The 135th anniversary of the first graduating class from the Montour High School was held Saturday, May 28th, at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center. A total of 39 graduates and ten guests were in attendance.

The first school was a wooden one-room building sitting just north of old Highway 30 going through Montour In the 1860’s a brick two story building was built in the south end of Montour and used until the third building was built in 1936 and the first class from that building graduating in 1937. This building was used until the District reorganized and the Montour building was closed.

Judy Butler, class of 1969, was one of the speakers and gave some interesting facts about the history of early graduates, with the first graduating class having two, Gertrude Poyneer and Nellie Blake, class of 1881. Gertrude’s father, Alfred, was a Montour farmer and Iowa State Senator, also serving as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from 1890-1892.

The graduates who were present were recognized as Marvin Hoskey, class of 1962, read their names from the earliest graduate, Marjorie Havens Butters, class of 1942 to the most recent present, all from the class of 1969, Teresa Lenhart Bjornsen, Judy Butler and Brian Hempy.

Officers for the coming year are LeRoy Hoskey as president, class of 1960, Marvin Hoskey, Membership chairman and Secretary, class of 1962 and Judi Durfey Detrich as treasurer and vice-president, class of 1961.

A drawing was held to determine the winner of the basket of Iowa Products (See Iowa First-Enjoy Its Goodness) made and donated by Joanne Halsted Ward, class of 1959, and the lucky winner being Jerry Davis, class of 1958.

Entertainment for the evening was furnished by Keith Lambertson of Garwin, who collects accordions. He is a retired educator and entertains win information about his collection of accordions, music and some life philosophy.

The meal was catered by Rhonda Pokorny of My Mother’s Place.

Next years annual meeting will be held on May 27, notices being e-mailed and postcards to those whose addresses are available.