Dear Julie,     Can you believe it's been 50 years since we graduated from high school?!  We certainly had some good times together.  I'm glad we became friends when you moved in up the street.  It was great having a friend living so close by.  We were very different in a lot of ways.  You were out-going and I was on the shy side- maybe that's why we got along so well.  You loved sports and were good at many of them (probably better than a lot of the boys in our class.)  Do you remember teaching me to water ski at Cheat Lake?  I never thought I'd get the hang of it- but I did.  You were a great teacher!  Too bad girls didn't participate in varsity sports like swimming or basketball back then.  You would have been good at many of them.  And remember those one piece white gym suits we had to wear- and those ugly stretched out swim suits?!     One thing we had in common was that we both liked to sew.  You made a dress for me for one of our dances.  We had such fun designing and making that dress.  I stll remember the dress and the cameo necklace I wore with it.I still have that necklace.     You went to Iowa State (following in your parents' footsteps) to major in merchandising and textiles.   As it turned out, I also majored in merchandising and textiles.     I still remember all the good times we had together.  I'm so glad you were my friend.     Julie, I miss you.                               Your friend,                                KathyAn article appeared in the newspaper following Julie's death. I have included some exerpts from that article.     Julie Diekmann enjoyed the outdoor life and- rather unusal for a girl-- also liked to hunting.     This pastime cost Julie her life.     Julie, 20, who lived in Mt. Lebanon was a sophomore at Iowa State University and went out hunting yesterday near Ames with three male students.     The four were after rabbits in the vicinity of Skunk River, about three miles from campus.     One of the shots fired went wild, striking Julie and killing her instantly.     Police said the shooting was accidental and indicated no charges would be filed.     Julie was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Diekmann, of 1287 Folkstone Drive, Cedarhurst Manor, and a 1962 graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School.     At the university, Julie was studying merchandising and textiles.

Julie...we were in many classes together. Your mom and my mom  were friends and we all mourned the accident that took you from us.I remember you so well and I can still  hear you talking to me as I sat behind you laughing. You have been missed for a long time.