Steve Carlisle
Doug Carman
Pam Carter
Mitch Cavanaugh December 15, 2022
Jeff Chase
e-mail: mchs78grad@gmail.com
cell: 786-269-6930
It's hard to believe that 40 years have gone by since graduation. It hurts to get out of bed every morning, and I probably can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday. Yet, I have vivid memories of my classmates, some of whom I've known since kindergarten roundup, and a couple of them even longer than that.
Favorite high school memory: Any and all speech/theater/Chamber Players trips. The things I learned while having that much fun have stood me well up to now, career wise.
Marriages: More than one. But I'm keeping Andrea (Andi) White Chase - she's the only one who puts up with me!
Children: Three - Mike, Teresa, and Keanu. Mike and Teresa live in or around Springfield, IL, while Keanu still sleeps at home. I say sleeps because as a musician, he's often not home - especially at night.
Grandchildren: Zoe, Chloe, Hadley, Piper, and Carolyn. Each with their own personality, but you can certainly tell they're related to me.
Hobbies: I still read a lot. Still an oldies guy when it comes to music. I sew, I correspond with people all over the world, and I'm trying to learn to play the ukulele.
The '70s: Went to NIACC, got my AA in Law Enforcement, and then never worked in the field in my life. Still, I'm glad I went.
The '80s: Enlisted in the Army, and went to language school in California. I learned Russian, very well actually.
My first assignment was in West Berlin, where I lived a block from the Berlin Wall, and listened to the Russians every day. The Army very kindly also sent me to Bad Tolz so I could learn that you CAN spit-shine a floor, the Harz Mountains where I learned to blow stuff up and climb around in very high places, and Munich for Oktoberfest. Then on to Ft. Riley, Kansas, and the only time in 20 years that I thought about getting out of the Army. Back to Germany; first Frankfurt, and then Eschwege, 5 km from the East-West German border,
where I was listening to the Russians again. I was on the border when the border opened, which was most exciting. I got a medal for pulling a Belgian pilot out of a burning helicopter - must be the firefighter DNA.
The '90s: I went back to Ft. Riley, Kansas again - by choice. The Cold War wound down, and all of us folks who listened to the bad guys had to find some new bad guys. I went back to language school in Monterey, California, this time to learn Thai. The Thais aren't the bad guys, but the Army realized they needed SOME people who could speak it. I learned Thai, but never went to Thailand, so the only thing I do with the Thai
language is order food and flirt with waitresses. I got assigned to Ft. Meade, Maryland, home of crab cakes and the National Security Agency. Thai was boring, and I craved something interesting before retirement, so I switched back to French and commuted between Ft. Meade and Africa for 3 years. It was fun,
exciting, and I ALMOST got killed twice, but as you can see, I didn't.
The 2000s: I retired from the best job I ever had after 20 years, and went to work for the Dept. of Justice as a
technical writer. A high-paying, incredibly boring job if ever there was one. I met (and subsequently moved in with) Andi in 2001. I packed up my possessions and moved to Chicago, where I went to work for the US Dept. of State's Office of Foreign Missions. I also learned how to speak Jamaican Patois, because if Andi was going to cuss me, I wanted to make sure I understood. She turned out not to be the cussing type, but I figure I picked up another language. Andi's employer transferred her to Miami, and after a few months I decided I loved Andi better than deep-dish pizza, so I moved to Miami as well, I continued to work for the Office of Foreign Missions, and Andi and I got married.
I finally left working for the government after 25 years, and got a job as a team manager in a call center, working forDirecTV. What a change! I learned I was good at it.
2010-present: I got out of the operations side of things and went into Training and Quality, which I like so much better. It has taken me to both coasts, Texas, Colorado, Guatemala, and the Philippines. I love getting those stamps in my passport! I recently switched clients - I now work for ESPN+, part of Disney Streaming Services.
I'm grateful for the technology that lets me stay in touch with so many old friends. If you're ever in Miami, give me a shout - we always have room.
Kim Clark Bilyeu
Currently Living in Forest City, IA. Married to Joe - Celebrated Our
5th Anniversary in April (first marriage for both of us).
Joe and I met shortly after he
returned to Iowa (after 26 years in the Twin Cities) to take care of his mom.
We've had quite the adventure together so far and feel blessed to have each
other to share life with. Unfortunately, we found each other too late in life
to have children. We consider our nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
our "kids" and enjoy spending time with them whenever we can.
After graduating, I wasn't sure
what career path to take. Circumstances lead me to Hamilton Business College's
medical secretarial program. I figured I could always go back to college later
to pursue my dream career. Well, that didn't happen. I worked as a medical
secretary for about 12 years. I then worked for a market research firm in Mason
City. I started with data entry and then into the data processing department.
Unfortunately, after 20 plus years at a job I really enjoyed, downsizing took
the entire department. Co-caregiver for my mother-in-law became my new title,
until 3 years ago when she moved to a care facility. Joe works at Winnebago
Industries. I'm currently working part time as a receptionist at a day spa.
This job is ending about the same time as our reunion. I do enjoy being a
homemaker, but will be looking for another job opportunity.
The high school memory that comes
to mind for me is procrastination - staying up until 3:00 am to finish that report...
As I'm writing this bio @ 3:50 am, two weeks before our reunion.
Looking forward to reminiscing and making new
memories with the MCHS Class of 1978.
Lisa Clark Redeker
Mindy Clausen Brunner - June 17, 2018
Melinda Kay Brunner was born on March 29, 1960 in Mason City to parents Vern “Rusty” and Terry (Torgeson) Clausen. After graduating from Mason City High School, she went on to work for Ross Caniglia Jewelers, Midwest Plastics and Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Mindy was united in marriage to Larry Miller in December of 1978, in this union the couple had two children Aaron and Shawna. In later years Mindy was united in marriage to Rex Brunner until his passing in 2003.
Mindy had many joys in life, she loved her plants, making jewelry, taking trips, cooking and drawing. She enjoyed the outdoors where she spent time sitting in the sun, fishing, having bonfires while listening to music. She also had a love for animals, and loved to feed the squirrels and the birds. For those who knew Mindy she will be remembered as a kind-hearted person.
Mindy is survived by her mother: Terry K. Beavers, children: Shawna (Jake) Frank; step children: Lindsey Brunner, Adam Brunner; siblings: Jodie (Brad) Harrigle, Ginger Clausen, Brenda Clausen, Denise DiRaimo, Bill (Teresa) Clausen, Tracy (Victor) Melhus; grandchildren Ezra Frank and Azek Frank; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father: Vern “Rusty” Clausen; husband: Rex Brunner and son Aaron Miller.
Robert Clausen
Roxanne Cobeen
Sherry Colby
Cheryl Cole Schmitt
Dee Anna Collette
Colleen Collins Schupanitz
Mike Collision
Sixto Colon
Cindy Connor
Sandra Contreras Nikkel
Sharon Cook Bollinger
I graduated from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN, in 1982 with a BA in Occupational Therapy. I loved my job as a therapist and would do it all over again if given the choice. It has proved to be an awesome profession for me.
I married Wayne Bollinger in 1984, and we will be married 34 years this coming April! We love to travel, hike, bike, camp, and enjoy the out of doors in general. Together we raised our 5 children, with the first arriving in 1986 and the last in 2001!! Yes, a 15 year stretch!! They have blessed us in so many ways I have no words for it except to say that my heart was never more "full" than when they were all home growing up. Not going to say it was easy, but will say it was worth every sacrifice and every minute of our time!! Brett is 31, Brian 28, married and he and his wife, Marie, gave us our first grandbaby, Jeremiah, Sarah, 25, Hannah 21 and John 16. We are very proud of each and every one of them. They are good, solid people.
While our last one home is only a sophomore in high school, and we are still busy keeping up with his activities, like swim team and baseball for his high school, we do have more time to relax and do some other things.
I enjoy being in a book club, and have participated in a Bible study now for several years. While I retired my hat as an Occupational Therapist 14 years ago after our 5th was born, I do contemplate what the next "phase" of life will hold for me. I would love to volunteer in some meaningful way with sick kids, just not sure what that means yet. And we spend time thinking about what our retirement years will look like down the road.
I hope I didn't write too much!! How do you summarize 40 years?? In closing, God is good, all the time! I have witnessed His faithfulness in my life, and know that in Him we can trust!! Keep your eyes on the prize guys!!
Sure will miss seeing all of you this summer!! We will be in Canada. If you want to catch up give me a call when the contact info comes out!!
Ava Coolican Pauley
Patricia Cooper
Dan Cornelius
Jon Cornick
Pierre Coty - December 4, 2017
Pierre Antoine Coty, 57, of Minneapolis, MN
passed away Monday, December 4, 2017, at Our Lady of Peace Hospice House in St.
Paul, MN after a long battle with cancer.Pierre was born on December 18, 1959, the son of Paul Sr. and Spizie (Farley) Coty in Mason City, IA.
He attended Mason City Community Schools and after graduating from Mason City High School, he moved to Minneapolis, where he spent the remainder of his life
He was an avid tennis player, and enjoyed watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins.
Pierre is survived by his partner, Arlington “Arnie” Wylie of Minneapolis; his siblings, Beverly Burrell, Cedar Rapids, Dianna Bowers, Iowa City, Pauletta Kipper, Iowa City, Joe (Sharon) Coty, Chicago, IL, Andrea Coty, Omaha, NE, and Carolyn Coty, Mason City; a sister-in-law, Francine Coty, Baltimore, MD; brother Michael’s significant other, Pat Ferleman of Mason City; cousins, Clarence Turner, Mason City, Deborah Turner, Omaha NE, and Delores Macer, Houston, TX; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Sr. and Spizie Coty, his brothers, Ralph, Dwight, Paul Jr., and Michael, a sister, Pauline, and three brothers-in-law, James Burrell, Willie Bowers and Roger Kipper.
Greg Coyan
Lyle Crockford
Betty Cronk Knoke
Scott Crowell
