Reunion Held for Southeast Consolidated High School Class of ‘76

The Southeast Consolidated High School Class of 1976 held its 50-year reunion on Saturday, August 22, at the Wayside Barn near Stella. Fifteen classmates, and five teachers reconnected during the afternoon event, with music provided by Roger Parshall, a relative of Kim Tanner.  Total attendance with spouses and guests were thirty-six people.  Tumblereed Mercantile catered the meal, which was enjoyed by all.
The reunion committee — Kurt Tanner, Tracy Milke, Randy Pryor, Rita Kreifels, Loretta Johnson and Jan Alexander — provided “Blast from the Past” handouts, two table displays, and organized a Class of ’76 Jeopardy competition with classmates competing on three teams.  A poster display honored eight classmates who have passed away from the original graduating class of 33.
Teachers shared favorite stories from 50 years ago that proved quite entertaining. Paul Roison commented, “Camaraderie was great, the food was just right, not too much and delicious.” Emcee Randy Pryor said he was pleased with the turnout, noting that even the spouses had fun, and praised the committee for successfully adjusting plans after the Spirit of Brownville boat cruise was cancelled.
Point-of-pride highlights included Coach Russ Sears recalling the undefeated, unscored-upon junior high football team that outscored six opponents 287 to 0. The 1975-76 basketball team, coached by Lonnie Wing with assistant Larry Humphrey, defeated Palmyra, Falls City Sacred Heart and Humboldt three times each and finished the season 22 wins and 1 loss.  In college football, Garland Shafer was inducted into the Peru State Hall of Fame in 2016.
Of the 15 classmates, they reported a combined total of 12 marriages, 29 children and 41 grandchildren!  The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of easy camaraderie that only comes from shared history.
Classmates attending from Nebraska:
Alice (Maddox) Alexander, Auburn; Larry Boatman, Nemaha; Dianne (Templemeyer) Franke and guest, Lincoln; Loretta Johnson, Omaha; Michael Kerkow, Falls City; Scott and Rita (Niedfeldt) Kreifels, Verdon; Tracy and Deb Milke, Stella; Randy and Sally (Bright) Nuss, Stella; Ralph Oestmann (Guest), Lincoln; Randy and Michelle Pryor, Lincoln; Garland and Darlene Shafer, Lincoln; Joey Sullwold, Stella; and Kurt and Kim Tanner, Nemaha.
Classmates attending from out of state:
Paul and Ilene (Workman) Huffman, Sabetha, KS; and Jon and Nancy (Lockard) Talbert, Overland Park, KS.
Coaches and Teachers of the Class of ’76:
Vickie Bielke, Stella, Larry Humphrey and son Chuck Humphrey, Beatrice; Anna and Paul Roison, Sioux City, IA; Russ and Jan Sears, Crete; Wayne and Doris Shafer, Stella; and Lonnie Wing & Donna Hall, Stella.