1986 Biographies Cont'd
TERRY REDLIN, 3860 Cnty Road 44, Mound, MN Terry graduated from Art School in 1958 and went to work at Brown and Bigelow for 3 years. Then they got homesick and moved back to Watertown where they lived for 6 years. Then they moved backed to the Cities, where he worked at the Webb Co. Art Dept. until 1978 when he quit. Then Terry started to paint Wildlife full time. He is now heavily involved in raising funds for DUCKS UNLIMITED and various conservation organizations. Terry says they still get homesick for Lake Kampeska. Terry and Helene have 3 children, Kirn, Kelly, and Chuck. They also have 2 grandchildren. Terry's hobbies are painting and watching TV. "Editors Note: Terry did not mention it but he was named "Artist of the Year" by Ducks Unlimited national organization and also the Minnesota Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Winner of the Minnesota Duck Stamp and Trout Stamp, second place in the Federal Duck Stamp competition. Commissioned to paint the 1983 N. Dak. Duck Stamp. Named "Artist of the Year" by both the National Wildlife Art Collectors Society and the Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Featured in many magazines including 4 front covers of Outdoor Life. Submitted at the request of the Good Times Committee.
CHUCK RUHR, 21045 Goodview Ave. N, Forest Lake, MN Chuck says it's all been downhill since High School. He was forceably evicted from USD after only four years. He then wanted to fulfill his dream as a career Infantry Officer, but after just six months, the Army let him go. Dejected, he headed north for as far as one tank of gas would take him. The gas and his luck both ran out in Minneapolis. He couldn't get a good job, so he started an advertising agency. He's been at it over 20 years and it still isn't the largest in the Midwest ... close, but that doesn't count. When things got really tough, he had to take part time jobs as a Director of a Hospital and a Restaurant chain so that his kids could be assured of food and medical care. That's another thing...he said he always wanted a large family and to live in a great city. But, he and his wife, Cora, only have two kids and they're stuck on a farm with a bunch of Arabian horses that can't even pull a plow. And, neither of the kids have graduated from College. Chris can't be faulted because he's still a senior in High School. But Ann enrolled at Smith and that apparently didn't work because they sent her to France and Switzerland for a year. They didn't want her either, so she's back at Smith for one more year. It doesn't look hopeful. Chuck asks that if you are in Minneapolis, call and ask him out to lunch as it's been all downhill since High School.
RICHARD SCHAACK, RR #1, Box 185, Genoa, WI Dick is still working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the manager of the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. Since graduating from SDSU, he and his wife have lived in 10 states. They still consider S.D. home and will probably retire in Watertown when the time comes. He is still trying to maintain his youth by bowling, playing in a winter volleyball league, playing softball and doing lots of fishing. Their oldest daughter, Kristi, is a C.P.A. in Minneapolis. Nancy is a sophomore at the U of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, majoring in business.
CONNIE SEXTON AMY, 352 8th St,NE, Watertown, SD After graduation from high school, Connie worked as a secretary at Swift's, C.E. "Scotty" Allen Insurance Agency and the Aaron Griepp Ins. Agency. For the last 10 years she has been busy being a housewife and mother. Her husband, Don has worked at Motor Supply Company for 30 years. They have 3 sons. Todd is a senior at SDSU. Terry is a freshman at SDSU. Tim is 9 years old and goes to Grant Elementary School. Don and his sons love to go hunting and fishing, especially goose hunting at the Missouri River near Pierre. Connie likes to walk, read, crochet afghans and many other crafts.
LAWRENCE E. SHRIVER, 403 5th Ave, NW, Watertown, SD Larry was a member of the United States Air Force from 1956 - 1977. He was stationed in various parts of the world. He retired in Berlin, Germany and returned to Watertown in May, 1977. He is currently District Manager for Farmers Insurance Group. He is married to Mary Lou Sheehan (Class of '56). They have 6 children. Jolene is 28 and married. Pat is 23 and an agent for Farmers Ins. Group. Rick is 22 and was married on June 21st. He is a sales representative trainee for Farmers Insurance Group. Tom is 20 and a student at Moorhead State. Kevin is 16 and Katie is 13 years old. They have kept busy watching their sons participate in sports and manage to get in a little fishing and cross country skiing. Larry says he has enjoyed working on the reunion committe and is looking forward to the reunion.
DARLENE SLEITER LONGSTREET, Albuquerque, NM After graduation Darlene worked as a bookkeeper for 13 years. She married a Watertown businessman in 1965. Then she stopped working to raise a boy and a girl. The children are now a freshman in college and a junior in High School. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1977. She resumed working - this time in banking.
MARION SMITH BLAIS, 2712 W. Omaha St, Rapid City, SD Marion has worked for Sears Roebuck and Company for 7 years. Albert is employed by the Rapid City School System. They have 4 children. (Catherine is married and lives in Billings, Missouri and has 3 children; Joseph lives in Rapid City and has 1 child; Diane is married and lives in Douglas, Wyoming; Lori Is married and lives in Rapid City. Marion and Albert enjoy fishing a lot.
JENS E. SORSEN, 811 E. Klug, Norfolk, NE Jens spent 4 years in the USAF (3 of those year's were spent in Germany). He then started with National Food Stores as Produce Manager in Watertown, SD., and then Assistant Manager in Madison, SD and then on to Worthington, MM. In 1961 he was promoted to Store Manager in Yankton and the same year married Carol Hildebrandt from Madison. In 1968, he was transferred to Norfolk, NE as Store Manager. In 1973 in was transferred to Sioux City, Iowa as Store Manager and shortly thereafter National Food Stores sold the company. After 4 years of uncertainty in his career he resigned from the retailer that purchased National Food and joined Affiliated Foods in Norfolk, NE as a Retail Development Supervisor. He is responsible for East River SD, NE Nebraska and Minnesota. He frequently runs into old friends from Watertown in his travels. Jens has three sons. Steve is stationed in England with the Air Force. They spent 2 weeks in June, 1986 touring London and the UK with him. He was active in Scouting during his school years and attend the rank of Eagle Scout. Tim, is in his second year of Supermarket Management School in Pipestone, MN. It appears that he is going to follow in his father's footsteps. Mike is now a Junior in Norfolk High School and is planning a career in Engineering. He has been active in Scouting during his school years and attained his Eagle rank this spring. Jens writes, "Age is a state of mind. Stay young by staying active and staying on top of changes. Don't forget the Geritol !"
SYLVIA SPOONER STRUCK, RR 2, Box 92, Wolsey, SD After graduation from WHS, Sylvia attended Sioux Falls College. She received her BS Degree in Elementary Education in 1959, and taught 4th grade in the elementary schools of Huron for the next 5 years. She married Duane Struck of Wolsey in June of 1960, and they farm 5,600 acres of land in the Wolsey area. Their main crop is irrigated corn. They have three children: David, 22, who farms with his dad and has registered Angus cattle, Diane, 19, a freshman at Northern State College majoring in accounting; and Rebecca, a junior in Wolsey High School. Sylvia keeps books and does the computer work for the farm, along with many community and church activities. She has served on the Wolsey School Board for the last 9 years, 8 of which she has been board chairman. She is currently a 4-H leader, Jr. Auxiliary leader, FHS Chapter Mother, and Junior Choir Director at the church. These responsibilities, along with her other activities and children's activities, occupy most of her time.
WILLIAM A. STOFFT, 6925 Spur Road, Springfield, VA On August 8, 1985, Sec. of the Army John 0. Marsh, Jr. promoted Colonel William Stofft (USD 59) to Brigadier General. Sec. Marsh noted that this the first time since WW II when an officer had been selected from the line to be the Chief of Military History for the U.S. Army and promoted to General Officer. Brigadier General Stofft was commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor through the ROTC program at USD in 1959. It was at USD under Prof. Cedric Cummins that he began his study of American History, forming the basis for historical work that would enable him to combine two careers in one. He received a masters degree in European history from New York Univ. where he is a PhD candidate in Russian history. He has taught military history and strategy at West Point and at the Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS where, before assuming his present duties, he was the Assistant Deputy Commandant. He has held command and staff positions in Europe and the United States, served staff positions in Europe and the United States, served two tours in Vietnam, commanded a battalion at Fort Knox, Kentucky and served in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff. He is a graduate of both the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. The Stoffts have three children: Lieutenant Elizabeth (USD 84, now in graduate school in Indiana), Pamela (attending College in Texas) and W. Bruce (student at USD).
DAVID A. STRAIN, 501 Hillcrest Ave, Placentia, CA David graduated from SDSU in 1959 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and subsequently got an M8A at California State Univ., Fullerton. He has held a variety of positions at Hughes Aircraft over the past 25 years and is currently the Program Manager for all Anti Submarine Warfare programs in their Ground Systems Group. He married Sheryl Schouweiler (SDSU 1961) in 1961 and they have 2 daughters and one son-in-law. Sheryl is a Certified Financial Planner and owns her own business. Their older daughter graduated from Occidental College in Music and owns a word processing business and a music business. Their younger daughter graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Dietetics and Nutrition and is working on her Masters Degree in Exercise Phisiology. Her husband is a Computer Science major there as well. David writes they have been blessed with excellent health and they enjoy running, aerobics, hiking, water skiing, travel and the Southern California life style.
JANET STROM LITTLE, 169 N. Harman Dr, Mitchell, SD In August 1956 Janet married Larry Little (class '53). They lived in Brookings that year as Larry was a senior at SDSU. Both worked odd jobs to make ends meet. When Larry graduated they moved to Eureka, CA where Larry worked with the U.S. Forest Service. In 1958 they moved back to the Watertown area where they farmed for 5 years. In 1968 they moved to Pierre, SD where they lived for 10 years and raised their family. In 1978 they moved to Mitchell, SD where Larry is City Engineer. They have two children, Linda and Mark. Linda is a 1979 graduate of S.D.S.M.&T. at Rapid City. Linda is a Chemical Engineer (6 years), working with DOW Chemical in Texas. She is married to a native Texan. Mark is a 1982 graduate of S.D.S.M.&T. He has a degree in Geological Engineering. He re-entered college in 1984. He will receive his Education Degree in 1986. He plans to teach Math. Mark is single and seems to enjoy his independence at the present time. During the growing up years of their family Janet worked as a secretary-teacher aide with the Pierre Public Schools. She was also a sales clerk and school bus driver. At the present she is a homemaker and taking life at a slower pace. Her favorite hobby is gardening. She also concentrates on exercise and diet for both Larry and herself.
NORMA JEAN TAECKER SMITH, 4816 Flag Ave. N., New Hope, MN Jean graduated from Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in 1959- She worked in Worthington, MN Hospital for 1 year. In September of 1960 she married Bill Smith. Jean worked at Nursing full time for 3 years - then part-time until 1971. Since 1971 she has done many part-time Jobs. For the last 3 years she has been doing office work. They have 4 children; Daniel, Tom, Peter and Sarah. Tom is married to Lisa and they have 2 children; Jacy, 3; and Jordan, 1. They have a lake cabin in northern MN that keeps them busy. Bill is a bowling enthusiast so they have taken many trips around the USA to ABC tournaments.
DELVERNA TASSLER ERICKSOM, Watertown, Wisc. Delverna worked for Northwestern Bell for 9 years. Then she got married and had 2 children. Her daughter is now married and has a beautiful little girl. Deiverna's son will graduate this spring and then he is going into the Navy. Deiverna has also taken a Hotel-Motel course. If all goes well she hopes to move back to Watertown, SOUTH DAKOTA in the fall of this year.
WANDA TESCH LIGHTFIELD, 916 College St., Cedar Falls, IA Wanda and family left Wuabay, SD in 1982 when she took a job as Administrative Assistant to the Supt. in Tilden, NE. This past summer (1985) she accepted a job aa elementary school guidance counselor with the Waterloo Community Schools in Waterloo, IA. It has been a busy year getting into a new job. Bill and Wanda have 6 children: Tim, Adam, Edward, Xvonne, Sybil and Wannita. They also have 1 daughter-in-law Denise (Breske) Lightfield and their first grandchild, Karmen Desiree was born 2/2/86. They have 4 children through college which Wanda said is a nice feeling. Edward is in the 6th grade and Wannita is attending the UNI in Cedar Falls. Their immediate family is in 4 states so holiday get-togethers are a real highlight.
JACQUELINE THOMAS TEISBEBG, 4825 10 Ave S., Minneapolis, MN Jacqueline graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in 1959, in Huron, SD. In 1980, she graduated from Augsburg College, Mpls., with a BS in Nursing. She is the Occupational Health Nurse for State Farm Ins. Co.- Regional office, located in St. Paul, MN. Her husband is an actuary with an insurance company in St. Paul. They have lived in the Kansas City, KS area and in Minneapolis. She had 3 daughters. Erin graduated in May, 1986 with an MBA from Emory Univ. in Atlanta. Lisa died in an automobile accident in November, 1984. Vija just completed her freshman year at Stanford University. She has 2 step-children: Mary and Steven, who work in Minneapolis.
ZANDRA THOMPSON CHAMLEY, RR #1 , Box 61 , Adrian, MN Zandra graduated from SDSU in 1959. She married Gary Chamley in 1960. Since 1962 they have live in Adrian, MN, where Gary is Athletic Director at Adrian High School and teaches health and physical education. Zan is H.S. librarian and teaches a couple classes of English (Juniors). They have 2 daughters - Kelly, the older, is a registered nurse and is employed at Redwood Falls, MN. Kristi is a human services technician at Sioux Vocational School in Sioux Falls. She is married and has a 9 month old boy, Cole. They play a lot of bridge, do a great deal of camping and belong to as many organizations and community groups as their free time from school allows them.
MARLYS THRONSON FIE, 1187 Karen, Watertown, SD Marlys writes, "Whoever said, 'time flies when you are having Fun' surely knew-what they were talking about. How can you stay so busy for 9 years, then write it all out in 1 or 2 paragraphs!!! I guess good times are like that." Dave and Marlys have been married for 26 years. They have 4 children, Tim, 25, recently married, and works for Sperry in Roseville, MN as a Computer Analyst. Shannon, 23, is a 1985 graduate from Moorhead State and has been accepted at the Univ. of Kansas for her graduate work. Trace will be a 5th year senior at Moorhead State and is planning a career in medicine. Kristin, their youngest, will be a sophomore at Moorhead State. Marlys has waited for the "empty nest syndrome" to get her but bowling, hiking, walking, aerobics, reading, church activities, winter vacations away from the cold, quickly took the place of girl scouts, boy scouts, 4-H, track, basketball and all the activities that keep parents busy. Besides the Laundromat and Carwash they also own and Mariys operates a Paging and Mobile Phone Service. She has a good feeling about the next 10 years.
MARILYN TIMM CADDLE, 8013 Carrleigh Pkwy., Springfield, VA Marilyn finished college course work a semester early so stayed in Sioux Falls and 'taught math for a semester. Graduated magna cum laude from Augustana; BS In Math, minor in Physics. Joined IBM in August 1959 as a Systems Engineer in the Scientific area in Washington, B.C. Married Andrew Caddle, also an IBM'er, in 1962. They lived in Japan then Okinawa; traveled round the world and went back to D.C. Then they moved to France and Germany with their 2 daughters, Debby born in Oct. 1963 and Karen born in Oct. 1965. They went back to the D.C. area in 1968. Became involved in church, civic activites, Girl Scouts and sports. After 13 years as a full time housewife Marilyn became a taxpayer assistant for IRS in 1976 and took accounting courses. She took and passed the CPA exam Nov. 1980. Joined an accounting firm of 40 accountants in 1981 and is now tax manager of that firm in Alexandria, VA. She is also a member of the Northern Virginia Estate Planning Council. Both of their daughter's are now in college. Marilyn writes, "I've had a great life since High School and hope everyone else has although I realize I'm a lucky person."
ALYCE TBIBBITT SKARLOKEN, Estilline, SD Alyce has been a secrtary/bookkeeper at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center for the past 8 years. Her husband, Preston owns the Skarloken Implement (she also does bookkeeping for him). They have two children Keith 28, and Vickie 19' Her hobbies are sewing and gardening.
DONALD TRITZ, 826 North Lake Dr, Watertown, SD After high school Don went to SDSU for 1 year. Then he went back to farming. In 1976 he married Claudette James. He has 3 step-children: Kristine, Daniel and Martin. In 1978 they rented the farm out and moved to Sioux Falls. By 1981, he wanted to be his own boss again and moved back to Watertown. He started Agri business dealing with various lines of barn and feeding equipment. They live at the lake and enjoy boating, water skiing and fishing and Don golfs a few times every summer.
PATRICIA TRUE PTAK, 28555 N 42nd St., Box 7850, Phoenix, AZ Patty received her B.A. from Dakota Wesleyan Univ. in 1959. She then taught Kindergarten in Marshall, MN. In 1960 she married LaValle Ptak of Mitchell. They had a wonderful European honeymoon and then returned to New Jersey to live. They took many trips to New York and had much fun with Donna, Helen and Anthea. She also taught Kindergarten until they moved to Skokie, IL 1 1/2 years later. LaValle went to night law school for 4 years and in 1966 he became a member of the Arizona Bar. Patty started a nursery school in their church and ran that until they moved to Soottsdale, AZ. LaValle took the AZ Bar (after 13 years) and continued as a Patent & Trademark lawyer. They have 2 children. Steven finished college at the U of A in Tucson and in January will go into the Army O.C.S. and then to flight school. Kerri finished a year at ASU in Tempe and took off a year to become a member of the Area 10 Combined Training Team. Kerri and her horse (Hedges) will be competing in Canada on August 14-17, 1986 for the North American Championship. Patty is the chauffeur, cook and all the things mother do everywhere. She and LaValle have taught Sunday School and led Youth groups. She was on the board of an interdenominational womens group while in Scottsdale. In September, they moved to a mini-ranch 10 miles from Scottsdale where they love the open country, having horses, and riding. They belong to a group called SWEAT (and it does take a lot) that puts on 4 combined training events a year. She said she is looking forward to hearing what all her classmates are doing and where they all are. Patty missed the reunion but arrived in Watertown in time to attend the committee meeting (party????) for the mini-arrow (picture cutting, titles and general assembly thereof).
REV. ALLEN VIK, 232 W. Minnesota St., Le Center, MN Allen attended Augustana College, Sioux Falls - graduated 1959. Then he attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul - graduated 1963, ordained June 2, 1963, an ALC Pastor -Served congregations in: Chicago, IL; Austin, MN; Lake Mills, WI; Ft. Collins, CO; Oaks, OK; Stonewall, TX; Rochester, MN. Allen married Janice Berge of Wallingford, IA on September 5, 1964. They have 2 children. Jonathan is a Freshman at Augustana College, Sioux Falls and is 19 years old. Sara is 14 years old and a freshmen at John Adams, Jr. High in Rochester, W. They will be moving sometime around June 20, 1986.
HENRY WAGNER, 14006 Montrachet Ln, Town & Country, MO Hank was in the U.S. Navy from 1956-62. He has worked in Data Processing since 1956. He is currently manager of Systems Development for May Department Stores Co. in St. Louis, MO. His wife Maxine is a programmer at the Mercantile Bank in St. Louis. Henry and Maxine (Kemp) were married in 1957. They have 5 children: Jeffrey, Pamela, Henry, Laurie and Steven. Their ages ranging from 20 to 27. Three of the children are married. They have 2 grandchildren.
PATTY WALSH, 17 S. 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN Patty attended the University of Minnesota and received a Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate and she worked as a Lab and X-ray tech. for 12 years. Then she went into the insurance field and has been a health claim examiner since. She has been a Chairperson for a summer festival event for several years and has done lots of traveling around the States.
SHIRLEY WARD WEST, Rt. #1, Box 103, Florence, SD After graduation Shirley worked for Swift & Co. for almost 2 years until her marriage in 1957. Then she and her husband ran a gas station with groceries on tha side for 7 years. In the 7 years she had 1 daughter and 2 sons who are now grown and on their own. Kimberlie lives in Sioux Fails, is unmarried, 28 years old and works for Burger King there. Tim, age 26, is owner and operator at the Headquarters Beauty Salon in Watertown. He is married to a girl from Finland. Todd, age 24, is married and has their only grandchild - Erica. He is manager of the seed plant at Watertown Coop Elevator. Shirley's husband, Duane, has worked For Municipal Utilities (Gas. Dept.) for the last 22 years. They live on a quarter land farm. They do not farm the land but raise pigs. Shirley keeps busy with assisting her children in anyway she can. She loves to have her granddaughter over on weekends. Her hobbies include: candlewicking, latch-hook, volleyball, sewing, quilting.
VERNIDA WIESE GRANT, 6915 Dakota Trail, Edina, MN Vernida teaches English as a Second Language at Edina High School. Jim is a Radiologist at North Memorial Hospital, Robbinsdale, MN. They have 2 children. Jim, 23, lives in Minneapolis. Patricia, 20, is a junior at Dartmouth College.
JOELAINE WULFF VAN RADEN, Moorhead, MN Jo E is currently working in the accounting department at the Radisson Hotel in Fargo. She graduated from Moorhead State University in the fall of 1984 Cum Laude with a B.S. in Personnel Management. She has been an employee with Radisson since April of 1985. Oldest daughter is still in college (Kristi) she has 1 daughter named Libby. Second daughter (Andrea) was married last July. Baby (last reunion) James is now 12 years old and provides a second income to our household with his paper route.

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