Today's Featured Biography

 
Herman Bakker

First, let me say that the use of this website is a really wonderful idea. I really have enjoyed reading about the lives of my fellow WHS alumni and look forward to future contributions by others. Thanks for the opportunity to share with you.

Favorite memories of WHS – the fog of time is a bit thicker here. I remember taping players fingers, ankles, knees and shoulders in football and wrestling as well as going to watch other sports. I remember the fall play, of our senior year, and having to catch Rose Cashel when she was supposed to “faint” which meant that she was to jump up into my arms. During all the rehearsals I was so scared that I was going to miss her or that my grip would slip and I would drop her. But when it came time for the performances, no worries and I didn’t drop her, go figure (or at least I remember not dropping her). I also remember working at the DQ during our junior and senior years. While Heidi Wittmayer’s folks ran a tight ship, we all managed to have a fun time working there.

What I have done since graduation from WHS (the abridged version) :) – I attended Hamline University (along with Dave Madison & Chris Lowry) and graduated magna cum lucky in 1982. :) Returned to Wgtn and found employment with the community action agency in the energy assistance program. Was employed there through Dec. 1988 taking on additional duties/programs as the agency assisted low-income households in the four county area. In 1985 I was married and became a step-dad of three. In 1986 we welcomed Rachel to the world. (The above picture was taken at Rachel’s graduation from Concordia College in Dec 2007 – her “little” brother and I are pictured with her.) In Jan 1989, I moved up to Mora, MN to take a position with the regional development commission – as director of their program working with state and federal funding for elderly programs. The rest of the family moved up in April/May of that year. In July of that year, we welcomed Alex to the world. In the fall of 1999, the program that I was working with was taken over by the state. After a short period of discernment (while being a short-term substitute teacher K-12), I enrolled and 4 yrs later graduated from Luther Seminary (St Paul) in the Master of Divinity program. The congregation that called me after my ordination is also the congregation for which, while attending seminary, I did pulpit supply/internship/pastoral leadership. I was divorced in 2002. Rachel is currently sending out applications and resumes for an elementary ed position. Alex completed his freshman year of college at St Cloud State. He will be transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay this fall. (I’m pretty sure it had nothing to do with all this Brett Favre retired/not retired stuff). My folks have been retired for a few years and still live in Wgtn. They do travel a bit to see their siblings and children/grandchildren. Unfortunately I have been back to Wgtn only a few times in the past 8-10 years.

There are a number of people that I would really like to see at the reunion: Ferris, Cameron, Sloane, Andy, Brian, Bender, Claire, Allison, Gary, Wyatt, Adie, Ducky, and Blaine. But they are all fictional high school characters from movies, so they probably won’t make it. :) Seriously, I’m looking forward to the reunion and the chance to re-connect with those who attend. Until then, “Life goes by pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

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