Class Notes
Giving  List

Spring 2013

Dear Classmates,                                                                                 

I’m not sure the groundhog was accurate in his prediction of an early spring, but here’s hoping.  With a few exceptions, this winter has brought some strange and even perilous weather throughout the country.  Here in Wisconsin, it seems to snow almost every day!  

When spring comes, I always look forward to watching the world-famous Decorah eagles live streamed via the Internet.  Unfortunately, mom and dad moved to a new nest beyond the scrutiny of the web-cam so the eagles will be “offline” this year.  Plans are pending to install equipment at the new nest, so with time, we can again enjoy this engaging family.

Luther is approaching a time of transition with the end of President Rick Torgerson’s tenure.  His superb and collaborative leadership transformed Luther in significant ways.  Rick and Judy have made a substantial impact on the Luther community. We wish them well and know they will continue to be great friends and supporters of Luther.

Thanks for your continued support of Luther through your prayers and giving.  In 2012, our class had a 41 percent participation rate to “All Funds” and a 37.07 percent participation rate to the “Annual Fund.” Anything you can give in 2013 makes such a difference in supporting students and ensuring that Luther continues to be a place of excellence.  Gifts of any amount count in our participation rate.  Some very good news is that the Sesquicentennial Fund initiative was successfully completed at the end of 2012 and exceeded the $50 million goal…just another indication of what Luther means to so many. 

We still want to hear from you, but the option of using the “comments” feature in the online version of the class agent letter no longer exists.  You can, though, still submit updates by going to the Luther Home Page, clicking on the Alumni & Friends tab at the top, then clicking the Online Alumni Update link on the left, and entering your comments in the “Other Information” box.  If you prefer, you can also e-mail me with comments that I will share.  

Because it is such a pleasure to hear what’s happening with each of you, I’m writing just a bit about me hoping it will encourage you to take a few minutes to share a part of your life with us.  “I’ve recently returned from a fun road trip to Florida for a get-together with friends there. My two main volunteer activities now are serving on our Fitchburg (Wis.) Library Board and involvement in a number of jail/prison ministries.  We didn’t have a library in our community of 25,000 until 2011, and we now have a wonderful two-story, 38,000 square-foot building.  I also tutor at our county jail, am part of Circle of Support groups for those released from prison, and actively participate in an organization that advocates for treatment rather than incarceration as appropriate.”

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Karen Julesberg
kejulesb@wisc.edu 

Obituaries
DOROTHY “DOTTIE” JOAN (HOLTAN) BYE of Milwaukee died Sept. 14, 2012, at age 74. She taught elementary school in the Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District for many years and shared her love of children and teaching with her dear friends, the “Fabulous 5.” Fol1owing her retirement, Dottie continued to volunteer in classrooms at Parkway Elementary School in Glendale. In addition to caring for children, Dottie and her late husband, Bill, volunteered at the Schlitz Audubon Center. She was a long-time disciple at Kingo Lutheran Church and active in its quilting ministry, which she founded about 35 years ago. Dottie is survived by two children--Bill Bye and Julie Mathews; two grandchildren; other relatives; and friends.

ALLEN KOEPKE of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died September 23, 2012, at age 73. Born in Chicago, he attended Mozart Elementary and learned to play piano, trombone, and organ. Allen excelled at music theory and composition; he began directing his first church choir while a junior at Luther. His love of choral music grew while singing in Nordic Choir under the direction of his mentor, Weston Noble ‘43. After graduation from Luther, Allen began his teaching career in Clear Lake, Iowa. He completed his master’s degree in choral composition at the University of Northern Iowa in 1967. Later that year he moved to Cedar Rapids to teach vocal music at Jefferson High School, where he founded the West Side Delegation, which launched the show choir movement in the state of Iowa. Allen completed his teaching career at Kirkwood Community College in 1997, after establishing a successful vocal music program there. Allen also directed the Young Americans, the Alleluia Chorus, the Iowa People to People Chorale, and the Cedar Rapids Follies, as well as more than thirty USA tours and three international choir tours. He was a church choir director and organist for fifty-four years in Cedar Rapids, culminating at St. Mark’s Lutheran Faith and Life Center. With more than 70 published compositions and commissions, Allen was a well-known teacher, conductor, adjudicator, private tutor, arranger, and clinician. His honors include Composer in Residence for Orchestra Iowa, Iowa Professor of the Year, Innovator of the Year, the Robert M. McCowan Award, and several other notable composition awards. Allen was privileged to hear his Missa Brevis performed at Carnegie Hall and numerous compositions performed at All-State Festivals nationwide. He also loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, golf, tennis, travel, FOX News, reading, crossword puzzles, his computer, his home in Florida, his faith, and most importantly, his family. Allen is survived by his wife, Sherril, and her three children and five grandchildren; his former wife, Kay Koepke; their four children; and six grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Wayne KOEPKE ‘66.

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:

Carroll Anderson
Dean Anderson*
Elaine (Hagen) Anderson*
Gary Anderson*
Gerald Anderson*
Lorna (Haugland) Anderson*
Paul Baardseth*
Gary Baldwin*
Reinhard Bender*
Lydelle Bentz*
Glenn Berge*
Marlin Bergerson
Gary Berkland
Warren Boe*
Charles Boebel*
Nancy (Wirkler) Brandt
Karen (Thorson) Conzemius*
John Crawford
Keith Crider
John Dahle
Ruth (Dallman) Delf*
Carolyn (Nagel) Erickson*
Marilyn (Johnston) Estrem
Carolyn (Cowan) Evenstad
Alan Fedge*
Robert Fett*
Terry Fields
Berneil Georgeson
Ruth Gilbertson*
Ingeborg (Bader) Goessl*
Carol (Mithum) Grow*
Constance (Hill) Guetzke
Robert Halvorsen
Benjamin Harring*
Carol (Williams) Hasvold*
David Haugen
Ruth (Nielsen) Heggen
Jane A'lee (Gilberts) Heyerdahl
Agnes (Grevstad) Hjelle*
Betty Hoff*
Lois (Steffenson) Johnson*
Joyce (Peterson) Jountson
Karen Julesberg*
Richard Lind
LaRoy Luther*
Lloyd Martinson*
Trygve Mathison*
Myrna (Johnson) McNatt
Kenneth Melby*
Connie (Jolstad) Nelson*
Nicholas Nelson
LaVonne (Sime) Okleasik
Jerome Oswald
Darleen (Morken) Pacovsky
John Pake
William Peterson
Robert Pfister
Armin Pipho*
Adrian Ploegstra*
Eloise (West) Rist
Michael Ritland*
Janet Robertson*
Kenneth Roen
Curtis Rotto*
Beverly (Forkrud) Ryan
Sonja (Hohertz) Selboe*
Jean Severson*
Susan Sihler
John Sime
Beverly (Hoops) Solberg
Karl Solberg
Joseph Soley*
Allan Solomonson*
Robert Stoskopf*
Allan Strom
Marlyn Sundheim*
Janice (Olson) Tostengard
Luther Tostengard
Naomi (Thompson) Towson*
Gale Vathing*
Megon (Opfer) Vertanen
Rolland Wilson*
Sharon (Jacobson) Wilson*
Marlene (Nesheim) Winkie*