The EHS Class of 1966 had their 60th Class Reunion at the Grand Ely Lodge on Monday, Sept. 14.
The chefs prepared an excellent buffet of roast beef, BBQ pork ribs, and champagne chicken and assorted sides. The service staff of Patty Carlson and Toni Zaverl were top notch in service and cordiality.
There were 30 classmates in attendance and 10 spouses or Partners.
A look back, the class officers in 1966 were Michael Seraphine – president, Joe Prijatel – vice president, Paul Rozman – secretary, and Frank Kerntz – treasurer.
The Timberlane yearbook had Tom Sazdoff as editor in chief, Bobbie Hodge as senior editor, and Darlene Grahek was the make-up editor.
The “Hi-Lites” newsletter co-editors were Joan Weisinger and Martina “Marty” Krall.
Other important class activities included Pep Club with Charlotte Pucel Ridley as president, Jack “Jocko” Thompson – president of “E” Club, Carol Rautio Mack was captain of the Cheerleaders, Louise White Hartzel - president of Thespians, John Anderson was Student Council president, Jim Ojala was president of band, and Bonnie Marinsek Smith was president of G.A.A., the Girls Athletic Association.
The class played a Class of 66 trivia game, digging into our memory banks, organized by Dar Grahek Grugal and committee, pertaining to class activities and current events of the time.
The class also gave homage to and read the names of our 47 classmates who have passed and held a moment of silence in their honor.
Our class had 32 classmates that served in the military, with two making a career of it, Louie Pechek, 23 years, Air Force, and Linda Summer, 20 years, Army, with both in the medical field.
Our veterans also included Dave Buchite, Harold Dojan, Dave Grahek, John Hutar, Tom “TJ” Johnson, Frank Kerntz, Harvey Korkki, Rick Marolt, Dan Mattila, Larry Polyner, Don Porthan, Harry Stahl, Mike Stillwell and Dave Veranth all serving in the Army.
Jim Maki and Tony Zupec were Army Airborne.
Bill Erzar, Dennis Feroni, John Klobuchar, Bob Koivisto, Jim Lakner, Jim Ojala, John Pouchnik, Dennis Pryzbylski, Michael Seraphine, Mike Struna and Frank Stupnik all serving in the Air Force.
Al Kosir and Russ Lindvall served in the Navy and John Shuster served in the Coast Guard.
Many served meritoriously and with distinction in Vietnam and others were commended for performance on other bases stateside or overseas, or in the air, or on the high seas.
Unexpected, Bill Erzar was surprised and presented an Ed Labernik water-color painting of Dan Hestetune’s photo of the Baldwin mallet train and tender at the “B” Shaft by the iron ore loading stockpile for his years of keeping class records, promoting, and leading organizing for class get togethers and reunions. Bill thanked the reunion committee and class for the surprise presentation. It was greatly appreciated!
Class of 1966 reunion committee members: Tony Bartovich, Tim Deyak, Harold Dojan, Bill Erzar, Marge Schwegel Erzar, Dar Grahek Grugal, Cheryl Olson Hegman, Sally Porthan Moose, Michael Seraphine, Roxanne Klobuchar Sidio, Joan Weisinger Thoren and Sherry Hren Wittrup.
All contributed to the planning and set-up of the event!
The class had an enjoyable evening visiting with classmates, spouses, and guests, not having seen some for many years with Jeannie Sue Peterson, from Chicago, attending a reunion for the first time.
It was certainly a very cordial event and hard to say good-byes to all at the close of the evening. Till next time!
