ProfilesH-L

Barbara Hjelmstad McConnell
3168 Crestview Dr.
Santa Clara, UT 84765
435-656-1951
mcconnell3168@beyondbb.com

I have been married to Richard (Dick) McConnell for 43 years. We have one son and four granddaughters. I retired after 32 years as an elementary teacher in 2000. However, I work part time as a substitute teacher for my neighborhood elementary school and as the music director of a Presbyterian church. As music director, I have the privilege of directing a Bell Choir and a Chancel Choir. Besides playing and singing for worship services, we perform three or four times a year in our community.

Over the past fifty years, my highlights are my family, my career, and my church. We love being the extended family to our granddaughters as they grow and prepare for their future! As a substitute teacher, I feel very fortunate that I can have the best of both worlds by teaching a class without having the full responsibility of the work involved! As a choir director, one of my greatest joys is the planning and preparing for our choirs' concerts.

My husband, Dick, has been involved with a fraternal organization on a local, state, and national level. Because of that, we have traveled throughout the state of Utah and the U.S. for conventions. We spend considerable time doing volunteer work for that organization and for church. Much of our volunteer work has Dick cooking and preparing for banquets at his lodge, while I am his helper! We both love "Big Band" music, and find it a real treat when we can dance to it. Collecting Norwegian stories has given us much to laugh at!

We have lived in four places since graduating from Central. After my husband's graduation from college, we moved to Salt Lake City where we lived for 35 years. In 2004, we moved to southern Utah, (Santa Clara), to be closer to our son and his family. The beauty of this area is incredible and we especially love the winters.

Some of my favorite memories from Central High days: My favorite teacher was Dwight Sherwood. I remember that I was not selected to sing on the "sophomore Christmas tree", but by my senior year, I was singing in the Madrigals. Mr. Sherwood gave me the encouragement needed at that time!

Susan Indridson Yost
235 Dove Court
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
syost@charter.net
562-884-22781

I have been married to Stephen Yost for 22 years. I have one son, David Maves, 45,(egad! how can I be old enough to have a 45 year old son??)and one grandchild, Cody, age 2. We live in the beautiful Central Coast wine country north of Santa Barbara, California.

I have done a variety of things in my working life. I started out as a legal secretary in Chicago, then a paralegal. When I moved to San Francisco in the early 70's I became a mortgage banker and managed a division of Bank of America that specialized in low-income housing. Then, when the real estate market died in the 80's I went to work as a manager of a law firm and then a consulting company. I retired 4 years ago and did some acting in the Los Angeles area before relocating to Arroyo Grande in 2006. I love to read, garden, travel, learn new things. I am getting bored with retirement already.

The three most important highlights that come to mind are living in Paris France for a year, getting really immersed in another culture; moving to California - a different kind of culture shock; finally getting my college degree at the ripe old age of 42.

I've moved around a bit since 1959 - Bemidji; Chicago; Paris, France; San Francisco Bay Area; Long Beach; Arroyo Grande. Lived the longest in the Bay Area (22 years)but lived in 7 different houses.

My most favorite memories of high school are potluck dinners, dancing at the "Y", Jr. Class play, good friends.

Leon Jensen
10774 181st Circle NW
Elk River MN 55330-4532
playamex@charter.net

I have been married to my wife, Nancy, for 48 years. We have 3 children (2 sons, Greg and Mark and 1 daughter, Kristin) and 3 grandchildren, Eric (18) and twins Manny and Rylee (8).

I'm still working as Operation Manager for a construction Co., but plan to hang it up next year when Nancy retires. The big highs in my life over the past 50 years have been my marriage to Nancy. The three children we raised and our grandchildren we enjoy spoiling and sending home to their parents.

I enjoy golf, hunting and fishing especially when its with my 2 grandson's. Love summer vacation at the lake, winter vacation in Mexico and look forward to more of it when we both retire.

40 years ago when I was working for Sears in Grand Forks I was transferred to St. Paul and we have lived in this area ever since. We have lived in 3 different homes: St. Paul Park 5 years, Ramsey 27 years, and now a townhome in Elk River 8 years. No more 1.5 acre yard and 40 ft. driveway to take care of. Hallelujah!!

My favorite classes and teachers were Ken Rio's Biology, Mr.Forslund"s Economics & sociology and Mr. Johnson's Geometry & Algebra classes.

Sharon John
110 Cherry Street, Apartment 322
Grand Forks, ND 58201-4551
701-780-9134

I retired from the Fairfield Inn on November 26, 2008 where I was a housekeeper since December, 1993. I am a member of Sons of Norway Lodge and the Grand Forks Senior Center. I also am a member of Carroll County Arkansas Historical Society since 1965.

Some of the most important highlights over the past 50 years include: In July 1959 we moved to Berryville, Arkansas where we lived until 1987 when my Mom and I came back to Grand Forks. I lost my Dad in 1985. In 1993 I got a job as housekeeper at the Fairfield Inn.

I have a sister, Laurel (John) Noles living in Versailles, MO. She lost her husband a couple of years ago. I met Elaine Barstad a couple of years ago. We've gone on trips and don't other activities together.
We have attended UND Ladies Hockey games, seminar programs at Chester Fritz. She is also a member of Sons of Norway. I still collect anything on Civil Was history. I go to concerts, play bingo, listen to music, do crossword puzzles. I enjoy movies in our building on Friday nights, Bingo Saturday afternoon and music and games on Saturday night.

I have lived in 4 places since graduating from Central, the longest for 28 years. When my Dad died in 1985, when living on our farm in Arkansas, my Mother and I stayed until 1987, then moved back to North Dakota where we have relatives. We lived in Dana Apartments until 1996 then moved to the 2nd floor of 110 Cherry. I lost Mom in 2000; now I live on the 3rd floor in a one bedroom apartment at 110 Cherry.
My favorite teachers were Alice Hale, Clint Harstad and Mrs. Larson and Miss Unkenholtz, Mr. Sherwood. I Some of my favorite memories are 9th grade chorus operetta "Mississippi Melody " (chorus), the Sioux Science Club. I had an erector set and with my Dad's help I built a power plant and showed it on TV.

Zaundra Kleven Cowger
25248 Norway Lane, Box 103
Nisswa, MN 56468
218-963-4750
Cell: 218-851-1517
dzcowger@msn.com

I have been married to Dick Cowger for 46 years. We have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

I taught elementary, grades K-6, for 40 years. Now am not working at all. I am enjoying volunteer work, grandchildren, etc.

Over the past 50 years some of the most important highlights include a 3 week tour of the USSR in 1986, European travel and crazy trips with my "Runaway" Girlfriends.

Some of our favorite things to do include: time with our grandkids is #1 of course; volunteer work in church and bible study groups; pheasant hunting in ND; love to walk, bike and read for relaxation.

I have lived 2 places since graduating from Central, the longest for 35 years. We moved from Grand Forks in 1975 to Nisswa, MN where we built our current home on Clark Lake to enjoy the beauty of Minnesota Lake Country and raise our family.

Some of my favorite memories from Central High School days include: loved singing in choir and our musical productions of Oklahoma, etc.; Mrs Wineman (French) - She was such a "lady" and she opened many dreams to me - some of which have come to fruition.

Doug Laird
7912 Briarwood Lane
Urbandale, IA 50322
515-270-8748
fubartoyou@msn.com

I've been married to my wife, Shari, for 22 years. I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

I work at a golf course. I spent 12 years with Dove Equipment Company as a sales engineer; 24 years with Graco Inc. as District Manager.

I enjoy playing golf and watching hockey. I have lived in 7 places since graduating from Central, the longest for 34 years. I was transferred by Graco Inc. from Cleveland, HO to Des Moines.

Mavis Lamont Danielson
2115 East 41st Street
Hibbing, MN 55746

I have been married to Charles (Chuck) Danielson for 14 years. I had one child who is deceased and have 4 living step-children and 6 grandchildren.

I taught elementary education in Hibbing, ISD 701, for 29 years and am now retired. I am co-owner of a custom picture framing company.

Over the past 50 years some of my most important highlights include traveling to Europe; raising a "Genius", my son, Tom; and introducing Chuck to my Aunts in California.

I am the secretary of the Hibbing Book Review Club and love my Friday Bible Study "sisters". I am also in a teacher's Birthday Club. I dropped active membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, a teacher's sorority, to better support my husband's volunteer work on the 1st Lutheran Property Committee. He donates his carpentry skills.

I have lived in Hibbing for 39 years. I came to teach here in my 20's and never left. It really feels like home.

Some of my favorite memories from Central High School days include: I loved the Band and Mr. Haesle, the director. I remember helping to organize bake sales and car washes to put on a really great retirement party for him. We gave him a stereo console and recordings and even a robe and slippers to retire in! Also loved Mr. Harstad, my social studies teacher. I quoted him at home all the time.

Garald Landowski
7990 142nd Avenue NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
763-421-2682
Cell: 612-418-6965

My wife, Judy and I have been married for 46 years. We have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

I opened a mattress factory and ran it for 10 years and then I opened two furniture stores. I'm retired but I have an interest in one furniture store now.

I love casinos (Ha!), sports and travel, fishing. We have a home at the Lake of the woods in Warroad, MN. I have lived in 2 places since graduating from Central, the longest for 21 years. I am living in Ramsey since it is close to my stores. My favorite memories from high school are all the parties.