The Rembrandt Alumni Band presented a one-hour concert before the annual
Rembrandt Alumni Association Reunion. The alumni band has performed yearly
since the 2001 Centennial.
Band members are, front row,
left to right: Karl Knutson, Cedar Rapids; Sandy Halverson, Sioux City;
Eloise Mosbo Obman ’60, Rembrandt; Cordy Peterson ’59, Reinbeck;
Helene Ducas Viall '63, Des Moines; Don McKibben ’60, full-time
RV-er; Paul Mosbo ’58, Cortland, New York; Marcia Binder Iehl ’50,
Albert City; and Rolf Mosbo '67, Spencer. Second row: Lavila Nelson, Sanborn;
Megan Benz, Manson; Nikole Nuttall, Alta; Jason Heeren, Aurelia; Trish
and Keith Moe, Albert City; and Rod Shedenhelm, band director, Sioux Rapids.
Nearly 120 people attended the 2013 version of the annual Rembrandt All-School Reunion on Saturday, July 20th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rembrandt. Kicking off the event at 4:00 pm was the RHS Alumni Band with its annual one-hour concert. Directed by Rod Shedenhelm, retired music instructor from Sioux Central, the group played a number of marches as well as the music of Glenn Miller and other big band selections. Members of the military were honored and asked to rise as Marches of the Armed Forces was played. The well-received performance ended with the playing of the school song. Guests enjoyed a period of time to visit with one another briefly before Erik Mosbo gave the invocation preceding the 5:30 banquet.
Decorations of purple and white adorned the fellowship hall where a delicious meal of chicken alfredo, manicotti, garlic bread, tossed salad and chocolate dessert was catered by The Rembrandt Grille. The short program that followed was led by emcee Rolf Mosbo with assistance from Val Haraldson Mosbo who passed along greetings to the class of 1953 from classmate Shirley Mavis Butts. Also greetings were shared from whom we believe to be the oldest living RHS graduate, Rosella Kidman Avansino (1931). She noted in her letter that she will celebrate her 101st birthday on September 1st. As has been the custom, the list of attendees including alumni and their guests was read in advance of the passing of the mike. Jim Haraldson gave special tribute to George Engebretson by reading the poem “Engebretson Field” in honor of the 25th anniversary of this facility. Many memories were shared and a variety of emotions were evoked as the closely knit group was taken back in time. Special guests from the honored classes of 1953, 1963, 1973 and 1978 were recognized. Once again the consensus of the group was an overwhelming thankfulness and appreciation for those pioneer families that believed in the importance of a solid education system with opportunities to experience all forms of extra curricular endeavors.
Sunday morning provided one more opportunity for fellowship as the Community Worship Service was held at Our Savior’s at 10:30 followed by a light lunch. Memorabilia including Alumni banquet scrapbook photos and articles and Rembrandt Booster newspapers were available to enjoy.
Plans are well underway for the 2014 Alumni Reunion to be held July 19, 2014 with the alumni band preparing for a return as well. Honored classes next year will be from 1954, 1964, 1974 and 1979.