Name- Patricia Peterson Raikes
Birthday- October 17, 1942
Nickname- Pat (I'm "the other" Pat Peterson)
Home address- 2045 Hunter's Ridge Dr. Apt. 202, Mason City, IA 50401
Phone #- (641) 424-2486
Cell #- (I have one, but I only turn it on when I travel.)
What's happened since 1960?? I went to Luther College for two years and then to the University of Strasbourg, France. I married a Moroccan student I met in France and lived on the edge of the Sahara desert for three years. My son was born at home there. We divorced, and I returned to the States to finish my BA degree at Luther. I was a teacher and guidance counselor (after an MS degree from Western Illinois University) for over 18 years. During that time I remarried, but we divorced in 1985. I taught in Frankfurt, Germany, at the Frankfurt International School for one year before joining the State Department in Washington, DC, as a foreign service officer. During my 18-year career with the State Department, I lived principally overseas in China, France, Germany, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Canada. I retired in late 2004.
What's happening now? I am thoroughly enjoying retirement. My mother lives with me, and my son, daughter-in-law, and three-year-old grandson live in Mason City also. It is so nice to be with family after many years of globetrotting. I volunteer with IRIS, reading the Globe Gazette on the radio for those who are visually impaired. I am also a "foster parent" for a Leader Dogs for the Blind puppy. I raise him for a year, teaching basic commands and socialization, and then he will return to Michigan to be trained as a guide dog for a blind person.
Who have you kept in touch with? No one. I'm terrible at keeping in touch with people.
What is the chance of you making the 50th reunion?? Probably pretty good.
Please tell us about your family, your interests, your pets-hobby, etc- I have one son Matt, who is married to Connie, and they have a son Davey, who is three. I have returned to playing the French horn. I now play with the New Horizons Band in Mason City (good opportunity to dust off your old band instruments and have a good time!), with the NIACC concert band, and back again with the Clear Lake Municipal Band in the summertime. I've learned to quilt and joined the Lake Area Quilt Guild. I enjoy casual bike-riding in warm weather.
Marital Status- Divorced since 1985.
