HALES CORNERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8TH GRADE - 1956
Classmates Who Reported In
Barbara Bertram Benning
Spouse: Elden
10101 S. 60th Street
Franklin, WI 53132
Children: 2 girls,~1 boy
Grandchildren: 3 girls, 2 boys
Parents: Mother is 78, Father is 80 They both
are doing great
Occupation: She and husband own a self storage business.
Russ Berkoben
Spouse: Sharon
14861 Stonehaven
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Phone: 419-874-9020
Children: 2 girls, 1 boy, 1 step daughter
Grandchildren: 1 boy, 1 girl
Parents: Mother is 79, Father is 80 Both healthy.
They summer in Mercer, WI
Occupation: Golfs, Vice President, General Manager
- Plastics Group
8th Grade Memory: GOLF!
Alice Heilemann Breese
Spouse: Harvey
12740 W. Brentwood Dr.
New Berlin, WI 53151
Phone: 262-786-1177
Children: 2 daughters, 1 son
Grandchildren: 1 granddaughter
Parents: deceased
Occupation: Business Assistant
Gloria Zeilstra Brinkmeier
Spouse: Roger
5541 5 Kurtz Road
Hales Corners, WI 53130-1738
Phone: 414-425-2432
e-mail: <gloria@brinkmeier.net>
Children: 1 son - age 36
Grandchildren: 0
Parents: Both Alive & Kicking
Occupation: retired
8th Grade Memory: Coming early to class one day and
hearing Frank Sinatra
singing "Love & Marriage" on the radio in Mr.
O'Connell's classroom and he was
singing along with it. I also loved his reading out
loud to us Johnny Tremain.
Roger Brinkmeier
Spouse: Gloria Zeilstra
5541 5. Kurtz Road
Hales Corners, WI 53130-1738
Phone: 414-425-2432
e-mail: <roger@brinkmeier.net>
Children: 1 son - age 36
Grandchildren: 0
Parents: Mother fine, Father deceased
Occupation: retired
Ellen McNamara Checota
Spouse: Joe
3224 E. Hampshire
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Phone: 414-964-9444
e-mail: <emax2@ix.netcom.com>
Children: 2 boys
Grandchildren: 0
Parents: both in mid 80's & in great health
Occupation: Jewelry Designer
8th Grade Memory: Our Bad Behavior at the Class picnic
& looking forward
every afternoon to Mr. O'Connell's reading of Johnny
Tremain
Jerry Christianson
Spouse: Karen
14100 West Park Ave.
New Berlin, WI 53151
Phone: 262-789-1710
e-mail: <figment@execpc.com>
Children: 1 boy, 1 girl
Grandchildren: 0
Parents: Mother OK still living in same home!
Occupation: Retired banker - active palm reader
8th Grade Memory: On graduation day I broke a bottle
of purple ink on the red
bricks next to the door of the new building! Mr. Bowyer
caught me! I had to clean
it off with help from Mr. Trick, the janitor.
Susie Landmann Chute
Spouse: Wally
15634 W. Picadilly Rd.
Goodyear, AZ 85338
Phone: 623-535-9624
e-mail: <parachutez@aol.com>
Children: 2 daughters -Deanna & Melissa
Parents: Father died 1973, Mom living in MN
Occupation: Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Susie Writes:
Dear Classmates,
I am so sorry I can't attend our reunion. It sounds like a lot of fun, but w just
returned to Arizona after 10 weeks in Wisconsin this summer.
In a nutshell, life has been very good the past 40 years. I went thru x-ray and
nuclear medicine training at St. Luke's. Wally and I married in 1067 and moved to California where Wally taught. Our girls were born in 1968 and 11974. I worked part time but was active in PTA, Scouting, etc.
Wally retired in 1996 and we moved to a retirement community on the west
side of Phoenix. We love Arizona but have spent the summers in Wisconsin.
Would love to see anyone if they are in our area.
Susie Landmann Chute
8th Grade Memory: The spanking of Tom Rowland - maybe
that's why he's not
coming!
Carl Crantz
Spouse: Sandra (second marriage; married 12 years)
Updated: December 2000
Carl Crantz's home address
20858 Starshine Rd
Diamond Bar, Calif 91789
e-mail: <snketr@aol.com>
Children: 0, 2 cats
Occupation: construction defect mediator; plays a
lot of golf
Carl Called and Said:
During the Vietnam War, Carl was a Special Forces Green Beret. He can't
attend the 8th grade reunion because he's going to a Reunion in Las Vegas that
he has attended every year for the last 28. At our Reunion, Carl wants us to
remember our classmate, Alan Jensen, who sacrificed his life in Veitnam as one
of Real Heroes of our country.
Carl says "life has been good." He still has his hair & his teeth and works out
and likes his wife. They travel extensively. They have visited 40 countries all
over the world and are visiting Thailand this fall and may go to Angor Wat in
Cambodia while there. His parents moved to CA in 1960 & he has lived there
ever since, except for the service. Carl likes the predictable 72 degree weather
and doesn't miss the Midwest.
Carl regrets that people our age "missed all the fun" of the sexual revolution.
He said that he only dated girls 5 years younger & thought that you had to be
married to have sex.
He remembers doing his first "breaking & entering" with Alan Jensen when
they were 13.
8th Grade Memory: Pogo Mobile; "Let's Write" with Marion Applegate
Bob Fisher
Spouse: Joan
17408 Miller's Sawmill Rd.
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Phone: 301-416-2827 (H)
301-846-5154 (W)
e-mail: <rfisher@fred.net>
Children: 2 daughters
Grandchildren: 2 Girls, 2 Boys
Parents: Deceased
Occupation: Scientist - Head of Protein Chemistry
Lab, National Cancer
Institute-FCRDC
8th Grade Memory: Mr. O'Connell reading Mutiny on the
Bounty.
Patsy Perlberg Greene
Spouse: Rodney
8227 Se Croft Cr.
Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Phone: 561-546-4966
e-mail: <pgreene1105@aol.com>
Children: 3 step-children and 1 daughter
Grandchildren: 7
Parents: My dad died 4 years ago at the age of 91.
My folks lived in FL until that
time and after his death, my mom moved in with my
brother in Madison.
Patsy .Writes: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 I will be unable to attend the reunion for our 8th grade class. I had much more
interest in that one than the reunion for high school. Unfortunately, my
husband and I have planned a cruise that leaves on Oct. 1st.
Also I will be coming up to Milwaukee for Christmas this year. I was just up
there in June 50 it just wouldn't work out. My mother lives in Madison as well
as a brother and sister. Also our youngest daughter. I also have 2 sisters in
Milwaukee. Lots of reasons to visit Wisconsin.
My dad died 4 years ago at the age of 91. My folks lived in FL until that time
and after his death, my mom moved in with my brother in Madison.
My husband, Rod and I have lived in Hobe Sound, FL for 21 years and love it
here. I have 3 step-children and 1 daughter. We are grandparents to 7 kids. 2 in
San Diego, 3 in Houston, and 2 here in Hobe Sound.
Traveling is our biggest hobby. A 36' motorhome is our vacation residence.
Life is great and the joys we experience make it worth living. Sorry I can't
make this reunion. I truly would have loved to be there. Maybe I can see some
of you when I come north in Dec.
Sincerely, Pat Perlberg Greene
8th Grade Memory: Tom Rowland being picked up bodily
and carried across the
room to his seat
Barbara Dramburg Howard
Spouse: Howard
601 Camp Kiniya Rd.
Colchester, VT 05446-1864
Phone: 802-893-1128
e-mail: <howardkiniya@globalnetisp.net>
8th Grade Memory: Almost ordering a live alligator
as a surprise gift for Mr.
O'Connell Barbara Writes: Sorry I can't attend, but
have a Great Time!
Bruce Kebbekus
Spouse: Michele
2263 N. Mariner Beach Dr. Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Phone: 360-675-1826
e-mail: <mnbkebbe@ oakharbor.net> <mnbkebbe
@youngm inds.com~
Children: Amy - 31, Heidi - 21 forever, Melissa -
24, Mathew - 23
Grandchildren: Joseph, age 1
Parents: Mom Kebbe is weak at age 89 in Connecticut
Occupation: retired from Wall Street (GN MA Software)
1989
8th Grade Memory: Tom Rowland's ride betwen the desks
Terry Knapp
P0 Box 155 Muskego, WI 53150-0155
Phone: 262-679-9211 e-mail: <tdknapp@earthlink.net>
Children: 2 boys & 1 girl
Grandchildren: 2 boys & 1 girl
Parents: Both are Fine & are spending the summer
visiting Hales Corners
Occupation: retired Mechanical contractor - Part time
Building Inspector
8th Grade Memory: Spending most of the year with a broken arm
Marilyn Faehrmann Kraus
Spouse: Hank (Henry)
425 Peters Dr.
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: 262-547-3531
Fax: 262-548-7643
e-mail: <mkraus @groupwise.co.waukesha.wi. us>
Children: Sara -30, Andrew - 28, Katie -26
Grandchildren: Michael - 6 years, Matthew - 8 months
Parents: Father is 83 and still living on Liberty
Ave. in Hales Corners; Mother
deceased 1986
Occupation: Social Worker
8th Grade Memory: Mr. O'Connell reading to us; Class
trips; Mr. O'Connell
banging his ring on a hard surface to get our attention
-- (and Tom Rowland's).
Judy Schumski Lohman
9005 W. Waterford Square No. Greenfield, WI 53228
Phone: 414-392-1165
Children: Two Girls, ages 33 & 38
Grandchildren: 2 Girls, ages 5-10; 3 boys, ages 5-9
Parents: Mom is well; Dad is not so good
Occupation: Hairstylist
8th Grade Memory: Just spending weekends doing fun
things with my girlfriends,
Barb B., Judy C. and Kathy W.
Walter Meyers (Updated
10/11/2000)
Spouse: Donna
4445 N. Norris Ln.
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Phone: 360-279-8632
e-mail: <WalterLouis@aol.com>He only uses this
e-mail when he is in Cincinati.
Walter’s main e-mail address is: <wlmeyer@oakharbor.net>
His home e-mail.
Children: 0
Parents: Father - 84, Mom - 82 live in Sun City, AZ
Occupation: International Captain, Delta Airlines
& Hobbiest
8th Grade Memory: His memory is shot -- gone --nonexisitant!
Corinne Young Nowicki
Spouse: Thomas
S75 W15002 Katherine Dr.
Muskego, WI 53150
Phone: 414-422-0696
Children: 1 boy, 1 girl
Parents: Both are doing well
Occupation: Cashier/Sentry Foods
Karen Schmidt Reid (Updated
10/11/2000)
Spouse: Jack
2728 Bristol
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: 262-970-9669 Fax: 262-970-9669
Updated: 10/17/2000:
1645 Sir Henry's Trail
Lakeland, Florida 33809
(863) 816-1877
e-mail: <JReidKReid@cs.com>
Children: 2 boys, 1 deceased at age 10
Grandchildren: 1 boy, 1 girl
Parents: Both deceased
Occupation: Homemaker
8th Grade Memory: Darlynne Price & I sat at the
back of the classroomwith desk
lids up, eating candy cherries on a wire! (Can't find
them anywhere!) Mr.
O'Connell told me that I had a “beautiful hand” during
blackboard work! (who'd
guess!)
Karen Writes: We left WI in 1979 for Tulsa on a job transfer, and were transferred
again in '81 to Tampa, Florida. Spent the next 16 years there, and our son &
grandkids remain in Florida. We returned to WI 9/1/97 to settle some family
business. We intended to return to Florida at retirement time, but missing the kids
is too hard, so we re speeding up the process. We're moving back to Florida in
October.
Pat Roshaven
Spouse: I did not do this. No, I'm not gay - not that
there's anything wrong with
that. :)
4506 45th Way
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Phone: 561-686-4315
e-mail: <roshaven@angelfire.com>
website: www.angelfire.com, search for "roshaven"
Parents: Mother - Still 39 years old, Dad died 2/26/98
Occupation: Head Librarian for Palm Beach, FL
8th Grade Memory: Weather Maps!
Pat Writes: It's been fun hearing from you. Thank you for keeping me up-to-date.
Enclosed is a picture taken last summer on a boat ride on the west coast of Florida
(Pat & her Mother - both look the same as we remember them). My Mother lives
in Ft. Meyers. Best Wishes, Pat
Roberta Gilbert Thomson
2407 17th St.
Two Rivers, WI 54241
Phone: 920-793-1536 e-mail: <robertathomson@hotmail.com>
Children: 2 daughters
Occupation: Minister for two churches
Roberta Writes: She is busy EVERY weekend and unable to attend.
Shirley Holtz Timm
Spouse: Gordon 11 yrs (2nd marriage)
Leonard Abrahamson - 27 yrs (1st marriage)
20917 140th St.
Bloomer, WI 54724
Phone: 715-568-5056
Children: Brain - age 34
Grandchildren: Alyssa - age 5
Parents: Dad deceased 1982;
Mom (Verna ) - age 80 - Doing well - lives in West
Allis
Occupation: Registered Nurse - works at Nursing Home
8th Grade Memory: Mr. O'Connell rapping his ring on
the desk! 8th grade - was
the very best year of school ever! Field trips, chewing
gum, unique seating
arrangementsin the room, and a teacher that was the
best!
Shirley Writes: They are moving to a retirement home
on Marshmiller Lake near
Bloomer, WI., September 15. They currently live on
a farm & Shirley cans &
freezes her own produce.
Kay Nelson Wahlgren
Spouse: Robert
675 Euclid Ave Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: 630-858-2892 e-mail: <chadbridge@aol.com>
Children: Christine - 33, William - 30
Grandchildren: Not Yet
Parents: Mother - Hale & Hearty 84, Dad died 1987
Occupation: Artist - What Else!
8th Grade Memory: National Weather Maps, Being addressed as Miss or Mr.
Kay Writes: I went rummaging through "Memory Lane"
and discovered these
gems (Graduation Program, Hales Corners Chronicle
newspaper, 8th Grade Play
Program & other clippings) to share with everyone.
The originals are rather fragile
so I made copies which in some cases are an improvement
on the originals. I will
search for more at my mom's. She has some clippings
that would make great
blackmail material.
Jeff White
Spouse: Suzy
N 97 Wi 7906 Mulberry Ct.
Germantown, WI 53022
Phone: 262-255-7908
e-mail: <ejwhite@excepc.com>
Children: 0
Parents: both deceased
Occupation: teacher for 32 years; now retired;
Currently part time computer
consultant
8th Grade Memory: see attached Random Thoughts
Some random thoughts of the class of '56 *playing football, basketball & summer softball league - At the time those
memories were "the best." As I've grown older I find that other memories are
more meaningful.
*walking over to Drew's variety store on Hwy 100 for a hot fudge sundae during lunch and pretending we were all "pretty cool."
*Mr. O'Connell introducing us to literature by reading to us once or twice a
week - Johnny Tremain is one book that, for reason, I remember in particular.
*math and language arts class - As strange as it seems I really found
"diagramming sentences" to be kind of intriguing. The idea of using "rules" in constructing (or dissecting) sentences to express thoughts and ideas rather than just randomly throwing some words together somehow appealed to me. I guess structure has always been a part of my life. Its probably one of the reason that I became a high school science teacher.
*eighth grade party at the O'Connell's home in (I believe) Big Bend - I thought it was admirable of the O'Connell's to invite a bunch of fourteen year olds into their home.
*"paying the price" for forgetting to bring some supplies from home for an art class project-I, and a few others, had to write a paper during art class about some obscure piece of literature that I believe had a message that related to the need to be responsible.
*having the entire class stay after school one day because Tom Rowland was
"acting out" - I think the message was about "peer pressure" and how Tom
would not "act out" if he did not have an audience. I remember that my mother was waiting to pick me up to drive me to confirmation class. We were late. My mother was not happy. The minister was not happy. My mother didn't blame Mr. O'Connell. She blamed me and the rest of the class which, as I look back at it forty four years later as an adult, was the probably the proper thing to do.
*What do think would be the chance of a parent taking the side of a teacher over an issue like that today. I think I know the answer to that question after having taught for thirty two years.
*having the entire class stay after school on another occasion for the same
reason - (Tom Rowland's antics) and witnessing Mr. O'Connell call Tom up to the front of the room, put him over his knee and give him a well deserved
spanking - My guess is that if that happened today the teacher would be
suspended or fired and would probably be sued by the parents. Oh, take us back to the good old days when, if you were disciplined at school you wouldn't dare tell your parents because you knew you'd be in worse trouble for embarrassing your family.
*having a discussion" with Tom Rowland one day during lunch about my
"concern" about having to stay after school because of his "inappropriate
behavior" - I'm not sure, but I do not remember ever having to stay after school again after our little "discussion."Jeff White
John Brown
5047 W. Jackson Park Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53219
Parents: Mother still lives on Parnell Ave.
Occupation: Dentist
Jean West Delo
Spouse: Norman
1829 Bennett Milwaukee, Wi 53207
Phone: 414 - 744-3860 e-mail: <nvdelo@aol.com>
Bob Holz
Spouse: Jean
3913 Yorkshire Dr. SE Olympia, WA 98513
Phone: 306-459-1251 e-mail: <pnf-rr@worldnet.att.net>
Parents: Father died recently, Mother has just moved
to Olympia, WA
Dick Ostrom
Spouse: Mary
18203 E. Linvale
Aurora, CO 80013
Phone: 720-870-0535
e-mail: <DandM4542@aol.com>
Parents: Mom has Alzheimers; Dick is caring for her.
Tom Rowland
Spouse: yes
Has just moved to the Phillipines; no address yet
Parents: Mother deceased; Father lives on Parnell
in HC
& gave us this information.
Occupation: Tom had retired on disability from the
Los Angeles Police
Department., lived in CA until recently.
Glenn Schmidt
7310 Carol Ln
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Phone: 262-567-8199
e-mail: <rambo@execpc.com>
HALES CORNERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8TH GRADE - 1956
Deceased Classmates
Roberta Boldt
Nancy Webber
HALES CORNERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8TH GRADE - 1956
Missing Classmates
Bob Byrnes
Carl Crantz
Orrin Gulbrandson
Dick Peters
Darlene Price
Penny Runkel
Barbara Smith
Dean Smith
HALES CORNERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
John E. "Gene" O'Connell
Spouse: Jeanne
S90 W22950 Rose Ave.
Big Bend, WI 53130-9717
Phone: 262-662-2053
e-mail: <oconnell@ticon.net>
Children: 3 girls, 4 boys
Grandchildren: 4 girls, 10 boys; ages 10 months
to 20 years
Occupation: Our 8th Grade Teacher
8th Grade Memory: The Historical Society trip to
Green Bay on that May Saturday
in 1956. Can't remember clearly if we did the geology
field trip out as far as
Devil's Lake and Bluemond State Park that spring
as well. Mr. O'Connell's letter is
on the next page.
Lee Peronto
Spouse: Mrs. Peronto
7421 W. Ohio Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53219
Occupation: Retired 6th Grade Teacher; Band Director
Patricia O'Callaghan
5555 W. Forest Home Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53220
Occupation: Retired Sixth Grade Teacher
Mr. O'Connell Writes:
The eighth grades remained at Hales Corners until the fall of '60 when they
were moved to high school and semi-departmentalized. I was appointed
assistant principal of Whitnall (7-12) in 1962 and then opened Whitnall Middle
School as Principal in 1970. Assigned next as Principal of Jefferson and Valley
View in 1976,1 closed Valley View in 1982; was Co-Principal Whitnall HS
and principal of Jefferson in 82-83. At Jefferson I was the half time principal
and closed it and retired in June, 1984. During the late 60's and early 70's, I
taught Adult GED classes at the Whitnall night division of Milwaukee Area
Technical College for 5 years.
Our family grew from the 3 children we had in 1956 to 7 between 1957 and
1964, 3 girls and 4 boys. All attended a variety of colleges and universities in
WI and out of state. Six of the seven are married and they have provided 14
grandchildren. Their homes are scattered from New Jersey to Idaho. None are
teachers, but two have done some college level instructing in their fields.
My wife, Jeanne, never returned to her Foods and Nutrition field,
professionally, but used her skills very effectively for our benefit. She did take
a position in the local bank--2 blocks from home and with 3:00 PM closing
hours when the youngest was in the upper elementary grades. She retired in
1986 when the bank was still 2 blocks from home but the business hours were
much longer! We both did a lot of community volunteer work with church,
scouts, library board, municipal, and school district committees. I was the
Municipal Judge for 17 years, and ran unsuccessfully, one time, for the State
Legislature.
I remained active in Naval Reserve until I was placed on the retired list as a
Commander in 1972. This meant attending weekly training drills and 2 weeks
of active duty during the summer until 1972. This service allowed me to be
qualified for a Defense Department retirement at age 60.
About the time you left 8th grade, teacher associations were becoming
organized for collective bargaining and I became active in the Whitnall Area
group which became part of the Wisconsin Education Association. Principals
were not part of this organization, so in 1962, I the became active with the state
and national principals' association and served on various committees and
boards.
After retirement, I was invited to become a member of the Milwaukee Area
Retired Teachers' Association and the Wisconsin Retired Educators'
Association. Volunteer committee assignments followed quickly and
eventually, I served as state president of WREA from 1995 to 1997. I remain
active on some committees of both the WREA and the state AARP, through the
National Retired Teachers' Association, a division of MRP.
The Navy only partially fulfilled the promise that I might see the world, but it
did provide a good start. We began family camping in the mid-50’s and have
continued. While still in education, spring vacation camping trips permitted the
most flexibility and togetherness--we couldn't compete with summer jobs after
about 1966, but we did manage to do the Spokane Worlds' Fair in 62 as a
family and the one in Montreal in '67, as well. With great confidence in the
older children, we left the seven of them at home and flew to Europe to tent
camp 7 weeks and celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in 1975! The
following year we moved up to a small self-contained RV and now have the
3rd and much larger one. It is now our winter home in the southwest and allows
us to visit elsewhere around the country in better weather. Used our RV#2 for a
7 week trip to Alaska in 1987.
With wanderlust as part of my makeup, soon after I retired I was able to
establish an association with a Hales Corners travel agency as an part-time
outside travel consultant. The time I spent away from teaching in the early 50’s
working in the passenger department of the Northwestern and Union Pacific
Railroads gave me some experience and insights I was able to use. Many
friends and acquaintances allowed me to assist them with travel planning. I
have organized and escorted groups traveling in the U.S. and abroad. There
have been many opportunities for my wife and I to see much of the world, as I
had always hoped to be able to do.
God has blessed us with a vibrant, loving family, exceptionally good health and
memories of stimulating interactions and friendships with a great many
individuals. These have been very rewarding. Our interests are varied and we
spend a lot of time outdoors, gardening at home and bird watching and biking
wherever we are! We still live in the large home we moved into here in Big Bend
in 1963 and will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary here in June, 2001!