Class Notes
Giving Lists

Spring 2013

Dear Class of 2001-

Happy Spring! We recently hosted some Luther students when they were in St. Louis for the Nordic Choir tour. Listening to them talk about Baker Village, the Red House, the library lawn, and other Luther items brought back many fond memories from our time at Luther, and it got Brian and me reminiscing about the time we were there. However, I was very sad to hear that as part of an initiative for healthy living, the Caf has undergone changes, including no more Crispitos or Reeses’s cookies (although they have preserved Orange Day), and no longer having trays for students to steal and go sledding in the winter. Although a great initiative, it is a little sad to see some changes like that.

Change is the theme for this year, as the school prepares for hiring Luther’s next president. Under the leadership of President Torgerson, Luther has been enhanced with several upgrades to buildings and property (which even I have to admit is more important than the elimination of key food items!). Fourteen years ago when he was hired, no one knew exactly what he was going to bring to the job. However, he clearly has improved the student experience with all the upgrades not only to the campus, but also to student and academic initiatives (and probably even the Caf!). President Torgerson also just hired a new head football coach, so we hope this last move leads to an improved program and a winning record! We’ll hope this next president continues to improve upon the great Luther experience we all had.

I am sad to report that one of our classmates passed away recently. This individual made positive change in a lot of us by being an inspiration through her ability to keep a positive attitude, always have a smile on her face, and show us that even in times of hardship you can be a winner. Johanna Olson, who was honored at our last class reunion by being inducted into the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame, was a seven time all-American and two-time national champion, and led an exemplary life. Although fighting a brain tumor while at Luther and beyond, she not only accomplished these athletic feats and went on to compete in the Olympic marathon trials twice, but she also left a permanent impression on so many hearts. She will be missed by many, and we hope as you partake in runs this spring, you will remember the joy running gave to Joha during her short life.   

We hope this letter finds you all doing well, and given the above circumstances, we hope this finds you living life to the fullest and motivating others to be the best they can be, just like Johanna did.  Johanna stated on her blog, “I have never met one person in this world that doesn't have a special gift, no matter how small he/she may think it is.  Your smile as you are walking down the street may help a stranger.  As you reflect on life this Christmas, please be proud of your gifts and share them.”  I challenge all of us to heed her advice and find our gifts to share.

Laura (Ahlstrand) Bunch
2001 Class Agent
bunchlaura@gmail.com

Joy (Christian) Stevens
2001 Class Agent
joy_stevens@me.com

Paul Hoyem
2001 Class Agent
paul.hoyem@thrivent.com

Class Notes
SOMMER ANDERSON is a trauma pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

JENIE FULLER SCHMIDT teaches for the Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools.

KATIE (ANDERSEN) and ROB GERDTS ‘02 live in Minneapolis. Katie is an elementary school counselor for the Osseo (Minn.) Area School District.

LAURA (CAULUM) GRATTON of Prineville, Ore., is an osteopathic physician at Mosaic Medical.

SCOTT HORSFALL earned a master’s degree in business administration from Hamline University.

ANNE JOHNSON is program manager and training coordinator for Minnesota Adoption Resource Network in Minneapolis.

MEGHANN OVRE-KRIESEL is the customer service supervisor for Tornier in Bloomington, Minn.

LAURA RIORDAN BERARDI earned a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University.

SARA SCHOLTES is an assistant professor of physical therapy at Saint Louis University.

SUSAN (STOCKSETH) ‘02 and MARK POTVIN live in Princeton, Minn. Mark is the vocal music instructor at Princeton High School and men’s choir conductor at St. Cloud State University.

AMANDA LINDBERG-AGANGA ‘03 and DEVON AGANGA live in Ellicott City, Md.  Devon is a physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

Marriages
TRISTAN COX and Beth Heroux, Sept. 24, 2012
KARI BERGSTROM and Bryan Hull, Oct. 16, 2010
JENIE FULLER and Michael Schmidt, July 15, 2012
HEATHER JOHNSON and Jeffrey Serum, May 19, 2012

Births
ELISABETH (BANDY) '02 and JEFF BIEBER welcomed a daughter, Elise, in July 2012.  Elise joins brother Elliot 

LAURA (CAULUM) and Paul Gratton welcomed a son, Elliott, in February 2012.  Elliott joins sister Dorian 

Rakel Evenson and BEN INGELSON welcomed a daughter, Linnea, in December 2011.

SIRI THOMPSON and ERIC KLIMPKE ʼ99 welcomed a daughter, Charlotte, in April 2010.

SARAH WENTE and Jeremy Kuker welcomed a son, Ethan, in June 2012.  Ethan joins sister Emma and brother Noah.

KATIE (BOUSLOG) and Ryan Luehrsmann welcomed a daughter, London, in August 2012.  London joins brothers Brady and Cael.

ROBYN (SIEDSCHLAG) and AARON WANGBERG welcomed a daughter, Cora, in March 2012.  Cora joins brother Quinn.

Don't forget your Annual Fund giving!