Sally Eileen Edgar Johnston—November 9, 1939—August 5, 2022

Sally Eileen Edgar from Glenview, Ill was at Grinnell College, September 1957—June 1960. In her freshman year she resided in Main Hall (Baffleboard, Religious Activities Board). She also was active in the International Relations Club. Her sophomore year, she moved to Loose Hall and for her junior year she returned to Main Hall as a member of its Baffleboard and the Religious Activities Board. In June 1961 she completed her BA at Denver University in English, and in 1979 she obtained a Teaching Certification from William Patterson College in NJ.

On June 3, 1962, Sally married Edward James Johnston from Clinton, Iowa, another Grinnell College graduate with honors in Classical Languages (1960), who in August 1961 had changed his last name from Leutke, Jr. to Johnston and who pursued graduate studies in theology at three seminaries that resulted in a 1963 Prize for Excellence in New Testament and Greek and Master’s degree in Christian Education in 1964.

Edward James then embarked on a career in the Episcopal Church with service in Manhattan; Mt. Kisco, NY; Kinnelon, NJ; and Rye, NY. During this time Sally served as an employee of Time Incorporated and Historic Hudson Valley (Tarrytown, NY) and as a freelance legal secretary.

In retirement Edward was Honorary Associate at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Harlem and hosted a Bible study every Saturday morning. In 2013, he and Sally became winter residents of Sarasota with a welcome at its St. Boniface Episcopal Church where they participated at Sunday liturgy and music.

Sally and Edward were the parents of Margot Drake Johnston (10/7/67) and Amy Catherine Johnston (8/1/69) and now Sally and Edward are buried together at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Cemetery in Lithgow, New York.

 

Nielsen, Sandra Lee (Rose), (July 5, 1939—April 6, 2022)

Sandra Lee Rose from Aldan (a borough west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) attended Grinnell as a freshman and sophomore. For her first year she was an intramural chair for the WRA [Women’s Recreational Association?]

In December 1957 she sang Christmas carols while walking down the women’s loggia from Mears to Loose Hall for a Christmas Vespers service, where she also sang while Joan Christiansen and Mariann Rice were readers.

For her second year she was a resident of Haines Hall and continued as a member of the College choir. In May 1959 she sang at a Herrick Chapel concert as a member of in an acapella madrigal group that sang “The Swan” by Paul Hindemith and “My Spirit Sang All Day” by Gerald Finzi and six folk songs by Johannes Brahms.

Thereafter she transferred to Pennsylvania University and subsequently had jobs as Export Traffic Manager for Ballagh and Thrall, Inc. in Philadelphia and then as Manager-Buyer for Scandinavian imports for the Scandinavian Center in Plymouth, PA.

On June 3, 1961, she married Svend Nielsen (from Copenhagen, Denmark). They had one son, Sven Eric Nielsen, born April 15, 1966.

 

Wyatt, Duane Barry (02/28/1937–12/15/2009).

Barry Wyatt from Cresco, Iowa received a B.A. degree in Economics from Grinnell in 1961. He was active in the Band and lived in Clark Hall.

Barry married Grinnell classmate, Ann Eaton, in 1963. They had two children: Corbin Wyatt and Elleri Wyatt LeBlanc.

For thirty years after 1965 Barry was an Internal Revenue Service officer in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the National IRS Office in Washington, D.C. and Nashville, Tennessee. After his retirement from the IRS in 1995, he and Ann maintained their home in Nashville while Barry put in nine years as a tax preparer for H&R Block.

Barry was a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Nashville and active in the Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Ann also recalls that he was skilled around the house, climbing on ladders, digging a trench to lay a pipe, inspecting, assessing and digging holes for a fence and going upside-down to fix something he could not reach. “He could always figure out a way to make broken things work and find one more use for everything!”

Barry was survived by Ann and their two children.

 

Cromie, Michael A. (03/13/39–08/12/10). Mike Cromie attended Grinnell for the first two years of college (1957-59) and was on the staff for the College’s annual year book (1959 Cyclone). As a fellow Rawsonite, I remember him as a guy with a magnetic personality: outgoing and very competitive. After the freshman football team lost to Coe, on the ride back to Grinnell, Mike berated himself for not returning an intercepted pass for a touchdown. He engaged in pranks against other hall mates, nonsensical prepping activities and running a snow removal contracting service. Mike was a good guy and a good friend who will always have a place in my heart.

Mike transferred to Knox College, from which he received a B.A. degree in Psychology in 1963. He subsequently pursued a Ph.D. program in experimental psychology at the University of Florida and Northern Illinois University, but did not receive any graduate degrees.

Instead, Mike worked as a market research analysts and a salesman for book publishers. Towards the end of his life he was a real estate broker in Arlington Heights and Palatine, Illinois. Mike loved golf.

After a long battle with cancer, he died of the disease at his home in Deerfield, Illinois on August 12, 2010. Mike was survived by his wife, Sherrie (Krase) Cromie, two children, three step-children and five grandchildren. “He was a warm and loving man,” said his widow. (Obituary, Michael A, Cromie, Chicago Tribune, Aug. 15, 2010.) By David A. Nixon

 

Worthington, Virginia Lucille (Ehrig)(Swenson)(Somers)(07/02/1940–12/28/2005). Virginia Ehrig attended Grinnell for her freshman year (1957-58) as an early entrant before high school graduation. She lived in Cleveland Hall and was active at the campus radio station (KGRW) and the campus drama group (Grinnell Players). In May 1958 she married Grinnell classmate Curtis Russell Swenson, and in a decision that broke her heart the College demanded that both of them leave because they got married. Later, not surprisingly, she registered a “strongly negative” reaction to her year at the College.

Virginia then transferred to Macalester College, but she received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1965 and 1970 respectively.

Virginia and Curt had two children (Katherine Anne and John Michael). After divorce, Virginia in 1967 married U.S. Air Force Major Richard Keith Somers, who died in 1971. In 1975 she married Ross L. Worthington, who died in 1978. A year later she married LeRoy C. “Bud” Kinnie, but retained her “Worthington” married name.

In the midst of all of this, she attended law school at Gonzaga University and received its J.D. degree in 1975. She then practiced family law with her third husband and fellow attorney in the firm of Worthington & Worthington in Spokane, Washington until his death; afterwards, in her own firm until 1999 when she moved to Seattle to care for her mother (Frances Hansen Ehrig ’37).

Virginia died in 2005 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was survived by her two children, her sister (Margaret Ehrig Dunn ’65) and her nephew (James W. Dunn ’01).

 

Williams, David Earl (06/20/1928–10/09/2004). Dave Williams of Humboldt, Iowa received a B.A. degree with Honors in Sociology from Grinnell in 1961. Older than most of his classmates, he lived with his wife and children while attending the College and serving as pastor of Wittemberg Church near Newton, Iowa.

In 1967 Dave earned a B.D. degree from Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained in the United Church of Christ. He then served as a pastor in

Congregational churches in Iowa, Ohio and Illinois. His last pastorate was at Hope United Church of Christ in Moline, Illinois from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. While there a beautiful new church building was built and dedicated.

Dave was survived by his wife, Valoyce (DeGroote) Williams, four daughters, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren (and step-grandchild), a brother and sister.

 

Wieder, Joan (November 28, 1939—August 23, 2023)

From Kew Gardens, NY, Joan obtained a B.A. degree in anthropology/sociology from Grinnell College in June 1961. She lived in Haines and Loose Halls. She then attended Vanderbilt University School of Law, where she was on the Business Staff of the Vanderbilt Law Review and where she obtained her LL.B. degree in 1964.

Her legal career started in Washington, D.C. with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and at least four years with the U.S.

Interstate Commerce Commission. At the latter she was in charge of a series of investigations into the entire railroad-rate structure. She then relocated to San Francisco, California for a 40-year career with the National Labor Relations Board as an Administrative Law Judge hearing cases throughout the Western states.

Joan had many interests and passions in life. She became an Expert Marksman as a Richmond Rod and Gun Club member and participated in several competitions. She also traveled the world for many years, often on safari and scuba diving expeditions, furthering her great appreciation of nature and the outdoors.

Joan loved animals and was particularly fond of the Miniature Schnauzer breed. She was an active member of the Miniature Schnauzer Club of Northern California for over 30 years and served as the Club’s Parliamentarian. In her later years, she was a big supporter of breed rescue. Locally, she served on the Dangerous Dog Committee in her community.

After retiring in 2001, Joan enjoyed many years of classes at the College of Marin, painting and sculpting, including photo editing, art, filmmaking, adaptive PE, and yoga.

Duane W. Krohnke (author)

Around 2010 she served as a member of the District Modernization Committee of the College of Marin in California.

Duane W. Krohnke

4/28/20

 

Olive Kemp Whitley

(November 26, 1939-February 24, 2019)

Born in Maywood, Illinois, Olive attended Grinnell College for two years before transferring to Southern Illinois University where she followed her passion for education and ensuring that all children had an opportunity to learn in a way that allowed them to reach their full potential. She graduated with a BA in Education and went on to earn an MA in Special Education from the University of Illinois in 1968. Olive taught Kindergarten, Special Education and had a focus on educating the hearing impaired.

She married George Whitley 12/14/68. She died February 24, 2019.

Nancy Schmulbach Maly ’61

 

White, Mary Lou (Wenger; Risser) March 8, 1939—December 16, 2017

Mary Lou Wenger from the northwestern Illinois town of Sterling was an active member of our class, graduating in 1961 with a degree in English. Her interests included the Board of Religion, YWCA, the Women’s Recreation Association, and Women’s Honor G athletic club for her participation in swimming. Student government also benefited from her service as a member of the Mears Hall Baffleboard, 1959-60, and then President of Cleveland Hall, 1960-61. She was a candidate for Homecoming Queen and Cyclone Queen.

Our class mate, Susan Barnhart Clayton, met Mary Lou the first week of our freshman year and the two became great friends and roommates for three of our four years at the College. Susan says, “It is a friendship that has spanned the last 60 years, different life paths, and many moves. I ended up in California and she in Oklahoma but we talked often, laughed a lot, and visited as much as we could. We often looked back on who we were in June of 1961 and how we thought our lives would unfold. In reminiscing over the last 55 years we always got a big chuckle over the joys and absurdities of how life really played out. It was great to have a friend who remembered when life was just beginning to unfold. I keep looking forward to our next call and sharing our holiday tales. I miss her and the friendship that spanned so many years and life changes.”

Immediately after our graduation, Mary Lou and classmate Paul G. Risser were married in her home town of Sterling. They then moved to Bar Harbor, Maine and Madison, Wisconsin where she taught in elementary schools while he pursued graduate education. Later they lived in Norman, Oklahoma. The two of them were parents of three sons: David Kiefer Risser, Mark Gillan Risser and Stephen Paul Risser. Subsequently Mary Lou and Paul were divorced.

In Norman, Mary Lou was active in the community as a kind and generous woman whose life revolved around her family and friends. Supporting her church and community was also of great importance to her. She was a longtime member of First Christian Church of Norman, and was involved in the Junior League of Norman, PEO, and the Assistance League. Mary Lou was a social butterfly, and could always be counted on for a luncheon, a game of bridge, or bunko with her group. She loved to travel and was an avid Oklahoma City Thunder (men’s professional basketball team) and Oklahoma University fan.

In 1973, Mary Lou married Kenneth White of Norman, who was a life insurance salesman. Her sons said he was the best step-father they could have asked for. He was caring, loving, funny, and engaged. Unfortunately he passed away in 1991.

Mary Lou is survived by her three sons, their spouses, nine grandchildren, sister Jane Wenger of Norman, Oklahoma and two nieces and their families.

Duane W. Krohnke

 

Patton, William Bradford (“Bill”) (February 12, 1939 –April 5, 2016)

Bill Patton from Mason City, Iowa became a beloved and valuable member of our class. Residing in South Younker Hall, Bill lettered in wrestling, track and cross-county and was a member of Honor G. Described by a coach as “small, tough and wiry,” Bill wrestled in the 130-pound category and was captain of the team his senior year when he received the John Teget Most Valuable Wrestler award. He received the B.A. degree in biology in June 1961. Bill treasured the small-college experience, saying he would have been lost as a student and athlete at a much larger school.

After graduating from Grinnell, he decided to abandon his plan to become a physician and instead entered the insurance business as an agent in his hometown. That was interrupted by three-and-a half-years of active duty (1962-1965) with the U.S. Navy as Communications Officer and Assistant Operations Officer in the Western Pacific. For this service Bill was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Bill then began a distinguished career in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In 1978, for example, he was in command of a Reserve telecommunications station in Greece and successfully developed a plan to integrate his reserve unit into an active-duty counterpart demonstrating that the “One Navy Total Force” concept worked. Bill retired as a Captain, USNR.

After his naval active duty, he returned to the insurance business, this time for several years in Des Moines with Aetna Life and Casualty as a senior claims representative. He then joined a Des Moines electrical products distributor, Stitzell Electric Supply Company, where he became a vice president, director and shareholder.

After his early retirement, Bill was able to “enjoy the other things in life—family, grandkids, sports activities, and travel.” His sports activities included being a timer for the Drake Relays for over 20 years and an avid University of Iowa (“Hawkeye”) sports fan. He also was an elder and active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church of West Des Moines as well as the Downtown Rotary Club. He said, “Grinnell provided me with an education, skills, and ability to continue to learn to accomplish the things that I have.”

Bill died April 5, 2016, at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sally Montgomery Patton; sons Scott (Angie) and David (LeAnn); step-son Shawn (Brenda) Shearer; step-daughter Heidi Koch, 15 grandchildren and a former wife, Mary Lou Beach Patton Fitch. Duane W. Krohnke