Valle Catholic High School’s Class Of 1969 Celebrates 50th Reunion
The Valle Class of 1969 celebrated its 50th reunion with a weekend of activities in September.
Fifty-nine classmates out of a possible 92 attended one or several of the events over the five-day celebration.
Events were kicked off with a gathering for a Cardinals baseball game in Saint Louis on September 18.
The next day, a trolley ride to the wineries with lunch at Chaumette was the event for approximately 20 classmates.
Later that afternoon, they joined more classmates for a preview tour of the Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center, located in the old Koetting building on the town square. Museum Learning Center board member Rich Rebecchi took the group on a tour of the Cultures of the World and Hall of the Giants Galleries. This was followed by a visit to the Colonial Ste. Genevieve Gallery and the Learning Centre Theatre. A question-and-answer session completed the tour with a social in the Main Gallery, which overlooks the front of the facility.
Many rounds of golf were played on various days, including September 19. The day was capped off with a casual gathering and cookout at The Hubardeau House in downtown Ste. Genevieve.
As many as 40 classmates rode on the float on September 20 in Valle’s homecoming parade. While it rained on the parade, the class members agreed that it did not rain on their parade. The class returned to The Hubardeau for a boiled shrimp feast, featuring class president Denis Stuppy.
Saturday Mass on September 21 at the Church of Ste. Genevieve was well-attended by the classmates.
Immediately following Mass, the 1969 graduates, along with the members of the Class of 64 and the Class of 59, was hosted by the Valle Catholic Schools Foundation for dinner at the DuBourg Centre.
An update on the progress of Valle Schools was provided by Cindy Loida and Joe Rozier. Rev. Edward Nemeth spoke about the value of being good stewards and highlighted the many ways that the Alumni Association has given back to Valle Schools.
Mike Bahr led the class in a moment of silence, as they paid tribute to their deceased classmates: Dennis Arnold, Rose Bahr, Larry Becker, Steve Drury, Carol Hoog, Larry “Buck” Huck, Margie Long, Gary Otte, Dennis Schweigert, Mary Louis “Lulu” Stanton and Ron Strattman.
Not at the dinner but participating in other weekend events were Steve Robertson, Dale Siebert, Judy (Kertz) Trautman, Rick Huck, Kenny Huck, Ron Weiler and John Naeger.
The weekend festivities were wrapped up with a squirrel taco feast at the home of Denis Stuppy, who provided the perfect “local” flavor to cap off a wonderful reunion celebration.
All agreed that the weekend activities served to reinforce to the Class of 1969 the importance of celebrating not just each other as classmates, but also celebrating each other as part of the Valle Family.
(Information in a release from Liz Roth.)
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