Classes of 1944 & 1945
June 2007
Dear Classmates of 1944 & 1945
Greetings from your Alma Mater! We hope this letter finds you feeling well
and enjoying these summer days.
It has been awhile since you have received a class letter
from Gustavus as many of the golden-year Gusties are without a class agent for
their class. Rather than try to find an
individual writer for each class, the Alumni Office has compiled the news from
classmates of 1944 and 1945 to share with you.
We would encourage you to send us a short note or update on your
activities that we can share in a future class letter.
Here is the news that we have received, some of it is more
than a year old, but worthy of sharing just the same.
CLASS NEWS:
M. Elizabeth Hedman
Becker ’44, St. Paul, MN,
sent this note: “I enjoyed my visit to
the campus for my 60th Reunion (May
2004). Marian Krenik Babcock and I were the only ones there―maybe 65th
will bring a few more. Retired and now
widowed, living in St. Paul.”
When a Phonorama volunteer caught Margaret Anderson Brakel ’44 at home she shared that she has
stopped playing the organ in 2002 and started traveling. She went to Australia
in April and to California for a
wedding. She also enjoys playing lots of
chess.
Ruth Sponberg Cook
’44 is still living in Farmington, MN. As a retired educator she enjoys her three
married children and seven grand children.
Rev. Kenneth Ebb ’44
sent us this note: “I teach the adult
Bible class on Sunday mornings and conduct a communion service at the local
prison once a month. Occasionally do
pulpit supply. The rest of the time I
devote to gardening, mainly flowers, but some vegetables.”
Lorraine Holmgren Jacobson ’44, Bricelyn,
MN, is a retired teacher and volunteers in
many community activities including the library, community play director and
church synod. She wrote, “I remember the
war years with the ROTC on campus.”
Today, Lorraine is a widow
and mother of five children and many grandchildren. She proudly shares her Gustavus legacy with:
3 - Gustie daughters:
Donna Jacobson Peterson ’72, Lois Jacobson Anderson ’78 and Dianne Jacobson Swanson ’80
1 - Daughter-in-law:
Beth Leland Jacobson ’77
3 - Grandchildren (2 currently attending): Arja Peterson Cody ’01, Erik Anderson ’08, Lindsay Peterson ’08
2 - Nephews: Paul
Holmgren ’79 and Richard Holmgren ’80
1 - Great Niece: Amy
Holmgren ’07
And one granddaughter as an incoming freshman next
fall: Caitlin Swanson
Elsinore Tressman Lampright ’44, St.
Paul, MN, was going to travel
to Alaska for her 85th
birthday with her daughter. That was in
June of 2006. Elsinore,
you’ll have to write and tell us about the trip.
Odin and Mavis (McClure) Langsjoen ’44 ’44,
Duluth, MN, also share a long legacy
with Gustavus and now adds a fourth-generation Gustie to their list,
granddaughter, Maria Langsjoen graduated in 2005. Mia spent a spring semester at St.
Andrews in Scotland
and is now a law student in Michigan.
Evelyn Grupe Larson
’44, Sherburn, MN,
who also attended the University of Alabama,
is a retired media generalist for the Sherburn school district. She sings in the choir at Grace
Lutheran Church
and has done a bit of traveling.
Richard ’42 and Marjorie
(Lokensgard) Larson ’44, retired
to Winter Haven, FL. They are busy with their hobbies like playing
golf year-round, woodworking, swimming, biking and dancing. They send us this note: “Still residing at 1086
Eagle Drive, Winter Haven, Florida. Playing golf a couple of times a week plus
other activities. Still miss St. Peter
and Gustavus!! Drop in and see us if you
are down here. Gusties always welcome.”
H. Clifton Kroon ’44,
a retired attorney, lives half the year in Bonita
Springs, FL and half in Minneapolis. He is a widower with four children and 11
grandchildren. He writes, “Living the
golden years!”
The Alumni Office received this message
“Evodia (Larson ’44) and John ’39 Linner enjoy winters at their
home in Rio Verde, AZ. In June 2004, at the annual meeting of the
American Society of Bariatric Surgery in San Diego,
CA, John was honored by receiving the
Foundation’s Outstanding Achievement Award for having performed the first
recorded case of surgery for morbid obesity in the world in 1954. John authored a book, Surgery for Morbid Obesity, published by Springer Verlag Co. in
1984.
Evodia
enjoys serving on the board of the Twin City Opera Guild and also attending
functions of the Honorary Docents of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. They have five daughters and nine
grandchildren.”
Wally ’43 and Betty (Lundquist ’44) Lornell, Delmar,
NY, sent us this note, “In the fall of 2003
we took a river boat trip on the Danube and Rhine. We left from Vienna
and spent two weeks going to Amsterdam. This winter (2004) we spent three weeks in South
America. We flew to Buenos
Aires where we spent several days before boarding the
Norwegian Crown where we spent two weeks cruising via Cape Horn
and up to Santiago. Great trip!”
Homer ’44 and Joyce (Anderson ’43) Mattson had this to share,
“Within the last two years, my husband (Homer) with seven of the family spent a
week (Mid-November 2002) at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Manitoba,
Canada,
observing and photographing polar bear.
In addition to church activities we continue to volunteer at the
Bellevue Friends of the Library Book Shop and at the election board.” Also, on April 30, 2004 they welcomed their third
great-granddaughter. The granddaughter
of Brian Mattson ’68.
Marlys
Gjervik Meyer ’44, Blue Earth, MN, writes, “Retired―doing well in BE
after 12 Florida years. Very happy
for any Gustavus events or communications!!”
Jeane Phillips Oslund
’44, Andover, MN,
is a parish visitor for Grace Lutheran
Church in Waseca.
Richard A. Swedberg
’44 passed away on April 7, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Doris (Pearson) Swedberg ’45 and their seven children, including: Mary ’70, Joel ’77 and Amy ’85. We know that they were very proud of their
family and of their Gustavus legacy as their last communication to the College
told of a great grandson born to their grandson in the Netherlands
and their youngest grandchild, Derek Swedberg, son of Joel ’77 and Marylou ’78,
who graduated from Gustavus in May 2007.
Delbert Wichelman ’44,
Oakland, CA,
writes, “I have completed my circumnavigation of the globe this week. I have kept an honest log of my running
mileage since 1980 and according to encyclopedia the equatorial circumference
is 24,901 mi. Around the world at 80
years!”
In a newspaper column entitled, “Growing Up in Henderson,”
there is an article, written by Don Osell ’51, who talks of local
veterans. As part of his article he
mentions Robert J. Wiemann ’44. It reads:
Robert
J. Wiemann of Arlington, Minnesota, was a junior at Gustavus Adolphus College when he decided to see the world. He had never boiled water before…but now as a
cook Wiemann prepares food for 85 men in a small galley.” Wiemann’s name, however, does not appear
among those lost. Presumably he was
transferred off the Bullhead before its last fatal patrol. Perhaps a reader can add to this story.”
Paul and Mary Ann (Peters) Anderson ’47 ’45
reside in Fergus Falls, MN. In 2005 MaryAnn sent us two notes. She wrote, “Paul and I were flattered to see
our picture included in the class letter―oh, those trailer days! Just had a new hip, March 4, am home and
doing well―hope to be out and about by the time spring/summer
arrives. Looking forward to a visit by
Swedish relatives in June-July! Fergus
is planning an all-school reunion in June, so Paul is busy “remembering,”
finding pictures and generally involved.”
Later she wrote, “Paul and I spent two weeks in June/July
escorting his Swedish relative around Minnesota―meeting
family―seeing Minnesota. Danced at Midsommerdag at Minnehaha
Park!
In August 2006 she sent us this message: “July 11-25―trip to Sweden
with family― Larry Nord ’70, wife, Denise, children Heather and Michael,
daughter and son-in-law, Karin Anderson ’80 and Erik Scheurle ’77. Toured Stockholm, Öland,
Småland, Göteborg and Västerås.
Met relatives of Paul―55 in number and of Denise’s―10―and
enjoyed tours and family parties. Paul
and MaryAnn also spent five days in Hamburg
visiting friends. Upon their return to Fergus
Falls they celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary with their children Karin ’80 and Erik ’77, Steve ’79 and
Kris ’78 and Sally Anderson.
(Thanks MaryAnn for your wonderful messages, again we
apologize for the lateness in sharing them in a class letter.)
Franklin Bens ’45,
Birmingham, MI
writes, “enjoying some super music played by Detroit Symphony winds and strings
at King-in-the Hills a local Jewish Temple.
Also went to several plays at University
of Michigan and locally.”
Elaine Paulson Brant
’45 tells us, “I have not retired! I
work 25% time as Lakeview Homecare Chaplain through the St. Croix Chaplain’s
Association and Lakeview Hospital of Stillwater, MN. This gives me time for grand mothering and
volunteering with the Mental Health Disaster Response team of the American Red
Cross. I expect to take a short leave of
absence in 2007 to teach a counseling course for a semester at Tumaini
University in Iringa,
Tanzania. I am half way through training to be a
spiritual director. Life-long
learner, Elaine.” Good for you
Elaine!
In 2006, Willis and
Virgie (Piesold) Erickson ’45 ’49, Austin,
TX, had this to share: “We have moved, in consideration of Virgie’s
persistent health problems, we decided that a life care facility is best for us
at this time. Sorry to miss my 60th
this year.
Leonard Pikal ’45,
Brownton, MN,
writes, “It has been my fortune to be able to actively farm and be able to
serve on some boards and organizations more than forty years; including
conservation, cooperative boards, charitable organizations, etc. supporting
hospitals and medical research. The
awards and knightings were humbling, but happy to receive.” Congratulations Leonard on all your good
works!
We are sorry to report the death of Marjorie Dahl Pinkham Swenson ’45 on February 20, 2005.
She was well-known for her artist paintings and author of narrative
writings. She is survived by her
husband, Lowell, and four children including:
Kim ’71 and Jeffrey ’74 and six grandchildren.
Connie Nelson Walker
’45, Danvers, MA,
sends this news, “After seventeen years in Eastern North Carolina,
I have moved from the “original city of Washington”
back to New England to live near my son, Jeffrey and
family. I regret that I will not be with
the class of 1945 for our 60th anniversary―look forward to
news, wish you all the best! C.W.”
And finally, this word from Pastor J. Philip Worthington ’45, Minneapolis,
MN:
“Dear friends, sorry, but we will not be able to attend the
class reunion May 27 & 28 (2006). We
will be in Iowa to attend the
graduation of one of our grandchildren.
Warm greetings to each member of the class of 1945! Sincerely, Phil”
CAMPUS NEWS
It’s June and summer has arrived to the campus. The rains and warm weather have made the
flower beds and trees burst into full bloom.
The campus is alive with many student camps and activities. Right now we are hosting camps for
basketball, swimming, soccer and football and new student registration has just
been completed.
Summer Construction
Update
Work on the new football stadium progresses at a quick
pace. Considerable progress has been
evident in the past two weeks as the pre-cast bleacher sections were
installed. Most major elements of the
stadium are now in place. Efforts by the
site contractor for the remainder of June will concentrate on preparing the
field for the artificial turf installation, which is scheduled to begin in
early July. At the same time, the
building contractor will shift focus from the bleachers to the support
structure immediately behind the grandstand.
Work on the Lund Center
parking lot was delayed when rains closed a narrow window for the stadium
sanitary sewer line that crosses it.
Physical Plant crews are also busy constructing additional intramural
and club sport fields west of the Swanson
Tennis Center. These fields will replace the fields that
were previously on the stadium construction site. These new fields also will be used for St.
Peter Schools
and the St. Peter Recreation Department activities in a collaborative
arrangement with the college. Smaller
interior projects are also underway this summer in several buildings across
campus.
Alumni Awards
Congratulations to the following 2007 Alumni Association
Award recipients: the Greater Gustavus
Award to: Russ and Jan (Ledin) Michaletz
’74 ’74, and Distinguished Alumni Citations to:
Margaret Anderson Kelliher ’90, Speaker of the Minnesota House of
Representatives, and Paul Peterson ’94, 2007 Minnesota Principal of the
Year. We also recognize the great work
of leadership and service all Gusties provide in their communities – Gusties
are doing great things!
Gusties Gather! –
September 30
Gusties around the world are called to gather on Sunday,
September 30. The Alumni Board is
designating this day as a way for Gusties to stay connected with each
other. In research among alumni, we know
that Gusties already stay in contact with many alumni, and we know that Gusties
have a strong interest in staying connected with other Gusties and with the
College. If there is a gathering in your
area, we hope you consider attending.
Upcoming Alumni
Events
Gusties Gather! – September 30
Nobel Conference – October 2 & 3
Homecoming/Family Weekend – October 12-14
Christmas in Christ Chapel – November 30-December 2
Sincerely,
Philly Kauffmann
Administrative Assistant, Alumni Relations