Classmate PROFILES
Entering Your Profile
Soon after you enter your information, we'll add your picture from the Echowan. Besides tons of information about you, you can upload a current photo and a paragraph or two about your life. What has the last fifty (plus) years meant to you? Marriages? Children and grandchildren? Careers? Travel? The meaning of life?
For security, only you can enter information on your personal record. You will establish an ID and a password. Any information you enter will be displayed (with the exception of your Email address), so if you want to maintain privacy over certain items (phone number, for example) don't enter it in your record.
Please do include your Email address so that we can communicate with you from time to time. (We will NOT display your Email address.)
A reminder to those classmates. If you entered 'retired', it would be great if you would add what you did 'before you retired'.
For security, only you can enter information on your personal record. You will establish an ID and a password. Any information you enter will be displayed (with the exception of your Email address), so if you want to maintain privacy over certain items (phone number, for example) don't enter it in your record.
Please do include your Email address so that we can communicate with you from time to time. (We will NOT display your Email address.)
A reminder to those classmates. If you entered 'retired', it would be great if you would add what you did 'before you retired'.
Jim Strohmeier
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Single again |
|---|---|
| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Retired electrical engineer |
|
Comment:
As some of you know I was married to our class mate and best friend Mary Williams for 42 years, until her untimely death from cancer. We were married when we both attended the U of M and had 4 great children, who gave us 7 wonderful grandchildren. Two (twins) of them will be going off to college in the fall. I have retired from UMD in Duluth and have my own small electrical company (me), that I try to fit in between my hunting trips, vacations with my son, and watching the grandchildren when possible. I also try and fit in a social life. So I guess I have had and still have a pretty good life.
|
|
| What are your favorite activities?: | Hunting (goose and ducks) |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | Too many countries to count, and enjoyed all of them. |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | Rock 'n Roll, Oldies, and some country |
| How would your friends describe you today?: Seeing that a friend is writing this for me, she will say that I am pretty easy going, fun loving, church going, hunter, and maybe a little stubborn. | |
| What would you change if you could?: I have had a pretty good life, with a loving family and friends so I don't think I would change much. | |
Phyllis Swanson (Wise)
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | sales associate - Talbots, Rosedale |
|
Comment:
It is so unbelievable to think that 50 (count 'em).....yes 50 years have passed since our high school graduation!!! Connecting with old friends has brought back a flood of memories. I am so looking forward to celebrating this "great" event with you all. After highschool I attended Mankato State University where I met my husband, Tom, who is from White Bear Lake. We were married in May of 1966 at St. George's Church in StLP. I received a BA in studio art & worked in advertising until starting a family. Our son Andrew is 40 & daughter Sara is 37. Andrew & his wife Melanie have presented us with our precious granddaughters Andi 12 & Peyton 6. We have lived in the St. Paul area since being married. We are very happy to spend some of the winter months at our place in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. Life has been good!!! |
|
| What are your favorite activities?: | traveling, golfing, antiquing, reading |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | Italy (our favorite), Ireland, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Mexico |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | traditional, jazz |
Georgean Swartz (Hellman)
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Single |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Art Dealer-Clothing designer |
|
Comment:
I have never been overly excited about REUNIONS, but for some reason I have really gotten into it this time. I guess its because I have thought about many of my old school friends through the years and wondered how their lives have gone. A few of them have passed away and I have missed my opportunity to reconnect. I guess that’s why this 50th reunion has become so important. I feel IT’S NOW OR NEVER -- our St. Louis Park theme. I attended Kenwood Grade School and Jefferson Junior High School. My family moved and I attended tenth grade at Southwest High School before moving to St. Louis Park for my junior and senior years. I attended one year at Mankato State College before transferring to The University of Minnesota where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Art Education and a minor in Theater Arts with a concentration in Set Designs and Costuming. After graduating from college, I married and we moved to Chicago where my two children were born, Andrew in 1967 and Julie on Dec. 31, 1969 (a New Years Eve baby). Andrew now lives in California and Julie lives in Passaic, New Jersey. I had given up the thought of becoming a grandmother, but with my daughter’s recent wedding in February that could be changing. I divorced after 26 ½ years of marriage. During my marriage I taught art part time at community centers, as well as producing and exhibiting my own art work. My passion for art and the desire to collect led me to become an art dealer of established and renowned world artists. Today I don’t think of myself as only an artist, but also a creative person. My talents flow into many areas such as logo design for business cards and invitations, interior design, teaching, clothing and jewelry design and art dealer. I was proud that Erte’ and Agam have used some of my ideas. I opened a studio and showroom at 7900 Excelsior Blvd to display my art and clothing line. I developed a clothing line for Plus size 12 to 24. I named the line LADY GEORG. I have been trying to get it off the ground but it is moving slow because I love the design part but not the marketing. ANY ONE LOVE TO MARKET OUT THEIR. Could use a partner. art and the creative world play a huge role in my life along with my family and many friends. ?
? ? ? ? |
|
Donna Sweeney (Morrison)
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Retired data entry |
|
Comment:
I have been married for 47 years to Dave and we have been blessed with 3 children 1 girl and 2 boys. We have been blessed even more with 4 grandchildren, one of which has passed away, and one great grandchild. |
|
| What are your favorite activities?: | As far as hobbies go I am almost blind so I listen to books on tape and walk our dog around the block. |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | We have been to Canada, Mexico, and many of the states. |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | If I must, I listen to Christian Music. |
|
How would your friends describe you today?:
Because Janet Peterson Nelson, my oldest friend from grade school (Fern Hill) to now, is typing this for me, she will tell you that I am a very quiet person, and not too out going. I am also a good Christian, and try to help my family and friends when I can. Janet will say I am (sometimes difficult). It took months and months and many phone calls to get this much information from me. |
|
|
What would you change if you could?:
If I could change anything I would hope for better health, which would help me see better. To have my family live closer to us so that I could see them more often, as they all live in other states, and I miss seeing them all. |
|
Kathy Takacs (Buresh)
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
Now
|
Comment:
Many thanks to all of you classmates that have been so thoughtfully planning for the Class of '61 Reunion. Your volunteer efforts are applauded. Reading notes from the meetings and now reading about/seeing individual classmate photos has been delightful! I have not lived in the Twin Cities since our days as students at St. Louis Park High School. Over the years, however, there have been what now seems like countless (and never long enough) visits "home".....It has been fascinating to observe the economic success and growth of the area. Towns that once seemed so small and distant now have major retail areas, endless housing developments, and are connected by giant highways. There were many years of surprises at the airport, as the thriving community seemed to require an abundance of new construction projects and ever changing traffic patterns! Many visits with immediate and extended family members have been joyful. Many visits have been sad. It has been wonderful to have lived in several states. Professionally, I have always had very meaningful job experiences, for which I am grateful. My very best wishes to all of you. Happy 50th! |
Kathleen Thostenson (Nelson)
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired - Librarian, Beloit College |
|
Comment:
Gradiuated from the U of MN with a BS in French and education. Taught hight school and middle school French. Married in 1966 to Tom, a middle school science teacher (now retired). Attended graduate school at the U of WI (Madison) to get my library degree (MA-LIS). Worked for 20 years at Beloit College as a librarian. Very much enjoyed working with the students. Retired at the end of 2006. Now I have more time for my interests- especially spending time with my daughter's family (one grand son) in Minneapolis and my son in Madison. |
|
| What are your favorite activities?: | reading, lap swimming, spending time with family, plays and concerts |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | Canada, Sweden, Belguim, France, Germany,Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Jamaica |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | classical, easy listening, & rock and roll |
| How would your friends describe you today?: I hope--friendly, open, considerate & dependable. | |
| What would you change if you could?: How fast time seems to fly now. | |
Dick Tilman
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Committed Relationship |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Retired |
|
Comment:
Relationship will be 31 yrs as of 1/25/11 Grade School was Brookside |
|
| What would you change if you could?: No complaints. Has been a great ride all these years. | |
Walter Tornow
Last updated 1 month ago
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Retired- Psychologist |
|
Comment:
Work: Control Data Corporation; Visisting Professor, University of Minnesota; Center For Creative Leadership; and Consultant, The Tornow Partnership Family: Two wonderful wives- Ellen Zamansky Tornow, 23 years; and Carol Paradise Tornow, 33 years; with wonderful results: three great children, and three grand grandkids. |
|
| What are your favorite activities?: | Hiking; Sailing; Volunteer Naturalist |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | Canada, Mexico, Carribean, Peru, many European countries, China |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | Classical, Chants, New Age, Bluegrass |
| How would your friends describe you today?: Sense of humor; thoughtful, challenging; caring; loving | |
| What would you change if you could?: Profound question ...will think about that some more! | |
Barbara Towler (Obinger)
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Salary Administration Officer, Retired |
|
Comment:
Have been married for 45 years and have lived the majority of this time in the eastern half of the U.S. Have two children - daughter, husband and two grandchildren in Woodbury; son, wife and two grandsons in Seattle. We retired in 2000 and moved back to Minnesota. |
|
| What are your favorite activities?: | Golf, walking, bike riding, hands on home improvement projects, grandkids, volunteering |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | U.K., France, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Carribbean |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | 50's rock and roll, Big Band and Classical |
| How would your friends describe you today?: Fun, I hope, independent and determined. | |
| What would you change if you could?: I'd love to be taller! | |
Robert Vavrick
Last updated 1 month ago
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Retired Electrical Engineer |
| Comment: Retired from DTE Energy in '98 | |
| What are your favorite activities?: | Golf & Bow hunting, motorcycle, RV'ing |
| What countries have you visited and/or would you like to visit?: | see more of USA |
| What kind of music do you like today?: | all but rap |
| How would your friends describe you today?: Quiet;easy going | |
| What would you change if you could?: Nothing | |