450 Attend Merrill School Reunion

Graduates of Merrill High School gathered from 22 states for a 3-day reunion over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The oldest graduate attended from the Class of 1914. The highlight came Saturday night with a dinner and program (above) held at Kissinger Elementary School. A dance at the Merrill Civic Center followed.  An estimated 450 graduates of Merrill High School attended.  Accommodations included home of relatives, area motels, and recreation vehicles parked in the Merrill Park and LeMars Municipal Park.

~Submitted by Judy, daughter of 1930 graduate Charlotte A. Brunstedt

Merrill High School Alumni Reunion; photo dated July 5, 1980.
Name of newspaper and publication date unknown.
Three people identified:
    
#1 Charlotte A. (Brunstedt) Benderman
    
#2 C. D. Benderman husband of Charlotte A. Brunstedt
    
#3 Mainard I. Stinton

Two more people have been identified by a researcher, Bruce Atkinson. "Thanks, Bruce!"

"In the second row 3rd from the left, the woman with the light blouse with polka dots and black skirt is Lila Fern (Fagan) Pelelo and the man sitting next to her on her left leaning down is her husband Alex Pelelo. Both of them graduated from high school in Sioux City, but had been residents of rural Merrill since their marriage and were friends with many of the graduates, including Lila's brother Leland and sister Leona."


 

 

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