Message Forum

I called the Marriott Courtyard in Sioux Falls this morning to hold one of the rooms for me for next July's reunion, and they wouldn't let me!! I don't know if any of you found the same situation to be true, but they told me this morning that we can reserve a room from our block of rooms at the beginning of November! They switched on us! Anyway, mark your calendar for the 1st part of November to call 605-444-4300. The Marriott is located at 4300 W Empire Pl., Sioux Falls.

08/13/18 02:09 PM

#141

Thanks, Lon, for getting the room block for us. Interesting that we can't register! So was there a final decision about the winter re-reunion? I know that some preferred to skip the winter get-together in favor of making one trip and getting everyone to Sioux Falls!

About 10 days ago, Paulette and I stopped for a brief visit with Jon Pete's mother, Margaret, at her home in Glenwood, MN. She told us that if she is still living, she'll be at the reunion! We said that we would arrange for her transportation. She is amazing--currently leading a community "Be Kind" initiative. Her daughter, Phoebe, created a "Joy" wall in her apartment, which is filled with mementoes from her life. One photo is from the Academy when she and her future husband were all dressed up for the spring banquet. Also, she has an Academy letter, earned through playing women's basketball. Now that was a surprise!!

Hope all of you are doing well. I miss you all.

Rana

11/06/18 10:40 AM

#142

Adele Svanoe (Schwoegler)

Now is the time to call the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Sioux Falls to reserve a room for the Academy Reunion, July 26-28, 2019! Call 605-444-4300. The Marriott is located at 4300 W Empire Pl., Sioux Falls.

The Augustana Academy Class of 1964 has a block of rooms reserved, and you don't want to miss your chance to have a room in the same lovely spot where we had rooms for our 50th Reunion!

Greetings to you all!

Love,

Lonnie

03/29/19 06:13 AM

#143

I will not be attending the 55th reunion. But I'm wondering if any classmates winter in florida? We are snowbirds in Sarasota from Nov. to April so don't attend the Az mini reunions.

08/04/19 06:56 PM

#144

Thank you, Lonnie, for beginning a retrospective dialogue about our 55th and the Academy's Final reunions. After experiencing once again the unique relationships we have as high school classmates, some that have existed for 59 years, I would love to hear what personal thoughts you would have added to last weekend. If you had given the closing at the banquet, what are some words of meaning would you have shared? And whom would you have given kudos to from our class or another and for what special reason? Given that we came together at a small town in South Dakota from all over the world, how was the culture of community established so strongly when we were 13 or slightly older, a culture that keeps us closely linked today? Do you have a favorite Bible verse that brings you spiritually back to the Academy? Did you talk with anyone whom you had not seen since our days at the Academy? What was that like? Was there a "meaningful moment" that you took away from last weekend, one you were not expecting, but one that warmed your heart?

I hope to have stimulated your reflection, and that you will share some of those thoughts with the rest of us. To start us off, I'll share one of my meaningful moments (there are more!). When Phyllis and I were dorm counselors, our counselees were sophomores when we were seniors, giving us a chance to get to know the girls from that class quite well. Sharon Lybeck was in that group and I don't know when I saw her last. She came up to me at the banquet and told me a story that she said she had been waiting to tell me for a long time. Years ago, her father presided over a funeral for a baby who died. He used words from one of my books to inspire and comfort the family. I was reminded of how far-reaching our Academy relationships extend and the varied ways we are connected with others whom we will never meet. From that moment, I will carry with me forever Sharon's words, her eyes looking into mine, and her tight grasp of my hand as she shared how meaningful that baby's funeral was.

I'm hoping you won't be shy about sharing some of your thoughts and feelings from the weekend, Let's put ourselves in the hotel lounge, being with each other in the way that is both familiar and filled with gratitude.

Rana

08/11/19 12:41 PM

#145

Ellie Watland

Sister Ruth Fox, OSB
Sacred Heart Monastery
Richardton, ND

08/12/19 09:36 AM

#146

Cheryl Rue (Svensson)

Excellent--thank you for posting & sharing this important message Ellie!!

Cheri (Rue) Svensson

02/05/20 06:00 PM

#147

This Post is from from Ellie!

Annual AA Arizona Reunion March 6-8, 2020

Plans are in the making for another reunion with our Academy classmates under the warm Arizona sun.

It’s always a fun time to get together to reminisce, hear about each other’s families, laugh and eat, drink and be merry.

If you’ve never been able to attend, we hope that changes this year. All are welcome

and invited to join in the fun, laughter and conversation.

If you think you can make it and would like more information, please write me (Ellie) at my2pesos@gmail.com.

Ellie and Karen

Photo caption: Yes, those colors are real!

02/07/20 02:54 PM

#148

Louise Asper (Johnson)

Jerry and I are looking forward to seeing all of you. We're busy with activities and working on our "tindominium." The bedroom this year. Nancy, Cherri and I have been spending time together. Nancy leaves for California at the end of the month. She's there this weekend for a soccer tournament.

02/09/20 07:20 PM

#149

So looking forward to seeing you two, Louise. Will Cherri be able to join us, too? After 8+ inches of snow last night, Phoenix is definitely beckoning. Love to all. Rana

11/14/20 05:42 PM

#150

Adele Svanoe Schwoegler's husband passed away in May. Here is a message she sent to us. We send you our sympathies, Adele, and hope you will stay in contact with us to let us know how you are doing. God's blessings.

Ron passed away May 9th. He had 18 years on a liver transplant for which we were grateful. Hope you are doing well -Adele

01/09/21 03:39 PM

#151

From Louise Evenson

Friends,

Just had to send you this picture of Dorothy Knutson and her sister (?),Charlotte Rodway, winning second place in a Christmas tree contest decorated in Norwegian decor displayed at the courthouse in Canton.

Now you may wonder how I found this! A local friend is involved in the Sons of Norway organization. She lent me a recent copy that included an article about E O Lawrence from Canton who went on to earn the Nobel prize in physics.

Little did I know that I would know anyone else in this little 30 page magazine! Any chance it can be on our website?

Louise

01/10/21 08:51 PM

#152

01/10/21 08:52 PM

#153

Here is a clearer picture of Dorothy Knutson and her sister, Charlotte, by their Norwegian decorated Christmas tree!

01/11/21 12:17 PM

#154

Dear Dorothy,

Congratulations on your award for the Christmas tree created by you and your sister. I love seeing our Norwegian heritage being honored and what a wonderful idea to have a contest!

I hope you've begun work on your 2021 version! Have a happy new year.

Rana

05/05/21 04:30 PM

#155

Dear Friends,

Jim Gisselquist's mother recently passed away. To Jim and Jane and the whole family, we send our sympathies and wish you peace. Your mother was a wonderful person and well-loved by many. Here is her obituary, which Louise Lommen sent to be posted here. I'm sorry that Borghild's picture didn't tranfer over to this format.

Borghild Eleanor Gisselquist

Gisselquist, Borghild Eleanor of Edina, MN, age 101, went to her eternal home on April 20, 2021. Preceded in death by parents Rev. Gilbert Stenoien and his wife Emma and 8 siblings: Joseph, Valborg Harvey, Roy, Melford, Gudrun, Rebecca, Gordon and Vernon; and son-in-law John Weinard. Survived by six children: Rebecca (Ronald) Lien, Edina; James (Jane), Phoenix, AZ; Martha, Bloomington; John (Tracy), Blaine; Joel (Marta), Minnetonka; Miriam (Murray) Jensen, New Brighton; and brother Dan Stenoien, Minnetonka. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Borghild attended school in Mayville, ND, Hillcrest Academy in Fergus Falls, MN and Mayville State Teacher's College. In 1944, she married Rev. Clement A. Gisselquist. They served parishes in Bottineau, ND, Jasper, MN, Sioux City and Story City, IA. After the death of her husband in 1979, she moved to Northfield MN and then made 7500 York Cooperative, Edina, MN her home before moving into her final home at Ebenezer York Gardens. Special thanks to York Gardens and Fairview Hospice for their loving care and support. She was continually thankful for her parents and teachers who taught her to love God's Word and for the Lutheran church which nurtured that faith. Faith, family, friends and service to others were the cornerstones of her long life. Private memorial service pending at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 4801 France Ave So Minneapolis MN 55410. Private interment in Story City, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Gisselquist Music Scholarship Fund at Augsburg University, Global Health Ministries, World Mission Prayer League, or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Foundation. Arrangements through Gill Brothers Funeral Service gillbrothers.com

06/06/22 10:22 AM

#156

Dear Classmates, Can any of you recrord our choir records of our Jr. and Sr. years on CDs for me? I want to use somee of our songs for my funeral. I am getting things in order before the time comes. I will gladly pay for the discs, recording and postage. Please let me know if this is possible.

Thank You,

Marllys Nelson Hanson

06/06/22 10:23 AM

#157

Thank You,

Marllys Nelson Hanson

06/15/22 06:14 PM

#158

Esther Stene (Krueger)

Marlys,

I don't have any Augustana Academy Choir records now, but I do have three CDs of the choir. I don't know whether they are from the years you want. I will give you a call and let you know more information.

Esther

07/14/22 10:27 AM

#159

Dear classmates,

Thank you Esther for the 1964 recording. If anyone has the 1963 choir recording I'd appreciate a cd of those two records also. i'm mainly looking for "Jesus Rose of Sharon" , " Ode tto Joy" and "Beautiful Savior". I do have " Beautiful Savior". Thank You, Marlys

07/15/22 01:38 PM

#160

Hello Classmates,

It's been awhile since we've communicated through our website, Class Creator, but it is still up and running. Marlys and Esther have used it most recently. So glad you got some choir music from Esther, Marlys!

Dave Ulring contacted Jerry Johnson to share the sad news that Hudsn Nahashon has died. Please go to the left hand side bar on the home page to the "In Memory" section to read the details, as far as we have them. Thank you Dave and Jerry for sharing this news.

Lonnie

07/15/22 03:01 PM

#161

Hello again, Marlys

I do have the 1963 recording with Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee and Jesus Rose of Sharon. I don't know how fine a copy I can make of them, but I would be happy to try! I'll be in touch.,

Lonnie

07/19/22 08:10 AM

#162

Hi Lonnie, If you can record the complete records on a cd, it would be wonderful. i have a friend that could record the three main hymns that I really desire. I will gladly pay you for recording and postage.. So sorry to hear about Hudson. He was a good friend and we visited him ad his family when they lived in Minnneapolis. Marlys

01/24/23 02:01 PM

#163

Hi Classmates,

Has anyone been able to recoord the 1963 choir records for me? I am willing to pay for recording on a CD and postage if somone would kindly do this for me. My address is: Maarlys Hanson, P.O. Box 226, Northome, MN 56661. Would love to hear from any of you.

Thank You, Maarlys

04/07/23 05:28 PM

#164