`63 Cobbers I was wondering how I should begin this year`s class

2 0 1 5
’63 Cobbers
I was wondering how I should begin this year’s class letter. I reviewed other letters on
Concordia’s website and found one written by Seth Thomas, 1998, Class Agent. Seth
expresses my feelings in words far better than I could express them. So with his
permission, I give you his introduction. By the way, Seth sang in the Concordia Choir
with both of my nephews, Aaron and Erik Zinter!
“As class agent, a clear goal is for each class letter to help keep you all connected with
Concordia on a more personal and thoughtful level. With technology changes and the
speed on how this information is disseminated, it is now more likely that you receive
much of your class information via the Concordia website, emails, news snippets, or
social media channels. Many of you also maintain long-term Cobber relationships where
happenings are discussed and shared, or perhaps you have even made a personal stop
by campus just to say ‘Hello!’ This changing environment makes putting together a
meaningful class letter more of a challenge with each passing year.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about what to prepare and share in this
year’s class letter to try to keep it fresh and relevant for each of you. The Alumni office
has compiled and sent news that might be of interest. Updates from our classmates
have been gathered and all the typically-provided information prepared. Naturally, all of
that fantastic information is summarized and provided; yet, what really sets us apart as
Concordia Alumni? In pondering this question for some time, I kept coming back to that
unstoppable Cobber Spirit that all of us seem to share no matter where we are in the
world geographically or in our current life trajectory; this is what truly resonated deep in
my soul.
No matter how we greet others, whether it is casually in passing, or while traveling
abroad, Cobbers seem to excel in saying ‘Hello!’ with a genuine smile, spreading
abundant cheer to everyone they meet. It is a special gift that fits what is so special
about Concordia and all who pass through campus—a true Cobber Spirit!
Why is that important? Why is that relevant? How is that fresh? What is so different
about the people that attend Concordia? It seems that all the right little things have
miraculously come together during our time at Concordia and helped to form genuinely
good, caring, thoughtful and informed people. As people who in live in a world where
bad news is publicized each day, Cobbers, be they from a class of the 1940’s, our
class, or the class of tomorrow, continue to make a difference and share a Concordia
experience. Cobbers change the world for the better!
I would like to take this opportunity to challenge each of you to help further expand that
unique and special Cobber Spirit into the world. Each day we touch those that crave an
experience such as the one we have all shared. Please find it in your mind and heart to
seek out a young person whom you believe would be a good fit for Concordia, and
Concordia for them. Let us continue to ‘…influence the affairs of the world by sending
into society thoughtful and informed mean and women dedicated to the Christian life’.
Let us take it upon ourselves to help continue such a great tradition. Help to share the
gift of the Concordia experience, remain relevant, and make the world a better place for
all! (Refer a potential student to Concordia Enrollment at ConcordiaCollege.edu/refer)”
Learn all about Homecoming 2015
at ConcordiaCollege.edu/homecoming
CLASSMATE NEWS
Maxine (Moe) Rademacher, Cannon Falls, MN – [email protected]
Just a quick note for now to let everyone know that the new Minnesota Teacher of the Year,
Amy Hewett-Olatunde (class of 1998), is the daughter of Mary (Halvey) Halvorson Hewett
(Northwood, ND), a member of our class. Mary passed away in 2003. She also was a teacher
and would be so proud of Amy’s accomplishments.
Elaine (Bader) Hanson, Edina, MN – [email protected]
Our 50th reunion was such a special gathering and will always hold special memories for me! I’m
grateful for reconnecting with classmates and have continued to keep in touch with many of you.
I’ll look forward to the 55th, God willing. Life is a gift and so unpredictable.
Early Easter Sunday morning, our daughter, Lani, and her husband, Mark were killed
in a tragic car accident and how lives are now forever changed. Lani and Mark lived in
Merrill, WI and had attended an all-day fundraiser for Relay for Life in Tomahawk. The
accident occurred after a party following the event. There were two services for them,
one in Tomahawk, where they were both active in the community, and here in
Minneapolis at Mount Olivet. Pastor Kalland, who officiated at the Mount Olivet
service, was a high school classmate of Lani’s. The service was very comforting with
Pastor Kalland’s personal message, lovely music, and our granddaughters reading
scripture beautifully. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills---from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord.” The support from family and friends has meant so
much to us.
John Ahlquist, Walnut Creek, CA – [email protected]
I’m rarely shocked, but the call last year from Eric Johnson informing me I had been selected to
receive the Alumni Achievement Award in 2014 was one of those moments. The celebration
time was very special and I was glad that classmates were present to help celebrate. As shown
in the attached picture, they were from L to R: Gary Zinter, Delores (Halvorson) Forkey, John A.,
Jackie (Morstad) Thompson, Doug Kelley, Merv Thompson, Ron Struxness, Alumni Board
member, and Jeff Boss. Also attached is a picture of me with wife Barbara and son David.
Concordia’s mission statement continues to ring true in that the purpose of Concordia College is
to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and
women dedicated to the Christian life. We have little influence if we withdraw from society. Our
influence must be thoughtful and informed to provide the right balance, and the example of
Christ gives us the goal upon which to focus our efforts. The world needs more people who
ascribe to this mission statement. Our legacy now can be in encouraging more students to
attend Concordia to receive a firm foundation upon which to build their lives and careers.
With our church’s adult mission team, we spent the week of May 2 in Moore, OK helping with
tornado disaster recovery. While there, more tornadoes touched down and our group spent May
8th on debris removal at a mobile home park that had been severely damaged on the 6th. Such
events provide opportunities for faith-based organizations to help suffering people. Perhaps
your church could consider having a list of people who are willing to be called out in such a
situation so that you can provide a rapid response team to assist when it’s safe to do so.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
As many of you may have heard, this is a time of transition with regards to
our budget. New enrollment strategies are being developed to ensure the
vitality of this college. We are investing our resources in people, our
newly designed career initiative and integrated learning. In order to do
this, we must focus, innovate, and build.
With focus we are directing college resources where they will best enable
us to flourish, drawing in where we need to in staffing and operational
costs, so that we can concentrate on our greatest strengths. We have
reduced staffing and operating expenses in areas of less demand in order
to have resources for innovation and growth.
We innovate by fashioning the Concordia experience for all students in a
way that enhances their capacity for innovation, rigor and risk in a highly
fluid economy and in a world that needs them to be agile of mind and
generous of soul. Here we would place the integrative learning, career
readiness, and vocation/spiritual practice initiatives, each of which is
authentic for Concordia and highly distinctive, if not singular.
We build by creating and putting into practice new programming that
increases academic range and the appeal to new students. Here we
would place the new finance major, data analytics minor, heritage and
museum studies major that builds off our Mellon digital humanities grant,
and master’s in dietetics leadership. In addition, we are building our
endowment to its highest level and have begun the planned renovation of
our science facilities.
Finally, please note the extraordinary expression of faith in Concordia
revealed this year in the record-breaking giving to the college by our
regents, graduates, faculty, staff and friends. This is a challenging time in
higher education: we know that, and we know that it is through faith and
action that we guide Concordia to thrive.
Jon Willand, Minneapolis, MN – [email protected]
I continue to write books, hoping to finish off my last three before they finish me off. The first is a
family history of over 1,000 pages. The second is a 166-page study of government land disposal
in one county. The third is a county history of over 700 pages. Added to that, I have been
assigned to design and produce the official bronze medallion honoring Robert Bly, the
hometown poet who became Minnesota’s first poet laureate.
Dave Quarve, Ocala, FL – [email protected]
I was delighted to receive and look through the 50th Reunion Memory Book for
the Class of 1963! I found that one of my whist-playing friends from Brown Hall,
Cal Rolfson had moved to Mt. Dorah, which is not too far south of where we live
in Ocala. My wife Cathy and I got together with him at the Windsor Tea Room
for lunch one day and had a great discussion. We also found out that he has a
background in Norwegian and just recently I found a newspaper with a clipping
on my great grandfather T. L. Quarve with a Norwegian message in it and after purchasing a
Norwegian dictionary from the Cobber bookstore to see what I could do with the message
(some success, but not much since it actually is in "Halling" dialect) I contacted Hallinglaget via
the web homepage of the Red River Valley Genealogical Society in Fargo and a fine gentleman
named David Hilde of Fargo was able to provide a translation for me which I then forwarded
along with the clipping to Cal as well as my brother Paul in Fargo and three more of my cousins
who are "Hallings".
Cathy and I also enjoyed visits to Disney World the first five months of 2015 where we stay at
the Yacht Club, walking distance to EPCOT's World Staircase where we enjoy the Oktoberfest
and the Akershus (Royal Dining Hall modeled after the one in Oslo). We also continue to enjoy
friendship with many people from church and I serve as senior warden and secretary/treasury of
the Men's Club.
Stan Sheggeby, Madison, WI – [email protected]
My wife, Romona, and I celebrated our 30th year of marriage this summer at our home in
Madison, WI. We spend our retirement time traveling to visit our 12 great-nieces and -nephews
and their children. That takes us from Denver to Omaha to Minneapolis to Atlanta!
Roy Toivonen, Starbuck, MN – [email protected]
Retirement is good – almost 20 years already! I play lots of golf and chase around the country
watching grandkids play sports. Our granddaughter in Sioux Falls at Augustana will be a senior
this fall; she is a pretty good golfer. Two grandsons will be attending Cobberville this fall, one a
sophomore and the other a freshman. Another grandson is a senior in high school and another
grandson a high school sophomore.
From Red Wing to Moorhead, to Alexandria to Sioux Falls keep us hopping. We have been
heading to Arizona for the past few years, 11 to be exact and don’t miss the snow at all!
Terry Svingen, Salem, OR – [email protected]
After careers in teaching and business, I am retired in Salem, OR where we have lived for 28
years. Jan and I are happy to be about 20 miles from our daughter, Allison, and her family since
our three grandkids are all three-sport “superstars” and we get to watch many games. We
spend two days a week with the Institute for Continued Learning at Willamette University. In our
spare time, we fit in some travel, reading, golf and visits to our Oregon wine country.
Dennis Mohr, Waukesha, WI – [email protected]
I’m retired after 31 years as a supervisor from the Dial Corporation.
The picture is of my wife Shirley and me. Also I’ve been a private
pilot for close to 40 years.
Edward Schramm, River Falls, WI – [email protected]
I retired 11 years ago after having spent 40 years in the field of education
– high school teacher, high school principal, middle school principal,
district curriculum director and district personnel director. Those years
were very rewarding and allowed me to use my gift of teaching in a
variety of ways. Since retiring, my wife and I have been blessed to be
able to spend more time with our children and eight grandchildren as well
as travel the world over – 56 countries, 49 states – including 26 cruises.
We are also involved in our church, serving as readers, ushers, prayer
team members, teaching and leading Bible studies and Alpha course. When we are at home, I
thoroughly enjoy being a substitute teacher at one of the local elementary schools here in River
Falls, having taught 50 times this past year. I am beginning to find it somewhat of a problem to
teach in the primary grades as it becomes harder to get up from the floor after being there for
story time, tying shoes, etc, so mainly I teach in grades 3-5.
The photo is Sandy and I in front of the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem when we toured the Holy
Land.
Carol (Klankowski) Rudser, Viroqua, WI – [email protected]
Marion and I continue to enjoy our retirement. We spent 4 months of winter in Mesa, AZ,
soaking up the sun and reacquainting with friends. July 18th we are taking a 2-week bus trip "Northwest Circle". We are looking forward to having a very good time.
Days seem to slip into weeks, months and soon another year has passed. Greetings to all '63
grads.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Renovating Science Facilities
The College will begin renovating our science buildings—Jones and Ivers—
in the coming year.
§
The Board of Regents has approved the project.
§
Construction documents will be prepared this summer.
§
Total cost is $45 million with a scheduled finish date of July 2017.
§
Project includes totally gutting Ivers and extensively remodeling
Jones.
§
Features include updated mechanical systems, flexible classrooms,
t-search labs (teaching/research labs), research labs, larger faculty
offices, and social and informal learning spaces.
§
Buildings will have lots of light and open space, similar to the new
Offutt School of Business.
Doreen (Hoff) Schreuder, Boise, ID – [email protected]
I finally committed to retirement after my third try and am enjoying the time while I’m in good
health. Jerry and I moved to Boise, ID to be near our daughter and grandchildren and have
support during Jerry’s Illness. We live in a 107-year-old home in the North End, allowing us
easy access to cultural events and educational activities. Gardening, photography, grandma
lunches and hiking in the foothills with our schnauzer fill my free time.
Lorraine (Lindskog) McDonald, Black River Fall, WI – [email protected]
I believe the gift of service to others has been the plan for my life, both in teaching and in the
post office. I have an enduring love and involvement in volunteering to help brighten people’s
lives at a nursing home, Interfaith Caregivers, and in helping teach Bible studies for an
ecumenical group for over 15 years.
I enjoy watching and encouraging the growth and maturation of my five grandchildren.
Lois (Larson) York, Pacific Palisade, CA – [email protected]
Gary and I are very involved in the care and education of our four
grandsons. They keep us interested in what happens next in our
world.
My book of poetry "Stitching Up the Blues" will be published this
summer.
Gary still loves his work in real estate finance and we travel when
we can.
Ronald Myrom, West Union, IA – [email protected]
I officially “retired” seven years ago, but continue to do some “part-time” work. I cover three
nursing homes, the county mental health facility, and volunteer work with Hospice. Last year I
was honored with a Hospital Hero award from the Iowa Hospital Association at their annual
meeting in Des Moines, IA.
I also get to meet with my buddies to play bridge each afternoon, I really enjoy this. I am active
with the local Friends of the Library and American Legion.
I’ve been married to Michele for 43 years and am blessed with three great children and have
five very lively grandsons. Being grandparents is the best! Michele retired from teaching and
has a part-time job at the local public library, she enjoys quilting and gardening. We are both
very active in our church.
Wayne Pederson, Lake Oswego, OR – [email protected]
Thank you for your call and conversation last week. It was good to connect with a fellow Cobber
again. It is amazing how time and distance seem irrelevant when speaking with folks who share
such basic value systems as Cobbers generally do.
I married my high-school sweetheart just before my senior year at Concordia. We have two
daughters, one son, and two grandchildren. Our daughters and their families live in Minnesota
and our son and his family live in Oregon. Our daughters and son are graduates of Augsburg
College.
After three years of teaching senior high school in Warren, MN, I moved to Minneapolis to try
my hand at public accounting and spent three-plus years obtaining my CPA certificate. I
discovered life outside of education not as personally rewarding as I wanted and found my way
back into higher education as the controller and then chief financial officer at Augsburg College
where I remained for 18 years. The call of the West, which I first experienced as a public
accountant auditing colleges and universities, was too great to ignore. I moved to Portland, OR
to take the position of vice-president for business and finance and treasurer at Lewis & Clark
College where I stayed for 12 years. During my tenure there, the endowment grew eight-fold
and I financed a rebuilding and expansion of the campus. Early retirement at 59 proved fleeting
– I needed to be professionally engaged. So my next gig was consulting with smaller morechallenged colleges which I also found rewarding. I fully retired in 2008 and now exclusively sit
on boards of directors, typically as the treasurer, but sometimes as chair. I have been deeply
engaged as a director of the $4-billion OnPoint Community Credit Union in Portland, OR, for just
over 13 years, most of them as Vice-Chair of the Board and two as Board chair.
My hobbies include singing in my church choir, old cars, and an occasional round of golf. My
son and I have restored three mid-sixties Oldsmobile’s. My ‘salvaged’ Oldsmobile is a ‘64
Starfire convertible which my wife and I show periodically in the Portland area.
My current professional emphasis is managing the foundation at my church, which seeks to
support the church’s mission through scholarships for higher education, social support networks
for families, and general ministerial outreach.
Connie (Blessum) Sinclair, Spearfish, SD – [email protected]
It’s hard to believe we have lived in Spearfish for 10 years; we love the area and the Black Hills.
My husband Dick has restored a 1971 Jaguar XKE, 2+2, Series3, V-12. It is a sweet car and
gets lots of recognition—fun! We enjoy driving it on the winding roads.
We survived our first winter in SD – wasn’t too bad. Prior, we’d winter at our former residence
neighbor’s home in North Scottsdale, AZ. We have decided to sell our motor home – lots of
good memories. We continue to be active in the community. There are activities going on in the
area all year.
Dennis Orsen, Pittsburgh PA – [email protected]
At present, my life is in a routine pattern – Sunday morning supply worship leadership, “cheer
leading” for the ELCA Malaria Campaign in our synod, administrative work in my congregation
for membership and serving on an outdoor ministry board.
Linda’s involvement with immigration issues continues to grow. Bringing an end to family
detention has been a major focus.
Daniel will be entering his senior year at Oberlin Conservatory of Music to fulfill requirements for
a Bachelor of Music with a major in performance (viola). Linda and I make several trips to
Oberlin for recitals and concerts.
Mary (Berquist) Nelson, Richfield, MN – [email protected]
Thank you for all of the work you do for our class. My only news is that I am fully retired now
and enjoying grandchildren, who all live fairly close to me. I hope the reunion at Homecoming is
wonderful.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
New Hires
§ Karl A. Stumo was selected as Concordia’s Vice President for Enrollment
and Marketing. He will begin his service on June 1, 2015. Karl is a 1992
Cobber who began his career as a Concordia admission counselor. He
spent most of his career at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.
o As Cobber Alumni, we can help welcome him and ensure the bright future
of Concordia by continuously sharing our Cobber experiences with youth
in our communities. In addition to telling students about the college,
please tell the college about potential students by completing the
Refer a Cobber form online at ConcordiaCollege.edu/refer.
§ Carly M. Nelson, Class of 1996, began as the Executive Director of the
Career Initiative on April 1. Ms. Nelson comes to Concordia from
Microsoft, where she was the Partner Services Global Go to Market
Program Manager. The Concordia Career Initiative was developed to
create an innovative and creative plan of career readiness for our
students, grounded in the context of a twenty-first century liberal arts
education and the Lutheran concept of vocation.
§ Linda Soderberg, Administrative Assistant for Alumni Relations, retired
after 29 years of dedicated service in the Advancement Division. Linda
had acquired many different nametags – a testament to the multiple roles
she held over the years. Monica Stensland, formerly a Gift Accountant in
Advancement Services, has taken Linda’s position. She is a mother of
four, including one current Cobber.
§ Dr. Greg Cant, dean of Offutt School of Business, left Concordia in June to
be the dean of the Business School and Professor of Management at
Montclair State University, New Jersey. Dr. K. Brewer Doran will start as
the new dean on August 14. She served as the dean of the Bertolon
School of Business at Salem State University in Massachusetts since
2005, where she established a strong record of improving students
outcomes, establishing relationships with the business community and
fundraising.
Barbara (Bredeson) Shifflett, Blacksburg, VA – [email protected]
I retired in 2013 from Radford High School in Radford, VA after teaching 34 years (42 years
total). I taught US History, business classes and the school newspaper. Crandall and I
celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2014 by traveling to Scotland and England. We also
spent one week in New York City sightseeing.
On January 24, 2015 my brothers and I celebrated our mother Myrtle’s 100th birthday in Fargo
along with family and friends. . Myrtle Handegaard Bredeson attended
Concordia in 1932-33. The picture was taken with mom at her birthday.
Jon Bredeson is on the left, Einar Bredeson in the back and I’m on the
right.
Mary Bonhus, our sister and a ’58 Concordia graduate, died 11/27/13 in
Mesa AZ of bile duct cancer.
Crandall and I spend our time gardening, reading, researching,
exercising and spending time at our condo in Myrtle Beach SC.
Wendy (Christophers) Walsh, Hollywood, SC – [email protected]
Thanks for your excellent job of producing the class newsletter. I enjoy reading it every time I
get it. The photo of me and my husband was taken the end of June in
Freeport, Bahamas. For the last 15 years, we have lived in Hollywood,
SC, a small town 15 minutes from downtown Charleston. Things have
been quiet around here, but lately Charleston has made the national
news on CNN almost every day for the past month or so.
Vernon Nordmark, Phoenix, AZ – [email protected]
First, please accept my congratulations and gratitude for the great job you have done over the
years on behalf of all the '63 Cobbers. It is good news to hear that your health has been
stabilized and you are enjoying life. We are fortunate to have two Mayo Clinic’s here in the
Valley, one in Phoenix and one in Scottsdale.
Since I haven't provided updates in previous years, I will briefly summarize my post-Concordia
experiences. I earned a Master's Degree in Psychology from the U of Wisconsin and a PH.D. in
Clinical Psychology from the University of North Dakota. Following the receipt of my terminal
degree, I built a residential treatment business for services to the mentally ill and
developmentally disabled consisting of 22 treatment centers in four Western Minnesota
counties. I established three separate but related corporations for that business and operated
the business for 15 years as the CEO before moving to Phoenix and starting a full-time private
practice. I met my wife, Josette, a Filipina Family Practitioner in North Dakota. Our son, Bryan,
graduated from Concordia in 1989. Our private practice here involved large contracts with the
Maricopa, Apache and Navajo County Superior Courts. Our contracts were with Juvenile
Probation, Adult Probation and Child Protective Services in each of those counties. I have
served as an expert witness for the prosecution in more than 100 court cases in North Dakota,
Minnesota and Arizona, primarily in criminal CPS proceedings.
We have traveled extensively throughout our marriage to many Western European countries,
including all of the Scandinavian countries, many countries in the Orient, as well as all 50 states
and all Canadian provinces. We are in good health and enjoying life. We will make an effort to
attend the 55th anniversary in 2018. I trust all is well with you. I very much enjoyed our
conversation earlier today.
Warm regards to you and your family, - Vernon & Josette
Carol (Angstman) Maul, Fresno, CA – [email protected]
Ken and I are in Alaska as I write this visiting my brother and family. Photo of us at his
unbelievable cabin in Wood Tikchik State Park (15 miles from nearest neighbor).
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Music
§
§
§
The Concordia Choir will travel to the Northeast U.S. Feb. 19–Mar. 6, 2016
during its National Tour. They will also perform at the newly renovated
Ordway Theater in St. Paul, Minn. on Feb. 13 as part of their pre-tour.
The Concordia Orchestra is headed to Colorado for their fall tour Oct. 31–Nov. 8.
Plans are underway for The Concordia Band to tour Spain in the spring of 2016.
Joyce (Erikson) Pendell, San Tan Valley AZ – [email protected]
I married David Erikson, ’62 Cobber. We have two wonderful sons.
I taught public school sporadically from 1963 to 2002.(total 25 years). In that interim, I
remarried, hence the name Pendell, and another bouncing baby boy. Today my additional
offspring include two grandsons and one great-grandson. My little girl is a CAT!!!!
Since I left Concordia I have lived in Michigan, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Florida, New York and
The Netherlands. My permanent residence has been New York (upstate) for 48 years.
I have utilized all of my Cobber education, both in employment and in leisure outlets. Active in
church and community choirs and substitute summer organist work for a number of years; that
huge set of organ pipes surged through my entire being. Drunk with power!!!
I have enjoyed travel throughout Scandinavia, Europe, Cambodia and Thailand and have been
fortunate in spending extended summers in England and East Germany. MOST importantly, I
have travelled to ND and MN annually to be with my parents, brother and sister.
My cobber roommate, Mary Ann (Gisvold) Jeppson, and I have remained close friends.
Although our visits experienced gaps, we met more frequently in recent winters in AZ. WHAT A
TREAT!!!!! Presently, and for many years, leisure pursuits have included duplicate bridge and
volunteer labors of love. Corny but perhaps "SPOT ON" is Mrs. GUMP'S "ism": We all know that
"life is like a box of chocolates”…yahda yahda yahda
Chris (Urdahl) Quello, Appleton WI – [email protected]
Buzz Quello and I just celebrated 53 years together. The last 32 years have been in Appleton
where he served as a pastor at First English Lutheran Church and I worked at Aid Association
for Lutherans which was headquartered in Appleton. We have been retired now for 11 years
and spent two of those years living in Vilnius, Lithuania, where we served as missionaries to a
small English speaking church. We have been fortunate to travel a lot during these years.
All three of our children live in the Twin Cities so we have spent many happy hours at ball
games of all kinds watching our eight grandchildren.
Marlys (Honrud) Larsen, Spicer, MN – [email protected]
My husband Dean passed away in 2010. We had many good years together. He had been
director of Green Lake Lutheran Bible Camp for 22 years, but had been retired when he died
I had been educator, political activist, realtor and landlord. My oldest son Kevin is an MD in
Washington, DC. He is medical director of electronic records for meaningful use in the
Department of Health Human Services.
Son Todd is principal software engineer for Thrivent Financial in corporate office in Minneapolis.
Both are Concordia grads. My daughter Kim is cashier at Home Depot in Willmar
I have had the chance to travel to Europe five times to visit friends and relatives.
Wayne Sather, Sheboygan, WI – [email protected]
Hard to believe that almost two years have passed since our 50-year reunion.
We have spent much of the last two years spoiling our
grandchildren and traveling. We just returned from a threeweek trip to Scandinavia, with ten wonderful days in Norway.
Wonderful people, wonderful country. Thankful for good
health, wonderful family and good friends.
Hi to all of the class of ‘63.
George Berglund, Bloomington, MN – [email protected]
My wife Carol and I are both retired and moved 7/30/14 from our home in Golden Valley to
Applewood Pointe, Southtown in Bloomington. It’s a 101-unit coop and we love it. There are
many activities here and you can be as involved as you want to be. The people are wonderful.
I’ve started a little choir of residents here that meet 45 minutes once a week. Both Carol and I
sing in the central choir at Central Lutheran Church, downtown Minneapolis and I sing
occasionally with the Minnesota Chorale. We’d love to hear from you – George & Carol
Berglund, Applewood Pointe at Southtown, 8100 Russell Ave S Unit 304, Bloomington MN
55431.
Judith (Olson) Munson, Saint James, MN – [email protected]
I took awhile to respond to your request for news because nothing reportable has been
happening! At this stage in my life, that’s a good thing! My dad used to say, “I thrive on
boredom”. I thought that was a strange, wacky thing to say but now I get it! It means things are
routine and there is no personal crisis going on. It’s a wonderful reflection on normalcy. That’s
my news. As always, “Soli Deo gloria!”
Lola (Milton) Lindquist, Worthington, MN – [email protected]
Our biggest news is that we moved from our farm home of 40 years to a condo in town. All is
well. In my retirement I continue to visit shut-ins, assist at church, "entertain" at senior
residences and read lots of books. We will travel to MA to visit our youngest son and family this
summer. We get to see our daughter's family frequently and will visit our AZ son this fall.
We are fortunate to enjoy good health. Of course, we support Concordia in any way we can.
§
§
§
§
§
§
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Athletics
Concordia was one of two teams in the conference to advance to post
conference play in all four winter sports: men’s and women’s basketball,
and men’s and women’s hockey.
The wrestling team ranked in the top 10 nationwide for the entire season
and nine athletes qualified for the NCAA National Tournament.
After placing multiple MIAC championships and multiple All-American
awards on the shelves, Cherae Reeves won the shot put at the NCAA
National Indoor Meet to become the college's seventh individual national
champion.
The Baseball team won 26 games straight and is off to its best start since
1995, when Coach Coste was playing at Concordia.
Concordia women’s track and field moved into the top 20 in the Apr. 21
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)
Division III national rankings.
Concordia women's soccer player Laura Prosinski from Billings, Mont. has
been named a recipient of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate
Scholarship for the fall season. Prosinski is one of just 29 female NCAA
Postgraduate Scholarship award winners in all of NCAA Division I, II and
III. She is the only athlete from the MIAC to earn the award.
Lynn Erbe, Lincoln, NE – [email protected]
Here are a few things we were involved in during the last year or so. We spent some time again
in China where I have been actively involved in collaborative research in mathematics with
colleagues in Sun Yat-sen University over the last number of years. Following that we took a
cruise around Australia for 25 days in April 2014 with relatives in Melbourne.
I am retired from teaching at the University of Nebraska, but still active with graduate students
and colleagues in Nebraska.
Connie (Lian) Elness, San Jose, CA – [email protected]
There is nothing much new with me. I’m still enjoying retirement, attending plays and lectures,
working out twice a week with a trainer, cooking and baking up a storm! I am on kidney dialysis
every night for 10 hours and have three more chemo treatments to go.
At the end of May, my husband Rand Elness, two caregivers and I will be driving to Newport
Beach in southern CA for a week at the beach. Should be a fun time poking around the beach
towns and getting reacquainted with friends we made when we lived in the area and relaxing in
a different setting.
Right now, my sister, Ann Lian, Concordia ’74, and I are planning a trip to Hawaii next spring.
Got to get her out of the cold Minnesota winters! Hope this finds everyone happy and healthy.
Bonita (Gjersvig) Vastag, Hobart, WI – [email protected]
Since graduation we've lived in many Midwestern states and have been in the Green Bay,
Wisconsin, area since 1983. Currently, we split our time between Wisconsin and Tucson,
Arizona where we have a home in Sun City Oro Valley. I worked
in publicity/public relations at various businesses and non-profit
organizations. For many years I've been retired and often say my
time goes to grandkids, gardening and genealogy.
In 1997, my husband and I have planted a "sampler" prairie on
about an acre at our Wisconsin home. The tiny seeds put into the
ground have grown into a tapestry of colorful native flowers and
grasses filled with pollinators and birds. We call it the four-season
landscape and find it beautiful and useful in all seasons.
A few years ago, our yard was part of the Garden Walk of the
Green Bay Botanical Garden. It was a good way to introduce
people to this sustainable way of gardening. The plants are
drought tolerant and very well adapted to the extremes of hot and
cold of our area. Also, we don't use fertilizer, insecticides or pesticides. Given the extremely low
numbers of Monarch butterflies today, we are happy to do our part by growing three different
types of milkweed, as it's the only plant it uses when it lays its eggs.
The growing season of 2014 brought us a very wet spring and by August. the Compass Plant
(Silphium lacinniaatum) in the picture was 107 inches tall, definitely a record. The deeply divided
leaves of the plant tend to point north-south, and Native Americans taught the early pioneers it
was a reliable compass.
I've thought about a Face Book page for the class (or maybe the decade) and while I'd enjoy
reading it, I know that for it to be successful and effective there need to be posts almost daily,
and I don't want to make that kind of commitment. Perhaps someone else will want to do it.
§
§
§
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Academics
Concordia was named one of the top schools in the nation at the American
Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) April 46 in Portland, Ore. More than 200 students from across the country competed.
Student Olivia Gear was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program English
Teaching Assistantship scholarship to Germany. Gear is the daughter of William
and Debbie Gear, Appleton, Wis.
USA Today highlighted the impressive work of two Concordia business students
who traveled to Kazakhstan to present their marketing plan for KazBeef, a
company flies in North Dakota cattle to grow its beef-producing herds.
Carlton Urdahl, Litchfield, MN – [email protected]
As for what's going on in my life, I’m still teaching AP Calculus at Buffalo High School and living
on my home farm in Litchfield. A wonderful change of pace during the year. I just got back from
a week at Carleton College where I tried to brush up on my Calculus BC for this fall.
At the end of July, I will be returning to Guatemala for a mission trip through Thrivent Builds.
Then a little break and it's back to school. Life is great!
Jerome Sundgaard, Littleton CO – [email protected]
Hi, everybody! I just returned from my annual fun-filled, month-long
fishing-and-visiting trip to South Dakota. This year I was fortunate to
have our youngest son join me for part of the time, fishing for
walleye, crappie, and bass on the Oahe Reservoir in the Missouri
River. In each of the past two years, I have caught a walleye that
had been tagged by Game and Fish biologists to track their
movements. The one last year had been tagged near Bismarck, ND
and I caught it in South Dakota; it had traveled over 100 miles in a
month and a half. That's a lot of tail wagging in such a short period
of time. Now, that's a fish story! Oh, and my dog, Tar, really enjoys
the boat rides and fishing with me also.
Wayne Stark, Grand Forks ND
I have lived in Grand Forks for the past 41 years. I spent about half of my time as an ELCA
pastor and the other half as a nursing home administrator. For the past five years, I was
privileged to be the caregiver for my spouse, Carol, who died from cancer 2/25/15.
We have two sons: Brian, who graduated from Concordia in 2000, and David, who graduated
from the University of Arizona.
Nancy (Nelson) Olson, Visalia, CA – [email protected]
Jerry and I spend a lot of time traveling in our motor home now that we are retired.
We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in June. I will attach a couple of pictures from our
celebration.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Concordia Language Villages
ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org
This summer, the Russian Language Village, Lesnoe Ozero, will celebrate
50 years of providing a language learning experience that encourages
villagers to explore all things Russian. The official celebration will kick off
on July 10 in St. Paul, Minn. and will continue in Bemidji, Minn. on July 11
with a visit to Lesnoe Ozero and an evening reception.
Dave & Ione (Haugen) Stedje, Crystal, MN – [email protected]
The major activity for Dave & Ione is a bus tour each year.
• 2013, the British Isles – to celebrate our 50th
• 2014, Holland Michigan Tulip Festival
• 2015, Lake Superior Circle Tour
Our big event in August will be the marriage of our oldest
granddaughter, Nicole.
Nadine (Anderson) Peterson, Lakota, ND
I don’t have any “earth-shaking” news, but we stay active with our family and community events.
On August 1, we will observe our 45th wedding anniversary – another milestone! An annual trip
for the Medora Musical and homecoming at Luther College in October (Dale) will be other
highlights –and always Concordia’s Christmas concert!
Dale, Joel, Darren (CC ’93), Mark, Kent and Nadine
Joyce (Lauderdale) Pestal, Harvey, ND – [email protected]
When my husband, Bob, retired ten years ago from parish ministry in the ELCA. We moved to
Harvey, ND where out older daughter and her family live. We have had many opportunities to
spend time with our three grandsons here and have kept busy attending their ball games and
other activities. We have also enjoyed visiting our younger daughter and family in Tucson AZ
(especially in the winter) once or twice a year and have had fun with our two young grandkids
there. The big event of our summer was celebrating our golden wedding anniversary in June.
Otherwise we find plenty to do with volunteer work at church and in community organizations.
Bob still does pulpit supply and I usually go along; so that keeps us occupied on Sundays about
once a month.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Loyal Cobber Program ConcordiaCollege.edu/loyalcobber Do you interact with
Cobbers on social media? Are you wearing your ring? Then you just might be a
Loyal Cobber. Being a Loyal Cobber is about staying involved and giving back to
future students, feeling a connection and proudly sharing it with those around
you. Let us know if you've taken these four steps and receive a prize!
• CONNECT: Stay Informed - Verify/update your contact information online
or by phone to stay connected.
• ENGAGE: Get Involved - Participate in or host an event, mentor or
provide a job shadow/intern experience for a student, volunteer on your
Reunion Team or consider other ways to engage.
• SUPPORT: Make an Impact - Give a gift of any size each year. Support
student scholarships at Cord.edu/give or specific projects at
CobbersGive.org.
• SHARE: Show Your Cobber Pride - Wear your Cobber swag, interact with
us on social media using #cordmn or tell your Concordia story to a
potential Cobber.
Ann (Rasmussen) Parker, Lake Nebagamon, WI – [email protected]
First of all, I want to say how much I enjoyed our 50th reunion and reconnecting with friends. I
have continued to do most of the activities I've enjoyed for a long time: reading (2 book clubs),
music (listening, going to concerts, playing for our traditional
service at church), biking (just passed 600 miles for this year this
morning), tutoring at the local grade school (love those 3rd
graders!), traveling (most recent "big trip" was in January-February
2014 to Ecuador and the Galapagos), local Planning & Zoning
Commission (a worthwhile job, but many frustrations, too). We are
also still involved with raising a grandson with many problems,
which has been very time-consuming, expensive, and frustrating
at times! Keeps me on my knees! We are also beginning to think of getting off the lake and
away from the high taxes and back closer to health services, etc. We have both been blessed
with good health so far, and we are very thankful for that. We have said good-bye to too many
special relatives and friends in the last two years.
Joyce Monson Tsongas, Portland, OR – [email protected]
As of January 1 I finally joined the ranks of the completely retired. It was difficult to give up such
a fascinating profession but life does move on and new things are perking to the top of the list.
They include swimming for an hour three times a week, walking three times a week, gardening
almost every day, traveling, entertaining and hosting often, reading books for two different book
groups, singing in our church choir and the list goes on. Sounds pretty typical. I have found that
retirement does remove any excuse for not exercising.
This year I’m beginning my third three-year term as a member of the Concordia Board of
Regents so I’m able to visit the campus at least three times a year. It’s satisfying to be a part of planning for the future of the college. A relative of mine was a member of the first class to
graduate from the college, so this feels to me like being a part of a long-standing tradition.
Before my father--Allwin Monson, who taught at the college for years--died a few months ago,
he founded the Allwin and Dorothy Monson Forensics Excellence Fund. He and I were both in
debate as students at Concordia. I’ve been involved helping to expand the fund for supporting
the forensics program at the college. I highly recommend the idea of alumni supporting
academic or extra-curricular activities which are of particular interest to them. It’s a great way to
reconnect with good friends from way back when. For me that meant reconnecting with Bruce
Gronbeck at what turned out to be the end of his life. That was an unexpected blessing.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Alumni Awards
§ Called to Serve: On Nov. 16, Alumni Relations Director Eric Johnson
traveled to Crookston’s Trinity Lutheran Church to confer the first Called to
Serve Award on Ardell Knudsvig ‘60. Ardell was honored for
commitment to his community as evidenced by his long teaching and
coaching career, his leadership in faith development at his church and
through Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and his deep connections to the
University of Minnesota Crookston in support of science education and
research.
§ The National Alumni Board met in Jan. to vote on the 2015 Alumni
Achievement and Sent Forth Awards. Their purpose is to honor alumni
who have distinguished themselves in their careers and service to others,
thereby honoring The College. These individuals have profoundly
influenced the affairs of the world through thought, word and deed.
Alumni Achievement Award recipients must be alumni of a minimum of 20
years, while Sent Forth recipients are alumni of less than 20 years.
2015 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Paul Erickson ’74
Dr. Craig Lambrecht ‘83
Dr. Alan Hopeman ‘42
Dr. Howard Nornes ‘53
2015 Sent Forth Recipients
Kristi Rendahl ‘97
Michael Solberg ‘95
Elaine (Kanning) Vitito, McKinney, TX – [email protected]
I have been in the “Memory Keeping” business with a scrapbooking company since 1989. In
2014, I changed companies and discovered that this new company has
revolutionary nutritional supplements and other life-enhancing products along
with access to traditional and digital scrapbooking products!
Having been a Type 1 diabetic for 45 years, this is what has changed in my life
with my health issues thanks to the products offered by my new company. My
diabetic neuropathy is GREATLY improved. My blood sugars are more easily
regulated. I no longer have painful leg cramps at night. My knees and hips don’t
hurt anymore. I’m seeing better and the flashes of light in my right eye are gone.
I no longer need a monthly shot in that eye to slow the degeneration! My
forearms no longer bruise when I bump them. I generally feel better and have more energy!
What is the same? I’m still happily married to Tom (49 years!) and we enjoy being near our two
grown children. My two grandchildren are awesome young adults and we are very proud of all
they have accomplished. I still keep my eyes on Jesus…nothing else matters!
Sharon (Pudas) Rabon, Williston, ND – [email protected]
I’ve written the following article about the Bakken Oil. I give you permission to edit any or all of
this. These are busy days for us as we are heading to MN to take our son back to Minneapolis
for his flight back to Taiwan. His visits are never long enough.
Life in the Bakken Oil Region----submitted by Sharon Pudas Rabon-‘63—July 10, 2015
Fifty years ago, my husband and I located to Williston, ND. At the time, it was a small
college town of 13,000 residents. It was a friendly and pretty area, and a wonderful place
to raise our family. Neighborhood schools were good with many opportunities in music,
athletics, and other extracurricular activities. Lutheran churches were predominant. We
all volunteered at church, school, and in the community. Life was good.
Our four children all graduated from UND-Williston, a two-year junior college, and then
transferred to Concordia where they graduated in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1996. We are
proud they chose Concordia to continue a longstanding family tradition. They have all
done very well. Even though our children relocated to three other states and another
country, we continue to live in Williston.
Serious oil production had not affected us, but around 2012 this area became one of the
most important crude oil sources in the history of America. The oil boom altered our local
economy and brought laborers from around the world with hopes of either making their
fortunes or supporting their families back home. It also brought tycoons who bought land
and properties anticipating the rapid growth. Apartment rents sky-rocketed and long-time
residents - many on social security - were forced to leave their homes and re-locate to
other towns or states to find places they could afford. This affected many of our elderly
friends. New apartment buildings and nationally recognized motels popped up
everywhere and charged exorbitant rent because oil workers made high salaries. Oil
companies built “man camps” outside the city limits which looked like rows and rows of
motel rooms. Cooks prepared meals around the clock to feed the workers who were on
rotating schedules.
Williston was unprepared for the rapid influx of people, mostly men. The town population
nearly tripled. Good roads, an adequate police force, and motel lodging all felt the
impact. RV campers parked in Wal-Mart and grocery store parking lots. Tenters invaded
local parks while others slept in their cars. The city eventually adopted ordinances which
prohibited the use of campers and tenting in city limits. Firefighters and medical
personnel respond to an average of 8.2 calls per day.
Citizens were encouraged to lock their doors even when home. Crime increased and
included human trafficking, prostitution, and all types of drug issues. Soon our local jail
facility became over-crowded. The three grocery stores in town became understaffed and
shelves were often found empty. Businesses had “Help Wanted” signs in windows.
Salaries jumped to fill the demand for workers. Sign-on bonuses were offered at
businesses and the local nursing home. With salary competition, workers moved from
one job to another seeking the highest possible salary. The local Job Service listed
between 125 to 200 new jobs each week with construction making up a substantial
portion.
Not all was bad. A $73-million-dollar world-class recreation center was built in 2014 with
a 1% sales tax, highway projects ensured safer and better roads, and a $50-million-dollar
high school is currently underway. A new water treatment plant was built. Sales tax
collected in Williston surpassed that of any city in ND, including Fargo. A multi-million
dollar bond was approved for a second fire department and equipment. Local churches
have reached out to strangers and the homeless to provide weekly meals. United Airlines
and Delta opened routes to Williston to include daily flights to Houston, Denver, and
Minneapolis. A new airport is planned to accommodate even larger planes. New
restaurants are being built. Unemployment rates dropped to the lowest in the nation, and
the state of ND ends the year with hundreds of millions of dollars in surplus. However,
there is still a great need for further city infrastructure and more retail stores and such as
a Target, Kohl’s, or even a quality shoe store would be very welcome.
Although the growing pains experienced by Williston and the surrounding area have
slowed and there is a bit more predictability to daily life, local folks continue to adjust and
try hard to maintain the “small town feel” that they have known for so many years. It is an
exciting time to live in Western ND.
********************************
Glenn Thoreson, Mayville, ND – [email protected]
The Quack with a Duck
by Morgan Goulding & Denis MacLeod
In Mayville, N.Dak., you can see a car with the custom license plate designated “F4FANTM.” In
the driver’s seat of this car is a man who not only provided medical care for the people of
Mayville but also served our country during the Vietnam War.
Glenn Thoreson grew up in Mayville, where his dad was a veterinarian. When
asked what got him into medicine, Thoreson said, “My heritage is medicine; I
didn’t have a ‘gee-whiz’ or a ‘wow’ moment.”
Thoreson attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for his first year of school. His older
brother went there, so it was only natural he said that he followed in his footsteps. But he
missed his girlfriend whom he grew up with, Rose. This led him to transfer after the first year to
Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., to be closer to her. At Concordia, he finished his
premedical training in three years instead of four. “I applied to both medical school and
veterinary school, when I was getting ready to be done with Concordia. I got letters back from
both schools that said, ‘You complete your studies and you will be enrolled.’”
When Glenn was deciding if he should go into human or animal medicine, his father asked him,
“Do you want to deliver a calf in a barn at 10 degrees below zero, with a farmer helping you,
maybe? Or do you want to do human medicine in an air-conditioned or heated delivery or
emergency room?”
Rose and Glenn with Glenn holding the display of his Airman’s Medal, certificate, and citation letter.
Glenn started at the University of North Dakota Medical School in 1962. At that time, the
medical school was only a two-year school. Glenn married Rose, and they moved into UND
housing—the “tin huts” on campus. Rent was only $36 a month, and they lived among other
medical students and their spouses. After finishing up his two years at UND, Glenn then
attended the University of Kansas for his final two years of medical school; he graduated on
June 6, 1966 (6/6/66). Rose and Glenn knew they wanted to get back to North Dakota, so he
applied for an internship in Fargo at St. Luke’s Hospital. There he completed a rotating
internship in all the different specialties of the hospital, working six days (80 hours) a week.
He was among a generation of young physicians that all knew they were bound to be called for
duty in the Vietnam War. Glenn applied to be in the Air Force. He wanted to be a flight surgeon
because he wanted to fly and his best friend in high school was a jet pilot.
In the spring of 1967, he applied to the Air Force. He was accepted for flight surgeon training at
Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, starting on July 1, 1967. “I was interested in
flying. I did get exposed to flying. They understood that I enjoyed being in airplanes and on the
flight line taking care of pilots and the health of their ground crews.” As a flight surgeon, part of
my duty was training in T-37 and T-38 jet planes.
“During the Christmas of 1967, I got a Christmas card from President Johnson, with orders to
report for duty in Vietnam, June 1, 1968,” Glenn said, “I was to report to McChord Air Force
Base, which was in Seattle, luckily assigned as a flight surgeon in a jet fighter squadron.” At 10
p.m. on June 1, 1968, Glenn was on a flight to Vietnam. “You could hear a pin drop,” he said.
“You could hear sniffles and crying—and dead silence. How many of these 300 young men are
coming back?”
After crossing the International Date Line, they arrived in Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, on
June 3, to start the in-processing for his squadron of F4C Phantom fighter jets—the 559th
Tactical Fighter Squadron (known as the Billy Goats) of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing. When
Glenn arrived, Zach, the flight surgeon he was replacing, took him to meet some of the pilots.
When Glenn walked in, one of the pilots said, “Oh, the new quack is here.”
“I said, ‘Hold it!’”
Zach said, “Quack is good. If they like you, you’re the squadron quack. Quack is OK.”
“It was a nickname of affection,” Glenn said. “I got along with them very well.”
Rose stayed home in Mayville with their two children; she got a job as a nurse at the local clinic.
She worried about her husband, the father of Mark and Mary Ann. She would listen to the
casualties reported on radio and TV every week. Glenn and Rose were able to send each other
letters every week and voice recordings on reel-to-reel-cassette tapes. “I would put them in the
mail,” Rose said. “And they would always go to Grand Forks, to the base, and he sometimes got
them the next day, or two days later. It was our version of modern day Skype.”
In Vietnam, Glenn’s duties consisted of overseeing the health of the squadron’s pilots and crew
members. “You’re not only looking after their health and well-being; you’re also allowed to train
in the F-4 fighter as a copilot. On the ground I was a doctor, in the air I was a fighter pilot, with
full stick-and-rudder flying control. ” He also went 15 miles outside the base, where he
volunteered to help the Montagnard villagers. “They were our allies; they liked us.”
"Quack is good.
If they like you,
you’re the
squadron quack.
Quack is OK."
Glenn and his pilot were selected to name an F-4 in honor of
their wives. To be stenciled on the nose of their
Phantom, Glenn chose “Rosie” to be painted in white.
Glenn’s closest brush with death came on the evening of
January 28, 1969. During takeoff the canopy of a Phantom
fogged over from the high humidity of the night air, and the pilot
lost control and veered off the runway and struck a cement
barrier. The pilot was killed instantly, and the copilot died when
he ejected from the plane at ground level. Glenn, in an
ambulance, arrived at the scene and waited with the fire crew for the fuel to burn off. “All of a
sudden, one of the rockets that had come off the airplane happened to be facing the airplane
and launched into it and exploded,” Glenn said. “The explosion blew off the right arm of the
fireman standing next to me. I didn’t get hurt. I just got thrown in the air and knocked into the
sand; I got up and went to where the fireman was crying and moaning. I got in there and pulled
him out and got him away from the fire. The ambulance was there. We clamped the bleeder and
got him in the ambulance, then got him to the hospital. He was then flown directly to Clark AFB
in the Philippines. He lost his arm, but he survived.”
For his exemplary courage and heroism on that evening, the U.S. Air Force awarded Glenn the
Airman’s Medal. The citation reads, “Captain Glenn M. Thoreson distinguished himself by
heroism involving voluntary risk of life on the Flight Line, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Republic of
Vietnam on 28 January 1969. On that date, Captain Thoreson rushed to the area where an
aircraft crashed upon takeoff. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Thoreson,
despite the hazard of exploding fuel cells and high explosives, unhesitatingly entered the area
near the flaming aircraft and persevered in his humanitarian efforts until he succeeded in
removing the injured fireman to a place of safety. The exemplary courage and heroism
displayed by Captain Thoreson reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
Glenn flew his 30th and last combat mission with Hoople, ND, native Jim McMullen. Glenn had
met McMullen upon arrival at Cam Ranh Bay. They had a connection; Jim’s brother Harvey was
Glenn’s high school coach. Tradition dictates a champagne celebration upon landing after the
last combat mission. The fire crews would spray them with water, and Glenn and Jim would
drink a celebratory glass of champagne. Glenn had a surprise for everyone. White ducks were
present everywhere, so Glenn asked the sergeant of their maintenance crew to get a duck and
meet the plane as they taxied in and deliver the duck to Glenn. Glenn and Jim taxied back to the
squadron and shut down the engines. Glenn had the duck in the backseat cockpit. He tossed
the duck into the air and thus became known as “The Quack with a Duck.”
In 1969, Glenn returned home after his one year of duty. It took him only
two hours to be discharged. He returned to Mayville, where he went into
family medicine with three other partners at the Mayville Clinic. He
practiced there for 36 years. He delivered about 700 babies. Son
Matthew Lynn joined the Thoreson family in July of 1971. He is named
after Glenn’s Vietnam roommate Lynn Adams.
Glenn retired on a Friday in 2006 after practicing 36 years in Mayville. After two weeks of
retirement, he missed practicing medicine so much that he decided to work part-time in Valley
City for three years. He also worked part-time for a year at the VA in Fargo. After retiring for
good the second time in 2009, Dr. Thoreson’s retirement meant more time with kids and
grandkids. Rose and Glenn’s lake house has become a gathering place for family and friends.
The North Dakota Medical Association presented Dr. Thoreson with the Community Physician
of the Year award in 2006.
Ruth (Peterson) Thompson, Tucker, GA – [email protected]
With 15 years in the field of home economics education and 28 years with the federal
government, I am looking forward to retirement December 31, 2015! For the past 22 years, I
have been working in the Southeast office of the regional solicitor in Atlanta GA. In my present
position I am the budget and purchasing officer, the computer tech and the law intern
coordinator! Current retirement plans with my husband Robert include, visiting family and
friends in the Midwest, touring our National Parks and a cruise to Alaska.
Carol (Nesland) Rogers, Bemidji, MN – [email protected]
Bemidji, MN, has been home since 1999. We live 15 minutes from Lake Bemidji State Park. I
sing with the Evangelical Free Church Choir and am a member of the First City Handbell Choir.
Francis and I enjoy retirement! In March and early April we spent three weeks North of Dallas,
TX, with daughter, Mara, and family. It was grand having warm weather and blooming plants
and we loved helping our granddaughter celebrate her 12th birthday. It's fun to connect on Face
book with many, including former business education students I taught in Pueblo, Colorado, in
1963-65. In September I hope to join them as they celebrate their 50th high school class
reunion!
Derry Peterson, Wheaton, MN
Hi from Wheaton – pretty peaceful watching my four granddaughters grow up – amazing! Since
my wife died, I do not care to travel that much, except to see my family. A year ago, I read the
Bible, now I am studying it big-time – gee I would have been a super religion
student back in ’59!
I did have an interesting experience in March. I tripped on a rug..WOW – cracked
four ribs, big cut on my arm, tore my rotary cuff, hurt my bad knee and spent one
month in two hospitals!! I am still pretty weak especially my lungs, …..age. Take a
lot of physical therapy. Take care.
Mary Ann (Knudsen) Meier – Fargo, ND – [email protected]
2013 wintered in Lady Lake, FL from Jan to Mar. Enjoyed a trip to the Florida Keys, (a bucket
list trip). In May, I received diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer. Two operations resulted in
clear reading, was told by my oncologist I was cured. I enjoyed the company of many
classmates at our 50th class reunion in October at Concordia. The connection to old friends was
wonderful, and the events were well done.
Went to grand-daughters' sporting events and Christmas program in MN, and enjoyed holidays
in Ramsey with son Dave's family.
2014 wintered in Lady Lake, FL Jan-Mar. Highlight was visit from son, Tom and family, and
enjoying Daytona Beach together. Tom lives in Dallas, TX. The 4th of July holiday was spent at
my cabin, at Strawberry Lake in Ruso, ND. Son, Dave and family and brother John stayed at my
cabin, and had a mini-reunion with brother, Dave's family, what fun we had!
Attended my aunt Ruby's 100th birthday party in Rapid City, on Labor Day weekend.
Did my hobbies of quilting at the church, and card-playing at the South Fargo Senior Center.
Enjoyed many good times with friends from Minot and Fargo areas; and holidays were at
Ramsey, MN and Dallas, TX with my sons' families.
2015--- Again wintered in same area in Florida Jan - Mar. Maintaining activities as last year, and
as summer progresses, am enjoying the lake scene along with my relatives, especially over July
4th. I try to stay active, and God has been good to me. Greetings to the classmates in college
that I have known.
Sharon (Savre) Reynolds, Billings, MT – [email protected]
Picture with granddaughter, Jordan (8)
Arlene (Olson) Raffanti, New Lenox IL – [email protected]
This past year I welcomed a new grandson, Owen Edward Manning. Also I had the opportunity
to see my oldest grandson, Matthew Richards graduate from high school and joint the USAF.
He is serving at a base in Montgomery, AL
My daughter and family have moved downstate, IL. My travels have included visits to see two
granddaughters in southern IL. Also I went to San Diego to visit a nephew and his family. Three
months were spent in FL getting away from winter!
Gar Satrom, Sacramento, CA – [email protected]
Finally lit my creative fuse and have been making garden art for the last couple of years……will
make it to homecoming this year.
Ronald Struxness, Naperville, IL – [email protected]
As tangible evidence of our now advanced age Dawn and I celebrated our 50th wedding
anniversary. It was done very quietly in our home with our small family in attendance on the
June date of our marriage. In an astounding feat of memory, my best man, Jeff Boss and wife
Sandy rewarded us with a gift of one of our favorite things – Costas chocolates from Owatonna.
Dawn and I have tried with good success to make an annual hiking trip to some area of Europe.
This May we returned to Italy and the Piedmont region, a lovely area of rolling hills fully
cultivated with grape vines and hazelnut trees with the snow covered Alps visible as a back drop
to our daily treks. Good wine and good food are always a part of a trip to Italy, both were
present in abundance.
In my role as a member of the National Alumni Board I have appreciated the significant efforts
of several classmates in nominating, supporting in writing or actually calling qualified graduates
who deserve consideration for the Alumni Achievement Award or the Sent Forth Award (those
less than 20 years from graduation). We welcome all nominations but particularly, at this time,
value support for women candidates. Should you know of any graduate, man or woman, you
think worthy please consider making a nomination.
Rich Signe, Albuquerque, NM - – [email protected]
I have lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico since the 1970s, now retired from city
redevelopment and planning. I visit family in California often. The attached
photo shows me with grandkids Max and Louisa visiting the Exploratorium in
San Francisco last Thanksgiving with son Kevin. I also visit my sister and
family in Westlake California frequently who maintain our family’s close ties to
California Lutheran University.
DiAnne (Brasseau) Lerud-Chubb, Burlington IA – [email protected]
•
•
•
•
Adjunct at our community college.
Involved with local community events--SnowBull and Steamboat Days.
Belong to National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Business and
Professional Women.
Volunteer with a Political Presidential Campaign and with local political organizations.
Household includes Husband Jim and grandson Colton.
Judy (Franklin) Loeffler, Benedict, MN – [email protected]
Gary, thanks for staying in touch.
Merv and Jackie (Morstad) Thompson, Lakeville, MN – [email protected]
Jackie-- I’m thankful to be continuing with much the same interests and hobbies. Now my
oldest granddaughter has helped me with my family history project, and her enthusiasm and
tech knowledge helps to keep me engaged. Regarding same granddaughter, last summer she
started working at the Concordia Language Villages as a counselor. My daughter and I visited
the Swedish Village so we could take pictures of us together, celebrating three generations of
CLV counselors. A new challenge for Merv and me is staying in touch with grandchildren who
are all teenagers, two away in college.
Merv-- I continue to work part-time at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, IA. Senior
Pastor, Mike Housholder, a Cobber Alumnus, enlisted me to help organize a leadership
conference for pastors, staff members, and lay-leaders in congregations, to be held October 2223. If interested, more info can be found at hope.wdm.org. A birthday gift this year resulted in
Jackie and I being at the Twins game with our family last week when the Twins came from a six
run deficit to defeat Detroit, the most exciting baseball game we’ve ever attended!
Wesley and Carole (Knudtson) Mathre, Moorhead, MN –
[email protected] and [email protected]
Wes and I have enjoyed escaping from MN winters the last few years,
and spend a month or more in Scottsdale, AZ. We also take a two-week
road trip each way to enjoy the beautiful country we have, including quite
a few National Parks. The picture is from Arches National Park in Utah.
This coming January, we’ll add 15 days in Cancun, as well as our road
trip to and from Scottsdale.
Rodney Thorsell, Mesa, AZ – [email protected]
Well it appears it’s “whatcha doing?” time for
Concordia ‘63ers! My entry is fairly low-keyed this
year. We moved last August so that provided a lot
of entertainment and that necessitated a quieter
winter in AZ than usual. Managed to hang out at
The Canyon, entertain the family and visit the CA
relatives. We hosted a small CC alumni gathering
in March. Wayne Sather, Lowell Tjentland, Karen
(Hoffman) Morstad, Diane (Mathison) Greenage,
David Geske and Carmen Rogne represented our
class. Currently we are enjoying MN’s summer with friends and family. – Soli Deo gloria.
Lowell Alemn, Elgin, IL – [email protected]
Rev. Lowell G. Almen is serving as co-chair of the U.S. Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue, which
observed its 50th anniversary in Washington, D.C., on May
27, 2015. Almen has been co-chair since 2005 and a
member of the dialogue since 1998. Throughout the past
half century, the dialogue has produced 11 substantive
reports, outlining convergences as well as areas needing
further study. The most recent report was from Round XI
on the topic, "The Hope of Eternal Life." That report was
published in book form by Lutheran University Press in
Minneapolis. The topic of Round XII is "Faithful Teaching."
The first meeting of the dialogue was held in the spring of 1965, just four months after the
issuance of the "Decree on Ecumenism" from the Second Vatican Council. Round VII in the
early 1980s was on the topic of "justification," one of the subjects of contention in the Lutheran
Reformation of the sixteenth century. That document became part of the foundation for the
"Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification," which was signed by Lutheran and Catholics
at an international event in Augsburg, Germany, on October 31, 1999. That event is considered
one of the three most significant ecumenical occurrences in the twentieth century.
Gary Zinter, Silver Bay, MN – [email protected]
In July 2014, Betty and I went on a Concordia Tour of
Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Pictured here with our
Concordia mascot are Cheryl Running ‘64, Gary Zinter, ’63,
Roselyn Krause, ’59.
Spent Christmas in Nashville and business meetings in
Orlando, Las Vegas and News Orleans. Betty spends her
time in DC dogsitting for our daughter and son-in-law and
when in Silver Bay, gardening at home and the AmericInn in
Silver Bay. I still put in my 40 hours at work.
Luncheon in Hutchinson on July 18, 2015
Front row L to R: Barbra Betland Larson,Virginia Rafshal Morgenthaler,Renee Spilseth Wetterling
Second Row L to R: Carol Rathje,Genell Rogness Benner,Sharon Myhre Van Hauen,Carolyn Holm
Opgrande,Karen Morstad,Diane Grinnagle
View Part II of the 1963 Class Letter for photos from the 50th Reunion.
In Memory:
NEW TOWN — Royce Aubol, 73, New Town, died May 9, 2014, in a Minot
hospital after a short battle with cancer. Services will be held at 11 a.m.
Thursday, May 15, at Bethel Lutheran Church, New Town. Interment will be at
Sanish Riverview Cemetery, New Town.
Visitation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Langhans Funeral
Home, Parshall.
Royce Edward Aubol was born Nov. 19, 1940, in Minot, to Marius and Irene
(Estenson) Aubol. He was raised in Sanish until his family moved to New Town in 1954. Royce
attended Sanish School and graduated from New Town High School in 1958.
On July 27, 1958, he entered the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood,
Mo. He then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., before transferring to Moorhead
State University. He was honorably discharged and released to the U.S. Army Reserves on Jan.
25, 1959. He was called into active duty with the U.S. Army on Oct. 27, 1961, and served at Fort
Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas; he was again honorably discharged on Aug. 5, 1962. He
then returned to school and completed a double major and received degrees in business
education and industrial technology from Moorhead State University.
Royce was united in marriage to Marlys Liebenow in Enderlin on Dec. 29, 1963.
His first teaching position was in Cooperstown in 1965. In 1966, Royce and Marlys moved to
New Town, where he worked in the family business and continued teaching. During the summer
of 1978, Royce and a co-worker, Myron Overby, remodeled a building, on Main Street, in New
Town and opened a pizza and fast food business called the Circle A Inn. Their children and
students came to this place for enjoyment and employment after school. Royce retired in 1996
from New Town School District, after 32 dedicated years. He then worked as a carpenter for
Donald Carlson and Jack Smith and later worked in the business office at Northrop Grumman
for 10 years, practicing what he preached to his students.
Royce served as a volunteer fireman with the New Town Fire Department for several years,
served one term on the New Town City Council and refereed many basketball games in the
area. He was a member of the Beck-Sherven American Legion Post 290 and Bethel Lutheran
Church, both of New Town. He enjoyed golfing and will always be remembered for the marathon
golfing day he and Myron Overby completed, playing 126 holes on the first day of summer, at
Edgewater Country Club. Royce was a talented woodworker, built several garages and decks
and loved keeping busy; he never liked to stay in one place too long. He always was willing to
lend a helping hand to his family and many friends. He looked forward to his trips to Branson,
Mo., where he and Marlys purchased a second home. Royce also cherished spending time at
the family cabin, on Little Knife Bay of Lake Sakakawea, surrounded by his family and close
friends. Blessed be his memory among us.
Royce is survived by his wife, Marlys, New Town; his son, Eric (Charlene), New Town; his
daughter, Lisa Aubol Long (Kat Munger), Lacy, Wash.; his grandchildren, Erika Long, Lexi Long,
Austin Long, Wesley Aubol, Jessica Aubol and Clinton Aubol; two brothers, Marland (Mildred)
and Roger (Linda), both of New Town; one sister, Lorna Masuo (Bob), Edmonds, Wash.; and
several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Clare; and his father-in-law and motherin-law, Clinton and Lenora Liebenow.
Online condolences may be shared at www.langhansfuneralhome.com.
Bruce Gronbeck, 73
Bruce Elliott Gronbeck of Longmont, Colorado, died September 10 in Iowa City
doing what he loved so much: being with his friends and colleagues at the
University of Iowa. He delivered his last lecture Tuesday, and then hours
before his death on Wednesday, was bathed in love and gratitude from his
colleagues and students at a celebratory dinner. A Memorial Service to
celebrate Bruce's life will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 8th, 2014
at the Levitt Center, One West Park Road in Iowa City. RSVP's may be kindly
left at http://event.celebrations.com/BGronbeckMemorial
Bruce was born into what he called “a Norwegian ghetto” in northern Minnesota in 1941 to E.
Leslie and Bernice Eid Gronbeck. He and his sister, Susan Gronbeck-Tedesco, grew up in
Crookston, MN. Bruce received his undergraduate degree from Concordia College in Moorhead,
MN and PhD. from the University of Iowa. He taught at the University of Michigan, where in
1968 he met and married his wife of 46 years, Wendy Gilbert. Christopher Elliott and Ingrid
Christine Gronbeck were born in Ann Arbor. The family moved to Iowa City in 1973 and Jakob
Andrew Lam Sieng Gronbeck joined the family in 1975. Three years ago, Bruce and Wendy
moved to Longmont, Colorado to be closer to their grandchild, Nathan. There, singing with the
Longmont Chorale brought Bruce immense joy. He toured the British Isles with the Chorale last
June, singing in the cities where he had done research over the years.
Bruce Gronbeck loved the University of Iowa and especially the people in the Dept. of
Communication Studies. His dear friend and role model for scholarship, engagement, and civility
was Sam Becker. Like Sam, Bruce served as chair of that department, as faculty Senate
president, president of the National Communication Association and on numerous committees
and boards locally and nationally. Bruce received honorary doctorates from Jyväskylä University
in Finland, Uppsala University in Sweden, and Concordia College. He advised a record number
of PhD. recipients at Iowa and loved hooding them at graduation wearing his Swedish doctoral
garb replete with top hat and sword. His list of publications and honors is long, but nothing
brought Bruce more joy than teaching and mentoring students. He saw their strengths and
encouraged them to develop into top scholars and citizens. Bruce was an active and devoted
Democrat, but he loved everything about campaigns and politics. He was fascinated, but never
discouraged, by the whole process. He said there was nothing better than being a professor of
political communication during the Iowa caucuses in an election year.
Bruce will be missed by Wendy, Christopher, Jake, and Ingrid; by Nathan Julyk, who says “he
was the King of Poppas!”;by Bret Julyk; by sister Sue and husband John Gronbeck-Tedesco; by
sister-and brothers-in-law Pat Gilbert and Jim Froehlich and Judy and Mike Preville; and, John
Gilbert. He was beloved Uncle Bruce to nieces and nephews Lauren Gilbert and Mike Casey
and Jack; Anthony and Emily Jacobs and Aila and Cici; Erin and Scott Zulewski and Zack and
Ellie; Annie Gronbeck-Tedesco and Mark Vickers-Willis; John Gronbeck-Tedesco and Karuna
Uppal and Nisha. (And, his faithful Aussies, Norah and Stella.)Every Thanksgiving, this
scattered and divergent group was blended and bonded when Bruce was handed anonymous
bits of gratitude from everyone and had one hour to pull together a toast that captured the
essence of his extended family.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, James, and his in-laws, Jack and
Sylvia Gilbert who figured their daughter had won the lottery.
We say goodbye to Bruce with the benediction he was known for: “And Go Hawks!”
Bruce suggested that any memorials be directed to Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade St., Iowa
City, IA 42240; to the Nathan A. Julyk Trust (his grandson) care of Ingrid Julyk, 131 High
Country Trail, Lafayette, CO, 80026; the Longmont Chorale, care of Wendy; or, the Gronbeck
Fund at the Dept. of Communication Studies.
Janet E. Bjorge, 73 of Willmar, died Friday February 20, 2015 at Rice Memorial
Hospital in Willmar. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday February 26,
2015 at First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake near New London. Burial will be
in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the
Johnson Funeral Home in New London and for one hour prior to the service at
the church.
Janet Eileen Bjorge was born on July 19, 1941 in Starbuck, the daughter of
Odell and Blanche Smedstad. She grew up in Starbuck and attended Starbuck High School,
graduating in 1959. She continued her education at Concordia College, graduating in 1964. On
January 1, 1965 she was united in marriage to Mark Bjorge. To this union two daughters were
born. They made their home in Alexandria where Janet taught at Alexandria Tech, later moving
to New London where she taught at Willmar Vo-Tech until her daughters were born. In 1980,
Janet was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor that confined her to a wheelchair in 1982.
Although she had lost much of her mobility, she kept a positive attitude and a passion for living a
fulfilled life. In 1996, she lost her husband and devoted caregiver, Mark after 31 years of
marriage. Janet was an inspiration to all who knew her and brightened the day for many who
visited her. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, scrabble and music. She especially
enjoyed keeping up with family, church friends and praying for others.
Janet is survived by her daughters, Leah (David) Byers and Karin (Doug) Asche; siblings, Sonja
(Jim) Ozbun, Mary (Harold) Hanson and Mike (Jo) Smedstad; four grandchildren, Isaac and
Caleb Asche and Arianna and Tyson Byers; and brother-in-law, Jim (Carol) Bjorge. Janet was
preceded in death by her husband, Mark in 1996 after 31 years of marriage, parents; brother-inlaw, John Bjorge and sister-in-law, Fran Bjorge.
Tribute to my friend – Janet Bjorge – Eilene Boots Paulson
Jany
Oh villain tumor
you haven’t won
You rob the body
but not the spirit.
Blue eyes dance
though feet are limp;
Face expresses
What hands once spoke
Laughter rings
from a silent body
Fresh air is her aura
as breath comes by machine
I come to give
and receive blessings heaped up
I strain to help,
she eases my load
I offer water
she spreads a table of peace
My hands move hers
but her spirit moves mine
Eilene Boots Paulson
1982
Robert (Bob) L. Hanson, age 76, of Lindstrom, Minnesota, died unexpectedly
on Saturday, May 2, 2015.
Bob was born March 15, 1939, in Minneota, Minnesota, to Orin and Vivian
(Kompelien) Hanson and was the second of their three sons. Bob was a
member of Minneota’s football team and graduated from Minneota High School in 1957. After
graduating from high school, Bob attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. While in
college, Bob played football and met the love of his life, Eva Kate (Katsy) Briggs. Bob graduated
from Concordia in January of 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He and
Katsy were married on August 12, 1961, in Moorhead.
Bob and Katsy began their teaching careers in Bowman, North Dakota, and later taught in
Floodwood, Minnesota. In 1967, Bob was hired as a high school physical education teacher in
Chisago City, Minnesota. While at Chisago City High School, Bob initiated the wrestling program
and he also served as an assistant football coach. After the consolidation with Lindstrom-Center
City, Bob and Katsy continued their teaching careers in the Chisago Lakes School District, until
their retirement in 1999. Bob served as head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach at
Chisago Lakes for 25 years. Bob was inducted into the Chisago Lakes High School Hall of fame
in 2011.
After their retirement, Bob and Katsy enjoyed many vacations throughout the United States and
Europe. They also spent many extended vacations in their motor home and in Canada, Mexico,
Texas, and Arizona. Bob and Katsy had just returned from a river cruise in France two weeks
before his death.
In his spare time, Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching sporting events of every kind. For
nearly twenty years, Bob especially enjoyed planning and participating in the annual Hanson
Family fishing trip. He continued to follow the success of the Minneota High School sports teams
throughout his life. He was also an avid fan of the Minnesota Gophers and the Minnesota
Vikings. Bob and Katsy have been season ticket holders for the Minnesota Vikings since 1969.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Don, and by his sisters-in-law,
Rachel, Dolores, and Patricia. In addition to his wife, Katsy, Bob is survived by his three
children: Chris Hanson, Patti (Jim) Casterton, and Joel (Christi) Hanson and by his five
grandsons: Jacob and Daniel Klinke, Zachary, William, and Michael Hanson. He is also survived
by his brother and sister-in-law, James and Paula Hanson, a sister- in-law, Bonnie Hanson, and
a brother-in-law, James (Chuck) Smith, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
CAMPUS UPDATE:
CobbersGive.org
This summer, the launch of a crowdfunding website put Concordia on the
cutting edge by offering alumni a new and interactive approach to
philanthropy with a specific project-based funding platform. CobbersGive
allows you to support projects that you’re passionate about and to see the
results of your contributions. Project examples include undergraduate
research, music or athletic needs, student initiatives and CLV improvements.
MISSING CLASS MATES
Help us locate them – were any of these people your roommates?
Do you know their hometown? Any information would be helpful –
please email information to [email protected] – with the subject line “Missing Cobber”.
Betty Sharon Caroline Kathleen Andrew Ruth Linda Carolyn Larry Mary George Linda Rowena Wayne Anita Norma Richard Sharon Dale Ann Georgia Tom Roberta Curtis Robert Pearl David Harold J Harvey Mary Dale Norman Walter Virginia Diana Thomas Loye Allan Sharon Lorin Doug Sandra Rodney William Anderson Anderson Anderson Anderson Anderson Bancroft Bierman Brandvold Bratland Christie Churchill Collins Cook Disrud Dolan Donaldson Dungan Eide Olsen Erickson Failing Fleming Follinglo Gaugler Grindahl Hebig Hedin Hefty Johnson Jung Keeney Kjorlien Klatt Knutson Lange Lanska Lien Ludemann Lynk Magneson Mark Martin Meyer Moen Nelson Nelson Reinitz Dokmo Boode Dalby Weible Johnson Edith Jeanine Donald Joy Peggy Dennis John David Wallace Judith Priscilla Kathryn Tommy Ione George Sharyn Cecelia Leanne Margo Sharon Olson Pearsall Pederson Poch Pompe Price Shearer Siberg Sorum Spriggs Stark Steinbaugh Thompson Vezenek Vigeland Von Eschen Watts Wilke Wilkie Wright Peters Larson Hughes Page Ingebrigtsen Gilbertson Johnsgard Silverton Cobbers for Cobbers
Concordia College provides an exceptional education that transforms lives and inspires
students to BREW–Become Responsibly Engaged in the World. With your support, we’ll
continue to do so for generations. The Concordia Annual Fund, driven by a missionmotivated and student-focused strategy, invites you to demonstrate Cobbers for Cobbers by
fueling the tradition of giving to support students and enhance excellence. Annual gifts are
immediately put to work where they’re needed most—to provide vital student scholarships
and financial aid, academic programs, student services and general institutional support for
the current fiscal year.
This past year, our class had 37.36% participation and gave $76,545 Since the time we
graduated, our class has given $7,027,051.64 THANK YOU!
CLASS CHALLENGE UPDATE
Year
4/30/2015
4/30/2014
Participants
136
181
’63 grads
’63 non-grads
Participants
125
11
Potential
Percentage
37.36%
53.55%
Total
$76,545
$106,454
Potential
Percentage
40.58%
19.64%
Total Giving
Total
$69,049
$7,500
364
338
308
56
I was disappointed to see the number of classmates who did not make a contribution last year
to Concordia. Let’s bring it back to over 50%. For 2014-2015, the freshman class enrollment
was down over 100 students. An article from the Duluth News Tribune said ten faculty members
and 21 staff members were cut. That really hurt to see this kind of news in my local paper. The
college needs our help. Send the names of potential high school sophomores and juniors along
with the address and phone numbers to the admissions office on line at
Concordiacollege.edu/refer.
See you at Homecoming!
Proud cobber
Gary E Zinter
1963 Class Agent
CAMPUS UPDATE:
Dear friends and supporters of the Offutt School of Business,
I am pleased to share that Dr. K. Brewer Doran has accepted the call to join Concordia
College as the next Dean of the Offutt School of Business. Dr. Doran is a highly
accomplished teacher, administrator, researcher and business leader. She begins her work
at Concordia on August 14.
Dr. Doran is currently the Dean of the Bertolon School of Business at Salem State
University in Massachusetts, where she has served in that role since 2005. Previously, she
was the founding Dean of the School of Business and Information Science at Lasell
College. She has taught at a variety of universities in the United States and Canada.
In addition to her work in higher education, she has business experience working for
International Paper Corp. and Harbridge House and she has owned her own aviation and
consulting businesses. Dr. Doran is also a licensed commercial pilot. As a consultant, she
has worked with high-tech firms, aviation organizations, financial firms and resort firms as
well as a wide variety of organizations concerned with market entry into China.
Of her decision to join us at Concordia, she shared:
“I am thrilled to be joining the Offutt School of Business at Concordia. Thanks to the efforts
of Dean Greg Cant, the faculty and staff, the foundations have been laid for extraordinary
achievements at the Offutt School, and I look forward to continuing the success so far. I am
also thankful for the extremely warm welcome offered to me by the Concordia community."
Dr. Doran holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College, an MBA from the Darden School of the
University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. from McGill University. Her doctoral work focused on
cross-cultural marketing, including a study of Chinese and North American consumers.
I wish to share special thanks with two alumni who served faithfully on the search
committee – Concordia Regent and Global Leadership Council member Rachel Hollstadt
and Global Leadership Council chair Jim Parke. As you have the opportunity, please thank
them for their good work and service.
Grateful for your leadership and generosity, I look forward to your continued partnership
with the Offutt School of Business under the leadership of Dr. Doran.
William Craft
President
Concordia College