More Sadness to Report

We learned of the passing of Bob Langford on December 9, 2010, in Cape Coral Florida; we haven't been able to learn any other details.

Then on February 27, 2011, we received the following e-mail from Anke Wamser's brother:
"Dear Classmates of Anke,
It is with deep sorrow that I am advising you of the death of my sister, Anke Maren Thea (Wamser) Jachmann. Anke passed away on February 16, 2011 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She suffered a massive heart attack on February 14, 2011 from which she never regained consciousness.
Heinz Wamser
630-427-0672"

The full obituary follows (thanks to the effort of Garland Edgell):
"Anke Maren Thea Wamser Jachmann, 71, of Idaho Falls, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Anke was born June 11, 1939, in Schleswig, Germany, to Willi Wamser and Karla Ottzen Wamser. She graduated from high school in Chicago.
She married Bruno Heinz Jachmann on Dec. 30, 1970, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. As a military family, they made their homes in Columbus, Ga.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Bblingen, Germany; Hampton, Va.; and finally in Idaho Falls. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Larisa.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Primary teacher, several times as a Relief Society teacher and volunteered in the Family History Center.
Anke enjoyed sewing, crafts and decorating her home.
Survivors include her husband, Bruno H. Jachmann of Idaho Falls; daughter, Larisa A. (Troy Swiger) Jachmann-Swiger of Hampton, Va.; mother, Karla Wamser of Hampton, Va.; and brother, Heinz (Jeanne) Wamser of Woodridge, Ill.
She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, Hans Arno Wamser.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at the Idaho Falls LDS Ammon 27th Ward at 7118 Ledgerock Drive, with Bishop Jacob Dustin officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home, 963 S. Ammon Road.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com."

Our sincere sympathy goes out to the families of our classmates, Bob and Anke; it seems life is getting shorter and a little sadder the older we get.

Bucket Lists are Spreading

We're starting to hear more and more from classmates about creating bucket lists of things they wish to do while they are still able. First, there was a trip to Alaska for Ray Vybiral and his wife Marilyn with Gordon and Allene Rudolph Rondeau, a bucket list entry for both couples. There's an earlier blog post describing their adventures in our 49th state.

Next we heard from Dave Spero who told of his adventures sky-diving for the first time. He sent us pictures, so be sure to see the earlier blog post of this amazing feat.

Our most recent bucket list adventure comes from what appears to be our most serious bucket-lister: Ray Vybiral. He sent us the following e-mail:
"Well, I am signed up for the Richard Petty Driving Experience in September.
Marilyn and I went to Alaska last year and that was a real Bucket list item.
I hope to get up on water skis this summer, probably has been close to 10 years since I last skied.
I think eveyone should have a Bucket List of the things they want to do in their lifetime.
Ray"

And to prove he's really going to do this:

"RAYMOND VYBIRAL
B030450879
Thank you for joining Richard Petty Driving Experience! This letter confirms your reservation for the following date and time:

EXPERIENCE: ROOKIE EXPERIENCE
DATE & TIME: SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 @ 12:00PM
LOCATION: CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY"

We look forward to pics from this amazing adventure, Ray. And if any of the rest of you out there are merrily crossing off bucket list entries, let us know the details; we're sure your classmembers are as interested as we are.

At Long Last, I Return

I can't believe it's been over 3 months since I've added to this blog. But that's what happens when a computer decides it doesn't want to be upgraded. First, it just wouldn't operate; then when it began running, it also started crashing at the drop of a hat; finally, it not only crashed, it began presenting me with what became known as "the blue screen of death", a bright blue screen with warnings of imminent damage to the computer. At long last, thru the efforts of my husband, Don, and a local computer guru, affectionately known as Les Nessman (with apologies to Les and WKRP in Cincinnati), my computer is upgraded and is operating just as it should be. And with that, the class blog will continue.

First things first, however: I hope y'all had a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving, the merriest of Christmases, a loving Valentine's Day, and a very happy new year that brings health, good luck, and much happiness to all of us. Lastly, let's all hope that winter is about over. And now, on with the blog.......

Anchors Away

It was the trip of a lifetime for Ray and Marilyn Vybiral and Gordon and Allene (Rudolph) Rondeau, when the 2 couples met up in Fairbanks, Alaska, and spent the next 2 weeks sharing a Princess cruise-tour of the 49th state. After enjoying time in Fairbanks,
the trip continued to Denali National Park, where the fortunate foursome saw the "big 5" of wildlife as well as most of Mt McKinley.
A visit to the late Susan Butcher's home allowed them to watch dog sled training and even experience a ride behind the dogs.

The final leg of the trip was the cruise thru the inside passage with numerous shore excursions, ending in Vancouver.
It was a dream come true for the 2 couples, one that I shared with them, if only vicariously. I must add I figured out how Ray funded part of this trip -- he's got one lucky wife! The most recent comment from Ray is "I already knew that --- she married me!!!".

Guess Who Came to Branson?

What a wonderful afternoon we had! Jim and Carole (Johnson) Lehmann are in Branson for a week's vacation (it's Ozark Mountain Christmas time!), so we joined them for part of the day. After visiting for a while, we adjourned to the Branson Landing for lunch at the White River Fish House, during which we got to see the Fire and Water Show put on by the Landing. After lunch, we walked the Landing, up one side and down the other, munching on warm caramel corn part of the time. Then it was back to Jim and Carole's for some more chit-chat, before it was time for us to head home. Jim and Carole are another of those amazing couples who have celebrated 50 years of marital bliss, so needless to say, our heartiest congrats go out to them. And thank you for sharing part of your vacation with us -- we really enjoyed seeing you again, if only for a short visit.
Unfortunately, none of us was bright enough to bring a camera, so you'll just have to imagine how great we all looked (and we did!).

DGHS Becomes a Horror Flick

Found on the internet:

"Bret Easton Ellis, author of American Psycho, Less Than Zero, and The Rules of Attraction, has been tapped write a movie adaptation of Michael Hornburg's novel Downers Grove. The book is about a high school senior from the Chicago suburb Downers Grove who is paranoid about a ''curse'' at her school that causes someone in the graduating class to die in a bizarre way before the year's end."

Kind of makes you really proud, doesn't it? Anybody read the novel?

An Addendum: Both Gale Fitzgerald Kappe and Jim VanSlyke read the novel years ago. And Gale reports Second City used DG in a routine but referred to it as "Uppers Grove". Anybody else?

Dave Flies Like a Bird

I received the following great e-mail from Dave Spero today:

"About five years back I decided after seeing the movie “The Bucket List”, to make my own “Bucket List”. Of the many things that I’ve crossed off so far, travel included, I planned and executed my dream of “Sky Diving”. I contacted Sky Dive Chicago out of Ottawa, IL. After attending “Class” to learn what I had to do, I completed two tandem jumps with an instructor performing different acrobatic rolls and flips during my descent. Finally after another class I was able to make my “Solo Jump” last August. I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, by myself, at 14,000 feet. What an awesome feeling, free falling from that height to about 5500 feet when I pulled the rip-cord and floated to earth, landing on my feet in front of family and friends! I did all of this at the tender young age of 71! Back problems have prevented me from continuing this adventure this year."

What a great experience --- I think I'm jealous, tho too chicken to even think about trying. While it's hard to tell it's Dave, the pics give you some idea of the thrill of jumping out of a plane. And keep in mind Dave has lots more pictures and a DVD of his great adventure; contact him if you're interested.
Kudos to you, Dave, and your Bucket List. Keep us posted on what else you're up to!