Fellow Members of Luther’s Class of 1968

Happy 2023!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! HOMECOMING OCTOBER 6 - 8, 2023. Our Class of 1968 55-year reunion reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at 11 a.m. in Shirley Baker Commons, Baker Village, with a luncheon to follow at 1:30 p.m. Additional details regarding the schedule of events at Homecoming can be accessed at Homecoming Schedule of Events | Luther College.

CLASSMATE UPDATES 
  • Sadly, I have learned of the passing of the following classmates:
Jacqueline “Jackie” (Hanson) Kuhns, who was with our class from 1964-66.
Candace “Candy” (Haemker) Gomez
  • John Franke is actively involved at his church as Assisting Minister, choir member, and chairs various committees. He and his wife, Debbie, are in good health and live in a 55+ neighborhood with many activities: pottery class, pickleball, ping pong, billiards, and bocce ball.
  • Dick Boyum lives in Asheville, N.C., an area great for hiking, kayaking, great music, art, and wonderful restaurants. Along with his guess of my favorite joke’s punchline, Dick, shared some “food for thought” in response to one of my comments at the end of my previous letter. He writes:
And certainly, one of your comments has incredible significance. We are different and so is Luther. My goodness think of the cost. With declining enrollments in higher education, for Luther to thrive and survive it is going to have to keep recreating itself in terms of innovative majors that lead to solid career placements or graduate school programs. The focus on the liberal arts in its broadest sense of the concept will need to continue, but with a focus on the application and not just the knowledge of what the liberal arts stands for. The foundation as well as donors are going to have to work together diligently to continue to create sufficient monies to subsidize the cost of going to Luther, so that a wide range of qualified students from various income levels can attend the college, and maintain the numbers that are essential to cash flow. The recruiting and retention of quality faculty will continue to be as essential as recruiting and retaining quality students.
  • Hal Bonhoff reports he has been a “Tucsonman” for 20 plus years, has learned to be a desert gardener, and shared beautiful pictures as evidence. Hal has had both a hip replacement and total knee replacement but is back to walking three miles daily.
  • Larry Paulsen joined the Peace Corps in Nepal after graduation and spent about half his working years overseas in development work. He and wife Evelyn now live just outside Chapel Hill, N.C. They play golf, pickleball and bridge. He did recall that I had been a class agent before and apologized for not saving any of my letters 😜.
  • Bob and Dell Ann Kappus Sathe were featured in the March 2023 Luther Community e-newsletter for their outstanding commitment to support students in need. The article can be accessed at new gifts totaling $4.5 million increase access and expand learning experiences for Luther College students | Luther College

A pleasant surprise …

  • I twice recently visited briefly with George Gilbertson and his wife Lou Ellen when they came down from Grand Rapids, Minn. for events at our church. George is a long-time mentor and friend of our lead pastor. 
  • Thanks to all for the various ways in which you continue to support Luther!

If you have any information you would like to share with classmates, please let me know via email at wluckner2@unl.edu.

RESULTS OF SPECIAL CHALLENGE, AND ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY

Results of Special Challenge. Whether it is a statement about the quality of my jokes, or just aging memories, my “Favorite Joke Fundraising Challenge” had only a modest response but did result in a $500 donation to the Class of 1968 Scholarship Fund!

  • Hal Bonhoff responded right away with the correct answer, commenting “I loved the joke then and love it now. I use it as often as I can work it into the conversation.” Must be something about how certain math majors think.
  • Steve Bakke tried to extort me (but did address me as “Classy Agent”): “I have the punch line, but it can’t be repeated. You must have been young and foolish. For $50 dollars I won’t pass it on.” 
  • John Klotz and Dick Boyum each sent other jokes, so I gave them partial credit. (I was big on partial credit). I know a few others thought about it and in the spirit of “it’s the thought that counts,” I counted them, too.
Here is my actual favorite joke: At the end of each semester, I would start class by commenting on how fast the semester seems to have gone, and then say, “Time flies when you’re having fun, or as the frog says (here comes the punchline!), “Time’s fun when you’re having flies!” So much for higher education classes at the esteemed University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Another opportunity. I will donate $50 to the Class of 1968 Scholarship Fund for every person who emails me by the time of our Homecoming luncheon with what baseball game is being referred to in this picture. Email address: wluckner2@unl.edu

HINTS: 1. It was a long time coming. 2. I grew up on the NW side of Chicago. Curiosity: I first saw someone wearing this T-shirt in Jerusalem. 
NEW FEATURE!! PICKLEBALL CORNER (now that I know I am not the only PB addict among our classmates)

Pickleball is infiltrating all aspects of life …

  • Pickleball on Jeopardy! Alas, none of the contestants knew what a “dink” is.
  • Many pro athletes, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Tom Brady, are proud owners of professional pickleball teams.
  • A made-for-TV-Celebrity pickleball Tournament, hosted by Stephen Colbert – and at least some of the players seemed to be serious players!
  • TV advertisements for various products have background images of people playing pickleball.
  • One of our pastors used a pickleball video to illustrate the Gospel lesson highlighting the journey from skeptic to believer, on Sunday, December 18, 2022 - a day that will be remembered as the day pickleball became a sacred activity for many.
  • An adult birthday party featuring six courts of pickleball games, a far cry from the Pin the Tail on the Donkey party game of our youth.
  • A special shirt as a Christmas present from a supportive, but realistic, wife (thank you Mary)
CLOSING THOUGHTS TO PONDER …
1.
2.“Excerpt from a Poem by Author Caitriona Loughrey Global 
“… So… Let's leave nothing for later.
Because still waiting to see later, we can lose the best moments, the best experiences, best friends, the best family.
The day is today. The moment is now.
We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.”
For complete Poem, click on this link: Facebook
3.“It Looks Like An Eternity, But It's A Short Trip, Enjoy Life And Always Be Kind.” from The Minds Journal

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our 55-year reunion this fall. 
Soli Deo Gloria!

Warren Luckner
662 Eben Ct, Stillwater, MN 55082; 402-802-8809; Wluckner2@unl.edu
BONUS! Cartoons posted by Facebook Friends …
Dedicated to those who live in Winter Wonderlands! 
Catch up on all things Luther!
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