By Janet Cruz

Local resident Norma Grzesiowski, just attended her 50th high school reunion this year, and she recalled some fun memories about Lake Havasu High School. Grzesiowski is also part of a five-generation family, four generations of which are still living here today, and can remember her times growing up in town.

Norma Tipton Grzesiowski moved here with her parents Norm and Esther Tipton in 1968 and attended Smoketree Elementary School. Her parents were local business owners.

“My parents were builders, and the name of their business was Cactus Wren Builders,” Grzesiowski said.

In 1970, her father built a model home at 120 N. Acoma Blvd., where she lived for most of her freshman year until her senior year in high school.

Norm Tipton builds a fence for a model home. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

“My parents also help start Nazarene Church, but before we had a physical church built, we held services at the model home we lived in,” Grzesiowski said.  “My parents eventually acquired property on Rainbow Avenue (and) built that church on Rainbow.”

Her late husband Larry Grzesiowski moved to Lake Havasu in 1967 with his parents, Frank and Iona Grzesiowski. They came out on one of the McCulloch flights to view the town and purchase property.

His father worked for Tri-Co as an engineer, later he started Creative Construction Company and built homes  in Lake Havasu City.  When Frank retired, Larry purchased Creative Construction for a dollar from Frank and continued to build houses until he retired the business.

Larry Grzesiowski attended high school in Kingman for the first two years of high School  via a long bus ride. He later transferred to Lake Havasu High School and eventually graduated from Lake Havasu High School.

“I loved it when the school was small and everybody knew each other,” Grzesiowski said. “Everybody had a great time together. I was a cheerleader and was so happy to represent Lake Havasu High School.”

Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Norma Grzesiowski also  graduated from Lake Havasu high school in 1974. The next year, she married her sweetheart Larry Grzesiowski in 1975. They soon went on to have two daughters, Heather and Angela.

Heather Grzesiowski Lombardo born here in Lake Havasu City in 1977, at the original hospital on Mesquite Avenue. She attended school from kindergarten on, and graduated in Lake Havasu City in 1995.

“Heather still lives here in Lake Havasu City with her husband Michael Lombardo. They own Premier GOLF cars they have three children born here in Lake Havasu City. Austin Lombardo, Ally Lombardo (Class of 2022) and Emily Lombardo. Emily attends eighth grade at Calvary Christian Academy,” said Grzesiowski.

Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Grzesiowki’s youngest daughter Angela Grzesiowski Herzog, was born in Lake Havasu City in 1979.

“She is married to Jeff Herzog who worked for McGovern Concrete. She owns Beauty Slayers Salon and Suites LLC along with her daughter, Madeline Bousquet Davis,” said Grzesiowski.

Angela attended school from kindergarten through high school school and graduated from LHHS in 1998.

Madeline was born at Havasu Regional Hospital in 2000. She attended school from kindergarten through high school and graduated in 2018.

“Madeline and Paul have one son, Ryan, and he makes up our fifth generation,” Grzesiowski said.

Grzesiowski’s husband passed away in 2022, but says she is happy for the times they spent together before then in Lake Havasu.

“Larry and I attended most of our class reunions over the years, before his passing. My fondest memories are the ones spent in our high school years.”

Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Out of that five-generation family, today four out of the five are still living here today in Lake Havasu City.

“I’m very proud of our heritage that we have here. There are others who came before us and are pioneers. Sometimes I find it difficult to see Havasu grow to the extent that it has, but my memories of a small town are still very important to me. I think we are a special town and am so proud to still be living here,” Grzesiowski said.

Today Grzesiowski loves to go out on the boat with her family and get together with old friends from time to time to reminisce about growing up in Lake Havasu City.

Norm Tipton in a beefeater costume made by Norma’s mother, Esther, during a London Bridge Days costume contest. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Cheryl Tipton Langille and Norma Tipton Grzesiowski. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Three of the latest generations of the Tipton/Grzesiowski family. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Norm Tipton in the first London Bridge Days Parade. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

LHHS Class of 1971. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Norm Tipton selling Rotary coins in 1973. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Havasu Pioneer Walkway Brick under the London Bridge in Lake Havasu. Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski

Norma Grzesiowski with her new husband, Ron Ramsay. The couple just got married on 8.24.2024 Photo courtesy Norma Grzesiowski