Remembering Carol

We were all saddened this past August that a week after our reunions on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of that month, our beloved classmate Carol (Bork) Johnson passed on August 17 (https://brookingsregister.com/stories/carol-johnson,113358?)  She had planned to attend the festivities, but her health made it impossible for her to be there and enjoy the friendship of her classmates and others who graduated from BHS in the 1960's. 

Even though Carol attended Hillcrest, some of whose students I never met until Junior High, I knew of Carol from catechism class in elementary school, as we both attended St. Thomas More.  Her brother Bob was on our Little League baseball during one or two of those years.  If memory serves me correctly, he was a fine player.  He was one of the better outfielders in the league.  In Little League in those days, the more skilled players usually played in the infield.  Those with less skill usually played in the outfield.  Consequently, there were few outfielders who could actually catch a fly ball.  Bob, though, possessed fine skills, and caught just about everything that was hit his way.  He was really an asset on our team.  Many times he prevented the opposition from scoring numerous runs by catching fly balls that would have been missed by most players.  Her brother Colin was a few years younger than we were, graduating in 1976.  He was an extremely talented golfer.  The 1975 annual states "BHS Golfers Rate Number One Seat (sic) in State."  (Should that have been "Number One Seed"?) The 1976 annual notes "The boy golfers won at the ESD and Regional meets and took second at the State Tourney."  I also believe Colin had much success after high school, and placed high in some of the state amateur tournaments in South Dakota.  One of our classmates indicated that he ran into Colin at a golf qualifier in Utah a few years ago.  

 As one our classmates commented, "Carol was so smart and talented in so many ways."  In Junior High, she was in the so-called "honors" class.  (I think that "Lefty" Johnson was opposed to such classes, and eventually did away with them a few years afterward).  Other classmates were also generous in praise of Carol. 

Carol's parents were well-known in the community, and lived long, productive, and exemplary lives.  Her mother Bonney was a nurse who helped deliver many babies in her 40 year career at the hospital. (https://www.rudesfuneralhome.com/obituary/bonney-bork) Her father Les was a respected and popular audio-visual instructor at SDSU. (https://www.rudesfuneralhome.com/obituary/6111276) 

Our condolences and prayers go out to Bob and Colin at the loss of their sister Carol.     

November 22

 Today is Friday, November 22, 2024.  61 years ago to the day, November 22, 1963, was also a Friday.  Almost everyone who was alive that day remember what happened around 12:30 PM Central time.  We were in 7th grade, and had just come back to our first class in the afternoon when we heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot.  I believe he was declared dead at 1:00.  The nation suffered a tragic loss, and still today questions remain as to who actually assassinated him.  

On a brighter note, our class has reasons to celebrate.  Recently, Nanette Schroeder (on the left) was one of the costume winners at the Brookings Activity Center Halloween party.  As one our classmates said, "She looks as beautiful as ever." The other winners were Cindy Fernholz, Theresa Bennett, and Carmen Niemeyer.  (https://brookingsregister.com/stories/october-a-busy-month-at-brookings-activity-center,104941)

Nanette stays quite active in the community.  SDSU has had a a beautiful indoor track and field facility since about 2014.  I have seen Nanette working the ticket counter at many of those meets.  She is also involved in many other volunteer activities that provide assistance to the people in town.  

Another classmate who has connections to an honored employee is Stew Linn.  His sister Sandy was recently name SDSU employee of the month (https://brookingsregister.com/stories/sandra-linn-named-sdsu-employee-of-month,112186)

Our classmate Patty Vick worked alongside Sandy at the Briggs Library.  My connections with the local running group "Prairie Striders" stretches back to its origin in 1969, so it was gratifying to see that Sandy has a close relationship with that respected organization.  She also served as the point person for processing, binding and cataloging a large donation — 17 boxes — of magazines and journals to be added to the Prairie Striders Running Club Library,” Biondo said. (Michael Biondo, electronic resources and scholarly communications librarian.)

Our congratulations to Nanette and Sandy for their outstanding contributions.

More Reunion Photos

Thanks to a classmate for the following pictures. These were taken at the Pizza Party held at Mark Kratochvil's residence on August 9, 2024.

                                      Jim Kortan and Sharon Darnall's husband (?).

                                                    Mark Kratochvil addressing the crowd

                   Gary Vincent and his wife in matching shirts and Sharon (Darnall) Fetzner

Brenda Andersen (?), Bill Sherman, Teresa (Steen) Anderson, Mike Andersen.  ??? in the black cap

Pete Egart facing the camera; Mike and Bernie Hendricks in the background.  Cannot identify the others.

                                                            Larry Boggs and John Iverson

                                                Jon Lundeen, class of 1967, making a pizza.

                                                    Walter Osterberg relaxing for a while.

                                     Bernie Hendricks and Brian Johnson enjoy the memories of the good old days.

In the background, John Iverson (in the hippie vest) talking with Steve Odegaard;  Jim Kortan taking with Sharon Darnall's husband?  Seated are Roch Watson (talking with Robyn (Connelly) Kortan, Dan Liebing, and Emmett Earley, while Tom Salonen looks on.

Pat (Felt) Berge, Georgia Wright (in hippie attire), and Marilyn (Anderson) Johns in the black sweater.

                                    Mark Kratochvil, Barb (Hauff) Koenders, Emmett Earley.

                                          Paula (Hoffman) Plaatz, Gary Vincent and his wife.

Dan Liebing and Roch Watson seated at the table (can't identify the lady in pink); Cheryl Crase and Paula Hoffman in the background, along with John Iverson and  Emmett Earley.

                                Paula Hoffman, Mark Kratochvil, Bill Sherman, and David Martin.

Emmett Earley, Laurie (Dunlap) Johnson, and Brian Johnson.

Roch Watson, John Iverson, Marilyn Anderson, Patty Vick, Kayla (Baker) Soleglad, Emmett Earley, Dan Liebing, with Mike Andersen (?) standing guard.

Mark Kratochvil, Larry Boggs, Paula Hoffman, and David Martin.

Just guessing on this one.  Unknown lady in the black, but it looks as if the others are Brad Rufer and wife talking to Walter Osterberg.  Can't identify the others.

Jon Lundeen perfecting his culinary skills.

Lee Kratochvil adds his own personal touch to the pizza, while Pat and Jim Egeberg enjoy the fruits of Lee's efforts.

Looks like Jim Kortan is fueling up for the big game.

Mike Andersen, Bill Sherman, and David Martin.

Rehashing Reunions

While athletes from all over the world were concluding their performances at the Paris Olympic Games (the official ending was August 11, 2024), Brookings had it own gathering of BHS grads from the decade of the 1960's.  On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the all-decade 60's reunion took place at the Dacotah Bank Center (formerly the Swiftel Center).  An estimated 500 people made the reunion a smashing success. The weather was fantastic, with high temperatures in the low 70's.  This fine weather continued for our own reunion on the following Friday and Saturday, August 9 and 10.  

An immense planning effort was undertaken by Darrell Larson and Roger Olson, both 1966 grads.  Others from the various classes also contributed.  Tables were arranged in perfect rows so that classes could sit together with their own classmates, while there was much room to walk around and to meet and greet with members of other classes.  Several classic cars were on display, and Mogen's Heroes (https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/mogens-heroes-to-celebrate-45-years-in-benefit-concert/), a band from Sioux Falls, provided the entertainment.  Food was plentiful, as both hot and cold victuals (vittles?) were available.

Upon entering the DBC (Dacotah Bank Center), registrants picked up their name tags.  Name tags of graduates had their senior picture, along with their name and date of graduation.  Spouses or guests had their first name and the senior picture and graduation year of their spouse or guest.  Thus, it was easy to identify everyone and engage in lively conversation with people one hardly knew.  Also upon entering was a Memorial Wall.  For each class, a poster listing the names of deceased graduates was posted.  Veterans were identified with a star, while those killed in action in Vietnam were also noted.  When it came time to clean up around 11:00 PM, as there was a wedding that the staff had to prepare for the next day, our group wanted to keep the poster for the class of 1969.  However, it was not to be found.  If anyone knows who took this poster, would you kindly let us know in the comments below?  

A great deal of thanks to Patty Vick for forwarding me the following pictures.  Some are from the all-60's reunion, while others are from our own pizza party at Mark Kratochvil's garage on Friday evening, or from Skinner's (the old Montgomery Ward's building) on Saturday afternoon.  

In addition to the all-decades reunion, many of the classes had their own little reunions.  The class of 1966, for example, had a gathering the day before.  The class of 1961 had a gathering on Saturday, Aug. 10.  The class of 1964 had their 60th reunion, while we had our 55th reunion on Friday and Saturday.  We gathered at Mark Kratochvil's residence on Friday for the pizza party, and at Skinner's (the old Montgomery Ward Building), on Saturday.  

Below, courtesy of Patty Vick, are some pictures of the reunions.  The women who are married will be listed with their married name once; if they are pictured more than once, their maiden names will be used.

Dave Martin, Bill Sherman, and Mark Kratochvil on Friday evening in Mark's garage.

Kayla (Baker) Soleglad, Nancy (Webbenhurst) Havens, Carol Schultz (she moved away after being here for a couple of years), Patty Vick, and Pat (Quincey) Svennes at Skinner's

Mark Denton and Mike Andersen 

Alan Leibel, Vern Olson and Peggy Bush

Mark Denton, Georgia Wright, Pat (Felt) Berge, Jean (McCone) Forsyth, Robyn (Connelly) Kortan, and Paula (Hoffman) Platz

Dan Liebing relaxing at Skinner's

Mark Denton, Pat Felt, Jean McCone, Robyn Connelly, Paula Hoffman, Sandy (David) Meisenheimer, John Iverson

Sandy David, Paula Hoffman, Mary (Kidwiler) Moritz, Paula's sister Joy?, Mike Andersen, Patty Vick

Vern Olson and Pat Quincey

In the background are the bartender, Alan Leibel, Steve Odegaard in the light green shirt, Mike Larscheid, unidentified lady in the light green shirt, Vern Olson, Marilyn (Anderson) Johns

Georgia Wright, Sandy Davis, Marilyn Anderson

Mark Kratochvil, Vern Olson, Bill Sherman, ???

Vern Olson, Mike Larscheid, Steve Odegaard

Someone's husband (Jean's or Nancy's?), Jean McCone, Nancy Webbernurst

Bill Sherman

In the back are Pat Felt, Nancy Webbenhurst, David Martin, and Vern Olson.  Patti (Davis) Borgen and Patty Vick are in the front at the all-60's reunion held at the Dacotah Bank Center (DBC)

Emmet Earley

  

Mike Marshall

Kathy (Groethe) Krueger and Helen (Sheimo) Flynn

Larry Boggs

Jackie Maxwell (class of 1970) and Patty VickIn the background appear to be Dick Pearson (class of 1970) talking with Craig Larson (class of 1966).  Craig's mother was an 8th grade English for some of us.  In the pink shirt is Alan Svennes, husband and Pat Quincey, whose profile is barely seen at the left.  With their backs to us appear to be Tom Osterberg (in the red shirt) and his wife Tam. 

Mark Denton, with Emmett Earley in the background.  Is that Ron Havens, Nancy Webbenhurst's husband, in the green shirt?

Tom Moxon and his wife Gloria.  Are they talking to Jim Egeberg?

Gloria Moxon, Tom Osterberg.  Don't know who Tom's wife Tam is hugging. 

Sharon (Darnall) Fetzner

Rick Thompson

Paula Hoffman, Sharon, Darnall, Paula Hoffman.  In the background are Mike Andersen and Mark Denton

Sue (Kattke) Pulford.  To the left is one of the Bortnem twins (Keith or Kermit, class of 1966), while Roch Watson appears to be the man on the right.

Bill Sherman, Tom Osterberg, John Iverson, with Walt Osterberg in the foreground.

Dave Helfinstine and John Iverson

Patti Davis, Pat Mehegan, and Patty Vick

Cheryl Crase and Vern Olson. On the left looks to be Laurie Dunlap, Brian Johnson's wife, while John Iverson looks confused

Georgia Wright reminiscing the hippie era

Cheryl Crase and Paula Hoffman

Jim Egeberg

Georgia Wright

Marilyn Anderson and Patty Vick

Beatty (Ed) Dimit

Cheryl Crase, while Kayla Baker(?) looks on

Steve Odegaard's wife (Mary?), Tom Bozied, and Steve Odegaard

Mark Kratochvil and Mike Andersen's wife Brenda?

Marilyn Anderson

Mike Andersen

Gary Vincent, Bill Sherman, Mark Kratochvil, and Brian Johnson

Mark Kratochvil thanking those who contributed to the ALS fund.  Barg (Hauff) Koenders is seated in front, while Laurie Dunlap, wife of Brian Johnson, is in the background

Paula Hoffman and Cheryl Crase, with Mark Andersen and Pete Egart (friend of many of us) in the background

Steve Odegaard

Beatty (Ed) Dimit and Bill Sherman; Helen Sheimo and Cheryl Crase are in the background

Pat Collins and Kathy Groethe, with Jim Egeberg in the background

Gary Vincent and Mike Larscheid

Sandi Davis and Georgia Wright

Patty Vick, Alan Leibel, Sandi David, and Georgia Wright

Robyn Connelly and Kayla Baker

Kevin O'Connell talking to Steve Odegaard and Teresa (Steen) Anderson?, while Alan Leibel is in the background

Mike Larscheid and Jim Kortan

All told, we had a wonderful time for three days.  Some of our classmates had not seen each other since graduation.  We were also able to socialize with friends of other classes, some of whom were friends of our older or perhaps younger brothers and sisters. We hope that many of them will be able to return in five years.