Spring 2020
Dear Members of the Class of 1966,
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 1966, 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 Friends,
Our Church has had a reverse advent calendar for several years. It asks us to open a “door” each day and do or provide whatever is listed. Much of the suggestions revolve around donating specific foods to the food shelf. Sometimes it is to call a friend or visit a shut-in. It’s not rocket science; I know I could do this without this nudging, but there is a power involved in this nudge. It makes my actions more intentional.
A few years ago, our stewardship team had a program called Intentional Giving. Perhaps your church did as well. It made you think; it made you pause. The results may be the same, but the power comes in a change of attitude toward our gifts.
My book club recently read the book
This Tender Land
by William Kent Kruger. If you read it, you will be reminded of our freshman Paideia reading of Homer’s
Odyssey.
One of the club members said she loved how the meaning of “family” was expanded from the traditional image of the nuclear family. A group of misfits become a family in every sense of the word. Our own definition of family has probably undergone a change since the 60s! This means we had to be open to the true meaning of the word – intentionally.
As you think about what your years at Luther mean to you, think about your gifts to Luther intentionally. What value do we truly place on an education based on scripture, or friends made while discussing/arguing over the meaning of life?
Spring is in the air mixed with the concern of COVID-19. Many events have been cancelled, which is annoying and troublesome. The bonus comes with a pause from our frantic attempts to get everything done on our Bucket List. We have time to think – intentionally.
At Christmas time, I received a letter from Tyler Privia, the Luther student who receives the Class of 1966 scholarship. Here’s what he had to say:
Thanks so much for providing me with the Class of 1966 Scholarship. At Luther I’m a vocal music education major. I participate in Nordic Choir and take voice lessons at Luther. I play trumpet as well and play in Varsity Band and Luther’s Trumpet Studio. Next semester I plan to student teach in the Minneapolis area. I hope to direct a high school choir, and then move on to the college level. Thanks for all you do to support Luther!
Perhaps Tyler is currently in one of your schools. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he finishes his training and graduates this spring.
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Mary Deters
1966 Class Agent
21867 Deters Drive
Spring Grove, MN 55974
507-498-3993
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CLASS NOTES
Ken Belanger
of Frederic, Wis., retired after serving 52 years as a head high school football coach. He served as the head football coach and senior high math teacher at the Zumbrota/Zumbrota-Mazeppa High Schools for 35 years. He was inducted into the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001. Ken then moved to Frederic, Wis., and served as the head football coach at Frederic High School for 17 years. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019. He finished his career with 288 victories. Ken still serves as a track official, starting track meets in Minn., and Wis.
Judith (Ransom)
and
Jules Nicolet
are both retired and living in Madison, Wis.
OBITUARIES
William “Bill” Charles Beyer
of St. Paul, Minn., died Feb. 4, 2020, age 75.
Roger Allen Hjelle
of Onalaska, Wis., died March 30, 2020, age 75.
Kenneth J. Knutson
of Union, Mo., died Aug. 28, 2018, age 74.
Arlene B. (Larson) Thompson
of Decorah, died Dec. 30, 2019, age 96.
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