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In Memory of Roberta “Bobbie” Niess Ainsworth ’57
In Memory of Roberta “Bobbie” Niess Ainsworth ’57
Bobbie Ainsworth
ROBERTA “BOBBIE” NIESS AINSWORTH ’57 of Rancho Cucamonga, California, died April 1, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in English and was a member of Alpha Gamma Theta. She received a degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. Her husband, ROBERT AINSWORTH ’57, died in 2020.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Andrew Obara ’55
In Memory of Andrew Obara ’55
Andrew Obara
ANDREW M. OBARA ’55 of Palatine, Illinois, died Nov. 3, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in biology, competed in wrestling, was a member of Phi Kappa Pi and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army and received a commendation medal with ribbon upon his honorable discharge years later. He spent his career as a commercial artist, studio manager and art director. He was an active member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. Survivors include his wife, SOPHIA Y. OGAWA ’55; and three daughters.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of William Moran ’54
In Memory of William Moran ’54
William Moran
WILLIAM J. MORAN ’54 of Georgetown, Texas, died Dec. 17, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in physical education, was MVP of his football team, and participated in athletics, ROTC and Sigma Alpha Epsilon/Delta Sigma Psi. He received two graduate degrees from the University of Detroit. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany; a teacher with the Detroit Public Schools; championship football coach; a member of his parish council, credit union, school and library board; and a political and labor union activist. He loved to travel, especially to historical locations; volunteering in the community; and golf, bridge, book clubs, fishing, gardening, cooking, and canning chili sauce and pickles with his daughter. Survivors include his wife, KIM KENNEY MORAN ’57; and two daughters.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Annabelle Wichman Dorsch ’53
In Memory of Annabelle Wichman Dorsch ’53
Annabelle Dorsch
ANNABELLE WICHMAN DORSCH ’53 of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Nov. 28, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in English. During her high school and college years, she enjoyed many activities, especially athletics, forensics and drama. For 34 years, she taught English and coached forensics in Waupun and Ripon high schools. She received a Hall of Fame Award from the Wisconsin Forensic Association in 1990.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Richard Cozad ’53
In Memory of Richard Cozad ’53
Richard Cozad
RICHARD E. COZAD ’53 of Naples, Florida, died July 11, 2018. At Ripon, he majored in economics, participated in Ver Adest and athletics, and was commissioned through ROTC.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Eva Margaret “Margi” Hoyt Larsen ’52
In Memory of Eva Margaret “Margi” Hoyt Larsen ’52
Margi Larson
EVA MARGARET “MARGI” HOYT LARSEN ’52 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, died July 8, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and participated in Ver Adest and music. She sang in high school, at Ripon College, Bay View Lutheran Church and The Trouble Clefs, a women’s barbershop quartet. She worked at the Corner House Shops and Wigwam Nursery and retired from Sturgeon Bay High School as a library aide. She was active in the community, including the Sturgeon Bay Women’s Golf Association, her own Margi Larsen Open tournament for 16 years, fund-raising efforts, and the Jim Larsen Boys and Girls Club of Door County, named in honor of her late husband. She also enjoyed frequent entertaining. Survivors include three sons and one daughters.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Robert Piehl ’51
In Memory of Robert Piehl ’51
Robert Piehl
ROBERT A. PIEHL ’51 of The Villages, Florida, and formerly Green Bay, Wisconsin, died June 24, 2021. At Ripon he participated in track for two years and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He received a degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked for the family lumber business and then transitioned to a successful career as an independent insurance agent in Green Bay. He was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. He competed as an adult in softball leagues, handball and golf. Survivors include one son and one daughter.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Charles Fredericksen ’51
In Memory of Charles Fredericksen ’51
Charles Fredericksen
CHARLES E. FREDERICKSEN ’51 of Tustin, California, died June 6, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in economics and mathematics and participated in Ver Adest and Merriman/Phi Kappa Pi. He earned degrees from MIT and Harvard Business School. He was the owner of Brandywine Investments Inc. Survivors include a son, JOHN D. FREDERICKSEN ’79.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Lois Ihlenfeldt Buttke ’51
In Memory of Lois Ihlenfeldt Buttke ’51
Lois Buttke
LOIS IHLENFELDT BUTTKE ’51 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died April 19, 2021. At Ripon, she participated in Pi Tau Pi. She earned a degree in education from Central State Teachers College (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point). She taught kindergarten in Rothschild and at Allouez and Eisenhower schools in the Green Bay Public School District. She enjoyed golf, bridge and doing crossword puzzles. She sang in the choir of Faith Lutheran Church in Allouez for many years. She and her husband, Ron, traveled globally and wintered at their home in Arizona. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Frank Sek
In Memory of Frank Sek
Frank Sek
FRANK W. SEK of McHenry, Illinois, died July 21, 2021. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attended Ripon College, Stanford University and the University of Illinois at Navy Pier, graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He attended medical school at the Illinois College of Medicine and became the longest-serving general practitioner in McHenry County, working 57 continuous years in his own solo practice. He also served on the staff of Harvard Hospital in Harvard, Illinois. Survivors include three sons and one daughter.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Corinne Mueller Spaulding ’50
In Memory of Corinne Mueller Spaulding ’50
Corinne Spaulding
CORINNE MUELLER SPAULDING ’50 of Glenview, Illinois, died Aug. 2, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and participated in athletics. She later was a member of Partners in the Legacy. She did postgraduate work at Northeastern University and was a learning center teacher at Rugen and Westbrook Schools in Glenview for 24 years. She was a member of Glenview Community Church for 65 years, a member of the Women’s Association Board, Chapter IV, cradle/toddler room supervisor for 15 years and chairman of the Bridge Marathon. Survivors include two sons and one daughter. Her husband, WILLIAM E. SPAULDING ’50, died in 2005.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Robert Potter ’50
In Memory of Robert Potter ’50
Robert Potter
ROBERT J. POTTER ’50 of Eagle River, Wisconsin, died Nov. 17, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in music and participated in Ver Adest and Alpha Phi Omega. He received a master’s degree in music education from Northwestern University. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a music teacher for 35 years, primarily at Brookfield East High School. He also enjoyed cooking. Survivors include one son and two daughters.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Eugene Wallshlaeger ’49
In Memory of Eugene Wallshlaeger ’49
Eugene Wallschlaeger
EUGENE D. WALLSCHLAEGER ’49 of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Dec. 1, 2021. At Ripon, he studied mathematics and was a member of Delta Sigma Psi. He worked as an accountant for the Ripon school system. He enjoyed spending holidays and summers in northern Wisconsin, fishing, working puzzles, card games, fireworks and bingo. He also liked big band music, reading and following the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks. He also was involved with the Lion’s Club for 60 years, Our Savior’s United Church of Christ and Russell Manor Board.
In Memory of John “Jack” White Jr.
In Memory of John “Jack” White Jr.
Jack White
JOHN “JACK” C. WHITE JR. of Tomah, Wisconsin, died Jan. 16, 2021. He attended Ripon before serving with the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He also attended Carroll College in Waukesha and Wisconsin Mortuary School in Milwaukee. He joined the family business, White Funeral Home, eventually buying it from his parents. He was involved in numerous community organizations and enjoyed traveling, motorcycling, boating and water skiing, piloting his small plane, fishing and hunting. Survivors include his wife, Helen; four sons and two daughters.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Doris Johnson Mattal Foley ’49
In Memory of Doris Johnson Mattal Foley ’49
Doris Foley
DORIS JOHNSON MATTAL FOLEY ’49 of Racine, Wisconsin, died June 26, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in educational studies. She earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a teaching degree from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She was a third-grade teacher at S.C. Johnson School for more than 20 years. She enjoyed summers at Wind Lake, Wisconsin, traveling, bowling, reading, and the Green Bay Packers. She was a member of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Racine. Survivors include one son and two daughters.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Marjorie Anne Ferrell ’47
In Memory of Marjorie Anne Ferrell ’47
Marjorie Ferrell
MARJORIE ANNE FERRELL ’47 of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, died Nov. 15, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in English and speech communication and was a member of Alpha Gamma Theta. She taught in the Ripon school system and the Oregon School for Girls of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. She later received a master’s degree in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master of divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary. She taught school in Burlington, Belvidere and Park Ridge, Illinois; and served as a pastor in the United Church of Christ in Random Lake, Wisconsin, and as a hospital chaplain in Omaha, Nebraska, Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin. She enjoyed traveling, camping, playing cards, and following Brewers baseball.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Carol Vlack Woertz ’44
In Memory of Carol Vlack Woertz ’44
Carolyn Woertz
CAROLYN “CAROL” VLACK WOERTZ ’44 of Waukegan, Illinois, died Sept. 23, 2021. At Ripon, she studied sociology and was a member of Alpha Gamma Theta. She left early to return to Waukegan to work at Abbott Laboratories during World War II. For many years, she worked for the family business, Glen Rock Beverages. She also worked at Globe Department Store and as a medical assistant. She was involved in civic women’s organizations, volunteered at Victory Memorial Hospital and was active at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed playing cards and traveling. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
In Memory of Marceline “Marcie” Kuehn Mitchell
In Memory of Marceline “Marcie” Kuehn Mitchell
MARCIE MITCHELL
MARCELINE “MARCIE” KUEHN MITCHELL died Jan. 4, 2022. She worked at Ripon College. She lived in Waupun, Wisconsin, for many years, working for more than 25 years as a personal secretary at National Rivet. After her retirement, she was church secretary at Immanuel Lutheran. In 1998, she moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, to be closer to family. She was president of her condominium association for many years, as an election judge in Ramsey County and a volunteer preschool screener. She enjoyed traveling and working with flowers. Survivors include one son, JEFFREY MITCHELL ’72. Her husband, JOHN MITCHELL ’50, died in 1987.
Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement
2010 – Fall ’21 Class Letter
2010 – Fall ’21 Class Letter
Nick Baker
2010 – Fall 2021 Class Letter
Co-Class Agents:
NICHOLAS BAKER ’10
(931) 444-4466 / [email protected]
TOMISSA PORATH FREISLEBEN ’10
(715) 853-6104 / [email protected]
Greetings, Class of 2010!
We hope that this Class Letter finds you and your families healthy and safe during this time. We know we can all agree at this point we would rather move on from 2020 and 2021 and hope 2022 turns out to be the year we are all hoping for!
As you know we had our annual Alumni Weekend from August 6-8. Alumni were present representing classes of 1961 to 2023 and it was a great weekend gathering. From the reminiscing of lounge parties in the Brockway Theta Chi lounge to eating frozen cocktails in the Commons, it was a weekend to remember. Besides the rain (we all got soaked), it was amazing seeing classmates many of us have not seen since we graduated. Any interaction felt like an old habit, as if we had just hit the Pub (now The Spot) for breakfast before a long day of classes.
In regards to campus, we know many of you have seen that the College is open for in-person instruction and students recently moved on campus as we write this letter. We are hopeful they have a great year making many of the same memories we did at Ripon College. It is because of generosity like yours the College continues to thrive today.
Class Notes:
HANNAH WENDLAKE DUFFEY ’10 of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, welcomed her daughter, Margot, to the family on June 1, 2021.
TOMISSA PORATH FREISLEBEN ’10 of Monona, Wisconsin, began a new job as an IT Product Owner at American Family Insurance. She’s excited about the new role, but she must make sure she calls it American Family Field instead of Miller Park whenever talking baseball with her coworkers.
CARISSA ZUERCHER KARSTEN ’10 and SHAWN KARSTEN ’09 of Ripon, Wisconsin, welcomed a baby boy, Luther James Karsten, to their family on April 19, 2021.
AXEL OWEN ’10 of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is serving as the Deputy Coordinated Campaign Director for Forward 2021.
DANIELLE SCHOLFIELD ROCCO ’10 and VINNY ROCCO ’11 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, welcomed their second child, Lucy, to the family on August 22, 2021.
SARAH GUSTAFSON RUMPF ’10 and KASEN RUMPF ’13 of Brookfield, Wisconsin, welcomed their second child, Rollins, to the family on June 21, 2021.
KATHERINE STOTIS ’10 and William Dooling were married in June 2018. William is a criminal defense lawyer in Minneapolis. Katherine is the processing archivist for the Hennepin History Museum. They have a King Charles cavalier spaniel called Conan (after the Barbarian) and are house hunting.
ELIZABETH WEIGLER ’10 of Santa Barbara, California, writes, “I graduated with a Ph.D. in Anthropology and started as an Associate User Experience Researcher at AppFolio in February. I live in Santa Barbara, California, with my husband Tyler and dog, Pilot the Dog.”
As we close this letter, remember Alumni Weekend 2022 is June 23-26, 2022. We hope to see you all there and please take care and stay safe.
Be well,
NICHOLAS BAKER ’10
TOMISSA PORATH FREISLEBEN ’10
Submitted by: Class Agents: Nick Baker and Tomissa Porath Freisleben
1967 – Fall ’21 Class Letter
1967 – Fall ’21 Class Letter
Kathy Dunn
1967 – Fall 2021 Class Letter
KATHY SANTIMAYS DUNN ’67
(704) 633-8999 / [email protected]
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” – Maya Angelou
Happy 2022 to you! I’m sure we are all thankful for a semi-return to normalcy after the dreaded COVID ups and downs of the last months. I’m very thankful the vaccine and its booster made it possible.
I’m also extremely thankful for the updates and news shared by some of you!
DON ’67 and KATHY BROWN BARNHART ’68 live in Huntsville, Alabama as do their daughters. That makes it easy for grandma and grandpa to see their grandchildren frequently. Despite the deterioration of our infrastructure, DON was able to retire after a 27-year career in the municipal pipeline rehabilitation industry. KATHY joined DON in retirement after serving as chef at HudsonAlpha Institute’s Jackson Center. Neither rested on their laurels but instead started new endeavors. KATHY and her youngest daughter opened a women’s thrift clothing business. I’m sure their shop is thriving during these times. Perhaps influenced by Dr. Breithaupt’s art history class, DON discovered a latent interest in painting. He primarily does landscapes. I’m sure he’s really talented as he received a request for his first commissioned painting!
We all know what a hipster GEORGE GITCHO ’67 is. Now it’s official as he had a hip replacement this past year. I’m sure many of you can relate!
DICK KUEHL ’67 suggests we start downsizing or at least get rid of “stuff.” He realized this was a good idea after moving this summer. Unfortunately, it was one of the hottest days of the year and a downpour also ensued!! Then, just before closing a tree fell on their dock but thankfully it was repaired in the nick of time! What luck!
NANCY WADLEY KEOUGH ’67 became a third-time grandma when her son and his wife welcomed a girl – May Grace.
KEN KALIHER ’67 had a great reunion after 40 years with fellow Sigma Chi, DAVID FRANCO ’68. DAVID retired to Tampa, Florida and KEN lives in Bellingham, Washington. They got together when DAVID and his wife visited their son in Seattle. They all had hoped to visit Vancouver, BC, but the border was closed so they took a few steps into Canada at the Peace Arch Park which straddles the border.
As seems to be the case when Ripon classmates get together after a long absence, time apart vanishes and we’re back to the “good old days.”
You can easily experience this phenomenon this June 23-26 at our 55th Class Reunion! If you would like to help plan something simple and low-key please contact me. Also, if you make your contribution to Ripon College between now and June 30, it will count toward our Class Reunion gift.
Sure to be part of our Class Reunion festivities and adding a laugh (or three) will be DICK ’67 and LUCY BROOKS WRIGHT ’67. They will need a break after all the work they’ve done rehabbing their home and an old school house in Waupaca. They were hoping to get that break on a Danube river cruise. However, it was canceled three times – bummer! Many of you can probably relate to postponed adventures.
I apologize for this late letter. I could make up a great story about why but, truth be told, it’s a victim of procrastination!
I hope you are all weathering well and looking forward to a spectacular rebound in 2022!
Submitted by: Class Agent: Kathy Santimays Dunn