The information on this page was taken from the responses received
from the
30th reunion.
No home addresses or telephone numbers are listed on this site. Email addresses will be
published and updated as they are made available. If you want home addresses or telephone
numbers, contact a class member on the email link page and ask them to send the
information you desire.
John Allen – (Lisa A. Miller)
I have been well, working at a job I enjoy. Married life has been vedy, vedy good to me. I am evolved and enlightened and practically perfect in every way. I read to the blind and spend my extra time doing cancer research. I keep a low profile and don’t go out of my way to learn about other people’s business. I’m a good person, so it makes me wonder why everyone in high school treated me so badly. And I just took it! Year after year! The torment I endured! Gee, I hope you don’t choke on your own vomit and die! Bastards! P.S. Sorry Mary….I could not resist!
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Marilyn Anderson
I live in North Liberty. I have worked at the University Hospitals for 23 years, which I am a supervisor in Central Supply. I enjoy traveling and attending my nieces and nephews’ sporting events.
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Ann Barber Wesner (Robert)
Attended Colorado State University and majored in economics. Received MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Worked for Monsanto Company in St. Louis 1978-1982. Moved back to Wellman in 1982 and worked for family business, Wellman Savings Bank, until June 1993. Married to Daniel H. Doyle 1978 until the time of his death in 1991. Married to Robert Wesner 1994-present. Dan and I met in graduate school at Washington U. We worked at Wellman Savings Bank together. Met Bob Wesner at Mercy Hospital, where he is on staff and I was a volunteer board member. No children, but I'm fortunate to be active in the lives of my three nieces, who are currently living in the Dominican Republic. Their father works for the U.S. Department of State, and I have been lucky to visit them in several places where they have been assigned.
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Jane Bauer Beranek (Jim)
The past 26 years, Jim and I have been raising four wonderful daughters. We now have two wonderful son-in-laws and the most recent news is that we are grandparents. Ella was born May 29, 2002, and lives in Parkersburg with her parents, Jonna and Zach Junker. If you want to see pictures of her, just ask. Jami lives in Waterloo and works for a mortgage company. Jenni was married last summer to Ryan Cunningham and they live in Pella. Ryan is a teacher and Jenni will be student teaching this fall. Jessi, our youngest, will be a senior in high school. We have been in Pella, Iowa for the last five years, where Jim is the United Methodist pastor. I work at Central College in the Advancement Office. Pella is a great community - come visit us at Tulip Time! We truly feel blessed.
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Judy Bauer Showalter
After attending Kirkwood Community College, I have been working in an insurance office for the past 29 years. For the past 15 years, I have been working for a small agency in Kalona. I have three children. Annie (21) is going to be a senior at Central College in Pella. She is majoring in Spanish and Psychology. Because of her Spanish major, she spent four months this year in Mexico and will spend four months in Spain next year. Her mother has to go visit her when she is that far away, so I’ve been having fun traveling. This summer she is working at the University of Iowa in the Psychology Ward. Chad (18) graduated from MP this spring after a wonderful career in football and basketball. He will be attending Coe College in Cedar Rapids this fall, playing football and majoring in business. He is working this summer for a concrete contractor, so he is still working on his muscles. Josh (13) will be an 8th grader at MP Middle School. He is also active in sports and likes to play his guitar. At this moment, he is currently on an AAU track team, an AAU basketball team and also playing baseball. You can see that I don’t get much accomplished besides run him back and forth and go to ball games, which I love. This summer he will be busy going to Caps and College for Kids. He and I are planning a summer vacation to Washington D.C. with my sister Jane and her family. Four years ago, after being married 22 years and living in the country all my life, I am now single and the kids and I moved to Kalona. While we miss the open spaces, the kids love living in town, and our house is always full of their friends. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in August..
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Janice Bush Groff (Dennis)
Graduated from Kirkwood in 1973 in Floriculture. Married Dennis Groff October 13, 1973. Worked in flower shops for around 25 years. I owned my own flower shop in Montezuma, Iowa for ten years, from 1989-1998. Have two children, Kim and Brad, ages 23 and 21. My daughter was married in 1999. We are the proud grandparents of a grandson born June 14, 2002. We have lived in Millersburg, Iowa now for 24 years. I currently am working at the University of Iowa in the dorms, now going on four years. We are unable to attend this year. Hi to all!
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Cindy Coleman Hahn – (Kenny)
I have been blessed by much happiness and only minimal sadness since graduation. Last summer, Kenny and I celebrated 25 years of marriage and I’m hoping for another 25 years to come. Our sons are 24 and 25 years old, which makes me feel old, even though my own 48 doesn’t! Both Neil and Adam are in the area and work in the construction field. They have steady girls, but no wedding bells or grandchildren yet. I work full time at Iowa City Heart Center. I’ve worked various areas in the last 28 years, but have found my niche in cardiology. I can’t imagine ever retiring, but another 10 or 15 years might change my mind. My only question is: What were they thinking when they added on to the high school? It looks like a penitentiary! What poor design! The circle in front was always welcoming before, but now it looks like you are approaching the guard gate. UGLY!
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Connie Crone Forinash (Mike)
Mike and I still live in Washington. We both work together, running Forinash Tool Company. Very flexible hours for me! Our two sons are grown; one lives in Colorado, and the other in Illinois. No grandchildren as yet!
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Carol Crossett Malichky (Jim)
Remember Jim Malichky from the Class of 73? Well, Jim and I have been married for 27 years! Farming and Avon keep us busy. I have been a District Manager for Avon for 15 years and love my job. I switched districts a couple years ago and now have Johnson, Cedar, Jones and Linn Counties. We find ourselves empty nesters (most of the time). Our three kids are Corey, age 24 and soon to be married; he lives south of Wellman, where I grew up, and raises hogs and works construction; Chris, age 22, lives in Riverside with his girlfriend and works for Merit Electric and raises hogs; Cassie is now 20 and will graduate from college in December. She works at the Hills Bank. My favorite fun thing to do is travel. I have gone on several cruises and am always anxious to go again! Looking forward to seeing everyone now, and again in five years!
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Joanne Dickel Miller (George)
I would have to write a book if I started to tell what I’ve done since graduation! Currently, George manages the Arnold Motor Store in Washington and I manage the Washington County Mini Bus.
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Robert Duvall (Jane)
Since the last reunion, we have had many changes in our lives. The following January, we made the big decision to sell-out and get-out of farming. May of 1998, I was hired on at Wilson Concrete in Washington, to drive a cement truck. I worked for the company until December of 2000, and then was told I should probably look for another job because of the business being sold. So, at this time, I applied for a job in Iowa City, hauling garbage, and basically lasted there until May 2001, when I got really sick. I spent two months recovering. In the meantime, I reapplied to the new owners of the cement plant and was re-hired when the doctors released me to go back to work. During this time, Jane and I sold our little bit of the farm to our son, Nicholas, and moved to Iowa City to Lake Ridge Manufactured Home Park and love living there. No grandchildren as of yet, but a big wedding planned for next June 21st for our son, Nicholas and his girlfriend, Leslie.
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Dwight Duwa
After graduation, I started farming along with doing some auctioneering part time. Approximately 15 years ago, I bought an acreage just west of Wellman and built an auction building. I started doing a lot more auctioneering and less farming. Today I am a full-time auctioneer with my office located 1-1/2 miles west of Wellman. I truly enjoy my job in working with so many people, the variety of merchandise I’ve seen and sold, and the challenges in trying to please everyone. I am not married, but do have two daughters; BJ, 20 years old and attending University of Dubuque, and Jordan, 11 years old, just ready for middle school. My work occupies a lot of my time, but I do enjoy golf, fishing and deer hunting. I have coached young girls’ softball for 15 years. Obviously, I’ve had the opportunity to coach my own daughters and many of their friends.
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Mary Lou Eash Barton (Bob)
I’ve been married for 17 years and have two daughters, one 12, one 9. We live in San Bernadino, California near the San Andreas Fault. I stil like reading books. I do not like housework. When I grow up, I want to still be in awe of God and what he has created.
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Bev Furgason Ellis (Terry)
I have been working at Norwood Calendar Factory for 28 years. My husband has worked at Crane Company for 31 years. We have three grandchildren. Names and ages: Taylor is Shelly’s little girl, 6 years old; Chad’s children are Ryan, 3 years old, and Lucas is 8 months old. We enjoy spending time with them. We also play golf quite a bit. We have been married 17 years.
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Inez Gingerich Houk (Mark)
I am still doing the bookkeeping/payables for my husband’s chiropractic offices, which have expanded to two clinics. Alas, I never returned to nursing after my second maternity leave many years ago. Our oldest son, Jon 21, is to be a senior biology major at Whitworth College (Spokane); and Brandon, 18, is headed to the University of Washington in Seattle this fall. Our youngest, Mahlor, 8, will be in third grade. Come see us in the great Northwest!
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Janell Grout Peters (Don)
Back in 1991, my husband, Don, and I built a showcase garden for ourselves with several rock terraces from 2 limestone barn foundations. The gardens were soon filled with non-stop flowering of perennials and annuals. It drew people in from the area, and soon I had too many visitors and not enough time to weed. Time management was necessary, and so was a plant business, for visitors began asking to purchase plants from my gardens. Limestone Gardens Plant Sale opened up in 1996 on four tables in the driveway. In 1998, I kicked the hogs and cows out of the barn, cleaned it out, and now use the barn as a retail selling floor. I no longer dig plants from my garden to sell; instead I buy in wholesale. I host two Garden Walks in the summer, and then transform the barn into a Fall Farmer’s Market with pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds for sale. The barn is decorated to the hilt with a friendly Halloween theme for the kids that often come to tour. I love being their tour guide! Our next step is accepting bus tours of seniors to experience our 1920s farmstead, farm animals, barn and the 1-1/2 acres of gardens. It keeps me very busy!
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Vicki Grout Adam (Ken)
Ken and I have been married for 24 years; sounds like a long time. We have just moved into our newly built home in Kalona. I do like living in town very much. We have two children; Mike is 22 and just graduated from Coe in May. He is still looking for employment. He has been going with Terri Huber for about five years. We will probably be planning a wedding in the near future. Kelly is 18 years old and just graduated form Mid-Prairie in May, and she will be attending UNI this fall. I have worked for the MP School district for 13 years. I guess I didn’t get enough of school when I went. So, that’s about the extent of our lives at this point.
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Nelson Hershberger (Sue)
I worked for a local feed company for several years after graduation as a truck driver and in sales. I started farming in 1979 and am currently farming in the Kalona area. We have three children - Renea, age 24, who is married to Jeremy Pickard, and twins Andy and Angie, age 21. We have two grandchildren, Abby, age 4, and Dominique,
age 2.
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Jesse R. Hohenshell
Have been working around the area since graduation. Married in 1977 and was divorced in 1986, with two boys, Ashley 19, and Ethan 17. They both came and lived with me in 1997 and Ethan just graduated from Mid-Prairie this year. Both of my boys have put a few gray hairs on me, but are a blast to have around anyway. Have been working at Kalona Plastics Inc. for 11 years on third shift. I also help take care of my elderly parents. Enjoy gardening, old foreign cars, women and beer.
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Ralph Hole – (Sheri)
I pulled out the bio from our 25th, and rather than repeat history the last 25 years ...Marines, Army (82nd Airborne), truck driving, two kids, wife, horses, hot rods and sheep dogs. Now, for the last five years – one word: CHANGE! Sheri moved from her job as a retail clerk for Brighton Feed and Saddlery to office manager of Overland Supply, which is Brighton’s wholesale division. I changed jobs. I realized I had delivered one too many grand slams and too many donuts. For the last 2-1/2 years, I have been working for Dyer Construction Company, Parker, Colorado. This is a small family company with a total work force of 18 field employees and three office/clerical employees. We do all phases of excavation, demolition, grading and landscape preparation. Our daughter, Jeannie, finally graduated from college; Metro State in Denver, with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Also, she graduated Magna-Cum-Laude while serving an internship with Denver County Department of Human Resources, where she is now a caseworker. She starts this fall at Denver University to obtain her Masters Degree. Our son, Jason, is now a sergeant in the army, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. He is a newlywed of eight months and is now part of the Homeland Defense Task Force. Sheri and I still have our sheep. Our horse population has increased to six with number seven due next spring. I also have a new project I am tinkering with – I started building a pro-street ’64 Chevy Panel Truck. Maybe I’ll have it done for our 30th, 35th? In our spare time, Sheri and I have started breeding Australian shepherds, hence our latest venture, The “Hole” Gang Aussies. That’s about IT! I hope this doesn’t qualify me for the “Windy” Award. See you all in a couple of months!
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Jerry Huffman (Linda)
Summarizing until last 5 years: Went to college (graduated). Worked in a factory. Taught @ Mid-Prairie High School for four years. Spent a year in Los Angeles. Ran a small business in Mount Pleasant. Went to Graduate School (graduated again). Moved to Creston. At last reunion was expecting first grandchild. Now, have three and expecting the fourth. Still work for the Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Linda and I enjoy family, short vacations around Iowa, and attending exciting, unexpected events, such as John Allen’s wedding.
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Bob Kinsinger (Sue)
I am working for my Dad on the garbage route and at the Kalona Sales Barn. When I’m not at work, I’m home working horses. Sue teaches in an elementary autism classroom at Stewart School in Washington. Brad will be a sophomore at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. He is an Agriculture transfer student preparing to go to Iowa State University to major in Agriculture Education/Agriculture Communications. He works at Nelson Manufacturing. Nick will be a junior at Mid-Prairie. He is involved in FFA, football, and basketball. He spends every spare minute at the Kalona Sales Barn. 4-H keeps him busy too. Our family project is managing and working the Mid-States Horse and Pony Show held each July at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Sue and I have gone to National Convention and State events as chaperones for the Mid-Prairie FFA Chapter.
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Lynn Kleopfer – (Charla)
The last 30 years are impossible to condense to one page but here goes: The first seven years after graduation were spent in college and medical school at the U of I. I then did four more years of specialty training in Columbia, MO. For two years I practiced pathology in Ottumwa, IA, but this position and city did not work out. I then had an opportunity to return to Columbia, MO and practice pathology for Boyce & Bynum Pathology Services. I have spent the last seventeen years working in this group. We currently have 17 pathologists in our group. Most of my time now I spend working at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO. Like most Americans I spend too much time working and have too little free time to enjoy myself. My life has flown by the last 5 years and I don’t seem to have time to do anything. What in the world does a pathologist do? We are physicians who spend most of our time running laboratories in hospitals and making diagnoses on biopsies and tissues removed from patients. We look at all tissues removed by surgeons and all cytology specimens such as Pap smears. I do an occasional autopsy but this is not a big part of my practice. We make sure laboratory testing is performed correctly on all patients. We tell other physicians if removed tissues are normal, diseased, or malignant. I married Charla Ann Emmons in Columbia, MO in 1981. We have two daughters. Melanie is grown and gone, and lives and works for First Bank in St. Louis. Natalie will be a junior in high school this fall, is hormonally challenged, and gives her parents trouble every chance she gets. I can’t wait for the empty nest syndrome. I now understand the hell I gave my parents growing up. I have no son-in-laws or grandchildren and I don’t know if I ever will. Charla cannot make this reunion with me. My parents still live on the farm outside of Richmond, IA. I am trying to get them to move to town but I haven’t succeeded yet. My brother Kevin lives in Washington, Iowa with his wife and three children. My sister, Janice Yotty, lives in Kalona with her husband and three children. On the rare days when work or family doesn’t take all my time, I like to scuba dive, fish, go camping, and try to keep my computer from crashing. I don’t think anyone else in our class lives in Columbia, MO. I haven’t kept up with most of my Mid-Prairie classmates, which is my fault. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
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Mary Koening French (Mark)
Since the last reunion, I lost my job as a medical secretary
transcriptionist at Iowa Methodist Hospital in June of 2000 due to re-structuring. So, I decided to start my own medical transcription business, French Data Services, L.L.C., and have been contracting medical transcription services since that time. I work out of my home and I absolutely love it! I have a lot of flexibility in my business, and am so happy to be away from the 9 to 5 rat race. I have been married for 17 years. My husband works for the State of Iowa as a Web Administrator in Workforce Development. I have one 13-year-old son, Michael, who will be in 8th grade at Goodrell Middle School this fall; two step-sons, James, age 28, and Timothy, age 26; two step-grandchildren, Brooklyn, age 6, and Bradley, age 5. We still live in our old house on the East Side of Des Moines, and hope to either build or buy a newer home within the next couple of years, possibly on an acreage. We enjoy the outdoors, watching Mike’s baseball games, traveling, camping, bicycling, spending time with our children and grandchildren, and our pets; a golden retriever, a Maine Coon cat, two lovebirds, and a chameleon. I even have the time now to do some gardening, and started a perennial flower garden in the back yard a couple of years ago, which I really enjoy. I like to play tennis when I have the time and ride my motorcycle whenever I get the chance. I have enjoyed working with former classmates to organize this reunion, and have but one comment: 30 years is quite a LONG time….all of us have gone through, and have seen major changes in our lives… but take comfort in the fact that you can count on one thing that will never change, will truly withstand the test of time, and rest assured, will always remain the same: John Allen’s attitude! I love it!
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Georgia Miller Gingerich (Mark)
After graduation, in 1972, I moved to Denver for one year, then lived in Colorado Springs for two years. I wanted to do some traveling in Europe, so in the spring of 1976, I went with a group and toured Europe by bicycle for six weeks. Returning to rural Iowa and Yoder’s Egg Factory in Frytown was a letdown after an exciting trip, so I signed up with the same organization for a coast-to-coast bike trip during the summer. That was a fantastic experience. In August of 1977, I married Mark. He was the mechanic on the coast-to-coast trip. Then, September 1978, we bought a struggling bike shop. This fall we will have been here 24 years. Children came along; Heather in 1980, Brad in 1981, Katrina in 1984 and Melissa in 1986. On Thanksgiving Day 1983, Heather died. She had hardening of the heart that went undetected until ten days before her death. Brad had his 2nd birthday the day after the funeral and I was seven months pregnant. By the grace of God, we made it through a very turbulent time. When the children were small, they went along to the store with us. As they got older, they went to school and their Saturdays and summers were spent here at the store. Now, as they begin their own lives, I appreciate and treasure the time we spent working, playing, laughing, biking, and talking together. Brad has interest in auto technology and went to school in Laramie, Wyoming. He currently is living at home, working at an auto shop and has a steady girlfriend. Katrina graduated from high school this spring with honors; edited the yearbook, played soccer and piano, and is active is church youth group. She will attend Rose-Hulman (Engineering School) in Terre Haut, Indiana. Melissa will be a sophomore in high school, is goalie for the varsity women’s’ soccer team, and plays post on the basketball team. She is looking forward to getting her real driver’s license this fall. Mark and I spend our days at the store and attend ball games. We also made a commitment to be high school youth sponsors at church for a year. When time is available, I enjoy flower gardening and making small wall quilts.
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Nancy Mishler Harrison
Since graduation, I have “been there – done that” and probably “did it again”! I went to college for two years, worked as a nurses aide, store clerk, worked with a private investigator, ran my own business serving legal papers, processed credit reports, received paralegal certification, labored in a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, held various customer service positions and am now content as a Medicaid Billing Specialist here in Oregon. I’ve been married twice (widowed once – divorced once), no kids, no pets at this time and no partner of the male species at this time. I’ve lived in the beautiful Northwest since 1988 and just love it! I won’t be attending the reunion this year, but hopefully the next one. If anyone finds themselves in the Portland area, please make your presence known and I’ll be glad to play “tour guide”. Phone calls and e-mails are always welcome too! Hope the reunion goes well!
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Andy Rowe
I have been a high school teacher at Iowa Valley Community School in Marengo for the last 27 years, teaching Agricultural Education/FFA. I also crop farm and raise a few hogs. I am single. My wife Julie, who some of you knew, died five years ago. My children are Adam, who is a sophomore in college, and Amy, a sophomore in high school.
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Larry Sabin
Nothing has changed. I still sell cars for Junge Ford in Center Point, Iowa. I have been there for 4-1/2 years and have been selling cars now for 12-13 years. I have six grandchildren.
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Sandi Schroeder Hotchkiss (Jim)
Following graduation, I attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a BSN in nursing in 1976. I started what I assumed would be a temporary position at Washington County Hospital because I was tired of commuting to Iowa City. Twenty-six years later, I am still working at WCH, but now I am the nurse manager of inpatient services. I found I really enjoy caring for the people in my community and at the moment, have no interest in commuting to a job. I married Jim Hotchkiss in June of 1973. We have four children: Jennifer, who graduated in 2000 from Kansas State University with a degree in journalism and ag science, married Dan Shike in 2000 and works for the National Swine Registry, heading up their junior program. They live in Tolono, Illinois. Jessica, soon to be 23, is finishing her degree in ag business at Iowa State University and hopes to be gainfully employed in order to pay off her school loans. Jake, 21, will be a junior at Iowa State. He is majoring in construction engineering. He spent this summer working with Jane and Judy’s brother in the County Engineer’s Office. Jillian, our youngest, will be 14 this fall and is already planning on getting her school permit. I only hope we can survive one more child learning to drive! She is active in 4-H, basketball, tumbling and track. Jim worked for Hy-Vee for 21 years, and managed a feed warehouse in Washington until last fall when he took a position with Home Gas in Wellman so he could be home more. Our spare time, what there is, is spent riding horses and attending kid’s events. I am really looking forward to the reunion and want to thank all those who worked so hard to put it together. Thanks!!
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Nancy Shaver Wasson (Kim)
I can’t believe it’s been 30 years already! Now, I do feel old! At this point in my life, I’m just looking forward to that far away retirement date! I started working in Central Sterilizing at Mercy Hospital in 1976. In 1988, I was promoted to Manager of the CS and Linen Departments. I stayed in that position until March of 2001. I stepped down as manager at that time, and went back to working as a Tech I in the Central Supply Department. I decided that after 13 years, it was time for someone else to listen to all the complaining! It just wasn’t worth the trouble anymore! Our youngest daughter, Brandy, will be 25 years old in July. She is single (but is working on the boyfriend to commit to marriage)! She works in the Radiology Department at Mercy. She is planning to go to Radiology Tech school next fall. Next in line is our son, Derek. He will be 27 years old in August. He got married in August of 2000 in our front yard (Mom cried)! They are separated now, but trying to work things out. He is a drywall subcontractor through Chris Bower, in Iowa City. He also does some side jobs on the weekends. Last, but not least, is our oldest daughter, Toni. She will be 30 years old in October. She works for Progressive Rehab Services, at Mercy Hospital. She is the mother of our first grandchild, Kennady, who just turned 5 in March. She will be starting kindergarten this year at Mid-Prairie. Mrs. Showalter will be her teacher. Toni is also the mother of our newest grandchild, Carsen. He was born on May 25, 2002. Nana (Grandma) didn’t do so well in the delivery room! I started to feel a little queazy and the nurses made me sit down! (I have always been on the other end of the birthing process)! Kim and I have been looking at property down in Arkansas, which is where we plan on moving when we retire. The weather is fairly good in the winter months and it is not too far away from the family. Enjoy your night of reminiscing, and hopefully I’ll see you at the 35th reunion!
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Marnetta Shetler Bradford (Jerry)
It’s hard to believe that it has already been 30 years since high school graduation. Our oldest son, Brendan, will be entering high school this fall. Brittany will be in seventh grade. My husband is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at College Misericordia, a small liberal arts college in Dallas, Pennsylvania. I have been working as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a busy family practice office in Wilkes-Barne, Pennsylvania. I graduated from Wright State University with a Master’s in Community Health in 1994 and from College Misericordia in 1997 with a Master’s in Family Health Nursing. We enjoy traveling as a family. Several years ago, we took a road trip to California and back, stopping at national parks along the way. Last year, I accompanied my sister and her husband on a three-week trip to China to adopt a baby girl. This year our family will be traveling to Orlando, Florida for me to attend a women’s health conference and for all of us to see Disney and Universal attractions.
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Dan Spreacker (Jane)
For the past 21 years, I have worked for IMT Insurance Company out of West Des Moines, Iowa. My Senior Territory Managers position covers Northwest Iowa and South Dakota. I’ve lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota since 1989. Met my wife, Jane; we’ve been married for the past seven years. I have two step-daughters, Katie (18) and Mary (15). Hunt, fish and golf.
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Patty L. Swartzendruber (Michael J. Pollock)
Hi Everyone! I’m sorry to say that I’m not going to be there. We had a blast at the 25th. Dick Ehrenfelt, I know you’re going to be there and I’m going to miss seeing you! That would have been great! Clothesline and rose bush will never be the same and the swing on the porch! I have done bartending, truck driving, maid, baby-sitter, department store, truck stop/station and now I’ve become a stocker in-store. Michael was diagnosed with cancer and we went through bone marrow transplant and chemo-radiation, and now he is in remission three years. My son will be 20 years old this year. His name is Shannon Swartzendruber. Michael J. Pollock and I have been together six years. We have purchased a 2002 Harley-Davidson 12,000 Custom Classic Pearl White, so more bills to pay. I love my racing. Some day, I’m going to get behind the wheel and go as fast as I can. I’m working in the pits at West Liberty three years and I love it! Been to Phoenix and will be in Michigan June of this year. I wish everyone in the Class of ’72 all the best. Would someone get an extra class picture for me? I’ll be glad to pay. The big “R” still lives on!
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Marcy Ulin DeFrance (Hank)
30 years – cannot believe it’s been this long. Well, two marriages, five children and four grandchildren later, I am living in Iowa City. My children: Jason, from my first marriage, has two boys, Karson and Keaton, and lives near Riverside; owns Jason Quality Walls and has a wonderful wife. He is doing very well. Stacy, also from my first marriage, lives in Wayland with wife Shelley and twins Braydon and Kinzie. He works for brother Jason. Lindsey, my oldest from my second marriage, is a senior at City High. She is bright, bubbly, outgoing and is the catcher for the City High softball team; she is planning on becoming a lawyer after graduating. Alex, my middle child, is soon to become 16. He is a sophomore at City and has been working at HyVee for the past two years. He plays hockey and loves the sport. Kerie, my baby, is almost 14. She is her father’s daughter. She is involved in softball, runs track, plays volleyball and basketball. My husband, Hank, is still at Acme Electric. He has now taken up hockey and coaches my son’s team. Me – I’m the Office Manager at Brandt Heating here in Iowa City. I have been there for almost two years. Out of high school, I worked at Oral B for 16 years; quit and started my own day care – gave that up in 1999 and worked at Heatland Express for nine months. I have been involved in area softball programs for the ten years, to keep me busy. I have been very blessed that all my children and grandchildren are in great health an all my children are doing great!
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John Woodin (Nancy)
It must be at least 30 years…I can’t find my bell-bottoms. I’ve spent the last 30 years as a college student (one degree from Drake and another from Iowa), a husband (married to Nancy for 26 of the 30 years), a proud father (son Rob is 22 singing with Minnesota Opera and son Mike is 18 and will attend Cincinnati Conservatory of Music), a music educator (including a 12-year stint at MPHS), a school administrator (one year as principal at MPHS and the last 10 years as Director of Fine Arts and Technology in the Dubuque Community Schools), an actor (semi-professional roles in “Annie”, “Music Man” and “State Fair” in Dubuque), a singer (solo opera roles with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra), a church musician (I direct two choirs in Dubuque), a volunteer board member, and a very bad plumber who is finally learning that it is better and cheaper to call someone who knows what he is doing before I mess it up even further. The students with whom I now spend time are beginning to see the wisdom of the classic long hair of the 1970s, but have not yet uncovered the timeless beauty of paisley and corduroy. Each March, I take a look at the program from the Iowa State High School Basketball Tournament, and point with great pride at the records section. Our record is still listed there. The rim seems a bit higher now, and the length of the basketball floor is a LOT longer, but the memories are as bright as ever. I’m really looking forward to again seeing the folks with whom I ran sprints, did plays, marched in band, sang, and tried to decipher exactly what the Algebra we “learned” had to do with real life.
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Jane Yoder Coufal
I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend. I’m still at Elmcrest Country Club as the Assistant Manager (20 years now). But, I have a wedding on Saturday. I’m still divorced. I have three grandchildren, two step-granddaughters and a grandson, 6 months old. They are my highlight every day. I keep the baby once a week. Being a grandma is great. My two boys live in Cedar Rapids, so I get to see them weekly with the family. I still work 50-60 hours a week. I guess I like my job. I am planing for the days of retirement – 12 years to go. I’m sure you all think of that. But, then what will I do after working 50-60 hours to none? My relaxation is my home and I love the yard work. I have a large corner lot and lots of flowers and grass to mow. No garden. I don’t cook or eat at home. I do hope all my classmates are well. If anyone is planning a get-together on Sunday, please let me know; I would like to see anyone that I can. Stay in touch!
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Linda Yoder Loftis (Mike)
I have lived in the Shelby area for 30 years (in December). Shelby is 40 miles west of Charlotte, N.C. and we have had the Coca-Cola 600 race for the years. Where are you race fans? I work at a Mother’s Morning Out (day are program) during the school months and am currently out for the summer. I have two stepdaughters, Stephanie and Christy. Also, have two step-granddaughters, Ali Jane (4) and Chloe (6 months). I usually make it back to Iowa at least once a year to visit my family and friends. I have enjoyed the “mini reunions” that we’ve had at the local hangout. (You people know who you are). I look forward to seeing all of you who can attend this year.
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Chris Yotty Brenneman (Richard)
Nothing has changed other than my bifocals and some strands of gray. Still married to Rich; Nick is 20, Amanda 18, Tyler 14 and PJ is 10 – so that’s two graduated from Mid-Prairie High School and two to go! We keep busy with sporting events and supporting MPHS as members of the Athletic Booster Board.
