Lori Dablow
Barb Dahl Houg
Dave Daily
Kim Dankbar Bezdicek
Sherry Davis
Tracy Davis
Diana Davison
Marty Deets
Terry Dempsey
Paul Despenas
As I think back at my high school days I do have some regrets, what the hell was I thinking! Do not waste an education by being wasted all of the time!!!!!!!!!!!!
My twin brother Peter and I grew up either, working at Tony’s Pizza or Midwest Construction; working next to our parents like all good Greek Boys do in hopes to earn the respect and to take over the family Business. In 1979, Southbridge Mall project purchased the downtown and no more Tony’s Pizza, now what.
I attend NIACC in the fall of 1979 and gave collage a try and figured out quickly, school was not for me. I could go out and make a great living installing siding, windows, porches and room additions. I did that for a couple of years then went to Montana to help build a house for my sister and brother in law and ended up staying.
While living in Montana, I had the opportunity to try out and play junior hockey until a shoulder injury. While I was recovering, I got a job bartending in the winter and as a carpenter during building season. I was finally getting on my feet, making new friends and loving what the mountains had to offer, dear old Dad called and said come home if you want to be part of Midwest Construction in the future.
Spring of 1983, I went into sales; mastered the art of selling; now it’s was time to grow the company. In 1985 I moved to Des Moines, Iowa and opened up our 2nd office in the state.
I got married in 1991 to Liza Meleney and 1 year later. Our 1st Daughter Alexa arrived, 3 years later, Alaina.
I loved being a Dad; we had and still have the best of times. Unfortunately, my wife had some health issues and we lost her in 2007.
As our kids grew up in Johnston, Iowa I had the opportunity to meet and make new friends. I met a member of the Heavy Metal Band Slipknot. As we became parent friends he asked if I would be available to go out for a 6 week tour to sell his art book commissioned by MTV, so all of the time I have spent in my home show and fair booths for Midwest Construction paid off for another opportunity.
Since 2007 I have had the opportunity to take my vacation time at Midwest Construction and tour the world with the band Slipknot. I have also worked as: Tour Manager for Dirty Little Rabbits, Sister Solei, production assistant, personal assistant, and stage manager for Mayhem & Vans Warped Tour and curator of the Slipknot Museum for the Heavy Metal Festival Knotfest Meets Ozfest.
Life is truly a gift from above and I am blessed. I will never forget my times at Mason City High School; my time spent in Mason City and all of the teachers, friends of family.
Peter Despenas
Michelle DeVary
Klay DeVries
Salvador Dianda
Joel Dirksen
Laurie Dixon Bramsen
Doug Doescher
Chris Dolan
Greg Dorenkamp
Sara Dostart Schneider
John Downs
Rodney Dresbach
It has been many years since graduation so I will try to update every one. In February of 1979 I relocated to Kalispell, MT. There I started to learn the carpentry trade from my cousin. In September 79, I met my future wife Lena. We were married in March of 81. Over the next four years I bounced around from job to job - all involved with wood products, logging, Christmas tree farm, odd jobs in construction, etc. In 85 I went to work for a build and hardware supply store. While there I started working part time for a contractor. In late 90 I went to work for him full time.
This contractor was the one that influenced me to get involved with my local Volunteer Fire Dept. I joined the West Valley Vol. Fire Department in 89. I was appointed to a Captains position in 91, became the Assistant Chief in 94, and in 96 I was appointed the Fire Chief. During this time we bought our first house, and adopted our son Aaron Thomas Mathew Dresbach. At the time of his adoption he was 3 years old.
In 97 I went to work for a different contracting firm that did mostly commercial and high end construction projects. By 2000 I was running my own crews and projects for the company. One of the projects I was working on was a custom home for a banking CEO. It was 25 miles outside of Kalispell on Ashley Lake. No telephone or cellular service on the job site. We were listening to the radio when we heard about the twin towers burning.
I kept working construction, but my love of fighting fires was starting to pull me in another direction. I became involved with the Flathead Emergency Services Type 3 team and was the Operations section chief. I worked on many project fires over the years, Roberts 2003, Wedge Canyon 2003, Bench 2005, Brush Creek & Chippy 2007, and many more.
With the construction housing bubble burst in 08-09, I was laid off. I found work with a Security and Process serving company. I was the guy that would ask your name, and then tell you, you have been served with court papers. It was fun and challenging.
I decided to see where 23 yrs. in the Fire Service might take me. The second job I applied for offered me a job as Rosebud County Fire Chief and Fire Warden. So we relocated to Forsyth Montana, in Feb. 2011. The County is very large, 5050 square miles, which is twice the size of the state of Delaware.
Over the years I have had many changes in life, the largest one was my separation and divorce in April of this year. I still love to get out when I can to fish in the Yellowstone River, and in the fall hunting antelope, deer, elk, and birds. In-between time I shoot Prairie Dogs for local ranchers.
I will try to make the reunion, but July is not a good time of year for me. Our fire season runs from June 15 – September, when we have a season ending event. This year we are ahead on moisture and if we keep having the rains I may be able to get away for a few days. Look forward to maybe seeing all of you in late July.