Class of 1948 has busy reunion weekend years ago
Marion High School Class of 1948 graduates had a busy reunion weekend Sept. 26-27.
Several class members met Friday afternoon at the Marion Senior Center to decorate and set up for their Saturday night banquet. Later, Friday evening, classmates gathered for a yard party at the home of Forrest and Bea Kelsey.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, the class participated in the Old Settlers' Day parade. That afternoon they were recognized during ceremonies in Central Park.
Classmates, spouses and guests met at the senior center at 6 p.m. for a social hour followed by a 7 p.m. catered dinner. Forrest Kelsey, past class president, served as master of ceremonies during the program.
Maurine Hawbecker Graham, who had served as senior class sponsor, received special recognition and a corsage from her former students.
Several class members were recognized for making the reunion a success: Shirley Collett Bowers, Gladys Eitzen Alley, Edna May Winter Janzen, Elizabeth Ford Koegeboehn, Bob Navrat, and Forrest and Bea Kelsey.
Notes were read from several classmates who were unable to attend. They were LeRoy Herbel, Phyllis Larsen Wingfield, Betty Williams Sartorius and Dean Waddell. Warren Woerz and Betty Holmes Palmer made their regrets by telephone. Members who did not respond were John Blankley, Barbara Mohn Lehrman, and Drusilla Parrish Klassen.
A memorial service was held for deceased class members. Virginia Geis Young played a piano medley, "Memories." Deceased membes are Anne Burkholder Bradley, Donna Christensen Day, Kenneth Conyers, Harold Dean Hanson, Joan Herzet Kelsey, Leroy McDaris, Peggy McCarty Hett, Naomi McIntosh, Elton S. Peterson, and Helen Holub Smith.
The 25 class members attending the reunion were Richard Call, Georgia Christensen Higgins, Shirley Collett Bowers, Jim Druse.
Rose Marie Dvorak Van Buren, Gladys Eitzen Alley, Elizabeth Ford Koegeboehn, Virginia Geis Young, Charles Gutsch, Patsy Harris Merrill.
Marilyn Hayen Geis, Warren Hayen, John D. Hett, Loyette Hollar Swanson, Forrest Kelsey, Jerry McCarty, Cherridah Mullikin Gill.
Robert Navrat, Durward Oblander, Darlene Tuell Papke, Don Van Buren, Beatrice Winter Kelsey, Edna May Winter Janzen, J.D. Wright, and William Zeller.
Entertainment was provided by Don Van Buren, Gladys Eitzen Alley, Loyette Hollar Swanson, and Virginia Geis Young who played piano accompaniment.
During the business meeting, Shirley Collette Bowers reported on available funds. The class voted to donate $200 to the Marion Advancement Campaign-Flint Hills Area Community Foundation/MAC. A free will offering was taken and an additional $300 was added to make the total donation $500.
The class decided to make upcoming reunions simpler due to the increasing age of class members. A reunion committee was appointed for the next reunion in five years. Loyette Hollar Swanson will serve as chairman. Other committee members are Georgia Christensen Higgins, Patsy Harris Merrill, and Cherridah Mullikin Gill.
Following the meeting, Maureen Hawbecker Graham talked about her class memories, and told those present to not be afraid of aging. Loyette Hollar Swanson sang a solo, "Bless This House," to close the meeting.
