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Welcome to the South St. Paul High School
Class Of 1963 Web Site.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Classmate Spouse Obit

 Gerald Edgell, 82, of South Saint Paul, died on March 10, 2024, was husband of our classmate Jeri Shelley Edgell who died in 2017. He owned Jerry’s Hair Fashions in South Saint Paul for almost 60 years and continued working with customers until one year ago. Full notice: 

https://www.twincities.com/obituaries/gerald-edgell/

 

Late Notice Classmate Obituary

Sam J. Cotosman

1944 – 2017

We are sorry to announce the death of classmate, Sam J. Cotosman in 2017, in Thornton, CO, courtesy of Jane Letson via a message from a SSPHS schoolmate, Vicki Albu. The Funeral Home listing does not have an obituary posted, just a simple announcement but Vicki was kind enough to leave a message on the site which includes a response from Sam in 2013 regarding his ancestry.  

Vicki Albu Comment

05/22/2017

I send my condolences to the family and friends of Sam Cotosman, a man I never met but I talked to him by phone and email while researching Romanian family history. Here is a letter he wrote in 2013 which you might enjoy.

"I have reviewed and enjoyed your paper "A Thousand Dollars and Home Again? " The facts brought forth by the paper were mirror images of the culture I witnessed through conversations and experiences with my grandmothers. I grew up in South St Paul as a second generation Minnesotan. I am a one hundred percent Romanian as each of my parents were one hundred percent Romanian. My grandparents on my mothers side (Sarafolean) migrated to the US around 1907- 1908 and my father's dad (Cotosman) arrived around the same time span. Subsequently, my father's dad went back to Romania to grab my grandma (Elizabeth Funari) in 1912 so he could marry her. As I grew up, my family as members participated with St Stefan's Romanian church. I was Elia Motu's altar boy and helper for approximately 10 years during the 50s and early 60s. Both of my grandfathers worked at Swift and Company. My mother's father also owned a small farm which was attended by the children and my grandma while he worked at the meatpacking plant. I have stories about immigrant life and culture. I have a lot of old pictures I have in a 100 year old steamer trunk but have not fully inventoried them. They belonged to my grandparents and we handed down to me as a descendant. Some of the pictures feature funerals or church socials which was a way to meet and see acquaintances and bid farewell to the deceased. I have heard of the Albu family name associated with the Romanian community but cannot connect. "  [Sam Cotosman]

May he rest in peace. - Vicki Albu, Romanian Genealogy Society, South St. Paul, MN

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/thornton-co/samuel-cotosman-7355881


 

Classmate Obituary

Kathy Bauch Johnson Smith
1945–2023

We are so verry sorry to report the loss of our classmate, Kathy Bauch Johnson Smith, on Friday, November 10, 2023, Kathy was living in a Memory Care Home in Alexandria, MN. Cause of death was Alzheimer's Disease. Full notice has now been posted. Services will be held on December 30, 2023. For details use the link below. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Ken Smith and her son, Troy Johnson; survived by her son Todd Johnson and many extended family members. 

Full Obituary:

https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituaries/kathleen-smith

*Note to Classmates*

Members of Kathy’s family have seen the many kind comments posted on our memorial page in her honor and they have asked us to re-enter those comments on her obituary Guest Book so the whole family can see them. I just added mine and it is easy to duplicate your message if you go back to her “In Memory” listing and copy your entry, then come back to this Home Page and use the funeral home link, scroll down to Guest Book and paste your comment there. Of course you could just write a new one if you prefer. They are also asking for any pictures you wish to share. Another nice feature of that site is that sympathy cards are available to purchase through that system and they take care of mailing them to the family. Also you may address notes to Kathy’s son at:

Todd Johnson 
11142 Co. Rd. 94
PO Box 28
Holmes City, MN 56341
 

 

Congratulations to Linda Anderson Schueler
 on her recent marriage to LeRoy Johnson
in Rochester Minnesota. 

September 30, 2023



 

Classmate Obituary

Beverly Olson Madland
1945 – 2023
 
Beverly Jean Madland passed away peacefully from complications of lung cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd, MN on September 6, 2023.
Bev was born to Parents Sarah (Call) and Martin Olson in Albert Lea, MN on January 26, 1944. She lived in numerous locations from Minnesota to Washington State. She graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1963 and then attended Beauty School and worked and owned several salons. 

Bev married James R. Madland in South St. Paul on January 23, 1965. She moved to Fort Ripley, MN in 1976 and later moved to Hackensack, MN.

She had a great personality and could strike up a conversation with any stranger. She loved camping, fishing, sewing, cooking and baking. In later years she did a lot of volunteering for Faith In Action, Cass County.

She is survived by husband, Jim; daughters: Kristen (David) Szathmary, Karla (Jeff) Teer; son, James E. (Mary) Madland; seven grandchildren: Scott, James S., Katherine, Alison, Justin, Michael, and Amber; two great-grandchildren: Parker and Liam.

A Celebration of Life [was] held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hackensack, MN with visitation beginning at 10:30AM.


 

The photos of the 60th Reunion

on September 14, 2023

are now posted. See "60th Reunion"

on top menu bar.

Check back for additional

IDs and corrections


 

Late Notice Classmate Obituary

Jeri Beihl Noonan
1945–2022
We have received notice from her husband, Dennis, that our classmate Jeri Beihl Noonan died on March 5, 2022. We have no formal obituary but Dennis Noonan reported March 7, 2022, on Facebook:

To our friends and family, there is no easy way to do this, and I apologize for doing it online instead of in person to each of you, but it is what it is.

We lost Jeri on Saturday afternoon. She became very ill, and had to be admitted to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where she passed. There won't be a service.

Jeri and her husband lived in Banner Elk, North Carolina. She listed on her Facebook Profile that her From location was Saint Joseph, MO, rather than South St. Paul, MN, so perhaps she was a transfer student to SSPHS?  Hopefully, some classmates can fill in some details as comments on the "In Memory" section of this site. 

Rest in Peace, Jeri.

"Current" photo posted on Facebook, Jan 26, 2012  


 

 

SSP Teacher Obit

Jean Helen Kinsey

1926 – 2023

Miss Jean Kinsey, one of our 1950 Roosevelt kindergarten teachers, died July 13, 2023,  at age 98. She was born February 26, 1925, never married and taught kindergarten in Central, Roosevelt and Jefferson elementary schools throughout her lifelong career. The recent photo is from a July 2019 lunch date in River Falls, WI. According to Jane Burton Letson:  

 At this point she was 94 years old, living in her own home, driving and sharp as a tack.  She could identify by name all the kids in my sister’s kindergarten photo except for one person.  She could remember who was related to who even if the last name was different, i.e. she knew who my cousins were.  She was amazing!

The group photo is ca.1950 teaching staff at Roosevelt Elementary plus a PTA Mom or two. Miss Kinsey is 4th from right, standing. She will be remembered and missed by her many, many students and the South St. Paul School district and community. Full obituary link to follow. Add memories and comments to "Under the Clock" feature, top, left-hand corner. 

Group photo from The SSP Centennial Book, 1887 – 1987, edited by Lois Glewwe
Closeup provided by Jane Burton Letson

 

Classmates' Daughter Obituary

So very sad to report that Cathy Schmid Wappel, daughter of our classmates Rita Bonk Schmid and the late Larry Schmid has died. We have no photo at this time. 

CATHERINE WAPPEL OBITUARY

Catherine Wappel. 52 of the Southwest side of Chicago, IL formerly of White Bear Lake MN after a brief illness entered into eternal life May 13th 2023. Beloved wife of Jim for 21 years. Loving daughter of Rita (the late Larry). Dear sister of Caryn Schmid and Michael (Kelly) Schmid. Fond friend to many. Longtime artist, influencer, gaming enthusiast and accomplished butcher. She loved dancing for hours, was a world traveler and a Renaissance Faire circuit member for many years. She was loved by all who met her. She was pure sunshine. An upcoming celebration of life will be planned for late summer, known as CathyCon, and a family memorial event is planned in Minnesota in June.   

Source notice: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/catherine-wappel-obituary?id=51949592

Our hearts go out to Rita and we are remembering Larry too, at this very difficult time.

Cards and notes of sympathy may be sent to:

Rita Schmid
2588 Ralph St.
White Bear Lake Twp, MN 55110-3926

 

 

Classmate Obituary

Roberta Winchell Fisher

1945 – 2023

Roberta “Bobbie” J. Fisher, age 77, of Oakdale and formerly of Newport, passed away with family by her side on Monday, April 3, 2023. Bobbie was a former owner of Fisher Foods in Newport.

She is survived by son, Scott Fisher; daughter, Dawn (Dean) Sagstetter; grandchildren, Courtney (Eric) Holmstrom, Cara (John) Greavu, and Jack Fisher; great-grandchildren, Leighton and Easton Holmstrom; sister, Pat Kubash; sister-in-law Diane (Steve) Peterson; and many loving nieces and nephews..

She was proceeded in death by husband, Jack Fisher; her parents; and sister, Janet Duggan.

A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, April 17, 2023, at 11AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (920 Holley Ave, St. Paul Park, MN) with visitation beginning at 9AM. Bobbie will be laid to rest at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Cemetery. Published by Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Cottage Grove on Apr 4, 2023 Full notice athttps://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/roberta-bobbie-fisher-obituary?id=51558009

 


 

Late Notice Classmate Obituary

Justine Hammond Griffin

1945 – 2020

It has come to our attention that our classmate Justine Hammond died in 2020. 

Justine E. “Tina” Griffn, 75, of Caledonia and formerly of Galesville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20 , 2020, at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. She was born Feb. 20, 1945, in St. Paul, Minn., to Harold Justice and Lorraine (Slipka) Hammond. She was united in marriage to Patrick Griffin on November 30, 1963. Justine was named Mother of Year in Galesville in 1983. She enjoyed watching her husband, Patrick, and her son, John, race cars and doing crafts. Survivors include three sons; John Griffin (Tammy) of Caledonia, Richard (Becky) Griffin of Zearing, Iowa., and Shawn (Cindy) Griffin of Belle Plaine, Kan., three grandchildren; Gauge Griffin of Ettrick, WI., Alex (Haley) Griffin of Boone, IA., and Ricky Griffin of Ames, IA., two sisters; Robin (Frank) Velasquez and Patty Kirschner, three brothers; Sonny (Diane) Hammond, Dennis (Connie) Hammond, and Jay (Judy) Hammond. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Justine was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick. Graveside services [were held] at 1:00 pm, Monday, Nov. 30th, 2020 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. To offer the family online condolences please visit the funeral homes website at www.jandtfredrickson.com. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Posting courtesy of Jane Burton Letson


 

Classmate Obituary

Robert E. Carter, Jr.
1945 – 2023

Robert Eugene Carter Jr., (77) “Bob ”of Grand Marais, MN passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Friday, March 10, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born August 2, 1945, in Albert Lea, MN to Robert E Carter and Esther “Louise” Nelson. Bob was the eldest of four children and grew up in South Saint Paul. He attended and graduated from SSPHS in 1963 and Macalester College in 1968 and then served his country in Vietnam. Bob joined the family auto dealership and was active in the South St. Paul community. In 1998 Bob moved to Grand Marais, MN and started a second career as a real estate agent in Cook County. 

Bob is survived by his spouse, Helen; mother of his children, Cheryl Ninnemann Carter; his children, Sarah (Dan) Kostohryz and grandchildren Emma Walker, Loki Walker, and Henry Walker; and Adam (Jennifer) Carter and grandchildren Morgan Carter, Signe Carter, Lauren Bartl and Ryan Bartl; and his siblings, Mary Albert, Jim Carter [Victoria) and Jan Detmar, and many nieces and nephews, as well as many loving friends. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the First United Congregational Church of Christ in Grand Marais on March 18, 2023, at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Cook County YMCA.

Full obituary: https://epilogg.com/obituary/robert-bob-eugene-carter-jr-grand-marais-mn-55604-usa-8388

 


 

Classmate Obituary

Cheryll Altman Hawkins

 

1945 - 2022

Cheryll Raye Hawkins the daughter of William Arthur Altman and Anna Evelyn Ostrom was born in St. Paul, Minnestoa on February 24, 1945 and passed away in Conway, Arkansas on December 30, 2022 at the age of 77 years.

She was a life time Baptist and member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. She was a retired School Teacher,for 30 years, loved her students and her children. She was the administor of the Missions Department and the Lottie Moon Offerings in her church. She enjoyed decorating, was active in the church food pantry, active in church activities and was a volunteer of the Baptist Disaster Relief Fund. She was very special and was a gifted and talented person. She earned her bachelors and masters degree from the University of Central Arkansas. She enjoyed traveling and taking cruises, games, loved sports, the Razorbacks and was a hockey and a Viking fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Anna Altman, two sisters Harriette Mart and Elizabeth Malo. Survivors are her husband William Gary Hawkins of Vilonia, two sons Gary Lee Hawkins and wife of Lilia of Conway and William Jeffrey Truman Hawkins and Laura Shook of Conway, sister Donna Mae George of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, grandchildren Rodney Rhodes, Maria (Joe) Cangelosi and George Hirrill and one great grandson Henry, other relatives and many friends.

The family ask donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas PL., Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, Arkansas

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/26793728/cheryll-raye-hawkins

Notes and cards of sympathy may be sent to:
 
Family of Cheryll Hawkins
27 Ruby June St.
Vilonia, Arkansas 72173-8049

 

Holiday Lunch Bunch     
December, 2022
 

Lunch at Mallards

From left front: Helen Avenriep Bohrer, Bobbie Bentz Hansch, Marilyn Klein Fischer, Darla Smolek Andrews, Kathy Manley Simpson. Back row: Jane Burton Letson, Linda Mahler Metzen, Nancy Nygren Wallace, Geri Shank Lynch, Joan Schult Seaton, Lois Albu Eddy, Bev Preble Mamer.


 

Classmate obituary

Marilyn Dilley Cook
1945 - 2022

We have been informed of the death of our classmate Marilyn Dilley Cook, in October of 2022, in Orange, CA. No other details are known at this point. Condolences:

Home address:

Family of Marilyn Dilley Cook
3839 E. Silverleaf
Orange, CA 92869
 
Thanks to Marolyn Marquardt Schroeder for the notification

Classmate Obituary

Dennis Crist
1945 – 2022
 
Dennis William Crist, age 77, of Inver Grove Heights was welcomed home to heaven by our Lord and Savior Jesus on September 13th after a 2 year battle with ALS. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Patricia; children, Jay Crist, Heather (Jeff) Duquaine; Grandchildren, Maelyn and Noah Duquaine; siblings, Kert (Judy) Severson, Sharon Maki, Janice (Donald) Krueger, Erma Crist, Marlys (Robert) Maki. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharon Maki. Dennis was a hard working Christian man whom everyone loved and admired. He will be dearly missed but rejoice that he is enjoying paradise with our Savior. Visitation will be Thursday, October 6th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Kandt-Tetrick Funeral Home, 140 8th Ave. So. St. Paul. Memorial Service will be 11:00 am Friday, October 7th at Grace Lutheran Church, 155 8th Ave. S. South St. Paul with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of lowers, memorials can be sent to the ALS Association of Minnesota.

 

 

Gals' Lunch, September, 2022,

Good times at Old World Pizza, IGH. Seated from left, Kathy Manlely Simpson, Bev Preble Mamer, Lois Albu Eddy, Nita Armsberger Conlon (in special appearance from Arizona) Joan Schult Seaton, Nancy Nygren Wallace, Linda Mahler Metzen and Helen Avenriep Bohrer. Standing from left: Carol LeMay Bidwell, Rita Bonk Schmid, Grandchildren of Nita Conlon: Issac, Leila and Isabella, Darla Smolik Andrews and Bobbie Bentz Hansch.

photo courtesy of Bev Preble Mamer


 

Classmate Obituary

Jean Cowan Troyer

1945 – 2022

Age 76 of Hudson, Died May 28 Beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma Born June 22, 1945, Atlanta, GA, daughter of Robert and Irma (Liddell) Cowan. Grew up in So. St. Paul, graduating high school in 1963. Univ. of Minn. graduate with Honors in 1967. Taught elementary school in WBL and St. Paul. After moving to Hudson in 1984, she was the Christian Education Director at the Hudson United Methodist Church until retiring in 2001. Survived by husband, Ron Troyer; son, John Troyer of Bristol, England; son-in-law, Deneb Bucella of Milan, Italy; grandchildren, Aaron and Penny Bucella; sister-in-law, Judy Cowan of Roseville; cousin, Barb (Bob) Janoski of Madison WI; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Julie Troyer Bucella; brother, Robert M. Cowan Jr. SRV: 4PM Wed, June 8, O'Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. Eleventh St., Hudson, WI. VIS: one hr prior. Special thank you to Lakeview Hospice and Christian Community Home, Hudson for the kind care and support they provided to Jean. Memorials preferred to Hudson Library.


 

Facebook Users:

Conversations of History in South St. Paul

Feeling nostalgic about your hometown? If you haven't found this place yet, check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/

ConversationsofHistoryinSouthStPaul/?fref=nf

Be sure to allow about 2 hours. You'll get hooked!

2/23/15: We recently received this compliment about the Facebook site from a staff member of the Minnesota History Society:

  • Nicole Delfino Jansen And I should also note, MHS is currently working on an exhibit about Suburbia (to open this fall) and South St. Paul is one of the cities they are focusing on. We have great researchers - I turned their attention to this FB site (and Lois [Glewwe]) and I don't mind divulging that they LOVE it and have expressed what a valuable and unique resource it is. They say a number of communities have pages for history, but they have never seen one so active and with so much resource material. So many great contributors. I am not an old-timer in SSP, but wow - I thoroughly enjoy what all of you put into it!!!

 


PLEASE NOTE!

IS YOUR STREET ADDRESS SHOWING?

All known classmate addresses have now been added to this site.  If your address is showing under "Classmate Profiles"  it is because you added it yourself and opted to let us see it. If you are new to the site, please check "Edit Profile" to see whether we have your address listed correctly. 

PLEASE DO NOT DELETE YOUR ADDRESS

This site was meant to be a repository for classmates' records and will be our one-stop source for future reunion planning. But YOU have the option of allowing others to see only what you want them to see.

IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR ADDRESS (OR OTHER INFORMATION) TO BE VISIBLE TO CLASSMATES:

Go to "Edit Profile" (on the left hand margin) and scroll to the bottom of your profile. Check the box that hides your address and any other information you wish to be private. To verify this, on the Home Page, select "Classmate Profiles" up on the top border. Then select your name to see what everyone else sees.

If you have questions about privacy, feel free to use the "Contact Us" option or email me at SReppe@aol.com.

 


OUR YEARBOOK ON THE WEB

If you haven't had the fun of seeing our very own yearbook on the Web, check this out:

http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/South-St-Paul-High-School/142034?dsource=pub

Would you have ever imagined something amazing like this back in 1963?  I see they're having a "sale" and the regular price of $99.99 is 20% off plus free shipping for a limited time!  Wowee! If you don't have your own copy handy, take a stroll down memory lane...online! Still boggles the mind, doesn't it?


 



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