Alumni News
at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. They also sang before a MinnesotaTwins game this past June. Ralph Breckle ’64 bicycled from Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco for The Hunger Project in 1981. In 1982, he bicycled from Ft. Lauderdale to New York for the end of Hunger. In 1987, he biked from Seattle to Atlantic City for the American Lung Association. In 1990, he biked from Washington DC to Seattle for The Hunger Project and was co-organizer and the ride leader. While living in Dalton, Ga. he was on the core committee for the Martin Luther King celebration for 19 years. In those years, he was in the MLK mass choir for five years. Also while in Dalton, he was the sound engineer for a Baha’i group called Bridges and a blues band called Slow Fuse. Since retirement, he has been volunteering for the Habitat ReStore in Charlotte, N.C. Ralph currently lives in Charlotte, N.C. Email: breckle1@bellsouth.net Donald Davidson ’64 retired in 2001 and enjoys traveling. He and wife Alice have traveled to New Zealand, Patagonia, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Norway. Harvey Heckes ’64 is retired and lives in Fort Myers, Fla. Email: harveyheckes@comcast. net. Judith Erdal Hoffmeister ’64 graduated from Mankato State earning a BS degree in elementary education, and went on to get a Master’s degree in pastoral ministry from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn. Throughout the years, she has worked as a faith formation coordinator, kindergarten and preschool teacher, and director of a day care she opened at a technical college. She and husband Don farmed near Sherburn and raised four daughters who have blessed them with ten grandchildren. They also enjoy spending winters in Texas. Gary ’64 and Lucille Moland Miller ’64 are beginning to enjoy the pleasure of retirement, but continue to help at YWAM and other outreach/mission events. Their greatest joys are their kids, their spouses, and 12 wonderful grandchildren. Rudolph (Rudy) Nielsen ’64 is teaching software classes part-time at two colleges. He and wife Sonja continue to be active in church, and share their faith by leading worship at a nursing home once a month. They have three children who became a teacher, a social worker, and librarian. Email: rudy-sonie@juno.com
Allen Novak ’64 retired from 21 years at Monte. He and wife Virginia own their own business, Feathered Friends, making jams, jelly and salsa. They have seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. Mel Olberg ’64 retired four years ago after a 20 year career as a financial advisor and vice president, investments at Morgan Stanley. He now serves as a pastor to seniors at Calvary Community Center in Williams Bay, Wisc., after previously serving 10 years as pastor at Trinity Ev. Free Church in Lakeville, Minn. He also served as development director for a pro-life ministry in Wheaton, Ilinois for a time. Judith (Judy) Sheldahl Browning ’64 is enjoying retirement after 16 years as a high school career counselor. Theodore (Ted) Strand ’64 is a proud grandfather of six and father of three. He retired in Nov. 2009, but still does some consulting in accounting process and organization when he has time. He enjoys travelling with his wife, Sherryl of 47 years, and taking grandkids at times to introduce them to the wonders of our world. Roger Vaughan ’64 taught in the Minnesota State College and University system for 32 years, 21 of those years as director of theatre. He owned and operated gift and home décor shops in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes, Minn. while living in Baxter, Minn. Roger has lived in Arizona for the past ten years. He has one daughter, two step-sons, two stepdaughters, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Michael ’65 and Beverly Nerby Gross ’64 have lived in Wisconsin for the past 37 years. Mike retired from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in 2003, where he was a professor in the College of Natural Resources. Bev graduated from Mankato State (now the University of Minnesota-Mankato) with an elementary education degree and taught first grade. They live close to their daughter and son-in-law and their two grandchildren, and love spending time with them. Sarah Engstrom Abbas ’69 graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA degree in Spanish education. She taught Spanish in Sac City, Iowa and Sioux Falls, S.D. at Lincoln High School. She and husband Don are farming near Sioux Falls. They have a son and daughter who both live in Minneapolis.
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Linda Poutre Fairchild ’69 is employed by Hutchinson Health, currently as a clinical analyst, helping nurses and doctors with their electronic medical records. Jerry Hatlevig ’69 and wife Nancy have served as pastors of Connect Church in Onalaska, Wisc. since 1987. They have three sons and seven grandchildren. Jerry’s hobby is golf and he especially enjoys teaching Bible studies at LaCrosse County jail. Thomas Iverson ’69 moved from Alaska to Eden Prairie, Minn. in January 2014. He was in Alaska for ten years as a regional director for Holiday Station stores. His job title now is director of store development and execution. Craig Kemming ’69 has worked in the areas of auto mechanics, auto part sales, lay-ministry, sausage making, commercial baking, and meat cutting and grocery. He is now enjoying retirement with his wife of 35 years, Susan. Jane Olson Leonhardt ’69 taught in Rapid City, S.D. after marrying her husband, Robert. She is now retired. Jane and Robert have two children. Ruth Schomburg Nyguard ’69 has worked in the customer service department at Winnebago Industries since 1972 and is currently the customer service office supervisor. Her husband, Jerry, passed away in 2007. They have three children and four grandchildren. Bonnie Berlkand Saxton ’69 and husband Vaughn have two sons and are loving retirement. Faye Hill Thompson ’69 and husband Noel have a daughter, Melia, who teaches Title I reading at West Marshall Elementary School. Faye published the book, “Thread of Hope: Meditations for Women” in 2001, and is currently working on another book. Barbara Samec Winter ’69 is retired from being a long-term care social worker. Her husband, Marvin, is owner of an electronics business in New Hampton, Iowa. They have two daughters, one son, and seven grandchildren.
1970s Joan Danielson Walker ’70 recently retired from teaching 42 years. She taught elementary school in the Cedar Rapids District (4 years) and the South Hamilton community School District in Jewell (38 years). Email: joanwalker49@gmail.com