Home Messages Homecoming Email List Contacts Pictures Links Newsletter		Messages Passing of Martha Shelton Lang class of 1930 9/1/2010 Shelton, Martha (Lang) Class of 1930 Passed away June 29, 2010 Martha Elizabeth Lang, was born on April 5, 1912, in Nevada, Iowa, to Glenn and Eva Shelton. She had one sister and 4 brothers. Her parents didn't have much money since Glenn made his living selling Christian books and Bibles as he traveled on foot and street cars around the cities where they lived smiling and greeting everyone he met and telling them about the love of Jesus. He was truly an evangelist. He was converted to Christianity before Martha was born and he and Eva dedicated their lives and their six children to God. Martha grew up learning how to work hard and to protect herself from her mischievous four brothers. She developed a strong sense of what was right, and during her whole life she never hesitated to speak up and defend the people and causes that she knew were right. She kept that same spirit until the very end. She was always thinking of others and caring for those who were down on their luck. She gave generously to so many people in need and to numerous worthy charities, schools and church programs. She loved helping others and made that her life work. Martha married Herbert Haven Lang, a loving, caring man, and they were married for over 60 years. She was heartbroken when Herb died in 1996. They had 3 daughters: Marthann Demchuk, Linda Gassoumis, and Joni Goodnight. There are 11 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren in the family. Martha lived a full and productive life. Her life work, caring for the elderly, has truly been an amazing ministry. She owned and operated skilled nursing facilities for over 65 years. She practiced as a nurse and she was the oldest practicing Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in California. She has been honored by many organizations for her excellent service in her field. She was awarded the Life Member award by the California Association of Health Facilities in 2009. She served for years in various posts on the CAHF Board and has been chairwoman of several CAHF committees. In 1978 she was named LA County Administrator of the Year. In 1984, Gov. George Deukmejian appointed her to the Board of Nursing Home Administrators. Later, she participated in writing the exam for the Nursing Home Administrator Program. When she was asked: What is the secret of your long and successful life, she quickly answered by saying: It is because of my belief and trust in God. He has blessed me in my business and in my family. It is because of His blessings and provision that I am still alive and have a successful business. Her motto for her business, Marlinda Nursing Homes, has always been We Care. She was an active member of the Whittier Seventh-day Adventist Church and also supported other churches and mission organizations. Some friends who have known her for over 50 years said: We feel blessed that we knew your mother and are sad that we no longer have this unusually gifted woman with us. She was the epitome of a gracious matriarch. We can be grateful for the hope that is ours and for the assurance that your mother was a woman of faith. Her legacy is that she loved and trusted God, loved and cared for people, loved her family, and she gave life her all. Her life could be summed up by this quote from Mother Teresa: Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of Gods kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, and kindness in your smile. Martha was truly a loving and kind woman. She also was the life of the party and loved holding parties and gatherings for everyone. Her generous spirit, love of life, and love of others defined who she was the amazing and vibrant Martha Lang. Please help Mount Ellis Academy by voting NOW 9/1/2010 Grant Opportunity for Mt. Ellis Academy Mt. Ellis Academy. Boseman, MT. is currently positioned to be in the top 20 schools in a Facebook vote. The prize is a $500,000 grant from Kohl's Cares. Your 5 votes will insure our success when voting ends on September 3. Just follow the steps below to vote. Make sure to invite all of your Facebook friends to vote and promote as well. http://mtellis.com/kohl-s-cares A note regarding our oldest Alumni Opal Crozier Huenergardt 8/19/2010 I am writing for my mother, Sara Opal Crozier Huenergardt. Opal arrived at Oak Park Academy in the fall of 1923 at the age of 14. She was terribly homesick the first six weeks of school. She was allowed to visit her home after the first six weeks and when she returned to the Academy she was over her homesickness. She remembers the vegetarian food as not being very tasty, lots of beans. She had come from good farm cooking and she is also a superb cook. The social activities included singing, marching, and ice skating on the frozen pond. Opal graduated from Oak Park Academy in 1927. She was the class president. She then went to Union College where she took pre-nursing for a year because she was too young to enroll in nurses training. She took her nurses training at the White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, California. She married Dr. Howard Huenergardt and had four children, eight grand-children, and 16 great grand-children. Opal will celebrate her 101st birthday on October 2, 2010. Is she your oldest graduate? She still lives in her own home with a caregiver. Her mind is excellent. She has been a devoted follower of Christ and a marvelous example to all who know her. Opal is not able to attend the reunion. She sends her best wishes for a wonderful gathering of friends and Christian fellowship. I am attaching as a file her senior class commencement announcement with her class picture and a photograph of her on her 100th birthday with her newest twin great-granddaughters. Sincerely yours, Sandra Peterson 210 Sierra Rd. Pasadena CA, 91105 Tel: (626) 793-7367 Email: b.peterson@yahoo.com A note from Richard Briney class of 1945 8/18/2010 My wife and I are a long way from Michigan now. We came here to Summit Ridge in November this year. So we are away from things that were there. We believe that the Lord sent us here so I am accepting this as the place that we will be . There are some very nice things about it, but it sure is different than what we experienced in Michigan. I don't know that you are acquainted with this place so I will tell you a little about it. Summit Ridge is about 3 miles north of Harrah, Oklahoma. It is east of Oklahoma City some 20 to 25 miles. We are a place for older people to live. The living center is for those that can not take care of themselves. Those that can have a small house to live in and we are in that group. I know there are 70 or more people here and that does not count who are in the living center. The little houses are along streets that run out from the church and living center. We have a little woods behind our house and in front is an open field where the big well is; So we are down the hill a little from the living center. We are out in the country. So it is a nice place to be, and we do get to go to church and prayer meeting. Our place is about a block down the hill from the church. Our house is a little brick house and we have two bedrooms and bath and a half. We have a garage and we use it to keep our freezer and to wash clothes. We have no car here. This place is owned by the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. We are comfortable here now and it is fun to meet SDA's from different situations. Across the road from this place is a self supporting academy. They have a nice school but it is not as fancy as many of the academys that we know about. I best end this so bye for now---Richard Brinley 18345 Bluejay Street Harrah, OK 73045-8539 My error. Please note. 8/18/2010 The Oak Park Alumnus newsletter has a error! In the column entitled IN MEMORIAM Verna Scotland Mohr class of 1933 was remembered; however, in fact she is alive and quite well. She is looking forward to her 100th birthday in September 2010. She can be contacted: Verna Mohn Plum Creek Plaza 100 N. Country Road Holyrood, KS 67450 Everyone. Please hang on! Larry Venn Passing of Shirley Burton (FAC 1950-1955) 8/16/2010 Shirley Burton passed away Monday 8-16-2010 at 10:05 PM. She had multiple strokes starting last Friday 8-13. More info to follow when received. Passing of Virginia Grotheer Malone class of 1942 8/16/2010 Virginia Grotheer Malone passed away Mar. 22, 2009. At the time of her passing, whe was living in Fulton, GA. Note from Owen (Class of 1952) & Bunny Arnett 8/16/2010 Hello Alumni Received the invite to the 2010 Oak Park Alumni gathering. Sounds like fun; however, we won't be there this year. That is a 1500 long drive to make right now. We are planning on the 2012 Alumni as that will be 60 years for the class of "52". Maybe the way the country is going we may be under a mango tree in Heaven, then we can visit all the class mates. We are still running our piano business, and are very busy with the rebuilding of five pianos. Bunny and I work together in the shop and she does the outside service and tuning. We wish all a great time, and lots of fun together again. Sincerely, Owen D Arnett Class of 1952 Passing of Arlan Kaye Caviness Class of 1951 8/16/2010 Arlan Kaye Caviness 77 of Mablevale, AR passed away August 7,2007. He is survived by his wife Barbara,(class of 1955.) His three children, Linda, Jennifer and Sharlan, four grandchildren,two sisters, and two brothers. Barbara Caviness's address: P.O.Box 653, Mabelvale, AR 72103-3653 Reva Marie Griswold Ford Class of 1933 8/16/2010 Reva Marie Griswold Ford attended and would have graduated with the 1933 Class. She passed away April 19, 2010 Last residence Prairie Village, Johnson, KS Passing of Judy Shobe class of 1968 8/16/2010 Judy passed away in 2008. No other info. Passing of Eileen Howell Teel class of 1943 8/16/2010 Eileen passed away July 2009. Regarding Shirley Burton (Fac 1950-1955) 8/15/2010 Just received this sad message from Darlene Myers, former pastor's wife from Piedmont Park Church. Rose Shultz Allen and I took a couple days and went away from Friday afternoon until this afternoon.....When we got home there was a phone message from Adam Dean that SHIRLEY BURTON had a stroke on Friday afternoon, Aug. 13th......Since we were out of town we didn't get the message until this afternoon about 1 PM.....I called a couple people and weren't able to find out anything....so I called Bryan East and found out she was still there and what room she was in and they connected me and her sister in law Marry Morris answered and we visited.....Mary has been with Shirley almost the whole time since she was hospitalized. She was very sorry to have to tell me that things had looked hopeful yesterday but Shirley has had 2 or 3 more strokes and her kidneys have now failed and they are just keeping her comfortable.............. :-( I don't know what more to say right now.....Please keep her AND Mary in your prayers.......and all those caring for Shirley! Please also pass the word to those who know and love her! Thanks! Sorry I don't have the right words right now...... Take care and God Bless! Dalene Myers Just spoke with Lisa Deemers from Piedmont Church who was with Shirley as Mary went home to shower, etc. They are keeping Shirley comfortable - she is not aware of her surroundings. She had been asked to provide some memories RE class of '55 at the OPA Alumni meeting in October - she had checked to see where we are staying so we thought we would see her again in a few short weeks. Take care and God BLess! Darlene :) Passing of Ruth Hudgins Stockslager class of 1942 8/4/2010 Ruth Hudgins Stockslager passed away April 19, 2010. She had been ill for over a year. She was 86 Passing of Nellie Walker Anderson Class of 1951 8/3/2010 Nellie Walker Anderson class of 1951 passed away last year. No further information. Passing of Ruby Ramesbothom-Parker class of 1940 8/2/2010 Ruby Ramesbothom-Parker passed away Feburary 6, 2010. No other information. She will be missed. Passing of Cecil Emory Parsley father of Susan Parsley '79 and Phillis Parsley '81 7/27/2010 Cecil Emory Parsley, 73, of Frederick, passed away peacefully Monday, July 26, 2010, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Cecil was born Feb. 3, 1937, in Washington. He was the son of the late Clarence Emory and Sarah E. Robinson Parsley. He leaves behind his beautiful wife of five years, Judith Dalton Parsley; and daughters, Susan Morrison (husband Rockey) of Lincoln, Neb., and Phyllis Simmons (husband Perry) of Ankeny, Iowa. He is also survived by grandchildren, Alissa and Spec. Travis Morrison, as well as Lauren, Jordan and Kenten Simmons. He leaves behind siblings C. Elaine Schwartzbeck, Dorothy E. Tavenner, Thomas E. Parsley, James R. Parsley and Michael E. Parsley, as well as many nieces and nephews. Cecil was a veteran of the United States Air Force and he retired after more than 30 years service with the City of Fairfield, Iowa, Water Department. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, at the Chapel, Frederick Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6437 Jefferson Pike, Frederick, with Pastor Robert Quintana officiating. Private burial will be held in Alabama at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 2011 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006. If anyone would like to mail his daughters a card, Susan Parsley Morrison, 1745 A St., Apt 1, Lincoln, NE 68502 and/or Phillis Parsley Simmons 1322 SW Kenworthy Dr., Ankeny, IA 50023. Passing of Alan W. Worrel (husband of Karen Anderson Worrel 1957) 7/25/2010 Alan Worrel passed away May 17, 2010 at Heartland Region Medical Center in St. Joseph, MO. In 1969 he married Karen Mae Anderson in WI, and they resided in Kansas City, MO for two years. They then moved to CA where they lived for 27 years before returning to MO. Reunion notes for 10 - 8 & 9 - 2010 7/23/2010 Greetings and Salutation! Classmate and friends will be joining you, and yours for the 2010 Reunion October 8th & 9th at Gates Memorial Hall, 825 15th St., Nevada, IA. Information regarding lodging can be found on our website WWW.opainiowa.com Honor classes are the years: ’30, ’35, ’40, ’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, & ‘ 80. Weekend events: Friday, October 8 - 6:00 Registration Begins, 7:00 Song Service, 7:30 Vespers. Class of ’80. Sabbath, October 9 – 8:30 Registration begins, 9:00 Praise Time, 9:30 Worship Service (Presented by Class of ’60. (Speaker: Marvin Griffin Class of ‘60 … Husband of Nell (Venn) Griffin ’61). 11:00 Presentation of Honor Classes, 12:30 Lunch (Provided by the Alumni Association), 2:30 “Closer Walk“ Concert, 6:15 Vespers. Alumni Business Meeting immediately following vespers. Pizza supper following business meeting – Charge between $8.00 & $9,00 each ?. Don Juhl will host the evening entertainment program during supper and after. Plan to stay for the fun and fellowship. Passing of Janet Salladay Mitchell 1957 7/21/2010 Janet Mildred Salladay (Mitchell) 1957 class. Janet was born on May 7, 1939 and passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2010.Janet was last known to be living in Claremont, California. Passing of Merle H. Rouse (OPA Faculty) 7/17/2010 Merle H. Rouse, 81, of Franklin, passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 2010. Born in Elm Creek, Neb., he was the son of the late Jay Rouse and Grace Johnson Rouse. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Peden and a brother, Ardell Rouse. He graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Neb. He served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 40 years in education and pastoring. His last assignment before retiring in 1993 was pasturing for eight years at the Franklin Seventhday Adventist Church. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Thomas Rouse; three children, Stan M. Rouse of Syracuse, N.Y., Byron D. Rouse of Langdon, N.H. and Gary Rouse of Wingate, N.C.; two sisters, Wilma Gromer of Ft. Bragg, Calif. and Dorothy Huenergardt of Apopka, Fla.; a brother, Raymond Rouse of Avon Park, Fla.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Richard & Dee Elsner (OPA faculty) 7/5/2010 Just a note to let you all know that Richard and Dee Elsner retired after 31 years of teaching in Adventist schools. (OPA 1976 - 1980) You could congratulate Richard and thank him for his service to young people at: relsner@nexband.com :-) Another Reminder 4/3/2010 Reunion - October 8 & 9 - football game in Ames - GET YOUR ROOM RESERVATIONS EARLY! BE PREPARED! 2/18/2010 Iowa State football game Saturday October 9, 2010. They play Utah in Ames. GET YOUR ROOM RESERVATIONS NOW FOR ALUMNI WEEDEND.