Spring 2020
Dear Members of the Class of 1961,
Like colleges all over the country (and the world), Luther College is experiencing a spring semester like no other. Our students are participating in remote learning, connecting with their professors and classmates online. It certainly isn't the spring semester we imagined, but Luther is responding with resiliency and creativity.
Many of us are making adjustments, sometimes daily or even hourly, to these uncertain times but we wanted to connect with you and to send you Karen's letter that she wrote to you, the Class of 1961, just weeks before we became immersed in the COVID-19 pandemic. We think you'll enjoy reading what she has to share, knowing, of course, that any events referenced may have been cancelled or postponed.
We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during these times. For updated information about Luther's response to the pandemic, visit
luther.edu.
Many thanks for your steadfast love and support.
Mariah Bringer Smith ‘95
Director of Development, Current Gifts
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Dear Classmates:
I've been mulling over what to write since I got the notice in February that the spring letter is due. Those of you who knew my habits at Luther know that I was always writing at the last minute. I haven't changed much. The changes in our world in recent weeks challenge all of us to know what to say. Each week/day brings more news and more limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today in Minnesota it is school closings, restaurants and bars closing, folks encouraged/instructed to be in groups of less than 10 and keep a social distance of 6 feet. We are encouraged to not only think about our own well being, but to consider what our actions could mean for others. Some groups, churches, neighbors, and others are reaching out to help their neighbors. The medical community at all levels are risking themselves to take care of all who need the care. The list goes on and on. Amidst the stories of heroism are sadly stories about some folks trying to take advantage of others to make a buck or ease their own situation by taking more than their share of necessities.
It is not easy to be a good neighbor when we are confined to home, away from jobs and schools and our usual activities, but knowing all of you, I'm confident that you are finding ways to care for others. Fear and isolation take a toll on everyone, but we can reach out by phone. . .email. . .other electronics I am not familiar with. . .the Post Office, bless those folks!. . .as well as staying at least six feet away, but nonetheless sending love and encouragement across fences and other moments of connection. Churches are packing lunches to be delivered to school kids who would miss their meals if volunteers and school bus drivers and others weren't giving of their time. Other folks are caring for the children of first responders and medical staff who must be at their jobs, but who are greatly concerned about their children. Teachers are creatively finding ways to teach homebound children and to cheer them with stories and songs. The list of loving activities is, I believe, much longer than the stories of greed and self-focus out there.
My words are inadequate, but I send this letter in hopes that it will be encouraging to all of you. Following these first paragraphs, I am writing about Luther College today and encourage you to look at the
Ideas and Creations
blog on the Luther website. I learned so much reading these entries. You may also want to look through other offerings on the Luther website for additional new and interesting updates and stories.
In my last letter I asked for suggestions from you on how we might celebrate our 60-year reunion. Paul Hexom sent two very interesting brochures of museums located in close proximity to Decorah. The Locust School Museum is part of the Winneshiek County Historical Society. Another brochure is about the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum. I'm sure you can Google these and more in the area. Some of you may want to do some touring which could be a time of learning and visiting while others may prefer staying on campus and in Decorah. Another suggestion came from the ten of us who have kept a Round Robin Letter going since June of 1961. The suggestion was to make more space between tables at meals so we can more easily move around and perhaps have table service rather than buffet. I'm sure you've got additional ideas and I hope you will send them to me.
Thank you for your suggestions and please send others as well. Homecoming 2021 (October 1-3) is coming soon and it will be important to make this anniversary as joyful and comfortable an occasion as possible.
Keep students, faculty, staff, and administration in your thoughts and prayers.
Peace and love from
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Karen (Gulsvig) Johnson
1961 Class Agent
County 93; PO Box 145
Laporte, MN 56461
218-224-2710
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OBITUARIES
Ronald “Ron” Henry Hartzell
of Birchwood, Wis., died Aug. 21, 2019, age 81.
Howard W. Jacobson
of North Liberty, Iowa, died Nov. 29, 2019, age 90.
Glenn Edwin Mair
of Austin, Minn., died Oct. 9, 2019, age 80.
Charles J. “Chuck” Nelson
of McCandless, Pa., died July 28, 2019, age 80.
Richard “Dick” “Cannonball” Nelson
of Dilworth, Minn., died March 3, 2020, age 81.
Richard Ervin Nelson
of Boca Raton, Fla., died Oct. 1, 2019, age 80.
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