Thursday, September 27, 2007

Donna Schuenemann Prucha Passes Away

We received the following E-mail from Norma Deardorff Plummer yesterday:

I'm sad to report that we've lost another one of our classmates. The Downers Grove newspaper published an obituary for Donna Schuenemann Prucha last week. Although Donna didn't attend our 50th reunion, she did submit information and request a copy of our directory. The obituary read as follows: "Sandwich (Illinois) resident Donna M. Prucha, 68, died Sept. 4, 2007 in her home. Services will be held Sept. 30 in Wildwood Community Club House, 1 Birch Drive, Sandwich. Interment will be private. Mrs. Prucha was a board member of Fox Valley Older Adults. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family. Survivors include one daughter, Christine Contrino; two sons, Charles (Lori) Prucha and Boyd (Jocelyn) Prucha; two sisters, Carol Crow and Elizabeth Cryer; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Krankovitch. Arrangements were handled by Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home, Sandwich."

Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends; we share their loss.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

John's Surgery a Success

John Spencer underwent 3 1/2 hours of back surgery late Monday, yet was able to walk out of the hospital and return home on Tuesday. For the first time in some 40+ years, he is free of pain and has a right leg that works properly. His limitations for a while remind me of my favorite sandwich: BLT, which in John's case means no Bending, Lifting, Twisting. But the doc assures him he'll be in great shape in time for ski season. Thanks to Ann for sending out an e-mail assuring all of John's well-being -- and thanks to all of you for your good thoughts and prayers for John. They seem to have done the trick!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Change in Surgery Date

John Spencer is NOT having surgery tomorrow. Seems his surgeon was injured in an accident, and rather than operate on John's spine balancing on 1 leg, the doc opted to postpone John's surgery until September 17 at 2PM. That gives you ample time to let John know you're thinking about him and sending him good wishes.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

John Spencer to Have Surgery

It's been quite a wait for him, but at long last, John Spencer is having back surgery Friday morning, September 7, in Aspen Colorado. His surgeon will be working on John's L3&4 and L4&5 vertabrae, removing all bone spurs necessary to leave sufficient room for John's spinal cord and sciatic nerve. If all goes as planned, John will walk out of the hospital Saturday morning with no pains in his legs (a long-awaited dream), just a sore back from the surgery. He will be able to again drive in about 4 days and play golf in about 4-6 weeks (which is amazing since he can't play golf-- the miracles of surgery today!). The best news is he'll be able to ski this winter. If you're so inclined, drop an e-mail note to John, send him a card, or just keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Happy Labor Day!

Yes, we're still here, and we're still trying to get this up and running.

Tomorrow is Labor Day (9/3), and fall is right around the corner. Personally, I can't wait; August in the Ozarks has been even more insufferable than usual, with excessive heat and humidity ---- and I don't know about you, but as I get older, I am less able to tolerate 100'+ days with almost matching humidity. I keep suggesting to Don we get a summer home in Canada, but so far, all my suggesting has fallen on deaf ears.

The many communications we received right after the reunion have become merely a trickle now. I guess the euphoria from so many memories can only last so long, but it sure was nice while it lasted. I hope you'll all gear up to forward to one of the 4 of us any and all news of classmembers with whom you're in contact. If you're not sure of facts, let us know; after the fun of locating almost all members of our class in advance of the reunion, we've become pretty good at verifying information. Also, if you move, change e-mail addresses, change your phone number, whatever, please just contact one of the 4 of us with this info, so we can keep the class records updated.

Guess that's about it for tonight. Please let us hear from you!