Joanne E. (Hanson) Negstad

It was a fun reunion, as always. Sometime in the future, pictures will be posted online. In the meantime, here's one taken at Dave and Carol Ulring's in Mesa. We were there for a delcious meal on Saturday night. No labels are necessary since you can recognize everyone, no doubt. We haven't changed, just matured a bit! (Unfortunately, Shirley Beitelspacher Meddaugh left before the picture was taken.)

03/14/17 05:53 PM

#116

Cheryl Rue (Svensson)

Thanks Ellie for posting the picture. Looks like fun, as usual, and the sun looks pretty inviting at this time of year also. Augie: A very special time in our lives indeed, and amazing how meaningful the friendships, shared conversations, & experiences remain, influencing/impacting us even yet. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you Midwesteners & those in the NE are warm & cozy with all the news of storms and snow we are receiving.

03/15/17 07:13 AM

#117

Mark Madson

Looks like Jerry's the only one who went golfing!! 😝 MM

03/15/17 08:39 AM

#118

Mark,

Jerry played in a tennis match that day. You'll have to ask him how he did!

Ellie

03/16/17 07:49 AM

#119

Mark Madson

Ok. How did you do, Jerry?

12/25/17 06:25 PM

#120

Hello, classmates,

I know that Mark Madson comes to our minds and hearts from time to time this holiday season. I just read through all the past posts and couldn't help but smile when I read what Mark wrote. He was always clever (a word from our time, I believe) and had just the right thing to say to make us smile.

Paulette and I plan to go to Shoreview Thursday afternoon (the 4th) to attend the service (weather permitting of course). I'm wondering if any of you will be attending. Second, would you like to send flowers? If so, I would be happy to order them. I have been thinking about having them in a special vase or basket, something that Anna, one of his sisters, or one of his sons could keep as a memento. A music theme comes to mind (like a black and white vase that brings piano keys to mind).

I have been thinking so much about the email Ellie sent to several classmates after copying a Facebook post from his son Andy. He talked about how much he had learned about love from his dad and that if Mark knew you he loved you. What a tribute! That word could also be used as a part of a gift we give.

If you have ideas to share, you can use our class website. Or should you wish to reach me by email or phone, here are the details: rklimbo1027@yahoo.com; 608.498.1234. Who is planning to attend the service?

Love to you all and if we don't see each other at Mark's service, hope you'll be coming to Phoeix for the annual reunion March 9 - 11.

Rana

12/26/17 02:11 PM

#121

This came from the newsletter from The Shepherd of the Hills , where Mark Madson was Director of Worship and Music.

Mark Madson - Memorial Service

As many of you know, last week, our beloved Director of Music and Worship, Mark Madson passed away suddenly as a result of a heart attack.

His memorial service has been scheduled forThursday, January 4th at 7pm. Mark's family invites you all to come and join in remembering and celebrating the amazing person Mark was.

During this time we would ask your continued prayers for his family and loved ones. All cards can be left with the office and will be delivered to Mark's family.

Interim Director of Music and Worship

Jean Johnson

As the grief of the sudden loss of our beloved Director of Music and Worship will be with us for some time, the church leadership felt that a brand new interim person might not be the best step for us. Therefore, it is with much relief that Jean Johnson has agreed to step in as our short term interim Music and Worship Director. Many of you know Jean from her time as our Office Administrator.

She will be partnering with Pastor Renee and Joe Trucano (our Organist/Pianist), along with our music ensembles in these next few weeks as we gather ourselves to figure out next steps. We are grateful for her flexibility and willingness to serve during this impossibly difficult time.

Please know that we are trying to make the best decisions for our entire Shepherd community in the face of this tragedy; which is what it is. And that we all miss Mark terribly; but that he would want us to carry on (singing the whole time) with the joy of the Lord in our hearts as we remember this amazing and wonderful person that has touched our lives. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

12/26/17 02:17 PM

#122

In response to your thoughts about giving flowers in Mark's memory, Rana, I would love to be part of that.

I'm sorry we can't be at the service, since we will be traveling Jan 3-Feb 3 to S.E. Asia. Please let us all know how to proceed with the flower arrangement. Thanks.

12/27/17 09:41 AM

#123

Rana,

I will not be attending the memorial service for Mark in person, but will be there in spirit. Mark continued his father's reputation of an inspirational, talented musician and caring person. He enhanced our lives and those of others and will be missed.

I would like to contribute to a memorial of your choosing.

Ellie

12/27/17 09:48 AM

#124

Hello, all,

Thank you for trusting me with selecting the flowers for Mark. I know it will mean a lot to his family that his high school classmates are remembering him in a tangible way. I think especially of his sisters, whom we all know. Thank you to those of you who have written to say you would like to be a part of he floral arrangement. Another lovely option is sending a card to the church and they will make sure it is received by Mark's family.

Please let me know if you have suggestions or questions.

In memory of Mark,

Rana

12/29/17 05:48 PM

#125

Dear Bev,

So nice to hear from you and know of your interest in be a part of the floral arrangement. Whatever I end up choosing, there will be something that is part of the arrangement that someone in the family can keep. I'm very open to ideas in addition to a music theme. The trust the right thing will "be there" for us!

I'll let everyone know about each person's contribution. I'll probably wait to see who is in Phoenix in March fo the re-reunion and then contact others after that.

Rana

03/30/18 05:22 PM

#126

For the last couple of years we (Dave and Carol Ulring, Jerry and I and now this year Jim and Jane Gisselquist) have gotten to visit Sandy Boe, Gloria Solberg, and Cheri Rue and their spouses, Rollie Anderson, Keith Thompson and Jim Swenson. Over the years they have kept up with each other meeting and vacationing around the States. Gloria and Keith rent a house in Avondale each January and the others come sometime during the month. We found out and invade their visit for an evening. It's been so much fun. Cheri and Jim live in Washington and are enjoying being active grandparents. Sandy and Rollie moved to a resort town renovated a house and one for a daughter. Sandy is still painting, but now it's rosemaling and all kinds of painting on wood. Rollie builds the benches that Sandy rosemals. He is becoming a master woodworker. Keith and Gloria are still working. Gloria works part-time at Dakota Wesleyan insuring the nursing students have their classes for graduation. Hopefully we will continue our visits whenever we can.

03/31/18 01:14 PM

#127

Cheryl Rue (Svensson)

Thanks for posting Louise. It HAS been so much fun & yet again, not enough time to visit with each one. This year was a treat to have Louise's sisters join us. We appreciate the pictures & news from the other reuions in February also. A great bunch of people & always so much to talk about & share even after all these years. I share the stories with my brothers Phil ('62) & Dan ('68), as they are always interested with lots of questions. Academy Days--Wonderful, meaningful times!

03/31/18 05:19 PM

#128

Oops! I'm sorry I misspelled your name! I should have looked it up. We do need more time to visit each time we meet and get a chance to hear about what your brothers are up to. Cherri and Nancy were there to help me host our supper together. We sisters are lucky to spend January and February together here at Viewpoint where my mom and stepdad spent many years. The weather got too cold to be outside for the evening at our place so Dave and Carol Ulring offered their home in Sunland Village. More news--my mom just celebrated her 95th birthday! Jer and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary with Dave and Carol, Jim and Jane, and Ellie.

04/03/18 01:11 PM

#129

It's great to hear about the gathering with Cheri, Sandy, Gloria and their spouses, Louise! Thanks for posting and it's wonderful to read your message, Cheri.

Karen and I have reserved both a restaurant (Minerva's) and hotel rooms (the same Courtyard Marriott) in Sioux Falls for the fall of 2019 for our 55th reunion. The hotel urged us to do this well in advance, since Sioux Falls gets busy and very filled up early! So, after this summer's flurry of activity in Sioux Falls, you can claim one of the rooms for the Class of 1964 Block. More on that later.

Anyone that has photos of the reunion in Phoenix from last month, send them to me and I'll post them on the site.

Lonnie

04/05/18 09:10 PM

#130

Lonnie, you mean July of 2019, right? Louise A., thanks so much for the very interesting update on the January Phoenix reunion. I think it's fantastic that our class remains so close after all these years. Looking forward to our 55th. Rana

04/21/18 08:35 AM

#131

Jim Gisselquist

I thought that many of you might remember Joanne Hanson. I think that she was the dorm mother during our Freshman year as I don't seem to remember her from that period. Her brother was my roomate in college and I had a chance to get to know her at that time. I remember her to always have a smile, a good word, a good sense of humor and a quiet wisdom. I have heard that she was thought of quite fondly while she was at the Academy. She died on April 12. Funeral services were held at Grace University Lutheran Church on April 21st, with visitation on April 20th. The following Obituary was taken from the Minneapolis Star and Tribune on April 18th.

Joanne E. (Hanson) Negstad

Negstad, Joanne E. (Hanson) 82, died April 12, at her home surrounded by her family. As a woman in leadership she was a role model and mentor to many. For her, life was relationship. Joanne died as she lived, filled with grace, affirmation and gratitude. She was born April 1, 1936 to Rev. Oscar C. and Myrtle (Lokken) Hanson in Minneapolis. A graduate of Minnehaha Academy High School, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (received their Distinguished Alumni Award 1999), she received a Master's degree from the University of MN. She helped found the American Lutheran Church, Oslo Norway. Joanne was on the faculty of Augustana Academy and Augustana University both S.D. and a counselor at St. Louis Park H.S. She was Western Region Director of Lutheran Social Services Illinois, Vice President of Lutheran Social Service MN, Exec. Dir. of MN Social Services Association, founding President/CEO of Lutheran Services in America, President/CEO Lutheran Social Services S.D. and worked in mission advancement at Lutheran World Relief until retirement in 2009. Preceded in death by her parents, and foster daughter, Cathy May. Survived by husband, Rev. Allan; daughter, Lisa Negstad; son, Lars Negstad (Melissa Townsend); granddaughters, Mai-Evy and Sella; sister, Mary Trodahl (Christopher); brother, Rev. Mark Hanson (Ione); Cathy's husband Tim; Cathy and Tim's daughter, Kimberly Flint (Daniel) and their daughters, Maylynn and Brianna; Cathy and Tim's son, Derek; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation and funeral at Grace University Lutheran Church, 324 Harvard St. SE, Minneapolis. Visitation Friday, April 20, 4:00-7:00 pm and Saturday April 21, 10:00-11:00am. The funeral will begin at 11:00 am. Graveside service the following Saturday, April 28 at 2:00 pm at West Sinai Lutheran Cemetery, Sinai, S.D. Memorials to Lutheran Social Service MN Homeless Youth or Grace University Lutheran Church. Gearty-Delmore 763-537-4511

04/22/18 10:49 AM

#132

Jim, thanks for posting this! I recall her as our dormitory dean and chemistry teacher. What a fabulous life she lived after knowing us at the Academy. Did you keep up with her over the years? Do I recall that Mark and Ione were friends of yours? Rana

04/23/18 12:03 PM

#133

Jan Nelson

Thanks Jim. I remember "Miss Hanson" as tall, calm, and not one to be fooled by a rug stuck under the dorm room door after lights out.

04/23/18 01:21 PM

#134

Thanks, Jim. I have no idea where my freshman Saga is. I remember Joanne Hanson as a friendly, smiling dorm mother. I always felt we amused her and she thoroughly enjoyed our antics. I was surprised she was ten years older than we. I have a warm feeling about our dorm devotions with her and feel she was a great mentor. I don't remember that she taught. When she left after our freshman year, I was disappointed because I thought everyone should love the Academy and stay to enjoy the experience with us.. The dorm mother who taught chemistry was Norma Lundeen who assigned my first term paper. She chose the subject: floridation of public water systems. I think she eventually married our band director, right?

04/24/18 11:14 AM

#135

Louise, thank you for clarifying my incorrect memories! Yes, Miss Lundeen taught chemistry. Joanne got me through first semester homesickness and Jan, I seem to remember some playfulness getting you and Lonnie into a wee bit of trouble. Rana

05/04/18 10:13 AM

#136

Jim Gisselquist

There was additional information on Joanne Hanson Negstad in yesterday's Minneapolis Star and Tribune that I copied and attached below. Thought many of you might be interested in reading more about her life.

Joanne Negstad

Joanne Negstad was surrounded by Lutheran pastors all her life. Her grandfather, father, husband and brother all dedicated their lives to the ministry.

But having grown up when the Lutherans didn’t ordain women, Joanne answered a different call — social ministry. She helped her father start the American Lutheran Church in Oslo, Norway, and became dean of women at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and an executive at Lutheran Social Service in Minnesota, South Dakota and Illinois, and the Minnesota Social Service Association.

Mark Peterson, former CEO of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, hired Joanne and promoted her to a senior leadership position. “She had a great capacity to enroll people in the mission of serving people,” he said. “At board meetings, Joanne would tell stories of how we had changed people’s lives instead of just giving facts and figures.”

Negstad died on April 12 at age 82, a few weeks after a cancer diagnosis.

“She was an amazing witness to all of us,” said Jodi Harpstead, CEO of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. “When she got the diagnosis, she was grateful that she had time for goodbyes, even though she knew her time was short. In her final weeks, so many people came forward to say what a mentor she was to them.”

The Vietnam War and the battle for civil rights were formative for Negstad in the 1960s and ’70s. She became a public leader who never called attention to herself but effectively combined leadership and personal relationships. “She helped people discover their own gifts,” said her brother, Mark Hanson.

Some wondered why Negstad, a natural leader and extrovert surrounded by pastors at family gatherings, didn’t later become one when Lutherans began to ordain women. “She didn’t need to be a pastor to exercise her gifts,” said Hanson, presiding bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Lars Negstad, her son, said he never heard his mom express an interest in being a minister. He remembers that she consistently took aim at unfairness and injustice.

In 1967, when she was a pregnant high school counselor, she protested that she and other female staff members had to quit working six months into their pregnancies. “The principal was uncomfortable talking about pregnancy and women’s bodies, but mom knew it was important for female staffers,” Lars said.

Negstad also excelled at fundraising. She was queen of the phone bank, logging hundreds of hours for causes that championed disenfranchised people, democracy and inclusion. “She wasn’t Pollyanna-ish,” said her son. “She wanted to get involved and not throw up her hands and complain while sitting in an armchair. She had so much energy and drive that she didn’t sleep a lot so she could accomplish more.”

Jenine Jordahl, of Decorah, Iowa, a longtime friend and college roommate, said that friends, co-workers and family loved getting Joanne’s greeting cards and handwritten notes for birthdays, anniversaries and significant events. “She developed a system where she’d write out a card, address it and put the date when it should be mailed where the stamp would go,” Jordahl said. “She should have had stock in Hallmark.”

Lars got cards from her on the usual occasions, but also Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of his baptism. “Every card had a personal note, and words were underlined for emphasis.” She sent out nearly 30 cards each month.

Besides her brother and son, Negstad is survived by her husband, the Rev. Allan Negstad; daughter, Lisa; two granddaughters, and another sibling.

05/30/18 03:59 PM

#137

Another death of our dear Academy teachers. Lowell Larson's obituary is on the Anderson Funeral Home site. Several Academy friends have already posted condolences there.

07/25/18 11:47 AM

#138

This is an excerpt from an interesting article about aging. We're getting older, AND we're getting better!

In 2011, a study led by the Stanford University psychologist Laura Carstensen concluded: “Contrary to the popular view that youth is the best time in life, the present findings suggest that the peak of emotional life may not occur until well into the seventh decade.”

The article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/21/midlife-crisis-myth-life-gets-better-after-50?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

08/12/18 08:48 AM

#139