Our Class after 46 years!

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Hi Gals!

Late in life I learned to build web sites. I really enjoy doing it. My husband and I  have our own domain and can add as many subdomain sites as we want. So I started West Sub as our web gathering point.

Beginning our site:
Dawn (Johnson) Bullock has been able to contact about 15 of our class members. I will post the emails up here so everyone can see what we’ve been able to collect so far. Over the next few weeks, each member will have a page of their own where we can add up-dates, pictures, and so on.

There is much more we can do with the site, if you are interested in using it. We can send notification of up-dates, keep email addresses and mailing addresses up-to-date, and share files, pictures, recipes, etc.

If you have ideas of ways to improve the site, let me know and I’ll try to incorporate everyone’s ideas.

Blessings to all of you!
Diane (Prophater) Constantine

Lynne (Strodtman) Waratuke

Letters, ,

Hi, this is Lynne Strodtman Waratuke.

I  will catch you up on my life since West Sub. Right after graduation I continued to work there. I spent my first morning on the ortho floor. Someone who worked in labor and delivery had walked out that morning and the nursing superintendent,  Miss Brady came to me on the floor and asked me if I would like to go up and work in L&D. I jumped at the chance. I  spent the next 5 1/2 years working there.

In the meantime I got married and had my first son. After I quit at the hospital because of the very frequent shift changes that were required of us at the time I went to work at the Glen Ellyn Clinic which is now part of DuPage Medical Group which has many specialties and offices all over the western suburbs of Chicago. I  worked in the pediatric department and was there for 41 1/2 years.

I will be retired for 2 years in August 2017. My husband, Tony, and I have 5 children and 11 grandchildren. I  am currently enjoying retired life by traveling with my husband, mostly vising family which is spread out from the east to the west. Right now am actually in Arizona visiting with Peggy Morrison Smiesko and her husband in their beautiful home.

Ruth Ann (Fisher) Miller

Letters

April, 2014

My husband Dick & I will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary in August.  We have 3 sons (ages 37-41). They are all married and we have 6 grandsons (ages 2-10) and one granddaughter who will be 1 year old 4/21/14!  Fortunately she is close by.

I am still working at a multi-specialty clinic. Started out as a float working part-time, but have been full-time for 14 of 22+ years. I am in the ENT department.

We spent 17 1/2 yrs with Wycliffe Bible Translators working in Papua New Guinea & Australia. My husband is a pilot so we served as support workers. Two of our sons were born overseas, one in PNG & one in Australia. We have been back in the USA since 1991, living in Aurora, IL which is where I grew up. Dick is still flying, but only on a contract basis for the past 2 years.

August, 2017

I’m still working full time at Dreyer Medical Clinic (former–it is now Advocate Medical Group-West) in Aurora. I will have 26 years there in November. Started out as a float & have been in General Surgery, urology, Castro, & then ENT for the past 11 years.

I was just thinking about our 50th anniversary of our graduation coming up next year! Is that possible?! Anything in the works? I’d be happy to help, but not head a committee to get a reunion going for our 50th!

Diane (Prophater) Constantine

Letters

Diane’s email address is: imdiane@gmail.com
Diane is on facebook: constantine.diane  and Pinterest: Diane Constantine

May, 2014

I didn’t work in nursing for very long, but most of what I did was in NICU. I started in the normal nursery and got to see it develop into a regional NICU. For one year I worked neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic.  I also served as school nurse for a Bible College in Nigeria for 2 years. The rest of my life I have used nursing as a background for pastoring, missions work, and counseling.

I married Mike in 1970, right out of Bible College. We pastored for 11 years in Rochester, MN; Tulsa, OK; and Lakewook, CO. Then we took our two small sons with us for two years in Benin City, Nigeria to work in a Bible College. After 2 years, we needed a place for our sons to attend school and ended up changing fields to Malaysia, SE Asia where we have ministered for the last 31 years. We serve the Christians here by teaching on marriage, parenting, choosing a life partner, and leadership training. We also do premarital counseling.

Our sons both work in IT and are married. Our eldest son and wife have a son and a daughter.

In my 50s, our youngest son taught me to build web sites. So one of my greatest joys is building and maintaining web sites full of information that is helpful to different groups of people.

I write and publish newsletters for missionary wives and another one for moms with children between birth and three years. I also do a lot of email counseling.

I would love to hear about you and your life since West Sub days!

Diane

Holly (Wagner) Green

Letters
Holly’s email address is: hollygreen@outlook.com
March, 2014
 I worked for about 25 years in a family practice office for 4 docs.  I was the assistant to one of them so I got to know him and his patients very well.  When I retired in December of 2012, it felt like I was leaving behind a wonderful family.  I run into patients of mine in town almost any time I am out shopping and it’s just great to see them.
 That being said, I love being retired.  The main issue with my work was that I had a hard time getting time off when I wanted it.  There was nobody to fill in for me.  It became a greater and greater strain the more grandkids I got!
Howard and I have two sons and four grandsons.  Dave and his wife Heather are global marketers for 3M and live in St. Paul MN.  Their kids, Will and Charlie are 8 and 7.  Dan and his wife Angela live for now in Winston Salem, NC.  She is an attorney and he is in his 2nd of four years as an interventional cardiology fellow.  They have Andrew, 19 months, and Weston, 31 days!
Dan and Angela asked us, when I retired, if we could spend significant amounts of time with them to help them cope.  Angela works from home but needs quiet time on the computer and Dan is at the hospital more than he is at home.  So we have an arrangement where we spend 2 weeks out of every month down in NC with them.  So far, it has worked out splendidly.   If they stay there when Dan finishes his training and takes an actual job, we’re seriously considering moving down there, too.  But we don’t want to move until they have their permanent location figured out.
Carrie Ready and I, along with Linda (Merriman) Hyink and Jane (Norton) Rathbun, got together at West Sub in October of 2009 (or was it 2008–I can’t remember) and had a blast reminiscing.  Sharon Bolin was there, too, as well as a few other teachers.  I feel sad that West Sub no longer exists.  I was amazed at the changes to the hospital when we had our tour.
I look forward to hearing from you when you have a moment.
Fondly, Holly

Kristin Knutson (Ruth Johnson)

Letters

Ruth (Kristin)’s email address is: bakknutson@hotmail.com

March, 2014

What a surprise to hear from you.  You are aging beautifully, by the way!
I will not be able to attend the festivities in May, but I hope that there is a good turn out.  Give everyone my greetings.

My history in a nutshell…I am still working full time.  I have been at Children’s Hospital of Orange County for almost 37 years now…all in the NICU…and I have loved it.  I feel like I have grown up with NICU…I first got interested in this area when I was working in Arkansas as head nurse in the nursery.  That was when regionalization and NICUs were first starting.  From Arkansas, I moved to Colorado and worked in the NICU at University of Colorado Med Center.  From there I moved to California .  I have had some great experiences and my work has been very satisfying.  All of my time has been spent in a high stress work environment until this past year when I moved to a lower stress, step down NICU area.  I am considering retirement, hopefully by the end of this year.

Bo and I have been married since 1986 and we have a 23 year old daughter.  I also have a 40 yr. old step son!…but no grandkids.  Our daughter graduated from Chapman University last May and now works in Atlanta in film production.  She loves it and we miss her but are happy that she is doing well.  Stepson is also in the film industry and loves it.

I still do some artwork, love to read and spend a lot of time ending to our garden/yard.  We have grapefruit, oranges, mandarin oranges, avocados, lemons, nectarine and passionfruit.  Pruning and keeping everything healthy and harvested is always a big job.  I also spend a lot of energy being my 97 yr. old mom’s advocate with her needs in her nursing home.

Bo and I are in the process of setting up (a non profit) Chin Venture Capital which is a way for all of us over here to help the Chins in Burma improve their economic lot.  We want to provide microloans with low interest to help them get on their feet.  We have started this project with our own money and as soon as we get our federal tax exempt status, we hope to raise money for this…so…you ll might hear from me again about this!

My brother and I hope to travel to Burma this October .  Burma has been closed for so many years and just recently, they have finally been allowing foreigners to travel up to the Chin Hills.  This will be my first time back to Burma since 1965!!!

I will be looking forward to hearing the news about everyone else.  I keep in touch with Barb Johnson Barnes, but have lost touch with most everyone else.  I am sure that you know that Linda Goetz passed away a long time ago.  I haven’t hear from Ruth Ann Miller in ages.  The last I knew, she lived in Aurora, Ill. after they returned home from Papua New Guinea.

Kristin Knutson (Ruth Johnson)

Kristen (Van Dyke) Johnson

Letters

Kristen’s email address is: kristenrichard1968@gmail.com

March, 2014

Dear Fellow Classmates,

How fun it would be to get together for another reunion, but that will not be possible for me.  So I am sending my regards and this update.
Dick is currently serving as President of Christian Medical Dental Assoc. and doing a lot of travel for them which is using most of our travel budget these days and keeps him tied to his computer most of the time he’s not traveling!  I am winding down my counseling practice of the last 18 years and praying about what to do next with good health and a passion for people’s heart needs.
We have 7 grandkids ages 18-6.  Four nearby and 2 in Florida.  We so enjoy being grandparents; so much so that we have a 5 day camp for them every summer.  The oldest is the only one graduated from Camp Mimifar so far!
We built a “retirement” home 9 years ago and I keep us busy with ever new landscaping projects, continually promising Dick that this will be the last.  Dick officially retired 10 years ago from general surgery but still does colonoscopies at a small hospital very part time.  We love to travel and various mission projects have taken us far and wide.  This summer after the CMDA international mtg. in the Netherlands we will take a river cruise from Paris to Normandy.  I can hardly wait.
God has blessed us beyond measure for all these years.  Our three wonderful daughters share their lives and families with us and we have a great church family of 30 years.
I hope to read more from you all and thank Dawn for mustering this reunion….she is always so good at this sort of thing!
Many blessings to you all,
Kristen Van Dyke Johnson

Kristen-Johnson-smDecember 2013

What to do with the Thanksgiving leftovers!  What a dilemma….not what to do about cancelled health care insurance or what to do after being laid off or what to do about an illness or a house and all we owned blown away….we have been so fortunate that I feel a bit guilty chronicling a year of blessings when so many are suffering so much.  How do we reconcile goodness with evil in a world gone so wrong?  As I once again start to write a letter to friends and family we want to stay connected to, because friends and family mean so much, I am sobered to consider the inequities in our land.  I am reminded that Jesus said we would not fix the evils of our world.  But we can offer a cup of water to the wounded in His name, and it will make a difference.  So we will continue to ask, what can we do with the health and resources He has given us to make that difference?

Our year began with the home-going of Dick’s mother, Olga.  It was a tender time as both Sara and Erica were able to provide some very special end of life care to their beloved Farmor.  Dick and I were with her when she passed, and her memorial service was a joyful testimony to the quiet and deep significance of her 95 years of service.

Dick is far from retired.  In fact, he started working in a small hospital very part-time just because he can’t seem to face the “R” word!  One would think the challenges of serving as president of Christian Medical Dental Association would be sufficient…two elder meetings a week to help in a church crisis…finishing the stairway at Erica’s…oh well, he’s busy and happy.   I, on the other hand, find retirement attractive.  We’ll see if I can pull it off next spring.  I like the idea of a couple of volunteer opportunities and maybe the painting class I’ve always yearned for.  We have one last “project” in our landscaping, and hopefully, a big trip or two to look forward to.  In October we enjoyed Dick’s 50th HS reunion in Woodstock and were very impressed at what the Academy has become since Axel and Olga attended.

The clan is all healthy and much in our hearts as we get to spend time with them all.  Karin was here with Grant & Bella in August for Camp Mimifar and a short time at Heron Island.  Grant & Bella make home-schooling sound like the greatest adventure with their art classes, orchestra and field trips.  I think they are incredibly fortunate, not to mention the lego competitions and surfing.  Eric continues to provide investment advice to seniors   Their whole family will be here for Christmas and we will visit them in February.

Sara’s family is in sort of a limbo, deciding whether or not to stay in Bristol or move to So Carolina.  Sara has become a home care provider and really likes the new job.  Scott is also happy at his new driving job …so why move?  Sara made this job change because of her experience with Olga, and we are proud of her for both.  Joe is a senior in HS and dreams of an apprentice experience at BMW.  He now rides a Harley.  He has a lovely girlfriend, and we are amazed that our first grandchild has gotten to be this old!!  Leslie is having all kinds of fun entering her teen years, playing with make-up, fashion, home decorating and soccer.

Erica has worked, worked, worked at landscaping, animal husbandry and raising 3 kids all by herself.  She amazes us with all her enthusiasm and accomplishments.  Elsa has become an avid reader, takes piano lessons and dreams of becoming a horsewoman. Bibianna continues to provide drama and delightful energy to everything she touches.  Oscar has almost moved in next door with his best pal, Trevor.  There is little he won’t try on a dare, and he almost always wins at arm wrestling with Morfar.  We get a big kick out of the rooster crowing and bossing the hens around when we visit.

Now that winter is here we look forward to snow, cutting the Christmas tree in our yard, skiing and knitting by the fire.  We are incredibly grateful for all we have been given and the hope of our salvation.  Our world may be broken, and we weep with those who weep, but the babe in the manger came to tell us that this is not all there is; it’s only the beginning of eternal life.  We wish you all many blessings in this next year.  Let’s make it count for something more than our own investment gains.

Jane (Norton) Rathbun

Letters

Jane’s email address is: j3a3r@msn.com

March, 2014

I cannot come to this one but think the 50 yr reunion for ‘just us’ would be a great idea. I missed the last one so would really like to have another one. Seeing the ‘new’ school doesn’t interest me so a neutral place would be good. Don’t know what I can do to help from a distance, but if you think of something, I am willing. We are true Floridians now as we have been here for over 20 yrs. Our 3 girls and their families live here too, along with our 7 grands(6 boys-9-16 & 1 girl-9). We have been retired for several years but I still fill in now & then at a chemotherapy office. It will be great to see you all!

Carol (LeBrecht) Williams

Letters

Carol’s email address is: treader1300@msn.com

March, 2014

Carol L. Williams, here.  Glenn and I have been in Baraboo Wi, for the past 10 yrs; our 4 kids are all married and scattered-son Jon and wife Rachel in  Chicago, daughters Jennifer and Erin and their families are in Grand Rapids, Mi-they have 7 kids between their 2 families, and Daughter Lorien and her family( 2 kids) are in Knoxville Tn.

I continue to work full time at small hospital here, in ambulatory surgery- love it!  Also found a small church in town that I love.  Glenn is retired.  Am so glad to hear from several of you!  Keep the letter going and add news if you like!

Stay in touch!  Carol

Mary Ellen (Downing) Welsher

Letters

Mary Ellen’s email address is: mewel1947@aol.com

March, 2014

Phil and I are both retired and enjoying it.  We lived in MI from 1993 – 2000 when we moved back to Auburn, MA to be there for my aging parents, both of whom are now with the Lord.  Our son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons (15 and almost 12) live in Costa Mesa, CA and our daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter(almost 5) and grandson(1 1/2) live in central FL, Kissimmee. Since we live in the north we try to plan visits during the winter.  We’re no dummies!
I gave up my nursing license a year ago, but am involved with a crisis pregnancy center.  I did counseling for many years and now serve in a different capacity.  Nothing too exciting, I guess, but we’re happy and looking forward to our 45th anniversary this summer.
It was interesting to get the info about the current school and see the calendar with pictures of some of our classmates.  I’m  glad the school still exists, even if it has evolved into something a bit different.
Mary Ellen (Downing) Welsher

Susie (Halsne) Vanderwilt

Letters

Susie’s email address is: dsvanderwilt@gmail.com

March, 2014

Thank-you for alerting me to the upcoming reunion. Unfortunately, I have another commitment during that time. Otherwise, I would have loved to attend. Perhaps the next one will work out better. You look wonderful. Would love to hear about your career and family. I spent the bulk of my career in nursing education and retired 4 years ago to assist my hubby with our non-profit organization, pursuing government grants for small faith-based and community organizations. It was certainly a paradigm shift, but I have enjoyed it. We do not have any children, but spend time with our numerous nieces and nephews, all living in Southern states. We are thankful for good health and have done some traveling, both for personal vacation and on mission trips.

Thanks again for getting in touch with me!
Suz Vanderwilt