I’ve really enjoyed reading the updates on all of you and finally decided I better get myself in gear and send information on myself.
After graduating from Palmer High in 1970, I worked a year at Penrose Public Library and then joined my family in a move back to Kansas. I really adapted quickly to the small town living, worked for a local dentist as a chairside assistant and met the man of my dreams. Steve was getting ready to join VISTA (remember that? Volunteers in Service to America). He was sent to Redding, CA to work with low income people in the housing needs. I followed, and we were married in Redding in May of 1975. When his stint with VISTA was finished we moved back to Kensington, Kansas and settled into our lives. We had two children, Stephanie was born in 1978, is now married and a registered nurse working for a dermatologist in Hays, Ks. Matthew came along in 1980, and is a cosmetologist at an upscale day spa also in Hays, Kansas. (He is still searching for the woman of his dreams). Steve was the Register of Deeds for Smith County and I was stay at home mom until our church decided to try the Preschool program at which time I became the director/teacher of First St. John Lutheran Preschool and held that honor for six years. Suddenly the idea of three and four year olds lost appeal and I shifted gears completely and became the office manager of a nursing home. I worked in that capacity for 15 years. My husband Steve fought a long battle with cancer and went to meet our Lord in 1994.
I was talked into going on a blind date by one of the nurses in the home where I worked, which is when I met my current husband, Bill. It was pretty much a match made in heaven and we have now been married 8 years. The nursing home I was working in closed, so I am now working in the bank, here in Kensington, and enjoy the work very much. My husband is owner/operator of a semi, so he is on the road quite a lot, especially in the summer. I busy myself in keeping up home, yard (we have a small farm) and my work.
My dad passed away this last winter and I have been helping my mom in her failing health. You may be interested to know that my brother Tim is a LCMS pastor and has a church about 45 miles from us in Downs, Kansas.
I don’t think that I will be able to attend the reunion, but I will be thinking of all of you!
Joann Brooks (Wangerin)
