Spring 2020
Dear Members of the Class of 1956,
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 Mary's letter that she wrote to you, the Class of 1956, 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 1956 Classmates:
Greetings from Southern Arizona where the only snow to be seen is In the surrounding mountains. The winters are more temperate here than in the Midwest and other parts of the country, but it has still been chilly many days by Arizona standards with some nights in February under 32 degrees. Wherever you spent the winter, however, I hope you stayed warm, active, and well.
It is not too early to remind classmates that a year from this coming May our class will celebrate its 65-year reunion. How time passes. Much has happened in our lives over the intervening years. Let us plan to be at Homecoming 2021 (Saturday, October 10th) to gather, reminisce, and renew relationships. More information will be coming, of course.
As many of you know, Luther has experienced a modest annual decline in enrollment the past few years. To offset this the college has developed new and exciting program initiatives. In February, Luther and Northeast Iowa Community College
signed an articulation agreement
in the field of social work, enabling community college students with an earned associate degree to transfer to Luther and receive a baccalaureate degree with two years of additional study. In the fall of 2020, the
Global Health program
will commence. An interdisciplinary program, it addresses health, health equity, and socioeconomic concerns worldwide.
I have some news from or about classmates to share.
John Barstad
notes that he has lived in Anchorage, AK since 1962, and worked with the Alaska Department of Transportation for 30 years doing computations for the state highway system. Married twice, he met both wives in Alaska. In retirement he researches family histories in Norway for friends.
Arnie Fredriksen
sent an unusual valentine – a Valentine’s Day napkin with an interesting handwritten note on the reverse side. He says he sent out about 40 of these with a dozen to Luther classmates including
Solveig Otte
who lives in Africa. As a hobby he spends time baking cupcakes and making slow cooker candy which he gives out at church coffee, a rest home, fire station, military recruiters, and neighbors. He visits about three dozen people a month with the goodies. He says he is looking forward to the class’s 65
th
in 2021.
Don Hommen
is now a part-time resident of Tucson, Ariz., having purchased a second home there. He declares the winter season in the Southwest to be a welcome respite from the snow and cold of Decorah. Last fall,
Harris Hostager
married Diane Frohling. Their families had been close friends for 46 years. They divide their time between his condo in Decorah and her home in Bradenton, Fla. Congratulations.
Marlys (Nordgard) Koursch
emailed to say that she very much appreciates the class letter, a nice way to stay in touch with Luther and classmates.
Harold Kurth
, a Korean Conflict veteran, had an interesting experience about a year ago. He was able to take advantage of a trip sponsored by the South Korean government to express appreciation to U.S. military personnel who served there during that conflict. The trip involved a week with lodging and meals provided as well as rides to points of interest, including to the DMZ. Discounted airfare was also provided for him and his “co-pilot,” Barbara Carter.
Juanita (Zeman) Loven
and Russ stay active in Guttenberg, Iowa. Her
Juanita’s Folly
consignment shop provides a useful outlet for unneeded or unused items. She and Russ remain active volunteering and attending area theater, concerts, and performances including
Christmas at Luther.
They celebrated their 65
th
last year. Congratulations.
June (Tesch) Torrison
recently sent an obituary on
Gordon Grimm
that appeared in the Minneapolis paper. After Luther Seminary, he pursued a career in clinical pastoral work dealing with those with chemical dependency, including a long career at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, which he joined in 1965. June also mentioned the obituary in the Minneapolis paper of
Ruth Noer
who attended during our freshman year before transferring to a nursing program. As to other classmates, I am always happy to see
Elaine (Forde) Larson
who is a permanent resident of Green Valley, Ariz. though she summers in northern Minnesota, and
Kristi (Hendrickson) Thompson
who lives here year around. They treated me to lunch for my 86
th
.
As for Carlyle and me, we were able once again to attend
Christmas at Luther.
We took our daughter with and we all thought it was the best performance yet. In our personal life, however, like many in our age group, we are having some balance and mobility problems and occasionally forget a thing or two. So, twice a week we join a Pilates exercise program designed to address these issues. Pilates was developed during WWI by a German prisoner to keep himself and other prisoners physically and mentally fit. Since then the program has spread worldwide. You may want to explore this if you haven’t done so already. Other than that, we continue to read, do puzzles, play solitaire, do family histories, and meet friends for coffee or meals out.
Once again, I thank you for your continuing support of Luther with annual gifts. It is much appreciated. You have always been a generous class. Please continue your support as you are able.
As we move toward spring and summer, my wish for each of you is that you enjoy the rebirth of nature and a warm and wonderful summer. And I trust that the Easter season will be (or was) a blessing to you and yours.
Cordially,
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Mary R. Haaland
1956 Class Agent
12118 County 80,
Nevis, MN 56467
218-652-2085
maryhaaland@yahoo.com
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(February-April):
1105 S. Alpine Circle
Green Valley, AZ 85614
520-399-1801
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MARRIAGES
HARRIS HOSTAGER and Diane Frohling, Sept. 21, 2019
OBITUARIES
Gordon “Gordy” Grimm
of North Branch, Minn., died Jan. 5, 2020, age 86.
Bernard A. “Bernie” Lee
of Avoca, Iowa, died Dec. 9, 2019, age 90.
Roger E. Olson
of Glenville, Minn., died Dec. 17, 2019, age 86.
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