Class Notes
Giving List

Spring 2013

By now you should have received the winter LUTHER Alumni magazine. In case you missed a few things, I'll point them out to you.

On page 7 there is a blurb about the new book DOROTHY MCINTYRE has coauthored―a historical novel, Two Rings: A Legacy of Hope. If you have already read it, how about writing up a review of it and it will be shared in the next letter. On page 19 Emily Looft Nelson ’10 is quoted in the article about President Torgerson. She is the granddaughter of RON ANDERSON and ELAINE WISCHOFF LOOFT.  There is a great article on page 43 about the memorial fund the family and friends of LOIS SWENSON have started to support Lois's vision of a just world. Also check out the website created in her memory, www.loisswenson.com, for moving tributes and stories of her influence in other's lives. Included in pages 42-44 of the list of alumni children in the class of 2016 is my granddaughter Alayna Nelson, son Stephen's third daughter to attend Luther. It is next to impossible to pick out grandchildren of our classmates, so if you have family members now at Luther, let me know and I'll pass on the good news.

And, of course, you saw the pictures taken at our reunion luncheon last Homecoming. Be sure to also check out www.alumni.luther.edu for more pictures from our reunion (even though the magazine did not refer to the class of '57). Every member of the class made one or more pictures, except for ALAN HAGEN who joined us for the evening dinner. And HILDA MARY RAATIKKA SCHOON told me to be sure to mention that JERRY TWEDT just barely made it in time to have his picture included. He had been too busy selling and autographing his new book. Jerry told me he sold over 50 books between the Luther bookstore and Vesterheim. His comment: "I had a successful day." His book was reviewed in the Annals of Iowa, Vol. 12, Number 1 (Winter 2013). I have not read the review, but Jerry said it was a good one.

The fall letter mentioned that DAVID HOYME had died August 15, but that I didn't know anything more. The LUTHER magazine mentioned him and also RAPHAEL ARTZ, who died July 24. David had served parishes in Minnesota and Wisconsin from 1961-1996, and then served various interim ministries until retiring in 2002. He was in the Army National Guard as a chaplain, including active duty in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. You may remember that a copy of a letter he wrote from Saudi in February of 1991 was included with the Spring 1991 class letter. Raphael's life was spent as a band director, elementary principal, and superintendent in Brillion and Lena, Wis. He also taught in Japan. More information about both is included with this letter, and full obituaries are online.

And I need to add the death of DEAN CHRISTEN on December 13, 2012, in Rochester, Minn. After a year in the National Guard, Dean began his teaching career in math and science and spent a brief time as a principal. After retiring, he and Ardis traveled the world and loved spending his summers on Long Lake in Park Rapids. (Yes, I said ON the lake.) My daughter and I attended his memorial service, and when I moved closer to view the video of his life and family, I discovered the woman I was standing next to was JEAN FLOM CARLSON. I wasn't surprised to see her there, but I hadn't been sure ahead of time where in the world she might have been traveling. As one of our class mentioned when hearing of Dean's death, Dean was always at every reunion, including the October one. We shall miss all of these former classmates.

Bits and pieces of news from classmates (including some of my comments):

BEVERLY MANTHEY KENT - enjoy the letters although I do admit to being unable to place a few folks mentioned. (That's why I keep my annuals handy.)

MARIE STREYLE SUNDET - I had a better time at this anniversary celebration than ever before. I think people are relaxing and appreciating each other more and more - as there are fewer of us. I'm so grateful for all these good folks. (Good plug for all of you to come to the 60^th.)

DONNA JUNKER BROSDAHL - our Saturdays have been filled with swim meets at home and away during the swim season - we love college kids. Grandson Eric Hild is a senior on the Luther swim team. (Newspaper articles have mentioned Eric was on the 1st place 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay against Coe; first on the 200 medly relay against Augustana-Rock Island; and second on the 200 medley relay at the 7-team Grinnell Invite. I probably missed a bunch more.)

HILDY GREVSTAD MCGOWN - Attended 9th Elderhostel with 200,000 Sandhill cranes in Nebraska, eleven days in the Amazon Rain Forest of Peru, and a potluck bridge club that has been meeting for 51 years, but they don't cook anymore - they go out. (That's my idea of a good potluck). Regret missing our 55th - I won't let another big one pass again. (Take the hint, the rest of you.)

RON ANDERSON - Ron and Lorna and family traveled to Nairobe, Kenya, to visit the Friends of Ngong Road children's center and their sponsored student. Victor is a second-year student at the boarding school. (They included a picture of them with Victor and his brother.)  Granddaughter Anna graduated from Luther in May; she is now in Boston at Harvard Divinity School in a master’s program. Their bridge group cruised from Baltimore along the New England coast to Halifax, Canada.

HILDA MARY RATIKKA SCHOON - mentioned the Thanksgiving dinner the church is serving in Sebeka. The Sebeka Food Shelf gets depleted quickly, so they expect a good turnout―she doesn't think it had ever been done there before. She and WALLY and COLLETA HAHN WIERSON attended the Christmas at Luther concert in December. (I missed them as I attended a later performance.)

Did I mention that JEAN FLOM CARLSON might be traveling? Well, let's see what 2012 included―January, Caribbean cruise; February, Arizona; March, California; May, grandson's graduation in Minnesota and President's Council at Luther; July, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Norway; September, Chicago and Milwaukee; October, back to Luther for a BIG REUNION, and between all of that a few things back at home.

JANET FREED OSTERCAMP - son Daniel is a pastor in Webster, S.D. Grandson Zachary now a toddler; an adopted sister, Coribeth, was born December 14, 2012. Son Stephen lives in England and commutes to London, where he is a salesman for a legal research service for lawyers and legal professionals. Grandson Pierre, 16, preparing for his General Certificate of Secondary Education exam and Etienne, 19, is enrolled in a college I.T. program. Janet leads a Bible study twice a year for her circle. Attends monthly board meetings for Lutheran Campus Ministry for Minnesota State University Moorhead students.

ELAINE WHIPPLE TORGESON - son Rich supervises aeronautical mechanics, daughter Allie, and sons Matthew and Nicholas. Son Jim is a lighting expert in the movie/television/commercial business in the Los Angeles area; son Logan and twins Mason and Mazie. Paul recently bought a house in Renton/Kent, Washington; step-daughter recently married on a wedding cruise to the Caribbean. Elaine was on a five-day cruise to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, weather was super; the return to Iowa and the Midwest blizzard was a different adventure. Paul also has daughter, married to military, and a son, a junior in high school in Kent. After Elaine's husband died, she wanted to stay in Ames - she had her physician, dentist, pastor/church, attorney, accountant, and everything there - but guess what? All those people have retired or moved away! (Sound familiar? And all the replacements are younger than I!)

RON and MARILYN LOKENSGARD MARTINSON - enjoyed visits from the out-of-town families, cousins, and friends, including the wife of the Shishmaref pastor and her little son, as she waited the birth of their second child. Fun to have a toddler around for a couple weeks, and a joy to hold the new baby girl. Traveled to Dallas for Holy Week and Easter; then in October started a month's trip with the '57 BIG REUNION at Luther; to Kalispell, Mont., with daughter Sara and family; Gustavus Adolphus (in Minnesota) with granddaughter Brittany; Upper Peninsula and the western side of Michigan, Chicago, for installation of Jim Nieman as the president of the Lutheran School of Theology. (If you want to fit in a lot of stuff in one month, just have Ron plan your trip!) Back home, Ron stays busy with Habitat for Humanity carpentry, hospital visiting, choir, volunteering at the homeless shelter at church, lawn and garden work, and any repair work needed at home or church. Marilyn visits and communes several people, and enjoys book group, choir, bell group, substitute organ/piano, knitting, and quilting, and they both keep up with exercising.

My only travel this year was to granddaughter Alayna’s high school graduation in Big Piney, Wyo. Daughter Andrea and I flew to Jackson, Wyo., and spent two days being  tourists there―including hiking in the Tetons―before driving to Big Piney for the rest of the week. Before flying back to Minneapolis we were able to worship with Steve's family at the Lutheran church in Jackson (yes, they drive 90 miles one way to attend church). The service included a sending ceremony, where the families wrapped their high school grads with a blanket as a gift of love from the congregation, to follow them in their new experiences. (Our congregation here in Decorah just welcomed new members with the gift of love by wrapping them with prayer shawls.)

We bought our house in August 1960. We lived in Palo Alto one year, when Dave had a research grant at Stanford University, and in Mesa, Ariz., twice, when Dave had semester sabbaticals, but we never really moved out of our house. As you would guess, the house is full of stuff! And I often am quite surprised when I go through a box of the above-mentioned stuff. A recently found treasure was a letter written by JIM ASHMAN in August of 1957. (Yes, I have a hard time throwing anything away.) I'm sorry that Jim died two years ago, so I can't thank him for his wonderful way with words back then. And it would have been fun to read the entire letter at our reunion last fall - maybe at our 60th! Jim was writing about our class gift and the scholarship. I will quote just one sentence. "We as the class of '57 have started out on a new venture that has never been attempted before. Therefore we must set the pace." There are now 17 class scholarships at Luther - what a great thing we started! Two students were given Class of 1957 Scholarships this year. Tyler Anderson is a sophomore English and communication studies major from Cannon Falls, Minn. Kian Solberg is a senior elementary education major from Zumbrota, Minn.

Attached is a list of those who made donations to Luther in the calendar year 2012, but I have to add my thanks to you who helped reach our participation to 51 percent! Let's keep that percentage growing each year.

As I mentioned at the reunion, I love a captive audience, but it’s time to sign off. Have a great spring!

Betty Rikansrud Nelson
brnelson35@gmail.com                                               

Obituaries
Raphael “Ray” Artz of Brillion, Wis., died July 24, 2012, at age 77. A Brillion High School 1953 graduate, he enrolled at Luther and majored in music. He earned a master's degree in school administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1973. Ray held numerous positions throughout the years, including teaching in Japan, and he served as band director for Brillion High School and elementary school principal and superintendent at the Lena Public School District. In 1972 Ray married Mary Vechart; in addition to spending time with his family, Ray enjoyed reading, travel, and golf. He is survived by his wife, Mary; three children: Jeremy, Amanda, and Benjamin; two grandsons; his mother-in-law: Geraldine Vechart; and other in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and father-in-law.

David Hoyme of Alexandria, Minn., died August 15, 2012, at the age of 76. After graduation from Luther, he enrolled at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, graduating with a divinity degree in 1961. David was united in marriage to Jeanne Grotta in 1960, and the couple was blessed with two sons.  From 1961-64, David was called to serve at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minn. Subsequent calls included St. John’s Lutheran in Springfield, Minn., from 1964-69; Gloria Dei Lutheran in Tomah, Wis., from 1969-80; Lutheran Church of Peace in Platteville, Wis., from 1980-96; and various interim ministries from 1996-2002. David also served as a State of Wisconsin chaplain, and he served his country for 32 years in the Army National Guard as a chaplain, retiring with the rank of colonel. David saw active duty in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm with a hospital unit from Madison, Wis. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and running, having logged 10,000-plus miles. David and Jeanne lead many tours all over the world for their churches, but most of all, David loved spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; sons Jonathan HOYME ’87 and Christopher Hoyme; 3 grandchildren; and 3 sisters: Connie (HOYME) Sundkvist ’42, Audrey Veek, and Ramona Gorham.

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:

Agnes (Nestegard) Amdahl*
Elsiemae (Peterson) Anderson*
Ines (Ellefson) Anderson
Ronald Anderson*
Avis (Lovell) Andre*
Lloyd Asbe
Betty (Eide) Behm*
Phyllis Bentley*
Gerald Bierstedt
Marolyn (Sersland) Bostrom
Robert Boyd
Donna (Junker) Brosdahl*
†Dean Christen*
Alice (Johnson) Christianson
Eli Crogan
Roger Downing
Jessie Duff-McLaurin
Jean Ellefson
Conrad Engebretson*
Henrik Engebretson*
Kenton Evenstad*
Donna (Ellefson) Fortney*
Lowell Gangstad*
Carlyle Gilbertson*
Gale Grimslid
N. David Guetzke
Gwen (Kaiser) Gunderson*
Alan Hagen
Donald Harmon*
Elene (Hanson) Henrikson
Janice (Anderson) Horn*
Roy Hougen*
Marlyn Hyland
Lavern Johnson
Clarice (Olson) Kelto
Mary (Degreve) Klingle
Barbara (Rockhill) Koester*
Joanne (Doerring) Kramer*
Lavonne (Christensen) Larsen
Walter Laughlin*
Mick Lee*
Eunice (Mithum) Levisay*
Paul Lewison
Shirley Liesener
Elaine (Wischhoff) Looft*
Glendon Losen*
Marilyn (Lokensgard) Martinson*
Ronald Martinson*
Hildegarde (Grevstad) McGown*
Doris (Hanson) Morken*
David Nasby
Betty Rikansrud Nelson*
Riddell Noble*
Anthony Norborg*
Yvonne (Peterson) O'Connor
Homer Olsen
Dolores (Benedict) Olson
Jerome Orness
Marge (Elletson) Orness
Janet (Freed) Ostercamp
Donald Paulson*
Norma (Anderson) Paulson*
Kenneth Peterson*
Theodore Peterson*
Jerome Pribbenow*
Roger Redetzke
Clarence Reiels*
Janet (Schmidt) Rosett*
Kathryn (Hermanson) Rotto*
Mary (Gordon) Sandquist
Hilda (Raatikka) Schoon*
Roger Schroeder*
Robert Seaver*
Roger Skatrud*
Darrell Sohn*
Brad Steiger
Karen Strom*
Marie (Streyle) Sundet
Peter Ching Tan
Renee (Neprud) Thomas*
Dean Tollefson*
Mary (Stevens) Tuve*
Jerry Twedt*
Sharron Wentz-Wubbels
Coletta (Hahn) Wierson
Wallace Wierson
Beverly (Herth) Wolff
Helen (Knutson) Wurtzel*
Marguretta (Ness) Yaeger*