Buzz Book
How to create your Buzz Book entry:
Click on the Add Your Profile button to include your current contact information in our Buzz Book. You'll need to enter a User Name and Password; jot them down so you can return and add or change information later. Be sure to include your e-mail address if you want to receive e-mails from other classmates or the reunion committee. Expect a delay before your profile is displayed on the page, perhaps up to 24 hours.
Click on the Add Your Profile button to include your current contact information in our Buzz Book. You'll need to enter a User Name and Password; jot them down so you can return and add or change information later. Be sure to include your e-mail address if you want to receive e-mails from other classmates or the reunion committee. Expect a delay before your profile is displayed on the page, perhaps up to 24 hours.
Andrea Smith (Richardson)
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | music teacher |
| Comment: Oh my. I am so nostalgic just thinking about all of you old friends as I read familiar names. I'd give anything to be there. I am hoping at least to make some contact with some of you. It's been way to long. Because my parents and brothers also moved to the West coast, I did not returned to Sioux Falls. But oh the wonderful memories I have. I remember piling my dad's truck with friends and driving through the Barrel! or the A & W. I can still taste those mugs of root beer floats. love to all. andi | |
| Tell us about yourself: After high school graduation, I attended Bethel College in St. Paul, where I received my BA in Music Education. I then accepted a teaching position in Camarillo California. I bought my red convertible and away I went. While teaching in a Jr. High I met Lee Smith. I married Lee in '69 and after a short stay in Michigan, we returned to California for 8 years. Then we bought a 335 acre ranch in the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon. Here we raised our son and two daughters. Five years ago we left that area after 32 years and moved further north to Cottage Grove, OR to live near our children and 7 grand children. I have taught piano all of these years and continue even now. I so regret that I am unable to attend the reunion, but am there in spirit. | |
Janet Sorensen (Phillips)
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Widowed |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Branch Office Administrator |
| Comment: Looking forward the reunion!! | |
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Tell us about yourself:
Currently living in Sarasota, Florida. I have also lived in California and New Mexico. My son still lives in Sioux Falls and I have 3 grandchildren there. My daughter lives here in Sarasota. I believe that age is only a number.... I refuse to grow up!! I love animals, with the exception of snakes!! |
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Mary Spero (Imler)
Now
| Marital status: | Widowed |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Assistant Dean |
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Comment:
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Tell us about yourself:
Met and married my husband, Anthony [from Boston]in Bible College. We were married for over 45 years until he passed away. I have a Bachelor and Master's degrees in Theological Studies. I was a pastor's wife and we lived in Boston, West Virginia, Maryland, Florida and now in New Jersey. I was Minister of Music and Education as well. Now I am Assistant Dean of Faith International Training School for the past 10 years. We traveled and ministered in many countries through the years and now have people coming from all over the world to train in our school. I so enjoy fulfilling God's purpose and destiny for my life. I have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. One lives in Florida and one in Vancouver, B.C. |
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Carol Staebell (Voight)
Now
| Marital status: | Widowed |
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| Occupation: | Retired |
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Comment:
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Tell us about yourself:
I will try to condense my life in as few words as possible. After high school I started working for the Minnehaha County Treasurer\'s office. Married Tom Staebell in 1966 and enjoyed 41 wonderful years with him until he died in 2007. Our greatest joys were the birth of our daughter Susan in 1969 and son Jay in 1974. I worked at the Treasurer\'s office until Susan was born and enjoyed my time at home until they were both in school. Returned to the Treasure\'s office and retired in 2010 after 35 years. I have four grandchildren and get to see them often since they live in Sioux Falls. I am now enjoying my retirement golfing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. I am looking forward to our 50th class reunion. |
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Diane Stamm (Hisel)
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
Ron Stember
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Occupation: | Mechanical Engineer |
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Comment:
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| Tell us about yourself: Although I attended Washington High for only the first semester of my sophomore year, I have fond memories of many of you. Unfortunately in January 1960 my family moved to Rapid City. I was saddened to leave life-long friends from my West Avenue neighborhood, Jefferson Grade School, Edison Junior High, and of course my new friends at WSHS, especially those associated with the marching band. However, it seems that transferring from WSHS to Rapid had its advantages. After all Washington High maintained a high ranking in the state for music, academics and sports. I competed on the trombone, lettered in golf, and graduated with honors. Following graduation from Rapid City High, I pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines. That was followed by a tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a MBA degree from the University of Washington. After working in engineering, sales and management with Travelers Insurance for 30 years, I formally retired, but I have continued to work part-time for them. In 1967 I married Marilyn Hanson of Dawson, MN who some of you may know from her days at Augustana College. She recently retired as a professor at the University of Colorado. We have resided in the Denver area for more than 40 years where we have enjoyed many mountain sports including 17 years with the National Ski Patrol. Colorado has been a great place to live, and we have done our share of backpacking, skiing, four-wheeling and just plain enjoying the mountain living. We now enjoy biking, in-line skating and jogging--trying to keep the old bones conditioned. I have been car crazy since 15 and have published some accounts of street racing and cruising from my foolish and youthful days in Rapid City. My thanks to the committee for the invitation to celebrate this reunion with my Sioux Falls classmates. Unfortunately, Rapid City High's 50th reunion is the same weekend, but I am hoping to see you for the Friday night festivities before heading across the state. | |
Jim Stene
Then
| Marital status: | Single |
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| Children: | 2 |
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Comment:
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Tell us about yourself:
Born in a sod hut on a dirt farm in Dakota Territory. No electricity (no lights, no phone, no radio, no tv), and no running water (outhouse). Hunted and trapped to help pop put meat on the table, and provide furs to keep the family warm in the winter. Rode a horse, and carried a sidearm (Indians!) Finished the third grade in a one room school house on the prairie. It was a harsh life, there\'s no denying it! ----- Oh, wait! (ha, ha). That\'s the meta-narrative I was expected to confirm to outsiders (mostly Californians, New Yorkers and other liberals) when I emigrated in 1962! Actually, I graduated from the best High School in the country, with a bunch of wonderful kids, many of whom I\'ve known all my life. Anxious to catch up with where these kids have been, and what these kids have been up to, for the past 50 years! Hope to see you all in September. : ) A humble man who many would agree, has much to be humble about. |
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Sam Stewart
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Occupation: | retired (Biochemist/Teaching, Research & Marketing) |
| Comment: Combination of professions: Teaching (Bio./Chem.) high school and college; industry tech. service, etc., Ph.D., in Nutritional Biochem. w/related industry positions; played drums with 4 different rock and country groups through college and after;. Enjoying traveling in our 4x4 Sprinter Van motorhome with my wife (Pam). Summers at the lake still include water skiing (a life long activity). Pam and I really enjoued our trike flying escapades from 2013-2017 when we traveled "around" with our little aircraft and explored interesting sites...and recorded a few snipits on YouTube...key search (Sam Stewart Trike Flight). Old photo with "Jerry Dee and the Ravons"...played all the ballrooms of the day. | |
Alan Swanson
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
| Comment: | |
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Tell us about yourself:
Mary (Nordlie) Swanson and I started dating during our junior year at WSHS. We were married in 1965 as I started my senior year at SD School of Mines. I graduated from Mines in 1968 with a BS and MS in Chemistry. Our son, David, was born in the spring of 1968 and in the fall, we all headed for MIT in Cambridge, MA. I graduated from MIT in the spring of 1972 with a Ph.D. in Materials Science. Our daughter, Lisa, was born in 1976 in Cambridge, MA. Over my 34 year career in the aerospace industry, I worked for Raytheon and Sperry in the Boston area and Gould in the Chicago area. In 1986, we moved to Syracuse, NY where I went to work for GE Aerospace. GE became Martin Marietta, which became Lockheed Martin, which became BAE Systems over the final 20 years of my career. Over most of my career I worked with and managed engineers who researched, designed and manufactured high speed electronics for communications, radar and satellite systems. My last major work assignment involved supervising the design and manufacture of the RF components for the defensive electronics on the new F-22 jet fighter for the AIr Force. Mary and I retired to Sioux Falls in 2006 from Bedford, NH, where we spent the last 10 years of my career at BAE Systems. Our son and his wife, Amy, live in Bloomfield, CT where he works for Ernst & Young as a consultant for various businesses on computer network security. Our daughter and her husband, Dr. Chris Stanley, live in Pierre, SD with our two grandchildren (Christian-4 and Abigail-2). Since the children have arrived, Lisa is a full-time mother and part-time veterinarian. Since retiring, Mary and I have been traveling, enjoying our family and doing volunteer work. We started the SD FIRST LEGO League for robotics in 2007. Since then, the organization has grown to over 60 teams of 9-14 year old children who compete every year at the state and national level. |
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Carol Swanson (Oksol)
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 1 |
| Occupation: | Retired teacher |
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Comment:
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Tell us about yourself:
I've been a happy retiree for more than ten years. Husband Carl (who was my student teacher in llth grade speech!) and I wintered in Ft Myers, FL for the past nine years but sold our condo last spring. We both taught at Lincoln HS in Sioux Falls (English/speech/debate) for 30-plus years. I became a first-time mom at age 40. Enjoy reading and road trips and try to avoid housecleaning. (The "Now" picture was taken on a Rhine River cruise in 2010 to celebrate our 40th anniversary.) |
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