John Schroeder
Bloomfield, IA
jdandhh@netins.net
October 4, 2007
 

Greetings Monmouth friends,

It was wonderful to open the current issue of Monmouth College Magazine and find a picture of Merikay, Barb, Deb, and Lynn in Maine.  We noticed, however, that the Classes of 1968 and 1969 (those of John and me) lack secretaries.  We miss everyone's news! 

First, like you, we suddenly and inexplicably find ourselves on the other side of sixty!    Not sure how that happened. . .but, that said, here's an update on the two of us:

After 28 years in business, John sold his Ford dealership in September, 2006.  In theory, he referred to this as "retirement";  in reality, it was a little break, for a few months later he became the executive director of the Davis County Development Corporation.  This is one of those "full-time" part-time jobs.  He is thoroughly enjoying the challenges.  Though there is little immediate gratification, there is a lot of relationship building which will, hopefully, lead to great things for the future of our community.  An added bonus:  This is the first time since he was declared big enough to pick up sticks or rake leaves in the yard that he has not worked on Saturdays.

One of us still leaves the house at 7:00, four mornings a week--that would be me!  My job teaching English as a Second Language at the local community college continues to provide great satisfaction and opens our home and hearts to a stimulating group of international people, many of whom we remain in contact.  (My current students come from Nepal, Peru, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and Serbia--amazing!)

John and I continue to travel to places near and far.  We spend time attending games of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Denver Broncos, and Chicago White Sox.  We have small sailboat and sail on a nice lake nearby.  (...and John keeps looking at bigger boats and bigger bodies of water!)  In the last two years, we have been to Japan twice and spent two weeks in August on a cruise of the Mediterranean.  Not sure where the whim will next take us, but we have recently purchased a guide book for South Africa--and some friends have invited us to visit them in Australia.

So that's what's up with us.  Use this as you see fitting--in part or in whole.  Perhaps others will be inspired to share their "doings" if they hear from us.  We send our best to each of you.

Sincerely,

Helen (1969) and John (1968) Schroeder

Ann Ward Berne
christopher.ward@which.net
Charville, Berkshire - United Kingdom
March, 2008

I have now retired, although I am still writing a column for local newspaper and I am studying art - life drawing and pastels. If anyone comes to the UK, do look us up.

Joan Rezner Gundersen
jrgunder@hotmail.com
Aspinwall, PA
March 3, 2008

My latest book just came out this last summer - "The Episcopal Church in Virginia, 1607-2007." Our daughter Kristina and her husband have moved back to southern California - we will miss having them within a day's drive. We have continued traveling abroad. Since the last reunion we've been to New Zealand, Belgium and Finland.

Ginny Spielman Miller
ginny.a.miller@comcast.net
Katy, TX
February, 2008

I'm still teaching special needs kids adapted P.E. in Katy, Texas and looking forward in the next few years to retiring and heading to Denver, Colorado, to be close to my children. There I plan to start another new chapter in my life and hopefully never slowing down.

Stephen Mortonson & JoAnn Gulley Mortonson '67
smortonson@wi.rr.com
Whitefish Bay, WI
February, 2008

Steve retired in January of 2007 as a partner in the investment management firm, Capital Investment Services of America, Inc. Steve and JoAnn have 4 children and 9 grandchildren, and continue to reside in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.

Lee-Ann Wells Paasch & Richard Paasch '68
maranatha2@embarqmail.com
Wauchula, FL
February, 2008

Although I count my highest accomplishments those done in the ministries of our church and christian school, I did enjoy illustrating two children's books lately - "Iowa From The Sky" and "America From The Sky."