Kay (Rentschler) Gradwell - 2010

I have had and am continuing to have a very full life since I graduated with you 50 years ago this year. My first love is for the Lord as it has been since I was a small child. I'll begin by saying thank-you to Him and to all of my family, friends, teachers, and church family who through the years strengthened my faith with their continued love,support and encouragement. My mother, Fyrel (Sullivant) Rentschler, now 93 years young and younger brother, David, are still dedicated Christians as are my children, Derek (my son) and Jayme (my daughter-in-law). I am extremely blessed! I reside primarily in California as does my son and his family.

I enjoy my three grandchildren, Nathan 9, Ashley 7, and Braeden 5. I have had a lot of fun skiing the slopes in most of the Western states and golfing in beautiful courses throughout the U.S.A. including those of Hawaii. I was blessed to see some of the most beautiful natural scenes God created (next to the rolling hills of Missouri)! Since my retirement three years ago I tend to enjoy those sports vicariously through the grandchildren as they learn and have their fun on the slopes and ranges. When my mother is not here joining us in family celebrations she continues to reside in her place of 27 years in Lee's Summit, MO. Part of the time I have extended visits with her and enjoy seeing my dear friend of 52 years, Vivian (Barnhart) Hacker. I catch up with with my H. S. music ministry partner and longtime friend, Dixie Gaddis, and my cousin, Ken Rhodes, when family and I visit the Springfield/Mountain Grove area.

My career spread across most of the past 50 years. I graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a B. A. in a double major of elementary and special education. Throughout the years I have taught a total of eleven years in mostly public and some Christian schools. I received my M.S. while living in CT and spent 30 years working as a mental health professional. I always had a part-time private psychotherapy practice while working with non-profit organizations as either administrator, supervisor, consultant or therapist. My work in CT was the most rewarding as our facility was also a training center for graduate students/interns from the finest universities, colleges and hospitals in the NY and CT areas. In the last three years of my work life I was Treasurer for my son's company and continued being a Christian Counselor for various local churches. I loved my career opportunities to serve others and to assist in their making healthy choices for their lives.

My ministry life has really been a passion of mine and I will always choose to be in active service of the Lord until I go on to heaven. I currently mentor younger women, teaching and encouraging them to make healthy choices in order to more fully love their husbands and children. Two positions that were most demanding and rewarding were being the Director of Single Adults at one of our local Orange County churches and being the President of the Board of Directors for the O.C. Jail Ministry where 50 churches in the county send 500 volunteers into the five jails each month to teach the prisoners about God. I love to watch the Lord at work through His people as they reach others about Him. In what ever way that work is accomplished I am blessed to be a part of it.

So these are my past 50 years in a nut shell. I am thankful to all the teachers and administrators at M.G.H.S. as well as to all the parents and grandparents in our town that prayed and were living examples for all of us. Along with my family these Mountain Grove adults who loved teenagers solidified very important values and skills in my life. These values prepared and propelled me to succeed in the desires of my heart. I have been privileged to follow Jesus Christ to accomplish specific personal goals these past 50 years and to Him I am forever grateful!

I look forward to getting together with all of you this July at our 50th Reunion. 'Thank you' to all of our classmates and their spouses who are making this reunion the BEST EVER!

Kay

P.S. Some family pictures below.

"Happy New Decade to everyone!" Mother and me.

Derek and Jayme vacationing in Mexico. (Son and Daughter-in-law)

Grandson #1, Nathan Van, 9 yrs. kick'in back with the family.

Granddaughter, Ashley Marie, 7 yrs. making snowmen at Big Bear.

Grandson #2, Braeden Vance, 5 yrs. snowboarding in March.