Fifty-nine classmates attended the 50th reunion activities of the Iola High School class of 1968 Friday through Sunday in Iola.
Festivities began with a mixer at the Iola Elks Club at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by a Flat Earth Band reunion and concert at the Little Theater. Two classmates were in the band, Don Sharp and Tom Luttrell.
On Saturday, some walked the Lehigh Trail in the morning with Lonnie Henkle, rode trolley rides in the afternoon guided by Jim Gilpin, and later toured improvements at the Bowlus with Richard Spencer. The class reunion picture was taken at the Riverside Park football stadium at 6:30 p.m. with a tour of improvements there and a balloon release to honor the 33 departed members of the class. Dinner at the Elks with Dudley’s catering rounded out the evening. Sunday, classmates met for nostalgic lunch at Kings Sandwich Shop.
Classmates attending from out of state were:
Paul Jo and Cheryl Conderman, Germany; David and Susie McGuffin, Oviedo, Fla.; Janet Perkins Galloway, Brunswick, Ga.; Gary and Ginny Finkenbinder, Fulton, Mo.; Mike Smith Gladstone, Mo.; Carol Creason Perez, Kansas City, Mo.; Bill and Lisa Moore, Shelbina, Mo.; Cheryl Whitteberry Davis, Strafford, Mo.; John and Anna Nickels, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; Keith and Kathy Shetlar, Rio Rancho, N.M.; Roger and Patti Hagerman, Oklahoma City; Cyndy Littlepage Hughey and Randy, Perry, Okla.; Chris McKean, Salem, S.C.; Mike and Liz Sigg, San Antonio, Texas; Sandy Davidson Scott, Sugar Land, Texas; Kathryn Washington Jukes, Willamsburg, Va.; Linda Michael Monfort and Larry, Cusick, Wash.; Roz Brooks and Obbie, LaCrosse, Wisc.; and Linda Folk Knapp, Mount Hope, Wisc.
Classmates from Kansas were: Marie Bell Davis, Cheney; Diane Kress Stine and Bob, Edgerton; Mike May, Goddard; Debbie Sicka Robinson, Humboldt; Sandy Hamm and Ken Devore, Independence; Linda Garner Young, Kansas City; Craig and Jeryl Crane, Lawrence; Chari Burtnett and Jim Sowers, Lenexa; Greg Kretzmeier, Lenexa; Brent and Jan Wright, Ottawa; Donna Zornes, Ottawa; Wendy Steward Ledford, Overland Park; Ron Roe, Perry; Ron and Nancy Close, Pittsburg; Dave and Irene Massoth, Pittsburg; Nellie Compton and Ed Meyers, Whitewater; Herk and Margie Russell, Wichita; Mary Yokum and Gene Mohr, Yates Center; and Debbie Masquelier Hanson, El Dorado.
Classmates from Iola were: John and Joan Audley, Peggy Connor and Jake Marple, Gale Emert Ludlum, Deanna Erbert King, Jim and Karen Gilpin, Kirby Gregg, Lucille Griffith Bevard, Beth Harrison Griffeth, Lonnie and Clarice Henkle, Jon and Pam James Minor, Tom Luttrell, Randy Maple, Vickie Robert and Jim Tholen, Carl and Pam Carter Roush, Don and Marilyn Sharp, Richard Spencer, Raymond and Sharon Sutterby, Steve and Linda Troxel, Terese Yetzbacher and Debbi McKaig Sellman
Joining the class for dinner were retired teacher-administrators, Don Bain and Harry and Joyce Lee, and, underclassman Barbara Cook Thomas and sister, Mary Beth Cook, and Debbie Hagerman.
Classmates plan to reunite in 2023.
