It is interesting how you feel when you are looking over the latest class enteries on the site, when you come across a clasmate who has passed on. You wonder, what has that person been doing with their life since graduation in 1965; or a brief encounter at a subsequent reunion. I am sorry to say that is how I felt when I noted the passing of Helene "Missy" Rait ( Wilder.) I sent her brother Pete ('63) my condolences. He said "Missy" was looking forward to our next reunion and he had offered to accompany her there; he said it gave her hope and strength, but alas it was not enough to get her across the finish line.
I remeber "Missy" as a vibrant lady with a wonderful personality and sense of humor, but what then happened since those times in school. I wanted to ask Pete, but I felt it was inappropriate given the circumstances. Was she married (Wilder); did she have children; where did she live; where did she pass and what did she do for a living over these many years. I began to look, to search the internet, as I have done so many times before looking for our lost classmates.
I found Helene ("Missy") Rait (Wilder) was a renowned artist, having degree's from several institutions of higher learning. "Missy" lived and worked in the beautiful state of Washington and I believe, most recently lived in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. "Missy" had, or showed her work at a plethora of venues around the United States, with much praise being sent her way, for her work. You too can investigate "Missy's" work should you be interested. I still am unable to find many more of the pieces of her life and I am sorry for that. Maybe, one of you who read this might be able to help.
Bob, thank you for writing this. I sure remember Missy from high school and also wondered about her life. I will look for her art work as well. See you at the next reunion.
Another beauty inside and out from our class! Class of 1965 was blessed by many who benefited society with their different gifts. I always renembered her birthday was the day before mine! Missy - you will beissed! Oscar
I remember Missy as a very strong woman. We lost contact after high school. There were times that we swam together but she didn't continue to compete as I did. I had no idea she became an artist. She was always fun to be around I wish I would have known her better. I hope you are at peace now.
I am Jean-Michel Laplanche the foreign exchange student year 1963-64 at CHS living with the Zetterberg family.During that unforgettable year which changed my life, I was in Jack Knapp's American History class from 8am to 9am,sitting in the back ,surrounded by cute girls...the one sitting in front of me was Missy. Since I could not drive cars for insurance reasons, Missy drove me around in her red VW at the end of our school year.I don't have time now to tell you more but I will come back and tell you how I got in touch with her in 2021 until 2022.
When this CHS Alumni site was opened I saw that Missy Rait was now Helene Wilder and found some of her art work in the web.I sent a message to one of the galleries and she quickly responded ...this was 2021. Since then, we communicated regularly until early 2022 when she moved to GA ,near Atlanta , to be close to her family. She therafter remained silent ,a couple of my messages remained unanswered.
Without betraying a secret ,she often said that her secret passion was art.After having worked as a flight attendant she eventually went to Washington University and got several diplomas in painting and other art skills. She then decided to live of her art... after also having two beautiful children,son and daughter.After moving to New Mexico ,where she had a cute little "casita" ,she also planted a vineyard ...lots of work for little success.
Her works are very beautiful,coloured, rather large,often inspired by religious references even if she did not have any particular belief . Her messages were always short but full of meaning , often mentioning that having pleasure to receive good friends she quickly needed to return to her work... her passion. I would tell her that this was her great achievement in life(after her children) to tentatively fulfill her passion, a pure luxery.
Bob Ruh (1965)
It is interesting how you feel when you are looking over the latest class enteries on the site, when you come across a clasmate who has passed on. You wonder, what has that person been doing with their life since graduation in 1965; or a brief encounter at a subsequent reunion. I am sorry to say that is how I felt when I noted the passing of Helene "Missy" Rait ( Wilder.) I sent her brother Pete ('63) my condolences. He said "Missy" was looking forward to our next reunion and he had offered to accompany her there; he said it gave her hope and strength, but alas it was not enough to get her across the finish line.
I remeber "Missy" as a vibrant lady with a wonderful personality and sense of humor, but what then happened since those times in school. I wanted to ask Pete, but I felt it was inappropriate given the circumstances. Was she married (Wilder); did she have children; where did she live; where did she pass and what did she do for a living over these many years. I began to look, to search the internet, as I have done so many times before looking for our lost classmates.
I found Helene ("Missy") Rait (Wilder) was a renowned artist, having degree's from several institutions of higher learning. "Missy" lived and worked in the beautiful state of Washington and I believe, most recently lived in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. "Missy" had, or showed her work at a plethora of venues around the United States, with much praise being sent her way, for her work. You too can investigate "Missy's" work should you be interested. I still am unable to find many more of the pieces of her life and I am sorry for that. Maybe, one of you who read this might be able to help.
Anita Alice "Nita" Norris (Sell) (1965)
Bob, thank you for writing this. I sure remember Missy from high school and also wondered about her life. I will look for her art work as well. See you at the next reunion.
Nita Norris Sell
Oscar Srader (Pearson) (1965)
Another beauty inside and out from our class! Class of 1965 was blessed by many who benefited society with their different gifts.I always renembered her birthday was the day before mine!
Missy - you will beissed!
Oscar
Lyn Chambers (Bienvenue) (1965)
I remember Missy as a very strong woman. We lost contact after high school. There were times that we swam together but she didn't continue to compete as I did. I had no idea she became an artist. She was always fun to be around I wish I would have known her better. I hope you are at peace now.
Jean-Michel LaPlanche (1964)
Hello Bob ...and others,
I am Jean-Michel Laplanche the foreign exchange student year 1963-64 at CHS living with the Zetterberg family.During that unforgettable year which changed my life, I was in Jack Knapp's American History class from 8am to 9am,sitting in the back ,surrounded by cute girls...the one sitting in front of me was Missy. Since I could not drive cars for insurance reasons, Missy drove me around in her red VW at the end of our school year.I don't have time now to tell you more but I will come back and tell you how I got in touch with her in 2021 until 2022.
I am very,very sad to know that she passed away.
Jean-Michel LaPlanche (1964)
When this CHS Alumni site was opened I saw that Missy Rait was now Helene Wilder and found some of her art work in the web.I sent a message to one of the galleries and she quickly responded ...this was 2021. Since then, we communicated regularly until early 2022 when she moved to GA ,near Atlanta , to be close to her family. She therafter remained silent ,a couple of my messages remained unanswered.
Without betraying a secret ,she often said that her secret passion was art.After having worked as a flight attendant she eventually went to Washington University and got several diplomas in painting and other art skills. She then decided to live of her art... after also having two beautiful children,son and daughter.After moving to New Mexico ,where she had a cute little "casita" ,she also planted a vineyard ...lots of work for little success.
Her works are very beautiful,coloured, rather large,often inspired by religious references even if she did not have any particular belief . Her messages were always short but full of meaning , often mentioning that having pleasure to receive good friends she quickly needed to return to her work... her passion. I would tell her that this was her great achievement in life(after her children) to tentatively fulfill her passion, a pure luxery.
Requiescat in Pace
Bob Ruh (1965)
Jean-Michel....thank you for filling in some of missing information on Missy, as I had hoped someone would.
Jean-Michel LaPlanche (1964)
Jean-Michel LaPlanche (1964)