Class Notes
Giving List

Spring 2013

Greetings LC Class of ’67!

As I write this note in late February, the entire upper Midwest is in the midst of a major snowfall dropping ten inches of white stuff in parts of northern Iowa, and nearly two feet in parts of Nebraska and South Dakota.  We are thankful the temperature is mild, and the strong winds forecast to accompany the storm did not materialize.  Even though most of us have grown weary of winter by this time, the world outside my house does look especially beautiful and serene this morning.  It might not look so beautiful to me later when I motivate myself to go out and clear 200 feet of driveway while expecting another snow storm to arrive in three days! 

It’s easy to transport my mind to the Luther campus this morning, and recall the pristine look following a heavy, fresh snowfall.  The buildings seem very natural there among the dark Bur oaks and open areas.  I’m sure most of us have heard outsiders gush about the beauty of our campus.  A Wartburg grad with whom my wife and I share some business opportunities mentions it whenever the subject of our respective alma maters comes up.

Browsing the Luther website recently, I was reminded that this beauty is not an accident. Renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, just over 100 years ago, developed a plan for a “woodland and meadow” design to ease the stern, formal look of the era that the college had taken on.  In recent years, the College has returned to Jensen’s work to ensure that campus development fits into his original vision, and keeps visitors saying “Wow!”  See www.luther.edu/campus/landscape/ for the whole story.

The beauty of the campus is important, but only in how it enhances the mission of the college--the reason we believe in Luther.  That mission can be successful only if alumni and other interested parties provide support to meet the ever-increasing challenges of higher education. 

At the reunion last fall, we proposed a fund-raising challenge for the Class of ’67 to celebrate our 50^th reunion in 2017.  As of last October, the class had contributed some $866,000 to Luther in the years since graduation.  The goal of $1.25 million in total contributions by October 2017 is attainable if those of us who are regular contributors can increase our giving a bit, and those who have not contributed regularly can come forth with modest contributions.

“Many people will pass by a well, take what they need and move on, without realizing that every well not replenished will run dry. To know this is to know the value of paying it forward for the next traveler.” (Anonymous)

Please do what you can to meet the class challenge and help keep Luther financially secure and moving toward the future.

Best wishes, and Go Norse!

Art Johnson
art46j@mchsi.com

Obituary
Beverly (bruening) White of Decorah died September 19, 2012, at age 79.  She graduated in 1950 from Decorah High School, where she was a cheerleader.  She married young and raised five children. Bev resumed her studies at Luther, majoring in elementary education and graduating in 1967 with a bachelor of arts degree. She taught for 29 years at East Side Elementary in Decorah, impacting the lives of countless fourth- grade students. Bev also enjoyed writing poetry, and playing golf, bridge, dice, and other card games, especially with her beloved family and many friends. Her children, the “Fab 5,” treasured the time spent with her, whether boating on the Mississippi, traveling to Virginia Beach, going on cruises, playing golf against “those Wisconsin gals,” gambling in Dubuque or Marquette, finding the annual golden egg she hid at Easter, or playing card and dice games. Bev married the love of her life, Don White, in 1996, and together they enjoyed traveling the world on cruises, playing euchre and bowling with family and friends, spending time at their beach house on the river, boating, and golfing and socializing at Oneota and Silvercrest country clubs, where they were longtime members.  She is survived by her husband, Don White; five children: Duanne Ott Thiel, David Ruen, Karla Koenig, Kevin Ruen, and Lea Daniels; 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; five step-children: Steve White, Susie White, David White, Cheri (white) Zwart ‘89, and DJ White; 15 step-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; and her three siblings, Duane Bruening, Lowell Bruening, and Loma Carlson. Bev was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Leroy Ott.

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: