CLASS UPDATES

Mike Gullard has suggested publishing the names of classmates who will be attending the reunion.  The following have sent registrations or indicated their intentions to attend:

Jack Sturdivant

Paul and Nancy Ferro Staid

Rickard Ross and spouse

Bill LaMeres and spouse

Tom O'Donnell and spouse

Darwen Cook and spouse

Tom McNassar

Mike Gullard

Margie Kamperschroer Michelotti and spouse

Jim Schaff

Bill McCleary

Barbara Wegner Teigen

Jim Holzer and spouse

Julie Klein Prill and spouse

Bob Guckeen and spouse

Peggie Liggett

Keith Papka and spouse

Danita Kelly and spouse

Diann Mueller and spouse

Jim Hickey

Jim Griffin

Lana Pavelis Bittner and spouse

Linda Pavelis LeBrun and spouse

Darrah Link Plank

Kay Anderson Shull and spouse

Christie Gerharz Gorman

Mary Jean Rector Haumesser

Elaine Lutgen Hine

LaFawn Lewis Kleinsasser and spouse

Janice Krings Geiger and spouse

Cathy Florek Pasquarello and spouse

Vernon and Edna Davis Luderman

Tom Kennedy

We're hoping to add your name to the list.  Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to rekindle friendships and learn about the adventures and experiences of classmates over the past 50 years.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

For all you golfers out there, the golf tournament will be held on Friday, September 13.  For details and information, contact Tom Kennedy at cconnection16@bresnan.net.


BIOGRAPHIES

Darwen Cook

After high school, I graduated with a Masters in EE and Computer Science.  I married by first wife, Carol, in my sophomore year and we had one son, Aaron.  I went to work for Burroughs Corp (now UNISIS) in Pasadena, California doing "main frame" computer design.  My first marriage ended after 9 years.  I married my second wife, Jan and moved to Connecticut in 1977.  We have two daughters, Chelsea and Ariann, who now live in Chico, California.  We returned to California in 1980 to live in San Diego where I worked for several companies in the engineering field until I retired in 2009 from Sony.

In 2009, we sold our home in San Diego and purchased a 50 ft. sailing yacht (the "Family Affair") in St. Martin and moved to the Eastern Caribbean.  We have been here ever since, sailing from St. Thomas, USVI, our home port in the winter, through all the Eastern Caribbean to Grenada, WI in the summer.  We have completed the cycle for three years now and will not likely get tired of it until health is no longer capable of the demanding life style.  There is more info at www.thefamilyaffair.us

I hope to see you all at the reunion.  I will also be in Billings visiting my mother, Etola for her 95th birthday as well as my brother Clinton and my surviving sister Sharon.  My older sister Carolyn died in 2009.

Darwen and Jan Cook

 Linda Martin Sime

I have been enjoying life after open-heart surgery last June (2012) and feel fortunate to feel so much better.  I will certainly miss not seeing all of you this summer but you will be in my thoughts.  I'd like to share some of my special class remembrances with you.

Holy Rosary

Our school (Holy Rosary) singing Christmas carols and hearing them played over the church loudspeaker over the holidays.

Barbara Maronick coming to mass if her P.J.s (our class sang early that day.)

Paul Magers teasing me and pulling my pony tail in Sr. Anne Leo's 8th grade class (Paul sat behind me).

Bill McCleary (or was it Tom Herriage) and I having to stay after school for rolling dice down the classroom aisle (Sr. Anne Leo's class).

The many times Cathy Florek playing piano/organ for our class at "music time" and at Mass.

My "Laudate"...(I still have mine).

Peggie Liggett and her house on Lewis Ave...and especially her older sister, Sharon's Ford.  Oh how I wanted to be big like Sharon and drive that Ford...or was it a Ford, Peggie?

The May Crowning and how scared I was.  Thank heaven for Suzanne Jesse and Margie Kamperschroer, my attendants, who held my veil away from the candles and made sure I didn't tip over in my-first-time-worn high heels!

Mr. Roberts and all those 90+ 6th and 7th graders in ONE classroom.  And you could have heard a pin drop.

The snowball fights after school.

The nuns ice skating, as well as playing softball with us at recess.  I remember we'd watch in fascination as Sister twirled on the ice and we'd wonder if her veil would fly off.

Marching two-by-two back to class after recess at Terry Park.

Working in the school cafeteria; then, saying a noon rosary in order to dodge noon recess.

Central

Sr. Anna Rose.  Remember reading all that Shakespeare?

Sleep-overs at Sharon Hill's house.

Julie Anne Klein

Elaine

And my dearest friend-to-this-day, Judy Tasset Starr.

Presently, I live alone in Rohnert Park, CA.  Although I've been here 26 years, I am still a Montanan at heart.  I was married for 23 years to Russ Sime of Bozeman, MT.  We ranched west of Bozeman and have three lovely children and five grandchildren.  (We divorced many years ago.)  I worked for a City Manager for the last ten years and then retired in 2008.  Heart surgery was in the offing last June (aortic valve).  I enjoy jammin' with my guitar buddies (bluegrass) several times a month.  I still enjoy doing my Western Art pencil sketches of Native Americans/mountain men, as well as painting.

If you are out my way, stop by or catch me on Facebook.

Linda Martin Sime - May Crowning 1958

 

Linda Martin Sime and "LB" (Little Bird)



Linda Martin Sime - Cavorting with a friend!

Diann Mueller

Attended business college one year.

Married young, had three children.

Stay at home mom for almost 20 years.

Remarried in 1987 (Michael Wolff) acquiring four step-children.

Got a realtor's license in the early 80s...bad timing.

Worked in customer service for 10 years at Albertson's.

Retired from the City of Billings Recreation Department after 13 years.

Retirement has been so busy I wonder how I ever had time to work.  My husband, Mick Wolff and I are involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  Part of our ministry is visiting people in need in their homes.  Participating in this work is very humbling.

It seems there is always a dance recital, violin concerts or a sports game.

We still spend time at my family cabin 10 miles south of Red Lodge.  Our summers with the kids and grandkids at the cabin bring us much joy.

REGISTRATION AND BIOGRAPHIES

Only 17 more days remain until registration and biographies need to be submitted.  Writing your bio can seem like an impossible task, but we certainly hope you'll take the time to update your life experiences so they are included in the bio book. 

Registrations are progressing nicely and we are looking forward to seeing all of you.  For those of you traveling from areas outside Billings, please let us know if you need transportation from the airport or to the activities.  Also, if you have special needs, such as dietary restrictions,  we will do every thing we can to accommodate you. 

Remember - August 15th - due date for registrations and biographies.

PAUL MAGERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Donations to the Paul Magers Scholarship Fund now total $1,100.  Your generosity is truly a testament to the character of the BCCHS Class of 1963.   Tax deductible contributions may be sent to Cathy Pasquarello, 4203 Avenue D, Billings MT  59106.

BIOGRAPHIES

Linda Pavelis LeBrun

Hello Everyone and Happy 50th.

Rick and I are currently living in Bridger, MT, where we have lived the past 13 years.  We love living in the small farming and ranching communities where everyone knows and speaks to you when you walk down the street.

We have three wonderful sons and eight grandchildren (precious little angels) and try to spend as much time with our family as we can.

After graduating from high school, I went to Billings Business College and then started working at Midland National Bank.  I then changed my direction in life when I married a wonderful man who I am still with today.  We recently celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary.  I am currently working in the Finance Department at the Beartooth Billings Clinic in Red Lodge and Rick is currently working for the Winding River Ranch as a manager.  Every once in awhile, I am able to go with him and of course, branding is a big day for all of us.

Our eldest son, Kevin and our youngest son, Doug were both in the Marine Corps and joined after their graduation.  My husband, Rick was also in the Navy and we have gone around and around on several occasions as to the best branch of service.  They all served our country and we are proud of all of them.

Jeff is the athletic one in the family and is a runner.  He competes throughout the state in competitions and recently returned from the "Big Spartan Race" in Kalispell, MT.  He's hard to catch up with and it's been great following him to these races.

I have found a satisfying and fulfilling life with my family and I look forward to our 50th Class Reunion and catching up with everyone.  I hold dear treasured memories of my years at Billings Central.  See you soon!

Keith Papka

Doris and I just finished celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows and having a big anniversary/family reunion party here at our house in Arlington, WA.  The last five years have been a very tough time in our lives.  Four years ago we were in a very severe auto accident in which we could have been killed.  Doris had to be extricated from the car with a broken femur bone in her left leg and five cracks in her pelvis area.  I had only a broken rib.  A witness said that we were very lucky that we were driving a big car, otherwise we would have been killed.  This all left Doris with a very long recovery and severe bout with depression, etc.  The past year I had to have surgery on my left foot, then I had prostate surgery, also the day after Christmas I had surgery on my left ear (to correct a surgery that I had when I was a kid), now I'm waiting to have surgery on my left elbow caused by a work related incident.  I had planned on retiring as of May 24th, but due to the upcoming surgery I am still employed at Boeing until after I recover. 

Enough of all the bad news.  We are planning on coming to the reunion and also the Big Sky Polkafest on Labor Day weekend. 

Our youngest daughter, Linda, just got married on May 19th so now we have a new son-in-law, Marc.  We now have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  There are a few others lingering by the wayside, but they were not biological and the kids have since divorced.

Last year, while recovering from my foot surgery, we traveled with our motorhome over 7,000 miles, 36 days and went through 21 states.  On the trip we were able to stop and see many relatives and friends, including Tom and Kathy Baxter in north Houston, TX.  We had a very nice and enjoyable time with them.  The ultimate destination was Tallahassee, FL to attend my brother Gary and Kathy's (Doris' sister) 50th wedding anniversary.  Next year we are planning a motorhome trip to Alaska for several months.

We try to keep ourselves fairly busy with yard work, going out for dinners and spending time with the grandkids and great-grandkids.  I'm running out of things to write about, but I'm sure that just as soon as I close, I will think of something else.  Oh well, maybe that can be another time.

Hope to see everyone at the reunion.  GOD BLESS!!

Tom Baxter

After graduation, I went to college for a couple of years, then went into the Air Force in 1966.  I went back to school and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1973 with a BBA degree in marketing.

I met my wife, Kathy, an elementary school teacher in 1972 and got married in April, 1973.  We recently celebrated our 40th anniversary.

We have two children, Patrick, 36, who works in electrical sales; Tracy, 32, who works in residential management.  We have two grandchildren, Austin, 20 months and Riley Shae, 16 months.

I spent 15 years in retail and wholesale food sales in El Paso and Houston, Texas.  Then I spent 25 years in real estate, many of those years with Re/Max in Spring, TX.  I retired in December 2012.  My wife has retired from teaching.

We had a great time at the 45th reunion, however, we will not be able to attend the 50th because we are currently enjoying child day care management with our grand children.

Cathy Florek Pasquarello

After high school graduation, I attended Eastern Montana College where I obtained a degree in Business Education.  I married Bob Pasquarello from Brooklyn, New York in 1967.  We both taught school in Billings.  Bob taught physical education and special education and I taught computer classes.  We have two children, Rob, born in 1968 and Nicole, born in 1971.

We are fortunate that both our children live in Billings.  We have three grandchildren, Shea - 12; Nick - 11; and Ryan - 9.  We keep busy attending their events, both athletic and scholastic.  In fact, we both wonder how we ever had time to work.

We love retirement and cherish time spent with family and friends.  I look forward to seeing everyone at the 50th reunion.




Cathy & Bob Pasquarello, son Rob, grandchildren Ryan, Shea & Nick

  

Bob & Cathy Pasquarello, sil Bill, granddaughter, Shea, daughter Nicole



Bob & Cathy Pasquarello & granddaughter, Ryan


Bill Korn

I graduated from MSU in Bozeman in 1968 with a BS in Education.  I was also commissioned as a Second Lieutenant that year and served in the U.S. Army for nine years, including eighteen months in Vietnam. 

I married my wife, Joan, in 1971 and we have been married forty-two years.  We adopted our son in 1978 and our daughter in 1980. 

After separating from the U.S. Army, I pursued a career in the Financial Services industry.  I am now in my twenty-third year with Capitol Securities Management, a regional broker/dealer with offices along the east coast. 

I reside in Fairfax, VA most of the year and four months in sunny Sarasota, FL.  I am active in my church community, serving as Coordinator of liturgist, ushers and MC of the Bluegrass Ministry.  I am also chairman of the Tyson's Corner Business Men's Connections.  In my leisure time, I enjoy running, having completed thirty-one marathons including the Boston Marathon in 2006.  I plan to continue my career for another twenty years.

 Mike Schruth

In addition to my 45th update, there are a few things to add.  Elaine and I are no longer together which is sad for me.  Long distance relationships are difficult.  In the past five years, I have been on more of a spiritual path.  I have been trying not to define myself by my job, kids, grandkids or by accomplishments and attained goals.  While all these things are important, I believe that attachment to people, places, things or ideas are not as important as they used to be.  The connection to people is very important but attachment itself can be problematic, as this keeps us in the EGO, rather than the Spirit.  I have come to see myself as a Spiritual Being having a Human Experience.  I realize that we are all connected with a Spiritual Energy that draws us together.  Really not much different than the idea of the Mystical Body we learned in grade school.  I am guided by two things primarily:  1) There are three things in life - my business, your business and God's business.  I try to stay in my own business.  2)  Show up, pay attention and do the next right thing.

Apart from the philosophical aspects, I maintain an intense curiosity about life and nature, especially the Quantum World.  And I love to travel.  Three years ago, I spend three weeks in Costa Rica (a great country) and 1-1/2 years ago I went on a group pilgrimage to Bosnia and spent a week in Medjugorje.  This was very uplifting.  Then, we spent three weeks in Spain.

I am still working part-time and will retire one day, maybe two years.  I have a huge advantage in working now.  Now I GET to go to work; I don't HAVE to go to work.  My three kids are doing great and I have two grandchildren, who are a great joy.

Note from Zenda Koch

Just a quick note to let you know that I cannot attend this year's reunion.  I have been planning a trip for some time now.  It is Mom's time to start fulfilling my bucket list items.  Number one is to go the US Open in NYC.  So that is the plan.  Also, I will be visiting family in Boston, a college friend in New Hampshire and doing geneaology research in Maryland, Rhode Island and Connecticut.  I have discovered quite a few ancestors who were here before 1650 and settled in New England.

I hope you all have a wonderful time.  I have to say that one of the highlights of my life was working on the last reunion and having the opportunity to reconnect with all of you.  I will miss seeing you but hope we will have yet another opportunity to reunite.  Blessings to all!!