MEI Class of 1979 celebrated with a 40-year reunion at the home of classmate George Siemens this past Saturday, June 1. Our thanks to Colleen (Funk) Isfeld and team for bringing your group together.
Please connect at your 1979 MEI Grad Reunion group on Facebook, as there are many pictures and memories to be shared there. About 45 alums and spouses participated.
Class of 1979 Reunion Recap
Submitted by Margita (Janz) Bergen
The MEI Grads of 1979 celebrated their 40th reunion at the beautiful home of George and Caroline Siemens on June 1st, 2019. It was everything and more than most of us anticipated! We had not had a class reunion since our 10 year, and most of us were nervous about the changes that inevitably come after 40 years. Art Hoehn acknowledged everyone’s anxiety right at the start, which removed the elephant from the event right at the get go. Name tags with grad photos were a saving grace for all of us. The comic post on our 1979 MEI Reunion Facebook group page about wraps it up: “Some of my classmates changed so much that they didn’t even recognize me.”
Brian Unger masterfully facilitated the ice-breaker activity in which each and every classmate was given a voice, explaining the link to their clue. Lots of laughter erupted as crazy mischief of high school was recalled. Trying to break up the buzzing conversations for a group photo was nothing short of a challenge.
We then enjoyed a delicious catered dinner from Francisco’s, topped off with amazing, homemade Bienenstich made by Caroline (George Siemens wife). The busy chatter of conversation was only interrupted by MEI cheerleaders, Jennifer (Friesen) and Florence (Neufeld), shouting, “Give me an ‘E’…” followed by the arrival of a group of decrepit, senior citizens. Dressed in ill-fitting, MEI Eagles basketball uniforms of the 70s, they hobbled up the path with walkers and canes. The ‘79 Eagles basketball jocks performed an impromptu, self-deprecating skit that left us in stitches. Later on, Frank Ratzlaff treated the entire group to the highlight of the evening: his original songs with guitar accompaniment, along with the very familiar Eagles song of our era, ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling.’ The entire group was swept up in reminiscent fervour and sang along. It was a fantastic time of reconnections, reacquainting, reminiscing and letting go of preconceptions. Post-reunion activities continued in the weeks following as a group of gals met up for an evening at Elizabeth Klassen’s beach home in Tsawwassen. Others have since met for coffee or made contact with each other while passing through on vacation. I believe that most who attended this 40th reunion, walked away with a renewed perspective of one another and a realization that our years at MEI laid a foundation of hope, mercy and grace. May God find us faithful.
Previously Posted
Save the date! The MEI Class of 1979 reunion committee invites classmates for a 40 year reunion on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the home of George Siemens. Keep informed via your reunion group on Facebook. Candid and group photos with MEI photographer at 6:00 pm.
> more info about class reunions
To Keep Informed
- Join 1979 MEI Grad Reunion group on Facebook
- Contact Colleen (Funk) Isfeld (P: 604-854-0497 | E: 1979meigrad@gmail.com)
- Update your address with the school
Pictures from MEI Class of 1979 Yearbook
