Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 17, 2004

The 1953 graduates of the Mount Ayr Community high school enjoyed their 50th reunion on Saturday evening, May 23, 2003, at the American Legion building in Mount Ayr. The Legion Auxiliary ladies served a delicious dinner.

After dinner the planning committee of Myron INGRAM, Sherry (GRINDSTAFF) HEBENSPERGER and Mari (REES) McGEHEE were in charge of a memorial candle lighting service honoring the memories of their 10 deceased classmates. Shirley INGRAM awarded prizes -- the person who responded first with "bio" information (Gene MILLER), most grandchildren, coming from the greatest distance, etc. Myron shared a humorous reading.

Each classmate present then shared a brief review and update o their life as well as some fond, or funny, memory. The class was delighted to have Merritt and Lorene (STAFFORD) TRIGGS and Grace MOSER with them whom also shared a few comments. Lorene's first year teaching in Mount Ayr was this class' third grade "town" students and Grace was the high school home economics teacher.

Those sharing the occasion included Myron and Shirley INGRAM, Ken and Sherry (GRINDSTAFF) HEBENSPERGER, Ike and Mari (REES) McGEHEE, Gene and Wanda MILLER, Jim and Donella (MARSH) COOK, Ray and Helen (COMBS) SHELDEN, Leland and Sandra DOLECHECK, Norman OLNEY, Gene and Norma (SNEDEKER) RECTOR, Rollin and Joan (TERWILLIGER) NOBLE, Kenneth and Lois (DEEMER) JOHNSON, Hank and Phyllis (FLETCHALL) SMITH, Ramon and Deloris BEAR, Dean and Mary Jane (EDDY) STUCK, Rex and Mary Margaret (HOOD) BEACH, Jim and Patty (TIDRICK) POLLOCK, Earl and Myrtle (HOFFMAN) SMITH, Jim and Katy FARIS, and Rex and Jean STUCK.

The class plans to celebrate their 55th reunion on Memorial weekend in 2008 in conjunction with the Mount Ayr Alumni Association annual dinner meeting. Most of the graduates attended the Friday night gathering were present on Saturday night at the MACHS commons, enjoying being the honored class at the alumni association dinner and meeting.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Mount Ayr high school class of 1953 held the celebration of the 60th anniversary of their graduation on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Members gathered at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Ayr Senior Citizens Center for a time of visiting, picture taking and the meal prepared and served by Myrtle (HOFFMAN) SMITH and her helpers at noon.

Members in attendance included Donella (MARSH) COOK and husband Jim of Creston; Gene MILLER and wife Wanda of Ogden; Norman OLNEY of Albany, MO; Earl PICKENS and wife Edie of Fort Dodge; Norma Kay (SNEDEKER) RECTOR and husband Gene of Northglenn, CO; Joan (TERWILLIGER) NOBEL and husband Rollin of Branson, MO; Myrtle (HOFFMAN) SMITH of Shirley, AR; Ramon BEAR and wife Deloris of Lake Saint Louis, MO; J.R. WELLS and wife Virgie of Crosslake, MN; Myron INGRAM and wife Shirley of Kellerton, and Retha (MIDDLETON) NESS and Mari (REES) McGEHEE of Mount Ayr.

The group felt most honored to have one of their high school teachers, Grace MOSER, spent the day with them.

It was an enjoyable day with classmates sharing the news and also reading responses from several who could not attend.

Door prizes were given for several categories: longest teaching tenure for a classmate, most children, coming the greatest distance, etc.

Ramon BEAR took the "official" photo of the group.

The day's events and a 60-year memory book were planned and created by Myrtle (HOFFMAN) SMITH and Myron INGRAM.

The deaths of 16 classmates were noted and their memories honored.

Most of the classmates also attended the Mount Ayr Alumni Association meeting Saturday evening at the Mount Ayr high school.

Photographs courtesy of Ray Bear

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2013

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 02, 2016, Page 5

Nine of the surviving 27 members of the Class of 1953 enjoyed their get together on Saturday, May 28, at the Heritage Park community room.

Class members in attendance included Norman Olney, Billins, MO; Donella Marsh Cook (husband Jim) of Creston; Patty Conley Clark of Cache, OK; Mari Rees McGehee of Mount Ayr; James Faris (wife Katie) of Lancaster, CA; Joan Terwilliger Noble (husband Rollin) of Branson, MO; Gene Miller (wife Wanda) of Ogden; Myrtle Hoffman Smith of Shirley, AR; and Myron Ingram of Kellerton.

Other guests were Cindy Clark Jackson (Patty's daughter); Joyce and Rick Perry (Myrtle's daughter); Mary Lee Foltz and Theola Weeda.

After a delightful lunch and much visiting, classmates plan to meet in 2018 for their 65th reunion.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2017