A Sudden Loss

After high school graduation, we all went our separate ways.  A number of us went to SDSU, so we were able to maintain some sort of contact for a few years.  Our careers then called us, and we traveled to various parts of the country and the world.  With the advent of social media, many friends have been able to keep in close contact with each other in ways that were unthinkable when we were in school.  This blog has been an attempt to  keep our classes somewhat informed of what we have all been doing and to recall some memorable moments of our youth.  These stories include, as the Wide World of Sports television series advertised many years ago, "the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat."


Recently, we learned of the passing of Cathy Helfinstine, the wife of David Helfinstine (http://eidsnessfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/Eidsne1/obit.cgi?user=45513928_CHelfinestine).  My knowledge of Cathy is rather scant.  She was a year behind us.  She and David must have been a wonderful couple, as they were together for 41 years.  David attended Central, but we seldom crossed paths.  I can not recall being in the same classes as he was, even in jr. hi or high school. My main recollection of David is this picture from our senior annual:

I believe this picture illustrates David's introduction to the grocery business, an introduction he was to channel into an eventual career.  I think he owned and/or managed a grocery store in Willmar, Minnesota.    
At the visitation for Cathy, David indicated that Cathy had not been feeling well, but he was truly stunned and shocked to find out that she had passed away.    He seemed to be handling himself with great dignity, poise, bravery, and nobility under the circumstances.  It must be indescribable to explain how one feels when suddenly losing a spouse, particularly after having shared 41 years of life together.   Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with David during this sorrowful time.