JEFF A.'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE

For those who didn't see Lisa's comment below:


Due to the impending blizzard, Jeff's gathering has been moved

to Sunday from 2:00 - 6:00 at the Anamosa High School.

JEFF A.

As I am sure many of you have already heard, Jeff Ahrendsen (Class of 1980) passed away early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers to his family, children, and close friends who were loyal and with him to the end.

When I hear about visitation and funeral arrangements, I will post them here.

I don't know about all of you, but I am damn sick of these wonderful, young people dying way too soon. Please, everyone, grab those you love and hold them close.

Our condolences to Leann and family

Aric D. Jenson, 48, of Monticello, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Kramer Funeral Home, Monticello, with burial at a later date.

Pastor Darryl Larson will be officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello.

Survivors include his best friend, Leann (Fisher) Jenson of Anamosa; daughter, Sarisa Jenson of Bettendorf; two sons, Andrew and Nathan Jenson of Anamosa; mother, Kris Jenson of Monticello; two brothers, Dana (Rachel) Jenson of Waterloo, and Adam (Lorri) Jenson of Paola, Kan.; two sisters, Beth Helmrichs of Garnavillo, and Ricka (Steve) Parkhurst of Gardner, Kan.; a special aunt, Joan (Erv) Zuehlke; and godmother, Maxine Jenson.

Aric is also survived by many special aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Victor.

Aric was born on June 22, 1961, in Rockford, Ill., the son of Victor and Christine Lunde Jenson. He married Leann Fisher at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Monticello, Iowa.

Aric owned and operated A&L Turf Builders for 10 years, while working full time at Orbis for 20 years in Monticello. He was an avid collector who loved working outside, cutting trees, woodworking and especially decorating his home for Christmas, putting up thousands of Christmas lights. Aric was a man of many hobbies.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers and may be sent to 500 Kaitlynn Ave., Anamosa, IA 52205.

Information available and condolences accepted at http://www.kramerfuneral.com/

PICS FROM LISA T.

Just a few pics of my very handsome son and my beautiful daughter-in-law, Amy. Gosh, I can't wait for those grand babies!

Love to all,

lisa t.

Congratulations, Mike!

Dear Family and Friends —

After spending the past 13 months on the promotion list waiting for my sequence number to hit, it is with great humility and pride that I send you an invitation for my upcoming promotion ceremony! USAF Lieutenant General (Retired) Tad Oelstrom, Director of the National Security Program at Harvard will preside over the ceremony. As many of you know, this has and continues to be a tough year on our Family with Rhonda teaching in Colorado Springs, Liz attending Marquette University in Milwaukee, Susie attending UNI in Cedar Falls, and myself attending the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Boston. However, their unconditional love and support during the past eleven PCS moves, operational deployments and recent combat deployment gives me the strength to continue to serve!

As anyone associated with the military will tell you, being selected for promotion is not a singular achievement or event. While it clearly recognizes an individuals performance and potential for future service, it also is a time to recognize the individual’s Family and all those who have served for and with the individual being promoted. As I sit and reflect on the past twenty-eight years of my military career, it clearly would not have been possible to send this email tonight without the mentorship, friendship, support, and love of everyone receiving this invitation; not to mention the countless numbers of Soldiers and leaders with whom I have served. Regardless of assignment, I can honestly say that I have been blessed to have served with totally outstanding Soldiers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Commissioned Officers, and Government Civilians and I thank you all.

While I clearly understand that it is unrealistic for any of you to be able to attend the ceremony in Boston, I just wanted to let you know that you will all be in my thoughts during the ceremony and look forward to seeing you all in the future! Again, thank you for the support, guidance, and wisdom over the years. As a heads up, I am scheduled to take command of the 3rd Army Recruiting Brigade at Fort Knox, Kentucky on 16 July 2010 and will make sure that you all receive an invitation to that event in the spring and hope you can make it!

Sincerely,
Mike

Michael T. Hauser
National Security Fellow
JFK School of Government
Harvard University
michael_hauser@hks.harvard.edu

My Airman

Airman Wesley D. Rickels

United States Air Force

Say "hi" to Suzy!

I caught up with Suzy Betzer on Facebook and she gave me permission to share her e-mail address with all of you! It is phluzy@gmail.com. I am even stealing her picture to share with you all!

My dogs

Lisa T. has been "hounding" me to post pictures of our dogs, Lute and Lefse, so here they are. Vegging out on the kitchen floor last night.

Darcie does good things.

Darcie's benefit was a huge success. She was also on the KCRG news this morning for the Toys for Tots benefit at Lindale Mall. Here's a photo from her benefit.

A few things....

A couple things......

First of all, I am still alive.

Secondly, I heard that our classmate, Tony Miell, is getting married on November 14th. Congratulations to Tony and his fiancee, Lori!

Also, there is a benefit for Darcie on Saturday, October 17th. I'll know more details soon.

I have connected with Brad Bieber and Jerald Tew via Facebook! Today is Jerry's birthday, by the way.

Finally... I know it's a ways off yet, but does anyone have any ideas for our 30th reunion? I'll do the work again unless someone else absolutely wants to... :-)

MESSAGE FROM BRETT

Another classmate to keep in our prayers..... Get well soon, Brett!


Was leaving united clubs meeting sunday around 5pm to head home. I was in right lane and a mini van full of asians flew over 3 lanes from my left, cut me off and I t-boned them. They say I went over front of bike and in to window side, breaking all windows and covererd their kids with glass. I dont remember anything, including leaving the meeting. I woke up in hospital around 10pm just in time to get stitches in front and back of my head. I had several visitors but dont remember any of them except my wife who came back from Houston and my little brother who came up from Austin.

Injuries: dislocated left shoulder, broken ribs on right side, cuts front and back of head, major bruise & swelling right hip, bruised knees, stiff neck. Otherwise just sore and stiff all over. I was quite lucky! No other broken bones or casts or anything!

I've had several calls and text messages and visitors at the house. I have to go back in tomorrow for follow up on head and shoulder but will be just fine. Billy (harley tech) says my bike is jacked up and might be totalled. Thats fine, I'm just glad I'm not in the hospital with more serious injuries! My brother is gonna take me over there this afternoon so I can check out the bike.

PRAYERS FOR TWO CLASSMATES

I know neither one of them would want me to do this, but I am doing it anyway.....

Stephanie Seehusen (Cross) and Darcie Cole (Luxa) need our prayers...

Steph is battling breast cancer and Darcie had a motorcycle accident. Please keep both of them in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks and months.

Love you both! :-)

WHO SAYS IOWA ISN'T BEAUTIFUL?

FRIENDS

It was great to see some

friends again!

Dinner at T & D

Cost of my trip to Iowa ~ by Ernie!

Gas $ 135

Hotel $ 49.45/night

Dinner at T&D $31.02 + tip

Meeting w/friends PRICELESS

FUN, FUN

We had lots of laughs and good food at Mike's party Saturday night.

Ernie was the surprise guest of the night!

F.Y.I: If you want to see Mike, Rhonda, or Ernie, we are all meeting at T & D Eatery in Anamosa at 6:00 Wednesday night for dinner and cocktails.

Please feel free to join us.

I will post pics soon!

P.S./ Dan and I will be eating brats and burgers and steaks for a week thanks to all of you who said you were coming for dinner, but didn't! :-/

BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthdays to Mike D. (9th), Tony (12th), and Tom (13th)

LOOK WHO FINALLY SENT A PICTURE!!!

You haven't aged a bit, Ernie!!

MIKE HAUSER'S BELATED WELCOME HOME FROM IRAQ PARTY

We're finally having that Welcome Home Party for Mikey!

(You'll also get to meet his lovely wife, Rhonda!)

When: Saturday, July 11, 2009

4:00 p.m. until we can't take it any longer!

(Rain date: Sunday, July 12 at noon)

Where: Our house is Springville

510 Broadway Street

The grill will be fired up at 5:00. All food will be provided, but please bring your beverage of choice and a cozy lawn chair!

Also, please spread the word to those friends and classmates who may not have internet access.

!!!!PLEASE RSVP!!!!

by Wednesday, July

8th so we have a somewhat

accurate account for the food!

danandcarron@yahoo.com

or 319-241-8818 or leave a comment!

(This picture was taken yesterday when we met up with Mike and Rhonda at J & P Cycles' 30th Anniversary party! We didn't have any fun as you can tell from the look on Mike's face.)

CAN YOU GUESS?

Can you guess which classmate this beautiful child belongs to?

Dean Rickels' son, Wesley

Lisa Heitland Williams sent this photo along with her comment below...

SEND PHOTOS OF YOUR KIDS GRADUATING!!!

(I can't post any of mine because, God forbid, we would hate to

make this an "all about Carron" blog.)

GUESS WHO??

Look who invited me to be a friend on his Facebook page!!!

HE'S OLD AS WELL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE!

I GOT A PHOTO

I did manage to get a photo of Darcie on her birthday last week. Her friend, Shannon, came along for the festivities.

She told me she was going straight home to bed that night because she was so full and tired. I later heard something about tequila..... I'm thinking she didn't go straight home....

WES IS THE BIG 18!

Dean's and my son, Wesley, turned 18 on April 10th. We warned him that if he screws up now, we don't have to bail him out!!!!!!!!

Wes leaves on July 7th for the Air Force. He was accepted into the air traffic control program. So, he will be just sitting out there watching airplanes!

I am trying to imagine Wes with no hair.... wish I could be there to see it all getting shaved off!

MY PRETTY NIECE

Here is a pic of my niece, Alex, at Anamosa's prom with her date, Kaleb.

Alex will be heading back to Denmark on June 6th! I haven't seen her as much as I would have liked, but it's been great having her here this past year!

BRETT'S OLD, TOO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRETT!!!

Whatcha doing to celebrate today?

DARCIE IS OLD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARCIE!!!

(I am meeting her for dinner at 6:30 and I will try to get a picture of her! Last time I tried, however, she threatened to shove my camera somewhere the sun don't shine, so don't hold your breath!)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Nick and Jacob

Brenda sent this photo of her son, Nick, and his friend, Jacob, taken at Monticello's prom!

I'M HERE!!!!!

HAPPY EASTER!

It's my favorite holiday! A time for new beginnings!

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!

(Below is a funny little story!)

BORN AGAIN AMERICAN

Brenda sent the link below to click on for a great song. It's kind of inspiring! Thanks for sharing, Brenda!!


http://www.bornagainamerican.org/

Just a workin’ man without a job
It got shipped off to China via Washington, D.C.
And I know I’m nothin’ special, there are plenty more like me
Just the same

I thought I knew the rules of the game
I stood up for this country that I love
I came back from the desert to a wife and kids to feed
I’m not sayin’ Uncle Sam should give me what I need
My offer stands

I’ll pull my weight you give me half a chance
I went up to a congressman and said to him “you know
Our government is letting people down”
He said he’d need a lot of help to buck the status-quo
I said there was a bunch of us around

I’m a Born Again American, conceived in Liberty
My Bible and the Bill of Rights, my creed’s equality
I’m a Born Again American, my country ‘tis of me
And everyone who shares the dream from sea to shining sea

My brother’s welding chassis at the plant
He’s earning what our granddad did in 1948
While CEOs count bonuses behind the castle gates
How can they see

When all they care about’s the do re mi
It’s getting where there’s nowhere left to turn
Not since the crash of twenty-nine have things been so unfair
So many of our citizens are living in despair
The time has come

To reaffirm that hope’s not just for some
The promise of America’s surrendering to greed
The rule is just look out for number one
But brace yourself ‘cause some of us have sown a different seed
A harvest of the spirit has begun

I’m a Born Again American conceived in liberty
My Bible and The Bill Of Rights
My creed’s equality
A Born Again American, my country ‘tis of me
And everyone who shares the dream from sea to shining sea

It’s clear my country’s soul is on the line
She’s hungering for something that she lost along the way
The principle the framers called upon us to obey
That in this land

The people’s will must have the upper hand
I felt the calling once before and took a sacred vow
And faithful to that vow I have remained
I hear the calling once again, my country needs me now
And to her cause I have been re-ordained

I’m a Born Again American conceived in liberty
My Bible and the Bill Of Rights, all people living free
A Born Again American, my country ‘tis of me
And everyone who shares the dream
From sea to shining sea
And everyone who shares the dream
From sea to shining sea
A M E R I C A

RANDY'S SON

Sorry the picture is crooked, but my scanner was giving me fits. Anyway, this picture was in this week's Town Crier. We have a classmate's son making news!!!!!!!!!

There's just a slight resemblance, ya think??

(I'm having a brain fart...........who is Randy's wife?? Joan who?)

THE HUMAN BODY

(I don't know if this is true, but it sure is funny.)


It takes your food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.

One human hair can support 3 kg (6 lb).

The average man's penis is three times the length of his thumb.

Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.

A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.

There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.

Women blink twice as often as men.

The average person's skin weighs twice as much as the brain.

Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.

If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

Women reading this will be finished now.

Men who read this are probably still busy checking their thumbs.

May you all make lots of sweet memories with those you

love!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR GODSON!

Happy Birthday to Bryce Engelbart, my handsome, sweet godson, on February 14th.

Just because you're 18 and legal now, don't forget that your momma and I can still kick your butt!!!!!!! :-)

SHARON AND THE YOUNGUNS

I took the kids to Sears for Valentine's Day pics and they turned out sooooo good I spent way more $$ than I expected. I couldn't find a cute t-shirt for Charlie boy, so I made him one! Hope you can open these!!!

Happy Hump Day!!!!

Have a festive Valentime's Day!!!!!

Shark

ANOTHER FORMER TEACHER PASSES AWAY

(Lisa T. sent me this message about Don Brown passing away. You can read his obituary in the Cedar Rapids Gazette if you click here.)

Hi!

Just wanted to let you know Don Brown, the biology teacher, passed away early Wed am, 2/4/09. Shawn and I (and Bella) rec'd a call and went down to the hospital Tues. So sad. I'll miss his grumpy self in my kitchen sipping "lemon zinger" tea, discussing some motocross race or deeper issues with Shawn. No funeral. A get-together is planned at Wapsi Sun., Feb. 22 - time should be announced in the Anamosa paper. I have to go for now.

Will call you soon.

Lisa T.