In Memoriam - Forever Zephyrs

Students from St. Mary Catholic Middle School and High School gathered for the All Saints' holy day on Friday, November 1st. Those at the elementary campuses attended Mass at their respective parishes. The Church calls us, especially in November, to look to the example of the saints and heroes of our faith, and to pray for all those who have died. In a special way, we recall the beloved members of our Zephyr community. Prior to the Mass, there was a special slideshow to pray for all SMC alumni who had passed in the previous 12 months, as well as family members and friends of current students.

We have a listing below, but we recognize it is very easy to miss individuals, especially if they live far away. Please let us know if there are other alumni we should memorialize, or help us update our records. (You can reply to this email, or fill out the update forms linked in the next section.)

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Class Year - First (Maiden) Last - Date of Death

1941 Helen (Mader) Luniak 12/29/2023

1944 Mary Kolasinsky 12/6/2023

1944 Marion (Wolter) DeGroot 12/25/2023

1944 Mary Elizabeth (Dietz) Herwig 7/8/2024

1946 Phyllis (Flanagan) Huelsbeck 2/28/2024

1946 Joyce Nyman 10/20/2024

1947 Leila (Parker) Becher 5/10/2024

1949 Gladys (Reimer) Long 5/13/2024

1949 Dennis Manderfield 7/29/2024

1951 Norbert West 12/15/2023

1951 Therese (Daul) Krause-Young 1/16/2024

1952 Robert Wenzel 12/23/2023

1952 Mary (Sommers) Curtin 3/28/2024

1952 Lee Murphy 10/6/2024

1953 Regina (Kees) Brickner 1/23/2024

1953 Loretta Bushman 6/6/2024

1953 Carole (Cyr) Vanden Heuvel 7/24/2024

1953 John Strebe 7/25/2024

1953 Mary (Schoultz) Lemley 10/11/2024

1954 Marilyn (La Count) Olson 1/31/2024

1954 Christine “Gerry” (Kokke) Ulman 8/24/2024

1955 Kenneth Kurkowski 11/13/2023

1955 Donna Schultz 7/25/2024

1955 Joan "Jo" (Braun) Geenen 10/9/2024

1955 Richard "Dick" Mitchell 8/25/2024

1956 Patricia "Pat" (Weinandt) Anderson 5/30/2024

1956 Ellen (Redfield) Rusch 9/25/2024

1957 Richard Heid 3/20/2024

1958 Harvey Jacobs 2/8/2024

1958 Joyce (Rasmussen) Hopfensperger 3/23/2024

1958 Robert Meyer 7/18/2024

1959 Maxine (Buelow) Staffeld 12/25/2023

1959 Janice (Borden) Menning 1/24/2024

1959 Barbara (Birling) Leimer 8/16/2024

1960 Ruth Ann (Baer) Oashger 12/1/2023

1960 Nancie (Schmitzer) Resch 12/17/2023

1960 Dale DeWildt 1/20/2024

1960 Colleen O'Brien 2/22/2024

1960 Daniel Kuepper 8/26/2024

1961 David Roedel 9/13/2024

1961 Denis Verhagen 10/29/2023

1962 Jeanne (Arseneau) Kilishek 10/19/2024

1963 Barbara (Larsen) Krueger 3/28/2024

1964 Judy (Hemauer) Burg 11/10/2023

1965 Sandra (Kaiser) Kositzke 4/8/2024

1965 Mary (Kitchen) Bachmayer 4/10/2024

1965 Emery Lornson 7/20/2024

1966 Anna Marie Halaychik 3/7/2024

1966 Marjorie (Lenz) Ciske 4/3/2024

1966 Paul Hopfensperger 4/3/2024

1967 Susan (Coenraad) Rix 6/7/2024

1967 Andrea (Pyszora) Spears 6/6/2024

1967 Richard "Rick" Brantmeier 10/20/2024

1969 Karen Williams 10/30/2023

1969 Mary Helen (Kaiser) Lotzer 11/15/2023

1969 Jean Verbrick 6/26/2024

1970 Christopher Joseph Fischer 2/1/2024

1971 Thomas Guyette 2/24/2024

1972 Connie Spang Hobbs 11/3/2023

1974 Carol (Brantmeier) Roche 10/13/2024

1976 Joe Sell 7/20/2024

1976 Terrance Engel 12/21/2012

1977 Chris Riese 1/25/2024

1979 Carrie (Schmitzer) Kasten 1/28/2024

1983 Sandra (Ulrich) Parker 3/28/2024

1990 Amy (Laux) Melendes 2/11/2024

2002 Patrick Juneau, Sr. 7/29/2024

Alumni like you play a huge part in securing the future of St. Mary Catholic Schools, making it possible for up-and-coming young Zephyrs to have an experience even better than yours!

There are so many powerful ways for you to make an impact on the SMCS community - your prayer and parish support are foundational. You can also help spread the good news about the amazing and accessible Catholic education available at St. Mary Catholic Schools. Our system is thriving - so please share with those in your circle, especially if they have school-age children or grandchildren. Be sure to follow, "like", and share Zephyr happenings on social media, too!

Finally, for those who want to support the ongoing ministry of St. Mary Catholic Schools, please know that there are meaningful ways to make your contributions bear great fruit. Whether you want to support tuition assistance, or the Annual Fund, or a particular school activity like Fine Arts, Faith, Athletics, or STEM, there is a place for your passion! This can also include securing a matching gift, or building the SMCS Foundation, using a stock transfer, or even planning for an estate gift. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is another option to consider for your year-end giving. To learn more, click here or contact Director of Advancement Kathleen McCurdy at kmccurdy@smcatholicschools.org

Thank you for your investment in the future of our young people, our community, and our world!

If you are available on Friday, December 27 between 9:00 - 11:00 am, we would be very happy to welcome you to the Commons at St. Mary Catholic High School. These are the doors on the back side of the high school at 1050 Zephyr Drive. (by the Ralph "Cyclone" McClone Gymnasium) We'll have some light breakfast available, a chance to visit with other alumni, and tours for those who would like to see the latest and greatest in our campus facilities!

PLEASE RSVP to Steve Pable in Alumni Relations. Whether it's been one year or many, we are very happy to welcome you back to your alma mater! Go Zephyrs!

Can you believe that the 100th Anniversary of St. Mary Catholic Schools is coming soon? 2027 will mark this historic milestone, and we are eager to have broad engagement from alumni in planning a year of commemoration and celebration!

St. Mary Catholic High School grew from humble elementary school beginnings on 2nd Street in Menasha. Initially some classes were offered beyond 8th Grade, mostly to help train young people for roles in a business setting. Soon after, though, SMC evolved into a full-fledged secondary school to serve the growing Catholic community of St. Mary Parish and beyond. There were 14 graduates in the Class of 1929. The students published their first yearbook, The Renard, in 1930.

We have so many people to thank for the legacy of St. Mary Catholic Schools. We look forward to honoring their memory as we embark upon the next century of growing in faith and service. If you are interested in helping with planning, or have resources or memorabilia to share, please contact Steve Pable.

Send us your news! Did you earn a degree? Get married? Welcome a baby? Bid farewell to a loved one? Start a new job or business? Look here for a round-up of what's happening in your Forever Zephyrs family!

Click here to share your story!

We are eager to strengthen the bond between our alumni, our community, and the young people who are "on track" to a brighter future as the Zephyrs of tomorrow!

Help forge these connections among Forever Zephyrs by updating any of your information or sharing your latest news! And for the most current news, JOIN & follow the SMCS Alumni group on Facebook!

The Class of 1999 has an informal reunion (25 years!) coming up SOON on Friday, November 29th. It will be 7:00 pm at Waverly Beach. Please contact Liesl Britzke for details or to RSVP.

The Class of 1975 will be celebrating our 50th Reunion on August 9, 2025 at the Appleton Yacht Club. Contact people are Gina - gina.marie.kennedy@gmail.com and Cindy -cynthialbestor@yahoo.com