Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project ~ MACHS Class of 1969

The MACHS class of 1969 celebrated their 40th reunion during Ayr Days. Several of the classmates were among the first babies born at Ringgold County Hospital which opened April 17, 1951.

In January the hospital will no longer be at its original location where several of the classmates were delivered. Thus some classmates met at the place where they entered this world for a photo.

Other classmates of MACHS class of 1969 who were born at RCH are Weldon ABARR, Ruth ALLEN ZAHNER, Robert COULSON, Cecil DOLECHECK, Marvin CANNON, Steve CLOUSE, Harold CRAWFORD, Pam DEEMER HECKATHORN, Kathy DUFFIELD RAINS, Diane DULANY SHARP, Kathy EGLY McFARLAND, Beverly EPPS, Gene LESAN, Linda MAY HUNTSMAN, Kathy HARVEY HERRON, Louise PALMER DONALD, Danny QUICK, Neil RINEHART, Terry SMITH LINIGER, Larry RICE, Steve ROE, Juanita RINNER SPENCER and Danny WEBB.

The very first baby born at Ringgold County Hospital on April 19 was Janet DENNIS of Mount Ayr. She moved away before entering high school at MACHS.

Ed ADAMS was the first boy born on April 22. Steve ROE, born on April 23, and Danny WEBB, born on April 24, were among the "First Ten Babies" born at RCH.

Kathy HARVEY HERRON was born May 13 which was Mother's Day that year. Her mother, Joan HARVEY, a longtime employee of the hospital, was also a Mother's Day baby. Kathy was a good friend of Janet DENNIS and remembers there were lots of gifts bestowed upon her for being the first baby born. Kathy also remembers working hard as an aide at the hospital two summers before she graduated from MACHS.

Two classmates who were once newborns in the nursery are currently employees of RCH. Steve ROE is the hospital pharmacist and Linda MAY HUNTSMAN is an acute care/ER nurse.

Some of the classmates have always resided in this area. Other classmates traveled from as far as the coast to reconnect with those they were born with and attended school with.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 26, 2014

Class of 1969 holds reunion

Those attending the 45th reunion of the Mount Ayr Class of 1969 include:

FRONT ROW, L-R: Barb Kibbe Foland, Louise Palmer Donald, Karen Blunck Payne, Diane Sickels Case, Verlene Denny Cannon, Rodney Bastow, Martha Terry, Rita Barker Hunter, Cindy Harover and Linda Hill Foltz;

SECOND ROW, L-R: David Jarvis, Janet Bradley Haley, Danny Knapp, Helen Angus Pollock, Kathy Duffield Rains, Becky Long Cook, Linda May Huntsman, Cindy Brand Snethen, Chris Huff, Peggy Terwilliger Barnes, Kathy Egly McFarland, Terry Smith Lininger, Alan Fetty, Sharon Pedersen Carr, Kathy Harvey Herren, Cherri Woollums Hainline, Junaita Rinner Spenser, Weldon Abarr and Dan Quick;

THIRD ROW, L-R: Rick Knapp, Harold Crawford, Tom Pollock, Curt Lininger, Larry Rice, Danny Webb, Cecil Dolecheck, Chuck Jackson, Steve Roe, Mike Walkup, Janet Barker Knedler, Barb Saltzman Foy, Kathy Wurster Russi, Tim Irving and Connie Ryan Ferguson.

Missing from the photo but in attendance were Joe Gepner, Tom Parker, Randy Sobotka, Marvin Cannon and Billy Wilson.

1969 MACHS 45th Class Reunion

The MACHS Class of 1969's reunion, held at the Mount Ayr Golf & Country Club, culminated in a dazzling display of emceeing excellence executed by Rodney Bastow, whom former English and Theater teacher Bill Hohlfeld dubbed the next "Daily Show's" John Stewart, on Saturday, June 21, 2014.

In reality, the 50 graduates who attended, plus their spouses and seven honored former MACHS employees - Fred Stark, Donella Jackson Johnson, Guelda Barker, Kay Pritchard, Bill Pritchard, Bart French and Bill Hohlfeld - were entertained by answers to such deep philosophical questions as: "How long did you teach at Benton?", "How much was your starting salary?", and "What did you think of Vance Geiger?" These and other questions put the teachers on the spot and tested their acumen, but they all came through with flying colors. The total attendee count, including graduates, spouses, and special guests, was 90.

A wonderful buffet dinner of roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, pasta salad, fruit salad, and a selection of three cakes was provided by the Tingley Cafe.

Rita Hunter and Janet Knedler expertly led a highly capable team that included Linda Foltz and Connie Ferguson, who insured the evening proceeded without a hitch. Special guest Billy Wilson, former elementary schoolmate, provided music and sound support equipment for the evening. Rodney Bastow's services were procured at enormous expense.

The 50th reunion was tentatively set for the Memorial Day weekend of 2019 to coincide with the Alumni Association's traditional recognition of 50 year graduates. Linda Foltz will head that team, with Janet Knedler and Connie Ferguson assisting.

Ten of our fellow classmates have passed on, and they were honored with a table bearing their graduation photo and a moment of silence in their memory. R.I.P.

Allan Triggs, Edie Minnick, Becky Skarda, Steve Shiflett, Jerry Kneedler, Larry Roach, Diane Weeda, Ivan Grout, Jim Dukes and Gary Holly.

Photograph courtesy of Steve Duros

On Friday evening, June 20, graduates of 1969, plus 1968 & 1970 and several former faculty, were graciously hosted with a social gathering at the home of Rita and Larry Hunter, which was catered by HyVee. It was a great way to mix and mingle with friends from different classes and allowed more time together sharing stories in a less formal situation than is afforded by the actual reunion dinner event itself.

On Saturday afternoon, many graduates took advantage of special tours, including the newly refurbished Princess Theater, built by Ron Landphair. Martha Landphair provided an excellent tour of all the facilities and explained the ingenious methods that the Princess Theater utilizes to be able to serve as a venue for both movies and live performances.

Clint Poore guided a tour of the new high school that none of the graduates had set foot in before as students, since their hallowed halls are now dust. Such luxuries as 3 gynmasiums, open seating canteen area, and elaborately equipped weight room were commodities not even contemplated when the '69 grads atended school.

Last stop was the Train Depot, which contained a vast array of memorabilia dating back many decades. Of particular interest were the 4 yearbooks that comprised the Class of 1969's high school years, plus many other photos shot of events during that time frame. Mike Avitt is the hospitable and knowledgeable host and curator of this museum.

Those who attended enjoyed themselves immensely and all look forward to returning in five years to renew and share these cherished friendships and memories.