Cedar Rapids Kennedy Class of 81 Reunion

We have lost another classmate, Dr. Lee Johnson (Knoernschild).

Dr. Lee A. Johnson Obituary December 6, 2025 - Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services View Dr. Lee A. Johnson's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Hey classmates! 🌟 We need your help tracking down a few missing friends, so no one misses out on the August 2026 reunion fun! 🎉 If you’re connected with them on Facebook or in real life, please encourage them to reach out to the class reunion page. Let’s get everyone on board! 💚💛

There are two lists—go ahead and share and reach out to anyone you can. Every call or message helps bring more classmates into the reunion circle. Let’s make August 2026 one to remember!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054241160743

Thank you,

Your Reunion Committee

✝️ It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Judy Franta on April 15th.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 12:00pm - 1:30 pm at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids. A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation.

Hello JFK Classmates!💚💛

The reunion committee continues to work out details, make calls, and all that jazz for our upcoming gatherings on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. Mark your calendars but please do keep checking back for more details.

*Share this information with your fellow classmates and if they haven't found their way to this page yet, hook 'em up!

In the meantime, have a Happy Spring Equinox! 🌷

Vicki Noah

Hi classmates. Todd shared that Mr. Erbe has passed away. The information below is from Janet and James' page.
*****************************
It’s with sadness, but forever fond memories, that we share the news of Mr. James Erbe’s passing. Our prayers are with Janet, Jennifer, Laurel and the entire Erbe family.
The family has asked that memorials be directed to the Erbe Scholarship via the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation. The scholarship is provided annually to a Jefferson or Kennedy senior who is active in technical theater at their schools, the same schools where Mr. and Mrs. Erbe dedicated their career in educational theater.

You can donate in one of two ways:
Online at www.crcsf.com/donate
(Note ‘Erbe Scholarship’ in the tribute section.)
Or via mail:
Erbe Scholarship
c/o Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation
2500 Edgewood Rd NW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

The family shared this memory of a life of love, care and creativity:

James Lynn Erbe, 78, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 2, 2026. He is survived by his wife Janet, daughters Jennifer Kennedy (Wesley) and Laurel Slater (Shawn), and grandsons Evan Slater (20), Riley Slater (20), Adam Kennedy (20), and Ashton Kennedy (29).

James was born in Washington, Iowa and lived in many places across the Midwest. His parents, Wesley and Margaret Erbe were educators, with his father serving as education professor at the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa. His older brothers, Richard and Allan, were notorious for roping “Jimmy” into pranks and causing chaos wherever they went.

James graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1969 with degrees in English and Speech Education. It was there that he met the love of his life, Janet Campbell. They were married on June 13, 1970, and lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for most of their time together. Only grandsons and Mickey Mouse could lure them away, and they moved to Davenport, Florida in 2008.

James was an educator first and foremost, teaching junior and senior high language arts and speech classes for the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Though his impact in the classroom was great, he will be lovingly remembered as the longtime technical director at both Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools. His students remember him for his jaw-dropping sets and beautifully painted backdrops, and his daughters will always remember him for building the most incredible pirate ships.

James and Janet had a love for adventure and sharing their passion for the theater with others. They spent their first summer as newlyweds running the theater at a youth summer camp in Canada. They went north again as young parents to work several summers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Fine Arts Camp. With Jenny and Laurel in tow, the time in Alaska and the sites they saw along the way there and back are favorite family memories.

Outside of school, James served as the original scenic designer and technical director for The Follies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also designed for Theatre Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Symphony Guild, and Children’s Theater of Cedar Rapids. Following retirement, he served as an online professor for the University of Wisconsin-Stout, teaching educators how to create online resources.

As we think of the life James Erbe lived, the family would like you to remember him as the passionate, creative, and tremendously loving man he was. If you want to honor him, please consider contributing to the Cedar Rapids Community School District Foundation’s Erbe Scholarship, providing scholarships for high school students in technical theater at both Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools. His legacy lives on in the lives of all the people who knew him, were taught by him, and loved him.
https://crcsf.com/donate

Hey Kennedy High School Class of ‘81

We are setting the date for our 45th Reunion. August 14: Big Grove - Downtown Cedar Rapids

August 15 - Gary Schmidt is hosting out at his place.

Please contact: Bruce Ellis, Scott Dolash, Vicki Noah or myself Gary Sievers to let us know you’re coming!

-Gary Sievers

**Further details will be posted on this page so keep an eye out!
-Vicki Noah 💛💚

Hey class of '81!

What do you think about the potential of our high school becoming a middle school with the most recent discussions on a reorganization??! 🏫🤔

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/05/survey-reveals-favored-plan-cedar-rapids-school-cuts-reorganiztion/

Vicki Noah

Survey reveals favored plan for Cedar Rapids School cuts, reorganiztion The Cedar Rapids School District released results from a district survey on three proposed models to reorganize the school district and close multiple buildings to address a budget shortfall.

I received this information about Mary Strawn's (Carpenter) celebration of life: Saturday Jan 10th. 1pm. First Church of the Open Bible. 1911 E Ave NW

We have lost another classmate 😔

Mary Strawn (Carpenter) passed away on December 22, 2025.

https://www.cedarmemorial.com/Obituary/2025/Dec/Mary-J-Strawn/

-Vicki Noah
Thank you Bruce Ellis for the heads up.

Memorial - Mary Strawn - Cedar Memorial Mary Jane Carpenter Strawn, 63, of Cedar Rapids, passed away December 22, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at a future date. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family. Mary was born on February 20, 1962, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the daughter of Frank and Jane (Bel...