Fall 2016

Dear Classmates:

Homecoming 2016 experienced nice fall weather–a little cool, somewhat sunny, but not yet graced with the typical fall colors, partly because Homecoming was held earlier than usual, and partly because of the late fall in the Upper Midwest. Mary and I were there and enjoyed it, in great part because it was the 60-year anniversary of her Class of 1956. So, I was kind of a “tag-along,” but it was fun to see so many friends and acquaintances in that class just behind ours. Ted Tweed and Janet (Campbell) Tweed were there also, since she started with the Class of 1956, but accelerated to end with ours. Pat (Olafson) Savoie emailed to say that she would not make it, since she was traveling from California to Minnesota earlier for her high school class reunion.

Homecoming seems to get busier each year. This year more than 60 events were planned including sports, theatre, dance, concerts, lectures, reunions, open houses, alumni awards, chapel, and lots of coffee and chatting. Alas, Luther lost in football, 27-24, to Nebraska Wesleyan, a new member of the conference.

At a class agent meeting on Friday, information was given out, and I send a summary to you. First, Luther continues to do well in fundraising. Over $12 million was received for the year ending May 31; the Annual Fund received over $2 million. Alumni participation in giving to Luther showed an increase, thus bucking the downward trend nationally. Second, student success is impressive—within eight months of graduation, 98 percent are employed, in graduate school, or in student-teacher programs. This is a significant rate, leading the nationally known Teagle Foundation in Michigan to name Luther as one of 13 stellar schools based on the employment and graduate school results. Also, the college has developed a four-year program to guide students through career decisions. This year the focus is on second-year students with an emphasis on such issues as values and marketable skills. Third, recruitment of new students has been a challenge for many schools in Iowa, including Luther. A large factor is that the three state universities are offering larger financial aid packages on top of lower costs. Another factor is that a number of high school seniors look toward community colleges and vocational-technical schools for career preparation. Hence, Luther is down moderately in new students at 552. A decline in Iowa is somewhat offset by increases in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and international cohorts. Total enrollment is down moderately as well, standing now at just under 2,200. Colleges like Luther are facing a changing and challenging landscape.

You may recall that as part of fundraising for our 50-year anniversary class gift, we inaugurated the Golden Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Fund. Subsequently, the Class of 1956 and a few other classes also contributed. The fund total is now almost $93,000, through contributions and investment results, a good outcome to-date given the choppy investment market in recent years. This year a scholarship of $4,300 was awarded. With other financial aid, this helps a student cover some of the basic costs of a year at Luther, now about $48,500. Rising costs are another challenge facing Luther.

Given this situation, what can Luther alumni do? First, be alert for any high school students who would be a good fit at Luther. Encourage them to take a look. The Admissions Office would be happy to work with you on this. Second, continue your gifts to Luther in whatever way you are able. We remain one of the leading classes in terms of participation. Some data from Luther supports this. In tracking class members who made a gift in 2014, 84 percent of those made another gift in 2015. The college-wide average was 72 percent. Let’s keep it up.

As is the case every half year, I receive a list of classmates who have passed away recently. Sadly, it is the longest list received so far, a total of six, including: Luther Lewer, Joanne (Bales) Ohlhaber, Wayne Perry, John Spicuzza, Jon Vine, and Ken Vinge. Of these, I note three especially. Spicuzza is reputed to be the inspiration and motive force for Mabe’s Pizza, which is still a Decorah legend. An Italian from Wisconsin, John felt gastronomically deprived without pizza in Decorah. Vinge was student body president our senior year. He was also best man at our wedding in 1956. And Vine was on our 50-year anniversary reunion committee. I must make a gift in their memory to the Golden Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Fund. Perhaps you might like to as well.

Finally, as fall advances and winter follows, I hope all of you will enjoy many good days full of interesting things to do and see. And I trust that Thanksgiving will be a time for truly giving thanks for the blessings in your lives, that Christmas will also bring you blessings, and 2017 even more good things. And, again, send me your stories.

All the best,

C. Carlyle Haaland  
1955 Class Agent                                                
[email protected]                        

Obituaries

Luther “Lewie” Lewer of Brookfield, Wis., died June 14, 2016, at age 86. Born in Deforest, he attended Luther for several years before earning a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, in 1963. For more than 30 years, Lewie served as a coach and physical education teacher at the Elmbrook school system. A skilled athlete and passionate about all sports, he was known as “the Warrior.” Lewie is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Jeff) Spielman; three grandchildren; devoted companion, Carol Lofye Lewer; brother, Max (Shirley) Lewer; other relatives; many nieces and nephews; dear friends; and colleagues. He was preceeded in death by his sister, Elaine (Bill) Pierce, and brother, James.

JoAnne (Bales) Ohlhaber of Lakewood, Colo., died March 31, 2016, at age 81. An English major at Luther, she is survived by a sister. JoAnne was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ohlhaber, in 1999.

Wayne Perry of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Feb. 23, 2016, at age 85. Born in Chester, he was a LeRoy (Minn.) High School football star and graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1949. In 1950 Wayne joined the Air Force, and on June 22, 1952, he married Darlyne Sande in Decorah. Wayne majored in business administration at Luther and began a 24-year career at P&H Harnischfeger in 1965. He retired in 1989. Wayne loved to play cards, especially the game of 500, and he enjoyed traveling with his family and cherished the memories made on their African safari in 2005. Wayne was a member of Disabled American Veterans; he had a loving heart and was a great listener. Wayne is survived by his wife, Darlyne; two sons, Russell and Jim; two daughters, Janet (Greg) Robertson and Jean Hill; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Zona Jones and Joan (Kent) Boisen. He was preceded in death by a grandson, a great-granddaughter, and a sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Lyle Schutte.

John Spicuzza of Hernando, Fla., died April 20, 2016, at age 81. After graduating from Wauwatosa (Wis.) High School in 1953, he attended Luther for two years. John enjoyed a noteworthy career in high school sports and held Wisconsin state records in football, baseball, and track. He played AAA baseball for the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago White Sox and had a season-high batting average of .388. John received a master’s degree from the University of Colorado and, before building a successful insurance business in Brookfield, Wis., pursued his passion for coaching in Arena, Oshkosh, Madison, and Boulder, Colo. Upon retirement, he and his wife, Sandy, moved to Florida, where they spent time playing golf, volunteering, giving generously to organizations supporting those with mental and physical challenges, and building an extensive base of friends. John also visited his neighborhood workout facility on a nearly daily basis. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Spicuzza; two children, Thomas and Elizabeth; three stepchildren; grandchildren; beloved neighbors; and friends.

Jon Vine of Decorah died May 1, 2016, at age 82. Born at home on River Street in Decorah, he grew up playing baseball at school, announcing halftime at football games, acting in plays, and being a member of FFA. After graduating from Decorah High School in 1951 and attending Luther for a year, Jon served in the U.S. Army as a radio repair instructor at Fort Sill, Okla., from 1953-55 and finished basic training just as the Korean War was ending. He married Shirley Ann Erickson at Decorah Lutheran Church on October 14, 1956, and the couple moved in 1960 to Freeport, where they raised their two children before moving back to Decorah in 2012. Following his father’s footsteps, Jon worked at Anundsen’s Publishing Company for more than 50 years as a printer and foreman, and he worked at Decorah Newspapers. Jon enjoyed gardening, square dancing, camping, photography, and computers, and, along with Shirley, he loved to travel, enjoying bus trips around the country and vacations in Mexico, Spain, and Israel. A lifelong member of Decorah Lutheran Church, Jon was active in Sunday school as a teacher and superintendent and with other volunteer activities at the church. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; two children, Tammy Vine ’79 (Jesus Arlaban) and Craig Vine ’84; and granddaughter, Kimberley Ainhoa Arlaban. Jon was preceded in death by his siblings, Marjorie (Paul) Treptow, Van (Elizabeth), and Arne (Dorothy).

Kenneth “Ken” Vinge of Coon Rapids, Minn., died Dec. 30, 2015, at age 82. A history and religion major at Luther, he received a master’s in theology degree from Luther Seminary in 1959. Ken worked as a pastor for four years before returning to school to earn a master’s degree from the University of Washington in 1965, inspired by a year spent living in Taiwan. He married his wife, Sandra Schaefer, on Feb. 26, 1962, in Miles City, Mont. Together they would travel to many places, including Arizona and California. Ken also taught social studies and coached football and basketball at Irondale High School. In his free time, Ken loved to be outdoors, whether it was skiing during his younger years or spending hours in his flower garden. He and Sandra also enjoyed playing cards with friends. Ken is survived by his wife, Sandra; children: Hans, Stephanie (Allan), Jon (Stacy), and Per (Wendy); and ten grandchildren.