Bio - Cinda Thurman Kasen

It was my privilege to serve in the South Dakota-Rapid City Mission from April of 1977 to October of 1978.  I am looking forward to getting reacquainted with so many of you.  Since leaving the mission field I have been able to spend a semester at BYU-Hawaii, be a teacher at the MTC, graduate from BYU in Elementary Education, and my husband John Kasen and I were married in June of 1986 in the Los Angeles Temple.  We have lived in Utah, California, Idaho and currently reside in Denver, Colorado where we have lived for the past 12 years.  John currently works as the contract administrator for an Environmental Cleanup company. I spent the first 22 years of our marriage as a stay at home mom.  I am back in the classroom at Welby Montessori in the Mapleton School District, for the past 3 years. We have 4 wonderful children. Amber lives in North Hollywood, California and is a professional photographer. Chelsea is transitioning from MBA School, spending the summer in Switzerland and starting her career. Stewart is serving in the California-Long Beach Mission (Spanish speaking) and is still in his “greenie” area.  Our youngest daughter is K.T. and she is a sophomore at Broomfield High School.

My family and I enjoy serving in the church.  Serving a full time mission laid a firm foundation for life.  Study the Gospel, live the gospel and share the gospel with others.  I wish you all the best.

Bio - David M. Larsen

After serving my mission from 1977 - 1979, I married Sheri Bauder in 1984.  We have two children, Peter 23 and Emma 21.  Both are attending college.  After I returned home from my mission, I attended school at  Utah Valley Community College and BYU.  I have worked in the semiconductor business for 29 years.  We started our married life in Utah and then moved Albuquerque, New Mexico for 11 years.  We have been back in Utah for the last 7 years.  I am currently serving as the Bishop of the Copperview 1st ward in Riverton, Utah.  I work at Fairchild Semiconductor in West Jordan.

 

Bio - Arnie Orton

When I was called to serve my mission I had only been a member of the church for 3 years. Serving with all of you in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission helped build a strong spiritual foundation that I have tried to continue throughout my life. Although life has thrown me some curves, I have been greatly blessed. I have worked for the past 23 years for a bridge building company in Northern California. I remarried 2 years ago and my wife, Vicki, and I have 7 children and 3 grandchildren between us. We are enjoying the "empty nest" stage of our lives by traveling, visiting our children and spoiling our grandchildren. One of our future goals is to serve a mission(s) as a couple. I am looking forward to seeing all of you and reminiscing and renewing old friendships.

Shirley De La Rosa

As for me...gosh, my story is very complicated (LOL) but it will suffice to say that I have been in the education arena since 1985. I took a few years off after my father passed away in 1997 to care for my mother (I was the primary caregiver for my parents and older brother) and I brought my mom and older brother to Samoa in 2003. They both passed away a few months after and within months of each other while we were here. I chose to move here permanently after that and I returned to teaching elementary in 2004. I moved up to teaching high school 2 years later. I taught keyboarding and computer for 3 years. Since then I have become a high school counselor.  I've been in a master program and will graduate (hopefully) this November which is another reason why I can't come to the reunion. I am currently writing my paper to present and defend the 1st week of November so I am stressing over that as I am writing this email.

Bio - Diane (Carter) Gagnier

Since the Mission I have received my Masters degree and EBD (everything but dissertation) in Education.  I taught for nearly 25 years before retiring.   My husband and I  had three children (two deceased) and adopted three more.  They are all adults now and I am enjoying my grandchildren.  My husband passed away in January and I am trying to get back to a single life (not really enjoying it).  I currently live in Taylorsville, Utah with my grand-daughter, 1 BIG Golden Retriever and 3 cats.

Mark Spiller - Spillers Reunited

The above picture is of Mark Spiller and family at his daughter Angela's Wedding 2009, Rocklin California. Life certainly is a spiritual odyssey, not for the faint heart. 

In photo from left to right: Cameron , New Jersey, student; Derrick, Ohio, Investigations; Dr Marsha Ho, New Jersey; Matt Doyle & Angela, CPA, Rocklin, CA, Elder Spiller, Mai-ly, Graphic Designer, Dublin, CA. I thank God for my blessings and the JOY of reuniting with you!

Bio - Dwight Epperson

It is great to read your bios!  I practiced law in Utah for nearly 20 years, and seven years ago we moved to Louisiana to run a business here.  We just sold that business, and hope to go on another mission one of these days.  We have eight children, and four grandbabies.  Three of them have come since this picture was taken last year. 

The habits I learned from those years with you have blessed my family so much.  For many years now, we have prayed together, read scriptures together, and attended church together, just as you and I did in the mission field.  You are many of the finest people I have ever known.  Thank you again for your influence on me, and for being willing to serve in the SDRC Mission!