Roger C. Markytan
1939 — 2009

ELYSIAN — Roger C. Markytan, 70, of Elysian died on Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato.

Born on Jan. 7, 1939, in Owatonna, he was the son of Charles and Anna (Hrdlichka) Markytan. Roger attended Owatonna High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1960. He married Joan Wagner Beneke on Dec. 29, 1973. Roger was employed with Ulland Brothers for 19 years and later worked as a mechanic for the city of Owatonna until his retirement in 1999. He enjoyed inventing and fixing things as well as working with his metal and wood lathe. Roger was a member of American Legion Post No. 311 in Elysian.

He is survived by his wife, Joan of Elysian; two daughters, Tammy (Bill) Tyrrell of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Kim (John) Cook of Brooklyn Park; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held at Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville on Tuesday, July 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and continue on Wednesday, one hour before services at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 8, at 10:30 a.m. at Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Owatonna. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.

Randall Stewart Pemberton
 
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2009 3:36 pm
 
 Email Print
1917 — 2009
BLUE EARTH — Randall Stewart Pemberton, 88, a former teacher in Owatonna, died Thursday, April 2, 2009, at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Blue Earth.
He was born in Marshall on Nov. 23, 1917, the son of Lee R. and Margaret (Johnson) Pemberton. In 1922 the family moved to Blue Earth where Randall attended school. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1935. He continued his education and earned degrees from Macalester College, St. Paul; The Gregg College, Chicago; and Teachers College, Columbia University, New York.
He was a veteran of 44 months military service in World War II with the U.S. Army Medical Department.
In addition to Owatonna, he was a teacher at Mazeppa, Farmington, East Grand Forks, Mankato and Robbinsdale area schools.
He is survived by his brother Richard Pemberton of Fergus Falls.
He requested cremation and the family plans that after a memorial service to be had near Memorial Day 2009. His ashes will be interred in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth.

 Lucille Ann Ketter (Boeke), 69, of Bourne and formerly of Fairibault and Owatonna, died March 22, 2009, at Falmouth Hospital.
She is survived by her son Christopher Scott of Queen Creek, Ariz., her daughter Ann Drazek of Plymouth, her brother Chuck Boeke of Minnesota, and her sisters Karmen Boeke and Alice Gabbert both of Minnesota. She also leaves her four grandchildren Maria, Katherine, Amy and Racelen. Sister of the late Donald, Carlos and Richard Boeke, Fern Pavek and Jean Yule. Luci loved spending time with her grandchildren. All services are private.
Online condolences may be made at richarddavisfuneralhome.com.

1939 - 2008 Larry J. Rietz of Owatonna, died on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69. Larry was born on July 23, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated (with the class of 1957) from Owatonna High School, the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Law School. For over 35 years, Larry was a trial attorney at Rietz, Rietz & Rietz in the field of plaintiff's personal injury. Larry practiced with his father James and brothers Neal and Dean.Larry is survived by his wife Priscilla; sons Eric (and Elaine) of Chicago, Todd (and Krissy) of Effingham, Ill, and Joel of Minneapolis; grandchildren Alex, Isabelle, Macy and Bodey; and brothers, Dean (and Ann) and Neal. He was preceded in death by his father James, mother Marguerite and sisters Gayle and Diane. Memorials to the Owatonna Foundation are preferred.

from Werner....

“Chee Chee” our Japanese exchange student has been located! Thanks to the persistence of Elaine Folkers, one of her “host family sisters”.

I’m including an excerpt from her email to Elaine that was forwarded to me as well as her contact information in case you would like to communicate with her.

“I graduated from International Christian University in 1962 and became
a graduate student at Kyoto University Majoring in Comparative Education.
I got married in1965 to a sociologist, Takashi Usui. I began to teach Pedagogy to teachers course in a Junior College at 1968 for 24years.
In 1992,I was transferred to National University of Gifu, where I taught Comparative Education for 10years. From 2003 on, I have been teaching education at a small private college at Seki-city, a suburbs of Gifu city.

Chizuko Nuno Usui (Chee Chee)
3-99 Kaminokura, Midoriku, Nagoya, Japan 458-0812
email: usuichi@k4.dion.ne.jp — Tel: 052-876-9027

For the rest of you that don’t know what Pedagogy is, it’s the art of teaching. — I looked it up---werner

Barbara L. (Krohnberg) Roensch
1939 — 2008
FARIBAULT, MN — Barbara L. Roensch, 68, of Faribault, formerly Owatonna, died Sunday, June 8, 2008 at her home.
She was born Oct. 21, 1939 in Wells to Wilfred and Marie (Niebuhr) Krohnberg. Barbara graduated from Owatonna High School, Class of 1957 and started working at Federated. She married Henry Roensch June 26, 1959. She was a library aide at McKinley School for many years. Barbara and Henry moved to French Lake in Faribault in 1983, and she worked part time at Hardees. Barb was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary, and she enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing, crafts, and hosting events for family and friends at the lake. She is survived by her husband Henry, one daughter Kim (Doug) Vogel of Adams; four grandchildren Katie, Heather, Blaire, and Clint. She is also survived by two sisters Bev (Ken) Bloomenrader of Owatonna and Betty (Peter) Hackett of Walker. Her parents and a son Mike preceded her in death. Memorial services were held Thursday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home with the Rev. Dave Klawiter officiating. Burial was at the Memorial Garden Cemetery, Owatonna, MN.

Barbara Krohnberg Roensch died June 8, 2008 at her home in Faribault. My understanding is that she had cancer. Obit in Owatonna Peoples Press can be read on line at www.owatonna.com

Mary Ann Seykora Westerman died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday, September 23, 2007. She had hoped to attend the reunion, and ordered her reunion book. Her funeral is on Thursday, September 27, 11:30 a.m. at St. Richard's church at 76th and Penn Avenue, in Richfield. Take Interstate 494, Exit north on Penn. There will be a one hour reviewal at the church prior to the funeral mass. Expression of condolences can be sent to her husband James "Mike" Westerman, 7033 Logan Ave. So, Richfield, MN 55423.

Thank You Grant Nelson... for posting on this website all of the biographies sent in by classmates... they are fun to read and we look forward to seeing you all at the 50-year reunion celebration for the "Class of '57" -- SAVE THE DATE - SEPTEMBER 28!

DR. Markham “Mark” Fischer 67, of New Ulm, Minn. died Wed., Nov. 8, 2006 at his home. Funeral Services were held on Tues., Nov. 14, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. Pastor Garry Grunzke officiating. Mark is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lani and Ryan Priddy of Ramsey; sons and daughter-in-law, Trent Fischer and Marisa Parzenczewski of St. Paul, Reid Fischer of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Silja Priddy, Alvaro Fischer, Gabriela Fischer; and a brother and sisters-in-law, Dr. John and Elinor Fischer of St. Louis, Missouri, and Leota Fischer of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Albert Fischer. Markham Jerome Fischer was born on February 8, 1939 in Fairmont to Hubert and Estella (Deering) Fischer. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and then attended medical school for two years at the University of South Dakota and then for two years at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After medical school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during Vietnam. After his service he finished his training in Radiology. Mark was employed by Consulting Radiologists Ltd. at New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm and Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He had previously worked at the Fairmont Community Hospital in Fairmont. He enjoyed gardening at the Fischer family farm and collecting cars and antiques.

Dr.Markham "Mark" Fisher of New Ulm died Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006, at his home. Services are 11a.m. Tuesday Nov 14 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. Visitation is 4p.m. to 8p.m. Monday and 7:30a.m.to 11 a.m. tuesday at the funeral home.---(Mankato Free Press)

Almost time for Christmas 2006 . . . grab your retirement $$ accounts, view my onlne catalogue of exotic books for sale . . . . http://www.gonzo.org/jda/toc.asp . . . and stop eating for a month !

I think you'll have a great time, even if you choose not to "afford" one of the goodies that's available . . . just e me at . . . dinsmorej@insightbb.com . . . . to find out if something in the catalogue is stlll in my inventory . . . I can ship slow, or I can get it to you tomorrow . . . depends on what you want to shell out for delivery, or how fast you need it . . .

Coming up . . . we're buying a different home . . . it's larger, and a tad costlier . . . I've already told Werner where it is, and asked him to put some photos in the Christmas class letter . . . so you can see why we've found Lexington to be a most interesting place to live . . . and, as of June, we've been here 30 years . . . could you be missing something?

John Dinsmore . . . known as Dinzee in these hyar parts . . .

I've been to at least 3 reunions and I think it has been really great as I have seen so many I would never see when I visit Owatonna, especially my best friend and neighbor thro out High school Nancy whom I missed at this years reunion,. Its nice to see all of you and enjoy talking to you. Well, I am planning to be at the 50th the Good Lord Willing. I've lived in North Dakota from 1975 and its beautiful country. My husband died 12 yrs ago. Its a small community just like Owatonna use to be. I remember working with Art E. with the sound systems at school we had lots of funny things happen. Of course the wrestlers was the best when we went to state. Enough for now. Cant't wait to see everyone again. Claire Dushek Molle.

Our classmate Nancy Sullivan Kirkwood died June 21, 2006 at her Owatonna residence. Nancy is survived by a daughter, Kelly Fleming of Austin and a son, Michael Kirkwood of Mankato. Her husband, Darryl, had died in 1980.

We will miss her.

Here we are in May 2005:

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~parkerr/gonzo/

Please note that our former Macintosh computer, pictured herein, has been replaced with an iMac G5, which also does the dishes and mops the floor . . . the large fridge is NOT for cuisine . . .

Since I cannot be present for the 2007 Class of '57 50th Reunion Bash, I am planning a surprise for those of the class who are in attendance. English will be spoken (most of the time).

Almost forgot to share this with the Class of 57:

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~parkerr/jda/minne1.htm

Web message was created by a close friend, Robbie Parker, who inhabits Winnipeg, and who visits here with fervor and a passion for chilled beers . . . he labors at the University of Manitoba, where he knows more about computers than I ever learned . . . and then some . . .

Don't read this if you blush easily . . . it's about the U of Minnesota . . . and Mpls. bars I frequented, that are still in business . . . ! Photos by Zeta Psi brother Don Olson, who still lives in Mpls., and drinks there too . . .

Your reunion committee met May 10th and scheduled a two day event filled with "walks down memory lane" and opportunities for connecting with high school friends. We start Friday by having a float in the homecoming parade. The people in Owatonna will know that the Class of 57 is back!!Later we will join in pre-game pep rally tailgate athmosphere at the HS and sit together at the game. Wonder if we could coax our cheerleaders to come out of retirement for one last hurrah! After the game we have reserved the back room at the Elks to enjoy a drink and light snacks with old friends. Sat AM starts with a breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn. We will have a private room reserved from 8 to 11AM in order to allow extra time to linger and visit. For those so inclined there will be a 10AM a tour of OHS. Pending approval of HS officials, we will have a box lunch at the HS with our teachers invited. Sat PM choices will include a bus tour of the City, the 1st(and probably the last) 5.7k run/walk on the trail system, or golf. Saturday night we will gather at the Owatonna Country Club for the closing banquet and awards ceremony! The OCC has been completely rebuilt and is a beautiful facility. This falls in the category of a "once in a life time event" and you don't want to miss it!!!! Your first notices should arrive in the mail shortly after the 1st of the year.

Thanks for all of the work you are doing on our website! I don't think you have left anything out!

Edited by author 03-25-2006 01:51 PM

New Message Board Update and What this NEW message board can do?

>>> Here you can communicate with your classmates who have similar interests.
>>> You can ask questions or leave a message giving us a sense of “Community.”
>>> Tell us what you are thinking about the Reunion planning and our website.
>>> If you like, include a small photo with your message... [1.5 x 1.5-inch]

>>> Welcome Aboard!…

>>> Do you have special memories from when we were kids? Share them with us.
>>> You can tell everyone what you've been doing for the last 50 years.

This MessageBoard will be used by the reunion committee to keep everyone posted on new developments and to get your feedback as we progress to Homecoming 2007... our 50th Reunion... September 28-30, 2007!

>>> Feel free to read the messages, or leave one for your fellow classmates.

Please keep messages relatively short, and on topics applicable to OHS Alumni. Please keep messages civil, and free of profanity, enjoy and come back often!

R e a d O l d e r M e s s a g e s | R e a d N e w e r M e s s a g e s

Edited by author 03-23-2006 12:38 PM
Picture Album of 45th Reunion by John Fait is posted and can be viewed in the Photo Gallery... and pictures submitted by Denny Grubish of school days at St. Mary's is ready for viewing as are a few photos of recent get togethers... Coming Soon... A few photos from the 1957 Totem will be featured on the Photo Gallery pages for your viewing pleasure...

I just realized that we are missing an address for Jim Peterson as well as Wanda Ballou. Anybody know anything? Let me know.

SAVE THE DATE — SEPTEMBER 28th
SAVE THE DATE — SEPTEMBER 28th
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SAVE THE DATE — SEPTEMBER 28th
SAVE THE DATE — SEPTEMBER 28th
SAVE THE DATE — SEPTEMBER 28th

Jeff Dalhine, OHS Activities Director, has just informed me that OHS Homecoming in 2007 will be Friday, September 28. Opponent will be Austin.
Our 50th reunion activities will be planned for Sept28-30. Mark your calendars!

we have changed carries to dgrubish@centurytel.net denny grubish

Wilma Mollenhauer Richardson's death December 14, 2005 has been reported in the Peoples Press. Her obit will be added to the memorial pages.

Good fortune remains an SCCA Formula 500 racing schedule taking shape for 2006--Sebring, Homestead, Atlanta, Memphis, St. Louis, Topeka, Elkhart Lake, Watkins Glen, January through June, enough legal business to cover the racing, and a healthy granddaughter, age 2. Anyone close by is welcome to crew, and anyone in contact please pass this invitation on to Dutch Reich. Jack (jwalbran@earthlink.net or 314-962-9989

Thanks a million for all the work that Werner and Hal are doing. Great ideas. Can't wait till 2007.

I want to thank Werner and Hal for the outstanding job they have done towards pulling the class of 57 together nce again. Although I have never attended a reunion I hope to make the 50th, the good lord willing.

Art "Ike" Enzenauer

All the credit for this website should go to Hal! It was his idea and he has done all the work. More exciting things are in the works. Memorial pages for deceased classmates should be available soon.

Thanks Werner for all the time and work you have put into this project.

thanks john
>
< replied-to message removed by QT >

New phone number (11/05) is

(859) 327-3466

If you call here and identify yourself, I will get your number and call you right back. Our new Insight phone system provides unlimited long distance in North America, for a single low monthly fee.

I already handed out the new email address. Carol and I still are in the same grand home in Lexington, KY.

New email address:

dinsmorej@insightbb.com

All else stays the same. Wish some of you were here to enjoy autumn in Kentucky . . . it's exciting, and gorgeous. I recall writing about BOOTLEGGING for a Helen Steppe speech class, and Kentucky was the theme state. Not that way any more, but I once got a JUGFUL of moonshine from a friend who had become Kentucky Secretary of Transportation. Didn't TASTE bad at all . . . but I don't recommend it.

(Class of ’57 Classmates)
Hello There… this is just the beginning of the Class of ’57 website… watch us grow… we can keep informed and have the ability to keep in touch with each other throughout the coming years… send us your ideas and comments so we can grow together.

Also, the 50-Year Reunion, to be held during Homecoming Week of 2007 is a great idea… Maybe we can be part of the Homecoming parade, should we have a tail-gate party before the game, or reserve a section for seating… oh, what wonderful memories, conversations, and connections we can make… connections that will live on forever.

This is slated to be one of the best of the many past reunions that have been organized by the hard-working group of volunteers on the Reunion Committee. These volunteers, will chair committees, handle all the mailings and reservations, make phone calls, search for “Missing Persons,” and do many other miscellaneous jobs to make this a reunion to remember for us all.

I can attest to their dedication and desire to gather as many former classmates from the OHS Class of ‘57 as possible for a fun filled weekend that will reunite them with their friends from long ago. They have succeeded in doing that as a committee at every past reunion.

I think it would be a nice gesture for each of you who are planning on enjoying this, our 50th reunion, to contact Werner Knuth (wwknuth@hotmail.com) to express your gratitude and if you have the time, volunteer to be part of the Reunion Committee and let me be the first to say… “Welcome Aboard.”

The Reunion Committee deserves a great big thanks for always working so hard to make these events a good time for everyone and the 50th reunion for the Class of ’57 promises to be a spectacular event. Stay in touch… ~Harold "Hal" Cassen <caminohal1@yahoo.com>

In a message dated 9/24/2005 2:40:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, qtopic+31-EBL9rsuSRGBQ@quicktopic.com writes:

I've spoken recently to the OHS activities director. I had hoped to get a date for 2007 Homecoming at OHS, but no such luck. The
Big 9 conference hasn't had their draw yet. He thinks now not
until after the 1st of year. He did confirm once again that it
will either be the last weekend in Sept or 1st in Oct. We will get serious about reunion planning next spring.



Thanks Werner. Next spring will be here before we know it. Ilene Bennett Meade

Werner... Thank You for that, yes, we will continue to refer to the date for the Class of '57 Reunion as Homecoming Weekend... and when the actual date is known we should send out a informative letter... I will continue building the Web site and will stay in touch... ~Hal


--- QT - Werner <qtopic+31-EBL9rsuSRGBQ@quicktopic.com> wrote:

>
< replied-to message removed by QT >

I've spoken recently to the OHS activities director. I had hoped to get a date for 2007 Homecoming at OHS, but no such luck. The Big 9 conference hasn't had their draw yet. He thinks now not until after the 1st of year. He did confirm once again that it will either be the last weekend in Sept or 1st in Oct. We will get serious about reunion planning next spring.

Hi Abe... the Home Page is design only - not functional at this time... When we get unpacked I will get back to it and get it working... Hal
--- QT - Abe Abraham <qtopic+31-EBL9rsuSRGBQ@quicktopic.com> wrote:
>
< replied-to message removed by QT >

How does one access all the links as shown on the Home Page?

This is a great way to keep up on our friends. I am very excited about our 50th reunion. Hello to everyone and I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

Hal and the Class of '57 Gang,

Glad to see a real live project getting underway for our class. While it was a rather large relief for me to graduate from OHS, and leave Owatonna, as I look back, I did indeed have some good times while there.

A few things whose memories I cherish:

Working at Christgau Drugs downtown (no longer in business), and driving their Henry J auto to make deliveries. I also swiped booze from the store's cellar!

The old swimming hole out by the Owatonna Country Club.

Drinking beer at Mineral Springs, any day, any time of day. (are you picking up on a theme?)

The position of my HS locker, very near the south door, for fast escapes.

Countless trips out of town to Faribault (do you know that Marlon Brando attended Shattuck as a kid?), Waseca, Austin, Rochester, and a senior-year trip with pals to Wisconsin, where 18-year-olds could quaff beer.

MANY trips to the Springmeyer and Jurgensen family lake cottages on Lake Frances at Elysian, where I learned to water-ski and really enjoy the summertime.

Swiping 190-proof alcohol from Christgau's, using a stolen hypodermic needle to inject a watermelon with it, then taking said watermelon to the Owatonna football team bench (with Jim McIntyre) during a game, so the team could get "pepped up" for the game!

The Senior Prom, with Paula Jurgensen . . . a fantastic night!

Being told, in the principal's office by "Imbo," that I had a "warped' sense of humor! (and how LITTLE he knew)

Hearing, during a final assembly of my senior year, that all but one person, out of the top 10% scholastically in the Class of 57, were elected to the Honor Society. Now WHO was that? And why?

My news in spring 1957 that I had won a scholarship to Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland. Do you realize that all 8 members of the Pledge Class to SAE I had belonged to while at Case, were here with their wives at our home in Lexington, in June 2003, for a reunion to end all reunions?

Favorite teachers at OHS were, in no particular order, Len Bennett (English), "Ace" Earheart (Art), Helen Steppe (Speech), Chris Kristo (Solid Geometry and Trig), and Tom Burns (Latin, veni, vidi, vici).

Favorite thing to do at OHS = wait for night, and FUN!

Favorite classmates, then and now: Paula Jurgensen, Werner Knuth, Tom Springmeyer.

Would I change anything I did, if I could? = NO!

John Dinsmore
3527 Willowood Road
Lexington, KY
859-271-8042
dinsmorej@earthlink.net
wife = Carol puppy = Jake

Thanks Hal!
Paula

I believe this is a great improvement over the "Classmates" website where we had to go to find out who is active in anything. I look forward to your getting the site completed so we can put bio's and other info on it. You have taken on a very large project and one that can become very time consuming. I for one salute your tenacity in doing tis for your former class mates. It would very interesting to see all 197 of us in the class of 1957 listed on htis site. Go Indians!

Arthur Enzenauer
aenzenauer@cox.net

I haven't checked the website out completely.

I do have a suggestion. Whenever anyone posts make your writing easier to read by putting in paragraphs & have a blank line between the paragraphs.

It is amazing how much easier on the eyes. If you have any questions how to do this, you can ask here or email me privately at HatladyMN@aol.com.

Thanks Hal for putting a lot of time into getting this website up and running!

Looking good Hal

INTRODUCTION — Hi!… Let me introduce myself. I'm one of your former classmates, Harold “Hal” Cassen. I'm excited to be responsible for creating and maintaining this class website. This will be the official website of the Owatonna High “Class of ’57.” My hope is to make it as easy as possible for our classmates to get in touch with old friends they haven't seen in years, and even meet some former classmates they didn’t even known in high school. As we progress, you'll have the opportunity to read the biographical information submitted by members of the Class of 1957, link to other interesting websites, and possibly connect with friends who've never been to one of our class reunions. Well, this is the 50th… It's about time, don't you think? This is where you will find names, biographical information, and e-mail addresses for classmates, as well as other news and information of interest to our class, such as reunion details and updates. Be sure to bookmark this page as “Favorites” and check back often to see Who's Who and What's New! The date for our 50th-Year Class Reunion is planned for Homecoming Weekend. Please keep this date open so you can attend! The actual calendar date to-be-announced… If you would like to be involved on the reunion committee, or have suggestions, please send an email to Werner Knuth, at: (wwknuth@hotmail.com) If you have any questions, problems or suggestions for our website, send an email to me at: caminohal1@yahoo.com… Thank You… “Hal” Cassen