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03/03/15 02:48 PM

#90

Sandra Boe (Anderson)

What a special gathering. We were able to get to Gilbert, AZ, the last of January, but could not get back in February. We were able to see Jerry and Louise while we were there.

Is that Hudson in the picture? I would have loved to see him!

Maybe next year.... Sandy

03/04/15 02:24 PM

#91

Ellie Watland

Sandy,

Yes, that is Hudson. He drove to our re-reunion from Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was great to see him again and hear about his first impressions of the Academy (and all the people who looked alike!).

Hopefully, there will be another re-reunion and you will be able to make it.

Ellie

03/06/15 10:30 AM

#92

Jim Gisselquist

Sad News - Dianne Johnson (Wentworth)

Died December 12, 2014

2 days ago, I received the following email from Marlys Hanson (Nelson):

I was browzing through Augustana Academy info on google and found the obituary for Dianne Wentworth. She passed away December 12, 2014 at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

Marlys mentioned that she was having problems with this website and thought it would be nice if we could post the obituary for our classmates to read. I also think that it would be nice if any of you would like to add comments or remembrances of Dianne.

Thanks to Marlys for bringing this to our attention.

Inline Image Not Displayed

Inline Image Not Displayed

Obituary for Dianne F. Johnson

DIANNE FLOY (WENTWORTH) JOHNSON was born on May 31, 1945 to Howard and Floy (Holland) Wentworth in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She attended grade school in Inwood, Iowa. She began her high school education at West Lyon High School and completed it at Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota. After she graduated in 1964, she attended Augustana College and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. On July 6, 1969, she was united in marriage to Curtis B. Johnson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood. For a short time, she was employed at Luverne Truck Equipment. From 1970 to 1971, she worked as the Director of the Rock County Day Activity Center. The couple moved several times and, in 1971, they arrived in Jasper, Minnesota where they remained for the rest of their lives together. In the end of November, 2014, Dianne became a resident of the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne, Minnesota where she passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014 at the age of 69 years, six months, and 12 days.

Dianne was a member of the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper, Minnesota where she was active in the church choir and in WELCA. She always appreciated going to her weekly Bible study. She also volunteered her time at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. Dianne and Curt always enjoyed spending time at their lake home on the north shore of Lake Benton. She was in the Academy Choir in high school and played oboe in the symphony band at Augustana College. For many years she also played percussion with the Blowhard. Dianne’s passion for music never ceased.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Curtis B of Jasper; her mother, Floy Wentworth of Inwood, Iowa; one brother, Dan (Diana) Wentworth of Flandreau, South Dakota; one sister, Mary (Dennis) Roskam of Redwing, Minnesota; her mother-in-law, Beuella Johnson of Jasper; one sister-in-law, Cindy (Mark) Jamison of Lake Norden, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

Dianne is preceded in death by her father, Howard Wentworth.

To send a memorial gift to the family of Dianne F. Johnson please visit our Sympathy Store

03/07/15 10:51 AM

#93

Mark Madson

I'm not sure if responses here will be seen by Diane's family and friends but I want to express sincere condolences. The loss of a loved one is never easy, of course, but 69 seems so young to take leave of this sphere. We were reminded of that also by Jon Pete's sudden passing last summer. I never really knew Diane as well as I now wish I had but I know that everything that made her uniquely who she is will be so deeply missed by those who knew her intimately. May her eternal presence bring you sustained peace as you rejoice in memories of the many experiences and close bonds that you shared and the hope of God's limitless promises.

Love, Blessings and Peace,

?Mark Madson

03/08/15 10:01 AM

#94

Ellie Watland

Beautifully said, Mark. I echo your comments.

03/09/15 07:18 PM

#95

Esther Stene (Krueger)

Was I ever surprised to see Dianne's obituary! Jim, thank you for posting it. I called Dianne about our reunion this summer and had an enjoyable visit with her. She sounded just like the Dianne I knew at the Academy and also at Augustana College.

Esther

05/27/15 07:48 AM

#96

Esther Stene (Krueger)

Hi, Everyone!

Hope you are enjoying the start of your summer.

I received a message from Dorothy Knutson about future reunions at Augustana College. Opal Stene, who is on the planning committee this year, was told that this year will be the last year that Augie will host reunions. Apparently, they wanted to end the reunions before they "died out." In the future, each class will need to determine the site of specific reunion activities.

Esther

06/11/15 03:56 PM

#97

Adele Svanoe (Schwoegler)

Got a letter today from the college - looks like our next reunion will be the last - we have four years to come up with a final goodbye - Adele

08/17/15 12:43 PM

#98

Ellie Watland

I received this email and said I would post it to our class page. If anyone is interested in more information about the desk for sale, please contact the owner directly.

Hello, please forgive this imposition… you will not know me, but I found your email addresses on the internet in a classcreator.com article when I was trying to find anyone relating to the Canton Academy.

I have something I want to sell. It is a very excellent student study desk from the early dormitories. My uncle bought it on an auction sale in Canton, I think in the 1959s or 1960s probably, when some Academy things were being disposed of. It is Victorian oak, quite unusual, and beautiful, my guess would be from the 1900 to 1920 era.

I am wondering if you can point me towards anyone who might like to buy it. I would love to find someone with a personal connection, not just offer it to an antique dealer.

If you can help me in any way, please contact me, or here is my information, which you may share. Thank you.

Mary Modica
786 North Lake Drive,
Watertown, SD 57201
605-868-4577 cell
Mmodica123@gmail.com

11/03/15 08:00 AM

#99

Lonnie Ellison (Simonson)

Paul and I traveled to the San Juan Islands in July and look who we found in Anacortes! It was great to see Mary Allsop and her husband who were just getting ready to travel on their boat to points north to go fishing. More on that later! Mary, where in the world are you now? Can you come to Phoenix in February?

In October, I also saw Jan Nelson in Indianapolis when I was at a convention. We hardly had time to sleep due to a talking frenzy! We have no picture because we forgot! We did have a great Turkish dinner and had a wonderful time catching up!

11/03/15 02:45 PM

#100

Lonnie Ellison (Simonson)

Mary sent this pic of a fish she caught this summer!

12/10/15 09:49 AM

#101

Ellie Watland

SINGING WITH THE LUTHERANS (since many of us are or were)

from the "Epistle" of Garrison Keillor

I have made fun of Lutherans for years - who wouldn't, if you lived in Minnesota ? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn.
We make fun of Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like they do.
If you ask an audience in New York City , a relatively Lutheranless place, to sing along on the chorus of 'Michael Row the Boat Ashore', they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their under-wear. But if you do this among Lutherans they'll smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!
Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony. We're too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment.
I once sang the bass line of Children of the Heavenly Father in a room with about three thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished, we all had tears in our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us, partly from the proximity of all those lovely voices By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other.
I do believe this: These Lutherans are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll comfort you. If you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!
The following list was compiled by a 20th century Lutheran who, observing other Lutherans, wrote down exactly what he saw or heard:
1. Lutherans believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.
2. Lutherans like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
3. Lutherans believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.
4. Lutherans usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
5. Lutherans believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
6. Lutherans feel that applauding for their children's choirs would make the kids too proud and conceited.
7. Lutherans think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
8. Lutherans drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament..
9. Some Lutherans still believe that an ELCA bride and an LC-MS groom make for a mixed marriage. (For those of you who are not Lutherans, ELCA is Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and LC-MS isLutheran Church Missouri Synod, two different divisions of the same Protestant religion.. And when and where I grew up in Minnesota , intermarriage between the two was about as popular as Lutherans and Catholics marrying.)
10. Lutherans feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
11. Lutherans are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
12. Lutherans think that Garrison Keillor stories are totally factual.
13. Lutherans still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the seasonand think that peas in a tuna noodle casserole add a little too much color.
14. Lutherans believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and ne ver take themselves too seriously.

And finally, you know you're a Lutheran when:
*It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service;
*You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can;
*Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee;
*The communion cabinet is open to all, but the coffee cabinet is locked up tight;
*When you watch a 'Star Wars' movie and they say, 'May the Force be with you', you respond, 'and also with you';
*And lastly, it takes 15 minutes to say, 'Good-bye'.

Merry Christmas! May you wake each day with His blessings, Sleep each night in His keeping, And always walk in His tender care.

12/11/15 09:28 AM

#102

Mary Anderson (Allsop)

A real day brightener.....thanks Ellie!

12/11/15 03:34 PM

#103

Jan Nelson

Thanks Ellie! After reading this amusing and sweet piece, I now have a ready explanation when asked to pray in public. I don't usually like public prayers whether spoken by me or another. Sounds too much like preaching, too little like communication.

12/22/15 06:23 PM

#104

Ellie Watland

A bit of humor for those of us who grew up feasting on lutefisk at Christmas. (I love it. Really!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob8mw6kjxX8

03/20/16 10:49 AM

#105

Ellie Watland

It was another fun time in February in Ahwatukee, Arizona. Hope more of you can make it next year.

Front row: Lonnie, Louise, Ellie, Louise

Back row: Shirley, Karen, Dave, Jerry, Rana, Jim, Mark

04/29/16 06:20 PM

#106

Esther Stene (Krueger)

Great pictures! I could tell from the pictures that all of you are having a wonderful time! Of course, sun can make a big difference. Thanks for putting them on our website. Arne is planning to retire from the Minnesota Orchestra in December, so maybe we will be able to make the next Arizona reunion. I certainly hope so.

Esther

05/05/16 06:19 PM

#107

Ellie Watland

How Lutheran are you?

05/06/16 06:56 AM

#108

Adele Svanoe (Schwoegler)

What - don't all yours have your name on them - mine do

05/09/16 01:15 PM

#109

Esther Stene (Krueger)

Great cartoon. My mother actually wrote "Stene" on white adhesive tape on the bottom of her pans. Address labels had not been invented yet in her days of church serving. I personally use address labels with clear tape over them.

06/19/16 05:40 PM

#110

Esther Stene (Krueger)

Happy Birthday, Ellie. I hope you spend a couple of weeks celebrating. I have been watching the temperature in Phoenix this week. I was complaining about 92 degrees in MN;. After seeing your temperatures in Phoenix, I realized that I have nothing to complain about. Keep cool.

06/20/16 09:40 AM

#111

Ellie Watland

Esther,

Thanks for the birthday greeting. Hard to believe we're "old" people!

In MN, you battle humidity along with the heat. Here, the humidity is 2% so our battle is sweeping up all the dead, dry skin falling from our bodies. Things still have to be done outdoors, but I try to do them in the morning or late afternoon. Then it might be in the upper 90s and manageable.

Hope you get a break in your weather and avoid all forms of Mother Nature taking revenge on humans intent on destroying her.

It's time to start planning to make it to our next AA gathering. We always have a good time catching up on each others' lives, laughing and eating. I've concluded that we have some pretty nice people in our graduating class!

Ellie

08/30/16 01:33 PM

#112

Ellie Watland

09/09/16 03:03 PM

#113

Jim Gisselquist

Greetings!! -- ANOTHER AA Class of '64 Get Together

Recognizing the busy schedule many of you have, we thought it would be wise to give all of you as much advance notice as possible.

FEBRUARY 24-26, 2017 -- Dates for the next winter retreat AA Class of '64 reunion.

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Weather: Mid to upper 70s and sunny

We had another great time earlier this year (February 2016), so a number of attendees suggested that we try it again this coming year (February 2017).

There were a total of 15 attendees last year and we hope that more of you will be able to put it on your schedule and join us for a bit of sun, fun, food and (I was going to say "fellowship", but that's way toooo Lutheran old people talk) just catching up.

Hope to see many of you there. If you're even remotely considering it or if you have any questions, please let me know via email.

My email address: jimgiz@gmail.com

Peace,

Jim Gisselquist

03/12/17 11:44 AM

#114

Marlys Hanson/Nelson (Hanson)

Hi Classmaates,

So how was the re-re-re-reunion this year? Any photos to share.? Am anxious to see them and

hear all about it.

Sincerely

Marlys Nelson Hanson

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