2010s

Hailey Smoot
Class of 2018

Hailey Smoot is in her first year of teaching first grade in Sumner, WA. She is thankful for her PLU experience.

Alaa Alshaibani
Class of 2018
Alaa Alshaibani
Class of 2018

Alaa Alshaibani campaign manager for 29th Legislative District candidate Melanie Morgan, visited a Writing 101 class to answer student questions about local government, running for office and more.

Genny Boots
Class of 2018
Genny Boots
Class of 2018

Genny Boots was hired full-time as an assistant adviser at the end of her summer internship with JayRay, a creative and strategic communications agency in Tacoma. She works on projects for health care, travel and tourism, writing blogs, organizing photo shoots and preparing website content.

Future Lute - Jenna (Little) Lawrence
Class of 2018
Future Lute - Jenna (Little) Lawrence
Class of 2018

Jenna (Little) Lawrence and husband Derek welcomed Derek Lawrence on July 4, 2018, just weeks after she graduated. Go Class of 2040!

Sarah Pape
Class of 2016

Sarah Pape a PLU Rainier Writing Workshop alum and an English professor at California State University, published a New York Times article on the wildfire that swept through Paradise, California.

Tess (Sawatzki) Clapp
Class of 2016
Tess (Sawatzki) Clapp
Class of 2016

Tess (Sawatzki) Clapp married Meljay Clapp on Sept. 15, 2018 in her hometown of Greenbank, WA. Lutes in attendance included maid of honor Julia Glassy ’15, Arden Leete ’15, Ashlee Gallardo ’17, Wiki Srebro ’16, Joe Basler ’15, and Zakk & Alina Cain ’16.

Sarah (MacDonald) Trushinsky
Class of 2015
Sarah (MacDonald) Trushinsky
Class of 2015

Sarah (MacDonald) Trushinsky married Clay Trushinsky ’15 on June 30, 2018. Lutes in the wedding party included Jordan Zepernick ’15, Collin Nilson ’15, Tyler Peterson ’15, Claire (Wilson) Peterson ’15, and Siri (Olsen) Rennie ’15.

Leah Butters
Class of 2015
Leah Butters
Class of 2015

Leah Butters completed a 70.3 Ironman competition.

Future Lute - Christney Kpodo
Class of 2014
Future Lute - Christney Kpodo
Class of 2014

Christney Kpodo ’14 welcomed Eli Uriah Kpodo on December 15, 2018.

Future Lute - Sarah (Gumpert) Lynam
Class of 2014
Future Lute - Sarah (Gumpert) Lynam
Class of 2014

Sarah (Gumpert) Lynam and her husband Robert Lynam ’12 welcomed their first child, David Robert Lynam, on March 27, 2018.

Sarah (Kintner) Thorpe
Class of 2014
Sarah (Kintner) Thorpe
Class of 2014

Sarah (Kintner) Thorpe married the love of her life, Brett, on Aug. 10, 2018. Taylor Cameron ’14 and Chelsea Neubauer ’14 were in the wedding party and there were plenty of other Lutes in attendance as well.

Coco Piper
Class of 2013

Coco Piper is a special education teacher in Doha, Qatar and her students use Lute pencils everyday.

Erin (White) Whitfield
Class of 2013
Erin (White) Whitfield
Class of 2013

Erin (White) Whitfield received her Master of Music in vocal performance from the San Francisco Conservatory in 2015.  There, she met her now-husband, Collin Whitfield, and they were married June 16, 2017. Lutes in attendance included Stephanie Bivins ’13, Emily White ’17, Kelvin Adams ’12, Lauren James ’12, Megan Leibold ’13, and Dr. Richard Nance and his wife Patti. In June of 2018, Erin and Collin moved from Tacoma, WA to Midland, MI.

Gurman Jaswal
Class of 2013
Gurman Jaswal
Class of 2013

Gurman Jaswal earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Midwestern University – College of Dental Medicine in Illinois. He is now working at West Hill Dental Clinic in Kent, WA as an associate dentist.

Kim Reese-White
Class of 2013

Kim Reese-White says she would not be the teacher she is today without the amazing professors in the PLU Kinesiology Department.

Erica (Buege) Peterson
Class of 2012
Erica (Buege) Peterson
Class of 2012

Erica (Buege) Peterson married Marcus Peterson on Sept. 15, 2018 in Crystal Mountain, WA. Kevin Simison ’11 was in the wedding party and the officiant was Dr. Robert M. Wells, director of the Center for Media Studies at PLU.

Jonathan Jackson
Class of 2012
Jonathan Jackson
Class of 2012

Jonathan Jackson , Act Six Scholar and MBA graduate, was recently named executive director of Palmer Scholars. He was also newly elected to the PLU Alumni Board.

Kelsey Hamm
Class of 2012

Kelsey Hamm accepted a new job as a music teacher in the Bethel School District.

Krysten Bailey
Class of 2012

Krysten Bailey is a mental health professional and received her MSW from UW-Tacoma in June 2015. She is working on licensure to become a licensed independent clinical social worker.

Kari (Plog) Caple
Class of 2011

Kari (Plog) Caple joined the content leadership team at KNKX Public Radio, as the station’s new digital content manager.

Erin Mumper
Class of 2011
Erin Mumper
Class of 2011

Erin Mumper has been named vice president at Azzur Labs.

Kelsey (Hartsell) Weyland
Class of 2010

Kelsey (Hartsell) Weyland teaches at Firwood Secondary School at Western State Hospital. She teaches grades six through 12 English language arts, and in the alternative learning environments, which include students undergoing competency evaluations. She also teaches over-18 adults at Western State who still qualify for special education services.

Future Lute - Philip Munson
Class of 2010
Future Lute - Philip Munson
Class of 2010

Philip Munson and Kari (Stout) Munson ’11 welcomed their new daughter Bethany Nicole Munson on Jan. 29, 2018.

Siri Larson Iverson
Class of 2010

Siri Larson Iverson graduated from Bastyr University with a Master of Science in Midwifery in June 2018 and is now a licensed midwife in Washington State.

2000s

Justin Huertas
Class of 2009

Justin Huertas earned a lead role in a Seattle production of “Legally Blonde,” presented by the Showtunes Theatre Company.

Brianne (Lueth) Field
Class of 2009

Brianne (Lueth) Field married Ross Field in 2011. They have two daughters and live in Everett, WA. She is a full-time Realtor.

Picture Perfect
Class of 2009
Picture Perfect
Class of 2009

Lars Tanaka ’09, Michele Ganiko, Shayna Doi ’09, Scott Matsumura ’07, Sheila (Nakayama) Manuel ‘08, Jackie-Lynn (Sasaki) Andrade ’07 and Troy Andrade ’07 ran with the inaugural #AlohaLutes team in the 2018 Komen Hawaii Race for the Cure.

Amanda (Brown) Holen
Class of 2008

Amanda (Brown) Holen graduated from Frontier Nursing University with a post-Master’s certificate in 2012 and is now working as  a women’s health nurse practitioner in a MultiCare OB/GYN office. She, her husband, and two children live in Roy, WA.

Elaine Ray
Class of 2008

Elaine Ray returned to the U.S. after seven years teaching in Asia. She now works at the same elementary school she attended as a child in the Auburn School District.

Future Lute - Erin (Fry) Fort
Class of 2008
Future Lute - Erin (Fry) Fort
Class of 2008

Erin (Fry) Fort and Bradley Fort welcomed Lochlan Allen Fort on July 7, 2017.  

Haley Nelson
Class of 2008

Haley Nelson is as an attorney for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Nelson previously clerked for Justice James Shea at the Montana Supreme Court, and is a Dec. 2013 graduate of the UM School of Law.

Justin Hull
Class of 2008

Justin Hull works at Lebanon Community Hospital as an internal medicine physician-hospitalist.

Maggie Smith
Class of 2008

Maggie Smith is a “Lute Away” teaching K-5 music at an international school in Morocco. She was inspired to do so by several other Lutes.

Matthew Wilke
Class of 2008

Matthew Wilke took on a new role at Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2016. He and his wife have five children, two biological and three adopted through foster care. Their names are Jude, Reign, Bennett, Abreeana, and Isabella.

Rose (Stanek) Norbe
Class of 2008
Rose (Stanek) Norbe
Class of 2008

Rose (Stanek) Norbe was newly elected to the PLU Alumni Board.

Trevor Oetgen
Class of 2008
Trevor Oetgen
Class of 2008

Trevor Oetgen married Clara Johnson on July 21, 2018 in Bow, WA. Lutes in the wedding party included: Calvin Moore ’08, Ryan Ceresola ’09, Michael Plotke ’08, and Steve Beckenhauer ’08. Many more PLU alumni were in attendance as guests.

Future Lute - Christy Olsen Field
Class of 2008
Future Lute - Christy Olsen Field
Class of 2008

Christy Olsen Field and Carl Field ’08 welcomed their second child, Bjorn Richard Olsen Field, on Oct. 5, 2017. He joins older brother, Carl V.

Melissa Haney
Class of 2008

Melissa Haney, in collaboration with her employer Northwest Physicians Network and several Pierce County fire districts, began a partnership in 2014 to reduce unnecessary utilization of emergency and hospital services. Qualis Health recently chose their project as the CMS State Innovations Project of the Year. Their data outcomes show reduction in emergency utilization and cost savings.

Amy (Greenwood) Swanson
Class of 2007
Amy (Greenwood) Swanson
Class of 2007

Amy (Greenwood) Swanson received her Master’s of Public Health with an emphasis in health promotion from the University of Arizona. She received tenured professor status at Bellevue College in health and physical education. She teaches kinesiology, wellness coaching and fitness assessments in the college’s personal fitness trainer program.

Blake Thiess
Class of 2007
Blake Thiess
Class of 2007

Blake Thiess , PHR, SHRM-CP was recently promoted to director of talent acquisition at Prestige Care Inc., a provider of senior living and skilled nursing and rehabilitation care with more than 80 long-term care centers and communities.

Brandon Hoekstra
Class of 2007

Brandon Hoekstra was recently promoted to assistant area manager for the Salish Foothills Area of Washington State Parks. He and his wife have a 2-year-old daughter named Tove and are expecting another baby.

Jackie-Lynn (Sasaki) Andrade
Class of 2007
Jackie-Lynn (Sasaki) Andrade
Class of 2007

Jackie-Lynn (Sasaki) Andrade was newly elected to the PLU Alumni Board.

Troy Andrade
Class of 2007

Troy Andrade, assistant professor of law and Director of the Ulu Lehua Scholars Program at the University of Hawaii at Mãnoa William S. Richardson School of Law, was awarded the 2018 Junior Faculty Award.

Ben Monte Calvo
Class of 2007
Ben Monte Calvo
Class of 2007

Ben Monte Calvo recently joined the visitor services crew at Point Defiance Park as a park ranger.

Becky (Gant) Lee
Class of 2006

Becky (Gant) Lee has two future Lutes, Michael and Evelyn. She is out of the Army and working as a civilian nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center. She and her family recently purchased a home in DuPont.

Carla (Miller) Judah
Class of 2006
Carla (Miller) Judah
Class of 2006

Carla (Miller) Judah married Corey Judah at Milo Mclver State Park on Sept. 15, 2018.

Andrew Austin
Class of 2006

Andrew Austin was featured in South Sound Business 40 under 40 for his help in raising $9.5 million toward the Eastside Community Center and his volunteer work with the Puyallup Watershed Initiative.

Future Lute - Mariesa Bus
Class of 2006
Future Lute - Mariesa Bus
Class of 2006

Mariesa Bus and Tyson Griffin welcomed their daughter Decca Ione Elise Griffin on Feb. 14, 2016.

Michelle (Rogers-Moore) LaRue
Class of 2005

Michelle (Rogers-Moore) LaRue was featured in South Sound Business 40 under 40 for her work as director of strategic engagement for the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

Future Lute - Lori Neptun
Class of 2005
Future Lute - Lori Neptun
Class of 2005

Don and Lori Neptun ’05 welcomed Kenneth Enzo Neptun into the family on July 11, 2018. Kenzo has made Penelope a proud big sister.

Kate Babbo
Class of 2002

Kate Babbo was featured in South Sound Business 40 under 40 for her work as the COO at Thompson Consulting Group of Tacoma, including work on the redevelopment of Point Ruston, the construction of a 120-bed behavioral health hospital, and other projects around the South Sound.

Sarah Champion
Class of 2001

Sarah Champion was featured in South Sound Business 40 under 40 for her role in the leadership team at SiteCrafting, where she maintains a staff of managers, designers, developers and more.

Melissa (Bennett) Wood
Class of 2000

Melissa (Bennett) Wood was sworn in as deputy sheriff in September 2016. She and her husband are involved with their sons in Cub Scout and Boy Scout units. She frequently uses the skills she learned in the education program at PLU both at work and in scouts.

Patrick Domres
Class of 2000
Patrick Domres
Class of 2000

Patrick Domres has joined Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, as a senior environmental scientist in Long Beach, CA. His job includes auditing, gap assessments, and project management. He will also provide environmental compliance auditing, specializing in hazardous waste management.

Ron Baltazar
Class of 2000

Ron Baltazar has a Bachelor of Arts in history and Master’s in Education, and is currently a junior high history and AVID teacher in Puyallup, WA. He is a National Board Certified teacher who believes Lute teachers have the best teaching pedigree.

Shane Tackett
Class of 2000

Shane Tackett was promoted to senior vice president of revenue management and e-commerce after 17 years at Alaska Airlines.

1990s

Brian Norman
Class of 1999

Brian Norman has been selected as the inaugural Dean of the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities at Simmons University in Boston, MA.

Eric Moody
Class of 1998

Eric Moody was made Research Professor of Disabilities Studies and Director of Research and Evaluation at the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities at the University of Wyoming.

Steve Leifsen
Class of 1996

Steve Leifsen is in his 22nd year in education, serving as the Director of Equity and Achievement in the White River School District. He says PLU gave him a foundation for teaching and interrupting inequitable systems in schools.

Colleen Strain
Class of 1995

Colleen Strain is the International Baccalaureate coordinator at her school in Racine, WI.

Kellie (Schacher) McCarty
Class of 1995
Kellie (Schacher) McCarty
Class of 1995

Kellie (Schacher) McCarty is in her 23rd year as the drama director and a business teacher at Centennial High School in Gresham, OR.

Mike Lee
Class of 1995
Mike Lee
Class of 1995

Mike Lee was recently promoted to public affairs supervisor for the San Diego County Water Authority. He lives with his wife, Kristen (Buckley) Lee ’96 in Fallbrook, CA., where she teaches at a homeschool support network that she founded. They have two teen boys, one in high school and one in college.

Rebecca (Thompson) Latham
Class of 1995

Rebecca (Thompson) Latham is in her 23rd year of teaching, most of it spent teaching middle school. The early years of her career were in the Bethel School District, and she currently teaches at Keithley Middle School in Franklin Pierce Schools. She loves the connection alums have with PLU through mentors, volunteers and after-school programs.

Future Lute - Chuck Stumpf
Class of 1994
Future Lute - Chuck Stumpf
Class of 1994

Chuck Stumpf and Kenda-Ruth Stumpf ’95 adopted Peyton Elise and Elijah James Stumpf on National Adoption Day, November 18, 2018. Peyton is two-and-a-half and Elijah is one-and-a-half and they have been with Chuck and Kenda-Ruth since birth. They join Blayze, 5, adopted in 2014 and Serenity, 6, and Jeremiah, 5, who were adopted in 2015.

Marilyn Rumble
Class of 1994

Marilyn Rumble retired from nursing and is enjoying her time hiking with friends and walking her dog. Her son, Peter Rumble ’00, just returned from a bicycle trip in Europe.

David Patterson
Class of 1992

David Patterson who has competed in over 200 bodybuilding shows in the Pacific Northwest, is coming to the end of his 30-plus years of competitive bodybuilding.

Janet Mutter
Class of 1992

Janet Mutter has been a Master Gardener in Mason Country for 10 years.

Youlander (Morning) Hilton
Class of 1991
Youlander (Morning) Hilton
Class of 1991

Youlander (Morning) Hilton was appointed to the local board of Paul D. Camp Community College in Virginia. Hilton was also the recipient of the Joint Forces Staff College Commandant’s Appreciation letter.

Eric Cultum
Class of 1991

Eric Cultum and his wife Kari celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a 10-day Caribbean cruise.

Guy Kovacs
Class of 1990
Guy Kovacs
Class of 1990

Guy Kovacs received his PhD from Northwest Nazarene University in June 2018. He is a school administrator in the Puyallup School District.

Sandra (Haugen) Glover
Class of 1990

Sandra (Haugen) Glover is newly retired, spending time with her grandchildren and riding her Harley.

1980s

David Mays
Class of 1989
David Mays
Class of 1989

David Mays recently joined Amazon.com as a senior public relations manager supporting new initiatives within the company’s Amazon Web Services cloud computing unit.

Julie (Wilcox) Phelps
Class of 1989

Julie (Wilcox) Phelps and her husband, Christopher, have their first granddaughter, courtesy of their oldest daughter and her husband. Their twins also got married in 2018.

Marnie Graham
Class of 1989

Marnie Graham was promoted to field manager for the BLM Glennallen Field Office in Alaska.

Robert Alspaugh
Class of 1989

Robert Alspaugh has been working with Thrivent Financial as a financial consultant since 2003.

Sandra Krause-Ayers
Class of 1989
Sandra Krause-Ayers
Class of 1989

Sandra Krause-Ayers, in her 28th year teaching sixth grade in Spokane Public Schools, is proud to be a Lute.

Teresa (Corrie) Noll
Class of 1988

Teresa (Corrie) Noll a teacher for 30 years, is an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor at Pierce College in Puyallup and Green River College in Kent. She’s loves teaching her immigrant students.

Stacy Waterworth
Class of 1987
Stacy Waterworth
Class of 1987

Capt. Stacy Waterworth retired from the Tacoma Fire Department in June 2018.  Her career spanned 29 years. In retirement, she volunteers with Olympia High school as assistant girls soccer coach.

Connie (Craig) Kline
Class of 1986

Connie (Craig) Kline has worked with Pierce County in social services for 30 years.  

Sharon (Alton) Hansen
Class of 1986

Sharon (Alton) Hansen was recognized by the Sepsis Alliance for her work to raise awareness of sepsis and post-sepsis syndrome. She works as a nurse educator at MultiCare and as a lecturer in UW-Tacoma’s nursing and health care leadership program.

Christine Sund
Class of 1985
Christine Sund
Class of 1985

Christine Sund recently got her bunad for her municipality, Røyken in Buskerud county. Apart from the two semesters she studied at PLU, she has lived in Norway her whole life. Her bunad was designed by two local women in 1992 and is embroidered with blue, purple, and pink anemones.

Mike Nelson
Class of 1985
Mike Nelson
Class of 1985

Mike Nelson, an Enumclaw High School graduate who has guided the Enumclaw School District for more than a decade, has been named the 2019 Washington State Superintendent of the Year.

Mark Grambo
Class of 1985
Mark Grambo
Class of 1985

Mark Grambo died Aug. 4, 2018. He will be remembered for his care for others, his deep Christian faith, strong intellect, unwavering commitment to his family and friendship that offered encouragement, challenge, and nurture.

Brian Trefry
Class of 1983

Brian Trefry is in his 36th year of teaching in the Post Falls School District and is currently teaching honors U.S. history and honors government. He has also been the head cross country coach at Post Falls High School for the past 16 years.

Randy Olson
Class of 1983

Randy Olson reconnected with a high school sweetheart, Sandy Conklin, and has been married to her since April 2017.  

Patty (Falk) Nielsen
Class of 1982
Patty (Falk) Nielsen
Class of 1982

Patty (Falk) Nielsen is in her 36th year of teaching PE. She wears her Lute colors once a week because she wants her students to know about PLU.

Petra (Rowe) Karr
Class of 1982

Petra (Rowe) Karr and her theater company, ACT 1 Theatre, are moving to Tacoma this season. Drowsy Chaperone, featuring five former Lutes and three current Lutes, was presented at Theater on the Square in January. Check out the website, act1theatre.org, to see upcoming shows.

Eilieen (Brandenburg) Rieke
Class of 1982
Eilieen (Brandenburg) Rieke
Class of 1982

Eilieen (Brandenburg) Rieke is a special education math teacher in College Station, TX.

Laura (Sather) Hilton
Class of 1981

Laura (Sather) Hilton obtained her master’s degree in behavioral sciences.Raising her special needs son has taught her about helping others with complex needs. She works as a psychiatric nurse with the developmentally disabled and mentally ill.

Clark E. McLean
Class of 1981
Clark E. McLean
Class of 1981

Clark E. McLean, retired from the University of New Mexico after more than 30 years of service on Oct. 31, 2018.

Doug Wright
Class of 1980

Doug Wright retired after 35 years of work at the Hanford Site.

David Carson
Class of 1980
David Carson
Class of 1980

David Carson retired in July 2018 after 38 years at the Hanford Site. He was a nuclear safety engineer and hazard analyst for the last 20 years.

Harold Ueland
Class of 1980

Harold Ueland is a self-employed consultant. He and his wife Julie (Semler) ’79 will celebrate their youngest son’s marriage in 2019.

Gale (Lewis) Walker
Class of 1980

Gale (Lewis) Walker lives in Seattle, WA, practices medicine in Bellevue, WA, and is an avid scuba diver, hiker, and yogi. She has three children and one granddaughter.

1970s

Scott Ballou
Class of 1979
Scott Ballou
Class of 1979

Scott Ballou died Aug. 9, 2018. Scott met his wife, Janine, during his college years. They had two children, Renee Ballou and Maddie Ballou ’15. He spent his professional life in sales and marketing for the tech industry and was a lifelong Seahawks and Mariners fan.

Cindy Lou (Draino) Klein
Class of 1979

Cindy Lou (Draino) Klein is enjoying working periodically as a registered nurse and traveling, dancing salsa and tango around the world.

Paul Peterson
Class of 1979

Paul Peterson recently moved to Hawaii after retiring from the aerospace industry.

Dr. Nancy Van Vessem
Class of 1979
Dr. Nancy Van Vessem
Class of 1979

Dr. Nancy Van Vessem was tragically killed in a shooting in a Tallahassee, FL yoga studio. She attended high school in Longview, WA and graduated from PLU summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She earned her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and was a faculty member at Florida State University and an internal medicine specialist at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare.

Lynda Ramsey
Class of 1978

Lynda Ramsey died July 18, 2018. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from PLU. Her love for music was displayed through her contralto voice supported performance training and in the many church choral groups she participated in. She is fondly remembered by friends and family.

Margaret (Lee) Sackman
Class of 1978

Margaret (Lee) Sackman has been a geriatric nurse practitioner for more than 30 years. She owns Nurse Practitioners Northwest and co-owns Universal Research Group. She and her husband Paul ’80 have been married for 39 years and have three married daughters and two grandchildren.

Ron (Ryan) Snyder
Class of 1977

Ron (Ryan) Snyder died Aug. 9, 2018. He received his Bachelor of Music from PLU. He is fondly remembered by friends and family.

Paula (Veis) Schreiner
Class of 1977

Paula (Veis) Schreiner retired after 40 years with Twin Falls School District and is a grandparent of four.

Thomas Kleiv
Class of 1977

Thomas Kleiv retired from active duty in the U.S. Air Force after 30 years.

Bradley Graham
Class of 1977
Bradley Graham
Class of 1977

Bradley Graham died Oct. 19, 2018. He received both his Bachelor of Art and Master of Art degrees from PLU in education. He participated in PLU’s pilot Alumni Travel Seminar to Northern Ireland in April 2018.

Mary April (Keller) Miller
Class of 1976

Mary April (Keller) Miller died Jan. 19, 2018. She graduated from PLU with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. She worked in Alaska for a Native Alaskan consortium and for the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots. She is survived by her son, Jared Miller ’99.

W. Preston Woodall, Jr.
Class of 1976

W. Preston Woodall, Jr., D.O. is a Pastoral candidate for Presbyterian Church (USA).

Sharon Johnson
Class of 1976

Sharon Johnson works at Vocational Rehabilitation as a medical social worker. She and her husband raised two special needs children that were adopted from foster care, who are now adults.

Anne (Nielsen) Gresham
Class of 1975

Anne (Nielsen) Gresham moved to Arizona, is semi-retired, and has her first grandbaby on the way.

Nancy (Quillin) Wilkinson
Class of 1975

Nancy (Quillin) Wilkinson is a part-time art teacher in Tucson, AZ. She also sells her photography and illustrated a book, Tucson Charlie: Lost in the Desert.

Dennis Kanzler
Class of 1975

Dennis Kanzler and his wife Leslie ’77 are spending their retirement traveling and watching their grandkids grow.

Gary Shilling
Class of 1975

Gary Shilling is a board member and treasurer on several community committees, and volunteers at his local food bank.

Jim Holland
Class of 1973

Jim Holland recently accepted a job outside of Brisbane, Australia for one to two years. He and his spouse, Randi (Leighton) Holland ’74, hope to move back to Washington after that.

Al Meeds
Class of 1973

Al Meeds retired and started a business estimating major fire losses for insurance. He and his wife Sharon Hoffmann ’73 celebrated 46 years of marriage in 2018 and like to say that they are still trying to decide what to do when they grow up. Sharon has also retired after years working for non-profits and now spends her time volunteering and quilting.

Harold Hendrickson
Class of 1973

Harold Hendrickson is a chaplain at Willamette Lutheran Homes.

Karen (Randolph) Jensen
Class of 1973

Karen (Randolph) Jensen died Aug. 26, 2018 after a decades-long battle with cancer. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and later earned earned a master’s degree in mathematics and then her teaching certificate. She is survived by her husband Harold Jensen ’71, three children, including Gary Jensen ’04, and one granddaughter.

Richard Kiene
Class of 1972

Richard Kiene is a retired chemist with over 37 years in the industry. Most of his work was in refining, pipeline, and consulting. He has two sons and two grandchildren.

Margaret Neyman
Class of 1971

Margaret Neyman retired from Tacoma Public Schools in 2017 and relocated to Bellingham, WA.

Dale Sears
Class of 1970

Dale Sears is retired and enjoying his granddaughter, named after his mother-in-law, who graduated from PLU in 1934.

Norman Gerken
Class of 1970

Norman Gerken is the past president and current secretary of the Puyallup Rotary Club. He retired in 2014 from the Department of Labor and Industries and is an elder at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Tacoma.

1960s

Barbra (Thompson) Aune
Class of 1969

Barbra (Thompson) Aune is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband Norm ’69. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

David Nierman
Class of 1969

David Nierman and his wife Doris celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018. Together, they have three children, Andrew ’96, Doug ’95 and Beth ’92, and a family orchard that will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.

Leonard Ozmun
Class of 1968

Leonard Ozmun retired from the Puyallup School District after 30 years. He lobbied for the Washington Retired Teachers Association.

John Crockram
Class of 1968

John Crockram retried in 2012 and has been living in Oregon since 2016.

Carol (Berg) Melver
Class of 1968

Carol (Berg) Melver and Ronald Melver ’68 have retired, received a Notary Signing Agent rating with RAM and have four children and five grandchildren.

Marcian (Jacobs) Wallace
Class of 1967

Marcian (Jacobs) Wallace retired in May 2018 as an employee health nurse after 46 years at Tuality Healthcare. As an RN she worked in public health, management, medical, surgical, and emergency nursing. She and her husband, Steven, live in Hillsboro, OR.

Picture Perfect
Class of 1967 and 1970
Picture Perfect
Class of 1967 and 1970

Jonathan Nesvig ’67 and Philip Nesvig ’70 wanted to enjoy the mountains as they reprised a hike across the North Cascades they’d first made a half-century ago. “We are no longer young, both septuagenarians—I’m 73 and he’s 70—so we preferred to saunter, as naturalist John Muir recommended, rather than hike.” Read Jonathan’s full story.

Trygve Anderson
Class of 1966

Trygve Anderson and Lyla (Tsuji) Anderson ’66 celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.

James Feek
Class of 1965

James Feek, estate planner and financial consultant, was recently named as a life status-holder in the International Million Dollar Round Table at Conover Financial. He is also enjoying his wonderful granddaughters.

Mardella “Mardy” (Geisler) Stevens
Class of 1965

Mardella “Mardy” (Geisler) Stevens is wrapping up a two-year term (2017-2019) as a national director of the American Association of University Women. She is also a board member of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

Virgil ‘Roy’ White
Class of 1965

Virgil ‘Roy’ White retired as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Vernon B.C., at the end of 2011 after serving there for 10 years. He and his wife Marsha (Stirn) ’68 have three children.

Mark Nesse
Class of 1965
Mark Nesse
Class of 1965

Mark Nesse died Oct. 14, 2018. He was the Everett Public Library’s longest-serving director, retiring in 2007 after 30 years. He served on the Everett School Board and was active in community organizations.

Mary (Griffiths) Wiltse
Class of 1964

Mary (Griffiths) Wiltse moved from Yachats, OR to Brookings, SD to be near family.

Elaine (Olsen) Dotts
Class of 1964

Elaine (Olsen) Dotts owns her own travel agency, WE TRAVEL, and serves as a home-based, full-service travel consultant. She has two children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Gary Olson
Class of 1963

Gary Olson retired in 2015. Since then, he has served on the board of Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks and Mortuaries. He lives with his wife Sharon in Indio, California.

Donald Slater
Class of 1963

Donald Slater retired in 1997 as an engineer for the Washington State Department of Transportation. He has two daughters and two granddaughters.

Richard Hagerty
Class of 1963

Richard Hagerty was named Stanislaus County Citizen of the Year – 2018.

David Crowner
Class of 1961

David Crowner and his wife Pat both retired and live in Gettysburg, PA where two of their three children and their families live. One of their major activities is involvement in the sister city organizations, Project Gettysburg/Leon Nicaragua.

Jim Johnson
Class of 1961
Jim Johnson
Class of 1961

Jim Johnson and Valarie Johnson ’89 went on a bicycle adventure in Perth Australia in April 2018.

Mary Anne (Lovtang) Bayne
Class of 1960

Mary Anne (Lovtang) Bayne lives near Angle Lake in Sea-Tac and enjoys gardening, and baking, especially when surrounded by her 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

1950s

Joyce (Market) Olson
Class of 1958

Joyce (Market) Olson and her husband Roger Olson ’58 have retired and enjoy spending time with their 15-year-old grandson, Danny.

Sharon (Hagen) Woods
Class of 1958

Sharon (Hagen) Woods and her husband Bill retired from teaching in 1984 and became full-time farmers. They are busy as ever with family and their farm.

Grace (Podratz) Smith
Class of 1958

Grace (Podratz) Smith retired after 38 years in education which included elementary and high school teaching, work worked as a school district reading coordinator and elementary principal. She also owns an orchard in the East Wenatchee area.

Picture Perfect
Class of 1958
Picture Perfect
Class of 1958

Jacquie Snyder is one of 10 surviving 1958 nursing cohort students. The cohort of 20 worked at Emanuel Hospital in Portland for two years doing clinical training — the last class affiliated with the hospital. They were at what was then PLC for a year. After clinical training, 18 of them returned to finish their degrees and what was by then PLU. Surviving members of the cohort got together in August for a reunion to commemorate 60 years since beginning their studies. Front row/left to right: Alice Anderson Cornelius; Arlene Arnesen Gaviola; Karen Kliewer Meyers; Fernita Albrecht Bass-Thompson. Back row/left to right: Karen Hendrickson Bender; Marilyn Collett Erickson; Kay Johnson Koudele; Jacquie Haverberg Snyder; Marge Morris Froiland; Ardath Sheggeby Solsrud

Ron Billings
Class of 1955

Ron Billings died Aug. 20, 2018. Ron was a longtime basketball coach in Tacoma, at Lincoln High School and Tacoma Community College. A three-sport athlete in high school and college, he played football, basketball, and baseball for PLU. He was inducted into PLU’s Hall of Fame in 1992 and into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

Phillip Wigen
Class of 1955
Phillip Wigen
Class of 1955

Phillip Wigen was presented with an honorary award for contributions to the field of high-frequency and microwave magnetics by The International Society of Microwave Magnetics at its meeting in Exeter, England. A family wedding kept him from receiving the award in person, but one of his former students, PLU graduate Robert McMichael ’85, accepted it in his absence and handed it off when the two met this summer.

Bev (Tranum) Knutzen
Class of 1955

Bev (Tranum) Knutzen is retired from full-time work but at age 85 is a paid tutor in the Shelton School District. She says you cannot keep Lutes down.

Don Gaarder
Class of 1955

Don Gaarder and his wife moved to Sioux Falls, SD and are enjoying volunteering at Sanford Health and supporting Augustana University.

Gerald Schimke
Class of 1955
Gerald Schimke
Class of 1955

Gerald “Jerry” Schimke died Sept. 29, 2018 in Aptos, CA, at the age of 85. He had recently moved from the Pacific Northwest to be with family. He grew up in Eastern Washington, majored in economics and business administration at PLU and later received his MBA from Harvard. He played basketball at PLU and continued to shoot hoops for many years after college. He served on PLU’s Board of Regents from 1968 to 1977. In 1962, he married Grace Rieke. She died in 2012. He is survived by children Carol and Brent, and siblings Dale and Janet.

John Unis
Class of 1952

John Unis died Aug. 7, 2018. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from PLU and earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University. Dr. Unis established a few successful veterinary medicine practices, and was also involved in numerous civic, professional and academic organizations.

Mal Soine
Class of 1952

Mal Soine and his spouse Donna (Hellman) Soine ’52 celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on June 4, 2018.

Samuel Hewston
Class of 1950
Samuel Hewston
Class of 1950

Samuel Hewston died Sept. 10, 2018. After serving over two years in the U.S. Army during World War II, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching certificate at PLU. He worked as a therapist at American Lake Veterans Hospital.

1940s

Verlyn “Kenneth” Kraxberger
Class of 1949

Verlyn “Kenneth” Kraxberger celebrated his 91st birthday in July 2018.