Mark Rowe, son of Glenn and Donna

We were all so sorry to learn of the death of Mark Rowe of Lanark, son of classmate Glenn and his wife Donna. The following is from the Freeport paper.

Mark L. Rowe, 50, of Lanark died Monday, June 1, 2009, at his home. He was born April 3, 1959, in Dixon, a son of Glenn and Donna (Bearden) Rowe. Mark married Kim Hazlip on Jan. 27, 1983, in Mount Morris. Mr. Rowe was employed at Quebecor World in Mount Morris. Survivors include his wife, Kim of Lanark; one daughter, April Miller of Tennessee; one son, Mark R. Rowe of Lanark; parents, Glenn and Donna Rowe of North Carolina; one sister, Margo Smietana of New York; two brothers, Marty Rowe of Polo and Matt Rowe of Lanark; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ottis and Josephine Bearden and Mike and Eleja Rowe. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at Polo Family Funeral Home, Polo, with the Rev. Jeremy Heller, officating. Burial will be at a later date. A memorial fund has been established in his memory.

Upcoming reunion July 3

After the next reunion which is just about a month away, we hope to post a few photos. You should all have received your invitation and map, and I think at last count there were 19 planning to attend. Then the blog will close and no new material will be added; it has served its purpose. If you'd like to save any of the photos here, place your cursor on the photo, and right click. Then click on "save picture as. . .", select a file from your Picture folder, name the photo and click on save. Just to be safe, double check your file to make sure it's actually there. It's been fun and I thank everyone who sent photos and stories.

We'll see you in July

"Hi Kids!

Time is drawing near for our picnic event at Moe and Nancy's. All final plans were made last week. . . all is in readiness." Writes classmate Lynne.

"As we get ready to party together. . . our classmate Greeley is having another type of event. On June 1st our Greeley will be having some colon cancer surgery. His cancer is well contained and the outlook for a complete recovery looks good indeed. I was able to have a visit with "G G" and give him some support having "been there, done that" nearly 8 years ago. But no matter how many times you hear, "If I can do it, you can do it," it is still an unsettling thing, to be sure. If anyone would like to send Greeley a note of encouragement and give him some grins, I am sure he will appreciate it. . .and Greeley has asked for prayers. He is planning on attending our July 3rd picnic. If you need an address e-mail me (lflemingwilburn at yahoo dot com) and I will provide or check your class booklet from the last reunion it should be in there.

Diane B. is currently recovering from a broken ankle at Pinecrest. . .she is our first classmate to take up residence there, however temporary it might be. . . a doubtful honor to be sure. She is undergoing therapy and some of us visited her last week to find her doing as well as could be expected. . . but bored. She, too, could use some cheering and some "atta girl" pats on the back.

I spoke with Fran today, and she is doing very well. But after 3 surgeries since October she is not really looking forward to her fourth on June 3rd. The fact that none of the surgeries found any cancer is a positive thing and she is grateful. She has one more surgery to go to remover the growth on the kidney, which she will now be able to keep and be done with hospitals. She has had a long bout, but you know Fran. Today she cheered me up! She has heard from many classmates and thanks us all for our thoughtfulness saying, "it means a lot, believe me!"

All three of these stars from the Class of '57 plan to attend our July 3rd picnic, as Fran and Greeley both said, "I'll be there if I have to crawl," and Diane said she'd probably have to hop! Again, if addresses are needed for any or all of three let me know. . .

See you in July.

A note from President Mike

Mike and Judy will not be able to attend the mini-reunion at Nancy and Moe's this summer, but they send their regards to everyone. They are in the middle of a move to Missouri and selling their home in Michigan. If you'd like to see what they are doing, check out their new blog (not the same as their old blog). I've looked around their new digs (on the internet) and it looks a lot like Mt. Morris to me.

Dr. Albert Sherwood Baker, 1916-2009

Another fine member of the "greatest generation" that many of us knew is gone. Many years ago, your family doctor may have been Dr. Baker, who after WWII returned to Mt. Morris and was originally in practice with Dr. Murray Dumont (who delivered me and probably others in our class of 57). From the Columbia Daily Tribune obituary:

"Albert Sherwood Baker, M.D., 92, of Mount Morris, Ill., formerly of Columbia, died Friday, May 8, 2009. Memorial services and visitation were Wednesday, May 13, at Disciples United Methodist Church in Mount Morris. The cremated remains will be buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery rural Mount Morris, located on a corner of the Baker family farm.

Dr. Baker was born Dec. 1, 1916. He attended primary and secondary school in Mount Morris, graduated with an AB degree from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1939 and the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago in 1942. He completed a 12-month rotation internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago before serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Forces at Jefferson Barracks and Scott Field, Ill., from 1943 to 1946.
After World War II, Dr. Baker returned to his home town of Mount Morris to work as a general practitioner from 1946 to 1963. During this time, he was a member of the medical staff at Rockford Memorial Hospital. In 1963, he joined the faculty at the University of Missouri, where he helped develop their rural preceptorship program for medical students and served as chief, Section of Medical Practice.

In 1967, he traveled to Thailand to study the public health training needs of Peace Corps volunteers. That same year, he spent three months helping to train Peace Corps volunteers in Hilo, Hawaii. He received a Master of Science in public health degree from MU in 1968.
Dr. Baker initiated the campaign to establish a family medicine residency in Columbia in 1969, shortly after the American Board of Family Practice was created, and served as MU’s first family medicine residency director from 1970 to 1974. From 1972 to 1975, he served as chairman of the Department of Community Health and Medical Practice at MU. Dr. Baker was a charter member of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and one of the early Residency Assistance Program consultants. He retired from MU in 1982 and was named professor emeritus.
Dr. Baker is considered by many to be “the father of family medicine” at MU. He was known and admired for his common-sense approach to primary care, his sage advice and his incredible breadth and depth of knowledge that extended well beyond medicine. He claimed this was the benefit of having a photographic memory that served him exceedingly well until the end of his long life.

One on his great joys was publishing a book titled “Dear Gang,” in which he recounted the story of 12 of his AKK medical school fraternity brothers who corresponded with one another by letters during World War II. It chronicles their experience of military medicine in the 1940s, whether stateside, in the Pacific or European theatres, as well as the importance of deep and lasting friendship.

Dr. Baker served as a troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America in Mount Morris and was honored to receive the Silver Beaver award for meritorious service. He was a member of Kiwanis and Community United Methodist Church in Columbia from 1963 to 2004. Because of failing health, he moved to Pinecrest Community in Mount Morris in 2004 and joined Disciples United Methodist Church. There, he was affectionately known as “Doc.”

Survivors include a brother, Harlan (Marion); daughters Edith Baker Lauerman (Bruce), Martha Baker Thomas (Mike) and Nancy Baker (Dan); grandchildren Randy Fawcett (Stephanie), Grant Fawcett (Marne), Sara Crow, and Karl and Anna Olson; and great-grandchildren Sadie Fawcett, Driscoll Fawcett, Hattie Fawcett, and Braxton Lauerman. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Myrtle Miriam Schafmayer Baker; brother Edward Francis Baker; father Harry Hammer Baker; and mother Bertha Alberta Tholen Baker.


HT Murray Trout

A Spring Poem

Spring.
A time of sowing
and growing.
Seeds in the earth.
Thoughts in the mind.
Germination.
Imagination.
Cultivation.
Caring
Raindrops feeding.
Love encouraging.
Seedlings sprouting.
Friendship supporting.
Sun Warming.
Faith Comforting.
Flowers blooming.
Spirits refreshed.
Spring.

by Lynne

Scarce as hen's teeth

Did your parents ever say that? Well, the original Mount Morris Past and Present is scarce as hen's teeth, but I found a scanned copy on the internet while looking up something else. Here's the link. You click on the picture at the top hand left column and start turning the pages with the little arrows in the right hand column. It's scanned and very easy to use (easier than the copy on Google because you can turn the pages). I have the photocopy of the 2nd ed. (gift of my parents) that was sold by the public library, and recently looked through the 1st edition at the home of a relative. Anyway, although a lot of the text of the 1st ed. is used in the 2nd ed., a lot was also dropped, including photos of the campus buildings. After all, they had a lot more information and names to include 30 years later, and probably had a page limit to keep costs down. Any way, take a look. When I was a kid I spent hours browsing the two Mount Morris Past and Present titles. It was fun to find it again on the internet.

Eighth grade class photo on school steps

Sent by Nancy S. Can you identify everyone?

Go Team!

This is from the 1954 Mounder which accounts for the poor scan quality. I can identify Sara jumping up--I guess we know why she was a cheerleader! I think that's Tina and Mary Lou on her left, and possibly Deb next to the person in black with her head turned on Sara's right. The person in front of Tina might be me, but it's hard to tell. Libby M. possibly in the front row. That's Nancy L. 2nd from the left edge of the photo, and possibly Barb E. behind her, with Nelson P. and Marv M. a few rows back. Up near the top is Steve B. Get out your annual and look at the page sponsored by Houghton and Buser, and see if your eyes are better than mine. It's a pretty small photo. I'm always surprised when I look at these old photos how much better dressed we were than today's teen-agers, and on a smaller budget, too!

Trinity Confirmation Photo

Many members of our class were confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris in the Spring of 1953. Nancy S. was a member of that class and has submitted the group photo. The Library of Trinity has all the confirmation class photos, in case you needed to check on another year.

I'm going to make a stab at the names, and if I'm wrong, I hope someone will send a correction: Left to right, back row: Nelson P., Neal J., Mike B., Glen O., Pastor Stone, Carl L. (class of '56), Dave S., Dick Z., Bob C., Don H.
Left to right, front row: Larry B. (class of '56), Fran K., Priscilla D., Salley O., Judy T., Tina K., Ebba L., and Nancy S.

I just visited Trinity this Easter. What a lovely sanctuary and organ. Here's what it looks like today, much like it did 60 years ago when it was built and when these handsome young people confirmed their baptism.

Not exactly a reunion, but. . .

The Mounder Cafe is a nice place to get together for members of the class of 1957.


Lynne, Nancy and Norma, April 13, 2009

I also chatted with Sylvia, Dave, Marion and Salley at Good Friday services.

45th class reunion, July 6, 2002

I have a few candid shots of this reunion, but they are really poor. It was my first attempt at using a digital camera. Anyone have some? It was a joint reunion with the class of 1956. If it weren't for the sign, I'd have no evidence.



Nancy, Fran and Sara

Dave and Sylvia

Tina and Jack

Mike and Rosalie

Big laughs

No one in the class has a bigger laugh and warmer hug than Fran. She's had some serious surgery this week and you might think about saying a few prayers and pressing a stamp on an envelop to wish her a speedy recovery! It seems like yesterday that I had a wedding shower at our home on Hannah for Fran, then the next year was visiting her as a new mom, and then before I knew it we were meeting at Pinecrest where our parents lived. My, how time flies!

Your busy reunion committee

It looks to me like they've all been on a glamorous ski trip, but Lynne says it was their meeting yesterday at the Mounder Cafe in Mt. Morris. Here's the scoop on the summer 2009 activities.

"We finalized our July 3rd picnic/potluck at Nancy and Moe's. A mailing will go out in May with details, and a map with directions. Moe says, "Fishing poles will be provided, but you might need to bring a lawn chair." The menu of bar-b-q and chips was planned with the committee providing salads, veggies and desserts, and iced tea and lemonade. Your committee is hoping as many as can will join in the fun. We have ordered up a sunny day."

FYI: The Ladies' Breakfast will be the following morning, July 4th at the White Pines Lodge at 8:30 a.m.

Katie Dirksen

KATHRYN L. DIRKSEN, 83 OREGON - Kathryn L Dirksen, 83, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, in Pinecrest Manor in Mount Morris. Born on the family farm east of Oregon on Jan. 3, 1926, the daughter of Rasmus and Anna (Bush) Rasmussen. She attended the Honey Creek, one room school through the eighth grade, graduated from Oregon High School in 1943, and received her teaching degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she attended from 1945 to 1949. On July 17, 1954, she married Roger H. Dirksen in Oregon. Katie loved many sports and taught physical education in Muscatine, Iowa, for three years before moving to Mount Morris to teach PE from 1952 to 1979, when she retired.

She also played softball for the Sinnissippi Rockets. She started teaching Body Recall from 1979 to 2006, which helped many learn how to retain there activeness in life. She was an active member of Ebenezer Reformed Church, where she was a former choir director, Sunday school teacher and member of the Naomi Ruth ladies group. She also owned and operated a Christian Bookstore. Survived by nieces and nephews, Ginger (Gary) McDanel of Byron, Mary Ann (Rich) Rhodes of Oregon, Jane (Larry) Hoke of Clinton, and John (Linda) Rasmussen of Cheboygan, Wis.; many great-nieces and -nephews; and her pet beagle, "Mort." Predeceased by husband, Roger; parents; brothers, George and Russell Rasmussen; and nephew, James. Service at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Ebenezer Reformed Church, near Oregon, with the Rev. Phil Rauwerdink officiating. Burial in Ebenezer Cemetery. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. Seventh St., in Oregon. Memorial fund is established for the Pinecrest Manor of the Rockford Rescue Mission. For more information, visit farrellhollandgale.com.

Miss Rasmussen, school picnic, May 1954

Class reunion, July 2, 1977

Nancy and Lynne, top; Sylvia, Donna, Barb and Sally, bottom.

Have your albums fallen apart?

Click to enlarge

The album I made in grade school (black paper, colored photo corners, string binding) started to disintegrate about 30 years ago. I put the photos in one that is now started to go too, but worse, there was no place to write. So I don't know if this is 7th grade or 8th grade, or a mix. The snapshot is Judy, Sarah and Sharon, and I think that might be 8th grade from the length of the skirts. Wasn't Mike B. just the cutest? Is that why we elected him class president? And Francine looks like a 21 year old executive!

Clarence Mitchell, 1907-2009

One of Mt. Morris best known citizens died on his 102nd birthday Monday, January 12, at Pinecrest Manor. If you haven't read his book "The Diary of a Journeyman" you're missing a lot of town history. He dedicates it to "the land and the people of Northwest Illinois. The four counties: Ogle,, Stephenson, Carroll and Jo Daviess, that lie between the Rock and Mississippi rivers comprise the Highland Community College District." Mitch retired from Kables in 1967 and writes, "Little did I dream that my retirement years would stretch on into the next century." Arrangements are pending at Finch Funeral Home.

Christmas Greetings from Mike and Judy

Bob Buser, class of 1956

"I am certain you remember Bob Buser (class of 56.) Yesterday evening he was at the Shell station. Bought a cup of hot chocolate, had a heart attack and died. That's all the details I have. No obit in the paper yet. Will keep you updated.

We saw Bob mainly in the Summer. He was announcer and sound technicion for the Kable Band. Had not heard of him having any medical problems. He and Sylvia sat together at Sara's mothers funeral a couple months back." Dave and Sylvia

Update: Rockford Register Star, Dec. 25, 2008: Robert E. Buser, 70, of Mount Morris died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. He was a lifelong resident of Mount Morris. The oldest son of Gail and Harriet (Conrad) Buser, born July 26, 1938. He was a graduate of MMHS, class of 1956, and went on to the University of Illinois, getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Later he returned to achieve his master's degree. He loved the Illini and stayed connected by his work on the Engineering Alumni board. Bob was also involved with the Kable Concert Band. He announced the band for the past 25 years. He was on the board of the Mount Morris Senior Center, and he would never miss the Fourth of July parade in his blue 1950 Dodge truck with the Dixie band. Many may remember Bob in his famous black and white 1953 Ford that took him to Rockford every day, over 600,000 miles, and earned him a Phillips 66 Trop Arctic radio commercial and a spot on WGN-TV. Bob worked for Sundstrand Aviation and then Hamilton Sundstrand for 43 years. He worked an additional two-year contract to finish a pet project, the F22 Raptor. He loved his job and the places it took him, and the people he met and worked with. Family was very important to Bob. He is survived by his fiance, Doreen White of Mount Morris; brothers, Frederic (Rita) Buser of Byron and Charles (Deborah) Buser of Leaf River; niece, MaryAnn (Rich Akers) Fredericks of Milledgeville, Anne (Mike) Felton of Norcross, Ga., Kaila (Jim) Slade of Hanover, Amy Buser of Missoula; nephew, Nathaniel (Amy) Buser of Byron; one great-niece; four great-nephews; cousin, Gretchen Diab of Mount Morris; and aunt, Elva Buser of Mount Morris. Funeral at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, in Finch Funeral Home, with the Rev. Larry Jameson officiating. Burial in Adeline Cemetery in Adeline. Visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, in Finch Funeral Home in Mount Morris. Memorials have been established for Kable Concert Band and the Mount Morris Senior Center Elevator Fund.