Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Sharon...you did a great job with the reunion...AGAIN. It was so good to see everyone again & catch up on things in each other's lives. I had a wonderful time & a few rough moments. We missed those who couldn't attend or chose not to come back. We celebrated classmates who we've lost by a time of silence. A few toasted Patsy in Sandi's room with wine & snacks, until she joins us at the next reunion in 2 years. The whole week-end was relaxing, food was great, photo turned out good, we don't look too old or too bad for our age. Each event was fun, well planned & organized. The committee did a great job, thanks Sharon for all your time & the little extras you did special...you & Moudy have a great time in New Orleans.

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

Sharon... Thanks so much for the great job you did on our class reunion (again!)  I enjoy so much working with you, and I'm so glad to have you for a life-long friend.

Judi Perry

Sharon -Thanks so much for you hard and tedious work for getting us all together - we had a great time!  Thanks also to your "team" for their contributions.  We want to also thank Marcia and "anonymous"  for the drinks Friday night - awesome classmates.  A destination reunion in 2 years sounds wonderful - I'm in. We missed Darla, Patsy, Bill & Jack and all others who could not make it.  

Darla Qualls (Dennison)

I'm sure it was a big success.  Sharon and her team have worked hard making the last few reunions so fun.  I hated missing it and seeing everyone but I had a wonderful time with my family going to all of Dani's recruiting activities.  There will be a lot of TCU volleyball in our future.  I look forward to seeing everyone in 2 years where ever it is.  Judy, you should come to Texas and see us.

Marcia Conley (Davis)

A big thanks to Sharon and her committee for all the hard work.  Fabulous food and getting to catch up with everyone.  Well worth the trip back to Iowa.    I personally would prefer it be in or near Ft  Madison but will attend wherever it is held.  Just have it somewhere I can flyn into and rent a car.

A nice trip down memory lane.

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

I was so glad that I attended the reunion and was able to visit my brother for a few days afterwards.  Now home safe after driving through heavy rain.  Thanks to Sharon and the committee for once again giving us a memorable time.  It was so nice to visit with to catch up and and reminisce.  Thanks also to Marcia and anonymous for the drinks Friday night.  Wish all health and happiness until we meet again.

Brad Wiedmann

I am certainly glad I was able to attend our 55th reunion.  I truly enjoyed seeing and visiting everyone.  A great big thank you to Sharon and her committee and to Marcia and other anonymous donors for putting all of it together.  Very well organized from beginning to end.  Until we meet again.

Judi Perry

Great e-mail, Sharon!!!  How true it is!!!  I have some friends that have never attended any of their class reunions since they have graduated.   We must have an outstanding class since we still want to get together every few years.  Then I have a few more friends (older than me) who still get together for lunch - like the FM gang still does.    Branson sounds good - lots to do there.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I also would like to thank Sharon and her team, it was so nice to see everyone.  The park and tour of the prison were all I was able to attend but enjoyed them both very much.  Also thanks to Charlie, it was so interesting to see the pictures of Ms. Miller and her family; He can always be counted on for the unexpected. Helped us remember "Latin", WOW.  It was wonderful just to be back in Ft. Madison and see the Mississippi, not that's a river.

Linda Hayes (Meyer)

Sharon- That was a wonderful piece.  Lots of good thoughts.  

I enjoyed seeing a lot of old friends at this reunion and liked the way you organized it.  

It's great to have a class like ours.

Pat Holmes (Bradley)

Thanks to Sharon and the committee for a great reunion.  I really enjoyed the great together at a Eagles on Friday night and the picnic in the park and the tour of the prison on Saturday.  The buffet on Saturday night was wonderful.  It was nice to catch up with classmates with what has been happening in their lives.  Be safe and enjoy life.

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Sharon, fantastic article!  Brought tears to my eyes.  I think the 55th Reunion was the best of all.  I think the older we get the the more we umderstand each other and that we are really "equal", not "haves' and "have nots".  The Class of '61 was a very clique group but I notice very little of that remains.  I feel everyone is now finally on the same playing field.  I can say that because I was one of the "have nots".

If Branson is the place, I will be there.  If it is in May 2018, I will probably have to juggle some seminar dates but it will be worth it.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays, continued good health and safety.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I had to hurry w/my comments before, still had company.  We completed the trip I spoke of, took Jack to see all of his siblings while they could still enjoy each other, especially the 5 born from 1927 to 36,  however, a highlight for me was the class reunion.  Coming to the reunion, having the chance for the corporate gathering w/the ones who made a wonderful difference in my life is a blessing.  I had only 4 hrs. to be there and celebrate but would not have missed it.  I apologize if I talked too fast, rambled, talked to much but it was out of joy for being able to look around and see classmates (many from kindergarten on) that made me as happy as any human has a right to be.  Thanks for the work involved, sorry to have missed any who could not be there, know you are thought of often w/great affection and respect and we will see you next time around.  God bless

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Cyndy, I was thrilled you got to spend a short time with us & I know how excited you were. It was great that you were able to arrange your schedule so you could attend. Sometimes our lives get put on the back burner when we have loved ones to care for. We miss out on things we'd like to do, but it's part of life. If we didn't experience disappointments, we wouldn't notice our blessings as much. You've told me so many times how you long to come back to the little town on the Mississippi River & spend time with your friends, esp. going to the monthly luncheons. Fri. night was great & Marcia was very generous to furnish the wine, plus another classmate gifted us with other drinks. The picnic & tour of the old prison Sat. was great. Part of it was very difficult for me. The banquet that evening was very relaxed, food was tasty & the music was just right, oldies but goodies. I also enjoyed the late hours Fri. & Sat. spent in room #115 with classmates talking & having fun reminiscing. There were snacks & adult beverages...plus the pics turned out pretty good, too. EVERYTHING about the whole week-end was thought out & carried out by Sharon & the committee. You did a wonderfu job planning everything Sharon, all the minor details, etc. Hoping to see as many as can make it to the mini reunion in 2 years, in Branson.

Jerry Rees

Along with others, I want to thank Sharon and her committee for organizing the 55th class reunion—my first!  And I want to thank Bill Orr for seeking me out and encouraging me to come.  I was disappointed he was unable attend, as were you all.

My family moved to Fort Madison in 1960 and moved away in 1964, so I only attended my senior year with you all.  The last time I was in Fort Madison was about 16 years ago when I passed through on the train.  I took some photos then, but this year I had time to take a lot more.

After 55 years of abstaining, I enjoyed returning for a class reunion, even though I arrived knowing only 2 people who said they would be there--Linda Boomer and Charlie LaFrenz.  Meeting them again for the first time was fun. 

Charlie and I spent a few moments talking about the passing of our mutual friend David Schleidt in 2008.  I was pleasantly surprised seeing and recognizing people I had forgotten.  I was even more surprised that some people recognized me even though I didn’t recognize them.

I had a great time catching up, taking photos, reminiscing about the past, discussing the present, and visiting familiar places in and around Fort Madison, such as Navoo.

Sallie also had a good time.  She said people seemed pretty friendly to a complete stranger in their midst.  Because of Linda’s insistence, on the way home to KC we stopped and experienced another river town: Mark Twain’s Hannibal.

During the weekend, I was reminded of the words of J.R.R. Tolkien's Bilbo: "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Jerry & Sallie.....I'm so glad you both enjoyed yourselves while you were back for the reunion. Although I may forget your name &  where you fit in my life, I would recognized your face, if I saw you someplace other than at the reunion. I'm not good with names, but (hardly) ever forget a face. I enjoyed visiting with you & getting to know Sallie. I also like spending time in Hannibal, & since it was on your way home, that was a great idea. There's lots to see & do there.

In 2 years, if there's a get-together in Branson, MO, it should be pretty close for you all to attend. I'm in Branson now, & the colors are beautiful. There's hardly any traffic & parkig lots for shopping are not congested at all, which means less people & waiting in lines. Might not be a bad idea to consider when planning our mini reunion. Summer time it's so busy here, it difficult to do lthings or go places. I do love the hills of Missouri. Am hoping to see David & Janet Murguia while I'm here.

Take care until we meet again.....really liked your quote.  

Bill Orr

Just saw the 2016 pictures. I must say that everyone looks great. Sorry i couldn't make it but I looked pretty bad and would have upset you all. Now healed and am enjoying life. Jean has been great and I am so glad that she is my wife. We've come a long ways together from enlisted army, 17 army posts, 3 kids sent to college, and 9 grand kids. Wow life is fast but good.

I would like to recognize the special Santa who is Charlie LaFrenz. He is a true buddy and has a fantastic wife.

How that happened I don't know but think he is the luckiest guy in thr world - and deserves it.

Just got called to dinner so have to go. 

Sharon - Thanks for being you and thanks to your reunion crew. 

Bill

Georgia O'Donnell (Merschman)

Sharon. Thanks so much for posting the pictures. It was a fun weekend. Good memories.

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Sharon...the pics are great...thanks ever so much for posting them. Will look forward to future ones. Sorry though of trouble with Windows 10. Can be so frustrating....and that is saying it mildly!

Brad Wiedmann

Sharon,  Once again, thanks for posting pictures. Good looking class members.

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Thanks Sharon for posting the great pictures.  Still think about the fun time we all enjoyed.

Brad Wiedmann

Sharon,  Thank you for taking the pictures at our reunion and posting all 91 of them. They are in perfect order: one right after the other. 

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Sharon.....the photos are awesome gf, you did a great job...as always. Thanks for posting. Wondering if anyone else took pics to post for all to see?? Wonderful memories of the whole wk-end.

Pat Holmes (Bradley)

Sharon,

Thanks for posting the reunion pics and all the work to make our 55th reunion a success.  Hope all classmates have a great Holiday Season.

Patsy Cordray (VanPelt)

Sharon, I've really enjoyed all the reunion pictures and thank you so much for posting all of them for those of us who couldn't be there!  We have such a good looking class and looks like everyone had a great time!  Thank you Sharon!