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!!

CLASS UPDATES

Our classmate, Dan Brown,  passed away Saturday, June 15, 2013 surrounded by his wife and children.  Dan is survived by his wife, Carol; his seven children; his seven grandchildren and siblings Patricia, Michael, Betty and Barbara.  Condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.  The loss of yet another classmate truly impacts the heart.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carol and family. A donation in Dan's name has been made to the Paul Magers Scholarship Fund on behalf of the BCCHS Class of 1963. R.I.P. Dan. 


Dan Brown  1945 - 2013

LaFawn Lewis Kleinsasser's mother, Euneva "Lucy" Frey, recently passed away in Grand Junction, CO at the age of 92.  She is survived by three children, LaFawn, Minnie and Dick; 4 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 5 great-great granchildren.

Vernon Luderman recently underwent shoulder surgery and is recovering nicely.  Vern and Edna have spent countless hours working on our 50th reunion and their guidance and input is invaluable.  We wish him a speedy recovery and a return to the "links" soon.

REGISTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHIES

It would be very helpful to the planning committee if you would return your registration form as soon as possible.  Your yes/no response is needed to determine attendance numbers which have to be provided to the venues hosting the activities.  Your payment can be delayed until August 15. 

Biographies are coming in at a trickle.  The reunion booklet has been a lasting memento of our reunions and provides a wonderful story of classmates lives post graduation.  Your bio can consist of whatever you are comfortable providing.  We encourage you to share  your life experiences - be it the long or short version. 

BIOGRAPHIES

Margie (Kamperschroer) Michelotti

I graduated from Carroll College in 1967 in Medical Technology, and worked in medicine for 33 years at St. James Hospital in Butte.  Jim Michelotti and I married in 1966 and raised four boys together.  We have 13 grandchildren, and see all of them often.  They all live within 60 miles of us.

Jim and I have done quite a bit of traveling since we retired.  Our son, Jason, lives in Munich, Germany so we have enjoyed several trips to Europe.  We also golf in the summer and ski in the winter.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.  Thanks so much to the reunion committee for all of the work they have done.


Margie (Kamperschroer) & Jim Michelotti & family




Margie (Kamperschroer) Michelotti & family


JoAnn (Schwarz) & Jerry Driscoll

After many years of keeping our noses to the grindstone, Jerry and I have begun reaping the fruits of our labors.  We have become rich beyond our dreams.

We have attended most of the major league baseball games we wished to.  And have had court side seats at our favorite basketball games and tennis matches.  We have also branched out into the arts.  We've attended many symphonies, musicals and plays.

We've seen such wonderful places as well; Morocco, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Mexico and Disneyland.

We enjoy entertaining as well, and love when we have overnight guests.  There's nothing quite like sittting outside on a warm summer night and watching the sunset on Big Sky Country.

 Perhaps there needs to be a bit of clarification now.   Our baseball and basketball star is grandson, Andrew; tennis player, granddaughter, Megan; symphony viola player, granddaughter Paige; musical singers Andrew and Paige; and nominee for actor of the year at Billings Studio Theater is Joseph for the sterling role of Toto in The Wizard of Oz.

Our two oldest granddaughters are both graduating this year.  Paige will go to MSU and Megan will be going to U of M.  We have added two new grandbabies, Aleida Ann and Anderson "Wolfe" James, 3 and 1 years of age.

Thanks to our children's wordly travels and Snapfish, we have seen all the fabulous places in the above mentioned.  We are blessed to have our children come home to be with Mom and Dad several times a year.  

Jerry still dabbles as a lobbyist and part-time farmer and I continue to be Mom, Grandma and Sis.  I have taken to bicycle riding after 52 years of not being on one.  It's either an epiphany or senility.

Mike Gullard

I was just reading what I wrote for the 2008 reunion and it struck me what a small percentage of my life has occured in the past five years.  I am doing pretty much what I was doing then though I do feel a greater appreciation for life and for enjoying it.  The "some-day" may not happen so I had better do it today.

I had a scary heart operation two years ago and, though I would not choose to do it again, it gave me a greater appreciation of sunny, warm days and the people around me.

My sons are finally out of college and living happily on the East Coast.  Erik is in Boston and Ben is in New York City.  We manage to get together three or four times a year and Pam and I have been renting a cabin at Lake George in upstate New York for a couple of weeks each summer.  That tends to be our family vacation.

Pam continues to write as well as teach writing and literature at a local college.  I need to schedule our playtime around her work schedule.

I still sit on the board of four technology companies but that is fewer than the past so I have more free time.  I play tennis a lot, golf a little and have discovered the joy of cooking.  (It is a lot more fun when you don't have to cook everyday and it's not necessarily in your job description).

We both love what we are doing and don't plan to completely retire any time soon.

Mike & Pam Gullard & sons


Paul Magers Scholarship Fund

Thanks to your generosity, we have received $900 in donations to the Paul Magers Scholarship Fund in memory of our deceased classmates.  The Billings Catholic Schools Foundation is deeply appreciative of these donations, which will be used for tuition assistance for deserving students.  Donations are tax-deductible.


 

REGISTRATION FOR CLASS OF 1963 50th REUNION

The registration packet has been sent and we are eager to hear that you will be attending the reunion.  Please return your registration form no later than August 15, 2013. 

Recapping the activities:

Friday, September 13

• Golf at Peter Yegen Golf Course - 10:00 am and 12:00 pm tee off times.
• Barbecue at Red Door Lounge - 6:00 pm cash bar; 6:30 pm dinner

Saturday, September 14

• Coffee/Brunch at Janice Krings Geiger's home - 10:00 am
• Mass at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral - 5:00 pm
• Dinner at Hiland's Golf Course - 6:00 pm cash bar; dinner 7:00 pm

A short program will be given on Saturday night, as well as a drawing for door prizes.   A class photo will also be taken on Saturday.  

We  look forward to your attendance at the 50th Class Reunion, a true milestone in our lives.  We are expecting some classmates that have not attended previous reunions, so there will be 50 years of catching up.  See you in September!

BIOGRAPHIES

Jim Schaff

After high school, I worked for Albertson's for a short time before going on active duty for two years in the U.S. Navy, Pacific Fleet.

I worked at Pierce Flooring before going to auto repair school.  I then worked at MacIntyre Motors as a transmission mechanic until I developed sensitivity in my hands to the cleaning solvents.  From there, I went into auto parts sales.

I then went to work at Deaconess Hospital.  I was assigned to work in the Psych Center.  After nine years at the hospital, I went to work for Sears, unpacking freight and stocking the floor displays.  I retired in 2005 due to arthritis and a herniated disk in my lower back.

In February 2012, I became caregiver for my mother until she passed away in September.  Twenty-four hour care giving can be stressful at the end, but I had support from Riverton Hospice personnel.

Georgia Asp Shrader

What's been happening?  I'd say not a lot but thinking back over the last five years.....

Traveled plenty: New York City over Easter break with our daughter and twins.  Wonderful week of fun and memories.  Cabo with all the family; South American cruise (the cruise from hell...got the Niro virus and was confined to my room for 63 hours); and the usual short trips around California and near states.  Our last Montana trip was in January 2011 for my uncle's funeral in Twin Bridges.

Back surgery in 2011...getting older guys (smile).

The very best is family!  Having grandkids makes us feel younger (sometimes very old).  Our grandkids, twin girls, will be graduating eighth grade and going to high school at St. Ignacious in San Francisco.  They were accepted with distinction and honors in honor class.  So very proud of my girls. They are 4.5 students. They'll drive with Dad each day to school from San Jose.  Dad is CFO of St. Ignacious.  

Plus dear friends over all these years who come to visit us in San Jose and Truckee.  My husband, Gary is known at the best tour guide and history buff.  As I type this friends of 47 years will soon be arriving from Holland.

Truckee is still our main "get away"; love those mountains and more.

I do not think we'll attend the reunion; my Gary, all though in great health and handsome as every will be 78 in September.  We like to drive for the beauty but it is hard on the ole bones, mostly mine after surgery.  Sorry I can't be with you but you will be in my heart and spirit.

Blessings to all.


Jim Holzer

The past 50 years:

Married:        Nancy Hambach in 1967
Children:       Jamie (1968), Lisa (1972), Robin  (1976)
Grandchild:   Karen (2002)

Education:    Dartmouth College - BS
                      Suffolk University - MS
                       University of Alabama - PhD

Places Lived:     New Hampshire
                            New Mexico
                            Alabama
                            Massachusetts

Work:               Defense contractors - 1967 to 2007

Current:            Retired

Nancy and I enjoy traveling, gardening, paddle boating and Dobby, our long-hair Chihuahua.



Looking forward to the reunion!







Jim & Nancy Holzer - 1967



Jim & Nancy Holzer



Jim Holzer & Dobby





Jim Holzer

 Paul & Nancy Ferro Staid

(From Nancy):  I graduated from what was then Eastern in secondary education in 1966 and moved to South Bend, Indiana, to teach high school English and French.  Paul got his B.S. in 1967 and his M.S. in 1969 from Notre Dame in aerospace engineering.  We married in 1967 and in 1969 moved to Cincinnati where Paul worked for G.E.'s jet engine group until 1979.  We then relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Paul worked for Exxon until 2005 when he retired.

I finally retired in 2011 after 25 years at St. Aloysius School, a Catholic PreK through 8th grade elementary school, in Baton Rouge.  For the first eleven years, I taught 8th grade English and the last fourteen years was the Curriculum Director.  Paul's loved retirement from the first minute (golf, hunting, fishing, etc.); I like the freedom of retirement, but I miss the day-to-day contact with all my work friends and the students.  I volunteer at St. Aloysius and also at Cancer Services and play bridge

We have two sons, Steve and Mike.  Steve, his wife Jen, and their two daughters, Camille, 12 and Emma, 10, live in Colleyville, Texas (between Dallas and Fort Worth).  Steve worked in London for three years so Paul and I had several great trips to Europe during that time.  Two years ago Steve and his family moved back to the states, so now we visit Texas a lot.  Our other son, Mike, his wife Mollie, and their two daughters, Annabelle, 17, and Amelia,15, live in Greenville, South Carolina.  So we also travel to S.C. a lot too.  Now that we're both retired, we can go see the boys and families whenever we feel like it, and that's been great.

We also make it back to Montana almost every summer.  We spend time in Silvergate and Yellowstone and fishing the Big Horn with my sister Lynn and her husband Dan in their drift boat.  We also enjoy Glacier.  While we love Baton Rouge, we look forward to our time back in Montana every summer.

Paul and I are looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.




Paul & Nancy (Ferro) Staid & family

  LaFawn Lewis Kleinsasser

Wow, 50 years!  Where did the time go?

I attended Eastern and graduated from St. Vincent's School of Radiologic Technology with Elaine Lutgen Hine and Kathy Gainan Miller after having had way too much fun together.  I was then off to San Francisco with my Billings sweetheart, Bill Sipes to follow my dreams.  Bill worked for IBM as a field engineer during the birth of business computers and later in research and development in a think tank.  I found my dream job in a satellite X-ray clinic right in Pacifica where we lived.  Pursued the California dream for four years, experienced the Haight Ashbury Lifestyle (from a distance) and even pretended we were hippies for awhile.  After all that cultural enlightenment and the birth of our baby boy, Bill decided it was time to head home to raise him in Montana so that he could know his grandparents.  We bought his father's partners' share of their service stations and bulk gas distributorship in East Glacier Park, MT, liquidated the homestead and arrived in October.  Yes, that's right, I did think I was in Siberia after having to leave my beautiful little home and garden.  But, oh what a grand experience that was, population 350 in the winter and thousands in the summer.  The long harsh winters were nothing compared to the beauty, serenity and sense of community we experienced there.  We bought a home, had a beautiful baby girl and I started a home day care business after the gas shortages of the mid 70's threatened our livelihood.  Remember the long lines in the cities and west coast to buy gas?  We virtually lost our business and our marriage after struggling through that.

So, I found myself, literally (that's another story), back in Billings working at St. Vincent's as the solo X-ray tech on the night shift.  Boy have times changed in hospitals since then.  Three months later I was lucky enough to be hired by Dr. William Walton, my idol and a saint of a man, in this Orthopedic practice with four other physicians.  In 2010, 33-1/2 years later, I retired from that practice, after wearing numerous hats as x-ray, cast and MRI tech, clinical medical assistant to several different physicians, clinical manager and surgery scheduler.  There was never a dull moment with all the major changes in the health care field that were taking place.  No way could you ever become bored.  I loved it so much I always wondered how I would ever be able to retire.  But age and a 4 by-pass heart surgery with a severe complication that almost took my life quickly changed that.  I decided life was sliding by and I had so much left to do and so little time that I just didn't have time to work anymore.

Along the way, I loved a few and lost a few, but 30 years ago I found my faithful, hardworking, sweetheart of a man, Jerry, who is an ex-Hutterite.  Friends refer to us as the hootie and the hippie.  I guess you can say opposites attract or we compliment each other or just that he has the patience of Job to live with me:)  We've lived in the same house for those 30 years, raising children, grandchildren (his son has two children and are here in Billings), vegetable and flower gardens, the walls as we remodel and continue to build and improve and savoring those memory making moments.  We spend as much time as possible pursuing our loves, visiting family far and wide, camping, fishing, reading and traveling.  We are fortunate to be of those Weird New Nuclear Families that loves and spends time with our exes and their spouses, their children, grandchildren and ex in-laws.  My son, Russell and wife, Jen, live in Belgrade and daughter, Portia and husband, Paul are in Portland.  See them often, but nearly as much as I would like.

I am also learning to be a volunteer Docent at the Yellowstone Art Museum.  I have always had an interest in and dabbled in different art mediums and this is such a great opportunity to learn AND give back.  We mostly work with children teaching them about and how to do Art.  So fun and interesting and keeps the cob webs out of my brain. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone.




Jerry & LaFawn (Lewis) Kleinsasser, October 2012

 

LaFawn & Jerry Kleinsasser - Crab Feast!



LaFawn & Family - New Zealand March 2013

 More Pics



Dan & Kay (Anderson) Shull, daughter Courtney, grandchildren Mason & Bella at Disneyland, 2012

 Shared by Cathy Florek Pasquarello

$5.37!
That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me.
I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and
something that used to be a Jolly Rancher.
Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out
to the truck to grab some change
when the kid with the Elmo hairdo said the hardest thing anyone has
ever said to me.
He said, "It's OK. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount."

I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of
change hitting the counter in front of me.
"Only $4.68" he said cheerfully.
I stood there stupefied. I am 56, not even 60 yet?
A mere child!
Senior citizen?

I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong
with Elmo.
Was he blind?
As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil.
Old? Me?

I'll show him, I thought.
I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter,
and there he was waiting with a smile.

Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me,
like I could be that easily distracted!
What am I now?
A toddler?

"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, eh?"
I stared with utter disdain at the keys.
I began to rationalize in my mind!

"Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly!
It could happen to anyone!"

I turned and headed back to the truck.
I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn.
What now?
I checked my keys and tried another.
Still nothing.

That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror.
I had no purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror.

Then, a few other objects came into focus:
The car seat in the back seat.
Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard.
A partially eaten doughnut on the dashboard.

Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle.

Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot,
relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life.
That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger!
My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito,
only it was nowhere to be found.

I swung the truck around, gathered my courage,
and strode back into the restaurant one final time.
There Elmo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish.
All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?"

All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here"?
At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle,
and then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits.

Elmo had no clue.
I walked back out to the truck,
and suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention.
He was holding up a drink and a bag.
His mother explained,
"I think you left this in my truck by mistake."

I took the food and drink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized.

She offered these kind words:
"It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."

All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40 mph zone.
Yessss, I was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius.
And no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast.

As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall.
I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket.
I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blankey.

The good news was that I had successfully found my way home.

Shared by LaFawn Lewis Kleinsasser

Dancing Nana

PAUL MAGERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Thanks to your generosity, up to this point, we have received donations of $750 to the Paul Magers Scholarship Fund, in memory of our deceased classmates.   We have received the following communication from Kathy Harris, Director of Marketing, Billings Catholic Schools:

     Paul Magers left such a legacy and remains an inspiration to Central students

     yet today.  His funeral was a true blessing from God and an amazing testament

     to him and also to his family and classmates.  I think it's wonderful, too, that you

     have decided to make these donations not only in his honor, but in the honor of

     your deceased classmates.  I don't think it's always appropriately conveyed, but

     the impact these scholarships have on our existing students is overwhelming.  

     Our enrollment is growing every year, and that's in large part because of the scholar-

     ship dollars students now have access to.  It is the most fundamental aspect of our

     mission, to allow access to an exceptional Catholic education for all students,

     regardless of financial means.  It's only because of people like you that we are able
     to continue to fulfill this mission.  Please know how grateful we are, and that every

     dollar given truly impacts a student who may not have otherwise been able to

     experience Billings Central, an experience that for many students is described

     as life changing.  Thank you!

If you would like to donate, please make your check payble to, Paul Magers Scholarship Fund and mail to Cathy Pasquarello, 4203 Avenue D, Billings MT.  59106.  Thank you for your consideration for a very worthy cause.

Biographies

Gary Lorang

After graduating, I went to work for Lovell Clay Products and was there until the company closed.  At that time, I was the yard foreman.  Then I went to barber school and became a barber with shops in Billings and then in Roundup.  A friend of mine got me started with Albertson part-time.  When it became full-time, I sold the shop in Roundup and stayed with Albertson in the bakery department, the last nine years as bakery manager in Shelby, MT.  When I retired from Albertson, I bought a barber shop in Shelby and am still working.  I never married.  I still have the T-Bird and enjoy driving it.



Gary Lorang, August 2010



Lana Pavelis Bittner

Celebrating 50 years seemed a long way off, but after Gerry celebrated his last year from West, here it is! 

After a career in banking, I followed my passion for art and painting to Sandstone Gallery as one of the watercolor artists in 2005.  As one of the principals for the Montana Watercolor Workshops for the State of Montana, involvement with the arts both locally and state has been very enjoyable and rewarding, developing many friendships. 

Gerry and I have been married for 44 years and have been blessed with good health and a great family.  Our travels take us to Colorado to see our son, daughter and families which include four grandchildren who are very active in sports and one "dancing queen".

We go "South" to get our golf fix when the weather turns nasty in Billings.

Thanks to the Reunion Committee for all your hard work, time, and organizing of events.  I look forward to getting reacquanted with the class of '63.



Lana (Pavelis) and Gerry Bittner

Your Biography

September may seem like a long way off, but we really need you to send your bio as soon as possible.  It takes time to type, print and assemble the booklet and we want to insure that you are included.  Please take 30 minutes out of your day and prepare your bio.  It would really help us out.  Don't forget the photos!

Bill McCleary

Bill has agreed to be the Master of Ceremony at the Saturday night dinner.  We look forward to an entertaining evening.  If you have stories, memories, etc. you would like to share,  please let Bill know.  His email is abbysventures@earthlink.net.


Bill McCleary


Door Prizes and Other Contributions

Rickard Ross has generously given several treasures from his world travels and an autographed copy of his published book about his great-grandfather, The Biography of First Sergeant Frederick E. Server.  Rick will also give a short presentation Saturday evening about his book.  Lana Pavelis Bittner has donated some original watercolor paintings that are mounted and framed with easels.  Lana and Linda Pavelis LeBrun have graciously offered to provide floral decorations for the tables on Saturday evening.  We sincerely thank our classmates for their generosity.

More Photos

Terry Taylor

Terry commented, "Here I am Easter morning, standing tall.  It came off December 7, 2012 and went back on Good Friday, March 29, 2013."



Terry Taylor, March 2013



Eileen Taylor, March 2013

Claudia Lewis Brayton



Claudia (Lewis) & Gary Brayton



CLASS UPDATES

The Gonzaga Alumni Office has informed us that our classmate Timothy Blaine Hendricks died in 2009.  No other information was available.

The sister to Marilyn Van Meter advised us that Marilyn passed away on March 20,  2012 of COPD.  She was divorced with three children and five grandchildren.

R.I.P. Tim and Marilyn.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Kathleen Powers Goblirsch lost her husband of 42 years on March 6, 2013.  Our condolences to Kathleen and her sons during this time of sorrow.

We have been unable to locate Joanne Althoff Cavazos, Tim Joyce and Helen Bradley.  We believe Joanne and Helen live in Billings.  Tim's last known address was in
Gresham, OR.  If you have information on their location, please contact Bill LaMeres (wjlmontana@aol.com).  The names of all missing classmates are listed in the January blog.

Do you have a current email address for Julie Klein Prill?  If so, please send to Bill LaMeres.


BIOGRAPHIES

Kay Anderson Shull

I retired from my job as Family Support Specialist, working with special needs children, in January 2012.  Dan and I were enjoying our free time traveling, relaxing and connecting with friends and family when we decided to buy a 1998 BMW convertible.  We were enjoying the ride when we were in an extensive accident in June of last year.  Our car was t-boned by an 18 year old running a red light, which rolled us through the intersection with our top down.  My right wrist was broken and my hand and fingers were crushed, but no head injuries, thank God.  Dan had a back compression fracture and other injuries, so we have been doctoring and going to therapies to heal.  I lost a finger and part of another and had skin grafts on my right hand, but I am so thankful that I am ok.

Our grandchildren, Isabella (12) and Mason (10) still live in Tacoma, WA with our daughter, Courtney (37) who is an RN.  We visit there several times a year and have our grandchildren visit us in the summer in Great Falls.  Our son, Steve, passed away suddenly in his sleep on November 20, 2009; he was 36 years old and lived near Courtney in Washington.  What a shock after losing our oldest son, Patrick, in a car accident in 1996.

My plans for the future are to stay healthy, work on my ancestry, go visit Ireland and spend as much time as we can with our daughter, Courtney and Della and Mason.  I am really looking forward to seeing everyone at our 50th this fall and I appreciate the work that has gone into making it happen.

My favorite memory of Central is being in Sister Elizabeth's government class!



Kay (Anderson) & Dan Shull

 Rickard (Rick) Ross

After I retired in 1993, Jan decided she would like to apply for a foreign assignment with the Department of Justice and asked what I thought about moving overseas.  Having never really been out of Montana, I asked the question, "What if I don't want to go?"  She quickly replied, "Then I'm going without you."  So, in the spring of 1998 we sold our home, left our children in Montana, and moved to Brussels, Belgium with Furstin, our Miniature Schnauzer.  We were in Belgium for six years, moving next to Rabat, Morocco for a five-year tour, and in 2009 we moved to Vienna, Austria for three years.  We returned home to Billings in June 2012, bought a new home, adjusted our retirement dream, and live sixty miles on the outskirts of Red Lodge.  Returning home to Montana, we enjoy being close to our two children, Teresa and Brian and our grandchildren.

During our fifteen year hiatus in Europe and North Africa, we had the opportunity to visit 36 countries (Jan, nine more than I) in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  My faithful friend Furstin has traveled with us to eight countries and on three continents until she died in 2009.  The wonderful sights we have seen are too numerous to list, but include some of the most beautiful churches in the world, fabulous castles from the Loire Valley to Neuschwanstein; the Leaning Tower of Pisa, ruins of Pompeii and Great Pyramids of Egypt.  We attended Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Peter's in Vatican City, the famous Bavarian Passion Play at Oberammergau in Germany and Christmas markets in Monchau, Germany; Canterbury, England; and Vienna, Austria.  We enjoyed the beauty of the Bluebell Forest outside Brussels, the Black Forest of Germany and a multitude of flowers of every kind and color in the gardens of Kukenhof, NL.  We learned that Belgium is without a doubt home to the world's very best chocolate, that what Americans call French fries actually are Belgium Frites, and the home of the Euro.  Attending St. Anthony's, an Irish Franciscan parish in Brussels, I had the opportunity to help organize a new order of Catholic Knights, the Knights of St. Thomas More.

We have fond memories of our family being involved in German folk dancing Bavarian style with groups in Laurel-Park City and Red Lodge from 1971 until we left for Europe.  While in Europe, we enjoyed watching local folk and musical programs.  However, since our return, we dance a bit slower now.

Jan continues to work for another 3-4 years and I was accepted to work as a volunteer with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit, reviewing unsolved homicides.  I also continue my involvement as an adult Boy Scouts of American volunteer, working with the Black Otter District in Montana.  While in Europe, I was a BSA volunteer in the Charlemagne, Mediterranean, Horizon and Edelweiss Districts of the Transatlantic Council.  While in Belgium, I taught a few criminal justice courses for the University of Maryland University College, taught family violence awareness courses for the Army Community Services, worked as a clerk at the U.S. Mission to NATO and delighted in editing the newsletter for the U.S. Embassy in Brussels.  Taking a part-time job as financial assistant for the embassy employee's association when we moved to Morocco, I had time to complete a forty-year research project so I could write a historical biography of my great grandfather.  Sergeant Frederick E. Server had been a member of the U.S. Second Cavalry stationed at Fort Ellis and was among the first to find the dead at the battlefield on the Little Horn River in June 1876.  This and his other adventures made a compelling story.



Rick & Jan Ross in Budapest Hungary 2010.



Far Left:  Jan & Rick Ross; Julie (Klein) & Tom Prill
Enzian Schuhplattler Verein Dance Group, Laurel, MT

Terry Taylor

Janice and I couldn't make the 2008 reunion due to her still having radiation and chemotherapy.  In December, we went to Cheyenne, WY for Christmas with our two daughters.  Our eldest son, Brian who lives in Billings came down also.  Gary and family who live in Minnesota couldn't make it.  We had a nice Christmas and went back to Alabama.  Right after the first of 2009, Janice took a turn for the worse and passed away January 31st.  Forty-two year of marriage and I loved it!

Well, one of the widow ladies at church, said to me, "Hey, as long as you are free why not you and me get together?"  So we did!

We married but only after Father Jim made us go for an engagement encounter weekend.  You guessed it - the oldest couple there were 32 years old.  That's right - we were 65!

Eileen and I were married October 10, 2009.  My four kids think she is the second greatest thing that ever happened to their dad, and her two kids think the same about me.

It has been a wild 1-1/2 years with my diabetes but I will soon be getting my new and improved leg.

Eileen and I are looking forward to seeing y'all at the reunion.

Tom O'Donnell

How do you describe 50 years???  (Hell, how do you REMEMBER 50 years).  Well, here goes.

As happened to others in our class, my family was transferred out of Billings the summer of 1962, so I missed all of the fun things that happened in our senior year.  However, the new high school in Tulsa was a real eye opening experience, as our graduating class was over 600.  I didn't feel lost exactly but certainly challenged.

I went to the University of Oklahoma, found out I didn't have any idea of what I wanted to do other than party, so after 2 years I quit.  (Actually, the school insisted that I leave, so who was I to argue with them.)  I went to work for North American Aviation on the Saturn 5/Apollo program and was in heaven.  I had a fantastic job, started to get an education on the job and made pretty good money.

Two years later, as the program was winding down in Tulsa, I left North American and went to work for an outfit called Dynaelectron Corp.  Our job was fixing Army helicopters in Viet Nam and I spent 3-1/2 years of the next five years working in our Southeast Asia paradise.  Learned a lot and finally figured out in June 1972 that it was time to get out and come home. 

The next 18 months saw me working in five different states with Dynalectron, from Arizona to California, to West Virginia, to Rhode Island to.....Great Falls!  I loved being back in Montana and had a great job with the Montana Air Guard working on the F-106s.  I was able to do some hunting and fishing, had a neat apartment and made friends.  What could be better?  (See below.)

My mother asked me to contact some old friends, the Strattons, living in Great Falls.  Virginia Stratton and Mom had gone to grade school (Fratt) together and were very close as young girls.  Being ever the obedient son, I called them and was invited to dinner.  Unbeknownst to me, their daughter, who was teaching at CMR high school, was also invited to dinner.  (I am sure that two old friends had not conspired to get us to meet, but......)  Nine months later, in September 1974, Jindy and I were married at St. Gerard's in Great Falls.

Boy, the preliminary stuff takes a lot of explaining!

We moved to Palmdale, in Southern California, located in the Mojave Desert about 60 miles from LA and 40 miles from Edwards AFB.  Over the next 39 years, Jindy (Virginia) and I were blessed with four wonderful, outstanding, beautiful girls.  They, in turn, have blessed us with six handsome grandsons.

Professionally, I have been able to work on several exciting programs in the aerospace world, holding multiple positions, from mechanic, to manufacturing manager, to senior design engineer, to project manager.  The longest program was the Space Shuttle, which lasted for about 30 years.  I also spent time on the B-1 bomber, the B-2 bomber, the X-51 Waverider and the Airborne Laser program, among others.  What a great ride!  (Just as an aside, the 1959 Holy Rosary Class Prophesy had me and Tom Pendergast as engineers on a space ship.)

Three years ago, both Jindy and I retired:  She from 22 years of teaching high school and me from 35 years at Boeing.  How, you might ask, did two Montana/California desert rats end up in the booming metropolis of Port Angeles, Washington?  Therein lies a story.

I mentioned our four marvelous daughters...Katie, the oldest, went to school in Walla Walla and then on to Eastern Washington in Cheney.  She met her husband, David Arand, in school and they ended up here in Port Angeles.  He is on the PA police force, she in the Sheriff's department.  They have two sons.  Our second daughter, Alison, moved up here with her son about 10 years ago and is an office manager for an electrical contractor.

I, upon retiring, suggested that we move back to Montana and, preferably, Billings.  Absolutely not (emphasize the "not") says the wife,  "There aren't any grandchildren in Billings."  So here we are in Western Washington.

Oh, yes, the other two daughters.....Margaret, our third daughter, after September 11, entered the ROTC program and San Diego State, got her commission as a Missile Launch Officer and is now a Major in the Air Force.  Her husband, Adam Hawkins, is a Captain in the Air Force and is currently on deployment to Djibouti.  He is a Combat Search and Rescue pilot.  The baby, Christine (and I shouldn't call her that) is also in the Air Force as a Tech Sergeant, as is her husband, Jerry Baughman.  She has three sons.  They are currently stationed in Aviano, Italy.  (And yes, we ARE going to visit them next year.)

As I read this, I see how much has not been mentioned, such as church (we belong to Queen of Angeles here in PA), friends, difficulties (there have been a few) and the sad times of loss and discouragement.  You know, I don't find the difficult times as important as the joy of family, the satisfaction of accomplishments, the wonderful memories of youth in Billings and the anticipation of seeing classmates from so long ago.




Tom O'Donnell & family Christmas 2010

Tom McNassar

My wife, Jane and I have been married since 1967.  I worked at Boeing for 31 years, all in the Seattle area except for three years in Houston, TX during the mid '90s.  Jane has worked in several fields over the years including teaching school and pastoral assistant in our parish.  We retired in 2000.  We have two children and two grandchildren.  Son Mark is married with two boys, (11) and (9).  They live in New Jersey so we don't get to see them often enough, usually about twice a year and they trek out to the west coast every other summer.  Daughter Bridget taught middle school close by for ten years, then three years ago, decided on a career change.  She went back to school for a master's degree in forestry and is now managing a start-up nursery, focusing on Washington State native plants.

Since retirement we've remained active with volunteer work (Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul, tax preparation for low income and elderly), hiking and gardening (aka yard work).

In 2011, Christie (Gerharz) Gorman and her husband Tom graciously hosted a get-together of a good number of our classmates living in the Pacific NW.  We really had a great time.  Also, last summer the great Jim Griffin stopped by our home for a visit.




Tom McNassar & Family at Yellowstone Park 2012

 Jerry Mayer

My wife Joanne and I moved back to Billings in 2001.  We had lived in the Midwest and more recently in Wyoming and Washington.  We have four daughters and eight grandchildren.  Three daughters and five grandchildren live in Billings.  One grandson is attending college in Boise, ID.  Our youngest daughter and her family live in Chandler, AZ.

We have seen two grandsons graduate from high school and our youngest granddaughter is 8. 

We have been taking care of my dad following the passing of my mom and sister.  We are also assisting with the care of Joanne's mom.

Joanne and I will be married for 47 years in September.

God has been faithful through the good and the hard times.


I hope you have enjoyed the biographies and photos as much as I have.  Looking forward to posting yours. 

Kathy Gainan Miller sent this beautiful video, Starry, Starry Night.