Classmate Profiles
Sixty Plus years since we graduated!
Please create or update your biography.
Tell classmates about yourself! Click on "Add Your Profile" and fill out the form so that we have up-to-date contact information. You may also wish to add a short bio about what you've been up to the last 50 years. It's a great way to "reacquaint" ourselves with one another. Please note that there is a limit of 220 words - about 22 lines.
It's recommended that you not share upcoming vacation dates, day & month of your birth, financial information and other sensitive information on the internet.
Important: Your contact information will not be posted on the site (however, others will be able to send you an email if you include your email address in the setup information of your profile).
Some ideas when writing: Did you attend college/where? What do/did you do for a living? What kinds of things do you like to do for fun? Have you done any traveling? Any other thoughts/memories would be great too.
Don't forget to add a recent picture (can be individual, with significant other, family, etc.)! We will upload your yearbook picture for the "then" picture, but if you would prefer to use an alternative picture, you may do so as well. Just click "Edit Entry."
"Reflections"
Our paths began as a blank page to be written on by experience. Our parents and friends escorted us down the path that curved and rose and fell shaping the person we are today. Like the proverbial moss we gathered acquaintances and life longfriends to traveldown our mutual paths. Each footway had epiphanous moments perhaps changing our path.
A pivotal event in our lives was graduation from our twelve years of education - from there we looked toward the future with hopes and dreams. Within this set of reflections are some of examples of how these dreams manifested themselves into fruition. Stories, memories, education, family, activism, etc. all of that brought us to here pondering is that all there is?
...pondering by Patricia Strot and Carolyn Turner; Photo by Loren Nelson
Donald Belkengren
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
| Comment: | Joined the Navy in Jan. of 62 and got discharged in May of 66. Went to work in the printing industry and remained there for 9+ years until back surgery made me rethink carreers. Began college in 1975 at the young age of 35 and graduated from the U of M in Dec. of 80. Fortunately got a job in sales selling fertilizer and chemicals to golf courses, cities and schools. This job afforded me the free golf at most CC and other fine golf establishments plus a very good living. Don't golf much anymore, since my eyes have gone south on me some, so I do more fishing now. I still go to Colorado annually for the elk hunt. Now I just cood in camp, but got an elk the first 14 years I went. I still hang out with some of the class of 60 and see more at other functions. In the late 60's, before getting married, I raced stock cars at local tracks, but marriage and kids stopped that. I still like old cars and have two that I am very proud of. The first is a 40 Ford Coupe that I purchased in 68 and have to this day. The second is a 55 F-100 pickup. Now a days I enjoy retirement, go to car shows, fish when I can and enjoy being the grandpa to all the neighborhood kids. |
Richard Benedict
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Retired Medical Sales |
| Comment: |
Gail Berger (Gaertner)
| Marital status: | Widowed |
|---|---|
| Children: | 7 |
| Occupation: | Pastor/Teacher |
| Comment: | My life since graduating has been focused in education, family and church. Teaching has been a constant through-out my life in many venues and including 6 years on the Waconia School Board and several years as a Christian Education Director. As a musician, youth director, educator,apologist and finally pastor/missionary, I have enjoyed working in churches in the US and in Africa, India, the Philipines and the Middle East. I have been widowed twice and lost my 26 year old son in a racing accident. I have 3 sons, 4 stepsons and 16 grandchildren. My home in Waconia is a spiritual life and growth center on Lake Waconia called, The Blessing House. Presently I am designing a new place on 4 acres on Lake Wassermann in Victoria, Mn. |
Darrell Bertelson
| Comment: | From Darrell :Each year since grade school, I've "tripped" the BWCA, first with my folks, then the YMCA, then with the guys for the longer canoe trips, later with our kids and now just the two of us.... just no more tenting on the rocks and wet ground. Canoe day trips still an essential part of our up-north experience. Now staying a few nights at Naniboujou on Lake Superior and into the BWCA, staying at the rustic lodges of times gone by along the Gunflint Trail is the new norm. It allows us to regain a full appreciation for life through nature, making it the one destination above all others we've ever traveled. |
|---|
Richard(Rich) Borne
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | deceased 2010 |
| Comment: | One of the blessings of getting older is that the ladies of the class(plus my wife) seem to get better, more attractive each year. |
Richard Borst
| Marital status: | Single |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
| Comment: | Wow! 50 years; it should be easy to fill up a page of activity covering most of our lives! Makes one stop and think! After graduation from HS and the U of MN, I entered the Navy and was sent to Viet Nam. Married my high school sweetheart! Upon returning from active duty, returned to MN, settled here, had two children and worked in private industry and the Federal government. Stayed with the military for 35 years and also with the Bloomington Volunteer Fire Dept. Marriage ended after 26 years and now remain single. My son has three boys and my daughter has one son. These four grandsons keep me young! Retired from the Federal government in 2009 and am enjoying my new time schedule. I stay active with biking and some running as well as many other interests. |
Beverly Brown (Potts)
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired home economist |
| Comment: | My twin brother and I moved to Richfield in the fall of 1959 so we had only one year in Richfield high school; but it was a memorable and fun senior year. After graduation, I attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1964 with a degree in foods and nutrition. Married Larry Brown right after college; worked for a few years while he was in law school and then settled into having two sons and tending the home front. We stayed in the Minneapolis area until 1981; moved to Baltimore, Maryland and on to Florida, where we are at the present time. We have a very active life with the usual Florida activities: biking, tennis, golf, bridge, cooking for friends, and traveling. We both learned to ski at Buck Hill and continue that as our only cold weather adventure. Travel is a big part of our lives with one son and family in K.C. and the other in Dallas. Following the five grandchildren as they travel the country in various sporting tournaments has been a fun way to see our country.We come to Minneapolis in the summer to catch up with family and friends; but will miss the reunion. I know you will have a wonderful time getting reacquainted. I will be thinking of you all. |
Christian BRUENNER
| Marital status: | Divorced |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | university professor/law school |
| Comment: |
Carol Burniece (Brandberg)
| Marital status: | Divorced |
|---|---|
| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | retired |
| Comment: | Richfield was the best place in the world to grow up. I remember Miles Lundahl the best for teachers. A wonderful man and leader whom we all adored, those of us in band. I will always hold Minnesota in a special place in my heart. Two of my children still live there, in Burnsville and Albertville. |
Audrey Buss (Quick)
| Comment: | Al and I will celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary this year. We have two daughters and 3 grandsons, the oldest is 18 and the youngest is 13. Al and I have both been retired for 15 years and are enjoying it so much! We have done quite a lot of travelling, mostly road trips in this beautiful Country and I have just 3 states left to visit to complete my bucket list to travel all the states. We also love to stay close to home and pursue our hobbies. I love scrapbooking, reading, gardening, genealogy research, and spending time with my grandkids. I have also written a mystery novel and might try to get it published or perhaps self-publish. It has been fun re-connecting with high school friends and "doing lunch" with some of them on a regular basis. Life is good! |
|---|