Many of us may remember the song 96 tears (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/96_Tears) by ? and the Mysterians (Question Mark and the Mysterians). Today was held the funeral of Phyllis Kohler, mother of Jim of our class. As the obituary indicates, she was 96 at the time of her death.
She passed away last September 26, 2024, but her funeral was held today to celebrate what would have been her 97th birthday.
Having been born almost 100 years ago means that Phyllis and the rest of our parents lived through the "Great Depression" (https://www.google.com/search?q=great+depression+dates&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS793US801&oq=great+depression&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i512l2j0i433i512j0i512l6.6499j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) and the dust bowl of the"Dirty Thirties" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_Bowl). Remember reading the Grapes of Wrath in junior English class? Growing up during those trying times taught our parents the values that they later instilled in us, their children. Could that be the reason our class was so successful in our school activities and in our adult lives?
As you may have read on the funeral notice, Jim was the eulogist. He gave a wonderful summary of his mother's life, noting especially how important family was to her. The attendees expressed their appreciation for his oration with a generous and well-deserved round of applause.
Jim's mother was one of the last of our parents that were still living. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one other parent still with us. Do not hesitate to let us know if this is incorrect.
On a somewhat happier note, the 90th birthday of Janie Wheeler is coming up on June 25th, 2025. The Brookings Register ran this item for a few days: "Janie Wheeler will celebrate her 90th birthday June 25. A card shower has beer requested for her. Mail cards to 121 Malibu Loop, Sturgis SD 57785." For many of us, she was our 9th grade English teacher. That school year of 1965-66 may have been her second year in the Brookings school system. Her husband Mason was a 1956 graduate of BHS, and was quite active in school organizations. The annual lists his activities as " Chorus 3,4; Jr. and Sr. Play; Bobcat; Broboca 4; FFA 1; Cue Club 3,4; Spanish Club 2,3,4; Kinetic Club 4; Boys' Quartet 3; Boys State; Kiwanian." Next to his picture in the annual is Art Wilber, sister of Cathy Wilber of our class. Also in that class was Herb Cheever; some of us may have had him for a government teacher at SDSU. Another member of that class was Karen Karnes, daughter of Guy O. Karnes, our high school chemistry and physics teacher. There was also a Joanne McMillan. Could that have been a sister to Patsy McMillan of our class? Dorothy Shelden was also in the class of 1956. I believe she is Bob Shelden's older sister, and is related to Gerry Albright and Stewart Linn of our class. I only know these details because one of my brothers was also in that class.
