Seventy years after tossing their caps at St. Joseph High School, a proud and resilient group of graduates from the Class of 1955 returned to their alma mater last Sunday, May 18, for a once-in-a-lifetime milestone—their 70th class reunion.
The rare and inspiring gathering included 17 of the class’s 57 living members, who came together for a full day of reminiscing, reconnection, and recognition. It was a celebration of community, longevity, and a bond that has endured across the decades.
As part of this milestone, the 1955 classmates were honored guests at the SJHS Commencement Ceremony, held at Dickinson Stadium. Greeted with warmth and respect by school officials, they were escorted to reserved seats via golf carts and acknowledged during the event—bringing full circle a legacy that began in the same community so many years ago.
“This class is incredibly special,” says Roberta Luttke, one of the reunion chairs and a 1955 graduate herself. “We’ve held reunions every five years since graduation, with the exception of our 65th, which we had to skip due to COVID. But we weren’t about to let 70 pass us by.”
The day began with a brunch at The Copper Pot in downtown St. Joseph, followed by informal social time, and concluded with a festive dinner at Coach’s Bar & Grill in Stevensville. “We had a blast!” Roberta adds with a laugh. “Everyone was so grateful just to be together again.”
Among the most touching highlights was the attendance of an original exchange student from Germany, who traveled from his home country with his family to be part of the day. The Class of ’55 had welcomed him as part of a post-WWII exchange program, and his return for the reunion underscored just how far-reaching the impact of those school years was.
The original Class of 1955 had 147 graduates, with members who had immigrated from Germany during the 1950s. Today, 57 are still living, and to gather 17 of them in one place after seven decades is not just rare—it’s nearly unheard of.
Over the years, the reunions were largely coordinated by Gail Chapman and Roger Menchinger, and this 70th edition was shepherded by Sally Reschke and Roberta Luttke. “It takes teamwork,” Roberta notes, “but what really keeps it going is the love we all have for our time together here in St. Joe. There’s something deeply special about this town and our shared history.”
MOTM congratulates the St. Joseph High School Class of 1955—a class that’s still leading by example, 70 years later.
Headline photo, courtesy of Roberta Luttke.
Front: Roberta Lucker Luttke, Arlene Witkowski Cappas, Grace Reid Mutz, Gail Gibney Chapman, Leah Krieger Marquardt. Back: Nancy Dalrymple Klesert, Sally Petrich Reschke, Bert Schik, Volker Bradley, Anne Irgens Vandermolen, Roger Menchinger, Dale Mutz, Jerry Reiman. Not pictured: Wayne Witkowski
