’65 and ’66 Ellendale class

1965 EHS Class: First row, from left: Jackie Karaus Winzenberg, Caroline Crabtree-Anderson, Terry Peterson, Tim Thompson, Mike Donovan. Second row: Gladys van Ravenhorst Schrott, Karen Delard Nielsen. Row 3: Tony Holmes, Diane Kubitschek-Lucas, Richard Sorenson, Burton Scripture, Cynthia Wage Crabtree, Rubane Jensen, Marty Nelson, Philip Sommers, Nancy Schoof Lorenzen.

EHS Class of 1966: Row 1, Floyd Davidson, Bob Crabtree, Daryl Paulsen, Chuck Lund, Renee Swearingen-Holmes, Teresa Neckanicky-VonRuden, David Neckanicky. Line 2. Jerry Ellis, Kay Grunwald Allen, Carla Aronson-Bible, Pauline Kaspar-Fetterley. Row 3 Dave Freestad, Mark Foster, Sharon Whitmer Hemenway, John Hanson, Gail Sorenson Otteson, Butch Ottesen, Earl Kleben, Mike Rossing, Tom Broskoff. Star Eagle photo by Cathy Paulson

Cathy Paulson
staff writer

The 1965 and 1966 Ellendale High School classes gathered for a graduation reunion on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Ellendale Community Center. Kaye Grunwald Allen, who graduated in 1966, greeted everyone in attendance, and special guest he introduced Mark and Gail Skroch. She gave a brief update on a classmate who was unable to attend both her 1965 and her 1966 classes and was unable to read the names of her deceased classmates.

Terry Peterson of the 1965 class gave an entertaining talk containing information about Ellendale sports, cheerleaders and band members. He also started a silent auction involving bottles of wine, honey fishing poles, and handcrafted “Raiders” footstools.

The 1965 and 1966 classes donated a replica plaque of the Red Raider school crest, which was made in hopes of being displayed on a community building once the renovation project was completed.

The 1965 EHS class graduated with 65 members and we are pleased to say that 16 members of the class attended this year’s reunion.

Attendees include: Caroline Crabtree Anderson, Owatonna. Karen Delard Nielsen, Waseda University. Mike Donovan, Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Anthony Holmes, Ellendale. Vern Jensen, Albert Lee. Jackie Karaus Winzenberg, Owatonna, Diane Kubicek Lucas, Elk River. Marty Nelson, Ellendale. Terry Peterson, Rochester. Nancy Schoaf: Lawrenson, Charles City, Iowa. Bart Bible, Motley. Phil Sommers, North Mankato. Richard Sorenson, Waseda University. Tim Thompson, Ellendale. Gladys Van Ravenhorst Schroht; Owatonna; Cynthia Wage Crabtree of New Richland;

Class reunion members remembered that class members were gone with us: David Burdah, Richard Cromwell, Barry Ingvaldson, Beryl Ingvaldson, Allen Larson, Mike Misgen, Vern Olson, Michael Spurr, Phil Stahowik , Mary Wittmer Stanley, Gladys Hanson Tesler

The Ellendale High School class of 1966 numbered 48 students and graduated on June 2, 1966. A total of 18 members of his EHS class of 1966 attended this year’s reunion. Tom Broskoff, Albert Lee. Earl Kleven, Albert Lee. Bob Crabtree, Fergus Falls. Floyd Davidson, Tower. Gerald Ellis, Inver Grove Heights. Mark Foster, Ellendale. Dave Freestad, Mesa, Arizona. Kay Grunwald Allen, Ossego. John Hanson in Maple His Grove. Pauline Kasper Fettery, Faribault. Chuck Land, Ironton. David Nechanicky. Albert Lee; Teresa Nechanicky VonRuden, Algona, Iowa; Butch Ottesen, Delavan. Darryl Poulsen, Geneva. Minnetonka’s Mike Rossing. Gail Sorenson Ottesen, Delavan. Lenny Swearingen Holmes, Ellendale. Sharon Whitmer Hemenway, Albert Lee.

Class members who attended the reunion included Tom Goodnature, Brian Langley, Alvin Olson, Pat Phillips, Brent Ingvardson, Tom Misgen, Bob Barshem, Roger Knutsson, and Ellen Berg Hanson. , remembered that the members of the class are no longer together.

Both the 1965 and 1966 classes hoped that more members of the class would be able to attend this year’s event and would like to participate in future reunions.

Diane Kubicek Lucas and Gerald Ellis were able to put together an up-to-date list of classes in terms of their classmates’ addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Classmates from 1965 will reunite in 2022 and plan to meet again next year at the same time and place. Class of ’66 will follow him in 2023. They plan to hold a birthday party to mark her 75th birthday.