When the Milwaukee Railroad came from the east to South Dakota in 1879, many towns along the way were established and Marion, my hometown, was one. This year they were celebrating their 125th anniversary along with the 100th anniversary of the bank, operated by my friends, the Smith family. Also the high school was observing its annual all school alumni banquet which I attended the past several years. I was quite frustrated one day last week as I wanted to go to my Marion High School annual all school reunion on Saturday, June 19. I previously went with Marie Walraven because I wanted a companion since my brother, Willard Gropel and wife, no longer could attend. I got on the telephone to make a call. My first answer was, "I’m busy," the next lady said, "I have plans," the next lady had company coming; the next call didn’t answer; and I got a bit nervous but I kept calling. The next call I made answered, "I’m going to the Heritage Day celebration in Rock Rapids." I was about ready to give up but I tried once more. I called June Albers and she said she was free and could go. Hooray!The catered banquet was served in the new gym with 575 persons going through the line. The committees in charge did a fantastic job in arranging everything with no hitches. The food was excellent, the program good. The class of 1954 and the class of 1979 were especially honored.I was the only one from my class attending. I lost two classmates this past year. The oldest graduate attending was from the class of 1928. She came from Columbia, S.D. So, "All’s well that ends well." There was to be a community church service Sunday at the school. Mae Top attended the Relay For Life at Luverne City Park along with her sister-in-law, Henrietta Top, Luverne. After staying the night with her, the ladies returned for the breakfast Saturday morning. Vic and Fran Sandager and Daryl and Jane Schubert and children, were guests Friday evening in the home of Mark and Karen Sandager in honor of Father’s Day.Weekend visitors at the Ray Nelson home were Robert and Bonnie Oleson, Waconia. Bob is Lois’ brother.Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the Augustana Nordland Fest Friday night. Andres Gustason, a 17-year-old professional piano player was on the program. On Saturday, Kerri Christensen, a Swiss yodeler, performed as did the Nordic dancers. There was also a four-chorus group, the Sioux Valley Singers, who provided musical numbers.Bud and Shirley Hoogeveen, Doug and Pam Hoogeveen and boys, Anna Schouwenburg, Hills, and Don and Phyllis Schouwenburg, Luverne, attended the 90th birthday celebration of Sophia Berghorst on Saturday, June 12, at Grand Rapids, Mich. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, numbering around 50, were in attendance. Shirley Hoogeveen didn’t return home with other members but stayed on with her sister, Mary Hooyer, to be with another sister, Betty Faber, who is ill. Shirley returned home Saturday, June 19. Greetings may be sent to Sophia Berghorst at 434 Brownell S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49548. Marvin Albers went to Glenwood Friday to visit his brother, Jerry Albers. Another brother, Virgil Albers, South Carolina, was also there.Bob and Twila Kirsch, Ray and Lois Nelson attended the Relay For Life benefit breakfast in Luverne Sunday noon. Carol and Morris Moon, Wilmot, took Harriet Skattum, Martha Lindrud and Mae Top out to dinner Sunday at the Fryin’ Pan in Sioux Falls.Betty Elbers attended the Van Surksum family reunion Thursday in the Chandler park. Marie Walraven accompanied her son, Terry and Donna, Albert Lea, to Rochester Saturday afternoon to attend the wedding of Marie’s great-nephew, Jerris Barento.Rheta DeBoer went to Sibley, Iowa, Wednesday to attend a surprise birthday party for her sister, Judy Steen. Inge and Peter Zielmann, Germany, flew into Minneapolis Sunday night and their daughter, Karen Gaugler, met them there. They will spend three weeks in Hills visiting Jesse and Karen and baby Gaugler. Wilmer and Betty Elbers attended the outdoor barbecue at the Peter Boeve residence in Sioux Falls Saturday evening in honor of Gayler and Jennifer Boeve’s wedding.Last Monday Rheta DeBoer attended the baby shower at the home of Oliver Beelstra in Sioux Falls.Howard Hoyme underwent a triple by-pass heart surgery Friday at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.
