Virlea Johnson Steiman Goe, class of 1931, was the driving force in the organization of the Keytesville Alumni Banquet and Association. In 1940 she organized the Association and faithfully attended each Keytesville High School Alumni Banquet for 62 years. This page is dedicated to her memory.
The first reunion and banquet of the Keytesville High School Alumni Association was held in the school auditorium Saturday evening at 8 o'clock, followed by a dance at 10 o'clock.
Yellow jonquils and yellow candles were used in decorations of the tables, which were arranged in the form of the letter K, while banners in the colors of various senior classes were displayed on the walls. Easter favors were provided for each guest. One hundred and seventy-six plates were served by the ladies of the Methodist Church, serving a baked ham dinner in several courses. The members of the Home Economics classes assisted in serving.
J. W. Taylor, president of the association, presided at the banquet program; Dr. Edward Drace served as toastmaster.
Brief talks were made by John Robertson, Kirkwood; Luke O'Shaughnessy, Mendon; Mrs. R. N. Emerson, class of 1891, Keytesville; Norvell Allen, Kirksville; O. L. Davis, Keytesville.
The toastmaster gave special credit to Mrs. Virlea Johnson Steiman, who was the moving spirit in organizing the association, and other officers and chairmen of committees who were instrumental in making the banquet a success and who were: J. W. Taylor, president; Dr. Edward Drace, vice-president; secretary, Mrs. Eddie Steiman; treasurer, Mrs. Dewey Hughes; chairman, constitution and by-laws, W. W. West; membership, Mrs. Harley Senger; program, O. L. Davis; publicity, Frances Lee Davis. The entire association group is to be commended for the fine cooperation which resulted in this successful meeting.
The dance followed the banquet was well attended and pronounced a most delightful affair.
Alumni and teachers from out of town who attended the banquet in Keytesville on Saturday evening were Virlea Steiman, Eddie Steiman, Bill Bayne, Nita Carskadon, Dalton; Wallace Drace, Bob Davis, Irene Weger, Erlene Phelps Atchison, Norvell Allen, Kirksville; Fanna Mae Larberg, Maryetta Johnson, Kansas City; Anna R. Stevenson, Wilma Bennett Stevenson, Glasgow; Edna Colson Sasse, Agnes Taylor Michael, Jennie Louise Hibler, Benjamin Hayes, Anna Kathryn Stark, Mary Davis, Woodrow Stark, Fannie Cooley Wright, Eula Harding Bartow, Brunswick.
Gertrude Elmore, Dr. F. L. Harms, Daphne Clavin, Lydia Zillman, Mrs. C. B. Johnson, Mrs. Hobart Evans, Edwin Ewing, Marie Closson Patterson, Burle Ray, Ethel Ward Carter, Helen Fry Freemeyer, Virginia Wood Beckett, Salisbury; Ray Robertson, Mary Edna Staples, Charles Staples, George Staples, Gayle Chapman, Mary Margaret Ryan, Lucille Finnell Replogle, Helen Finnell, Frances Finnell, Louise Staples Hayes, Mrs. Roger Copple, Kansas City.
Fred Harnagel, Robert Heuchan, Racine Creasy Heuchan, Columbia; Courtney Miller, Evelyn Rich Graves, Mary Beth Donovan, Chillicothe; Bradley Friesz, Bowling Green; Mr. and Mrs. John Robertson, Kirkwood; Mrs. L. D. Mason, Herbert Fidler, Marshall; Walter B. Miller, Walter Wake, Gene Kincaid Wake, Carrollton; Wilfred Fidler, Macon; Rose Dotson Arrington, Panama Canal Zone; Helen Bennett Closson, Jacksonville, Ill.
R. D. McCurry, Brunswick; Betty Ray, Moberly; Luke O'Shaughnessy, Mendon; Mrs. Mary Veatch Rhodes, St. Louis; Viola Johnson Green, Dalton; Ashburn West, Lela Duncan West, Macon; and Hulda Taylor, Jefferson City.
From the book: Keytesville, 150 years.