Register, log in, or view classmates

Mary Constantine-Nelson (Constantine)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: Show Producer/Director, Retired Dance Studio Owner
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: I've been married to Eric Nelson from Story City for 47 years, went to Univ of Iowa as a dance major and finished in NYC. We lived in California when Eric went to grad school at Stanford. Moved to Colorado where Eric began his career at Hewlett-Packard, and I opened a studio (MCN Dance Centre) in 1978. It grew from just me to a staff of 24, two locations, and nearly 800 students. Through HP, when our kids were young, we had the opportunity to live in Germany for six years. At the studios, it was a joy to teach and interact with people of all ages for thirty years.

Next I began to focus on helping produce and direct shows, like large scale Christmas shows with dancers, singers and orchestra. I wrote a 400 page book with lots of photos, “It’s Showtime - Production Guidebook”. It’s available on Amazon. (I’ll make a special price through the summer if any of you might be interested) I wrote it to help people learn and know what I wish I had known when I first started! Whether handling a large production or a small town school play, one is expected to know much more than taught.

We have four ‘kids’, three daughters & one son: Angela & Matt Snyder, Community Development Director & Police Officer; Alexa & James Wittler, Dance Studio Owner & Attorney; AdriElle & Aaron Hupp, Dance Studio Owner & Pastor. (Alexa & AdriElle together own dance studios, Legacy Dance - It’s pretty cool.) Sonja & Michael Nelson are both Fashion Designers for Hugo Boss at their headquarters in Germany. We have 15 grandchildren, 7 boys & 8 girls. We joke that we could have our own town!

Eric & I love to travel and can be found in Fort Collins, CO, Scottsdale, AZ, Orlando, FL, or some of our favorites - Europe, Asia & the Caribbean. Aside from all of this, we feel so thankful by God’s grace for the blessing of life itself. We have learned that what matter most to us is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our family, friends, and other people.

I so wish I could attend our reunion. Majorly bummed. But we have had a once-in-a-lifetime trip planned with our family right over that weekend. We are going to Greece so our grandkids can meet their cousins and see where my dad and my mom’s family were born. Then we are going on a Greek Island cruise. You can imagine the planning effort, as there are 25 of us! We have even rented a bus to drive us around the Peloponnese. We should make up a name and put a banner on the bus. Haha! So... this is where I will be when you are all getting reacquainted. I will truly miss hearing your life stories and experiences. May God bless and guide each of you, our AHS class of 1973!

Roz Paige (Corieri)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: University Professor and Dept. Chair of Marketing
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: I'm not retired as so many are. Rather, I'm shooting towards retiring when I'm 70. I work for the University of South Carolina and am the Department Chair of the Marketing and Management department. As a professor, I still teach a course or two in marketing while continuing my education in digital marketing and business analytics.

But 50 years ago, I left Ames for Iowa City which I absolutely loved with all of the football games, frat & sorority parties, dating, etc. Truly good times! Marriage brought me to Iowa State. After graduation, St. Louis became my next home.

St. Louis was an awesome experience in a large city vs. our small college town of Ames with its pro sports, tons of fun things to do, concerts, diverse foods, a fabulous career launch with Neiman Marcus, and the birth of my daughter, Lauren. Pete Nutty is her Godfather.

At Neiman Marcus, I managed several couture fashion departments before going into administration. In 1980, I moved to Los Angeles where Neiman's offered me positions at both the Newport Beach and Beverly Hills branches. After a few years my son, Jesse, was born.

Life took another turn and I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Although Dillards offered me a position in Phoenix, I left the corporate scene and ventured out into advertising and marketing research (for advertising) with a high-end luxury marketing communications firm, SHR Design. Five years later, I followed my long-time desire to attend graduate school.

Packing up 2 very young children in a U-Haul with a cat screaming under the seat and a cockatiel bird on the steering wheel, I returned to Ames and earned a Master's Degree and Ph.D. in marketing from Iowa State. While doing this, I met and married Bill Paige, an ISU professor who raised my children as his own.

Bill's career took us to Clemson University in South Carolina where I finished my doctorate long-distance. I was hired by the University of Tennessee and commuted between Clemson, SC and Knoxville, TN on weekends. U.T. was an extraordinary experience! For research projects, I traveled to Russia, Mexico, China, South Korea, and Thailand.

Commuting that far of a distance takes a toll so after earning tenure, I left the big U to return to South Carolina where my ultimate life goal was fulfilled: I live with Bill on 24 acres with 3 horses, 3 dogs, and 3 cats . . . and lots of flower and vegetable gardens. My kids are grown and I have 4 grandsons, 3 of which are triplets!

I've traveled and re-connected with my family in Italy and visit them often, always grateful for the family's authentic Balsamic vinegar made in their Modena homes. I've written and photographed for my Italian food blog since 2009 which has ranked in the top 25 Italian food blogs in the U.S for the last 3 years. I also started a very rewarding small business venture on Etsy creating and marketing hand-made rosaries made of semi-precious stone beads. ("La Bella Vita Cucina" is the blog and "Bella Donna Rosaries" is the Etsy shop).

When my parents passed away, I took over the house on Ashmore Drive and turned it into an AirBnB for several years. Bobbi Blanchard Borich was the property manager. We were quite the businesswomen! Then the pandemic hit and I chose to sell it. No more wild AHS parties on Ashmore Drive anymore!

I can't attend this reunion because plans had already been made to travel to Scotland for a few weeks at the same time. I wish you all good health, many blessings, peace, and love. If you're ever in South Carolina, do look me up! I'd love to show you around and feed you lots of pasta!

Shirley Williams (Couture)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: In 1977, I graduated from ISU in interior design. I moved to Des Moines in '79 where i met my husband, Jerry. We got married in 1984. We built our house in Ankeny, Iowa in 1989. We have 2 great sons, Blake and Dylan, one daughter-in-law and one soon to be daughter-in-law.
I worked at Ankeny Schools for 20 years with children with behavior disabilities. I've been retired for 5 years.

I have 2 beautiful little grandson's, 3 and 6
The 6 year-old aged out of his preschool, so we get to have him with us all summer.

I love retirement..I always said we should be able to retire when we're 20 and work starting at 50, but this is nice, too. We've been to 47 states, so far. We'll cross Alaska off next year. We've been to Canada, Mexico, British Virgin Islands, Aruba, St. Thomas, Jamaica. I've also been to Europe a couple of times, but my favorite place to be is home.

Janet Hofmeyer (Coy)

Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: bookeeper/accountant
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: I graduated from Drake University in 1977 with majors in computer science and accounting. On 5/28/1977, I married John W. Hofmeyer, III who was from Fayette, IA. Until we moved to Oelwein in August of 1978, I worked for BCBS in their computer programming department while John graduated from Drake Law School and passed the bar exam. John practices general practice law in Oelwein.
Upon moving to Oelwein, I worked for a CPA for two years and received my license to practice as a CPA. Then I quit working for a few years while we had 4 children, three girls and a boy. They are a teacher (Jennifer Curtis - now nannying for her 3 year old twin niece and nephew in Cedar Rapids where she resides with her husband Heath), a doctor (Dr. Joy Koopmans of Elmhurst, IL - doctor of emergency pediatric medicine - husband Christopher Koopmans), a preacher (Jeanette Hofmeyer, husband Gustavo Martinez Miguel - now an at home mother of 6 boys), and a lawyer (John W. Hofmeyer IV , wife Brooke, who practices in Cedar Rapids, IA, with Jim Arenson.) After a couple of years of being a full-time mom, I took over the bookwork and billing for my husband because his secretary was not finding time to do it. And shortly after that I started helping part-time with the tax preparation work at Hofmeyer and Anthony (now Hofmeyer and Hanson, PC) in Fayette, IA. I continue to work those two part-time jobs to this day. When John figures out how to retire, I will retire!
Over the years I have volunteered for various organizations in Oelwein: Parent Share and Support, Grace United Methodist Church (participating in choir, teaching Sunday School, leading the kids Wednesday evening program, and various committees), Kids Playground Fund and United Way. I currently serve as treasurer for TOPS, MacDowell Club, PEO and Friends of MercyOne hospital.
A few years ago I choose to leave the Methodist Church due to differences I have with stands they are taking. I now attend Stanley Union Church, a Village Missions church, in Stanley, IA. My pastor gives excellent sermons and the congregation loves the Lord. My Christian faith is the most important aspect of my life. I love the Lord Jesus, and I am grateful for the salvation he has provided for us sinners who love him. Our faith is very important to my husband and me. And my faith is what got me through the 6 months about 4 year ago when my father-in law passed away, then my youngest brother, Dan, committed suicide. We lost John's cousin to a sudden, massive heart attack, Then my father passed away unexpectedly. Those were a rough several months. And Christ sustains me to this day.
Comment: I plan to attend the reunion. I have one question: How do I decide what elementary school reunion to go to? I moved to the country in first grade and they bussed us wherever they had the extra room. So I went to Whittier, Sawyer and Fellows... ;-)

Bill Crawford

Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: I’ve basically been a mechanic and RV repair man my entire life. Married to Cheryl Kaiser for 46 years, 2 girls Tara and Jen, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren plus one more on the way.

Carolyn Hakes (Curry)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: Graduated from ISU in ‘77. Married Dave Hakes in ‘78. During the early years of our marriage I pursued a career in real estate management. After our second child was born in ‘89 I decided to stay home with our two girls. Dave took a job at UNI and we moved from St. Louis to Cedar Falls in ‘92. We were happy to be back in Iowa. I taught Jazzercise for 12 years and now I am a student again. Our daughters are both married. One lives in Nashville and one in Seattle. Our 1 year old grandson lives in Nashville. We have a condo at Clear Lake and we enjoy spending time there in the summer. Heading to AZ for 3 months this winter. We will see how this snowbird thing works out.

Scott Daulton

Marital status: Married
Children: 10
Occupation: Sales Mgr. Consultant
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: Traveling extensively, water skiing ( still ), golfing , pickleball, etc.

It is not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.!!

Peace and Love !!

Bob Dean (Dean)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired pastor
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: Earlier I posted "Lots of stuff. More details to come." So, here are the promised details.

I originally planned to close with a special note, but when I saw how much I’d written, thought I’d put this at the top.

Even as a pastor, my faith was not perfect. I know that was even more true back in high school. So, to anyone I teased or was unkind to, I offer you my apologies and ask your forgiveness. To those who were friends, and to those I didn’t know as well but who did the small things that encouraged me or brightened my day, thanks so much. By God’s grace, I have grown in faith and can see more clearly now how each of you is made in the image of God. God bless you all. “So these three remain: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” (1st Corinthians 13:13)

With the important part covered, here’s “the rest of the story” if you want to read it.

I decided to boldly go where no one had gone before (except over 500,000 other people) and enrolled at Iowa State, where I met my future wife Diane (from Fort Dodge) and many other friends, and earned a degree in psychology.

While at ISU, I sensed a call to ministry and enrolled at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, where I grew in faith, made more good friends, and became a Broncos fan.

I returned to Iowa after my first year in Denver. With our wedding planned for August, I felt fortunate to have a job with a small roofing company lined up. The company folded shortly before I was to start, so instead I spent a truly interesting summer working for Freel Sanitation. I learned that one person’s trash really can be someone else’s treasure. We presented our wedding party with gag gifts – ones I’d rescued from the bins – as well as a more traditional gifts.

I received a Master of Divinity degree in May of 1981 (although I don’t claim to have mastered being divine).

We returned to Iowa, and I was appointed associate pastor in Boone. Our daughter Megan was born that summer. Son Tom came two years later on a Sunday I was scheduled to preach. Fortunately, he didn’t dally and helped me “make it to the church on time”.

I served United Methodist congregations around Iowa for 34 years in churches ranging in size from 65 to over 1,000 members. You experience many events of life as a pastor, walking with people through joys and the griefs: births, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, divorces, and many others. It was a privilege, an honor, and at times, a challenge. Any good that happened I credit to God, while acknowledging my faith was far from perfect.

While serving the UM Church in Oskaloosa, I enjoyed moonlighting as an adjunct professor at a small Bible college, Vennard (which closed, but no connection to my teaching was ever proven).

To stay out of trouble after retiring from active ministry, I worked for my denomination’s Publishing House for three years. I was on the road in Iowa a lot, visiting churches and making new friends. I enjoyed the beauty and variety in our state.

As the reunion draws near, I'm amazed the time has gone so quickly. Sometimes it seems like yesterday we were in class. I have lots of good memories, but also remember the struggles and difficult times of being in my teens.

Looking forward to seeing those who can make it, and thinking of all of you who were part of my life then.

Mark Donaldson

Marital status: Married
Children: 3
Occupation: medical doctor-Internal Medicine
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: Still working full time as a doc trying to get thru this Covid epidemic. Taking family trips-went to the Galapagos this last summer. Still have 3 daughters to marry off

Lea Jennings (Dorsey)

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired Adult Nurse Practitioner
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: University of Iowa, BSN & Married 1977. Lived in Martinsville, Va. Hampton, Va. Bloomington, IN. Johnson City, TN. And Rochester, Mn. Two daughters and two grandsons. MSN UW Eau Claire 1997.