Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Bob Gunderson


Hello fellow classmates--40 years--WOW, it's been a long and bumpy ride. As most of you remember, I left Yankton in the summer of '68. My dad went to work for the State of SD and had to move to Pierre. Even though I did not graduate from Yankton, it is where I was born and raised. I married a local Pierre girl and through that marriage I was blessed with four children: Bryan, Teresa, Jason, and Kristin who are all in their early or late 30's. And with them have been further blessed with 10 grandchildren, 7 girls and 3 boys between ages 7-17. Boy does that make me feel OLD!!
I have been divorced for 7 years and not remarried. And on a personal note, I have worked as a mechanic, of some sort since high school. I own my own transmission repair shop in Pierre for the past 15 years.
My hobbies include umpiring softball for the past 26 years, car racing, yes I drive on dirt ovals and have for the past 15 years. I love to fish but don't get out as much as I would like but I do a lot of hunting, from waterfowl, upland game, deer and antelope. I even went to Africa on safari to hunt--what a rush!!!!
Well, I should stop now as if I were to tell you everything now, we would have nothing to talk about at the reunion. See you there, Bob

Saturday, April 25, 2009

HERE'S AN INTERESTING NEWS ITEM


Four Yankton High School alumni and a former drama and speech adviser will be inducted into the Yankton High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the high school theater at the annual Fine Arts Recognition assembly. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a reception for the inductees in the high school commons.

RON KRIKAC
Ron Krikac taught language arts classes at YHS from 1967-1971. He also directed plays, worked with oral interpretation students and coached debate teams. He directed the first musical at YHS — “My Fair Lady” — in 1967.When Krikac left YHS, three students he had coached held all-time records: in forensics, Mike McCormack; in oral interpretation, Laura Ward; and in drama, Chris McDonald.Inducted into the National Forensic League’s Hall of Fame in 2008, Krikac was honored as the National Forensic League Coach of the Year three times. He is the only coach in the history of the National Forensic League to win the national award at three different high schools.Krikac’s speech and debate teams won 90 national awards. They won the national championship four times in the National Forensic League, three times in the National Catholic Forensic League, five times in the National Forensic Association, five times in the American Forensic League, three times in the Novice National Speech and Debate Association and two times in the small-school division of Phi Rho Pi.Among Krikac’s former students are Jayne Atkinson, whose work in film, television and stage has won acclaim including two Tony nominations; and Kelsey Grammar from “Cheers” and “Frasier,” who has earned multiple Emmys.Krikac wrote the text “Getting Started in Oral Interpretation,” created teaching videotapes for the National Forensic League, and published articles in a variety of journals. He has worked at summer speech institutes and conducted seminars for teachers.Krikac retired from coaching in 2006, but he continues to volunteer with school and community organizations.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Ceci Kussman Bode


Hi Class of 1969! I am still laughing about Tom Lee's time in prison and what's the deal with Senator Don Gereau!?! As for me, it won't do you any good to study my picture as I have big plans for the next three months! First I'll start the two "lifts"--face and breast! Next will be the liposuction, dermabrasion, and tummy tuck! I won't look anything like this picture! Certain things may cause me to reconsider, such as healing time and cash!!! Guess you'll have to take me as I am--58 and happy!


I remarried in 1999 and live in Lake Preston, SD. We live on an acreage south of town and enjoy everything that that includes (thousands of geese, pheasant hunting right off of our deck, deer, skunks, ticks, bugs, dead carp in the slew, etc.)! Our little town of 750 is wonderful. Everyone helps each other, and consequentlly, everyone knows everything about each other! I manage elderly housing (6 buildings--42 units) and am the only employee. Thus, I have become an expert (experiential learner) on electrical, plumbing, mowing, snow removal with large equipment, gutter cleaning, bookkeeper, etc. You get the picture! A "Jack of all Trades" and a "Master of None!" My husband does construction and demolition. I worked for him the first year, and decided that pulling off and cleaning 50 lb. concrete forms could have the potential for the two "Hs"--hernias and hemorrhoids! Enough of that!


Bob is now 4 years cancer free! He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and went through the chemo and radiation. He was a real trooper. One of the lingering after affects was the new hair do! Way too many women told him the bald look was sexy, so he has continued the daily shaving!


My mom is still in Yankton and going 100 mph, as usual. Of course there have been many health issues as would be expected at age 82. Bob's mom is in a nursing home in Brookings and is struggling with the later stages of Altzheimers. After watching this disease, I have come to the conclusion that we should all pick out what home we want to go to and just all do it together! We could have a blast! Instead of lunch and cards in the study room like we did in high school, we can have a kegger and strip poker in the common room! We won't care what we look like and the beer would be a kick!


Remember my old white and blue DeSoto at the 10th reunion? Well, I traded her in for a red/white 1968 Cutlass! I'm still into the old cars. Would like to drive it to Yankton for the reunion, but it has no air conditioning and might not make it that far. Since neither Bob nor I had any children, our plates say "GTNOKDS!" Just have an old car!!!


I am so looking forward to seeing everyone!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Tom Lee


It's been a long 40 years. I got married and we have two sons. I spent 18 months in prison for using and selling drugs. Our older boy did nine months for robbery, and our younger is serving life for murder.

Seriously, the only part of the above that is true is that I got married, and we have two sons. My wife works at a doctor's office. Our older boy works for First Data Resources, and the younger son is an assistant pro at a country club, all in Omaha. I worked for Northwestern Bell/US West/Qwest for 32 years and retired in 2008.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Becky Branaugh Swanstrom


We are all now wearing a new title of Senior and it has nothing to do with high school! But without a doubt, I know we are the youngest class to ever celebrate their 40th Class Reunion! I am still living in Yankton at the same house that I was in for our 10th reunion. The only difference is there are LESS people living here! All four of our sons now have lovely brides, and one of those sons (and his bride) have given us three precious grandchildren. J Mark (orthotist/prosthetist) and Jackie are in Sioux Falls, Chris (commodities broker) and Lindsey live in Yankton, Ryan (USF prof) and Emily and the little ones are also in Sioux Falls, and Jake and Julie are temporarily in West Lafayette, IN, still in the student mode.

Husband Seth says my name should be “Somebody,” because whenever I hear, “Somebody has to do it,” I always volunteer. My days are filled with various church activities, swimming, gardening, baking, having lunch with friends, and fishing and traveling with my hubby.

We still enjoy cheering the Bucks to victory at football games and going to Charlie’s Pizza. When former classmates visit we make occasional trips to the Tastee Treat …it keeps us feeling young. We now enjoy “drives” to the lake (just like our parents did) rather than being sun worshippers at the beach. Life is good! Looking forward to seeing each of you in July!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Darrold Harts


Hi---I will not be able to attend the class reunion.
I have been married for 39 years now. Have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
I have worked for Nucor Steel in Norfolk, Ne for the last 30 years in electrical maintenance.
Hobbies are bicycling (RAGBRAI), Fishing, Computers.
Darrold Harts