CLASS NOTES
THE 2020s
‘23
Grace (Steinmeyer) Biermann earned a Master of Public Health from the University of South Dakota (USD) in December 2024.
‘22
Lydia Teegerstrom earned a Master of Science in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of NebraskaLincoln (UNL).
‘20
Emily (Stjernholm) Breitling and Mason Breitling ‘19 welcomed their son, Henry, in June 2024.
THE 2010s
Mason Breitling and Emily (Stjernholm) Breitling ‘20 welcomed their son, Henry, in June 2024.
‘18
Rob Haggar earned a Ph.D. in economics at Colorado State University (CSU) in 2024 and is serving as a PRODiG+ Postdoctoral Fellow in the economics department at SUNY Cortland.
Luke and Katelyn (Graber) Hurley welcomed their daughter, Scottlyn Ryan, on Sept. 15, 2024.
Katie Rivers got engaged to Ben Giles on April 26.
‘17
Abby Martin earned a Ph.D. in computer science and mathematics from Iowa State University (ISU) in August 2024.
Kaylyn (Deiter) Mehlhaff and Joe Mehlhaff welcomed their daughter, Aurora Jane, on March 19. She joins proud brother, Peter.
Andrea (Conover) and Mason Van Essen welcomed their second son, Shepherd Dean, on May 2.
‘16
Christian Einertson earned a Ph.D. in doctrinal theology from Concordia Seminary, successfully defending his dissertation on the Lutheran Confessions.
Kelsey (Goplen) Esselink and husband, Justin, welcomed their daughter, Grace, on Nov. 21, 2024.
Kirsten (Olson) Goihl and Jack Goihl ‘15 welcomed their daughter, Eleanor, on Sept. 15, 2024.
Dani (Magdzas) and Malcolm Willett welcomed their daughter, Scottie, on Feb. 13.
‘15
Jack Goihl and Kirsten (Olson) Goihl ‘16 welcomed their daughter, Eleanor, on Sept. 15, 2024.
‘12
Lynae Fisher, U.S. Air Force major, is attending Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Upon graduation, she will earn a master’s in military operational art and science.
Dr. Meredith Reynolds completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 27, 2024, and TCS London Marathon in London, England, on April 27.
‘10
Kimberly Johnson was named Marketing Executive of the Year and received top branding honors from the American Marketing Association (AMA) Iowa for her work as chief marketing officer (CMO) at MHT Technologies and president of the PoE Consortium in 2023. She is now founder and CEO of K. Johnson Studio, providing branding and fractional CMO services to startups and private companies.
Bryan Kaemingk has been named a shareholder at WHKS & Co.
THE 2000s
‘09
Marques Blank launched Blank Capital — an investment partnership focused on small public company investments — based in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Rachael (Miedema) Fricke and Kyle Fricke ‘06 welcomed their son, Kace James, on Aug. 3, 2024.
‘07
Jason Van Engen earned an Ed.D. from the University of Sioux Falls (USF) in May 2024, with a dissertation on parental engagement in education. He is in his fifth year as secondary principal in the AlcesterHudson School District and 18th year in education.
‘06
Kyle Fricke and Rachael (Miedema) Fricke ‘09 welcomed their son, Kace James, on Aug. 3, 2024.
‘05
Gregory Asplund serves as an assistant principal in Denver Public Schools and runs a successful trivia night business — hosting events at breweries across the Denver area. He was featured on KWGN’s “Great Day Colorado” for National Trivia Day.
‘04
Lindsey (Hibma) Wyatt is the new program director of Augie Access at Augustana University.
‘03
Rebecca Hjelle-Penner married Andrew Penner in Papillion, Nebraska, on Aug. 10, 2024.
THE 1990s
Kristi (Kruger) Peterson was elected president of the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA).
‘95
Rae (Smith) Phillips is the chief strategy officer at the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) national office in Bloomington, Minnesota.
‘91
Phillip B. Wilson’s seventh book, “The Leader-Shift Playbook,” was published on April 1 by Fast Company Press.
THE 1980s
Lee Erickson, M.A., LPCC, is in private practice — specializing in helping individuals work through complicated grief and trauma — in Eagan, Minnesota. He is also a writer and published poet.
Jim Thomas was elected to the O’Brien County Board of Supervisors in Iowa, following a 34-year teaching career.
THE 1970s ‘79
Richard Krull is grieving the loss of his oldest son, Dane, who passed away at the age of 35 on Feb. 26.
THE 1960s
‘65
Karon (Gerdes) Gubbrud retired from full-time teaching in the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) in May 2024.
THE 1950s
‘55
Eugene Erickson lives in Dow Rummel Village (DRV) in Sioux Falls, where he leads hymn sings, attends Bible studies and chapel, and visits his wife, Betty, in DRV Memory Care.
IN MEMORIAM
‘23
Craig Lloyd, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Jan. 29, at the age of 76. A visionary developer and devoted friend to Augustana University, Lloyd served on the Board of Trustees from 2021-25 and was inducted into Augustana’s Honorary Alumni Society in 2023.
In April, the university broke ground on Foundation Heights — a new student apartment building named to honor Lloyd’s extraordinary impact and lasting legacy. Just as Augustana students build strong foundations for success, Lloyd laid the groundwork for vibrant communities — reminding us that a strong foundation is key to thriving in both life and leadership. Through his vision and stewardship of Lloyd Companies, Craig helped transform the city Augustana calls home.
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Pat, daughters Liz, Christie (Todd) Ernst, and Mary (Wayne) Lloyd-Huber, and grandchildren.
‘02
Rosina Hendrickson passed away in Traverse City, Michigan, on Nov. 16, 2024.
‘94
Linda Jean Burmood passed away on March 12.
Doug Rothenburger passed away at his home in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 12, 2024.
‘92
John Marshall Kittelson passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Nov. 26, 2024.
David J. Hardy passed away on Feb. 16, at the age of 93. A distinguished attorney with Winston & Strawn in Chicago and retired general counsel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Hardy served on the Augustana Board of Regents (now Trustees) from 1969-81. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1997 and among the inaugural inductees into the Honorary Alumni Society in 2023.
Hardy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth, and three children, John ‘85, Jim ‘88 and Sue ‘91.
‘88
Keith D. Lapour, 59, a loving father, artist and community advocate, passed away on March 9.
‘87
Karen Ann (Casey) Waggoner passed away in North Ridgeville, Ohio, on Nov. 8, 2024.
‘85
Jill Nelson passed away unexpectedly at her home in Yuma, Arizona, on Jan. 17.
‘81
Scott Bauer, of Burnsville, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 1, 2024.
Kathryn “Kay” L. Hong passed away on Sept. 20, 2024.
Kristi Ann Reierson-McWayne passed away at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus in Rochester, Minnesota, on Feb. 18.
‘80
Marcia Tweed Klecker passed away on March 9, due to complications from multiple sclerosis — a disease she lived with for 48 years.
Dr. Roy Kintner, professor emeritus of chemistry, passed away on Feb. 10, at age 96. A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Kintner served his country from 1946-49 before pursuing a distinguished academic career. He taught at Augustana from 1957-94, during which time he served as department chair, mentored student researchers and played a pivotal role in securing grants. A respected scholar and member of organizations, including the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi and South Dakota Academy of Science, Kintner is remembered for his commitment to students, passion for science and enduring faith.
Kintner was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, daughter, Melinda “Mindy” Rae Hooper, and sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Don Carter.
He is survived by his son, Tim (Nancy ‘81) Kintner ‘80, daughter, SueLynn Olszewski ‘88, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
‘79
Janice Blankespoor, 84, of Sioux Falls, passed away on April 5.
Michael John Bosch passed away on Dec. 1, 2024, from multiple system atrophy.
Sandy Lozier passed away on Nov. 17, 2023.
‘78
Mary Everist passed away in Minnetonka, Minnesota, in March.
Jon Owen Paul, 69, passed away on April 8.
‘76
Karen Johnson, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 15, following a long battle with brain cancer.
John Thomas “Tom” Rogers Jr., 71, of Columbus, Nebraska, passed away at his home on May 12.
Nancy Scribner passed away on April 4, due to complications of diabetes.
‘75
Joan Berdahl passed away on Jan. 12.
‘74
Jacquelyn Carpenter passed away at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls on Nov. 26, 2024.
David Froiland, of New Ulm, Minnesota, passed away on March 7, after valiantly battling numerous health challenges.
Nils Frederick Grossman passed away at home in Elk Point, South Dakota, on Jan. 29.
Vicki Klemme passed away on Sept. 13, 2019.
Carmeta Grace Ludeman, 89, passed away in Sioux Falls on Aug. 28, 2024.
The Rev. Dr. Olaf Roynesdal passed away on March 7.
‘73
Rolland Digre recently retired after 48 years as a practicing dentist.
‘72
Greg Mowers passed away on Feb. 10, 2021.
Mary (Olson) Peterson passed away on Sept. 27, 2024.
Timothy Pressler passed away on Oct. 18, 2024.
John Sandager passed away at his home in Sioux Falls on Jan. 21.
‘71
Darlene Barlow, of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away at Woodland Hill Senior Living on March 20.
Barbara Chambers of Worthington, Minnesota, passed away on Sept. 17, 2024.
Myra DeNeui passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 5, 2024, due to a hemorrhagic stroke.
Curtis Dodge, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away at the Mayo Clinic on Dec. 26, 2024.
Craig Ekeland, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Oct. 1, 2024.
Leah M. Frank, 75, of Mapleton, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly at Mayo Clinic Health Systems – Mankato, on April 18.
Michael Houk passed away on Oct. 23, 2024, after a battle with cancer.
Lyle E. Larson, 82, passed away at his home in Sioux Falls on May 1.
David Unzicker passed away on March 28, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.
‘70
John E. Bartlett passed away on May 13.
Gregory Selle passed away on May 2, following a courageous 2-year battle with lung cancer.
Carol Yates passed away on Sept. 29, 2024.
‘69
Brian Gaarder passed away on Nov. 26, 2024.
Mark Helgager, of Golden Valley, Minnesota, passed away on Oct. 8, 2024.
Betty Brooks-Lipor passed away on April 14.
Keith Strange, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Jan. 26.
‘68
Mary Simonich passed away on Oct. 24, 2024.
‘67
Janel Allen passed away at her home in Carson, Iowa, on Sept. 27, 2024.
Bonnie Carol Frazelle, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on Aug. 15, 2024.
‘66
Jeanette Gerrietts, of Waverly, Iowa, passed away at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community on March 21.
Richard Menage passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls on Dec. 27, 2024.
Marilyn Spilde-Lee passed away on Nov. 7, 2024.
‘65
Rosella Gilbertson passed away in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 10, 2024.
‘64
Diana Marie (Ames) Borgum, of Blue Springs, Missouri, formerly of Sioux Falls, passed away on Oct. 6, 2024.
Stephen Gilbert passed away on Nov. 16, 2024.
David Herrick passed away on Feb. 27.
Conrad Krahling, of Madison, South Dakota, passed away on Oct. 5, 2024.
David Levorson passed away in Destin, Florida, on Dec. 11, 2024.
Charles Velure, of Wayzata, Minnesota, formerly of Sioux Falls, passed away on Aug. 21, 2023.
‘63
Judith (Hopewell) Jenison, of Narragansett, Rhode Island, passed away on Jan. 22.
‘62
John S. Hedland passed away at his home in Anchorage, Alaska, on April 16.
Phyllis Olson, of Mankato, Minnesota, passed away on March 4.
William “Bill” Olson Jr., of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 29.
‘61
Jim Berven, 85, passed away at his home in Watertown, South Dakota, on April 2.
Janet Helgaas passed away at home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, on Dec. 18, 2024.
Deanna (Waite) Olsen, formerly of Hayti, South Dakota, passed away at Avera Prince of Peace in Sioux Falls on Jan. 23.
‘60
Henry Buller, of Watertown, South Dakota, passed away on Feb. 25.
Loretta Munson, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Jan. 13, at Ava’s House.
‘59
Chester “Chet” Garness, 86, passed away on June 28, 2024.
Dolores Johnson passed away on Aug. 3, 2024.
‘58
Judith (Hove) Oslun, of Fredonia, Wisconsin, passed away at Forest Haven Assisted Living Facility on April 6.
Lorraine (Helgaas) Rittmann of Watertown, South Dakota, passed away at Jenkins Living Center on March 15.
‘57
Mary B. Eliason, 91, passed away on Sept. 7, 2024.
Joan (Perrenoud) Odland passed away on March 14.
‘56
Audrey Jensen passed away on Feb. 14.
‘55
Leif “Curly” Bollesen passed away on Dec. 15, 2024.
Viola Lightfield, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away on Oct. 23, 2024.
Joan Lundering passed away on Dec. 7, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Ardyce “Ardy” (Hemmingson) Pearson passed away on Nov. 4, 2024.
Dorothy Voight passed away at her home in Sioux Falls on March 2.
Joseph Floyd ‘58, of Harrisburg, South Dakota, passed away on Jan. 14 at the age of 88.
A visionary in broadcast and cable television, Floyd dedicated his career to advancing communications across South Dakota and beyond. From managing cable systems in his early years to serving as president of Midcontinent Communications, his leadership and innovative spirit helped shape the regional media landscape.
Floyd was honored with the Alumni Achievement Award in 1984 and Spirit of Augustana Award in 2015. He served on the Augustana Board of Regents (now Trustees) from 1987-94.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Elaine, and son, Curtis.
He is survived by his children Cari Heupel, Connie Donohue (David King), Craig Floyd (Karen), Shelley Erickson (Dan) and Ava Love (Tom); sisters, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
‘54
William R. Knutson passed away on Feb. 13.
Loren Scott passed away on Jan. 16.
Fern Skoglund passed away in Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 4.
‘53
Wallace Pete Reid, of Westford, Massachusetts, passed away on Dec. 24, 2024.
‘52
Rev. Leroy Walter Stadem, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Oct. 30, 2024.
Lavonne Strasser of Sioux Falls, passed away on Dec. 30, 2024.
‘51
Darrell Erickson, 99, passed away on Dec. 15, 2024.
Kenneth Schmuck passed away at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans’ Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls on Jan. 25.
Francis Kjeld Smith, 94, passed away on Feb. 19.
Ramona “Moni” Watson, of Brandon, South Dakota, passed away on Jan. 19.
‘49
Alyce Marie (Luken) Dummermuth passed away on April 28.
Dorothy Mandsager, 100, passed away at Glenwood Place in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Feb. 14.
Audrey (Fossum) Wedul passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Feb. 11.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The class notes sent to Augustana University come from alumni and/or family members. They may be edited for length and clarity, along with grammar and spelling to reflect the editorial style guide of the university.
‘47
Eloise Lorraine Hallahan, of Woodland Hills, California, passed away on April 9, 2024.
‘45
Eunice (Burke) Mansfield passed away at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, on Feb. 17.
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