Fall 2016
Dear Luther Class of ’65 Friends!
Remember the beautiful autumn view of the gorgeous bluffs—the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows? A special memory for all of us when we were near the windows in the Union! I am reminded of this picture, embedded in my mind, as I enjoy another beautiful autumn day here in Minnesota!
Luther grads data:
Seventy four of the 646 students of the 2016 graduating class at Luther were children of alumni. The grand total of Luther alumni currently stands at 38,682. Each of us is one of those! Luther grads live in every state in the US, and there are 749 of us living in foreign countries.
Here are the Top 10 states where Luther grads live:
1. Minnesota 9,677
2. Iowa 7,255
3. Wisconsin 3,858
4. Illinois 1,940
(Four State Total 22,730)
5. Colorado 967
6. California 948
7. Texas 722
8. Washington 552
9. Florida 491
10. Arizona 486
Dealing with the changes of growing older and Luther College’s impact:
Our church had the great privilege of having Pastor Steven Molin serve as our interim pastor. He is the author of A Faith For All Seasons: A Small Group Bible Study of Life’s Changes. I found his session on “Dealing with the Changes of Growing Older” to be a good reflective exercise, including how Luther impacted my thoughts around these two quotes:
1. “In the latter years of our lives, we can be filled with worries and concerns about so many things: health, finances, our dependence upon others, our spouse, our children, or grandchildren.”
As you encounter some of these “growing older” issues of concern (or those of joy in your life), you seek, receive, and give comfort and support wherever you can (sharing your joys, too). I hope your Luther friends are included in those conversations. Luther continues to be there for you a half century later! This summer several from our class of ‘65 gathered to remember and celebrate Pete Johnson’s life. It was an honor and comfort to be there among other Luther faculty and alums. I hope each of you has been able to both receive support and give support to those you know and love, as well as to neighbors in your community and in the world that need your caring presence (Hurricane Matthew, Syria, gun violence).
2. Steve also says this growing older season of our life “is a time to continue to plot the future!”
Write down the age you think you will die. Then subtract the age you are right now. “The answer is how long you have to shape your legacy. The way we live our lives, and the priorities we have displayed will one day be our legacy.” As you continue to craft your legacy–does it include experiences from Luther College that shaped your life forever and how you choose to “pay that forward?” Luther’s legacy is us! LC continues to educate students to become caring citizens no matter where they live. My wish for you is that Luther memories remain a source of joy, comfort, and support as you deal with the inevitable changes of growing older!
In these unsettled times, great private colleges like Luther continue to prepare Christian citizens to live according to what Jesus taught us in Matthew 25: “…feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger.” Last year, if you committed to a matched yearly gift for the next five years, those monies will help Luther to continue offering education opportunities that include valued Christian faith actions. Your gift, of any size, lets foundations know you have confidence in your college. Simply put—your gift encourages their gifts! Together we continue our work in supporting the creation of a better world for ALL!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Lori (Wogen) Haaland
1965 Class Agent
[email protected]
PS. You can look forward to Norkie returning with words of wisdom in a contribution for the spring class letter!
Your gift. Every year. Put to work, right away, where it is needed most.
Each year more than 10,000 alumni, parents, and friends support the Annual Fund with gifts from $5 to $100,000. 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 27% alumni giving. Here’s how your class is doing so far this year:
CLASS OF 1965 TOTAL GIVING: $45,421.05 FROM 29.53% OF THE CLASS*
Have you made your 2016 gift to Luther? Please visit givenow.luther.edu to make your gift today. Thank you!
Please note: Your Spring 2017 class agent letter will include a listing of your classmates who gave to Luther during 2016. Be sure to make your gift before December 31 to be included.
*as of October 19, 2016
Class Notes
Thomas Kruse is retired and narrates for audiobooks and commercials for Tom Kruse Voice Over in Brookfield, Wis.
Paul Olsen is professor of English and head men’s cross-country and track and field coach at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. Olsen was featured in an article in Runner’s World for coaching cross country at Augustana for 50 years last November. In March Olsen was the keynote speaker at the annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Norse Awards at Luther College and honored as the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Coach of the Year Award.
Gary Peer of Spring Hill, Kan., is a professional wildlife photographer. His photos can be found at http://westernimagesphotography.zenfolio.com.
Obituaries
Mary Beth (Sandstrom) Gravengaard of Greenwich, Conn., died June 28, 2015, at age 71. Born in Wausau, Wis., she majored in elementary education at Luther and met her future husband, Lloyd Gravengaard ’65, during her freshman year. Mary and Lloyd were married the summer of their Luther graduation, on Aug. 7, 1965. She loved children and worked for a decade as an early elementary school teacher in the western Chicago suburbs of Elmhurst and Lombard, where they resided, until she left teaching to raise their two children. After moving to Greenwich (Riverside), Conn., in 1983, Mary was active in her church, serving in many leadership roles. For more than 18 years, she was active in her local chapter of community Bible study as a member and core group leader. Mary also served as the volunteer coordinator for St. Luke’s Community Services in Stamford and as board member of Hill House Senior Residence and Greenwich Chaplaincy Services. She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Gravengaard ’65; son, Eric Gravengaard (Liza); daughter, Kirsten Gravengaard-Morgan (Ashley); five grandchildren; and two brothers, Timothy Sandstrom and Jay Sandstrom.
Gary Stetzer of Trempealeau, Wis., died Aug. 7, 2015, at age 73. Despite being stricken with polio at age 13, he graduated from Healy Memorial High School and from Luther, where he majored in business administration. In 1972 Gary earned a master’s degree in business education from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. He taught accounting and business at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute for 18 years and established an accounting practice, Stetzer Accounting Service, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. On Sept. 5, 1970, Gary married his wife, Anita Curry, who survives him. He is also survived by three sons: Gregory (Stacey), Grant (Carla), and Geoffrey (Rebecca); six grandchildren; a sister, Maxine Bothe; and several nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Duane Bothe.
