CORNELIA SCHULZ, a graduate of Clifton College, celebrated her 104th birthday on Jan 18. She attended church and received communion. A reception was held in her honor that afternoon.
Back to top REV. GILBERT FRANKE of Bishop had four poems included in the book Life, Death and Eternity, a collection published by In His Steps, ed. by Dr. Charles Carvey. Rev. Franke also received the Faith and Life Award for a sonnet, “Pentecost” accepted by the The Poet’s Pen, a quarterly journal of The Society of American Poets.
Back to top DR. DENNIS FLENTGE was promoted to senior professor of chemistry at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. He has been a faculty member there since 1980 and previously was serving as chair of the science and mathematics department. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 1974 and served as a postdoctoral research fellow at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He also did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin.
Back to top THE REV. DAN BILES returned to the Lutheran Seminary in Novosaratovka, Russia in May as a guest lecturer. His topic was “Healthy Congregations: Understanding Your Church as a System.” It was his first time to return as a guest lecturer since serving in that capacity every spring from 1997-2003. He is also the coordinator for the USA Appeal for the Lutheran Church in the Russian Far East - www.luthvostok.com.
Back to top DR. PAUL BREAUX received his Ph.D. in leadership studies in May from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. He is an adjunct professor in the business and leadership studies department there.
KAY BECK HENDERSON retired after 30 years in education. She had been a counselor in the Round Rock school district for 24 years. She is finishing a year at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth studying ranch management. Kay works for the family ranch with her father and oldest son. She has two grandchildren: Jayden, 2, and Jack, 2.
Back to top REV. DR. BRIAN GIGEE, pastor of New Life Lutheran Church in Pearland, and his wife, Margo, went to Hawaii where they volunteered at the National Academic Decathlon in Honolulu as competition judges. Their son, Nathan, is a sophomore at TLU this fall.
Back to top LORY DONATT recently traveled to the Tartan Heart Festival and toured Paris, France and Edinburgh, Scotland. She plans to continue her travels to Ireland, Holland, Amsterdam, Austria, and Italy where she will be selecting operas. World Hunger activities will take her southwest of Mexico City, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
CYNTHIA IRWIN STOLLE was featured in a New York Times article about small, independent retailers who use Twitter to build business. Her store, The Silver Barn, also won “Best Gift Shop” in Columbus in a local newspaper poll.
Back to top GEORGIE DITTRICH lives in Seguin and is beginning her 32nd year of employment in the Nixon-Smiley ISD teaching fifth grade. After teaching 29 years at the elementary school, she is now part of the middle school.
Sugar Land-based Founders Bank has named KERRY W. JARKA to the position of senior vice president of consumer lending, where he is responsible for managing and growing the bank’s portfolio of auto, boat, home improvement and general consumer loans. He was previously at BBVA-Compass Bank, where he was first vice president of consumer lending, and prior to that worked in indirect lending at Primus Financial. He has been involved in a number of community activities throughout his career and is a past president of the Alief Lions Club. Kerry, his wife, Sandy, and sons, Shane and Korey, live in Sugar Land.
The Samaritan Center and Concordia University Texas presented WESLEY PEOPLES the individual award at their Seventh Annual Ethics in Business Award Cermony on April 23 at the Austin Country Club. Awards are bestowed on businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals in Central Texas who display the highest level of ethical standards and social responsibility. Wes lives in Austin with his wife, KAREN HOLMAN PEOPLES, and their three children.
JACK “JES” SCHOLL retired on July 31 after serving over 30 years in the U.S. Postal Service – 10 years as a letter carrier and the last 20 as a federal law enforcement officer in the position of postal inspector, working assignments that included mail fraud, child pornography, drugs in the mail, and money laundering.
Back to top DIANE TREVINO GARCIA has worked in the public school system for 30 years, most recently in San Antonio’s Northside ISD as an elementary reading and instructional support teacher. Her job keeps her busy planning in-services for teachers, writing curriculum, and assisting teachers in the elementary schools. She is married to Raymond Garcia Jr., who works for Tesoro Petroleum, and they have two children, Jonathan, 25, and Laura, 20.
In May 2008, LISA BURKHARDT WORLEY graduated magna cum laude with a master’s of theological studies degree from Perkins School of Theology. She is now launching a Christian Motivational Speaking Ministry. Her Web site is www.lisaburkhardtworley.com.
Back to top HILTON CHANCELLOR recently graduated from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.
Back to top RAMONA SMITH BRITT has taught art in Houston for 23 years, the last four at Klein Collins Senior High. Her husband, Tim, is self-employed as a territory sales manager in many different securities areas. The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary July 9 in Hawaii where they were married.
Back to top KAREN JONES KEGG and husband, Tony, announce the adoption of their son, Stephen Jones Kegg. He was born in South Korea on June 28, 2008 and brought home to Austin on April 30.
Back to top PETER ROED received certification to teach secondary math and industrial arts technology from Central Michigan University.
Back to top MIKE PANCOAST has accepted a call as an associate pastor for Youth and Family Ministry at First Lutheran Church, Minot, N.D. His spouse, Kari, will serve there as associate pastor for visitation ministries. Mike and Kari have four children: Olsen, 10; Laura, 8; Anna, 6; and Eleanor, 4.
Back to top BRADY BLASDEL and DENYSE BOONE BLASDEL ’97 announce the birth of their son, Aaron James, on April 15. He was welcomed by big brothers Ethan Jacob, 6, and Caleb Philip, 3.
DEBORAH CONE is a second grade teacher with a public school in Queens, N.Y. She has dual certification in childhood and special education, grades 1-6.
Back to top TONA KEKUEWA and her daughter, Kailani, are enjoying life in San Diego, Calif. In 2006, Tona and “Kai” moved to San Diego where Tona is a revenue agent with the IRS.
Back to top Peter and AMBER MURPHY DOUGLAS announce the birth of their daughter, Devyn Shea. She was born on Sept. 5, 2008 in Newport Beach, Calif.
CHRISTOPHER GORREBECK and DR. ALLISON GORREBECK ‘95 announce the birth of their son, Griffin Walt, born on Feb. 17. He is welcomed by big sister, Ava Elaine, age 2.
HEATHER OHRTMAN-ROGERS was selected as the Idaho Middle Level Association Region II Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009. She teaches Spanish and English at Jenifer Junior High in Lewiston, Idaho.
Back to top Ryder Joseph Fishbeck was born Sept. 2, 2008 to Billy and JENNIFER HEERSSEN FISHBECK. Ryder joins big brother, Reed, 6. The family resides in Seguin where Jennifer is a school counselor at Navarro Junior High.
BILL SQUIRES, a criminal district attorney for Bexar County working for District Attorney Susan Reed, was selected as a super lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine in the criminal prosecution division. Bill is married to Beth Watkins Squires, who was selected by the magazine as a super lawyer in the Appellate Division.
KRISTI WEGNER and John Sherlock were married on April 4 in Spring. KATHERYN PFEIFFER ANDERSON served as matron of honor. WENDY
FLATT BOHMANN was a bridesmaid and her son, Dillon Bohmann, served as ring bearer. The couple resides in Spring.
ANGELA WESTBROOK WARREN and her husband, Mike, have two children: Cassidy, 9, and Craig, 2 1/2. Angela is a child nutrition specialist with the New Caney ISD.
Back to top CHRIS ELLEY and his company, Electro-Fish Media, won an Emmy Award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for a tourism documentary produced for the Loudoun County Convention and Visitors Association. Five videos describe the Waterford Fair, White’s Ferry, Ball’sBluff Battlefield, Morven Park steeplechase racing and Great County Farms inLoudoun County, Va. Chris and Electro-Fish were featured in a June 25 story about the Loudoun County documentary in The Washington Post.
Back to top CAROL RHODES FOSTER and Christopher Ronald Foster announce the birth of their daughter, Carol Belle Foster, on March 24. The family resides in Manassas, Va.
Back to top LEANDRA NICOLE BERRY received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut on May 9. Her dissertation was “Early Treatments Associated with Optimal Outcome in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” She has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
ERIC and VANESSA BOKA BURK, and daughter, Taylor, welcomed Brooke Elizabeth, born on June 24. The family resides in San Antonio.
MICHELLE AND MICHAEL HARTFIEL, along with their daughter, Abby, welcomed the arrival of Clara Elizabeth, born June 12. The family resides in San Antonio.
JUAN THORN II was recently appointed the West Coast ultrasound representative for Elkin Medical Systems in Santa Clara, Calif.
Back to top DR. JOSEPH BAUERKEMPER has been awarded a 2009-2011 appointment as an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Scholar in the department of English at the University of California, Los Angeles.
TOBY BURK received his master of divinity degree from Lutheran Seminary of the Southwest on May 17. He was ordained at St. John’s Lutheran Church in San Antonio on July 3, and he has accepted a call to serve as pastor of two Nebraska churches: Emmaus Lutheran in Kennard and Immanuel Lutheran in Orum.
Back to top BETHANY CONSTABLE MINYARD and Matthew Minyard are proud to announce the birth of their son, Madden Weston, born Sept. 2, 2008 in Dallas.
In May, MANDY SACKREITER graduated with a master of divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Back to top DR. MEGAN HAWKINS, UT Southwest Medical Center, received a postdoctoral award from the American Physiological Society for her research “Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and c-Fos expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of normotensive and hypertensive rats.”
HOLLI NIESNER has accepted a position to teach math at Cairo American College in Egypt.
JASON and KIRSTEN ROGERS SENDELBACH have purchased their first home in Wauconda, Ill.
CURTIS WILSON along with his wife, Patti, and son, Matthew, have moved to Camp Wood where he is serving as the full-time minister of music and worship at First Baptist Church, Camp Wood.
Back to top TRACY HEATHCOCK married William Eckard Sept. 18, 2008. She works for Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. The couple lives in San Antonio.
KATIE JOHNSON married Ryan Phillips, March 14, at Spring Chateau in Spring. TLU alumni in the bridal party included JENNIFER BAUER.
KERI KNAPP and Travis Sanders were married on March 21 at Canyon Lake. WILLIAM A. “ANDY” MEYER and wife,
ASHLEY DORN MEYER ’05, bought a house in Missouri City following Hurricane Ike. Ashley received her master’s degree from Rice University and is beginning her doctoral program. Andy recently received his license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Back to top MICHELLE CHACON married Robert Gulash on June 13 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton, Ill. The wedding party included TLU alumni CHELSIE GRIFFITHS ’06 and GUY AMENT ’06. The couple now resides in Troy, Ill.
MEGAN HENSKE married VICTOR PERELLO ’06 on June 21, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in San Antonio.
Back to top On May 16, KASEY KORTH graduated from Texas State University with her master’s degree in theatre history. She now lives in Goodyear, Ariz.
TUCKER STEPHENSON has been named the sports editor for the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise.
Back to top 1920s
ELLEN STRAND ’23 passed away Feb. 14 at the age of 97.
1930s
RUTH HEINRICKE EGG ’34 of Meyersville died May 30, 2009. She was a teacher.
GENEVIEVE BLUME KEIL ’38 passed away Aug. 4. 2009.
ATEMASA POEHLMANN ’32 passed away Oct. 25, 2008.
1940s
DURL COOK ’48 of Dublin died April 20, 2009 at the age of 95.
EL-ROY ERXLEBEN ’48 died April 30, 2009. He was in the U.S. Army, received the Purple Heart, and was Seguin’s postmaster.
REV. REGINALD J. HUEBNER ’43 died on March 19, 2009. He was an Army Chaplin until he retired.
GERTRUDE “TRUDIE” OTTO JARVIS ’42 of Kerrville died June 11, 2009. She developed and ran church camps.
BETTY PFEUFFER TRIESCH ’47 died July 13, 2009 in New Braunfels. She was a teacher and was named Volunteer of the Year by Hospice.
1950s
HERMAN BARRS ’51 of Clifton died April 5, 2009. He was 78.
MARLENE KRIEWALD BONDS ’57 who composed the lyrics of the TLU alma mater, died April 27, 2009. She practiced law in Baton Rouge until she retired in 1997 and moved to Brenham.
OTTO J. KNUDSON JR. passed away June 28, 2009 in Clifton. He was a psychology professor at Victoria College.
DR. WILFRED GUS SAGER ’51 of Denton died April 28, 2009. He was a Lutheran minister, Christian psychologist, and creator of Sanctus Marriage Enrichment Ministries.
JEANINE L. GREINER SCHWARTZ ’58, of Seguin passed away on May 26, 2009 at the age of 72. She was a longtime educator and artist.
BARBARA TRAEGER SMOUSE ’55 of San Antonio died May 29, 2009. She was a physical therapist, taught school, and was a talented vocalist. CLINTON WEILBACHER ’52 of San Antonio died April 14, 2009. He was a member of the SW Football Officials Association and the National Home Builders Association.
1960s
JAMES W. BRADY ’69 of Longview died May 21, 2009. He worked in sporting good sales.
KAY MEISTER KARNAU ’60 died Jan. 3, 2009. She was a piano adjudicator, a faculty member of the National Guild of Piano teachers, and a member of the Piano Guild Hall of Fame.
STEPHEN MAURER ’60 of Spring Branch passed away on May 8, 2009.
TERRY NELSON ’69 died July 11, 2009 in Corsicana where he worked as a volunteer fireman. He was with Huffman Communications following a career with Motorola.
CAROL ANN FELGER SEEL ’67 passed away July 16, 2009 in Victoria. She was a teacher her entire career and retired from Victoria ISD.
1970s
JANE DANITSCHEK GOEBEL ’74 of Monument, Colo. died April 8, 2009. A longtime organist and parish administrator in Omaha, she wrote Comfort for the Journey to provide hope to others with multiple sclerosis.
VIKKI JO KIEFFER ’77 died at her home in Katy on May 10, 2009. She taught school for more than 30 years.
DR. TIMOTHY MATTHYS ’74 died June 4, 2009. He was a dentist in Copperas Cove and active in Rotary and Grace Lutheran Church in Killeen.
DR. WILLIAM ERNEST “ERNIE” MEYER ’79 died Aug. 3, 2009. He practiced dentistry in Missouri City.
1980s
MIGUEL “MIKE” MEDINA ’86 died May 9, 2009, at the age of 44. Mike played for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs. Later he pursued a career in coaching.
SHAWN PASOLA ’86 of Puyallup, Wash., died April 4, 2009.
1990s
NELIA “NELLY” BATE ’97 died June 22, 2009. She served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from NCO Leadership School with honors.
2000s
MICHAEL THOMAS RAETZSCH ‘08, age 22, died June 9, 2009. He was pursuing a teaching certification and had been offered a position at the McNay Art Institute in San Antonio.
Other
Lela Budwine, 89, of Lake Jackson passed away June 5, 2009. She and her husband were donors to TLU, sponsoring many Budwine scholars through the years.
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