60th Class reunion of Ottawa High School.Class of 1944 June 11-13, 2004

The Ottawa High School Class of 1944 Celebrated a “Sentimental Journey” remembering the year; D-Day began when allied troops make landings at Normandy, which leads to the recapture of Paris.
The first V-1 rocket bomb hit London.

Music: I'll Get By by Harry James, I”ll Walk Alone- by Dinah Shore
Movies “Going My Way,” “ Jane Eyre”,” Gaslight”, “Meet Me in St . Louis”
National: Franklin Roosevelt is elected to his 4th term as president.

Big Bend National Park is established., GI Bill of Rights is passed, giving vets. housing and college educational funding. Meat rationing is ended in the U,S.

A team constructed the first automatic, general-purpose computer.
Emerson Mox conducted Civil Air Patrol (CAP) instructions to volunteers on football field.
Food: Vitamin D Milk .62 per gallon, Bacon .45 cents per pound, Bread .10 per loaf.
Living: New Car $975.00, Average Rent $50.00 per month, New house, $3,475.00\
Gasoline .15 cents per gallon, Stamps .3 cents each. Average income $2,378.00.

June 11th , Thirteen of the class from Ottawa Welcomed 36 Travelers from
California Indiana and parts between. In the spacious lobby of Comfort INN.
Light snacks and looking over old memorabilia were a big hit. Visiting revealed: After service ,
Life occupations had taken them even further: Nepal, Shrilanka, Brazil;.
Argentina, etc. We had three class sweetheart marriages: Ann Curby & Tom Rule,
Rosemary Certain & Olin E. Waymire, Peg McGrath & Rodney McClay.

Myra Sutherland & Bob Howl have been married 60 years in September. Katherine Metz
& Fred Adamson married 58 have 6 children, 24 grandchildren and 13 great grand children.

Saturday, June 12th Started with Skunk Run activities, Lunch at Ponchos and a Recognition Plaque ,
with the old high school in the background, given to Joan Sheppard Tyson for all her years
of service to the class and community. Saturday night was terrific, visiting the
Shadeland buffalo farm. A ride out to the middle of the herd with a well taught lesson
from Jack Beauchamp, with a stampede on cue and returned to a delicious meal and program .
Beverly Hyjorth read an hilarious 60th anniversary poem.

Lela Mae Santarpia read a list of deceased members ,3 died in service :
Elwood Bales, Robert Theilan, William White. 26 Others: Ivan Brown, Robert Chambers,
Rex Conrad, Ann Curby, Betty Cutbirth, Ruth Elder, Bobbie Jean Hazel, Virginia Hughes,
Jimmie Keller, Don Madtson, Charles Mahoney, Spencer Martin, Rodney McClay,
Bill McCoonse, Bill McCullough, Merle McClain, Dorothy Nelson, Eleanor Richardson,
James Robinson, Tom Rule, Dick Seevers, Alma Showalter, Eldon Stone, John Walls,
Donald White, Shirley Yockey. followed by a moment of silence.

Of the original 82 , 28 couldn't come: Shirley Porter Stemper, Roena Robe Selby,
Irene Brown Warner, Earl Rollo, Louise Reams Taul, Virginia Gerth Phillips, Pat Kinnison,
Richard Zielsdorf, Betty Lindsey Milner, Joan Wein Allen, Dorothy Artz, Robert Davidson,
Loraine Dennis Johnson, Etta Mae Doman Langford, Robert Ferguson, Homer Flora Jr. ,
Orpha Hoover Potter, Lloyd Kress, Mardell Luthi Hile, LaVonne Morris Banhomel,
Thelma Smith Allan, Joe Stephenson, Opene Warren Silvey, Etta Mae Cooper, Evelyn Rundells.
1 Not located: William Jackson,

27 of the class attended. plus 6 previous members & 10 spouses and friends. 43 total.
A wonderful farewell brunch was held at Prairie Timber Bed and Breakfast.

Lingering farewells with promises and anticipation of the next meeting hung in the air.

lanning Committee for 60th reunion of OHS 1944 in 2004
Joan Tyson, Peg McClay, Lela Mae Santarpia, Doris Hunter,
Bev. Hjorth, Katy Adamson, Maxine Brown & Louise Taul.
At Sirloing Stockade