Spring 2013
Dear Friends,
Like most of us, I am turning 60 this year. When I mentioned my upcoming birthday to my dentist – someone a few years younger than I – he responded, “60? That’s the new 40!” When I told a friend – someone a few years older than I – he said, “I like to think I’ve entered my seventh decade!”
I’m trying to maintain both of those attitudes. On the one hand, I love my work and I love where I am doing it. I am healthy and able and there is rewarding work to be done. On the other hand, my days are not numberless. The bulk of my career is behind me. I certainly don’t want to spend the years until retirement coasting. And I want my retirement (whenever that comes) to be more than an extended vacation.
So – what do I want to focus on now? How do I want to spend the coming years – up to my retirement and after? I don’t know how you are answering those questions. For me, it has something to do with service. What can I offer to others – now and in the future?
For me, the scope of that service also includes the students at Luther College. They will be doing good work in the world for many years to come. Whether faculty or staff, buildings or scholarships, Luther College provides a learning environment where young people experience learning and growth that they can use their whole lives to serve the world. I can serve them by continuing to support the work of the college on their behalf.
And you can, too – no matter what your age or stage in life! Thanks for whatever you give! Thanks for however you serve!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Chris Lee-Thompson
cleethompson@centurytel.net
Class Note
STEVEN MINECK is the deputy program manager for TASC Inc. in Washington D.C.
Marriage
MARGARET JENSEN and Daniel Milkovich, July 22, 2012
Obituary
Russell Rossum of Waverly, Iowa, died October 1, 2012, at age 60. A native of Mason City, he graduated from Mason City High School in 1970 and enrolled at Luther, where he majored in political science. Following graduation in 1975, Russell went to work at Fred's Super Value in Waverly. He later worked in the food service department at Wartburg College and for the Waverly-Shell Rock School District. Russell also served as a school bus driver and custodial assistant. He enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams, the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees, and New York Knicks. Russell is survived by a daughter, Rachel Rossum; two sons, Aaron Rossum and Peter Rossum; a sister, Mary Ann Rossum; two brothers, Roger and Dennis Rossum; and a grandson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Rossum.
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 1974 total giving in 2012: $122,068 from 30% of the class
Class of 1975 total giving in 2012: $43,448 from 26% of the class
Class of 1976 total giving in 2012: $119,615 from 24% 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.
Michael Adams
Anthony Albert*
Mark (Underleak) Andrlik
Lois (Swiggum) Appel
Steve Arneson*
Ruth Bachman*
James Bahler
John Bailey
Margaret (Martin) Barry
Timothy Bartness*
Ann (Christensen) Beatty*
Marion Beatty*
Julie (Wohlrabe) Bengtson
Sandra Berg-Holte
Bonita (Bohning) Bock*
Janet Brandt*
Karen (Johansen) Brownawell*
Karen (Gesme) Brunssen
Jerry Buchheit
Charles Bursch*
Debra Campbell-Potter
Becky (Murray) Carpenter*
Rebecca (Wieck) Curtis*
Jananne (Zellers) Dietrich
Donald Dowd*
Barbara (Fisher) Eliason
Mark Finholt
Curtis Gilbertson*
Bonnie (Willrett) Greenwood
Kim Greenwood
Scott Griswold
Elizabeth Hansing Moon*
David Hanson*
Kathleen Hanson
Linda Harris*
Ann (Mahon) Hedges*
James Heller
Thomas Hellie*
Erica (Trytten) Helmick
Linda (Peterson) Herman*
Elizabeth (Mclean) Hickerson
Richard Hickerson
Denice Hoggatt
David Hovde
Dennis Hove*
Jaklyn (Hanson) Hutchins*
Donelly Ike*
Naomi Jacobs*
Jay Jeffries*
David Johnson*
Edward Johnson
Terry Johnson*
Craig Knutson*
Michele (Venne) Krause
Lisa (Mills) LaValle
Richard Lee
Chris Lee-Thompson
Ann Leon*
Joseph Lindsay
Nona (Hansen) Litzelman
Steven Lovick
Martha (Monson) Lowe
Marcia (Christianson) Mahlman
Kristen (Sterenberg) McKlveen*
Richard McKlveen*
Thomas Mittman
David Moore*
Steven Murray
Jeffrey Nelson
Ramona (Feller) Nelson*
Susan Nelson*
Deborah Norland*
Renee (Miller) Olson
Michael Osterholm*
Margaret (Mellerup) Otte
David Peterson*
Kristin (Silseth) Peterson*
Connie Plaehn*
Kenneth Potter
Ruth (Bruemmer) Procter*
Ellen Quandahl*
Deborah (Moen) Reynolds
Carolyn Rod*
Sharon (Selander) Rossing*
Mark Rugland
Christopher Rumme
John Runningen
Cynthia Running-Johnson
Denise (Kremin) Rust
Dale Schroeder*
Frederick Schultz
Jacqui (Paul) Shanda
John Shanda
Beth Anne (Moody) Shields*
Carol (Barth) Stoddard*
Paula Stuart*
Mary Thompson
Deborah (Flage) Timmerman*
Cary (Shaffer) Tuckey*
Diane (Njus) Valade
Craig Watkins
Annie (Schuchmilski) Weilgart*
Steven Wettach*
James Wiederhoeft*
Robert Wilson
James Wrolstad*
Jan (Zinnel) Wrolstad*
Kirsten Zerhusen
* 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.
