JoAn (Tague) Rauckman
Topeka, KS
Spouse: Bob
Married: 1974
Children: Cherie, Kristy
Linnea Taylor
Ventura, CA
Spouse: Michael Johnston
Children: Summer Carrick, Micah Carrick, Ryland
2005 Biography: Hi Everyone!
In '70 I attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara for three
years, and then transferred to UCSB to finish my BA in Sociology. I was able
to study for a semester in Europe and Israel, which helped me get the
English units that I would--20 years later--need for my high school English
teaching credential. My first year of teaching was in 1999, and I attended
Azusa Pacific U. for MA in Education. I now teach in one of the most
challenging high school districts in So. Cal. (Somewhat easier than LA
Unified!) Aside from my family, teaching has become a joyous obsession.
But the preceding was my second life. My first consisted
mainly of raising Summer and Micah in Palm Springs, Thousand Oaks, and
Ventura. Their now-deceased father and I worked and invested in (mainly) the
restaurant business. My current husband and I live in Ventura...loving the
opportunity of doing the parent-thing all over again with Ryland. Aside from
that and our work, we stay active in Ventura County's poverty and injustice
issues through the district and our church.
Sorry I couldn't come to the reunion!
Michael Teague
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Patricia (Thompson) Sweet
Topeka, KS
Sarah (Thorson) Preston
Goddard, KS
Mike Toepffer
Manhattan, KS
2010 Biography: Life for me has really changed since our last reunion. On April 1, 2003 I retired after 31
years of service to the Manhattan community with the Riley County Police Department. I thought retirement would mean lots of free time
and I was totally wrong. Since the last reunion I opened my own antique business (Little Apple Antiques, 339 Colorado) in August of
2000. In 2007 the City of Manhattan decided to build a convention center on land my business was located so I was forced out of
business. Having sold all my business property I took about a year off and just enjoyed not working. It was nice for a while but then
I became bored so I went back to work and presently work for Dara's Fast Lane Corporation. I have remained active with the Fraternal
Order of Police, and am on the local executive board as State Trustee. Just this last week I was also elected as 2nd Vice President
to the Kansas State FOP. As a statewide 2nd VP I will be doing some traveling thoughout Kansas as well as attending other national
functions all over the country. I also help a friend who is fighting cancer and as you see I keep very busy.
Gary Toliver
Columbia, MO
Spouse: Carol
Married: 1985
Children: Victoria McWhorter, Kyrstin Anderson, Laurie Burns,
Sara Sidwell, Maureen Boswell, Stephanie Stevens
Grandchildren: 7
2008 Biography: Graduated
from Kansas State. Worked for a life and health insurance company in Kansas
City out of college. Took a job as Chief Financial Officer for the hospital
in Rolla, Missouri, and then accepted my current position with the state's
hospital association in Jefferson City. I've been married to my better half,
Carol, for nearly a quarter century. Together we have six beautiful
daughters and five wonderful grandchildren (so far). Own my own LearJet,
still like John Wayne movies, never wear a belt, and answer to just about
anything. Lie some, too.
Still have unresolved crushes on V**** K****** and C****
G****! Missed opportunities... (sigh)
Cynthia Trent
Fresno, CA
2005 Biography: After
managing a distance degree completion program at K-State for 20 years, I
moved to Fresno, CA in 2003 for a new job--Director of Distance Education at
San Joaquin Valley College. I've barely begun to explore California, but I
love the coast and the ocean. A favorite hobby is touring wine country and
the vineyards. I live very near Sequoia National Forest and Yosemite
National Park, so if you come see me, I'll give you a tour and a glass of
good California wine. I miss fishing at Tuttle Creek in Manhattan, and
haven't caught a single fish yet in California. Recently, I learned how to
fuse glass and am converting my garage into a glass studio. I love scuba and
swimming and enjoy my new salt pool about 8 months out of the year. I just
returned from a week in Florence and Venice, Italy--my first trip to Europe
since 1972. Yikes, that was 33 years ago!
Steve Trotter (deceased)
Vivian Tsen
Charles Tucker (deceased)
Debra (Tucker) Albair
Manchester, MO
Spouse: William B.
Children: Kristen, Stephanie
2010 Biography: WOW! 40 years?!! Well, after HS graduation, I attended K-State for 2 yrs, then applied
to UMKC to finish my bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene at the dental school. I met my future husband, Bill there. We got married
after I graduated in '74. He had 1 more year of dental school to finish. We moved to St. Louis (his home) in '75. I worked as a
hygienist for a large group; Bill started his own general practice. We had our 1st baby-Kristen- in '78. I quit working to stay home
with her. A few months after she was born, Bill decided to go back to graduate school at UMKC for a specialty degree in Periodontics.
So we moved back to KC for 2 yrs. Lots of fun those 2 yrs! Then back to St. Louis in '81 to start another practice. I was pregnant
with Stephanie, who was born later that year. I eventually went back to work 1-2 days a week for the next 25+ years-in Bill's practice.
I was a Girl Scout leader (thanks Mrs. Rehschuh!), room mother, softball coach,volleyball coach, gymnastics team & golf team chauffer,
until both our girls left home for Mizzou.
Kristen lives in San Diego & works for Anheuser-Busch. Stephanie is a physical therapist & lives with her husband,
Scott Miller, and 18 mo old daughter Madeline in Denver. Becoming a grandparent is LIFE ALTERING! I know we've been to Denver at least
15 times in those 18 months.
I finally gave up dental hygiene Nov. '09. My hands just wore out. Bill sold his practice 5 yrs ago, but
transitioned into career #2. He is a Registered Investment Advisor with a small independent firm. He works "electronically" alot of
the time- from home, Denver, SanDiego, or where ever. So we have lots of freedom to go,go,go. We are hikers, into cycling,golf, wine t
asting & travel. We loved our condo in Keystone, Co from 2001-2008, but sold at a good time. I still miss it, but we still go to the
mountailns alot.
My parents are doing well, but left Manhattan in '76. They live in Hutchinson, so I never get back to Manhattan.
There were lots of good friends & good times in Manhattan. Sorry I'll miss the reunion. Please e-mail or call me - all you old friends.
Be Healthy, Safe & Happy.
Vicky Umscheid
Mary Esther, FL
2010 Biography: I graduated from KSU after high school with a degree in Education. Stayed in Manhattan
for several years working for the state of Kansas and then started working at Ft. Riley as an auditor. After two years I moved with
the Army to Germany where I stayed for 11 years before moving to Okinawa, Japan. Lived and worked there for 2 years before returning
to Germany for another two years. All the time overseas I traveled, going to places such as Thailand, Bahrain, Greece, England, France,
China, Russia, Holland, Norway, Denmark, and numerous other countries. In 2002 I returned the the United States and now live in Fort
Walton Beach, Florida and work at Eglin AFB. I hope to retire in the next two years. I like going to the beach, boating and going on
the jet ski. Would like to travel more when I retire./p>
Brad Vancura
Merriam, KS
Brian Vazquez
Topeka, KS
Jim Vinson
Karen (Wagner) Ryan
Clay Center, KS
Michaelene Wallace
Gwenda (Wanamaker) Adams (deceased)
Robert Ward
Oklahoma City, OK
Married: 1977
Children: Jennifer, Andrew, Christina
Grandchildren: 14
2022 Biography: I graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. degree in Food Science with a Business Option in 1974. The next 43 years I worked in supervision at several Dairy Processing Plants. I was Plant Manager for Braums Ice Cream and Dairy Stores in Oklahoma City, for the last 25 years of my working career, and retired in 2017.
I met my wife Ann in 1976, and we have been married for 45 years. Ann and I have 3 children, Jennifer, Drew, and Christina. Jennifer is a Chemical Engineer working for Hallmark Corporation. Drew is a Partner with Ernst & Young LLP. Christina is the Marketing Manager for a Software Company. Our 3 children have blessed us with 14 grandchildren. We enjoy travel, cruising, and of course spending time with our children and their families.
Ted Webb
Oklahoma City, OK
Gunny Wedekind
Corinth, TX
Spouse: Theresa
Married: 1981
Children: Teri Lovelace, Christy Droge,
Jennifer Collins, T.J. Droge, Cassandra
2022 Biography: After graduation I went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company/ AT&T and held numerous positions in Manhattan, Topeka and later in Dallas, TX. I retired after 42 years in December 2012. While located in Topeka, I was able to complete my BBA at Washburn University and met and married Theresa DaPrato Droge. Following my retirement, Theresa and I bought a home on Lake Fork TX where we have lived until recently, when we moved to the Norman Oklahoma area to be nearer children and grandchildren. We have 17 children/step children/grandchildren. My interest include golf, woodworking, travel and attending grand kids sporting events.
Debbie (Weisner) Holle
Manhattan,KS
Children: Dustin, Lance, Aaron, Amanda
Grandchildren: 7
JoAnn (Wells) Nunnink
Shawnee Mission, KS
Rex Westmeyer
Manhattan, KS
Spouse: Pam Pearson (Class of '70)
Married: 1978
Children: Ashley Graff
2025 Biography: See Pam (Pearson) Westmeyer bio for info on what we are up to! :-)
Twila (Weyerts) Schneiders
Salina, KS
Spouse: Dick
Married: 1973
Mary (Wheat) Lehoczky
Leawood, KS
Spouse: John
Married: 1988
Children: Jay, Lucy
2008 Biography: Back in Kansas after 2 1/2 years in beautiful Michigan.
2005 Biography: Five
years from our last get-together, the main changes in our lives are
additional age (that’s our objective) and a big address change (not quite
what we had in mind). In August 2004, my husband, John, accepted a
right-up-his-alley job with Honeywell, which unfortunately is located in the
northern Detroit suburbs. And so we moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. If
you have to move, this is a lovely place, and the relocation has gone
smoothly. However, we miss Kansas. Of course, when we say that here, folks
look at us like we’ve got the scarecrow’s brain -- Michigan is a gorgeous
state with enjoyable summers, lots of lakes, and not much more than 60
inches of snow last winter. Both Lucy, 12, and Jay, 14, adjusted fabulously
to the move, so that’s a relief. The adjustment has been a bit slower for
me, but it’s getting much better. Can you believe this is my 7th trip to
Kansas since the move?!
Nancy Whitaker
Prairie Village, KS
Bonnie (White) Peck
Littleton, CO
Spouse: Jimmie
Married: 1981
Children: Jennifer, Lee
2025 Biography: Bonnie Peck (White) has lived in beautiful Colorado for the last 39 years. She spends her time retired and enjoying time with 3 grandsons (Dante-18, Dylan-14, Virgil-9), son (Lee) and daughter-in-law (Alicia), and her daughter (Jennifer). Grand animals: Sadie(dog-4), Bub (cat-8). In her free time enjoys reading and crocheting blankets, and watching soap opera shows daily.
Stan Whitley
Topeka, KS
Marlin Whitney
Manhattan, KS
Spouse: Shirley
Married: 1995
Children: Katie, Wes, Abby
Grandchildren: 2
2025 Biography: Reside in Manhattan! KSTATE graduate! Wife and kids are also KSTATE graduates! Employed in Manhattan at Ag Press / Grass & Grain for 35 years! Retired in 2014! Currently help part time around office at Steel & Pipe Supply Co. I play lots of golf and am currently on board at Stagg Hill Golf Club. I’ve been a spotter for the KSTATE football PA announcer since 1988! Very fun position! Also have been a part of KSTATE basketball stat crew and currently spotter for basketball PA announcer! Seen lots of KSTATE games! I’m also part of the MHS football chain gang on fall Friday nights!! Lucky to stay in touch with MHS football program! I have enjoyed sports my whole life! I’ve always been playing on teams, coaching kids teams or helping out with games and events! Been lucky to be around the games!!
Mike Whitney
Round Rock, TX
Spouse: Susan
Married: 1980
Children: Dena Seelen, Kristen Scott, Amanda Butts
Grandchildren: 6
Frankie (Wilkins) Gould
Livonia, LA
Spouse: Randy
Married: 1972
2005 Biography: I have been married to Randy
Gould (MHS class of '69) for 33 years. We have lived in Louisiana for more
than 20 years, moving from a nine year stay in Nebraska, where I went to
graduate school. No, it didn't take me that long to get through school---I
also taught art at several colleges. We love living in the South, the food
and culture is outstanding. We don't miss the cold and snow, but we do have
to deal with hurricanes and large mosquitoes. Randy and I are both on the
Louisiana State University faculty. Randy is a research specialist with the
Department of Physics and Astronomy's electronic development group. His
involvement in research projects has taken him around the world. I always
say that I travel more but he wins the prize for traveling the farthest. He
just got back from his second trip to Japan working on a detection unit for
neutrinos in a cave. In November, he will go on his third trip to Antarctica
working on a detection unit for cosmic rays. I am a professor with the LSU
AgCenter communications and public relations department. For the last three
years, I have been the director of the department. Our department consists
of 27 faculty, staff and student workers. Our mission is to educate the
citizens of Louisiana through the use of research-based information
generated by the LSU AgCenter. This task is accomplished using a variety of
media including publications, print, exhibits, events, video, radio and the
Web. We just initiated a new content management system (CMS) Web site --
take a look -- www.lsuagcenter.com.
Randy and I live on a ranchette in beautiful Pointe Coupee
parish (county) on Bayou Fordoche with our two English Mastiff dogs, two
large horses and three cats. Randy spends a lot of time in his compound
which houses his six motorcycles (only 2 run), a boat and a lot of tools.
We spend a lot of time taking care of the ranchette, there is
a lot of flora and fauna, and something is blooming every month of the year.
We enjoy riding motorcycles and horses, lounging in our pool and offshore
fishing when the opportunity arises.
Art is my background and still my passion. I try producing a series of
paintings, drawings, prints or sculpture on a regular basis. Two galleries
represent my work in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
As the Cajuns say to 'pass a good time' come to Louisiana.
Laissez Le Bon Temp Roule and Geaux Tigers!
Brad Wille
Manhattan, KS
Spouse: Teresa
Married: 2004
Children: Michael, Amber, Matthew, Anna, Jonathan
2008 Biography: Returning to Manhattan seemed
like a long journey. After high school I went to McPherson College where I
received my degree in Physical Education and a minor in English. While at
McPherson I did get the opportunity to play some football. After college I
stepped into my first teaching and coaching position; full of excitement,
full of energy, but not full of knowledge.
My effort to gain that knowledge and to become not only a
better coach but better educator took me to several school districts in the
state of Kansas. The school district I was in prior to Manhattan,
(Coffeyville, KS), provided a tremendous opportunity for me to learn and to
grow, but after six years I left with my family. My first wife passed away
an opportunity opened for me to teach at Manhattan High School. I brought my
four children with me and we began our efforts here. My oldest son became an
alum of Manhattan High and he even provided a degree of pride when one day
after football practice he proudly displayed the "hitter's jersey" he had
earned. He is now playing football at Highland Community College and
hopefully he will be able to settle into a good college and establish a
quality degree for himself.
My oldest daughter will be a senior in the 2008-2009 school
year and she has tremendous dreams and aspirations to enter a singing/acting
career. She does know how to set up the drama, so I do believe that she will
be very successful.
My set of twins will be freshmen soon and will they ever
enjoy the high school environment.
In the summer of 2004 I did remarry a wonderful lady and as
life runs its unique twists, we have a remarkable young boy that will no
doubt be an ornery character. I just hope that the instructors will be able
to handle him.
When I came to Manhattan High the administration presented me
with the opportunity to solidify the Driver Education program. Since 2000 I
have been the supervisor of the Driver Education program at Manhattan High
and we have seen some tremendous developments. The progress of the program
is due in a large part to the tremendous professionalism that our driving
instructors have. I am so proud to be a part of that.
In the spring of 2004 I began to help with the track program,
and then in the fall of 2005 I began to assist with the football program. I
am an assistant on the Freshmen team. I have been a head coach and a varsity
assistant coach in several other schools, but none of those can compare to
the honor of being an assistant coach on the Freshmen level at Manhattan
High School. It is truly amazing to see how other teams actually begin a
degree of concern when they know it is time to play Manhattan High. We coach
it very simple... MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. Hard-nosed and rough. I
really enjoy the process we go through because we are able to develop young
men to CARRY the Manhattan High School tradition. We all know what that
tradition is and how hard you have to work to keep it going.
My children have had the opportunity to be a part of that
tradition and next year I will get the chance to coach my son to be a true
Manhattan High School Indian.
Am I proud of Manhattan High and its tradition...without a
doubt.
Fred Williams (deceased)
Dean Wilson (deceased)
Kirk Wilson
Manhattan, KS
Stan Wilson
Manhattan, KS
2005 Biography: I have
lived in Kansas City, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Atlanta (besides Manhattan). I
have done Martial Arts and Electronics (and write). I never got married. At
the time of this writing my mother is still alive and I have two brothers. I
have two roommates, one a boxer (dog) with an attitude problem. I am on the
boards for Pawnee Mental Health and Morningstar (consumer rights
organization).
Steve Wilson
Fairway, KS
Spouse: Lyn
Married: 1987
Children: Katrina, Alex, Amy
2010 Biography: I'm STILL ALIVE! Physically ok, Mentally...so, so. I think I have finally recovered from the 60's, 70's & 80's 90's the first decade of the 2000’s oh what the hell. Lyn and I still have 3 kids and we are still flaming Liberals, Conservative Liberals, GDI's (God Damn Independents)...whatever. My still foxy wife, Lyn, after 10 years of being self-employed, is still a Parochial School Nurse for the past 15 years. I, after 20 years of being self-employed, am still self-employed, just without any damn employees. I lease space at a neighborhood salon 5 minutes from home. I feel like I'm semi-retired, it's great. We still live in a 1930's English Tudor that I purchased back in 1978. Our kids are the youngest of all our friend's kids. It's kept us young. I haven't yet and never will grow-up. Our oldest daughter, Katrina, is getting a degree in Graphic Design. She will be finishing up in December of 2011. She’s also taking advanced Photography classes. Alex will be graduating from High School in May. He’ll go to Johnson County Community College and get his core classes out of the way then finish up at K-State. Amy, our wild child (like her mother), will be a Senior in High School this Fall. She still wants to teach. She’ll go to K-State also. As you can tell we have our kids pretty much brain-washed on K-State. It’s been awhile since we’ve been to our favorite log cabin at Rockey River in Gunnison near Crested Butte, Colorado. We really enjoyed fly-fishing, hiking, biking and a little white-water rafting. It was 17 years that we went to the same place. Nothing like getting drunk, getting naked and putting on the waders to do a little fishing. We’ll go back after we finish buying cars, the kids get out of college, etc., hopefully sooner. I really look forward to this reunion every 5 years. It's a lot of fun. Look forward to seeing you all.
Beth (Winter) Richey (deceased)
Ronald Witt
Darrell Woelhoff (deceased)
Becky Woodman
Byfield, MA
Children: James Cassel III, Anna Cassel
2005 Biography: Hard to believe that 35 years
ago, we all graduated.........I still have my picture graduating in a
wheelchair (remember my fall out of a window and cutting my heels
off.......ouch!!...) Anyway, everything healed, and all is better....I even
passed an Army Physical 4 years later.
So since then......what is it I haven't done. Let's say I
ended up taking "many roads" less traveled. I didn't finish college...was
way to unsettled for any of that, so I ended up singing with a rock group
and traveling Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Milwaukee.......(yes - we
kind of jumped!!). When that came to an end, I joined the Army - and ended
up in Europe as an entertainer in the Army. We were the main entertainment
for the Bicentennial stuff back in 1975. I met my first husband over there,
got pregnant within the first week of being married... and delivered a huge
baby boy in October of that same year. We both ETS'd out in 1976 to move to
Boston, MA.
Never in my wildest dreams did I EVER expect to end up in
Boston - or the East Coast. But, I'm glad I did. About 3 and a half years
after my son's birth, I gave birth to a daughter in the spring of 1980. She
was a home birth with the midwife......and everything else that went with
that.
That marriage ended in 1985.......only for a second marriage
to come about in 1991. This time I went really radical and got married on a
hard rock radio station in Boston. (yes.....I really did do that!) That
marriage ended in 1996 about a month before my mother passed away.
So here we are now 9 years later. I am happily single, have a
bookkeeping service on the North Shore of Massachusetts, and have a number
of very close friends who have become my family.
Both of my kids have graduated from college, my daughter is
pursuing her Ph.D. in Psychology, and my son is using his art degree as a
carpenter. Both are doing extremely well.
While I love my work, I also practice belly-dancing, am a
Reiki practitioner, and I adopt kids from time to time to practice being a
grandmother.
I would love to hear from you. If you find yourself in this
area, please give me a call.
Debbie (Wray) Davis
Wamego, KS
Spouse: Phil
Married: 1998
Children: Dale Whitt, Marc Whitt, Bobbie Kramm, Marc Goss
Grandchildren: 5
2005 Biography: I wasn't going to write
anything because my life has not been very exciting, but Stuart guilted me
into it since I have enjoyed reading everyone else's information so much.
I've been married 3 times. I have been divorced once and had
the second one annulled. I think this marriage will be my last one.
Phil and I live about half way between St. George and Wamego.
We have 2 hunting dogs and 12 cats. No, we are not crazy people! A stray cat
had 2 litters of kittens under our deck and now her kittens are having
kittens. (Has a cat birth control pill been invented?)
I had one child; Marc is 34. He lives in Tucson. I have
several stepchildren and grandchildren who live in the Manhattan area that I
enjoy spoiling.
Saturday mornings you can find me at a garage sale. During
the week I go to thrifts shops to look for hidden treasures.
I have worked for KSU since 1974. The first 8 years were with
Facilities; the last 23 years have been with Dining Services. I am eligible
to retire in 3 years, but I think I'll continue working unless/until someone
ticks me off so bad that I quit. (Cat food can be expensive!) I think that
if/when I retire, I'll become a lunch room lady at one of the Wamego grade
schools. I am probably over qualified for that position due to my experience
at Derby Dining Center, but it's a goal I will aim for.
Tom Yeager
Manhattan, KS
Kathryn (Yonning) Richardson (deceased)
David Zerfas
Manhattan, KS
Spouse: Kim
Children: Karl
2005 Biography:
....... and then I invented "post-its"
but seriously folks we live on a hill near Sedalia Church with plenty of
elbow room. Kim works at KSU Foundation, I toil at Hawley Printing (in the
digitized world of printing I am possibly the last real "stripper".)
I am still "gigging". My solo work is done under the guise of
"zerf-songs and stories of the wild Kansas frontier", which is nothing short
of an amazing version of personal continuing education and indulgence of
childhood fantasy. I also play with other unrepentant musicians,
feeding-back in our home-studios.
Karl is ten and now I find myself as head coach of his
baseball team, a sport which humiliated me daily as a youth. Now I help
prepare these youngsters for a life of disappointment and "striking-out".
