Spring 2013
Dear 49ers
It is Friday, February 22, 2013. I just returned from the Luther Fieldhouse, where Luther lost to Wartburg in the semi-final round of the Conference Tournament. It is difficult to defeat a good team three times in the same season. I really do remember that from my days of coaching.
Last Saturday, the 16th, I was in attendance at the final game of the regular season. In that game Luther defeated Wartburg for the second time, clinching the conference championship for the second time in the last three years. The 2012-2013 championship was Luther’s ninth in history! The other championship years were: 1936-37; 1942-43; 1948-49, (we remember that one); 1953-54; 1966-67; 1981-82; 1983-84; and 2010-11. Even though our college has not been a dominate force in the IIAC, it is great to win, anytime.
By the time that you read this letter, Luther may have hired a new president. The search began early last fall. Of the many candidates that applied, the list was sorted down to the final two in February. I had the privilege of meeting both candidates and my opinion is that either will provide strong leadership. President Torgerson, who will end his tenure at the end of this academic year, has been a strong leader. In addition, the bond between Luther College and the City of Decorah is outstanding, which in my opinion is a must!
It seems as if the only classmate news I receive is when there is a death. I wish that you readers would provide me with a few of your “tid-bits” to write about! Therefore, I will report the following concerning the Petersons. We have enrolled in our 30th Elderhostel program, scheduled for the week of March 10th, in Natchez, Mississippi. The lectures will deal with the history of the area, (the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River), slavery, architecture, the culture, and the businesses of the community. Also, we look forward to the walking field trips and Southern cooking.
In closing, I urge that you consider some financial support for our college. The amount of the gift is not the issue. I would love to report that one hundred percent of us, (83), had given something! Currently, only 43 of us made a gift in 2012. Read on for additional financial information, plus classmate information, included in this letter.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis Peterson
fpmp@mchsi.com
Obituaries
MARJORY ANN (WOMELDORF) DAVIS, of Lynden, Wash., died August 27, 2012, at age 85. A native of Decorah, she attended Luther. Marjory married Neal Davis ’48 in 1947, and they raised their children in Canby, Waseca, Owatonna, and Rochester, Minn. A lifelong Lutheran, Marjory was actively involved in church ladies' groups and helped sponsor Hmong refugees in the United States following the Vietnam War. In retirement, Neal and Marjory moved to Wenatchee, Wash. Neal died in 1996; Marjory moved to Lynden in 2007 to be near family. In addition to her husband, Neal, she was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Tyler Falk; a sister, Dorothy Lund; and a brother, F. Howard Womeldorf ’51. Marjory is survived by two daughters―Cindy Petersen and Jean Davis; two sons―Frank Davis and Paul Davis ‘83; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters Frances (womeldorf) Jeffers ’61 and Kathryn Sanders.
STANLEY “Stan” HARMON of Depoe Bay, Ore., died September 7, 2012, at age 85. Born in Northwood, Iowa, the third of four children, he graduated in 1945 from Northwood High School, where he was active in band and played the French horn, proudly participating in the North Iowa Band Festival held each year in Mason City. Stan attended Luther; he graduated from the University of Washington in 1952, majoring in chemistry. After teaching high school biology, chemistry, and physics in Washougal, Wash., for a year, he entered medical school at the University of Washington and graduated in June 1957. After an internship in Denver, Colo., Stan began his naval career with flight surgeon's training in 1958 and was assigned to Pautuxant River Naval Air Station, Md. His next assignment was with a squadron at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Wash.; then came orthopedic residency at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, Md., and Los Angeles, Calif.; a tour in Vietnam with the 3rd Marines; followed by nine and a half years at the Oakland Naval Regional Medical Center, Calif. Stan was in private practice of orthopedics from September 1977 until mid- 2005 in Los Gatos, Calif. He married Bette Woodruff in1969, and they became the parents of three children: Thomas David, Tamara Dale Pena, and Tara Dee. Stan was involved in several professional organizations and served on the board of directors of Santa Clara County Medical Association, and as a delegate to the annual California Medical Association House of Delegates. He is survived by his wife, daughter, grandchildren, brother, and sister. Stan was predeceased by a brother and a son.
Don't forget your Annual Fund giving!
Each year nearly 9,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Annual Fund with gifts from $5 to $50,000. Strong support from alumni helps Luther secure additional funds from foundations and corporations, and your gift each year helps us reach our goal of 27% alumni giving. Here’s how your class—and surrounding classes—did in 2012:
Class of 1948 total giving in 2012: $82,226 from 37% of the class
Class of 1949 total giving in 2012: $22,504 from 52% of the class
Class of 1950 total giving in 2012: $63,903 from 47% of the class
Your gift can boost the impact your class has on current students! Please use the enclosed envelope or visit www.givenow.luther.edu to show your support. Thank you!
WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE:
This list includes all gifts received January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012. Making a gift each and every year is an investment in the lives of Luther students and a show of support for the Luther College community. Thank you for your support of Luther College through your giving.
Leona (Nordeng) Amdahl*
Elder Bentley*
Gordon Christianson*
Ralph Colrud*
Elaine (Nestingen) Cordes*
Harriet (Flatland) Danielson
†Marjory (Womeldorf) Davis
Avis (Gilberts) Dieseth
Joann Dirks Anderson*
Alice (Ranum) Drake
Lois (Brandt) Drews*
Luther Forde*
John Fritz
Eric Giere
James Graven*
Maretta (Vangsness) Grindeland
Merlin Hagen*
Homer Hanson*
Nora (Forde) Hendrickson
Lavern Hillesland*
Gordon Howland*
Alfred Jacobs*
Christabel (Adix) Jacobs*
Idamae (Prell) Knutson*
Walter Korsrud*
Ruth Lunde*
Sherwood Mellom*
Jerry Moe
Paul Nelson
Willis Nordhem*
Barbara (Orwoll) Nordschow*
Francis Peterson*
Helen (Larson) Peterson
Helen (Coffeen) Robbe
Betty (Anderson) Sanders*
Donald Skaar*
Laurayne (Helgerson) Solberg
Mary (Ramsland) Sordel*
Rachel (Noer) Spencer*
Olin Storvick*
Lowell Torgerson
Arnold Veglahn
Lorraine (Bergland) Wangsness
Ethel (Tellefson) Webster
* made a gift in each of the last five consecutive years.
Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If an error has been made, please accept our apology and contact the Luther Development Office at 800-225-8664, or e-mail giving@luther.edu.
