Members of the Warsaw High School graduating Class of 1958 recently gathered for their 65th reunion and a photo.
Pictured in front, from left, are Nanette Pratt Newland, Loretta Sutherland Veenstra, Laura Rogers Bixel, Lily Mae Barton Miller, Carol Sayler Huffer, Judy Gillam Amos and, sitting between the couches, Charles Hollar.
In the middle from left are Derrill “Otis” Wolkins, Jerry Baker, Nancy Morgan Williams, Beverly Ingalls Lyons, Gene Gossman, Larry Momeyer, Gaylord Johnston and Carl Anderson James.
In back from left are Tom VanOsdol, Leon Brown, Margret Frush Miller, Hugh Siefken, Bob Holbrook, Jim Breading and Bill Huffer. Photo provided.

News Release

WARSAW — The Warsaw High School Class of 1958 recently celebrated their 65th class reunion.

Two evenings were planned to be able to visit and share all that has happened from 1958 to today. On Friday, attendees gathered at the Comfort Inn conference room, shared an assortment of light foods and had a fun time meeting and visiting.

Saturday’s time was held at the Masonic Temple Lodge. At this get-together, lots of photos and class memorabilia were displayed and enjoyed. “Oh, my gosh, I remember that” and “I had forgotten about this” were phrases that were heard a lot. The group enjoyed a home-cooked dinner prepared by the Eastern Star women members.

Following the dinner, a memorial time was shared for the 51 classmates who have passed. A display with the graduation photo of each deceased member was available, and the photos stirred many memories of those high school years. Classmate John Davis had purchased a gift of “What Happened in 1958” in the form of a deck of cards, which was to be given away at the reunion by him. John Davis passed away in 2022, so it was decided to give the card deck away based on questions and answers about John’s life following graduation, such as his racing at the old Warsaw Speedway and his job as a mail carrier for many years.

Classmate Jeanne Zolman Huffman had planned to do the memorial time but at the last minute couldn’t attend, so she sent the prayer she had written and asked that it be read to those in attendance.

The remainder of the evening consisted of visiting and more visiting.

Class members gathered for a photograph to mark the reunion. While lining up for the photo, Jim Breading said to Hugh Siefken, “Wonder where Otis’ hat is?” Derrill “Otis” Wolkins lives in Arizona, has been a cattle rancher for years and always has on a cowboy hat. “I can take care of that,” Hugh Siefken replied — and you can see him in the back row of the photo wearing the cowboy hat.

The committee that put the reunion together included Jim Breading, Gaylord Johnston, Laura Rogers Bixel, Nanette Pratt Newland, and Bill and Carol Sayler Huffer.