Alum News Alumna Honored for Debut Novel by Samantha Allgood ’12 In the rolling hills of southern Alberta, Canada, Deb (Neufeld) Elkink ’74 ranched with her husband, homeschooled their three children, earned her private pilot’s license…and wrote her first award-winning book. In June, Elkink’s debut novel, The Third Grace, won the $5,000 Grace Irwin Award at the Word Guild’s Canadian Christian Writing Awards, the largest literary prize for work by Canadians writing from a Christian perspective. The competition drew nearly 360 entries from writers in eight provinces. “I credit my success, in part, to my many classes with Alvera Mickelsen, among other wonderful Bethel teachers, who taught me writing for publication was a goal I could, indeed, achieve,” says Elkink, who spent two years on campus from 1972-1974 before marrying and completing a communication studies degree from afar. The Third Grace was a finalist in the contemporary novel category of The Word Guild’s awards, which brought Elkink to the Awards Gala at the World Vision headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. She received the Award of Merit (runner-up) for that category, but was unaware that her novel had also been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Grace Irwin Award, chosen by a separate panel of judges in a second round of the contest. “When my novel cover for The Third Grace appeared on the huge screen next to the other four finalist contenders—including Ann Voskamp’s New York Times bestseller, One Thousand Gifts—I was March 20. Born in St. Paul, she lived most of her life in Minnesota and California and was married 67 years to the Rev. Maurice Lawson ’37, S’40, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Evie Asplund ’43, her three sons, Truett ’66, S’70 (Jill McKenna ’70), Bruce ’69 (Merie Ann Techman ’69), and Robert ’75 (Lisa); six grandchildren, Wendy Ulferts ’93 (Joey ’92), Elizabeth ’95, Christopher ’96 (Lisa ’94), Jonathan, Timothy, and Melinda, and five greatgrandchildren. ’41 Albin Raynold “Ray” Applequist S’43, age 94, retired U.S. Army chaplain, pastor emeritus of the Community Congregational Church of Mount Dora, Fla., and 1973 Bethel Seminary Alumnus of the Year, died June 20 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol in 2011. He is survived by two siblings, five children, nine grandchil-
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dren, three great-grandchildren, and a large extended family. ’45 Ruth Anderson Johnson died in July. She is survived by her children Priscilla Anderson ’70, Timothy Anderson ’74, and Daniel Anderson ’74, S’89. ’45 Francis McOlash, age 92, died in February at his home in Costa Mesa, Calif. ’50 Roy E. Johnson, age 86, of Shoreview, Minn., died July 12. He served God faithfully as the pastor of North Isanti, Amery, and Rush City, Minn., Baptist churches. After retirement he served as chaplain at the Minnesota Veterans Home-Hastings for several years. He is survived by wife Joan; sons Mark ’75 (Jeanne), Randy ’81 (Merri), and Ron (Rebecca), and six grandchildren. ’50 Mildred E. Oman, age 85, of Dellwood, Minn., died May 27. She began her career as a secre-
speechless with surprise,” says Elkink. “To be a finalist alongside such a widely read author was unimaginable.” Tracing the path of its heroine from Nebraska farm girl to big-city costume de signer, The Third Grace chronicles the journey of a woman searching for a long-ago love, and for her own identity. “My goal as a writer is only to tell you my version of a true old story you might have heard before, perhaps long ago,” Elkink says. “I love listening to the proclamation of the King in His Word. I don’t fancy my writings to be inspired, but just an attempt at retelling timeless truths written first by God himself, the Author with authority to direct our steps.” The Third Grace is available in the Bethel library as both a hard copy and an eBook, and in the Bethel Campus Store. Connect with Elkink at www.debelkink.com or deb@rolledscroll.com
James L. Mason ’53 James Mason, 88, died in Santa Rosa, Calif., on July 7. Born in Alma, Neb., he served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and language, earning a Master of Divinity degree at Bethel and later completing a master’s degree in public speaking and a doctorate in public address and rhetoric. He learned conversational Swedish during five years as the first non-Swedish pastor of Altadena Baptist Church, Calif., and put his considerable speaking skills to good use during more than 50 years of active pastoral service in churches throughout the country. Mason was a professor of speech at Bethel for 12 years and also served on its Board of Regents for many years. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Norma; children Gail (Steven) Brilling, Rodney J. Mason ’67 (Nancy), Nadine Walsworth (John) ’68, Albert J. Mason ’77 (Sharon); 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.