April 19, 2024

Reunions

Cromwell School Alumni Banquet

The 87th Cromwell School alumni banquet was held May 26 at Supertel Inn and Conference Center in Creston.

President Connie Kinkade welcomed the 57 alumni, spouses and guests in attendance.

Invocation was given by Kinkade.

After a meal catered by The Windrow, Kinkade conducted the business meeting. Other 2018 officers include David Rhine, vice president and treasurer; and Mary Brunner, secretary. Volunteers assisting with the banquet include Jerrie Henderson, Gerald Sticken and Wayne Gridley.

Deaths reported since the 2017 banquet included: Juanita Carns Harrison, class of 1937; Wanda Eschle Moore, class of 1942; Clell Looney, class of 1945; Clifford Blazek, class of 1947; William “Bill” Schafer, class of 1948; Shirlee Sammons Kiley Ludemann and Goldie Mae Orth Myers, class of 1949; Pat Megrew, class of 1955; Donna Eklund Moran, class of 1961; and Walter Veatch, class unknown.

Those attending from honored classes were:

1943 – Joy Crowell Cummings

1948 – none.

1953 – Chet Abel and Lela Harrison Eggman.

1958 – Janice Rhine Dillinger.

1963 – Marian Campbell Drake, Sharon Schrodt Abell and Lyle Vicker.

The secretary’s report, prepared by Brunner, was read by Tammy Rhine. The report was approved as read. The treasurer’s report was read by David Rhine. A motion to approve the report was made by Duane White, seconded by Duane Foster. The motion was approved.

With no nominations for new 2019 officers, a motion made by Duane White, seconded by Duane Foster, to keep the current officers. Motion was approved.

After another discussion on banquet locations, a motion was made by Betty Abel, seconded by Jerrie Henderson, to keep the banquet at the Supertel Inn and Conference Center. Motion was approved.

Donations were received from Suzan Johnson Knighton, class of 1961; Ann Moore in memory of Roger Moore, class of 1954; and Mary Abel Bryant, class of 1948.

The meeting was concluded with the drawing of door prizes conducted by David Rhine and Gerald Sticken.

Winner of a Model John Deere tractor donated by AgriVision in Creston was Mary Davis Meaney, class of 1962.

Winner of a model Case International Harvester tractor donated by Titan Machinery in Greenfield was David Rhine, class of 1961.

Winners of free dinners at the 2019 banquet were Wayne Spriggs, class of 1949; Jack McFarland, class of 1956; Gerald “Charlie” Dix, class of 1954; and Tammy Rhine, wife of David Rhine, class of 1961.

The 2019 banquet will be May 25 at Supertel Inn and Conference Center in Creston with 5 p.m. social hour and 6 p.m. dinner. Honored classes will be 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959 and 1964.

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Thayer Alumni Banquet

The annual Thayer Alumni Banquet was held June 9 at Lorimor Community Center with 47 members and guests attending. Linda Huffman gave the welcome and Dwayne Henrichs gave the invocation. Lorimor Boosters prepared and served the delicious meal. The business meeting was conducted by Huffman, who also gave the secretary’s and treasurer’s reports. The 2019 banquet will be held June 8 in Lorimor Community Center with the boosters catering the meal.

Alumni celebrated all who attended during the roll call of alumni members and guests. Mildred Hathaway Miller from Illinois, of the class of 1938 celebrating 80 years, sent her well wishes. Celebrating 73 years were Darlene Hibbard Wimmer and Donald of Afton from the class of 1945. Ruby Crittenden Stephens of Shannon City was honored for 70 years, in the class of 1948. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer attended from the class of 1950, and Darlene Conklin Henrichs of Thayer and Robert Simon of Winterset attended from the class of 1951. Bob Beardsley of Warsaw, Missouri, and Jack Quee and Mona of Afton attended from the class of 1953, celebrating 65 years. Attending from the class of 1954 were Wanda Perry McIntire of Afton, Raymond Johnston and Betty of Murray and Lyle Hannah and Marilyn of Truro.

Attending from the class of 1955 were Sharon Shroudemier Steward and Gail of Orient and Keith Bullock and Janice of Creston. Nola Huntsman Vorrath and Earl of Casey attended from the class of 1957. Celebrating 60 years was the class of 1958: Marna Downey Becker and John of Afton and Jerry Becker from Glidden. Carol Jean Eckels Edwards of Colorado attended from the class of 1959. Harold Downey of Afton attended from the class of 1960.

Members present who attended Thayer, but graduated after East Union was formed were: 1961 – Dorothy Ann Eckels Vert of Lorimor and Wayne Priest and Jennifer of Perry; 1962 – Ruby Bailey Cornelison of Winterset and Bob Denton and Linda of Creston; 1963 – celebrating 55 years, Raymond Medders of Northwood, Maxine Eckels Kilpatrick and Jack of Lorimor and Allen Becker of Perry; 1964 – Nancy Landers Medders of Northwood, Gary Becker of Perry, Linda Lundquist Huffman and Jerry of Creston and Bonnie Huntsman Perdue and Terry McDowell of Winterset; 1967 – Chuck Lundquist and Patricia of Omaha, Nebraska; 1969 – Patty Huntsman of Shannon City and Cheryl Neisemier Whittington of Diagonal.

Guests attending were Rick Paxton of Afton, Bob Beardsley Jr. and Carolyn of Missouri and Glenn Norris of Johnston, who provided sound equipment for the banquet.

The E.U. class of 1964 was honored as the class with the most members present. The Eckels, Becker and Huntsman families had the most members attending. Carol Jean Eckels Edwards of Colorado and her driver, Dorothy Ann Eckels Vert, received First National Bank travel mugs for traveling the farthest.

The team of Bob Simon, Rick Paxton, Marna and John Becker, Harold Downey and Jerry Becker won the annual Thayer trivia contest and were presented with gold medals.

A drawing for door prizes was held with the following gifts presented: years’ subscription to Afton Star Enterprise to Jack Quee; Fareway gift cards to Dwayne Henrichs and Wayne Priest; El Ranchito gift card to Patricia Lundquist; Kansas Street Deli and Purple Cow Antiques gift card to Sharon Steward; Hy-Vee gift card to Mona Quee; First National Bank caps to Dorothy Ann Vert and Patty Huntsman; FNB bag to Wanda McIntire; and FNB coffee mugs to Carolyn Beardsley and Nancy Medders. Gifts donated by Patty Huntsman were given to Raymond Johnston, Marilyn Hannah, Betty Johnston and Nola Vorrath. Door prize donations were appreciated. Terry McDowell, Patty Huntsman and Cheryl Whittington helped with presentations. After singing the Thayer Fight Song, visiting and photos were enjoyed.