Riggs High Class of '63
Message Center
This page is designed for posting messages for our classmates .
Please email us at hanson1088@pie.midco.net
with any messages you'd like to have posted.
4/16/2026 Milt & Dawn Morris
Subject: 1963 class reunion in 2026
Mark your calendars, 1963 class reunion will be September 12th and 13th, 2026, at Ramkota in Pierre, SD. Rooms have been blocked for $129.00 plus taxes a night. I am requesting rooms to be on the main floor.
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Friday night social 5 pm to 8 pm in the courtyard
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Saturday afternoon, boat ride on the river
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Saturday evening meal in the courtyard
Milton and Dawn Morris
605-280-0606
Ramkota phone number 605-224-6877
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1/31/2025 Joe & Sally
We just wanted to let you know that Mary Nickels Linander had major artery surgery a couple of days ago. She is still in the hospital. They have her walking around and she is doing okay. Mary would appreciate your prayers for a good recovery. If you'd like to send a note to Mary, her address is:
Mary Linander
6279 Independence Drive
Columbus, GA 31909
12/03/24 Joe & Sally
Unfortunately, we have some bad news to share with you. First, Eva Olson Hageman Schultz advised us that she has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and would appreciate your prayers. Eva's contact information is:
Eva Olson Hageman Schultz
19315 North 75th Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 602-677-9176
Email: ejhageman@yahoo.com
Second, Joe's youngest son, Christopher, passed away November 22 here in Aberdeen from a brain aneurysm. Chris was a special needs person who faced multiple physical and mental challenges all of his life. When he was born, the doctors said he would probably only live for about 6 months. He lived to be over 54 and spent all but the first 2 years of life living in care facilities. He lived in the Inspire care facility in Aberdeen the past 28 years, where he received excellent care. Below is a link to his obituary.
https://www.schriversmemorial.com/obituary/Christopher-Hanson
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4/20/2024 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Jim Boyd passed away on April 13. Our condolences to Jim's family. Below is his contact information and a link to his obituary.
Merna Boyd
13407 Highway 135
Stover, MO 65078
Phone: 573-377-4769
https://www.pagedady.com/obituaries/jim-boyd
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3/11/2024 Joe & Sally
We are sorry to report that Dick Lamster's sister, Terry Horning, passed away March 6. Our condolences to Dick and his family. Below is Dick's contact information and a link to Terry's obituary.
Dick Lamster
P.O. Box 51532
Eugene, OR 97405-0909
Phone: 541-343-8664
E-mail: maeveanddick@q.com
https://www.hafh.org/obituary/TheresaTerry-Horning
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3/2/2024 Joe & Sally
We are sorry to report that Bonnie Forney Mattick's brother, Jim Forney, passed away February 29, 2024. Our condolences to Bonnie and her family. Below is the contact information and a link to Jim's obituary.
Bonnie Forney Mattick
502 West Fellers Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Phone: 602-993-6691
E-mail: Bonnie.Mattick@gmail.com
Shari Forney
3108 North Frontier Road
Ft. Pierre, SD 57532
https://www.isburgfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Jim-Forney?obId=30915963
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2/3/2024 Joe and Sally
2024 is not starting out to be a good year for the Class of '63. We are sorry to report that another classmate, Jeanne Bauman Cannon, passed away Thursday, February 1. Our condolences to Jeanne's family. Below is the contact information for Jeanne's family and a link to her obituary.
The Cannon Family
1210 Burr Oak Lane
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: 847-382-2347
https://www.davenportfamily.com/obituary/Jeanne-Cannon
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1/30/2024 Joe and Sally
We are sorry to report the death of two classmates; Mary Parlet and Sam Ruzick.
Mary passed away shortly before Christmas from cancer. Mary's wishes were to be cremated and to have no formal funeral services. We could not find an obituary for Mary. Condolences can be sent to Mary's brother, Gordon.
Gordon Parlet
3812 Back Nine Drive
Rapid City, SD 57703
Phone: 605-390-6581
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Sam passed away January 23 after a long battle with lymphoma. Below is the contact information for Sam's family and a link to his obituary.
Dee Ruzick
23 Fox Run Drive
Millbrook, IL 60536
Phone: 630-553-5617
https://www.beveragefamilyfh.com/obituaries/sam-doc-ruzick-jr
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1/24/2024 Joe & Sally
We are sorry to report that Maxine Otto Tessier's daughter, Jennifer Royka, passed away January 15, 2024. Our condolences to Maxine and her family. Below is Maxine's contact information and a link to Jennifer's obituary.
Maxine Otto Tessier
909 East Erskine
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-1751
https://www.feigumfh.com/obituaries/Jennifer-L-Royka?obId=30421043#/obituaryInfo
11/17/2023 Joe & Sally
We're sad to report that Ed "Joe" Jacobsen passed away November 13, 2023. Below is his contact information and his obituary.
Pat Jacobsen
47353 255th St.
Renner, SD 57055
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EDMUND "JOE"'S OBITUARY
Edmund “Joe” Jacobsen, 78, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023 unexpectedly at his home near Renner, SD. A Mass of Christian Burial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings, SD. A Visitation will be held the night prior from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on November 20, 2023 at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings.
Edmund Joseph Jacobsen was born on April 13, 1945, in Mitchell, SD, the son of Edmund and Betty Jo (Deane) Jacobsen. Joe grew up in Pierre and Aberdeen, SD attending grade school, junior high, high school in Pierre and graduated from Aberdeen High School his senior year in 1963. Joe married Marge Struck in February 1964. Joe and Marge had 4 children: Kristin Fliehs, Tom, Rafe, and Ryan Jacobsen. Ed continued his education at South Dakota State University earning his Civil Engineering Degree (PE & RLS).
Later Ed would unite in marriage to Patricia Kohnen (Schultze) on April, 22, 1988 in Wessington Springs, SD. In this union he would add 3 more children to his family; Joe Kohnen, Chris Kohnen and Jacqueline Maki.
Ed started his career working as a Civil Engineer for Howard, Needles, Tammen & Burgendoff in Minneapolis, MN. He would later join Clark Engineering and transfer to Aberdeen, SD. Ed did freelance survey and design work and in 1992 he started working for Aaron Swan & Associates in Pierre, SD. In 2016, Ed began what he called his failed retirement.
Ed was a member of many organizations including the South Dakota Engineering Society, the South Dakota Society of Land Surveyors and the SASS Cowboy Action Shooting Club. He was a renaissance man, very humorous, and soft-hearted. Ed enjoyed reading (History Buff), the outdoors, bird and squirrel watching, woodworking and most of all family. Ed was there for you when you needed him and passed his work ethic on to his children.
Ed is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia Jacobsen. Four children Kristin Fliehs of Aberdeen, SD, Tom (Marilou Avenido) Jacobsen of Jacksonville, FL, Rafe (Stacey Esser) Jacobsen of Aberdeen, SD, and Ryan (Jamie Watkins) Jacobsen of Brookings, SD. Three stepchildren Joe (Lori Kloss) Kohnen of Dell Rapids, SD, Chris (Samantha Stockwell) Kohnen of Kechi, KS and Jacqueline (JP) Maki of Sioux Falls, SD. Eight grandchildren Kelsey, Kailey, Grace, Tyler, Eric, Riley, Reis, and Ren. Five step grandchildren Samantha, Joe, Hailey, Elise and Colin. Four step great grandchildren Liam, Layla, Conley, and Crew Young. Five brothers Harry, James, Scott, Peter, and Paul and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Betty Jo Jacobsen and his niece Jennifer Jacobsen.
10/28/2023 Joe & Sally
The Reunion photos have been posted to the 2023 Reunion page of the Class web site. Below is a link to that page. You should be able to access these from your desktop computer, notebook/laptop, and your mobile phone.
Enjoy!
https://www.riggsclassof63.com/2023-reunion-60th
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9/9/2023 Joe & Sally
We are sad to report that Jim Leonard's sister, Susan Gail Green, passed away yesterday, September 8. Although Susan was not in our class, we know that many in our class were friends with her.
Below is contact information for both Jim and Susan's family and a link to Susan's obituary.
Jim Leonard
3973 N. Smithsonian Drive
Florence, AZ 85132
Phone: 720-201-7930
Email: jimleonard@msn.com
Ron Green & Family
14514 Millhouse Road
Pinehurst, TX 77362
https://www.magnoliafunerals.com/obituaries/Susan-Green-10/#!/Obituary
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6/4/2023 Joe & Sally
We are sorry to report that Nickolas Korentis, Jan Wright's partner, passed away on May 28. Our condolences to Jan and family: Below is Jan's contact information.
Jan Wright
34 Fox Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882
Phone: 401-782-4059
Email: Janice_Wright@verizon.net
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I am sorry I won't be attending the reunion this year and sorrier to say that Nick Korentis, my life partner of 21 years and my love, passed away unexpectedly on May 28th, the last day of our 7 week trip to Greece, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. All of us who knew him are grieving the loss of this kind, generous and loving man.
Jan Wright
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6/4//2023 Joe & Sally
For once we have some good news to report. Nancy Kindt Lorenzen and Don Nicolay were married at their church in Sun City West, AZ May 17, 2023. Congratulations Nancy and Don! They both plan to attend the reunion in September so we will have a chance to see Nancy again and to meet Don.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________5/10/2023 Joe & Sally
We are sorry to report that Jerry Big Eagle's daughter, Kara, passed away May 3, 2023. Our condolences to Jerry and his family. Below is Jerry's contact information and a link to Kara's obituary.
Jerry Big Eagle
301 Country Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-6061
E-mail: bigeagle@pie.midco.net
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4/18/2023 Joe and Sally
The invitations and registration forms for our 60th Reunion have been mailed out and are also posted on the 2023 Reunion page of this website. Click here to view them: https://editor.wix.com/html/editor/web/renderer/edit/bbf12208-f2d0-41d4-bb38-4c7e1f99b94c?metaSiteId=06e8ff34-030f-4ca6-9efb-db505b727427
We hope you'll able to join us at the Reunion!
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1/15/2023 Joe and Sally
We just learned that Janet Tobin Talley lost her battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away January 15, 2023. Our condolences to her family. Below is Janet's family's contact information..
Larry Talley
2327 Huntington Place
Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 605-348-0149
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1/28/2022 Joe and Sally
We just learned that Don Madison passed away on May 14, 2022. Our condolences to Don's family. Below is the contact information for his wife.
Lina Madison
400 Lariat Lane
Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: 314-364-5395
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10/4/2022 Joe and Sally
We are sorry to report that Kathleen Wright Passed away September 29,2022 in Kulm, ND. Our condolences to Kathleen's family. Condolences can be sent to:
The Family of Kathleen Wright
c/oMary Gilbert
212 Main Ave. S.
Kulm, ND 58456
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4/8/2022
Mailing and Email Address Request
We are updating our mailing and email lists and would like your help in doing so. We do not have current email addresses for the following classmates. If you have a current email address for yourself or any of these classmates, please let us know. Also, if your mailing address has changed since our last reunion in 2018, please give us your new address. Thank you.
Text or call Joe Hanson at 605-222-7479
Email: hanson1088@pie.midco.net
Gale Adams
Georgina Boggs
Jim Boyd
Kathleen Burke Wells
Keith Crandall
Bootz Eldridge Hill
Noel Erickson
Sandra Flannery Davoux
William Gilsinger
Paul Hegg
Grace Hineline Kleinheksel
Janet Holle Scharffenberg
Ed Jacobsen
Shirley Jensen Brokaw
Dwight Johnson
Mary Kelly Langager
Rose Longland Gingrich
Larry Moore
Steve Neuharth
Marilee Paulson Hooser
Jerry Sneed
Barb Stoehr Nelson
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10/16/2021
We're sorry to report that Carol Butler Jones passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, October 13. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, at the Ft. Pierre Community Center. Carol was a member of the Class Reunion Committee for many years. Her and Dick also regularly attended our reunions. She will be missed by all of us. Our condolences to her family. Below is Dick's contact information.
Dick Jones
806 Harney Court
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-4335
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6/29/2021
We just learned that Earl Sherburne passed away unexpectedly on June 17. Our condolences to Sonja and Earl's family. Below is Sonja's contact information if you would like to contact her.
Sonja Sherburne
2355 Brenwood Curve
Maplewood, MN 55109
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05/28/2021
We just learned that Lois Pinkney McCracken's husband, John, passed away suddenly last Friday. Below is Lois's contact information if you would like to contact her.
Lois McCracken
2945 Harnge Road
Avon Park, FL 33825
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05/05/2021
We’re sorry to report that Johnny Crawford, husband of our classmate Charlotte Samco McKenna Crawford, passed away April 29, 2021. In 2019, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before he contracted COVID-19 and then pneumonia. Our condolences to Charlotte (Tinker) and her family.
Below is Charlotte’s contact information if you would like to contact her.
Charlotte McKenna Crawford
P.O. Box 7073
Burbank, CA 91510
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12/17/2020 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Wayne Grubbs passed away December 14, 2020. Wayne was a frequent attendee of our reunions. Our sincere sympathy to his wife Cathy and his family. Below is the contact information for Cathy:
Cathy Grubbs
P.O. Box 47
Lower Brule, SD 57548
Phone: 605-473-5079
7/19/20 Nancy Kindt Lorenzen
Thank you to all the wonderful classmates who by phone calls, social media, or sympathy cards expressed their condolences to me and my family over the death of Tom. It’s been a very difficult year and your warm messages meant the world to all of us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Nancy (Kindt) Lorenzen
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6/25/2020 Joe and Sally
We just learned that Nancy Kindt Lorenzen's husband, Tom, passed away May 30, 2020 from late-stage Parkinson's Disease. Our sincere sympathy to Nancy and her family. Below is the contact information for Nancy.
Nancy Lorenzen
15109 West Arzon Way
Sun City West, AZ 85375
Phone: 307-921-1270
E-mail: nanlor131@gmail.com
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2/26/2020 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Ron Olesen passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 in Pierre. Ron suffered from heart problems for many years and his heart just gave out on him. Ron and Rosie were regulars at our class reunions. Our condolences to Rosie and her family. Below is the contact information for Rosie.
Rosie Olesen
P.O. Box 417
Pierre, SD 57501
12/16/2019 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Ruth Lewis McConnell passed away from cancer last Friday, December 13, on her 75th birthday. Our condolences to Ruth's family. Below is the contact information for Ruth's family.
Pat McConnell
333 North 16th Ave.
Broken Bow, NE 68822
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4/13/2018 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Richard Miller's wife, Kathy, passed away this morning from brain cancer. Services will be Tuesday, April 17, in Canton, North Carolina. Our condolences to Richard and his family. Below is Richard's contact information.
Richard Miller
3 Knothead Drive
Candler, NC 28715
Phone: 828-407-9535
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2/09/2018 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Dave Baade passed away January 16 in Ballinger, TX. Dave was a regular at our reunions and will be deeply missed by all of us. Below is a reunion photo of Dave. Our condolences to Dave's family. We do not have any contact information for Dave's family.
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1/31/2018 Joe and Sally
The Reunion Save the Date cards we mailed to the following classmates were returned to us. If you have a current address for any of these, please let us know. The addresses as shown are the latest addresses we have and are not correct. Thank you.
Penne Eckert Martin
1366 W. Linwood Drive
Hayden, ID 83835
Mary Kelly Langager
1010 East St. Patrick Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
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1/15/2018 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Mary Nickels Linander's mother, Margaret L. Nickels, passed away January 14 , 2018 at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre. Our sincere condolences to Mary and her family. Below is the contact information for Mary.
Mary Nickels Linander
6279 Independence Dr.
Columbus, GA 31909
Phone: 706-568-7472
E-mail: ML1000000@aol.com
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1/6/2018 Mark Simmons
Al Freiberg posted locating his High school class ring. Let’s challenge attendees to find theirs too and bring to reunion (may not fit our ring fingers anymore but can be pinkie ring for the reunion).
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1/6/2018 Joe and Sally
Happy New Year everyone! We hope you had a nice Christmas and wish you peace, prosperity, and much happiness in this New Year. We are starting out the New Year by putting some final touches on the plans for our 55th Class Reunion, which will be held in conjunction with Pierre's homecoming, the weekend of September 14 & 15, 2018.
The ClubHouse Hotel & Suites will be our host hotel. The block room rate will be $134 plus tax per night. That price will be honored from Wednesday night, September 12, through Sunday night, September 16 and a free room upgrade will be given based upon availability.
The reunion will officially start on Friday, with registration Friday afternoon at the ClubHouse Hotel; a tailgate party Friday night at Drifters across the bridge in Ft. Pierre; and the Governor's homecoming game. The Governors will play Huron.
Saturday night we will have dinner at RedRossa in Pierre, and Sunday morning we'll have a continental breakfast at the ClubHouse Hotel.
For those of you coming in early, we invite you to join us at the ClubHouse Hotel for an early bird gathering Thursday night.
We are working on a possible event for Saturday morning or afternoon and will let you know about that later.
In order to make sure we have enough rooms reserved in the room block, and to plan for the other events, we'd appreciate it if you would let us know if you plan to attend the reunion; if you plan to stay at the ClubHouse Hotel; and if so, what nights you plan to stay there.
If you have any suggestions or ideas on how to make this reunion more enjoyable and memorable, we welcome them.
Please contact us via email at hanson1088@pie.midco.net
Phone or text us at 605-222-7479.

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12/28/2017 Joe and Sally
We just learned that Paula Volk Hunsley's mother, Nina Marie Volk, passed away December 16, 2017 at Maryhouse Long Term Care in Pierre. Our sincere condolences to Paula and Jerry and their family. Below is the contact information for Paula and Jerry.
Paula and Jerry Hunsley
115 South Maple Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-222-0967
E-mail: jerryhunsley@pie.midco.net
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10/24/2017 Dannie /Bob Weddle
Memory of Steve
What most of our class doesn’t know is that I have known Steve Schultz most of my life. He was probably my best friend up until I started 1st grade next to John Ferley. Out of our Classmates, I’ve known Steve Schultz, Carol Farries, Dick Widdoss, & Doug Hanson the longest. We all lived in the square block bounded by Capitol Ave., Poplar St., Pleasant Dr., & Oneida. We played up and down the alley, in each other’s yards, & in the Bliss family strawberry patch. We collected bumble-bees in the flowers behind Carol’s house. We road sleds down Poplar from Capitol to Pleasant. We all made childhood memories together. That’s why they all knew me as Dannie in High School. Steve and Doug were my closest childhood friends back then. We all started 1st grade together. I went away for 10 years, and then we moved back. Those that are gone now are remembered then and now. My memories of them are forever.
Dannie/Bob
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10/24/2017 Eva Olson Hageman
The funeral for Stephen Karl Schultz will be October 30 at 12 noon at the Black Hills National Cemetery outside of Sturgis, South Dakota. There will be a luncheon afterwards at the VFW club in Sturgis. I hope some of our classmates that are in the vicinity can make it to honor Steve's life.
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10/12/2017 Joe and Sally
We just learned that Steve Schultz passed away September 25, 2017 in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho where he had recently moved from Pueblo, Colorado. Our sincere condolences to Steve's family. Below is the contact information for Steve's family.
Deb Schultz
1334 Willard Street
Sturgis, SD 57785
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9/10/2017 Joe and Sally
We just learned that Patsy Crance Abbas passed away September 1, 2017 at her home in Centerville. Services were September 8, 2017 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford. We do not have any family contact information to provide to you.
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3/24/2017 Joe and Sally
2018 Reunion - Save The Date
The dates for the 2018 55th reunion are September 14, 15 and 16. Mark you calendars and plan to join us for a fun filled reunion weekend. Friday, September 14, is Pierre’s homecoming. The Governors are scheduled to play Huron in the homecoming game so those of you who haven’t seen a Governor’s game for quite a while will have the opportunity to do so. Additional information on the reunion will be sent to you and posted on our website once we get things finalized.
We are updating our mailing and email lists and would like your help in doing so. We do not have current email addresses for the following classmates. If you have a current email address for any of these, please let us know. Thank you.
Gale Adams
Ruth Amundson Lyneis
Marge Ashmore Reinhard
Jim Boyd
Kathleen Burke Wells
Janice Carr Hofer
Mary Christianson Meister
Carole Colby Honstead
Keith Crandall
Warren Dilley
Loren Eakin
Penne Eckert Martin
Mary Anne Eich Vogel
Bootz Eldridge Hill
Noel Erickson
Sandra Flannery Davoux
William Gilsinger
Paul Hegg
Grace Hineline Kleinheksel
Janet Holle Scharffenberg
Ed (Joe) Jacobsen
Shirley Jensen Brokaw
Dwight Johnson
Mary Kelly Langager
Betty Killian Walinski
Judy Larson Monk
Jon Lindstrom
Rose Longland Gingrich
Larry Moore
Robert Mullally
Darrell Neilan
Steve Neuharth
Roger Olesen
Marilee Paulson Hooser
Lois Pinckney McCracken
LaRonn Pool
Gary Porter
Diana Purkapile Dolliver
Diana Schomer Howard
Jerry Sneed
Ihlene Stiles
Linnette Stoeser Vetos
Barb Stoehr Nelson
Julie Williams Claymore
Kathleen Wright
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3/23/2017 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Jack Kitchen passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017. Services will be at the United Methodist Church in Geraldine, Montana at a date to be announced in June. We do not have any family contact information to provide to you.
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5/2/2016 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Karen Carroll Smith passed away Saturday, April 30th. Karen was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last July. Per Karen's request, no services will be held
Our sincere condolences to Karen’s family. If you would like to send a personal condolence to her family, please send to:
Jolene Smith
P.O. Box 594
Kingston, WA 98346
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4/12/2016 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Susan Johnson Markve passed away Tuesday, April 12. Susan was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after our 50th reunion in 2013. Services will be April 20 at 1:00 P. M. Mountain time at Chamberlain-McCalley's funeral home in Hot Springs, S. D.
Our sincere condolences to Susan's family. If you would like to send a personal condolence to Susan's family, please send to:
Ken Markve
235 N. 6th Street
Hot Springs, SD 57747
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1/06/2016 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that Robert Dean O’Reilly passed away Monday, January 4th. Dean was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and had been in remission until recently. He died from pneumonia.
Our sincere condolences to Dean’s family. If you would like to send a personal condolence to Dean's family, please send to:
Linda O’Reilly
3170 Oakwood Drive
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
Phone: 928-680-7338
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9/15/2015 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Phillip Meadors passed away this past Monday, September 15, at his home in Parker. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 11 months ago. Our condolences to Phillip's family.
If you would like to send condolences to his family, please send to:
Mary Meadors
829 East 3rd Street
Parker, SD
4/2/2015 Al Freiberg
Sally:
Find links to about 1600 to 1800 historic Black Hills photos in 16 Galleries. This is just what about 40 people have sorted out and scanned in so far out of a collectiyon of 600,000 to 800,000 taken by a Mr. Fassbender who ran Black Hills Studios in Spearfish. Most of these photos are around SpearFish, DeadWood, Lead, Devils Tower.
This is known as the Fassbender Collection and was donated by his son to the Deadwood Museum I think.
There are a lot of boring shots BUT there are a lot of REALLY NEAT photos also. This is a work in progress so you may want to check back from time to time. If they only have looked at about 1800 photos out of possibly 800,000 they have a LONG way to to.
http://www.historicblackhillsstudios.org/
AL F.
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1/21/2015 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Sheryl Stapf Novacek's mother passed away. Her memorial service will be Saturday, January 24, in Aberdeen. Our condolences to Sheryl and her family.
If you would like to contact Sheryl, below is her contact information.
Sheryl Stapf Novacek
523 Mussey Street East
Thief River Falls, MN. 56701
Phone: 218-681-6675
E-mail: sraene@mncable.net
7/28/2014 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Sharyn Smith Martinson's mother, Alice Smith, passed away last Thursday. Her funeral service will be tomorrow, July 29, at United Methodist Church here in Pierre. Our condolences to Sharyn and her family.
Below is Sharyn's contact information.
Sharyn Smith Martinson
4114 County Road 11
Lamberton, MN 56152
Phone: 507-572-7747
E-mail: martinss@rrcnet.org
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6/27/2014 Mike Harris
Hello Joe, Sally, Dick, & all the rest of the Class of '63 at Pierre High School!! I want to thank Dick for saying what so many of the rest of us surely were thinking during and after the reunion and 1 year later. We had a GREAT time--as Dick so eloquently said, due in no small part to the efforts of Joe and Sally and the reunion committee.
I also agree with Dick's findings that not all reunions are that great--in fact, most of the friends I have here in Kentucky mirror those Dick spoke about in Oregon!! (I will have to insert here that Kentucky and Oregon do not agree on that many things, so this is worth noting!!!)
And I also agree that we had an exceptional group of students and parents and teachers--truly, we were blessed.
The only thing wrong with having a reunion as good as the last one is "How are you guys going to top the last one?" A heavy burden to bear, so we are sure Joe will pass it on to Sally!!
As Dick mentioned, we lost 3 more of our classmates this last year. So let's all make plans to attend our next reunion if at all possible. Who knows how many more opportunities we will have.
Happy 51st to all the member of the Class of '63.
Mike Harris
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6/27/2014 Al Freiberg
THANKSGIVING for sharing Dick Lamster's thoughts. This past week I also have been thinking about the reunion with ALMOST IDENTICAL thoughts as Dick's. It seems like it was only a few months ago NOT one year already.
I tell a lot of people about that reunion and that I WAS AMAZED that there were a lot of old people there EXCEPT FOR me. Right ?????
THANK YOU SALLY (and Joe) for all you have done over the years.
Sincerely: Al Freiberg - Mobile, Al.
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6/26/2014 Dick Lamster
Hello Class of ‘63,
One year ago this weekend we had our 50th reunion and those attending seem to be in agreement that it was a blast! All of the events over four days were well organized and well planned by Sally, Joe and the Reunion Committee and we probably owe them another huge "thank you". Even Joe will admit however, that Sally did the bulk of the work so THANK YOU Sally! I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of you. It was better than I had hoped for. We have had three classmates die since the reunion so it was especially important to see them and for the rest of us to remember to enjoy life now.
I have had several friends here in Oregon who have attended recent class reunions and none of those reunions were anywhere near as fun or had as many activities as ours. They also were not as well attended as ours. I guess we were correct for all these years realizing that we had a great group of kids (as well as parents and teachers) around us as we were growing up. We were indeed fortunate in many ways spending at least part of our lives in Pierre. We all contributed to the big picture so thanks to all of you for making that part of my life very enjoyable.
Happy 51st everyone and I plan to see all of you at our 55th reunion in four years!
Dick Lamster
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5/9/2014 Judy Jo Williams Smith
Hi all. Since we often receive bad news I thought to share a bit of good news with you. My two daughters and I will be honored at the "Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Gala, A Night to Remember", this coming weekend. Judy and DeDe will receive the Endowed Lectureship Award, and Dawn will be honored by the 2014 Research Grant. These monies will be given to the local hospital for research of Breast Cancer.
3/3/2014 Joe & Sally
We apologize for getting this information to you so late but we just learned that Pat Parker Whipple passed away last spring on April 5, 2013. Patricia lived in Lehi, Utah at the time of her death and is survived by her husband, George Whipple, and four sons.
Below is the contact information for Pat's family.
George Whipple
P.O. Box 131
Lehi, UT 84043
Phone: 801-768-9156
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2/27/2014 Julianne Thomas
Thank you for posting the photos and especially for the one taken at the reunion during his toast to our classmates. The last shirt Bill wore was that Pierre Govs shirt we got in Pierrse under a green sweater. I think he knew it would be the last and showed his loyalty to the end. We both loved growing up in Pierre and Bill valued the friends he made in high school and the friends he made later during reunions. He had a deep appreciation for life and part of a final message to me was "Do not give up on life. It will be taken from you sooner than you like". That is his message to our remaining classmates as well.
Julianne Thomas
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2/18/2014 Joe & Sally
Unfortunately, we've lost another one of our classmates. Bill Thomas passed away Sunday, February 16, of progressive liver failure after a long battle of metastatic colon cancer. Our sincere condolences to Julie and her family.
Bill passed away just a little over a month after his mother, Lela Shanks Thomas, passed away. Bill's mother's funeral service was in Pierre so Bill and Julianne returned to Pierre for the service and several of us classmates got together for dinner with them the night before the funeral. Bill told us he was still going through chemo but that he was doing good considering. Although he didn't look as good as he did at the 50th reunion, he still had his sense of humor and if you weren't aware of his cancer situation, you would never have known he was ill. We had a great time with him and Julianne and are grateful that we got to spend some time with them.
Visitation for Bill will be held February 20, 2014 from 4-7 p.m. at the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a memorial service will be held February 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids.
Bill and Julianne sponsored our Thursday night gathering at our 50th reunion and here is a photo of Bill from that night.
Dr. Julianne Thomas
4749 Mt. Vernon Road, S.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Phone: 319-364-3496
E-mail: thomaswltjht@mchi.com
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2/5/2014 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Shirley Jensen Brokaw's mother passed away on January 25, 2014. A memorial service will be held in Pierre on Saturday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. Our condolences to Shirley and her family.
Below is the contact information for Shirley.
Shirley Jensen Brokaw
34 Fernwood
Montgomery, IL 60538
Phone: 312-892-6717
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1/15/2014 Joe & Sally
Once again we have some sad news to report. Charlotte (Tinker) Samco McKenna Crawford's brother, Mason, passed away January 9th from some heart problems. At Mason's request, no services will be held. Our condolences to Tinker and her family.
Below is Tinker's contact information.
Charlotte McKenna Crawford
10451 Penrose
Sun Valley, CA 91352
Phone: 323-385-3162
Email: charlotte.mckenna17@yahoo.com
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1/8/2014 Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report the Bill Thomas' mother and Julianne Thomas' mother-in-law, Lela Shanks Thomas, passed away yesterday, January 8, 2014. She was 101 years of age. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, at the First Congregational Church in Pierre. Our condolences to Bill and Julianne and their family.
Below is the contact information for Bill & Julianne.
Bill & Julianne Thomas
4749 Mt. Vernon Rd., S.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Phone: 319-364-3496
E-mail: thomaswltjht@mchsi.com
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1/6/2014 Joe & Sally
With sadness we report that Mary Nichols Linander's sister, Lois, passed away on December 28. Our condolences to Mary and her family.
Below is Mary's contact information if you would like to contact her.
Mary Nichols Linander
6279 Independence Drive
Columbus, GA 31909
Phone: 706-568-7472
E-mail: ML1000000@aol.com
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11/25/2013 Joe & Sally
With sadness, we report that Karen Reed Hegre passed away last Thursday, November 21, 2013. Our condolences to Doug and Karen's family.
If you would like to send a personal note to Karen's family, please send to:
Doug Hegre
6075 Coady Ct.
Rapid City, SD 57703
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10/18/2013 Joe & Sally
With sadness, we report that Danna Dahlgren Bren lost her battle with cancer and passed away yesterday, October 17, 2013. We are thankful that (in spite of her illness) Danna & Lloyd were able to join us for the 50th reunion this past July. Our condolences to Lloyd and Danna's family.
Below is the contact information for Lloyd.
Lloyd Bren
1410 North Harrison Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-8472
Email: Lbren@pie.midco.net
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6/18/2013 Joe & Sally
We just learned that Charlotte (Tinker) Samco's birth mother, Ruth Strader, passed away on Saturday, June 15. Ruth put Tinker up for adoption at birth. Tinker found her when she was 34 and they have been very close ever since. We extend our sincere sympathy to Tinker and her family.
If you would like to send a personal message to Tinker, here is her contact information:
Charlotte McKenna Crawford
10451 Penrose Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
Phone: 323-385-3162
E-mail: glenpark12@aol.com
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1/7/2013 Joe and Sally
We're sorry to report that classmate Linda Ann Thompson passed away on January 4. We extend our sincere condolences to Linda's family. If you would like to send a personal note to the family, please email:
Sara Illig: trinity@austin.rr.com
Sonya Illig: sonyasophia@god-dess-in-us.us
We recived the below message from Harald Illig concerning Linda.
_ _ _ _ _ _
1/4/1213
Linda Ann Thompson died this morning in Denton, Texas. Her husband Tom, our daughter Sara, and granddaughter Sasha were by her side. Her daughter Sonya was telepresent via Skype from London, England throughout the previous night and during Linda’s final moments.
During the last decade Linda was bedridden most of the time because of her suffering from MS. Husband Tom was a great soulmate for her during that time. She kept in high spirits, busying herself with various activities including church work and music.
During her more lively years, Linda was engaged with various businesses she created, centering mostly on self improvement themes and she has authored a book on this subject, amongst other writings and websites. Last year, she wrote a well written and honest autobiography, an eye-opener for me, detailing many of her achievements, aspirations and loves. (I can email you that tome if you want to see if you're in it -- probably not :)
Linda’s funeral will be in Denton TX next Wednesday and her daughters will be present as well as members of the extended family.
Harald Illig
Salt Lake City
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4/18/2012 Ruth Mc Connell (Lewis)
Joe, if you would like to post the news!!
After eight years of being alone I am going to marry my friend. He has lived next door to me for 3 years and we became friends. His name is Pat MC Connell.
I have retired from full time nursing and have gone casual now, so no more getting up at 0330. Pat and I plan to be married Saturday the 26th here in Broken Bow. At this time there are no plans to move.
I continue to enjoy reading the news about our class. Thanks for all the hard work.
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3/16/2012 - Joe & Sally
We just learned that Lyle Tyler, Mary Tyler Zulk’s brother passed away yesterday. Lyle lived in Montana and had recently spent time with Mary & Gene in their winter home in Arizona. Lyle and his wife, Jolly, were in Oregon visiting their daughter when he passed away. Lyle died of heart problems. Evidently, he’s been treated for some time for a heart ailment. We extend our sincere condolences to Mary and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Mary, her contact information is listed below:
Mary Zulk
4393 Victor Path, #3
Hugo, MN 55038
Phone: 952-471-8001
E-mail:gzulk@mac.com
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2/21/2012 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Nancy Kindt Lorenzen's mother, Margaret, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012. We extend our sincere condolences to Nancy and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Nancy, her contact information is listed below.
Nancy Kindt Lorenzen
131 Cedar Ridge Drivea
Thermopolis, Wyoming 82443
Phone: 307-864-3489
E-mail: nanlor@rtconnect.net
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1/13/2012 - Joe & Sally
It’s not to early to start planning, so if you haven’t already done so, mark your calendars for June 28-30, 2013 and plan to join us in Pierre for our 50 year class reunion. Any ideas, suggestions, or requests on what we can do to make this reunion a truly memorable one can be sent to us at hanson1088@pie.midco.net.
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1/10/12 - Eva Olson Hageman
Thanks to each of you who sent a card or letter to Steve over the last year. He has appreciated the communication very much. I visited with him over the Christmas holiday season. He cannot talk but he can shake his head. He was tested the day after I saw him to see if he could have an aug/com device (augmentative communication). I hope he gets one. With the economy being somewhat depressed, who knows if he will get one through the VA. He obviously understands what is being communicated to him and he would benefit greatly from a device that would help him to interact more efficiently with his family, caregivers and visitors. Yvette, our daughter, goes to see him about once every six weeks. If anyone is in the area, stop in to see him. Otherwise, more cards and letters will be very much appreciated and they will serve as motivation to him!
Eva
Steve Schultz
2515 Pitman Place
Room 35
Pueblo, CO 81004
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8/15/2011 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Mike Pellerzi's mother, Marge, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2011. We extend our sincere condolences to Mike and his family. If you would like to send a personal note to Mike, his contact information is listed below:
Mike Pellerzi
20581 Chesley Road
Canning, SD 57501
Phone: 605-945-1888
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5/5/2011 - Eva Olson Hageman
Hello Joe & Sally and classmates:
Steve Schultz is now at a rehabilitation facility in Pueblo, Colorado, after having a fall about one year ago, which resulted in a hematoma in his brain. He was in a coma for a time and then underwent brain surgery. He has been in facilities in Sturgis, Denver, Minneapolis and now Pueblo. Previous to the fall, Steve had been working construction when he was injured on the job and fractured his neck.
Steve can receive mail and very much looks forward to hearing from friends and family. Please take the time to send him a card or letter with a few words of support. Old friends may mention some things they did that will bring a smile to Steve’s face.
Stephen K.(or just Steve )Schultz
2515 Pitman Place, Room 35
Pueblo, Co 81004
Steve’s and my daughter, Yvette, takes the opportunity to visit him about once every six weeks. His lovely wife, Deb, is trying to work in Sturgis and yet still commute to see Steve often. He could use some communication from classmates to help fill the void.
If you would like to know more about what is going on with Steve, please contact me. My cell number is 602-677-9176 and my email address is
Thank you.
Eva
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January 2011- Jerry & Paula Hunsley
Another year has come and gone. May the New Year find you all in good health . Happy New Year!!!!!!
Paula and Jerry Hunsley
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11/5/10 - Joe & Sally
We have some more sad news to report. Dan Neiles' mother, Eva, who was 95 and resided at the Maryhouse Nursing Center here in Pierre, passed away on Wednesday, November 3. We extend our sincere condolences to Dan and his family. If you would like to send a personal note to Dan, below is his contact information:
Dan Neiles
18 Victory Street
Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: 605-692-7307
E-mail: dan.neiles@k12.sd.us
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11/3/10 - Joe & Sally
We just learned that Doris Bauer Hoffman's husband, Chuck, passed away on September 15. We extend our sincere condolences to Doris and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Doris, below is her contact information:
Doris Hoffman
3204 Flint Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 605-716-7744
E-mail: cdhoffman@rushmore.com
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10/27/10 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Merl Hawkins passed away yesterday. Merl was back in Pierre on his annual pheasant hunting trip and suffered a heart attack while hunting. We extend our sincere sympathy to Doris and Merl's family.
If you would like to send a personal note to Doris, below is her contact information:
Doris Hawkins
7481 Shanandoah Road
Pensacola, FL 32526
Phone: 850-944-9142
_____________________________________________________
5/20/10 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Jerold Hirsch passed away on May, 13, 2010. We extend our sincere sympathy to Jerry's family.
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2/26/10 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Tom Douglas passed away on February 24, 2010. We extend our sincere sympathy to Claudia and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Claudia, below is her contact information:
Claudia Douglas
23735 Pine Have Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
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1/30/10 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Jeanne Baumann Cannon's husband, Miles, passed away after a long battle with cancer. We extend our sincere sympathy to Jeanne and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Jeanne, below is her contact information:
Jeanne Cannon
1210 Burr Oak Lane
Barrington, IL 60010-3417
Phone: 847-382-2347
Email: JEC770@aol.com
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12/21/09 - Peggy Owens Rath
Merry Christmas to every one of you. I have had a good year. I went to India last month and had a great time. It’s something that I wanted to do since my school days and so finally I just went! I hope you all are in good health and recovering from the recession! Peggy (Owens) Rath
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10-29-09 - Joe & Sally
We just learned that Herbert Thomas, brother of Julie Thomas, passed away on October 25th. Our condolences to Julie and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Julie & Bill, their address is:
Julie & Bill Thomas
4749 Mt. Vernon Road, S.E.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
Phone: 319-364-3496
E-mail: thomaswltjht@mchsi.com
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10-13-09 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to report that Cheryl Lemcke Schalde passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Our condolences to Cheryl's family.
If you would like to send a personal note to Cheryl's family, condolences can be sent to her son:
John Schalde
1301 North Lalley Lane
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57107-1007
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7-7-09 - Mark Simmons
Joe & Sally, Julie Thomas called to say Bill had surgery last night for detected colon cancer. He survived the surgery but will have to have part of his stomach removed too and there are traces in his liver. His condition is not curable but is treatable. He will undergo chemotherapy beginning in about three weeks. Keep Bill and Julie in your prayers as they deal with this litany of health decisions. Those who would like to send their thoughts of encouragement can e-mail Bill & Julie
Bill Thomas
4749 Mt. Vernon Road, S.E.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
Phone: 319-364-3496



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7-6-09 - Joe & Sally
We thought you would want to know that Jim Morris, Larry & Milton’s younger brother, passed away on July 1st.
If you would like to personally contact Larry or Milt, their contact information is:
Larry Morris
2003 Buffalo Street
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-7095
E-mail: lmorris@pie.midco.net
Milton Morris
104 Woodriver Quay
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-8777
E-mail: dawn.morris@morris-inc.com
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4/25/09 - Joe & Sally
We just learned that Marv Wise's mother, Rose, passed away Monday, April 20th in Kansas, where her and Louis lived when they moved from Pierre in 1979. Louis passed away in 1998.
Our sincere condolences to Marv and his family.
Marv was at the reunion last summer and provided us with many photos of his school days here in Pierre thanks to Rose who compiled a scrapbook and photo albums for him as he was growing up.
If you would like to send a personal note to Marv, please send it to:
Marvin B. Wise
12825 Sagmore
Leawood, KS 66209
Phone: 913-648-1943
E-mail: mwise12825@att.net
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4-17-09 - Joe & Sally
We’re happy to report some good news for a change. Congratulations to Jim Carr who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement on April 12, 2009, in Owatonna, Minnesota. You can view the video of the awards ceremony, Jim’s acceptance speech, and a video slide show on Jim’s son’s website:
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2-19-09 - Joe & Sally
We're sorry to bring you more sad news, but we just learned that Harald Illig's father, Karl, passed away in December 2008. If you would like to send a personal note to Harald, his address is:
Harald Illig
E-mail: nowsc@yahoo.com
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2-19-09 - Joe & Sally
We thought you would want to know that Ed Jacobsen's father, Edmund, passed away on February 15th. Edmund was married to Sheryl Staph Elliott's mother, Isabelle. If you would like to send a personal note to Ed or Sheryl, their addresses are:
Ed Jacobsen
405 Yucca Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-5140
Sheryl Stapf Elliott
523 East Mussey
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: 218-681-6675
E-mail: sraene@mncable.net
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2-6-09 - Joe & Sally
We thought you would want to know that Keith Crandall's mother, Doris, passed away on February 4th. If you would like to send a personal note to Keith, his address is:
Keith Crandall
614 North Highland Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-224-8220
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2/15/08 - Joe & Sally
We are sad to inform you that we just learned that Jim Kelly passed away from cancer on August 19, 2008. Below is an email Mark Simmons sent us:
"Linda Kelly, Jim's wife ,sent a Christmas note informing me that Jim died on August 19,2008 in Muskegon,MI. Jim was a medically retired General Practitioner MD who was unable to practice after several strokes. Jim was hospitalized in May with aspiration pneumonia and later diagnosed with a metstasis of esophogeal cancer after being cancer free for four years. He is survived by 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren in addition to Linda. Jim's sister Betsy ,who is in assisted living in Minneapolis with advanced MS, and her two sons were able to come for a day to be with the family in Michigan. I asked Linda if he would like to hear from classmates of their remembrances and activities with Jim in his Pierre days and she says yes she would.
Classmates and others may e-mail her at kellylm@verizon.net to convey their memories. Gloria and I had lunch with Linda and Jim in Saugatuck, MI in May of 2005 when we were trekking to the Holland Tulip Festival with my mother and sister Ellie."
If you would like to send a personal message to Jim's family, please send it to:
Linda Kelly
4535 Deer Creek Road
Muskegon, MI 49441
Phone: 231-798-3315
E-mail: kellylm@verizon.net
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10/21/08 - Joe & Sally
We just learned that Kay Cruse Graff passed away last night from cancer. Kay and her husband, Benny, were at the reunion in June and she seemed to be doing well at that time and was very hopeful that she could beat the cancer. Our sincere condolences to Benny and their family.
If you would like to send a personal note to Kay's family, please send it to:
Benny Graff
3144 Manitoba Lane
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: 701-255-1900
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9/9/08 Joe & Sally
We just learned that Nancy Kukuk Van Cleave passed away on April 24, 2008. We would like to extend out deepest sympathy to Nancy's family. Nina Colbert Maxfield just received the following from Nancy's husband, Orman.
Nina:
I am writing to tell you my sweetheart Nancy passed on to be with Jesus on her 63rd birthday on the morning of April 24, 2008. She had COPD. She is missed very much, for love like hers can't be found. She was with Jesus when she left us.
Sincerely, Her husband, Orman
If you would like to send a personal note to Nancy's family, please send it to:
Orman Van Cleave
2521 107th PL S.E.
Everett, WA 98208-4410
Phone: 425-357-8289
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8/27/08 Joe & Sally
We just learned that Ed Sorenson passed away last night from an apparent heart attack. Ed and his wife, Cheryl, were at the reunion and we had a wonderful time with them. We're so glad that we had the chance to share that time with them. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Cheryl, her family, and Ed's family. If you would like to send a personal note to Cheryl, please send it to:
Cheryl Sorenson
128 Port-Na-Haven St.
Ft. Pierre, SD 57532
E-mail: sorn4@pie.midco.net
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8/3/08 - Al Freiberg
Today, Sunday, August 3, I met with Mike Harris and his wife, Rose, at their vacation condo on Pensacola Beach, Florida. They had driven down from their home in Elizabethtown, KY and I drove over from my home in Mobile, AL - - - anyway, we had a mini-Class of 63 Reunion + 2 people plus Mike's wife.
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7-13-08 - Dick Widdoss
Thank you for sending the beautiful tribute to our class veterans!! Well done...indeed! I really do hope to make the 50th. Thanks for all the memories that this superb website has created! Having been the class photographer...I will always regret losing the hundreds of photos that were lost in the Rapid City flood of 1972.Fortunately...many are in the Gumbo. CIAO!
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7-09-08 - Joe & Sally
We just learned that Marie (Terry) Walsh DeYonge's brother, Mike (Class of 1968), passed away this morning from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident near Wall on Sunday. Mike had been in Pierre over the weekend for his 40th class reunion and was on his way to Rapid City when he lost control of his bike while negotiating a curve near Wall. If you would like to send a personal note to Terry, please send to:
Marie (Terry) Walsh DeYonge
1909 North University Road
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-624-4353
E-mail: shotziemd@yahoo.com
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7-5-08 - Merl Hawkins
Dear Friends:
It was great to see all of you again. Sorry I couldn't spend more time, but after the funeral Saturday, we had to go to Kansas for the burial service Monday. That's where the Hawkins' family plots are. Anyway, thank you all for everything. Hopefully next time I can be there more.
Merl
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6/23/08 - Joe & Sally
We thought you would want to know that Merl Hawkins' mother passed away yesterday. Our condolences to Merl and his family. If you would like to send a personal note to Merl, please send it to:
Merl Hawkins
7481 Shanandoah Road
Pensacola, FL 32526
Phone: 850-944-9142
E-mail: Merlhawk@aol.com
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6/23/08 - Jim Leonard
Just received an email from Mark Simmons about the reunion, and realized that I had not followed up with you. Regrettably, Pauline and I will not be able to attend the reunion. We want to wish everyone there the best, and to thank you for all of your great efforts over the years!
Regards
Jim and Pauline
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6/22/08 - Judy Jo Williams Smith
Oh,the memories that your wonderful site has brought back! The Class of 63" committee continues to keep us all updated with news and together with wonderful reunions. I have waited to the last minute to make a decision on coming to Pierre this summer, as my daughter has cancer and we are waiting to see if her treatment is working. June 24,is a crucial date. I would love to see everyone, but if I don't make it, I want you to all have a great time for me. If I happen to get there, I'll join you in partying. You can find Vince and I in Florida in Jan.-Mar. and usually in Pierre,at Farm Island, in Aug. camping with the Williams and Hauschild families. Of course, you are always welcome to come visit us in New York.
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4/21/08 - Vicky Hansen Milbrandt
Thank you for the info on our class reunion. This was going to be the year that I was going to go back to Pierre for our reunion, unfortunately I have a conflict at that time and will be unable to make it. I really am disappointed - it seems like my life has become so full that there are conflicts all the time. I will look forward to seeing the photos/stories that will be on the website. Have fun. I'll be thinking of you all. Vicky Hansen Milbrandt
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4/21/08 - Ruth Amundson Lyneis
I will not attend this summer. My son, a college lacrosse player, will have his shoulder operated on about that time to be able to heal before next year's season. Say "hi" to all from me. Ruthie
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2/22/08 - Joe & Sally Hanson
We thought you would want to know that Paula Volk Hunsley's dad, Paul Volk, passed away on February 20th. Our sincere condolences to Paula & Jerry and their family. If you would like to send a personal note to Paula & Jerry, please send it to:
Jerry & Paul Hunsley
115 South Maple Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
E-mail: Jerryhunsley@pie.midco.net
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2-20-08 - Sue Neiber McVean
I am looking forward to attending the class reunion this summer. It will be great to reconnect with everyone. Sue Neiber McVean
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1-30-08 - Joe & Sally Hanson
We have some sad news about another classmate of ours - Harry Hogan. We just learned that Harry passed away on November 14, 2007 of cancer. Our sincere condolences to Harry's family. If you would like to send a personal note to his family, please send it to:
Harry Hogan Family
1408 South Hennepin Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51106-1931
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1-21-08 - Mike Harris
Hope to make the reunion in June. Have not made one since the 20th, because there always has been a conflict. Actually, there is one again this year, but hope to resolve it and attend. My thanks and cudos to Joe and Sally and others that have done such a great job of putting together these reunions and this web page. My best wishes to all!!
Mike Harris
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1-18-08 - Marianna McLauchlan Gibbons
Great job on website! And getting next reunion organized. You guys are amazing! I am getting your snailmail updates here in Waterloo, IA. Last year was a challange since I was in a serious collison in OK, in 2006. Physical therapy 5 days a week was too much like having a job again. I have now started back on retirement as I had planned it. I will be returning from Alaska two days before the reunion. If I can make it to Pierre, I would really enjoy the river cruise. Blessed be. mg
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1-16-07 - Dave Tommervik
Great website, Anne and I plan to attend. We were impressed with the last reunion and look forward to this one. Don't think we had a motto, but if we did it might be "Soak them Suds". See ya all in June.
Dave Tommervik
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1-16-08 - Joe and Sally
We just received word from Sharyn Smith Martinson that Wanda Fineran Soper's husband, Douglas, passed away on January 12th. He had colin cancer. Our sincere condolences to Wanda and her family. If you would like to send a personal note to Wanda, her address is:
Wanda Fineran
902 North Marverick Trail
Dewey, AZ 86327-6006
Phone: 928-759-8065
E-mail: soperman2@commspeed.net
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12-18-07 - Joe and Sally Hanson
Our best wishes for a beautiful Christmas. May 2008 be filled with much love and happiness for you and your loved ones.
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12-18-07 - Paula and Jerry Hunsley
"Wishing all our classmates a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" May you all be blessed with good health and a prosperous Year."
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11-28-07 - Mary Parlet
Hi Joe,
Just got your postcard regarding the reunion this coming summer. Sounds like fun & I plan to make every effort to be there.
My email has changed - it is meparlet@cableone.net & also my zip is 87144.
A quick update: I retired in 2001 after 35 years with Honeywell. I moved/transferred from Minneapolis, Mn in 1992 to Rio Rancho, New Mexico with Honeywell. I dearly love being retired. This coming year, I will be able to join the baby boomers in collecting social security (can't wait!!).
I love golfing & do so every day that I want to! I also love gardening ( I have a large garden) & working in my yard. I also work every year at the New Mexico State Legislature as the Judiciary Committee Secretary. It is not exactly where you would think I would end up but it is fun & I have learned a whole new aspect to our society. It is like South Dakota's legislature - meets for 60 days one year & the next year is 30 days.
I have been on your website & really enjoy it. Will send another update after the first of the year as I am currently in Tucson, AZ spending the monthes of Nov & Dec with friends. Then I go back to NM (home) & work at the legislature in Jan/Feb & then usually go back to Tucson for Mar/Apr. Then I will include a photo.
Thanks again for such a great wedsite & hope to see you all in June.
Mary Parlet
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11/27/07 - Joe and Sally Hanson
We do not have a current mailing address or email address for classmate Robert T. Mullally. If anyone has that information or knows anyone that we can contact to get that information, please let us know. Thank you.
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11-27-07 - Dennis Naasz
Joe/Sally: I did receive your postcard with the dates of our class reunion this coming summer. Apparantly you had found out we re-located back to Mandan, ND as it came to the correct address. We have sold our business, the National Impala Association in Spearfish, and are planning to slow down a bit and collect on some of that Social Security we have paid in before it's all gone!!! We still own our building in Spearfish and have leased it out so we will still spend some time in the Hills. We bought a home back in Mandan and plan to spend more time with our grandkids and and maybe escape south for a couple of months during the hard winter.
We do have a new e-mail address which is: dbnaasz@bis.midco.net. We will plan to make the reunion next summer unless some unforseen thing comes up. Thanks for all the work you and Sally do for the class of '63!!!
Dennis & Byrdi
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11/19/07 - Sheryl Stapf Novacek
What fun, Joe, to check out the terrific website. Nicely done! I HAVE CHANGED my e-mail, as you can see from the return. (I HAVE NOT CHANGED the spelling of my maiden name, which has always been StapF. I thought that you might want to know.) The site is really fun and informative. Congratulations and... Thanks,
Sheryl (Stapf) Novacek
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11/15/07 - Joe and Sally Hanson
Sharyn Smith Martinson notified us that our classmate and her cousin, Richard Smith, passed away last night. He was diagnosed with renal cancer this past July. Richard had been living in Fairmont, MN. Our condolences to Sharyn and the entire Smith family. Please keep Richard's family in your prayers. If you would like to send a personal note to his family, the address is:
Mrs. Marklynn Smith
317 South Hampton Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
E-mail: marklynns@gmail.com
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11/14/07 - Mike Harris
Joe--my email address is as above (MiikeH444@comcast.net). Thanks for all your work for the class. The website is impressive. Mike Harris
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11/13/07 - Vicky Hansen Milbrandt
Hi, Joe: Thanks for the request for my current email address: vmilbrandt@comcast.net Time flies (that this stage of life anyway) and I neglected to update. Reading the messages on the website was fun/informative – it’s a great tool. :>) Thanks for keeping us all connected.
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11/10/07- Dick Widdoss
Hi, Joe & Sally....Just happend to be listening to the 60's on XM Radio this Saturday when the Class of 1963 Reunion Card arrived in the U.S. Mail!!! Talk about a time warp...mentally!!! Discovering your fabulous web site and listening to the music at the same time was a real mind blower!! Please don't apologize for being an amateur regarding the site. I think it is fabulous and very well done. Glad you requested the e-mail update. Also...the All Class Alumni Directory has proven to very, very interesting and I enjoy perusing it every now and again. The last time I was in Pierre was in 1992 when I bought a horse from Jim Forney..which I still own. Hopefully.. I can make it to a reunion when most of us are still sitting up taking nourishment!! HA!~! All the work on the website is appreciated!
Dick Widdoss
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11/8/07- Marie (Terry) Walsh DeYonge
Hi, Everyone: I would love to help. I live in Vermillion, but if I can do anything to assist please let me know. You can always reach me by e-mail or by phone (605-624-4353). Thanks.
Terry Walsh DeYonge
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10/23/07- Eva Olson Hageman
To Merl: I thought Eddie Sorenson and I were the babies (December babies) :-)
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10/18/07- Merl Hawkins
Sally: As always you never cease to amaze me. The web site is really great. (I'd thank Joe as well, but he and I grew up together, and I know who did all the work) As I remember, the class motto was "PARTY ON" and the class mascot was a keg of "Grain Belt Beer" but I could be wrong. Sometimes my memory slips. Hard to believe some of you old guys are thinking of drawing social security. (Remember Vicki and I are the babies of the class). See you all in 2008.
Merl
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10/9/07- Sharyn Smith Martinson
I just wanted to let everyone know that my cousin Richard Smith, who was a classmate of ours, is very ill. He is suffering from renal cancer. He was diagnosed in July and has been receiving treatment. I will keep you posted.
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8/6/07- Eva Olson Hageman
I am so excited that we will meet for a reunion next June. Yay! I cannot wait to see everyone. I am so excited to see Pierre again, also. I would like to take a tour of the new (old) Riggs High. A river cruise sounds great. I think it would be fun to still have some music at our Friday and/or Saturday night get-to-gethers. We're still young, aren't we? Keep in touch. eva
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8/3/07- Sharyn Smith Martinson
Thank you so much Joe and Sally for putting the loss of my husband on the Class of '63 website. I have heard from some of our classmates and I thank each and every one of you. Chuck was a marine in Viet Nam and was exposed to Agent Orange at the time. It finally caught up with him this spring. We are truly devastated at losing him. My email address is
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8/1/07- Sally Hanson
If anyone knows what the motto for the Class of '63 was, please let me know. Thanks.
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7/28/07 - Ruth Ann Spicer Stenberg
I was so excited to read this and know that we will all be getting together again next year. I haven't looked at the web site but will soon. I am so looking forward to our best reunion yet! Anything you plan will be wonderful and the more time we can spend together at these reunions is great. Looking forward to more communications.
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7/27/07 - Jim Leonard
I received your emal, and could not resist going to this great website. It is a treat. I want to thank you for your dedication to our class, and I am putting the 08 event on our calendar so that we can hopefully be there. If the riverboat is large enough for a good crowd, that sounds like a great event where we could socialize. On a serious note, it is sad to note the passing of classmates. Then, again, it seems that so many of us are still well, and prospering, for which we are thankful! regards. jim
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7/26/07 - Dick Lamster
I just reviewed this Class of '63 web site and it is wonderful! Thanks to Sally for having the idea and making it work! I really like it! Sally said it is her first attempt at doing a web site, but it looks really great to me! The bad news is that I cannot attend our 45th reunion in June, 2008. I am currently on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Track Club which is the co-sponsor (with the University of Oregon) of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. This is the 10 day track meet that determines which United States athletes will attend the Summer Olympics in China later in the summer. I have been involved in the planning of the Trials for almost a year now and will be working at the actual event for several weeks before, during and probably afterwards too. They start on June 27th, the first day of our reunion! What a bummer. I may have to try to set up video communications where I can perhaps talk to some of you and see how much fun I am missing! I hope all of you post messages regularly to this Message Center as it will be fun to read about what is happening with your lives. We grew up during a really fun and somewhat innocent time in the history of our country. Perhaps Pierre was not the "real world" for most people, but I had a great childhood and growing up with all of you was wonderful. It is funny how I hardly remember mosquitoes, wind, dust, hot-hot temperatures, deep snow, cold-cold wind, hoveling coal into our old coal burning furnace, and not having much money! I guess the experiences and relationships were what really mattered.
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7/25/07 - Joe & Sally Hanson
Our condolences to Sharyn Smith Martinson on the loss of her husband, Chuck, who passed away on July 18, after a three-month battle with cancer. Please keep Sharyn and her family in your prayers. If you would like to send a personal note to Sharyn, her address is
Sharon Martinson
41124 County Road 11
Lamberton, MN 56152
E-mail: martinss@rrcnet.org
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7/25/07 - Joe & Sally Hanson
Please review the class directory and advise us of any e-mail addresses you may have for our classmates. Many of the email addresses currently listed are incorrect and many of our classmates do not have email addresses listed. If you have current email addresses, we would like to have them. The same goes for street addresses and phone numbers. We would like to handle the 2008 reunion registrations and reunion updates via this webpage as much as possible. It will not only save some postage but will also make it easier for us and hopefully for everyone else. Thank you.