It’s official — 187 attended the Colfax/Colfax-Mingo Alumni Banquet May 26.
It was a hot but beautiful day and a great evening for the backdrop of the 107th annual Colfax/Colfax-Ming Alumni Banquet held in the Colfax-Mingo High School cafetorium. Inside was a wonderful night for the fellowship of our classmates to reminisce old and new memories for the 187 who attended. We had a delicious meal of pork tenderloin or herb roasted chicken, millionaire potatoes, green bean casserole, Apple Walldorf Salad, roll and butter, coffee and tea. Dessert was a wonderful apple crisp topped with whipped cream. Thanks to the chef Rob and his crew from the Altoona Hy-Vee.
The meal and theme, “Memories” were chosen by the 50-year class. Their class colors were purple and white, so we chose alternating tables with lavender and purple table clothes. We used the rock and roll theme with some cut outs on the tables, the curtain behind the stage and on the piano. A special thanks to Randy Briles for bringing his 1968 letter sweater to display as well.
Becky Carter, class of 1999, did 25 small bouquets of assorted flowers for each table. In those vases, we put picks with pictures of the 50-year class from their yearbook. It was a great touch. Becky made the most beautiful bouquets that flanked the podium, a perfect touch to the stage. There was a bouquet of roses on the 50-year table that is designated to each member of the 50-year class to take at the end of the program.
Shawna DuRocher Shank, class of 1993, and Kelly Wilson designed the wonderful program. Monte and Kelly Wilson, class of 1981, of First Impression Printing did the printing. Monica Hysell, Colfax-Mingo Alumni Foundation Secritary, also gave her many thank you to those who helped make the banquet such a success from my dedicated assistant secretaries — Karen Schlosser Rawlins, class of 1963, and Marianne Lester Glasford, class of 1963, President Jim Earles, class of 1986, Vice-President Mike Underwood, class of 1990, the awesome school staff that is so easy to work with setting up the table and chairs and anything needed, my fabulous 29 envelope stuffers, decorators, servers from the Generation On, Margo Lockhart Edwards for being our wonderful pianist of the evening and to my wonderful husband Terry Hysell for all your help and support. Thank you all so very much without you I couldn’t make this happen.
Tina Andrews Wade was the representative for the 25-year class of 1993 as our emcee for the night. She did an outstanding job. The program began with Mr. President Jim Earles, class of 1986, with his opening remarks, welcoming everyone to yet another great year of our 107th Annual Alumni Banquet. He gave a special welcome to the class of 1968, the 50-year class, class of 1993, the 25-year class, and a very special welcome to the senior class of 2018 on a job well done and welcome to our very special alumni association. Earles then introduced Alumni Secretary/Treasurer Monica Guy Hysell, class of 1972.
Monica began by extending her congratulations to the honored classes of 1968, giving a special congrats to her cousins Patrick Teed, Don Keipp and Alan Normandin. The 25-year class of 1993 and the newest members of the graduating class of 2018, where they can return and reminisce old memories and make new with their fellow alumni.
Old business — There are still rosters for sale, the new rosters were printed last year 2017. You can also call Monica Hysell to have them sent to you. In Colfax, they can be purchased at The Professional Hair Designers.
New business — May 26 we have 26 towns other than Colfax and Mingo represented as well as seven states. The towns are as follows — Iowa City, Otley, Newton, Knoxville, Centerville, Bondurant, Cedar Rapids, New Virginia, La Porte City, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ira, Prairie City, Coralville, Waterloo, Burlington, Boone, Linden, Mitchellville, Truro, Ames, Atkins, Altoona, Marshalltown, Polk City, Council Bluffs. The states that our fellow alumni traveled from are; Utah, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, Oklahoma, Mississippi.
It is you, that travel from all over of the U.S. that make our banquet so special. Thank you. We had many Alumni, celebrating milestone reunions his year. Magaret Krebs Kunze and Raymond Koons, from the class of 1948, celebrated their 70th class reunion. Margaret was given a bouquet of flowers and Raymond, gourmet cupcakes.
The class of 1953 celebrating their 65th class Reunion and those present were — Joan Meckley Stiffler, Vera Wagner Head, Louaine Stevens VandeLune, Patricia Schroder Edwards, Margaret Ann Millburn Clark, Donna Cross Hadsall and Darren Clippenger.
Celebrating their 60th reunion is the class of 1958 and those present were — Margaret Cooper, Delores Mcneer Linn, Charlotte Hill Alderman, Eleanor Mercer Pratt, Margaret Sickora Hird, Karen Kintz Russell, Susan Keipp, Grace Tomlonovic Brown, Bob Woodward. The class of 1963 celebrated their 55th reunion and those present were Karen Schlosser, Maianne Lester Glasford, Donna Reed Thompson, Virginia Hanke Underwood, Doris Schmitt McDaniel, Jewell Davis Gullet and Fanny Russell Landers. Other years celebrating reunion years are, 1968 — 50 years, 1973 — 45 years, 1978 — 40 years, 1983 — 35 years, 1988 — 30 years, 1993 — 25 years, 1998 — 20 years, 2003 —15 years, 2008 — 10 years and 2013 — five years.
The following are recognized for their perfect attendance over the years and deserve to be recognized;
1942 — 76 years- Betty Cross Miller
1944 — 74 years- Bette Barrett Davis
1954 — 64 Years- Sharon Tomlonovic Padgett, Marilyn Thompson Rhone
1971 — 47 years- Charles Wilson
1972 — 46 years- Tom and Terry Awtry Wilson
1976 — 42 years- Don Lester
1984 — 34 years- Christine Daft Dittmer
2006 — 12 years- Megan Hilker Langstraat
The treasurer’s report was then given and that concluded Hysell’s report.
Tina Andrews Wade, class of 1993, did a great job as emcee and had many gracious words to say to her fellow alumni. She then introduced Margo Lockhart Edwards as our pianist for the evening as we all sang the “Orange and the Black”.
Principal Todd Jones, class of 1978, introduced the seniors for the year of 2018.
Tina then introduced the class president of the senior class of 2018, Calvin Schlosser. He gave a great message to his fellow alumni for welcoming them into the association and thanks for the meal that was severed to them. He did an excellent job. Thank you, Calvin. You were a great hit of the night. He said he had heard of the alumni but, never really knew what it was about, and said it was a blast and that he would be back next year. Welcome class of 2018.
Tina again introduced Margo then played “Onward C-M” and all sang along.
The John Reynolds award, class of 1941, was presented by Virginia Hanke Underwood, mother of vice-president Mike Underwood, class of 1990. Mike and family were out of town due to the foreign exchange student they were hosting. Thank you, Virginia for helping us out.
John Reynolds was a graduate of the class of 1941 who was killed in a tragic mid-air airplane crash in December of 1965. In 1966 the award was established by his wife in his memory. John was a dynamic, fun loving, hard-working individual with a motto, “A quitter never quits and a winner never quits.” Congratulations to Raagan Van, as he is this year’s recipient. Virginia gave a synopsis of Adams accomplishments in his four years a C-M. Congratulations Adam.
Virginia continued by introducing the graduates, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents of the graduating class of 2017.
The 50-year speakers from the class of 1967 were Don Keipp. Don introduced his classmates, then talked to the fellow alumni about how things were 50 years ago. It was a great trip down memory lane. He also talked about the time he was a member of the “Noblemen”. A great band that he, Kirby Monroe, Tim Smith and Gary Vander Schel were in. Don’s talk was very interesting to all sharing many memories. There was a great surprise for Don after his talk, the playing of a song from a record that the Nobleman made. He was then giving a standing ovation……three years in a row we’ve had a standing ovation. Don was truly surprised. It was so good to hear them play again, so many memories it brought back.
Tina, then introduced Monica Guy Hysell, class of 1972, to read the memorials. Monica began with a poem, “New Friends and Old Friends.”
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Time and change-are surely the best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendships never knows decay.
For ‘mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! May die
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make mew friends, but keep the old;
Those are, silver these are gold.
By Joseph Parry
These are our fellow alumni who have passed since May of 2017;
1934 — Eileen Plummer Gardner
1937 — Leona Rowenhorst Vande Lune
1940 — Virginia Riley Chandler
1942 — Mary Elizabeth Bell Bailey
1942 — Francis Binkerd Russell
1942 — Janet Pease Wenes
1943 — Donald Dean Schmitt
1944 — James Thomas
1944 — Marvel Faidley Baxter
1945 — Patsy Owens Evans
1945 — Marjorie Hill Pierce
1945 — Joan Coppicus Hallmark
1946 — Lorna Clippenger Sage
1947 — Kathleen Sage Luther
1948 — Jean Binkerd Akins
1948 — Eldin Lind
1948 — Gordon Shissler
1949 — Beverly Conn Shissler
1949 — Richard Miles
1950 — John Schoonover
1951 — Richard Sheuy
1953 — Joe Morgan
1953 — Lila Hoy Main
1954 — Leroy Pickels
1954 — Betty Alexander Brown
1954 — Joyce Graham Brown
1955 — Jack Ward
1956 — Bonnie Williams Hoogenakker
1957 — Karen Linn Parks
1957 — Terry Pratt
1958 — Bill Robson
1958 — Charlotte Sufficool Thompson
1962 — Lee Atkinson
1963 — Orvil Williams
1963 — Toni Van Boord Smith
1965 — Craig Garrett
1966 — Larry Bearenwald
1967 — Larry Yoakum
1969 — Donald Wheatcraft
1969 — Steven O’Braza
1969 — Jerry Ingraham
1970 — Larry Osborn
1971 — Mark Main
1972 — Sandra Magg Brawner
1975 — Terry Owens
1977 — Terry Lewis
1979 — Denise Deakins Warner
1994 — Zachary Wamshar
2016 — Ty Carlson
Tina, then introduced President Jim Earles to thank everyone for attending yet another wonder banquet. It was a great night and a good time was had by all. See you all in 2019. We concluded by singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
These are the fellow alumni who attend the 2018 107th Alumni Banquet:
1942 — Betty Cross Miller and daughter, Urbandale.
1944 — Bette Barrett Davis.
1945 — Robert C. Schmitt and guest.
1947 — Joyce Wadsworth Pierce and Mr., Harold Hill.
1948 — 70th reunion, Raymond Koon, Urbandale, Margaret Krebs Kunze, Altoona.
1949 — Mary Ellen Goss Van Dusseldorp, Colfax, Jerry Kunze, Altoona David M. Edwards and Mrs., Mitchellville.
1950 — Mary Paynter Pratt, Virginia Beals Hunter, Colfax.
1951 — Duan Schroeder, Colfax, Mary Williams Koon, Urbandale, Beverly Albright Hadsall, Newton, Joe Hadsall, Marshalltown.
1953 — 65th reunion — Joan Meckley Stiffler and guest LaPorte City, Vera Wagner Head and Mr. DSM, Louaine Stevens Vande Lune, Prairie City, Patricia Schroder Edwards, Colfax, Margaret Ann Millburn Clarke, Prairie City, Donna Cross Hadsall, Marshalltown, Darren Clippenger and Mrs., Mississippi.
1954 — Sharon Tomlonovic Padgett and Mr. Colfax, Bill Paynter and Mrs. New Virginia, Marilyn Thompson Rhone, Colfax, Stanley Daft, Prairie City, Bob Russell and Mrs. Mitchellville, Bert Lawton, Oklahoma, Bill Hansen, Colfax.
1956 — Jim Warnock and Mrs., Mitchellville. 1957 Keith Russell, Colfax.
1958 — 60th reunion, Margaret Cooper, Iowa City, Delores McNeer Linn, Colfax, Charlotte Hill Alderman, Colfax, Eleanor Mercer Pratt, Missouri, Margaret Sickora Hird, Colorado, Karen Kintz Russell, Colfax, Susan Keipp, Missouri, Grace Tomlonovic Brown, Colfax, Bob Woodward, Oklahoma.
1959 — Docela Edwards Chatterjee, Coralville, Joe Hays and Mrs., Truro, Sherri Lunders Victora, Cedar Rapids, Jean Van Elsen Haney, Colfax.
1960 — Sharon Gibson Mindham, Colfax, Fran Pieart Bolton, Colfax, Chuck Gullett, Newton, Dan McNeer, Colfax.
1961 — Sandra Briear Henning, Newton, Wayne Schlosser and Mrs. Colfax.
1962 — Cynthia Sapp Newton, Rodger Brown, DSM, Pat Findley Underwood, Colfax, Bill Robson and Mrs., Linden, Le Vern Faidley, Ames, Wayne Lunders, Pleasant Hill.
1963 — 55th reunion, Karen Schlosser Rawlins, Colfax, Marianne Lester Glasford, Colfax, Donna Reed Thompson, Colfax, Virginia Hanke Underwood and Mr., Mitcheville, Doris Schmitt McDaniel, DSM, Jewell Davis Gullett, Newton, Fanny Russell Lunders, Pleasant Hill.
1964 — Dennis Rawlins, Colfax.
1965 — Judie Shepley Lafferty, Bondurant, Gene Steenhoek, Prairie City, Freddie Miller, Council Bluffs, Bill Pion, Colfax, Bonnie Hanke Herbold, Marshalltown.
1966 — Lenis Pierce Steenhoek, Prairie City.
1967 — Bob Riley, Colfax.
1968 — 50th reunion, Edward Wegele and Mrs., Bondurant, Connie Varese Laverrenz, West Des Moines, Pat Teed, Colfax, Randy Briles and Mrs., Waterloo, Donna Nichol Teed, Colfax, Pam Kintz Ingraham, Colfax, Terry Leonard and Mrs., Colfax, David Wadsworth and Mrs., Newton, Bonnie Bell Fagg, Colfax, Don Keipp, Utah, Alan Normandin, Colfax, Donna VandeKeith Huisman and Mr., Otley, Don Wing, Centerville, Fredena Lester Pion, Colfax, Susan Lester Riley, Colfax.
1969 — Gary Dunsbergen, Ira, Susan Warner DuRocher, Colfax, William “Bill” Riddle and Mrs., Colfax, Joyce Rorabaugh, Urbandale, John VanBoord, Mitchellville, Sharon Collins Samson, Newton.
1971 — Ronda Pierce Teed, Colfax, Chuck Wilson, Colfax.
1972 — Terry and Monica Guy Hysell, Urbandale, Denise Pierce Bell, Colfax, Tom and Terry Awtry Wilson, Colfax, Jeanine Husson Sage.
1973 — 45th reunion, Mark Husson, Colfax, Debra Hopkins Dunsbergen, Ira, Bob Rhone, Mingo, Phyllis Davis, Maryland.
1974 — Larry Daft, Colfax, Nancy Stevens Rhone, Mingo, Mark Bell, Colfax, Joseph Robson and Mrs., Colfax.
1975 — Craig Pierce, Colfax.
1976 — Don Lester, Boone, Lori Collister Hilker, Colfax.
1977 — Larry Debruyn and Mrs., Polk City, Shelley Raper Wing, Centerville, Joel Sage, Colfax.
1978 — 40th reunion, Todd Jones and Mrs., Dave and Kathy Daft Wolf, Colfax.
1979 — Cindy Daft Dittmer, Knoxville.
1981 — Deb Hainer Brown and Mr. Colfax.
1982 — David Daft, JD and Lori Pierce Smith, Colfax.
1984 — Kelly Yoakum, Melissia Bueher Daft, Colfax, Christine Daft Damon, Atkins.
1986 — Greg Schlosser, Jim Earles and Mrs., Darcy Collister Brown, Colfax.
1988 — 30th reunion, Christina Brown Crise and Mr., Colfax.
1991 Justin Teed, Lori Brown Yoakum, Colfax.
1993 — 25th reunion, Tina Andrews Wade, Reasnor.
1996 — Regina Rhone Teed, Colfax.
1999 — Jill Teed Dalton, Colfax.
2006 — Megan Hilker Longstraat, Cedar Rapids.
2014 — Nate Smith, Jena Teed, James Stoecker, Colfax.
2015 — Kristen Hainer, Colfax.
Seniors of 2018 Zachary Yoakum, Calvin Schlosser, Raagan VanDyk, Jessica Zahn.
“I hope I didn’t miss anyone and if I did I’m very sorry. Please let me know and I will put in a correction,” Hysell said.