2014 Reunion News: Following graduation I worked at Lou's Drive In, Frost-top Drive In, and the lunch counter at McPherson's Super Market in the Orchards. After I moved to Utah I worked for Internal Revenue Service for 5 years. Following my marriage to Earl in 1971, wee moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where I was "ding-dong, Avon Calling."
In 1973 we moved to Newport, Washington and I worked for Pend Oreille County as secretary to the building inspector, WSU extension agent, and the county planner. (It was a small county.) In 1976 we moved to Kennewick and I was secretary to 3 WSU extension agents for Benton County. 1977 we became parents and a year later moved to Spokane where I started Sunnyside Preschool. It was a part-time occupation while raising kids. At some point about 18 years ago, we got licensed for childcare and I continued with preschool and childcare until the end of August 2013. It was a wonderful experience sharing the growing and learning years with so many children and their parents (34 years total).
During all these employment adventures, we started acquiring rental houses. We repaired, remodeled and rented until we now have several houses in Spokane Valley and a couple in Lewiston. Being in the rental business is challenging in fits and starts. Months can go by without any problems and then it seems everything falls apart at the same time. Luckily I married a man who can repair, patch up or build and remodel just about anything. I am usually on the other end of the board or appointed to go into any small area (attics, crawl spaces, etc.) where he won't fit. I've done electrical work, installed ductwork, scraped, cleaned, painted, installed windows, done demo, roofing pulled up carpet and helped haul major appliances out of basements. That last activity ended me up with back surgery 2 years ago, so I am now limited to lifting nothing over 25 pounds. Ruined all my fun! On the plus side, we have great renters. Many have been with us over 14 years and are friends as well as tenants.
Since retiring last fall I have more time to do Family History research, work at my church calling as music director, attend to my 93-year old mother, keeping up with family, gardening, reading, and the usual past times of "old age."
We are presently in the process of purchasing another property which we plan to move into if the heirs can settle their difference allowing us clear title. We plan to remodel, landscape, etc for ourselves this time and hope to acquire some livestock (horse, goat, beef?) on the acreage in the future. The house is about half the size of our current home but is more suited to just the 2 of us. This one is waaayyyy too much house for us. We lose track of each other several times a day....too much square footage. I need a riding vacuum cleaner.
So that's about it. Not much for 50 years, but it's been fun, hard, great, horrible, incredible, unbelievable, and amazing. The best part was when I joined the LDS Church when I was 23 years old. It has given me an anchor for my life and even through the hard times, keeps me on track and full of hope and happy to just be me. I know where I came from, why I am here and where I am going. Can't ask for more than that.
2004 Reunion News:
Past highlights: We had fun building an addition to our home and redecorating. Have taken a few vacations to Canada. We keep busy in our church callings and keeping rental properties in repair.
Future Plans: Retirement. Maybe going on a mission. Looking forward to a more leisurely pace, time for family,hobbies, maybe some other form of employment. Who knows, anything is possible.
 30 Year Reunion 1994
Spouse's Name: Earl Felix
Current residence: Veradale, WA
Occupation: Preschool/Daycare Center owners
Spouse's Occupation: Same
Family: Tom 17; Amberly 12
Number of grandchildren: 0
Places lived in the last 10 years: Veradale and Spokane
Hobbies and other interests: Family History Research, reading, cats and kids.
Plans or goals for the next 10 years: To survive our kids teen years, improve our business, do more extensive family research. Stay trim and youthful as we are today!
Major highlights of the last 10 years: Family reunions in Wisconsin and Oregon, watching our kids shoot up and out, growth of Sunnyside Preschool and Daycare, my one-year try at real estate (I prefer children to adults), visiting various LDS temples.
10 Year Reunion 1974
Spouse's Name: Earl Felix
Current residence: Newport WA
Occupation: Secretary for County Home Extension Agent.
Spouse's Occupation: Mechanic
1964-66 worked in Lewiston as waitress, 1966 Ogden UT employed by Internal Revenue until '71. In February '70 joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, best thing in my life. Met my husband and was married in March '71. Moved to Coeur d'Alene, then to Newport in '73. Teach nutrition lessons in LDS Relief Society. Active in Church work, both are working as part-time guides at Expo 74 in Mormon Pavilion. We love living here and enjoy the mountains and forests.
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