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.

Neighborhood sporting events

Mike contributes this memory of the old neighborhood:

"There was a barn in the back of the house where we lived on Main, but the barn in back of that belonged to Otto and Mae Herzfeldt. Greeley Myers and I built a basketball court in the upper story of our barn where all the neighborhood guys would gather to play hoops--Nels Potter, Mike and Dave Powers, Duane Blake, Gerald Blake, Greeley, John LeVar. Others I seem to remember playing were Marv Leopold, Jon Martin and maybe Lloyd Pretsch and Steve Brinker. Maybe Greeley would remember more detail. We used to choose up teams and smell armpits--(big joke back then). They all participated at one time or other, until someone fell through the floor and landed on top of Marge Tice's car's hood. He wasn't injured but put a considerable dent in the aforementioned auto. This not only made an impression in the hood, but also one on my father and Miss Tice. We promised to repair the hole in the floor before we played again, but that did not make my father happy. He removed the ladder that was nailed to the wall where we gained entrance to our gym and the future basketball schedule was cancelled.

There were great baseball games too in back of the Powers house in that field. I think that a car wash is there now. I don't remember any games in the street. I remember Dave Powers got hit in the head with a ball, but no damage except a large hematoma. His head looked like a basketball with a growth. All I can remember him saying was "I'm telling Mom"."

Class of 1959 Reunion site

Don Snodgrass has created a really nice website for information about the 50th class reunion of the Mt. Morris class of 1959 here. I've added a link to it over at the left.

Dave and Sylvia are everywhere!

You'll have lots of fun watching this video--to support the Mounder statue project. You'll recognize Dave and Sylvia, the class movers and shakers.

Click Video to download and view a video created by committee member Judi Cassidy DeKoning.

The ram was chosen as a school mascot by the classes of the mid-60s, so the class of 1957 missed out on that, but you can support the cause. Here's the committee:

The Mounder Statue Committee, Doug Wean, Chairman; Rod Miller (Vice-Chairman); Linda 'Jewett' Miller, Sarah 'Sally' Gray, Judi 'Cassidy' DeKoning, Lenny Wells, Joyce Carr

To see more about the progress, or to help with expenses, click here.

Frances Babler, mother of classmate

Frances Eliza Babler, 95, of Mount Morris died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at home with her family around her. Born to George and Alice (Good) Lawver on Aug. 13, 1913, in Cadiz Township, Green County, Wis. On June 16, 1937, Frances married Myron Babler of Orangeville. Myron and Frances had four children together. The couple farmed east of Freeport until 1954, at which time they purchased the family farm in Mount Morris. Frances graduated from Monroe High School as valedictorian of her class and also graduated from Normal Teachers College in Monroe. Wis. She taught school at Cadiz and Enterprise schools in Browntown, Wis. for five years at which time she married. Frances was an instructor for Stephenson and Ogle County Home Bureau, was also a 4-H leader in both counties. Frances received Christ as her personal savior in 1952, and served Him through her community and church, The Evangelical Free Church of Mount Morris. Survivors include children, Mrs. Ronald (Mary Jane) Crowell of Peoria, Myron (Rosalie) Babler of Malakoff, Texas, Charles (Ruth) Babler of Mount Morris and Alice Babler; grandchildren, Pamela Crowell-Morely, TJ Crowell, Patrick Crowell, Desiree Babler-Lamb, Todd Babler, Terrence Babler, Sabrina Babler-Carver, Gary LaBorde, Bill LaBorde, Jared Babler, Benjamin Babler, Megan Babler; great-grand-children, Emma Morley, Addison Morely, Grace Crowell, Caroline Crowell, Jeremiah Crowell, Greyson Lamb, Houston Lamb, Georgia Lamb, Luke Babler, Alexa Babler, Breanne Carver, Luke Carver, Erin LaBorde, Connor LaBorde, Haley LaBorde, Brycellyn LaBorde and Jerram LaBorde; sisters, Nellie Berget, Mable Yeagle and Catherine Gissing. Predeceased by parents; husband; two sisters; five brothers; and precious grandson, Christopher Crowell. Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, in Evangelical Free Church of Mount Morris, 102 S. Seminary, Pastor Larry Jamison will be officiating with a luncheon immediately after. Burial at 2:30 p.m. in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Finch Funeral Home, 405 E. Hitt St., Mount Morris. Memorial has been established for the Village of Progress, Oregon.

From RRStar.com 11/25/08

Save July 3, 2009 for mini-reunion

Nancy and Moe have graciously invited the members of our class of ’57 for a picnic/potluck at their lovely country home.

The 3rd of July has been selected and your class reunion committee has come out of retirement to plan for this informal event.

Our plans for a memorial tree and marker for Klaus Dreyer will be formulated, perhaps a walk around the grounds, lots of catching up and just plain relaxing, of course.

As the holidays draw near we remember back to our childhood and youth and long for those friendly voices of old companions echoing out of the past once more.

We take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful New Year and are hoping to see you on July 3rd.

Your Class of ’57 Reunion Committee

The Crimson Days of Autumn

By the class poet, Lynne, September 2002

The crimson days of autumn etched merrily in gold,
Unfold silently before me to watch the world turn cold.
There's frost upon the meadow where the clover used to bloom,
And the scent of clove and cinnamon permeates every room.
There's fresh cider to buy and a fresh-baked apple pie.
It's no wonder hearts beat faster when autumn fills the sky!
It's a time to pick the apples, a time to harvest corn.
It's a time to gather walnuts early in the morn.
It's a time we should be thankful for all this goodness and grace.
When the crimson days of autumn puts on her gold face.