Northland College Magazine
Class of 1951
Henry J. Fitzgibbon visited the Northland campus during the
first part of August when he was in Ashland as the house guest of Fred and
Ellen Tidstrom '51. On campus he had an opportunity to chat with President
Michael Miller. He was pleased to see the new college gate, which fronts the
campus, and had a chance to seek out his own name among those listed on the
bronze plaque found in the entrance way of the new Mary Van Evera Visual Arts
building on campus. Henry tells us that he is
age 85 and is pleased to remain in touch with a few of his classmates
from the Class of 1951.
Class of 1967
Maria (Vezzetti) Matson is co-author of the book Gelsomina's
Story of Caesar Lucchesi, A True Tale of Italian Immigrants, which was released
on June 30, 2011 in northern Michigan. Maria is a proud Italian "Yooper" and
invites students of all ages to learn more about the Italian-Americans who
created such a rich history in the area. Visit the web site:
www.TheLucchesiStory.com to connect with Maria or check out her new book.
Class of 1970
Dwight Roepenack is a Health and License Officer for the
Village of Niles, Illinois. In 2009, he completed an MA in Public Policy and Administration
from Northwestern University.
Class of 1971
Julee Becker Drennan has returned to Wisconsin (after 26+
years in Alaska) and is now working as the Human Resources Manager for Dairy
State Bank, headquartered in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
Class of 1979
Susan Haig is a professor of Wildlife Ecology at Oregon
State University in Corvallis. She was recently presented with the 2011 Loye
and Alden Miller Award for lifetime achievement in ornithological research by
the Cooper Ornithological Society. In addition to her work on the Wildlife
faculty at Oregon State University and the U.S. Geological Survey, she is the
President-Elect of the American Ornithologists' Union and spent the spring
teaching a graduate course on animal movements at the University of Nairobi,
Kenya via an award from the J. William Fulbright Foundation.
Class of 1981
Deborah Bartl is a visual artist/photographer in
Fayetteville, Pennsylvania.
Class of 1983
Patrick Reinhart and his wife have become small business
owners in Alaska, having bought two Great Alaska Pizza Company franchises.
Patrick also works for the State on disability employment policies and
programs. Patrick invites his fellow classmates to give him a jingle if they
are planning on visiting Alaska soon. He may have room for you, or at least
guarantee free pizza. He and his wife also do an annual trip to either Mexico
or the Dominican Republic should anyone want to join them mid-winter.
Class of 1984
Tim Doyle was named to a tenure track faculty appointment as
an assistant professor of Philosophy at Northland College. He transitioned to
the new appointment from his role as visiting assistant professor of Religion
and Philosophy.
Class of 1986
Dodi (Hanes) Kingsfield is a technical services supervisor
for Cliffstar Corporation in Dunkirk, New York.
Class of 1987
Andy Rovella and Laurice Pillar were married on September
18, 2010. They reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Class of 1991
Brad Piers is a Registered Nurse. He and his wife Megan have
been married 15 years and have two sons, Will and Ben. They live on a small
farm outside of Leavenworth, Washington.
Class of 1994
Eugene Schlais is a chief petty officer for the U.S. Navy in
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He was married to his wife, Chris, on October 4, 2003.
Class of 1997
Joe and Betsy (Garbe) Meres ('01) announce the birth of
their second baby, Owen Dewey Meres, born November 14, 2010. He joins
2-year-old Ethan at home. They still live in International Falls, Minnesota,
where Joe is a county forester. They would love to see any old friends who pass
by their way.
Class of 2000
Ben Rikkola is coach of the varsity boys basketball team at
Southern Door High School. He previously coached junior varsity girls
basketball at Sturgeon Bay High School for five years and spent one season as
an assistant men's basketball coach at Northland College.
Class of 2001
Travis and Jennifer (Shefchik) Nye announce the birth of a
daughter, Lucy Lee, on November 16, 2010. She joins sisters Lilly and Emily at
home.
Class of 2002
Sarah Johnson is an assistant professor of Natural Resources
at Northland College. Sarah earned her Master's degree in Biology from East
Carolina University and a PhD in Botany from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, where she also held a teaching assistantship.
William Knoblauch is a visiting scholar/historian at the
University of Wisconsin-Richland, where he is conducting a project that
digitizes historical photos and collects and archives oral histories,
preserving aspects of history related to people and places of Richland County.
He has completed coursework for a Ph.D. in U.S. History at Ohio University, and
is completing his dissertation.
Class of 2003
Edward Hedican is a lending officer for the State Bank of
Drummond, in Cable, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Dorothy, have four children,
Zakary, Chase, Jada and Mason.
Gail Lemiec is an environmental educator at NC Aquarium at
Pine Knoll Shores. She and Michael Dickson plan to be married on June 17, 2012.
Class of 2004
Julie Culbertson recently received her Master's degree in
English, specializing in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is employed as an ESL instructor
with Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She recently became engaged
to be married to Roger Hunt.
Jeremy Ford and his wife April welcomed their third child,
Owen Ralph, on April 14, 2011. Their sons Isaiah (4 years) and Caleb (2 years)
have been great big brothers. Jeremy started doctoral studies at the University
of Iowa this fall, where he is also working as a research assistant. His PhD
studies are in Special Education with an interdisciplinary emphasis in Public
Policy. He hopes to complete his studies in the Spring of 2014.
Class of 2006
Erin Collins is pursuing an A.A.S. degree in dental hygiene.
Peter Werts is a project assistant for IPM Institute of
North America, Inc. in Madison, Wisconsin.
Class of 2007
Michael and Chandra (Pingel) Raphael announce the birth of
their son, Michael David Raphael, on September 17, 2010.
Katrina "Kat" Werchouski recently completed a Master's
degree in Environmental Studies from Green Mountain College. Currently she
serves as Northland College's Coordinator for Multicultural Programs.
Class of 2009
April BeBault is a biologist with the National Park Service
in Coulee Dam, Washington.
Sarah Bhimani is working with AmeriCorps VISTA at the
Montana Food Bank Network in Missoula.
Carrie Welter is pursuing a Master's of Social Work degree
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Class of 2011
John Graetz is the Orientation Coordinator for Northland
College. He is responsible for all aspects of the new student orientation
program, including the outdoor component, as well as supervising the Outpost
gear rental program on campus.
Sympathy to the Families of:
Maxine (Asplund) Dvorak '40 died on June 10, 2009 in
Anaheim, California. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years,
Frank Dvorak. She is survived by her four children, Carole Evans, Stephen
Dvorak, Susan Thies, Barbara Maddox; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren;
two brothers and one sister.
Claudia (Vining) Kelley '40 passed away on May 12, 2011.
Raymond O. Strom '43 passed away on September 20, 2011 in
Alpharetta, Georgia. He worked for General Electric for 37 years. Survivors
include his wife, Polly Creighton G. Strom, his daughters, Kristina and Marty
Strom; his sons, Jon, Doug, Steve, Alan and Wally Strom; ten grandchildren; and
one great-grandson.
Edward J. Miles '44 passed away on February 13, 2005 in
Newport Beach, California.
Marion (Gehrman) Abel '46 died on November 20, 2010 at
Kennedy Park Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Schofield, Wisconsin.
Survivors include three sons, Leon, Bob, and Jim; two brothers, Richard Gehrman
'57 and Al Gehrman '50; two sisters, Beverly Peters '51 and Alice Anderson '49;
four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Vivian (Stam) Nelson'47 passed away on August 21, 2011 at
Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ashland. She was married to Thomas
W. Nelson in 1946. She and Tom owned and operated Nelson Surveying in Ashland
for over 40 years. Survivors include her sons, J. Paul, Eau Claire, Wisconsin;
Larry T. Nelson, Cable, Wisconsin; her daughter, Sherri Nelson Patterson,
Ulysses, Kansas; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; and nieces and
nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, on October 14, 2005.
Dr. Louis "Jack" Boucher '49 passed away on October 5, 2010
at the Overlook Masonic Home in Charlton, Massachusetts, where he resided. He
is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn (Elsner '49); four children; Lynn, Ellen,
Carol and John; seven grandchildren; a brothers, H. James Sharp and Jerry
Sharp; a sister, Elaine Hayden; and special cousins Don '62 and Paul Chase '70,
and Jean Smart. Dr. Boucher earned his DDS and PhD from Marquette University.
Throughout his career, he was a practicing dentist, dental educator and
administrator. He served as president of seven national and international
dental organizations. He published seven textbooks and more than 90 articles
pertaining to research, education and prosthodontics, and lectured in the
United States, Canada and South America. The family has designated that
donations may be made in his memory to Northland College or to Medical Ministry
International.
Roland Culligan '50 died on September 16, 2010 in West Palm
Beach, Florida.
Alan Kursevski '50 passed away on March 22, 2010 in Austin,
Texas. He served over 20 years in the United States military, including World
War II, before retiring in 1966. He had a second career with the University of
Wisconsin at Stevens Point, serving as the director of protective services. He
retired from there in 1988. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; a daughter,
Mary Ziolkowski; and two sons, Stephen and Daniel.
Byron "Barney" McCorison '52 passed away on June 24, 2011.
He served in the Navy during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Alice,
Glidden, Wisconsin, four children: Rose, Lyle, Jim and Brenda; twelve
grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rev. Melvin H. Nickel '52 died unexpectedly on August 14,
2011. Survivors are a son, Larry Nickel; brother, Lester Nickel; other
relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty in 2009.
Robert O. Markeson '53 died on April 25, 2011 in Brigham
City, Utah. Bob moved to Brigham City in 1959 when he began working at Thiokol
Chemical Corporation, and worked there until 1984. He received his MBA from the
University of Utah in 1968. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel.
Survivors include his four children, Cathy, Michael, John and Thomas; many
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a brother.
Thomas M. Werner '60 died on August 23, 2011 at Aspirus
Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin. Thomas began his career as an accountant
and retired as president of Schuette Building Centers in Wausau. He is survived
by several cousins and many friends.
Paul Lange '62 died on August 6, 2011 in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin after a four-year battle with lung cancer. Paul served in the U.S.
Navy and then became employed at The Chetek Alert in 1963. He continued at The
Alert for 36 years, purchasing half interest in the company. He retired in
1999. He married Donna Dammer in 1990. Paul is survived by his wife, Donna, Eau
Claire; two sons, Michael Millard and Mark Millard; five grandchildren; four
great-grandsons; and several nephews and nieces.
Joseph Matuszak '62 passed away on October 25, 2008 in St.
Louis, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Donna; children: Joseph, Steven
and Gary Matuszak, Caryn Moore, Joseph P. Fuchs, Mike Fuchs, Ken Fuchs, Pamela
Light, Laurie Lacey, and the late Keith Fuchs.
Karen Bents McCulloch '62 died on June 29, 2011 at her home
in Portage, Wisconsin. Karen earned a master's degree in library science from
the University of Wisconsin. She worked for several years with the Wisconsin
state library system before beginning a lengthy career with the Wisconsin
Education Association Council, from which she retired in 2007. Karen married
Lewis W. Charles in 1962 and they had two children. She married Dr. Michael S.
McCulloch in 1983. Karen is survived by sons, L. Michael Charles and Mark W.
Charles; four grandchildren; and her siblings, Dorothea Jirsa '64 and Ralph
Bents. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael.
Word has been received of the death of Myrtle (Keys) Roberts
'62 in Belgrade, Montana.
Einar "Alan" Josephson '65 passed away on September 18,
2010. He worked as a senior design draftsman at A. O. Smith Corp and then Tower
Automotive for over 32 years, retiring in 2001. He is survived by his wife,
Ruth, Mellen, Wisconsin; a son, Aaron, Brown Deer, Wisconsin; a daughter, Holly
DeGroot, Phillips, Wisconsin; four grandchildren; and a sister.
Louis Dekker '68 passed away on July 28, 2011 after a short
battle with cancer. Louis worked at Procter and Gamble for 30 years. He is
survived by his wife, Marie; children, Carie, Craig, Ryan; a sister and a
brother.
Mary (Corbine) White '78 died on March 21, 2009 in Hayward,
Wisconsin. She is survived by her sons, Fred and Mike Tribble, and James White
III '78; a brother; four sisters; twelve grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren;
four great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was
preceded in death by her husband, James E. White, Jr. '76.
James Tilley '12 passed away unexpectedly on October 11,
2011. He is survived by his parents, Jon and Jean Tilley; a sister, Jennifer;
and other relatives.
Robert W. Alvord, Northland College Trustee, died on August
27, 2011 at his home in Cleveland Park, Washington DC. He is survived by his
wife, Jacquelyn, and his children, Kate Corbett, Carrie Alvord-Thompson,
Jonathan Alvord, Suzanne Alvord, Shelley Alvord and Robert Alvord.
Ed Kernan passed away on September 29, 2011, in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Ed served at Northland
College as athletic director, head basketball and baseball coach, and assistant
football coach from 1953 to 1963. He was named to the Northland College
Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Aleen
Kernan, Two Harbors, Minnesota; children, Edward J. Kernan III, Barbara Lee
Kernan, and James Kernan; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He
was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara, in 1997.
Want to see your news in Class Notes?
To submit notes, please contact:
Alumni Office: (715) 682-1215;
Email: alumni@northland.edu
Mail: Alumni Relations, 1411 Ellis Avenue, Ashland, WI 54806
Director of Grants Administration & Alumni Relations: Lisa Williamson
Alumni News Editor: Vicki Nafey ’96
Alumni Association Board of Directors: Mark Charles ’80, president; Melanie Goble ’01, vice president; Richard Ackley ’71; Roberta Blazkowski ’71; Christopher Blissett ’96; Don Chase ’62; Suzanne Cram ’89; Dan Crawford ’76; Melissa Damaschke ’03; Laurel Fisher ’72; Stu Goldman ’69; Charles Guthrie ’69; Rachel Hahn ’12; Bev Harris ’72; Grant Herman ’76; Roland Hicks ’65; Tam Hofman ’80; Sierra Jockisch ’12; Grant Johnson ’02; Sylvia Lieteau ’70; Peter Millet ’69; Ori-Anne Pagel ’69; Jim Quinn ’73; Robin Schroeder ’66; Wendy Shields ’04; Patricia Skoraczewski ’74; Kelly Zacharda ’05; David Zeis ’93.
