School opens, and warm memories return
Staff writer
As Marion students return to walk the halls and sit in classrooms, seniors fondly remember their own school days.
Reminiscing during a friendship meal at Marion Senior Center, Mark Tajchman, who graduated from Marion High School in 1973, said his favorite class was gym. His teacher was LeRoy Dreier.
Caleb Abbott’s favorite class was college preparatory physics.
“I liked the logic of it,” Abbott said.
Not surprisingly for a science lover, Abbot became an optomistrist and practiced in Marion.
Judy Christensen’s favorite class was art.
“I already was painting and drawing,” she said. “I went to art college and ran a studio.”
She operated a studio out of her home for many years and also opened a studio in Marion.
Jerry Kline said his favorite subject was recess. Paulene Edmunds was his favorite teacher during his school years at Marion.
Bill Goentzel attended a one-room school — Morningstar School outside of Marion. His teachers were Nicki Blackham, Mrs. Suderman, Jim Wilson, and Rita Hett.
After finishing at Morningstar, he attended Marion High School. His favorite subject was math, but it was closely followed by physical education.
Bob Schmidt’s favorite subject while in school at Marion was spelling, but he also said he liked recess.
“I just liked spelling,” he said.
His favorite teacher was Miss Best.
He spent 38 years as a lineman for the city.
“Electric service is a lot better than it was then since they upgraded,” Schmidt said.
Effie Smith attended a one-room school outside of Hoxie and then went to Hoxie High School.
The last year she attended the country school, there were only six students.
Her favorite subject was math.
“I was good at it,” she said. “It was challenging.”
Her country school didn’t offer much art or music, Smith said. Her favorite teacher was Mrs. Cressler.
“I think she taught us a lot,” Smith said. “Going to Hoxie High School was a culture shock.”
Diana Dalton’s favorite subject was reading, even though she no longer does as much reading as she once did.
“Reading is an adventure,” she said. “You can go anywhere.”
She attended Shawnee Mission West School.
After graduation, she worked in customer service and became a representative at Great Plains Federal Credit Union in Hillsboro.
She moved to Marion four years ago.
“I like it here in Marion,” Dalton said.
Kathy Goentzel’s favorite subject was English, and she loved all aspects of it. She also loved recess, when she got to play with other students.
She attended first through sixth grade at a country school and then transferred to Marion schools.
Living in Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa before returning to Marion, she worked as a medical secretary, in a nursing home in Minnesota, and in a crop insurance office.
Connie Fisher said her favorite teachers at Bown-Corby School were Esther Holloway and Paulene Edmunds.
She later attended Hill School and Marion High School, then attended Prairie State College in Chicago.
She enjoyed all her classes about the same, she said, and no particular subject was her favorite.
She took care of children, worked for Social and Rehabilitation Services, and was a nurse’s aide in Peabody and Marion.