OHS Class of ’68 Holds Reunion

A warm glow of nostalgia enveloped the Oklee Cafe on Saturday evening, September 15, as the Oklee High School Class of 1968 held their 50th reunion. Amid jokes about hearing, memory, and more frequent trips to the bathroom, friendships were renewed and the air was alive with reminiscences. 

Out of a graduating class of 32, 24 attended (shown in photo), including two who had moved away before graduation. With spouses, a total of 40 people dined on broasted chicken, potato salad, and dessert prepared and served by the busy restaurant staff of two. 

The event was organized by class members Barb Melby, Ginny Stoneouse, Joyce Austad, Linda & Tim Whalen, Arden Lundeen, and Richard (Jake) Martell. Mick Lee had collected short bios from class members and published them in a commemorative booklet together with photographs. He also gave a short welcoming talk, remembering the five graduating class members who were deceased--Beth (Brandt) Skallet, Carol (Trulson) Hruby, Ramona (Stoneouse) Lessard, Henry Clark, and Gayle Hofstad. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this reunion a reality!

Class members who were unable to attend included Howard Bachand, Rodney Bjerklie, Karen Good, Michael Paquin, David Robidoux, LaVerne Stucy, and David Sweno. The gathering also remembered classmates who were members before moving away. These included Petey Payne, Kenny Ellis, Mike Asselin, Gaylen Sordahl, Nancy Shetterly, Gaylen Hendrum, Joanne Qualey, Greg Radniecki, Marion Hendrum, and Carol Iverson. Two others who were able to attend the reunion are Ron Bluemke and Karen (Olson) Francis.

The class decided that it would hold a 60th reunion and it was proclaimed that the organizers of the current reunion had done such a fine job that they were given the honor of organizing the next one too.

 

OHS Class of 1968 50th Reunion Attendees, September 15, 2018. Back row, L-R: Joyce (Nelson) Austad, Karen (Olson) Francis, Ginny (Lerohl) Stoneouse; Middle row, L-R: Beth (Asselin) Alderson, Richard Martell, Jill (Williams) Flateland, John Lessard, Susan (Hegge) Spong, Linda (Champagne) Whalen, Sandra (Groven) Holmstrom, Tim Whalen, Barb (Bronken) Melby, Ron Bluemke, Renee Bergeron (Granger), Marie (Nadeau) Nelson, Mick Lee, Joanne (Fortier) Hafdahl, Betty (Johnson) Leiran, Renae (Brekke) Vedbraaten; Front row, L-R: Byron Flateland, Dale Spong, Tim Swenson, Warren Solheim, Arden Lundeen.