The summer of 1992 was the last time I saw my bright, talented childhood friend Carla Toepfer. Through the years of addiction and recovery, then owning and running a business she was now at the end of a valient battle with cancer. Jack was there with her, caring, supportive. Insisting to meet me in a public place, I almost missed her - but we met.
We held each other, then I spoke. She took out a notebook and began writing - she could no longer speak. We reconnected through my speaking, her writing and both of us recognizing the love and respect in each others eyes. Although declining physically, it was evident her emotional energy and humor were still unique. At the end of our short visit she gave me a book with an inscription -written for me - for all of us:
I took her to the Senior Prom in 1948 The last time I saw her was in 1950 when when I was home on leave from the Korean War. She was a great friend as was her family. Lost touch with after the war and often wondered what happened to her. Did not know she pastway until today. Dick Rasmussen Class of 1949
Joan Tatge (Sayre) (1951)
The summer of 1992 was the last time I saw my bright, talented childhood friend Carla Toepfer. Through the years of addiction and recovery, then owning and running a business she was now at the end of a valient battle with cancer. Jack was there with her, caring, supportive. Insisting to meet me in a public place, I almost missed her - but we met.
We held each other, then I spoke. She took out a notebook and began writing - she could no longer speak. We reconnected through my speaking, her writing and both of us recognizing the love and respect in each others eyes. Although declining physically, it was evident her emotional energy and humor were still unique. At the end of our short visit she gave me a book with an inscription -written for me - for all of us:
"Don't you love the way we are turning out?
Expect a miracle. . . .
We are. "
Submitted by Joan Tatge Sayre
Richard J Rasmussen (1949)
I took her to the Senior Prom in 1948 The last time I saw her was in 1950 when when I was home on leave from the Korean War. She was a great friend as was her family. Lost touch with after the war and often wondered what happened to her. Did not know she pastway until today. Dick Rasmussen Class of 1949