Richfield '62

Pathways & Passages

57 Years have gone by. Share your story.

Education, Work, Retirement & Things you enjoy
Family & Friends
Experiences, Accomplishments & Life Lessons
Memories and BGO's (Blinding Glimpses of the Obvious)

charles ainsworth

Then

Now

Birthday:June 23, 1944 Occupation:residential design Marital Status:Married

From charles: My life is really good... Ive been both lucky and blessed. Currently I'm self employed doing residential architectural design. My wife also works in the same field.
We love to travel together...mostly in North America and Europe. We just drive around looking at all the cool old cities and buildings.
I'm looking forward to the reunion. It should be a great time!

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David Alfred (Tosten)

Birthday:August 30, 1944 Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

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Gary Anderson

Then

Now

Birthday:October 12, 1944 Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

From Gary:Active on reunion commitee, Scottish American Military Society, Banjo Boys jazz band, Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, Fur-trade rendezvous, four model building clubs. Vietnam vet, US Navy, married 41 years to Gretchen, two daughters and a son. Assist wife facilitating unemployed network group at St. Richard's Church and School in Richfield.

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Kathleen Anderson (Hurlbert)

Then

Birthday:September 09, 1944 Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

From Kathleen:MOVED HERE IN 1968, TO GET OUT OF THE COLD AND SNOW. WORKED WITH THE PHONE CO. IN MN. AND IN CA. ALSO WITH MICHAELS CRAFTS. ADOPTED 3 KIDS, 2 BOYS AND 1 GIRL. THE OLDEST AND YOUNGEST ARE MARRIED. NO GRAND KIDS.
BELONG TO THE RANCHEROS HORSE CLUB FOR 30 SOME YEARS. OWNED A CAMPER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WENT ON CARAVANS WITH THE RANCHEROS. ALSO CAMPED IN QUARTZSITE FOR SEVERAL YEARS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. MY HUBBIE OWNED A TIRE SHOP FOR 40 YEARS AND IS NOW RETIRED ALSO. WE ARE ENJOYING OUR RETIREMENT AND OUR FAMILY HERE IN SUNNY CA. GO BACK TO MN. EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS TO VISIT FAMILY.

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Shirley Anderson (Hansen)

Then

Now

Birthday:August 04, 1944 Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Shirley: Hello 1962 classmates. Looking back at my time at Richfield High, I feel fortunate to have found two great friendships that continue today. Also, I’m grateful to one, outstanding teacher, Ms. Ruth Dittes Backstad (deceased July 2008 at 80 years of age), who made learning worthwhile, teaching shorthand, typing, and office procedures, all of which were the beginnings of my 40-year career with the federal government. She “made a difference” in a very positive way.

Ms. Dittes had arranged for a federal personnel specialist to speak to our class, administer typing and steno exams, and provide employment application forms. I have enjoyed various jobs with the federal government, initially with the Veterans Administration, years later I transferred to the United States Attorney’s Office, and finally to the United States District Court. While working, I completed evening college courses, earning a paralegal degree. But it was time to retire in 2003 when I no longer had enthusiasm for, nor enjoyed, learning new procedures and new software applications.

In 1969 I married; and while we made a home in MN but travelled through all but a few states in the continental U.S., we raised our family. We are proud parents of two children (our greatest accomplishments), a daughter and a son, who have, in turn, given us a wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law; we have one grandchild (our precious Emma is 15 months old); and we currently have one “granddog” (our little Hannah is about 2 years old - don’t know her birth date for sure as she was rescued from a local humane society).

Mike and I are enjoying retirement (despite the many ailments of aging), doing what makes us happy (time with family, friends, and travel to warmer climates). My story is very similar to most of the posted classmate profiles -- life has been good, filled with more positives than negatives. As a child I dreamed of becoming a “star”; as it turned out I am happy “being me”. Keep on movin’.

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Susan Anderson (conway)

Then

Birthday:February 10, 1944 Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Susan:
WOW 50 YEARS!!!!!! MY MOM USED TO SAY THAT THE OLDER YOU GET THE FASTER TIME GOES AND AS USUAL MY MOM WAS RIGHT. WHERE IN THE WORLD HAS THE PAST 50 YEARS GONE. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL I WORKED AT IDS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS UNTIL RUSS (CONWAY CLASS OF 61) AND I GOT MARRIED AND WE MOVED TO MANKATO SO HE COULD FINISH HIS DEGREE. WE MOVED BACK TO THE RICHFIELD/BLOOMINGTON AREA WHERE WE HAD 2 BOYS. MICHAEL IS NOW 46 AND HAS 3 KIDS AND 3 GRANDDAUGHTERS, YES THAT DOES MAKE US GREATGRANDPARENTS. OUR YOUNGEST SON MATTHEW IS 44 AND HAS 3 CHILDREN. RUSS AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 47 YEARS AND SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME WITH OUR KIDS AND DEAR FRIENDS. I SPENT 14 YEARS IN BANKING AND THEN SPENT 15 YEARS AS A SALES REP FOR A SMALL COMPANY IN PRIOR LAKE. I LOVE TO TRAVEL, KNIT, QUILT AND GOLF. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MANY OF YOU AT THE REUNION.

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Barbara Andrew (Wohlrab)

Then

Birthday:August 25, 1944 Occupation:retired Marital Status:Divorced No. of Children:2

From Barbara:

I can't believe it's been 50 years! Where did all
the time go? Yesterday I was 20, today I'm pushing 70. After high school I got my private pilots license. I did alot of flying in Canada, where we had a cabin. I had a skiing accident in Montana, so I lost my medical. No more flying!

Sold our business in '73 and moved to Alaska. We were only there for 6 months and moved back to Minnesota. Lived in Annandale for two years and moved to Florida. I spent the next 20 years in Florida where I raised my kids and worked as a manager for a small newspaper in Stuart, Fl.

I got divorced and ended up in Minnesota again. I was in Minnesota until last year when I moved back to Florida to be with my family. I have two children and five grandsons. I have been enjoying my time with them. I don't think I will be moving anytime soon. I won't be able to make it to the reunion. I will miss seeing all of my old classmates. I know you will all have a great time!

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John Bakke

Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From John:Navy Vietnam San Diego state Holliday company owned 2 companies still working part time live to work

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Bob Barsness

Then

Now

Birthday:March 31, 1944 Occupation:Community Banker Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

From Bob: Graduated 1966, St. Olaf College, Married Gail Lageson, 1966, Retired Major USMC, 1968 RVN. 3 children, 6 grandchildren.

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Jerry Beckman

Then

Now

Birthday:April 12, 1944 Occupation:Retired from Dept. of Defense Marital Status:Widowed No. of Children:1

From Jerry:I was drafted after college graduation and spent nearly two years in West Germany, so I got to see lots of Europe. After working for F&M Savings Bank in Minneapolis for five years I spent the rest of my working career as a logistician for the US Army Tank-Automotive Command in Detroit. We moved to Reno when I retired and on to Oregon when my wife's health deteriorated. I love living in the West and have friends in Nevada and Arizona. As well, my daughter and her husband live in LA.
So now I reside on a small lake with a cat (we had four at one time), am about 40 minutes from the coast and have easy travel to Portland and Reno. Though I'll probably be in Park Rapids for a couple weeks this summer, I won't make the reunion but have lots of good memories of ALL my school years in Richfield, elementary through graduation... of fellow students and really good teachers.

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