Thomas Erie

Graduated from Bemidji State in 76- on the 7 year plan with Jeff Olive my roomie at Bemidji (Jeff and I were conductors on the CNW RR. Mike Carver was our crew caller.) We bought a cabin and 80 acres in the woods while attending BSU. Ran track and CC. Fun time. Rededicated my life to Jesus during this time and still running strong in the Lord. Read Isaiah 40:31.John 3:16, Romans 8. Got married(Mary) in 76. Had two kids. Graduated from Bethel Seminary in 81 MDivinity. During this time I worked with Andre Miller and Debbie Bartholomew at Modernistic Die. I ran a press for over 10 years. Was going to be a pastor but wife divorced me in 86. Sooooooo plan B -Got married in 90 to Gretchen Ann, Iowa gal, that I met at North Heights Lutheran Church. She continues to be the love of my life. Good things do come out of Iowa besides 35W. I have been a sales rep for over 20 years in the trucking field. I never get tired (bad joke). I was diagnosed with stage 4 aggressive prostate cancer in January 09. Surgery and 34 radiation treatments just finished this June. Would love to come to reunion but Gretchen and I will be celebrating our 19th anniversery in Alaska from Sep 1st- 15th. Would love to meet any alums after. Let me know. Cell is 612 247 7075; email: tgerie@comcast.net I keep in touch with some CC buddies,Denny Anderson, coach John King, Crist Langelett, Judy Volk, Mark Hodgin, and Ray Haas.

I suppose my goal of making it to state in CC and track gave me fantasy pleasure back then. I and the team never made it but had fun trying and made good friends with my fellow athletes. I learned to cook and bake carmel rolls in Senior Chef class with Dennis Gillen. Our carmel rolls won first place with the teachers even competing with the Home Ec girls' entries. I confess a prank of putting lots of chocolate EX LAX on half the brownies I baked for our CC party. Jack Jarpe, asst coach and librarian, was running to the bathroom the entire next day. I did tell him later he was really a good sport. Remember him walking 50 miles and winning the bet with the class of 68 guys. Announced and awarded at a pep rally. Now days I suppose I would have been expelled for my prank. I enjoyed our school spirit and admired a ton of you all from a distance. I thought our class had a lot of sweet and attractive girls. Of course all the guys were manly and handsome,too. After 40 years we are entitled to look through rose colored glasses. God Bless you.