Alumni
Class of 1957 Reunion
We had a great time at our class reunion on September 22, 2007! Check out the Reunion Photo Gallery!
Dear Friends from Class of 1957:
Our Golden Reunion was a special event. Some highlights:
Bob Carlson (Colo.) made us proud as he performed three beautiful pieces on Benson Great Hall’s magnificent Blackinton pipe organ.
Professor and Mrs. V. Elving Anderson, Dr. and Mrs. Vern Sommerdorf and Mrs. Ruth Fardig honored us with their presence and remarks, as did George Brushaber, who is in his final year as president of Bethel.
We were warmed by the spiritual impact our classmates have made around the world—as missionaries, pastors, music directors, and medical doctors who have taken mission trips to China, Burma, and Ukraine. Accounts of personal witnessing to individuals brought joy to our hearts as well! Numerous grads entered the field of education, becoming teachers, principals, school superintendents (one was named National Superintendent of the Year), and college and seminary professors (some with Ph.D.s). In addition, we had several social workers, a police chaplain, and a couple of authors emerge from our group. The general feeling was that the teaching of our Bethel professors and their examples of Christian character prepared us well for our careers. We owe much to them.
Henry Pedersen (R.I.) and Bill Conrad (Ga.) inspired us by sharing the passions and opportunities the Lord has given them (read more about it in the Memory Book which the alumni office put together for us). There are 41 entries in this up-to-date book, including addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for keeping in touch. It’s a blessing just to look at the names—thanks to all who contributed! If you were unable to attend Homecoming, you may purchase a Memory Book for $5 through the Office of Alumni and Parent Services; 3900 Bethel Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55112 (or call 800.255.8706, ext. 6462, or 651.638.6462).
Emcee Glenn Ogren led us in a time of sharing stories and memories. The reunion lunch concluded as we sang hymns with Howard Rekstad directing and Al Hubin playing piano. (We sounded pretty good—C. Howard Smith and Nels Stjernstrom would have been pleased!) The luncheon had a great turnout of approximately 70, excluding special guests. A photo was taken of the class members. We appreciate the cheerful patience of those who tried to keep us in line!
We also thank the alumni office staff for their tireless work and obvious joy in creating such a special occasion for us. We appreciate the frames for the class picture, the glass cup with gold imprinting, the Festival of Christmas DVD, and the complimentary luncheon. The Uppsala room was provided for our use during the afternoon and after the evening meal, giving us space to hang out and chat. The tables for the Class of ’57 evening meal were quite stunning, complete with gold napkins and tablecloths. Most importantly, Alumnus of the Year Colonel Glen L. Bloomstrom’s life story on PowerPoint and the remarks he presented gave us all reason to praise God for this chaplain and for Bethel’s part in his training.
The Bethel football team won an impressive victory on Saturday. Some of us remembered the memorable defeats our Bethel teams experienced! That thought prompted Paul Berg to recall the small number of players back then, a situation that sometimes forced team members to play both offense and defense. Is that true, John? Little did we realize then how exhausted you must have been on game days.
Some Golden Reunion impressions from those in attendance:
Thankfulness for the Bethel we knew and for all the great people with whom we shared our Bethel days.
Thankfulness for God’s prospering of Bethel, for its significance in the community and the world, and for godly leaders. (Have you seen the current campus and its newest additions? If not, make a point of attending our next reunion!)
Frustration at not being able to visit one-on-one with each person who came! But we do have phones and email, right?
Reunions are not about celebrating perfect lives. Some, if not most of us, are among the walking wounded. What matters is that we can affirm with the Swedish hymnist:
“Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, thanks for what Thou dost deny! Thanks for storms that I have weathered, thanks for all Thou dost supply! Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure, thanks for comfort in despair! Thanks for grace that none can measure, thanks for love beyond compare!” (Verse 2 of the hymn, “Thanks to God” by A.L. Storm and J.A. Hultman)
Reunion Committee
Fred Stearns
Carol (Peterson) Peterson
Marge (Block) Peterson
Beverly (Carlson) Magnuson
Glen Ogren
David Eggen
Barb (Martin) Eggen
1957 Reunion Planning Team
1957 reunion planning team members are:
(Left to right) Marge (Block) Peterson, Beverly (Carlson) Magnuson,
Fred Stearns - Coordinator, Glen Ogren, Carol (Peterson) Peterson
(not pictured: David Eggen and Barb (Martin) Eggen)
If you were unable to attend our reunion you can still order a Memory Book for $5 from the alumni office. You may email the alumni office at alumni@bethel.edu or call 800.255.8706, ext. 6462, or 651.638.6462.
Missing Contact Information
We’re missing contact information (address, phone, and email) on some of your classmates.
If you know the whereabouts of an alumni listed below, please email alumni@bethel.edu or call 651.638.6462 or toll-free at 800.255.8706, ext. 6462.
| First Name | Maiden | Last Name |
| Charlotte | Duncan | Halsing |
| Kenneth | Garrison | |
| Donna | Green | |
| Betty | Gross | |
| Jean | Grover | |
| Robert | Holmlund | |
| Gaylen | Jensen | |
| Robert | Langelett | |
| Beverly | Lentz | |
| Stanley | Patterson | |
| Richard | Pearson | |
| James | Petersen | |
| Bruce | Peterson | |
| Marda | Stout | |
| Vivian | Weekley | Johnson |