60th Reunion

Reunion of the Spring Valley School's 1940-41 Kindergarten Class

July 9, 2021, 80 years ago!

The following was written by Mary Louise Olson, a surviving member os this Kindergargen Class

The idea of kindergarten classmates through high school graduation being together once again was probably just a "pipe dream". But it could happen and it did! On July 9, 2021, six of us were at the steps of OUR school (1941-1953). Some family members were there as well, and smiles with greetings were everywhere. A present Spring Valley, Wisconsin school staff member met and escorted us to the room where it all began. Absent was the fireplace that we as kindergarteners thought was very special. Now the building is coming down and evidence of destruction was the present day condition of the classroom.

One classmate brought the report card that was used by our teacher, Miss Henreita Wessels. It didn't seem particularly outdated, because our "mental habits, physical characteristics, and social attitudes: were evaluated by the teacher. We had projects like "our pets, good manners, home and family, birds, health, seeds on plants and trees, and gardening." Obviously, the school year was filled with real learning. Considering that a war was being fought with local folks in harm's way and a major Spring Valley flood occured in September of 1941, reality did inflict learning in our class.

As the remaining six class members, we mentioned the names and recalled memories of classmates no longer with us. A poem that had been taught was recited. We had all learned to play a tonette and soon we heard one played; a song was sung from memory. We remembered to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, albit as we learned it in 1941, minus the added line known today.

What a blessing! The six of us could look back and smile at one another with an appreciation of long lives and positive learning from the start, thanks to our community of Spring Valley. Wisconsin

On July 9, 2021, the survivors of this group gathered for another reunion at the Spring Valley High School building where they attended Kindergarten and then went on to graduate from Spring Valley High School.

Kindergarten students in Spring Valley - 1940-41 School Year

Front Row: Margaret Bemis, Bob Meier, Barbara Moore, Mary Olson, Jeannine Nord.

2nd Row: Nadine Olson, Bob Schlatwater, Dale Brooke, John Kirk.

3rd Row: Tom Forthun, Joe Thome, Duane Olson, Richard Lowater, Dick Weghorn.

In 2021

…and those surviving 80 years later - taken in front of the same building!

And, inside the same room they attended kindergarten.

This group spent 13 years together attending school in Spring Valley - graduating in 1953.

Back in 2015!

Dick Lowater, Margaret Bemis, Mary Olson, Bob Meier, Duane Olson, Dick Weghorn, & John Kirk

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60th & 62nd Reunion Photos

62nd Reunion - August 7, 2015, Orchard Restaurant, Baldwin, WI

Lucille Holerud Gedatus, Richard Lowater, Virginia Woodmansee Holerud, Norbert Jensen, Anita Iverson Spence, Richard Weghorn, John and Barb (Brandt) Kirk, Janet Gavic (behind John & Barb), Mary Louise Olson, Shirley Olson, Jim Price, Margaret Bemis Neidermeyer, Bob Meier, Duane Olson & Minnard Hojem.

Elaine Hojem (Minnard's wife)

Norbert Jensen, Shirley Olson, Jim Price

Craig Olson, Norbert Jensen, Shirley Olson

Lucille Holerud, Virginia Woodmansee

John & Barb (Brandt) Kirk, Bev Danielson (Jimmy's wife)

Myrt Lowater (Dick's wife) & Norbert Jensen

60th Reunion - August 2, 2013, Orchard Restaurant, Baldwin, WI

Front (kneeling): Minnard Hojem, Dick Lowater, Dick Weghorn, Bob Meier, Jerry Mattison
Back: John Kirk, Mary Olson Olson, Colleen Ingli Roe, Mary Rudesill Place, Norbert Jensen, Duane Olson, Barb Brandt Kirk, Dave Stein, Irvin Bowen, Shirley Olson Olson, Dale Brooke, Anita Iverson Spence, Virginia Woodmansee Holerud, Kathleen Kannel Smith, Rosalie Holden Meier, Lucille Holerud Gedadus, Jim Price, Jim Duberke
Photographer Don Blegen

Jim Price & Jim Duberke	Carol Meier, Tom & Rosalie Meier, Dick Weghorn
Jim & Diane Duberke	Mary & Red Place
Tom & Rosalie (Holden) Meier	Dick & Barb Weghorn
Duane & Kathy Weinke	Dave Stein
Norbert Jensen	Colleen & Dean Roe
Edith & Minnard Hojem	Barb (Brandt) & John Kirk
Irv Bowen	Dick Weghorn
John Kirk & Irv Bowen	Minnard Hojem
Mary Louise Olson	Dale Brooke & daughter Nancy
Lucille Gedadus & Virginia Holerud	Anita Spence
Kathleen (Kannel) & Dan Smith	Jerry Mattison
Craig & Mary Louise Olson	Jim Price
Shirley Olson & Marlene Forthun (Tom's wife)	Dick & Myrt Lowater
Barb (Brandt) & John Kirk	Jerry Mattison, Duane Olson & Dale Brooke
Kindergarten Reunion Photo This group began their education in Spring Valley as Kindergartners! Dick Weghorn, Duane Olson, Mary Louise Olson, Dick Lowater, John Kirk, Bob Meier & Dale Brook