.,graphic illustration, video, photo illustration, etc. The winners get flown to NYC, a reception and dinner, and the chance to meet with established
designers who shop them for future employment. Hope to see some of you soon.

Cherril Jensen Engholm: Hi, Regina, and all my dear classmates! God bless you all and Regina, my deepest thanks for continuing this newsletter. Rich and I are in Duluth celebrating our 32nd anniversary. We left the camper and kayak at home and are going first class! We did bring our bikes to exercise our creaky bones, however. We will be first-time Grandma & Grandpa in December and I can hardly wait. Erik and family live close by in Richfield so it will be fun. Another wedding in our family, son Hans will be married in Sept. 2003. Our daughter is 24 and working in the TechCenter at the home office for Edina Realty. She’s doin’ her singles’ thing and lovin’ life. My parents are doing very well despite some health complications. Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that had metastasized into the liver last November. But, being the person of determination and undying faith that he is, he is doing great. He is on chemo, the liver cancer is GONE! The pancreatic tumor is stabilized and somewhat smaller. He had 3 months to live at the onset. He never lost any weight, his blood counts continue to be excellent and he walks 5 miles a day and does more than he did before the cancer! Praise the Lord! My stepmother and Dad both have had quadruple heart bypass surgeries and Mary Lou had a stent put in on Christmas Eve this past year. She continues to be a woman of faith and is doing very well. Our oldest son, Erik, age 31, was diagnosed with bladder cancer in February. This nearly put me over the edge. He had surgery and continues to go for check-ups every 3 months. I am still teaching Kindergarten in the inner city and love it! However, the children’s resting mats are looking more inviting every year along about 2:00! I had a hysterectomy last June 1st and this spring my health trick was to be diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rhumatica. I am on steroids but feeling 100% better. My husband, Rich, continues to be wonderful! Without his help, I would never be able to continue teaching and do all the things that I so love to do. Speaking of teaching, I have 75% Hispanic population in my class. Sister Mercedes always told me that “Latin is a living language,” but somehow it isn’t working for me. Ha! I have taught myself some Spanish and it’s great fun. So long for now. As the years go on, I find myself reminiscing even more. Our class is a special one united by deep friendships and unconditional love. I pray for all of you and your families. Until we see each other at the next Reunion, stay well and let God walk beside you each and every day! Love, Cherril.

Sherrie Mohlke Fisher: Hello '64: I hope you and yours are all healthy and happy. We remain rooted in California, though housing is in a crisis mode out here. My oldest daughter, Misty (and husband Eric) moved to beautiful Boulder, CO where they continue to be extremely athletic (running, bicycling, swimming) now adding rock climbing to their adventures. My oldest son, Christopher (wife Alicia and sons, Cameron, 3 and Clayton, 1) live in San Jose, CA.) Our 19 year old, Joey lives at home and just became an trainee with the Operating Engineers union (working heavy equipment.) David will be a high school senior in the fall while Sara becomes a sophomore. All of the kids and grandkids are wonderful, healthy and a gift. My husband, Larry, continues as a Sears' service technician, practices his old-time fiddle music and is a genuinely very nice guy. I am the Assistant General Manager at our local transit district directly in charge of
Operations, Maintenance, Human Resources and Risk. I hope to continue there until retirement. (I am sure some of you were bright enough to retire already, but I am still working towards it.) I had the pleasure of spending an evening with Bill and JoAnn (Beyer) Lawler in March. It was great fun. They were full of news of many of our '64 classmates. I would truly enjoy an e-mail from any classmate. May God's blessings be with all of you. Sherrie

Pat Towey Gibbons: All is well here and looking forward to our 2004 Reunion. I’m still working part-time at the Children’s MercyHospital as a pediatric nurse practitioner. John is still semi-retired, though with the stock market situation, less so than he’d like. Oliver just completed his sophomore year at the University of Arizona, was recently home for 3 weeks for a tonsillectomy and is now back in Tucson for summer school and work. We’ve had lunch with Maggie Baker Grill + Dennis twice this year, once in San Antonio, once here in Kansas City. Lots of fun, too short!

Mary Frances Griffin Gillich: John and I are now living in the Stewartville area, after having lived in Michigan 35 yrs. We built a new home in the country. So loads of work for us. Guess we will take it day by day I believe that was a song. Last year with our relocation and all the trips back and forth from and to MI it seems good to have it behind us. Also with our oldest daughter's wedding in Septemberto a lovely person from Preston. We were ready for a quiet winter. Our youngest daughter Brenda moved with us. Our son and his wife are still living in MI. So we miss them but are looking forward to July when they will visit us. In June we’re heading for Ireland on a 10-day tour with Brenda and one of my sisters with her daughter. Glad Mary Jo is working as the Chair person for our reunion in 2004. Hope everyone has a safe summer. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Elaine Carroll Grassle: God has outdone Himself again this year. When I fell asleep at he wheel in August ’01, I totaled my van but survived because God was holding onto my hand, so tight I had only one little broken bone and a bruised body, but the praise of the Lord on my lips. In April ’02 we moved to a little town of 1200 people to start a health food snack company. Start-ups are always a challenge but such growth experiences. I had to miss most of 01’s race season but am starting up again in July with a 5K. I love to run, exercise and lift weights. With grandbaby #10 due in November, I have to keep in shape to keep up. I love getting email and will quickly respond. God bless each of you.

Maggie Baker Grill: Hello classmates. This time last year we were undergoing the stress of building a new house. Well, we survived and moved into our house in October. We are still near San Antonio, just out in the country a little more. In addition to our family, one of our first visitors was Pat and John Gibbons. We had a great time catching up on news and reminiscing about Rochester and high school. In May we got to see them again at their home in Kansas. Our son Jason became engaged in March and will be married next year in Houston. We are thrilled and think Kathryn is wonderful. Our daughter, Sarah and husband, Jeff, will be moving to Minneapolis in August. I keep telling her she will be in "God's country", but I am sad they will be so far away. She will be completing the last leg of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an internship at the U. of MN. Children's Hospital. Hopefully they will return to Texas. But at least we now have two more reasons to come to MN to visit. Looking forward to our next reunion. God bless.

Jon & Barb (Wagenseil) Hrabe: We have had a busy year and it doesn't look as if it will slow down! In October we took a business/pleasure trip to Vancouver and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and a little getaway since we didn't take a summer vacation. Also traveled to Providence, RI for my cousin's son's wedding then drove to NYC and saw "ground zero". It was a sobering experience but we decided tospenda night in the city sightseeing, having dinner and seeing Mamma Mia.In January we visited friends who have a house in Tortla, BVIand had a great week of warm weather and relaxation. Jon's brother, Jerry, invited us to help chaperone the Lourdes class trip to London in March and we had a wonderful time with a great group of kids and crammed as much into twelve hour days as possible.It was a true test of the fact that we graduated almost 40 years ago and had trouble keeping up with the younger generation!!

The past few weeks have been hectic since my mother fell and broke her hip while we were visiting family in Mpls. Shehad a partial hip replacement June 16 and we drove her back to Des Moines on the 20th. She was in a care center here for a week and is now at home and doing well. She was supposed to go with our whole family for a two week vacation at the JerseyShore July 6 but it is too soon for her to travel. The rest of our family is fine and busy as usual. Our granddaughter, Hannah, made her First Communion in May...... We can't be that old!Jon is still putting in about 30 hours a week consulting for the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation and is busy gardening and golfing in his spare time. Hope all of you are doing well and we're looking forward to seeing everyone in 2004. Thanks Reggie and Mary Jo for all your work!

Mary Hollenhorst Lazarus: Things for me haven't changed much in the last few years. Still at home, still in PTA (this year's President...I'm way too old for this!!), still Boy Scout Troop Treasurer. My third son, Peter, graduated from PennState in May 2002. My 4th and youngest son is just finishing 7th grade. Life is good! Thanks to Mary Jo Schneider for keeping the next Reunion alive. Let me know if I can help. See you all in 2004!

Patz Marren: I will try, briefly, to tell you what has happened to me since our last
reunion. The Monday after our reunion, I had a heart attack. I was at my sister’s in Oronoco when I decided that it was time to go to the hospital. My sister, Peggy Boege, drove me to St. Mary¹s Emergency and I was off to have angioplasty done within the hour. I was in the hospital for several days, returning to California the following weekend and started working on my cholesterol, blood pressure and stress problems. When I returned to work after 6 weeks off I knew the stress there was not going to improve. Immediately, I began planning very early retirement. Thank goodness, CaliforniaState employment provides a decent retirement. (Almost enough to live on even when you leave this early!) The following spring, on my 54th birthday in March 2000, I retired from the Financial Aid Office at SonomaStateUniversity after 25 years service. Three days later, I had a cardiac arrest. Thank God, it happened at home in bed while sleeping and with my husband Matt next to me. He knew immediately what was happening. He called 911 and started CPR. He saved my life. The paramedics came, defibrillated me three times and I went to the local hospital, was stabilized there and then sent to a St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco for another angioplasty. I don’t remember any of it. After several days, I was taken to another hospital in San Jose where I had a cardioverter defibrillator implanted. 26 months later, I am still fine. I haven’t smoked a cigarette in 3 years. I have only gained a few pounds (less than 10) during all of this, have lowered my cholesterol to an acceptable level and have reduced my blood pressure. I’m just finishing 8 months of part-time consulting at my old job (the primary causes of stress are gone), have earned a little extra cash and have had the opportunity learn the new computer system for possible future use. My sad news is that my mom died in September 2000 at age 91. She had been in a nursing home in PineIsland for several years and was failing. My dad is now also at Pine Haven and just turned 90 in June. I’ll be looking forward to the next reunion in 2004. See you then.