Hello Alexander Ramsey Class of 1979
December 1, 2024
Hello, Alexander Ramsey Class of '79!
As we step into December and the festive season, We wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a joyful end to 2024! Whether you're gathering around the tree, enjoying a cozy night in, or simply reflecting on the memories we've all made over the years, I hope this holiday season brings plenty of cheer, laughter, and warmth to you and your loved ones.
December always feels like a time to slow down a bit, enjoy the little moments, and maybe even reconnect with old friends. It's a time for good food, fun traditions, and, of course, a bit of holiday magic. Let's raise a toast to the memories we've shared from our days at Ramsey, and to the friendships that have stood the test of time.
May the new year ahead be filled with continued happiness, health, and success for each of you. And as we welcome 2025, here's to making even more great memories, near and far. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyful New Year to you all!
Take Care and happy hoidays,
The class of 79 reunion committee
As always, we continue our quest in trying to locate as many of our missing classmates as possible. With your continued help, and support we are doing a great job at finding many of our classmates, and removing their names from the list. As you may imagine this is a daunting goal for us, and we continue to need your help. So, if you’re in contact with anyone from the list, please have them contact us so we may add them to our class email list or (if they’re on Facebook) we can invite them to join our class page on Facebook . We also have a Page on Twitter as well as on Instagram. Both can be found by looking up Alexander Ramsey 79. Although we know it’s not possible, we’d love to eliminate every missing name on that list.
Again, to make this the successful, informative and most importantly enjoyable website possible it needs your help and participation. If you have any suggestions of what you’d like to see added to the site, please feel free to send me your ideas, and we’ll see what we can do.
Please take a look at the Events/Birthday/Memorial pages, Missing Classmates, Events and Donations pages as updates to all have been made. We hope that you’ll continue to visit the website or our Facebook pages for up to date news . So from Mary Koppy Nicklay, Sheila Johnson Youngquist, Mary Falkowski Conway, Bob Kaye, Don Sazma, Chuck Bufton, Nancy Olsen Reed our newest members Lori-Anne Williams, Dianne Wilson Carlson and myself, stay in touch, and have a great day, Rams. If you’d like to contribute, join or contact the reunion committee feel free to text Randy Reed at 651-238-6785 or at email Randsr16@comcast.net.designed to enhance the learning experience.
Reunion Committee News. Let's Welcome
We’re excited to announce that Lori Anne Williams and Dianne Wilson Carlson have joined the reunion committee! 🎉 Won't you all please join us in giving them a warm welcome as we work together to create more opportunities for classmates to come together during these next five years, and culminating at the 50th reunion in 2029.
All of us are thrilled to have you both join the reunion committee! Your energy and ideas will make a wonderful addition as move forward.
Randy Reed
Did You Know?.........
Mr. Joseph Odanovich
This months featured former Ramsey teacher is Social Studies teacher and Ramsey's first basketball coach, Mr. Joseph Odanovich. Mr. Odanovich (who was also referred to as "O.D.") was born in Ironton, Minnesota on January 22, 1916. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1934 and St. Cloud State College in 1938. At St. Cloud State Mr. Odanovich earned 12 letters for football, basketball, and baseball. He earned the nickname "Iron Man Odanovich", once pitching both games of a doubleheader.
In 1942, he enlisted in Navy, was a Chief Petty Officer forming companies from raw recruits at the Great Lakes Training Center. After the war he taught at at Crosby-Ironton and Murray High Schools until starting at Ramsey in 1953.
He was the head basketball coach from 1953 until 1966. He retired from teaching in 1978. Pictured top, Mr. Odanovich with Mrs. Gladys Cowell from the 1961-1962 school year. Right Mr. Odonavich from the 1976-1977 school year. Mr. Odanovich passed away on February 5, 2003 at the age of 87. Used With Permission from Craig Klausing Administrator Alexander Ramsey 1953 - 1986 Facebook Page
Looking for all former reunion committee Members!
Dear Alexander Ramsey Alumni,
We are currently seeking the names of past Reunion Committee members, especially those who helped organize our 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th reunions. These individuals played a crucial role in keeping our class connected over the years and helped lay the foundation for the continued success of our class gatherings. We want to recognize, acknowledge and thank them for their contributions and preserving that part of our reunion history. If you were a part of those early committees or have the names of someone who was please let us know!
Additionally, if you have any photos from these reunions could you please provide them to us. We’d love to feature them on our website to share with the entire class. Thank you to all past committee members for your dedication—you’ve helped build a lasting legacy of friendship and community for the Class of ’79!
