The 1946 Humboldt High School yearbook pictured 183 seniors, 10 of whom gathered Friday around two tables for lunch, cake and stories for their 75-year class reunion.
Among the photographs inside the St. Paul high school’s yearbook: A class photo in black-and-white of senior student Joe Zaine, which was followed by the caption: “A true friend … basketball … Joe can dance his way into any girl’s heart.” He is now 93 years old.
“Joe was my dancing partner in high school, but we aren’t dancing today,” classmate Mary Claire Hugh Meyers said with a laugh, her walker at her side.
On Friday, she joined Zaine (who was there was his wife, Beverly) and other classmates at Jameson’s Irish Pub in West St. Paul to remember the old times, share photographs and remember those who could no longer join them. The restaurant is about a mile southwest of the high school on St. Paul’s West Side.
Since graduating from Humboldt in 1946, Zaine and his classmates have been meeting for reunions every five or 10 years. As the number of attendees began to dwindle, Zaine, along with friend Bob Backlund, arranged about eight years ago for the reunions to be an annual occurrence — the first Friday in June.
Betty Lou Lindgren Rosas, center, flew all the way from Florida with her son to be at the 75th anniversary reunion of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946, held Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion. (Molly Korzenowski / Pioneer Press)
A cake celebrates the 75th anniversary reunion of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946, held Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion. (Molly Korzenowski / Pioneer Press)
Tom Colbert speaks to his friends at the 75th anniversary reunion of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946, held Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion. (Molly Korzenowski / Pioneer Press)
Mary Claire Hughes Meyer speaks as ten graduates gather for the 75th anniversary reunion of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946, held Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion. (Molly Korzenowski / Pioneer Press)
Betty Lou Lindgren Rosas, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion. (Molly Korzenowski / Pioneer Press)
Betty Manteufel Root, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Bob Backlund, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Delores Riemer Trombley, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Jerry Miller, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Joe Zaine, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Mary Claire Hughes Meyer, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Phyllis Red Kress Brown, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
Willa Mae Busse Munch, shown in a yearbook photo, was one of ten members of the Humboldt High School Class of 1946 who gathered for the 75th anniversary reunion of the class Friday, June 4, 2021 in West St. Paul. The 1946 Humboldt high school yearbook pictured 183 seniors; 10 of whom gathered for lunch, cake and stories at the reunion.
“I sure do enjoy these reunions,” 1946 grad Delores Riemer Trombley said. “I look forward every year to coming.”
This will be the last year the event will be organized, though, with a few classmates noting the difficulties of getting everyone gathered.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic over the past year, the group met virtually. Everyone with a computer logged on to Zoom to keep the tradition going. They were glad 2021 could be an in-person gathering.
Jerry Miller wore a shirt that read: “I made it to 92 years old.”
Classmate Betty Lou Lindgren Rosas flew in from Florida to be at the reunion and see her close friend, Meyers.
Phyllis Red Kress Brown was voted most popular girl in her class back in high school. She thanked everyone in the room and still considers it an honor.
“I think of you all as my other family,” classmate Betty Manteufel Root said. Everyone clapped.
Going forward, Backlund said, anyone who wants to continue to meet can simply show up on the first Friday of June to share some lunch and a laugh.
