EHS Class of 1965: First row from left: Jackie Karaus Winzenburg, Caroline Crabtree Anderson, Terry Peterson, Tim Thompson, Mike Donovan; Second row: Gladys Van Ravenhorst Schrodt, Karen DeRaad Nielsen; Third row: Tony Holmes, Diane Kubicek Lucas, Richard Sorenson, Burton Scripture, Cynthia Waage Crabtree, Luverne Jensen, Marty Nelson, Phillip Sommers and Nancy Schoaf Lorenzen.
EHS Class of 1966: Row 1, Floyd Davidson, Bob Crabtree, Daryl Paulsen, Chuck Lund, Renee Swearingen - Holmes, Teresa Neckanicky-VonRuden, David Neckanicky; Row 2. Gerry Ellis, Kaye Grunwald-Allen, Carla Aronson-Scripture, Pauline Kasper- Fetterly; Row 3 Dave Friestad, Mark Foster, Sharon Wittmer-Hemenway, John Hanson, Gail Sorenson-Otteson, Butch Ottesen, Earl Cleven, Mike Rossing, and Tom Broskoff. Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulson
By KATHY PAULSON
Staff Writer
The Ellendale High School Classes of 1965 and 1966 gathered together to celebrate a reunion of their graduations on Saturday September 18, 2021 at the Ellendale Community Center. Kaye Grunwald Allen, who graduated in 1966, greeted all who attended, and introduced their special guests, Mark and Gail Skroch. She gave a brief update on classmates who couldn’t attend and read the names from both the class of 1965 and 1966 who have passed away.
Terry Peterson, from the class of 1965, gave an entertaining talk which included information about Ellendale sports, cheerleaders and band members. He also kicked off the silent auction which included, some bottles of wine, honey fishing rods, and a handmade “Raiders” footstool.
The Class of 1965 & 1966 donated a replica plaque of the Red Raider school emblem which had been created in hopes that it could be displayed in the community building once the remodeling project was completed.
The EHS Class of 1965 graduated 65 members and were pleased to have 16 members of their class in attendance for the reunion this year.
In attendance were: Caroline Crabtree Anderson, Owatonna; Karen DeRaad Nielsen, Waseca; Mike Donovan, Sunset Beach, NC; Anthony Holmes, Ellendale; Vern Jensen, Albert Lea; Jackie Karaus Winzenburg, Owatonna, Diane Kubicek Lucas, Elk River; Marty Nelson, Ellendale; Terry Peterson, Rochester; Nancy Schoaf :Lorenson, Charles City, Iowa; Burt Scripture, Motley; Phil Sommers, North Mankato; Richard Sorenson, Waseca; Tim Thompson, Ellendale; Gladys Van Ravenhorst Schroht; Owatonna; and Cynthia Waage Crabtree, New Richland.
The class members at the reunion remembered the members of their class no longer with us including: David Burdah, Richard Cromwell, Barry Ingvaldson, Beryl Ingvaldson, Allen Larson, Mike Misgen, Vern Olson, Michael Spurr, Phil Stahowik, Mary Wittmer Stanley, Gladys Hanson Tessler.
The Ellendale High School Class of 1966 numbered 48 students and graduated on the 2nd of June in 1966. A total of 18 members of the EHS Class of 1966 attended the reunion this year and included: Carla Aronson Scripture, Motley; Tom Broskoff, Albert Lea; Earl Cleven, Albert Lea; Bob Crabtree, Fergus Falls; Floyd Davidson, Tower; Gerald Ellis, Inver Grove Heights; Mark Foster, Ellendale; Dave Friestad, Mesa, Arizona; Kaye Grunwald Allen, Otsego; John Hanson, Maple Grove; Pauline Kasper Fetterly, Faribault; Chuck Lund, Ironton; David Nechanicky,. Albert Lea; Teresa Nechanicky VonRuden, Algona, Iowa; Butch Ottesen, Delavan; Daryl Paulsen, Geneva; Mike Rossing, Minnetonka; Gail Sorenson Ottesen, Delavan; Renee Swearingen Holmes, Ellendale; Sharon Wittmer Hemenway, Albert Lea.
The class members in attendance for the reunion also remembered their class members no longer with them, inclding Tom Goodnature, Brian Langlie, Alvin Olson, Pat Phillips, Brent Ingvaldson, Tom Misgen, Bob Burshem, Roger Knutson and Ellen Berg Hanson.
Both the Classes of 1965 & 1966 wished that more members of their class had been able to attend this year’s event and hoped that they will join them in upcoming reunions.
Diane Kubicek Lucas and Gerald Ellis were able to put together updated lists about their classes in regards to addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for their classmates, which were very much appreciated.
The class of 1965 plans to gather again in 2022 for a reunion at the same time and place next year. The Class of ‘66 will follow suit in 2023. They plan to hold a birthday party in honor of their 75th birthdays.