Man, 80, gets birthday card from former teacher

[December 02, 2008]  NEW ULM, Minn. (AP) -- Hobart Anderson of New Ulm turned 80 recently, and with his birthday came a surprise. He got a birthday card signed by Collette Hartung. She was his teacher -- 70 years ago. He says he was very, very surprised.

Here's how it happened. Anderson and his wife, Charlotte, were recently honored by the Wanda Gag House Association for his 20 years of involvement with the group and the house.

Hartung saw an article about the honor in The Journal of New Ulm and mailed the card. She said it was a wonderful opportunity to send a surprise.

Hartung is still living on her own in Hutchinson and is in her 90s. She was in her early 20s when she taught Anderson's third- and fourth-grade class.

The association tends to the historic house of Wanda Hazel Gag, author of the classic children's book "Millions of Cats."

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Information from: The Journal, http://www.nujournal.com/

[Associated Press]

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