Hi Kathy,

I think most of the girls were in choir. I just mouthed it most of the time. I just was never going to be accused of being off key. Still can't sing. Loved Sister Karla tho. Sister Rebecca was the worst. I think she was the 7th grade teacher. She stressed me out so much I literally pulled my hair out. I don't think you were weird Kathy. I think we were all in the process of being groomed for the convent. Anyone remember the "infamous" spanking machine in the principles office? I remember the vision in my head of being sent there and this huge wooden paddle coming out of the wall as we lay across her desk and getting wacked. I also remember my friend and I on the old school playground between the back of the church and the school and thought we found "hosts" laying all over the ground.  We were afraid to touch them for "fear" .....of something. We hunted up a Nun and discovered that they were white cardboard milk bottle caps. I'm sure the Nuns had a good laugh at the dinner  table that night also.

Oh my goodness Vivian - The Spanking Machine - I'd forgotten all about that - but how could we. It was a constant threat - at least until we got to the older grades! And I agree with you - Kathy you were FAR from weird! Just pretty normal. I'd also forgotten the "vocational fairs". I too was planning to be a priest! Oh my gosh!

Paul Fruin wrote:

Yes Paul the threats and intimidation......but we all turned out ok I think. The dicipline was consistant "in those days" (hate it when I say that or "back then")  The parents of today have so much more to contend with than even I did with raising my children. There is so much more to keep up with and it's hard to find that simple life anymore.

Yep Vivian and we allowed it to happen on our watch! I was speaking with a "found" classmate yesterday inviting him to the site and we were talking about how we used to walk the railroad tracks between CL and Richfield when we were kids and go hunting and such all over the place. Parents in most parts of this country wouldn't even think of allowing their kids to do those things these days. It's a different world indeed!

I HATE, HATE, HATE my first communion picture!!!   Someone unpost it , please:)

I must have been afraid the host would stick to the roof of my mouth.  50 years later and I still have to live with that.  Looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Kathy

Oh my - Paul mentioned Richfield - well, does anyone remember two silos out by the railroad tracks (are they still there?).  I only heard about them. (ahem)

That's way too classic to unpost Kathy! If I have to live with being the only idiot kid with his tie hanging out, you'll have to live with "the look of horror"! What WAS so scarry about that event anyway? Do you remember what you were thinking?

Thanks to Mary Lou Matter, we now have some pictures of our other classmates in their grade school years. And we need help from ALL OF YOU to identify these kids! I'll post them in the next post!

OK Classmates, here are some more wonderful looking 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 year olds 46-53 years ago compliments of Mary Lou Matter! Thanks Mary Lou!

PLEASE let us know who you can identify by clicking the Edit Message button at the bottom of this message and adding names to each row. I enlarged these photos 100% but some of us may have to enlarge them even more to see who the heck these kids are! To do that, right click the photos and click "Save As". Save them to your desktop, or wherever, and then open them with whatever photo editor you use. Most of them will let you enlarge them as much as you want so you can see who's who. Have fun!

Central School - Kindergarten

Bottom Row: ?, ?, Stan Feltz, Tim ?, Linnea Fanter,  ?, Janess Sebenar,  ?

Middle Row: ?, Bob Rehberg, Ann Swan, Judy Wilhammer, Julie Humphrey, Kay Buckner,  ?, Mike Schepers?, Mary Lou Matter, ?.

Top Row: Dan McLaughlin, John Jacob?, Bill Hubbard, Doug Rasmussen, Tom Miller, Pete Kjaer, Dan Coss, Pete Deren?, Miss Flanders

 Central School - 1st Grade 

Bottom Row: Tim Covey, Dan Mclaughlin, Mary Lou Matter, Bill Hubbard, Judy Wilhammer

Row 2: Bob Rehberg, Mike Tobin, Linda H ?, Miss Davis, Pete Kjaer, Marty Kunz, Lynne Dinzole

Row 3: Darlene Stardy, Ruthanne K ?, Pat P ?,  ?, Janess Sebenar, Debbie Ritt

Top Row: Debbie Peaco, Vicky Lockwood, Ann Swan, Tom Butcher, (Wade Drayer or Mike C?), Diane Chewning,  Cathy ?, Linnea Fanter, Greg Barrett? 

 Central School - 2nd Grade

Bottom Row: Mrs Wade, Vicky Lockwood, Linda Jeschke, Pat Percy, Craig Colby, Tim Covey, Bob Rehberg, Pete Kjaer, Janess Sebenar, Linnea Fanter

Middle Row: Judy Willhammer, Darlene Stardy, Mary Lou Matter, Rosemary Orton, Larry ?, Lynne Dinzole, Patsy Goulding, Diane Chewning, Bobby Owen,

Top Row: John Yazel, Ann Swan, Debbie Peaco, Tom Butcher, Marty Kunz, Mike Phillips, Greg Barrett, Tom Hilgeman, Rob Litler

Central School - 3rd Grade

Bottom Row: Mrs Kessler, Linnea Fanter, Vicky Lockwood, Diane Chewning, Rob Litler, Judy Willhammer, Janess Sebenar

Row 2: Patty Jones, Pat Percy, John Yazel, Larry B ?, Tom Butcher, Bob Rehberg, Rosemary Orton, Patsy Goulding, 

Row 3: Linda Jeschke, Greg Barrett, Lynne Dinzole, Craig Colby, Bob Owen, Debbie Peaco, Bill Hubbard, Ann Swan

Row 4: Tom Hilgeman, Clifford Stratton, Marty Kunz, Tim Covey, Mike Phillips, Darlene Stardy, Pete Kjaer, Mary Lou Matter

North School - 6th Grade

Bottom Row: Dale Mitchell, Linda Seacat, John Mars, Linda Jeschke, Donna Taylor, Harry Holma, Mark Bittner, Joe Veugler, Patty Betts, Maureen Chihantek, Jim Dannehy

Middle Row: Mr Nead, Jeanette Campbell, Chris Genz, Jacki Willet, Mark Hamby, Tim Graham, Mary Lou Matter, Robert Parker, Sybil McIntosh, Keith Mizwicki

Top Row: John Yazel, Cindy Venator, Linda Parts, Julie Humphrey, Norma Sundin, Lindell Stuart, Terry Schramm, Roger Thomas, Ray Monahan, Charlotte Soberg

 South Junior High - 7th Grade

 Bottom row: Mrs Blum,  Dave Kamp,  Anita Bushop, Steve Hardy, Nancy Venerable, Mary Lou Matter, Rick Barchard, Cindy Venator.

Row 2:  Rick Walker , Norma Sundin, Doug Wilber, Wade Drayer, Dave Krchak, Linda Parts

Row 3: ?, Marilyn Depta, Lindell Stuart, Bobby LLoyd, ?, Tom Franz  

Top Row: Karen Wiwodi, Ruben Garcia, Randahl Patience, Patty Betts, Dale Mitchell, Gary Schmitz?, Eva ?, Marian Ossman

Did you pull up any dinosuar bones with these relics?????????????????????????????????

Just yours Bob! But you were SO cute! Be sure and check this guy out all you classmates who are following this. Doesn't Bob get the cure kid award? So far anyway! Actually, Deren is pretty cute too! (If that really is him?)

Ok i'm working on some names!! Could you possibly edit out the fact i'm wearing the same pants in kindergarten and second grade!!

Hey Bob, don't you remember? Two pairs of pants was a luxury for some of us in those days?

Oh i do remember, thats why they bought them 4" long so you could grow into them, heck they mite have fit freshmen year! I know Charlie,myself, shields, Mike Mortensen we all were under 5 ft and less than 100 lbs

Gee Bob, your moustache is probably that long and heavy now! When I look at some of these grade school photos, there were a lot of us that looked like ragamuffens! Well, the guys anyway. I guess our Mom's were only interested in making the girls look good!

The pictures are fantastic! So  "Happy Days"

I went to Central for kindergarten...had Miss Flanders...don't think I'm in the picture however.

Anybody have St. Thomas pictures? All I have is the lst commuion and 8th grade which we already posted a while back.

Don't forget Brody too. we were all the guys that "coach" Nystrom would say that we could hide under the bleachers so he didn't get a chance to yell at us.  What a shame.

The picture is from Mrs Mills Kindergarten class. The students are: Linda Benson, David Carmean, Steve Cupp, Jimmy Dannehyy, Janice Deutschman, Peggy Divereaux, Lynne Dinzole, Jimmy Ehlers, Chris Gehrke, Ray Gergins, Michael Hedlund, Tommy Karen, Cathy Kowalski, Virginia Lutz, Lynn Migliore, Laura McCall, Joey Mc Lean, Kristine McMahon, Jenny Sue Metlzler, Karen Morgan, Susette Nelson, Steve Novak ,Ruthanne Penzanik, Danny Phillips, Kathy Riehl, Vivienne Rigg, Danny Tate, Gerald Wilhelmi, Michael Woods (I am uncertain of the order).

Thanks Ger! Let's all help place the kids listed below in their proper place in the rows. Just click Edit Message and type their names in where appropriate. If you're unsure, place a ? next to the name.

Ger , you carted this photo around the world?

Would have liked to see you explain this to the security agent at the airport!!

Bob

wow Ger, that's great. I had my 2nd grade one till recently, got misplaced during divorce I think. It had Hedlund, Mortenson, Veugler, Danehey, we all looked like little ragamuffins, I'm still looking for it.

BTW Mike Hedlund's family moved to Bemidji Minn after 7th grade year. I used to go up  summers in HS to see him. Still have large city limit sign in my garage that I swiped one trip. Anyway, Mike died of pnemonia in Jan of 1993 at age 41. He was best man at my first wedding in '70.

Wow: The pictures are great.  I didn't even have the one of Mr. Neads Class from North School.  He was my favorite teacher for all of school.  He really motivated me - I had a crush on him too. He was one of teachers that had the most impact on my life to excel in Math and History.   Love the white socks and while blouses.  Things have sure changed. 

Donna 

OK, let's see who's following these blogs! We still need a lot of identification on all these photos we've posted guys and gals! And keep your photos coming of YOUR classes! Candy Kirchberg, you were going to find the other St. Thomas First Communion photo! And who has the other St. Thomas Photos for 1st- 7th Grades?

On the St. Thomas photos, we need help from all of the following who are registerd here and hopefully following these blogs: Barb Bacon, Dan Biehl, Jim Bishop, Rick Bogers, Donna Brown, Frank Concotelli, John Costello, Kathy Dorsch, Phil Enright, Tom Farrell, Ted Finger, Mary Carol Fleischman, Mike Flores, Dick Foydl, Pam Fruehauff, Deb Healy, Ellie Henry, Tom Higgins, Judy Hugelet, Candy Kirchberg, Janet Lang, Rick Larsen, John Lutsch, Laura McCall, Vivian McCarthy, Mike Moriarity, Peggy Odell, Sandy Plodzien, Phil Reynolds, Kathy Riehl, Debbi Svejcar, and Susie Wallens. Weigh in, let us know you're reading these blogs and help us fill in the names on The St. Thomas photos

On the public school side - all the rest of you registerd on this website must have gone to public schools and may have photos of YOUR classes or can help recognize some of the kids in these photos? At least all the following are named as being in these public school photos so you all must know some of these people? Rick Barchard, Greg Barrett, Lynne Linda Benson, Pete Deren, Marilyn Depta, Janice Deutschman, Lynne Dinzole, Mark Hamby, Bill Hubbard, Julie Humphrey, Dave Kamp, Cathy Kowalski,  Dave Krchak, Vicky Lockwood, Mary Lou Matter, Linda Parts, Debbie Peaco, Bob Rehberg, Gary Schmitz, Janess Sebenar, Charlotte Soberg, Darlene Stardy, Norma Sundin, Donna Taylor, Roger Thomas, Cindy Venator, Nancy Venerable and Jacki Willet? Others - can you help let us know who's who?

Paul

Mrs. Smith-North School- 6th Grade

Back Row:Scott Clineman, Ted Guss, John Mars, Mary Nan  King, Kay Buckner, Nancy Liddle, ?, ? , ?, Katrina Nies

Middle:  Mrs. Smith,?, John Radke, ?, Mike Denker, Holly Harms, Donna Taylor, Lynn Magnusson,?,?

Front:  Steve Lapinksi, Joan Corrigan, ?, Kim Hyland,  Mike McFarland, Steve Cupp, ?, Cindy Naslund, Mark ? ,?

Top:Bob Heaton, Suzzette Nelson, Joe Veugler, ?, Ignacio Reyna, Lela Link, Gary Schaefer?, Barb Harvey (No Way?), Kathy Spangard

Middle:Karla Jacobs, Cathy Kowalski, Mike McFarland, Keith Mizwicki, Marc Musyl, John Mars?, Dick Walker, ?

Bottom: Mrs. Hook, Mike ??, Mike Sorensen, Joan Corrigan, Linda  Benson, ?Haines, Penny Scott, Carla Doolen, Sally Kline

After Joey Vueglar is Walt Forest and Ignacio Rena.  Larry Ostrguard is after Lela Link top row.

Next row the 4th in was Mizwicki then Mac Mussel and John Mars

Next is Mike Sorenson (second student in from the left). Haines is after Benson and the row ends with Sally Kline.

In the class picture......Mrs Blum 1963  grade 7.....bottom row there is Mrs Blum, David Kemp and Anita.  Her last name is Bishop and her family owned and operated the "Beach House" on North Shore, CL.  We were friends, but they moved a long time ago.  I don't remember anything else, so long ago......

G.

In the middle row next to John Mars is Dick Walker...he moved to California I believe after junior high.

I could be wrong but wasn't it Rick Walker..had an older brother Dave?

I went to Freshman homecoming w/a Rick Walker.

Joan Corrigan Staker wrote: Thanks for the help Paul, Gloria,  Gerry and Steve.  Seems to be difference of opinion on student next to Mrs. Hook. 

Gloria, I'd forgotten about Anita Bishop!  When we moved to CL from Phila, PA mid sixth grade we lived on Steve Lapinski's street-East End Ave. in a rental.  Across the street was Anita's family bus..  I was sad when they moved.  I'm not sure which one you think she is. 

Gerald Wilhelmi wrote:

Hi Joan.....

Anita is in the picture-----South Jr. High--1963--63--Mrs Blum--Grade 7  (in one of Paul Fruins' blogs)  She is between David Kamp and Steve Hardy......short hair and nice smile.

Also, in your photo  South Jr. High--1963--64--Mrs Hook--Grade 7, on the top row between Bob Heaton and Joey Vuegler is Suzzette Jarell.....I'm certain that's her.  (probably misspelled her name though).  I don't remember exactly when they moved either.

Gloria

You're probably correct. Was there also a Rick Walker in our class?

He lived in Coventry (on Sussex I think) Had an older brother Dave and

a sister Sheri? My old memory ain't what it used to be:)

Susie Wallens Covey wrote:

The more I think about it........Suzzette's last name was Nelson.....that seems to ring more true in my memory, which apparently is a little foggy.  There was a Jarrell though, this just isn't her.

Gloria

That's not me in the top row, I was in Mr. Englund's homeroom, still have the picture. I don't know who that is.

Lots of classmates have recently joined the site so we just want everyone to know that there are currently three blog Forums with 14 topics being discussed. This one is all about Grade School Memories. It started out focusing on St. Thomas students and morphed into all the Grade and Junior High Schools. 

Check out all the topics and post a comment if you have something to add! If you click on the Forum List at the top of the page, you can view the Forum titles. Click a title and you will see the the individual topics listed in that Forum. If you'd like to start your own topic to be discussed, click "Post New Topic" at the top of the page, name your topic and post away! Happy Blogging!

OK 69'ers, here are some of you again - back in 5th Grade at South School! This Mrs. Blum really got around. You thought you got rid of her after 5th Grade and then she resurfaced for 7th. How did you all like that? Thanks to Barbara Lachenmeier Spangenberg for the photo! Who can help fill in all these blank kids?

Top Row: Barbara Lachenmeier, , , Candy Kirchberg, Cheryl Eckert, Debbbie Svejcar, Jim Bault.

Second Row: Janet Johns, Jeri Blakslee, Sally Kline?, Janet Deutschman, Kathy Spangard, Bill Reed, That Guy.

Third Row: Gary Schmitz, , , , Martin Grog, , Dick Walker.

Bottom Row: Mrs Blum, Jim Herrington, Ruben Garcia, Barbara Larsen, Kathy Schubert?, , Julie Haberstick.

Not to be forgotten, Miss Horn's  kindergarten class from Central Grade School:

1st Row: Debbie Swanson, ?, Steve Johnson, Sandra Folkins, Chris Frazer, Diane Studley, ?, Judy?

2nd Row: Blanca Garcia, Debbie Visin, Kathy Chott, Larry Reimer, Kathy Dorsch, Cindy Kittredge,?, ?

3rd Row: Ron Legel, ?, NICK MOZAK,Bruce Henning, Bill Seegert,TimTichenor,?, Frank C,Little Peter Deren?, Miss Horn

Thanks for sharing this Nick! Love the bow tie and suspenders - you we're looking good even way back then brother!

Frank Concotelli & Kathy Dorsch, if you're out there, did you guys leave St. Thomas that early and go to the public school? And Tim Tichenor along with you? And WHO IS that guy next to you on your left Frank? Do you remember his name? He's showing up on lots of these photos and I want to know who that guy was! He was another cool kid like you and we NEED to identify this guy!

Hey Walt, can you scan the photo and post it here? We'd love to see another class? And how about all you guys who went to the Lutheran school - we haven't seen any of you yet? 

Nick,

What grade was this photo? 

Duh,  it is kindergarten class in the Central Grade School cafeteria.

OK that's why there are several St. Thomas kids (Concotelli, Dorsch and Tichenor) in the photo! They hadn't even started "real school" yet!

  Hi Paul,

  I wish I could tell you who was on my left, next to Miss Horn. The only other one I think I know of is front row 4th from the left is Chris Fraiser. He was a neighbor to me , Steve Johnson and Bob Rehberg. Maybe Steve or bob can confirm that.

  I went to St Thomas for grade school, but still knew lots of kids in the public school thru Steve and Bob. I was only at  high school for one semester before we moved so Crystal Lake High School is kind of a blur. I did run cross country , I though Ron Legel did too. One other neighbor that went to St Thomas was Ken Polnow. My sister still stays in contact with his sister and I will try to find out where he is.

                                                               Frank 

I remember we moved to Crystal Lake during February or March of my kindergarten year. We lived right next door to the school on Paddock street.  Janet Bauman and Doug Rasmussan lived a couple of doors down.  I really do not remember anyone else  in the picture.................I never had a copy of that particulare picture.  I was kind of funny to see it.  Keep up the memeories.

Kathy

Between Frank and Miss Horn sure looks like LITTLE Peter Deren

OK, I've added Chris and "Little Peter" but that sure looks like Lynne Dinzole to Chris's right - but you didn't go to Central did you Lynne? Kathy, sounds like you might have some more photos? If so, please share them! Thanks!

Mrs. Blum 5th grade South School--girl fifth from the left, third from the right in the bottom row, Kathy Schubert?  She lived on Broadway in Lakewood at about Gate 8.  We played golf together a LOT since I lived on Gate 14.  After 4 pm, when "junior golfters" could play we'd ride our bikes over to the course and play at least a few holes, maybe even 9, before dinner!  Ah yes, golf, that's when I learned to swear, yes indeed.

Paul Fruin wrote:

So who IS that Lynne Dinzole look alike then? Cool stories Lynne! Anyone else have these kinds of stories to share? We're just three weeks away from the Reunion - anyone have any past reunion stories to share?

hi all.   reminiscing this evening after reading some CLCHS '69 reunion blogs.  i broke out my "baby book", which i haven't looked at in quite a while.  i found a classic picture that deserves a mention.  i only wish it was in healthy enough condition to be copied and shared.  we (all 7 of us) were the class of '56 graduating class of mrs. njaa's jack and jill nursery school in crystal lake.  proudly, in our caps and gowns, we stood in a row, all smiles.  amazingly, 5 of the 7 of us graduated together in '69.   we are (i'll list us as we stand in the photo) janice deutschman, ricky turner (does anyone know him?), me, mary nan king, ann yeoman, g. bob bishop (he lived in healy's house before they lived there, near us, in lakewood), and debbie visin.  ( there are so few kids today who could even imagine what living in the same town, having the same play buddies/classmates, growing up in the same neighborhood/house (a house built by my dad and grandfather; gate 16 in lakewood) might be.  depending on how you look at it, and at what stage of life, it's a blessing and/or a curse.  and now i know it's a blessing.)  so, do any of my fellow '56 graduates have this picture in your photo albums?  i hope so, it's a gem!  i hadn't remembered that some of us had graduated together twice...unfortunately, i won't be able to be there with you this weekend; that's why i'm reminiscing now, and have been much of the week.  thanks to all those whose efforts have combined to bring us together.  well wishes to all.  rock on, class of '69!!!

Hi Guys,

Thanks to Walt Forrest, here are some South Grade School and Jr. High photos. My apologies to Walt for just now posting these as he gave them to me at the reunion - 8 months ago! And thanks Walt for your 5th grade photo enhancements! Hope you all enjoy them.

Top Row: Gerry Wilhelmi, ???, Lynda Scaggs, ???, ???, Cathy Kowalski, Suzzette Jarrell, Penny Scott

Second Row: Linda Benson, Sue Ann Hopper, ???, Wade Drayer, Kathleen Berre, Nancy Venerable, (Someone Walt apparently loved so much he had to cut her photo out and put it in his wallet!), Steve Haines

Third Row: Lisa Hill, ???, Tom Franz, Dan Stokes, Dave Kamp, Paul Casperson, Steve Hardy

Bottom Row: Mrs. Bengstrom, Roger Kested, Larry Ostgaard, Lonnie Morehouse, Walt Forrest, Tom Winkle, Marian Ossman, Carla Jacobs 

Top Row: Roger Kested, Tom Hill, Paul Casperson, ???, Rich Hager, ???, ???

Second Row: ???, Steve Mateo, ???, ???, ???, Walt Forrest, ???

Third Row: Gary Schafer?, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, Tim Graham, ???

Bottom Row:  Mr. ???, Jim Danahey, ???, Kathy Wisocki?, ???, Keith Koehler?, ???, Mary Nan King?