Joanne Flaa Larson Hometown: Wahpeton, ND Current Home: Placentia, CA Major: English Additional Education: M.S., Organization Development, Pepperdine University Email: jlarson714@roadrunner.com When I graduated, I felt as though I had arrived. What followed were a few things I expected, many things I did not, and now, fifty years later, my life is filled with experiences, friends and memories. The increasing pace of the Vietnam War forced many of us to make decisions we did not care to make. Larry Larson, a fellow grad, and I were no exception. Married in November 1967, Larry enlisted in the Air Force while I taught High School English in Cambridge, Minnesota, sharing an apartment with Linda Heglie and Carol Johnson. Larry’s first assignment was a base in California; I taught English and Latin. Once Jennifer and Christopher, fraternal twins, arrived in 1971 I became a fulltime mom. The highlight of our Air Force time was a four-year NATO assignment in Belgium. We traveled, lived on the economy, and learned to appreciate the U.S. role in WW II via our neighbors, fellow NATO acquaintances, and our frequent travels throughout Europe. It gave new meaning to “understanding history.” A welcome return to the U.S. was followed by a move to California and a return to civilian life. I began my career as a management consultant. After a 23-year fulfilling career, I left consulting in search of a job with more flexible time to enjoy my grandchildren. I went to work for Larry, who was by then my ex-husband. We worked together better than we lived together. Jennifer (substitute teacher) and Keith (network engineer) have two daughters and live in Enterprise, Alabama. Christopher (Air Force Colonel) and Sara (home school teacher) have three daughters and currently live in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Now retired, I often wonder how I found time to work fulltime. I volunteer in the community, sit on a few boards, am active in my church, women’s singing group, book clubs and current event discussion group. It’s a good life filled with family, grandchildren (five granddaughters), friends, travel and just puttering while savoring life. I am currently working on my certification as a coach—the personal kind, not the sporting kind. Concordia was a good place for me to be: lifelong friends, the opportunity to have meaningful relationships with professors who influenced my life, especially Dr. Dovre. I appreciate the purpose of Concordia: to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life. Soli deo Gloria.
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