Profiles for Crestland Class of '60

Last updated July 2006

Name: Vara (Bones) Groot '60
Manson, Iowa

Education/Awards: Morningside College in Sioux City was where I received my Bachelors of Music Education degree in 1964.
        Two honors I have received include being named Friend of Education in the Manson-Northwest Webster schools and being named a Wallace's Farmer Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 2000.
Occupation: I taught music for five years, the last three being in Manson where I taught elementary music.
        About the time our children were out of elementary school, I heard a Toastmasters club member present a program for an annual meeting. It caused me to think that perhaps I would enjoy sharing some of my experiences in life, so I joined Toastmasters for a few years. The most entertaining and vivid stories grew naturally from my major adjustments to living on the farm! Doing public speaking across the state includes a favorite as keynote speaker at the "Women in Denim" Conference in Storm Lake in 2005.
Family: My husband, Merlyn Groot, farmed several years before I had met him and was a native of the Manson area. We married in 1969 and became parents of three daughters.
        Deborah Wilkerson lives in Branson, Mo., with her husband, Greg. She has a stepson, Zac, who visits them in Branson a lot. Deb works in product development with "The Fudgery" in Branson, where she used to manage and perform. She has been taking classes in dietetics.
        Denise Groot worked at "The Fudgery" for several years then returned to the University of Iowa to finish her business degree and now works in Des Moines at Principal Finance. Her new address will soon be Pleasant Hill.
        Rachel McBurney works in Des Moines at Principal while living in Clive with her husband, Matt, and their 1 1/2 year old, Emilie. Both graduated from the University of Iowa.
        About 5 years ago, my husband and I moved to my current home, 2 miles west of Manson, a short distance from where our girls grew up. Just a year ago, Merlyn passed away leaving a big hole in my life and of course changing every aspect of it. Faith and courage, friends and family have seen me through.
Hobbies/Activities: Some of my pastimes and hobbies include art classes, accompanying students on the piano for music contests, and playing French horn in the community band. I walk for my health and for fun. Being with family and friends is still the best activity of all.
        Some of my early activities within the Manson area were singing in the Ft. Dodge Civic Glee Club and in Manson's Meridian Singers.
        Church involvement has always been considerable. Our women's group, singing in choir, and committee activities remain major involvements. In past years, I have served on the Centennial and the Quasquicentennial boards of the Manson celebrations.
Comments: If you wonder about my siblings, these are their locations. Beth Randolph, Pasadena, CA.; David (Eileen), Ashland, OR; Barbara Chapman, Des Moines; Linda Sherman (Michael), Brentwood, TN.; and Martha Boyes (Jeff) Clear Lake, IA. I'm grateful for so much and still enjoy life!

Last updated July 2004

Name: Darrell Determann '60
Eagle Grove, Iowa

Current Occupation: Retired June 30, 2002 from 37 years in education (30 at Clarion), the last 13 as high school principal at Clarion/Goldfield. During my tenure at Clarion, I was active in the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, serving as District Director and Historian, the National Association of Secondary Principals serving as President of the Area V Principals Association, and serving as an NCA evaluator.
Comments: After our retirement we sold our home in Clarion and moved to Eagle Grove. This has allowed us to enjoy being "onsite" grandparents. It is a refreshing trip back in time to see the world through the eyes of children!
Hobbies: I enjoy being a lay preacher, substitute teaching, golf, walking and the grandchildren.
Family: Wife: Billie (Stone) Determann, class of '61. During our 40 years of marriage we have raised two children, Guy Determann of Longmont, Colorado and Amy (Determann) Lund of Eagle Grove. Guy works in the Computer Security Division of IBM at Boulder, Co. and Amy (Determann) Lund lives in Eagle Grove with her husband Lowell and our two grandsons Randy age 11 and Hunter age 18 months.

Last updated July 2004

Name: Mary Ellen (Wunschel) Hatch '60
Sac City, Iowa

Current Occupation: Will have 20 years with Dept of Human services of Iowa, Aug. 15th as Supervisor of Income Maintenance Workers in Buena Vista, Cherokee, and Ida counties.
Comments: We moved from the farm to Sac City in 1996.
Hobbies: We live about 2 blocks from the Sac City Golf course and spend our free time there.
Family: Married to Don Hatch for almost 42 years. We have 4 children.
Kevin & wife Beth who have - Nicole 12 and Josh 10.
Kandi & husband Danny have 3 boys - Marcus 18, Mason 6, & Miles 3.
Karmel & husband Tom have 4 boys - Nick 12, Cameron 10, Luke 3 & Christopher 1 1/2 yr.
Klint & wife Kristie and their children Kyle 4 & Kennedy 3.

Last updated July 2003

Name: Allen & Kay (Weitzel) Olson '60
Nemaha, Iowa

Current Occupation: Allen has worked in the automotive repair business since graduation. He is currently working at Speed's Automotive in Wall Lake.
Past Occupations: Allen has also owned two businesses. Kay worked at Crestland Elementary school in Nemaha for many years as a cook, and was then employed by Buena Vista College and Sac Community Schools. Kay quit working in 2002 to say with her daughter and 2 grandchildren as they face a difficult family situation.
Hobbies: In his spare time, Allen enjoys tinkering at the old Olson Garage in Nemaha, drag racing with his son, watching any type of racing show on television, fishing, and entertaining the grandchildren. Kay enjoys sewing, gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, and playing with the grandchildren.
Family: We have been married since 1961. We have four children, three of whom graduated from Crestland Community High School.
Tim Olson, class of '80, currently lives in Fort Dodge with his wife, Kris, and their three children.
Terry Olson, class of '81, lives in Duluth, MN. where he is store manager for Gander Mountain. He and wife, Jodi, have three boys.
Kathy Olson, class of '87, lives in Ankeny with her three children and is employed at Jacquelyn's Photography in Ames.
Denise Miller, our youngest, graduated from Schaller-Crestland in '92, and currently resides in Bondurant with her husband Nate. Denise is a junior high teacher with Southeast Polk Schools.

Last updated July 2003

Name: Lawrence Winkel '60
Muscatine, Iowa

Current Occupation: November 1966 went to work at Grain Processing Corp., Muscatine, Iowa. Retired July 31, 2002.
Past Occupations: Worked at Lang's Dairy (Sac City) 3 years.
Fall of 1963 joined the Navy, out in 1966 (Viet Nam Vet).
Education or Awards: Have been active in the Union Local 86D, held V.P. Office for 12 years.
Hobbies: I enjoy hunting, fishing and all outdoors activities.
Family: 1967 Married my wife Alice, been married for 35 years.
We have 2 boys who also live in Muscatine, and 2 granddaughters - four and eight years old. (What a handful)