1960's Class Notes

Marjorie (Williamson) Austin '60 is enjoying living in a retirement community in North Central Florida.  Marjorie and her husband have lived in Florida since 1985.  (January 2004)

Norene (Derr) Norman '60 writes that she retired eight years ago from the archdiocese of Chicago, DRE.  She now lives in Nixa, which is one the fastest growing towns in Missouri, and winters in Texas.  (January 2004)

Patricia Ball '62 has spent the last 14 years as a Guidance Counselor, before which she taught for 17 years at level ranging from kindergarten to seventh grade.  She is the mother of tree, has four grandchildren, and lives in Fairfax, Virginia.  (January 2004)

Barbara (Bruni) Kloppel '62 lives in Alliance, Nebraska, where she keeps busy playing bridge and volunteering at a hospice.  (January 2004)

Janette Wicker, OP '62 lives in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where she is the pastoral associate of St. Joseph Parish and St. Peter and Paul Parish.  She lives in the rectory at St. Peter and Paul.  (January 2004)

Pat (Knepel) Jeske, Carol (Noel) Paul, Mary Kay (Paisley) Nielsen, Joan (Kaufmann) Wanniger and Margaret O'Brien O.P. all from the class of 1963 (plus or minus), met for lunch near the Edgewood Campus on Friday, August 15th. They had a great time exchanging old photos and yearbooks, updating each other on their parents and siblings and bragging about their families and grandkids. To see a picture, visit Alumni Reunion Photos. (September 2008)

Gathering for a meal and a tour at Lambeau Field in Green Bay are Larry and Mary Kay Nielsen, Green Bay, WI; Janell and Bill Morehead, Madison, WI; Lennie and Chuck Rhyner, Green Bay,WI; and Arlene and Joe Vondervellen, Sheboygan, WI. All are Edgewood College graduates from the class of 1963. To see pictures, visit Alumni Reunion Photos. (July 2008)

Class Reunion A mini-reunion was held at the home of Janelle (Wagner) Morehead ’63 and her husband Bill on June 3, 2006. In attendance were Joan (Kauffman) Wanniger ’63 and her husband Dave, Pat (Kenepel) Jeschke ‘63, Carol (Noel) Paul ‘64, Arlene (Entringer) VonDerVellen ’63 and her husband Joe, Lenora (Firoenza) Rhyner ’63 and her husband Chuck, Margaret O'Brien O.P. ‘70, and Mary Kay (Paisley ) Nielsen ’63 and her husband Larry. Mary Kay wrote in, “We ate and talked and some of the guys went golfing. If you can make it, we are planning on the same weekend in Sheboygan next year. Hope to see you.” (July 2006)

Sharon (Nee) Ohlis '63 retired in June 2003 after 25 years of teaching in the Milwaukee Archdiocesan schools.  She writes that she hopes "to do some traveling, play tennis and bridge, and improve my golf score."  (January 2004)

Rose Marie (Wnek) Bertrand '64 has been nominated for the Women's Health Hero Award that is being hosted by the authors of Our Bodies, Ourselves publications. Rose Marie has served many women in the community as a doula, attending births for over 20 years. Ten years ago she founded Small Miracles Volunteer Doula Services to provide this service to those who could not afford it. She still continues in this capacity today. (May 2009)

Rose Marie (Wnek) Bertrand '64 wrote in to let us know what she has been up to. Rose Marie has been working as a doula in Madison for over 20 years and was featured in the Wisconsin State Journal and the Isthmus for her work. Rose Marie married Michael Bertrand in 1970 and has two daughters, one whom is becoming a certified nurse midwife and the other is a student at UW-Madison. Rose Marie also wrote about her work in the Maternal Infant Program in Madison, which is a half-way house for mothers and mothers-to-be; she cited Sister Esther Heffernan as a strong influence on her career choices. Thanks for the news Rose Marie!  (May 2005)

Kate (Runde) Huston ’66 retired from the Milwaukee Public Library after 37 years, the last 15 as the director. A terrific article on Kate and her accomplishments appeared in the Milwaukee Journal on June 28th, which is available at Milwaukee Journal Sentinal. (July 2006)

Here is what Susan Hereley '65 wrote us:

"This was the best major you could choose--it makes you everyone's first choice for a partner for Trivial Pursuit!! I went into Social Work following graduation, first with Dane Co. Dept. of Public Assistance, then gave in to my Mother's cousin's pleas to come home and worked for McHenry Co. Court Services Dept. (where Mary Grimm McCauley, '69, still toils) for a couple of years, marrying Daniel R. Hereley of Harvard, IL on 9/30/67 and promptly starting a family: Mary Bridget (1-20-69) Paul Raymond (2-11-70) Patrick William (2-12-76) and Thomas Donald (4-14-79). Mary married DeAngelo Cooke on 4-9-94 and they have Caelyn Anne (1-30-97) Michael Daniel Thomas (7-23-98) Andrew Patrick (1-16-01) and Alexandra Evelyn (7-16-03). Paul married Suzanne Lindstrom on 7-24-99 and they are the parents of Samantha (8-13-93) Jack Raymond (8-8-00) Daniel Joseph (5-30-02) and Erik Michael (11-6-03). Patrick will marry Sara Lynn Borchardt (MBA, EC '05) in September '05 in the Madison area, where both are now living. Thomas lives in Milwaukee,WI, where he works and is a very active member of the Milwaukee Hurling Club. Busier times than ever and absolutley marvelous memories while making more! Let's hear from the Girls of '64 and '65 while we can still holler (and use e-mail, please!!)!! Love, Sue"  (October 2004)

Mary (Johnston) Garlie '66 lives in Park Rapids, Minnesota.  After many years of teaching English and Social Studies, Mary earned a Master's in Information Technology and has been the Media Specialist at the high school in Park Rapids for the past five years.  (January 2004)

Barbara (Giorgi) Vella '66 was recently featured in the Rockford Register Star newspaper in their "Get to Know Me" section. To read about Barbara and what she's been up to, go to the Rockford Register Star .  (September 2004)

Ann Grice-Knoebel ’67 has been elected to the Presidency of the Association of Collegian Conference and Event Directors-International (ACCED-I).  (July 2002)

Patricia (Finley) Ullrich '67 lives in New Caney, Texas, where she plans to retire in June 2004, after 31 years of teaching.  She was unable to attend Homecoming, as it was the same weekend as her parents'''60th wedding anniversary party.  (January 2004)

Members from the class of 1968 gathered at the Laurel Tavern in August to meet for lunch, reminisce about the old days and catch up with each other. Afterward, 4 headed to Edgewood College for a visit and to shop the bookstore (great idea!). They are: Julie (Berschens) Endres, Fran (Daspit) Klos, Kathy O'Connor (Alumni Director), Mary Lou McBride, Peggy (Huesinger) Brown, Liz (Sheridan) Topa, Kathleen (Burke) Layo, Gail (Ferguson) Schwab, Catherine Lenz, and Katie Vesperman '99. (September 2009)

Kathy (Burke) Layo ’68, Catherine Lenz ’68, Gail (Ferguson) Schwab ’68, and Liz (Sheridan) Topa ’68 paid the campus a visit on August 22. The classmates get together at least once a year and they always try and make it to campus if they can. In June of 2008, they hope to see the rest of their classmates as well, as we will be holding a 40th reunion the weekend of June 22. Alumnae from the class of 1968, spread the word and watch for details throughout the coming year! (September 2007)

Barbara Heck Bedessem '68 lives in Burlington, WI with her husband of 39 years, Bob (her beau from college days). They have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren, all under 6 years old.

Barbara is a full-time artist, painting custom ceramic tile murals for several Milwaukee Kitchen Design firms from her home studio. She also manages a local B & B when the owners are on vacation, and is learning about diamonds at Ide Fine Jewelry several days a week. She volunteers for the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, the Burlington Area Arts Council and Gallery and creates floral designs for local nursing homes. Since attending Edgewood she has owned a Gift and Art Supply shop, taught Adult Art Education Classes, and worked several years in a Floral Design Shop. Barbara would love to hear news from Pat McKearn, Pat Dolan and other 2nd floor residents of Marshall Hall!  (October 2004)

(Marie) Fran Klos ’68 was promoted to President of Malcolm Marketing Communications (MMC). In her new responsibilities, Fran will oversee the strategic direction of all three MMC offices, which include Madison and Racine, WI and St. Charles, IL. (Editor’s Note: Fran’s daughter is Edgewood College alumna, Rachel Klos ’99).  (October 2001)

Sr. Maureen McDonnell, OP '68 has completed 16 years at Edgewood College as Director of Campus Ministry. As of the fall semester 2004, she moved to half-time campus ministry and has begun a program based in Racine, WI, to prepare to be a spiritual guide for and with others. This is a two-year ecumenical program, involving 20 persons of a great variety of faith and life-choice backgrounds.  (February 2005)

Caroline Sullivan, OP ’68 helps to run a retreat center, the Bridge Between, in New Denmark, Wisconsin. The center sees nearly 3,000 guests a year and the retreat has become known for its organic produce grown in the Renaissance Garden. (October 2001)

Eileen B. Murphy ’69 has been named vice president for institutional advancement at Erikson Institute, one of the nation’s leading graduate schools in child development. Eileen will lead the institute’s major gifts and planned giving efforts and annual giving programs, and will recruit new staff to assist with new campaigns. Read the full press release from Erikson Institute...(October 2006)

Jackie Kelly, Ed.D. ’69 has enjoyed receiving the alumni newsletter and sent in a little news about herself: “My journey from Edgewood has taken me to many far away places-19 years spent in Germany as a reading improvement specialist and the past 9 years in Okinawa, Japan. During my first few years in Okinawa I returned to the classroom and then was assigned as to the school as an Educational Technologists-helping students and teachers interact with technology. This year my role changed significantly. I was selected to serve our district office as the District Educational Technologist.” (July 2006)

Eileen Brynda, OP ’69 was elected to the Western Province Leadership Team of the Sinsinawa Dominicans. Eileen currently ministers as the director of Adult Formation at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee. Sr. Eileen had this to say about her new role: “My first goal is to get to know the Sisters and the province better, with special attention to the different ways the regions and circles are working in different places. Long-term, I want our working Sisters to understand how we fulfill the mission of the Congregation.” - from the Sinsinawa Spectrum.  (May 2004)

Eileen Murphy '69 was named Director of Development for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the nation's largest pediatric organization. Eileen started her new position on March 5, 2003, and oversees nationwide fundraising programs.  She says, "I see tremendous potential in terms of expanding funding sources for the Academy, to ensure its longstanding mission of access to healthcare for all children."  (January 2004)

Kathleen Phelan, OP ’69 was elected to the Eastern Province Leadership Team of the Sinsinawa Dominicans. She currently ministers as Development Director for St. Dominic’s Home in Blauvelt, New York. Sr. Kathy had this to say about her new role: “The Enactments of the Eastern Province Chapter, 2003, set strong directions for all Sinsinawa Dominicans who are members of the Province, and with the gifts of wisdom, grace, and a bit of whimsy, I hope to be part of helping to transform these Enactments into our common lived reality.” - from the Sinsinawa Spectrum.  (May 2004)

Jean Stransky Schaub ‘69 has been appointed pastoral coordinator of St. Mary on the Lake Parish in Manitou Beach, Michigan, effective June 27, 2001, by Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing. (October 2001)

Keep those Edgewood bonds strong by submitting your Class Note today!