Fall 2011
Dear Classmates,
Fall came upon us quickly and the sesquicentennial homecoming at Luther is already in the past.
Luther was honored to host the King and Queen of Norway the Thursday of homecoming. During a Royal Convocation program, Their Majesties were presented the Spirit of Luther Award and performances were given by the Luther Symphony Orchestra and Nordic Choir. On Saturday of Homecoming, Helen Strand attended the 1961 class reunion luncheon as their invited guest. Dr. Strand turned 102 in June and is still as sharp as a tack. She touched the lives of so many students during her teaching years at Luther.
As we have been writing these class letters we have realized how many distinguished, compassionate, and talented classmates we have. In each letter we hope to highlight a few. If you have any suggestions of classmates to be recognized, please email them to us.
Here are our fall special people:
*Susan Baker Micklick is a mortician in Albert Lea, Minn., and helps out in Decorah when she is needed. Our family was the recipient of Susan's warmth, kindness, and untiring compassion when Karen's father passed away last spring.
*Helen (Hoff) James is an accomplished bassoonist, having taught university music and played in symphony orchestras. She has a master's degree in music and doctorate in music administration. Helen lives in Decorah and is now teaching bassoon at Luther. Beside all that she enjoys playing golf.
*Marie Peterson Marin is also a music teacher and this past summer spent a week at Luther as a participant in the Nordic Alumni Choir, directed by Weston Noble. Besides the fun and enjoyment of singing with fellow Nordic singers, long hours were spent practicing. For those of us who were lucky enough to hear the end-of-the-week concert, their hard work and time spent was totally appreciated.
*Molly Baum--Did you know that Molly, a beloved baseball coach and living legend in Chatfield, Minn., has a baseball field named after him? We think that is really cool.
There's always something new at Luther. If you look west from the windows of the student union you typically would see the trees on the bluffs changing from green to their now fall color, and this year there is an addition to the landscape―a wind turbine. When the wind turbine becomes operational it will generate one third of Luther's electricity.
Thank you for responding to the Luther students who call asking for gifts to the Annual Fund. We should all take pride in knowing our class of '65 has a good percentage of classmates giving to Luther each year.
We wish each of you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and a blessed Christmas.
Hugs and prayers,
Larry & Karen (Aaker) Chellevold
1965 Class Agents
[email protected]
Don’t forget your Annual Fund giving!
Each year nearly 10,000 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 to reach our goal of 30% alumni giving to the Annual Fund. Here’s how your class is doing so far this year:
CLASS of 1965 TOTAL GIVING: $45,693 from 21% of the CLASS*
Have you made your gift to Luther in 2011? Only 23 more gifts are needed to reach 30% for your class. Please visit www.givenow.luther.edu to make a difference for Luther students! Thank you!
Please note: Your Spring 2012 class agent letter will include a listing of your classmates who gave to Luther during 2011. Be sure to make your gift before December 31 to be included.
*as of October 21, 2011
Obituaries
CHARLOTTE (GOKE) SOLIDAY of Tucson, Ariz., died Feb. 7, 2011, at age 67, following a sudden and severe battle with lymphoma. After graduation from Luther, she taught elementary school, volunteered at the Free Clinic of Tucson, and served as a case worker for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson. At the time of her death, Char was a devoted housewife and a full-time homeschool teacher to her daughter. She loved cats, hiking, traveling with family, nutrition, and talking about religion and politics. Char will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Tim; a son, John Curtis; and a daughter, Lindsey Soliday.
Frances (RUBLE) Tholl of Orion, Ill., died Jan. 11, 2011, at age 68. After graduation from Luther, she worked for Connecticut Mutual Insurance and the Orion School District. Frances retired from the Rock Island Arsenal in 2005, having started her employment as a librarian before becoming a computer technician in the tools, equipment, and engineering department. She enjoyed needlepoint, cross stitching, knitting, and animals, especially cats. Frances loved her grandchildren and enjoyed caring for them. She is survived by her husband, Robert; three sons, Thomas, Todd, and Timothy; two grandchildren; and a brother, James Ruble. Frances was preceded in death by a grandson.
KAREN BERG of Augusta, Maine, died Oct. 27, 2010, at age 67, a four-and-a-half year survivor of pancreatic cancer. After graduation from Luther, she earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She served as reference and cataloging librarian at the Maine State Library from 1971 until her retirement in 2001. Karen was an avid reader and enjoyed travel, including a recent trip to Spain and the Mediterranean Sea. She was preceded in death by her father, CLIFFORD BERG ’34. Karen was a member of Luther’s Heritage Club.
