by his son, Vaughn, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Vivian (Westerberg) Charlson ’43 of Forest City died January 17, 2016. Survivors include her children, Andy, Nancy and Mark; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings Marjorie Olson ’47 of Sun City, Ariz., Muriel Lowenberg ’49 of Anaheim, Calif. and Rodney Westerberg of Forest City. Stella (Hemmingson) Gfeller ’43 died September 24, 2014 in Tipton. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, three grandsons, five greatgrandchildren; sisters Elsie ’41 and Frieda ’45. Mavis (Olson) Rognes ’43 died August 10, 2015 in Lake Mills. After graduating from Waldorf she married her husband, Jerome, and together they had 10 children. After raising their children she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Mankato State in 1972. She taught in the Northwood Kensett school district until she retired in 1989. Mavis stayed active gardening, sewing and knitting and loved to study ancestry and gave many presentations regarding her Norwegian ancestors. She was a great cook and baker who loved making kringla and lefse for her family. Ruthann (Hermanson) Sayre ’43 died February 9, 2016, in Arlington Heights, Ill. Ruthann dedicated more than 35 years to teaching and over 60 years to the PEO Sisterhood. She is fondly remembered for her graciousness, smiles and positive outlook on life. Ruthann met her husband, William, on a high school trip they took to NYC for 4-H. In 1964 they moved to Wilmette, Ill., where William pursued a career in banking and Ruthann continued teaching. Both retired in 1985 and moved to Palm Springs, Calif., returning to Park Ridge, Ill., in 1996. Ruthann is survived by her four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Gerald E. Thompson ’43 died March 4, 2016 in West Des Moines. After graduating from Waldorf, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force and served in combat during World War II as the pilot of a B-17 aircraft. Gerald attained the rank of First Lieutenant by war’s
Ruth (Hatteberg) Johnson ’55 Ruth (Hatteberg) Johnson ’55 of Forest City, died Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City surrounded by her family. Ruth Joan (Hatteberg) Johnson was born in Radcliffe on January 11, 1935, the daughter of Gerhard and Tobie (Prescott) Hatteberg. Ruth graduated from Radcliffe High School, Waldorf University, and received a BS in Business Administration from Mankato State University. She married Robert Johnson on July 5, 1959 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. Their married life was the epitome of love and faithfulness to each other. She served as Church Secretary/Parish Worker for St. Andrews Lutheran in Ames for three years from 1959-1962 while Bob attended ISU. After their move to Forest City, she worked in various capacities at Waldorf in the Development Office, Student Recruitment and Student Life. She also served as Secretary to the President at Waldorf University for many years. Ruth was the first person to hold the position of Director of Church Operations at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, and served in that capacity for several years before her retirement. She was involved in many organizations including P.E.O. where she held several offices. She was an active member of the Hospice of North Iowa Board, serving as president for one year, a member in Immanuel’s Women of the Church and an alto in the Immanuel Choir for over 40 years. Ruth’s passion was serving others. She demonstrated this in so many ways by being active in many aspects of the community. One particular area was helping those who were less advantaged. On one occasion she went so far as to give away the green family van to help one family in need, much to the dismay of her husband. She was in charge of the Hospice Salad Luncheon and Hospice Golf Tournament for many years. She and Bob sponsored several Waldorf Lutheran Leaders over the years. They would also invite Waldorf students over to their house as a home-away-from-home. She never went on a shopping trip without bringing back items intended specifically for others. She spent a great deal of time assisting refugee families getting settled into the community, answering business questions, and offering advice and counsel when language was a barrier. She loved organizing coffee parties or picnics for newcomers to the Waldorf family. She enjoyed flower gardening and spending time outdoors, decorating, visiting friends and family, traveling and shopping for sales. She came from a large family that was very important to her. She was concerned about the welfare of each one. Her ultimate joy and delight was found in her children and especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed years of concerts, sporting events, musicals and plays where they were involved. Ruth is survived by her cherished husband of 56 years, Bob ’54; her two children, Kris ’83 (Ron ’83) Happel of Forest City and Greg ’87 (Liz (Harris) ’87) Johnson of Falcon Heights, Minn.; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Daniel and Sarri Happel and Julia and Charlie Johnson; one sister, Mavis Hatteberg of Story City; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Oscar and Mina Johnson; sisters, Hazel Pedersen, Rhoda Golf; brother, Gerb Hatteberg; brothers-in-law, Phil Golf and Kenny Pedersen and sister-inlaw, Patricia Hatteberg. #WEAREWARRIORS
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