advice

Ordinary life may not feel inspiring all the time. In fact, many people think inspiration needs to jolt us out of nowhere, like a strike…

Phyllis Green, interviewed by daughter Pat Beck Originally published in the Fall 2016 Inspire(d) Magazine, Phyllis passed away July 28, 2020.  Our condolences to Phyllis’…

Jim Schaffer, born July 14, 1934 on the family farm in Iowa, on what was one of the hottest days of that century. Interviewed by…

Sigrid Peterson, 95 – birthday March 11 Interviewed by granddaughters Thea Satrom & Tatum Schilling Our grandmother is the most loving and kind woman, and…

It’s that time of year – and as much as the merits and drawbacks of Daylight Savings Time have been discussed, it’s still here. Which means…

Interviewed by friend Becky Olafsen • Originally published in the Fall 2015 Inspire(d) Becky and her husband, Peter, frequently share the pew with Marvin Wicks…

Norma Wangsness (center) lives a life of love and art and a little red lipstick Interviewed by daughter Le Bahr Norma Wangsness was born in…

Interview and photo by Ketel Paulsen Charlotte (Christopherson) Strinmoen is as delightful a woman as they come. She met her first husband, American Carmen Christopherson,…

Intro and interview by granddaughter, Lisa Tupy Originally published in the July/August 2008 Inspire(d) The first memory I have of my grandpa is me sitting…

 Interview by friend Elly Lensch There are a few special people in the world who light up any room or hall they enter with rays…

Marv Klocke shares business and desert island sense Interviewed by Marla Klocke • Originally published in the Winter 2012-13 Inspire(d) Marv Klocke shares his memories…

Interviewed by granddaughter Janelle (Holty) Halverson • Originally published in the Spring 2014 Inspire(d) This type of interview captures remarkable things about the subject but…

Intro and interview by grandson Hans Aschim • Photo by David Moore • Originally published in the Fall 2011 Inspire(d) My grandparents, Donald and Ilene Moore,…

Originally published in the November 2007 issue of Inspire(d), we offer our condolences to the family and friends of Grace Torresdal. She passed away May 6,…

Interviewed by Amalia Vagts, granddaughter (left) • Originally published in the Summer 2014 Inspire(d) My grandfather, John F. Hassebroek, can have a conversation with anyone,…

Verne Koenig, a long time resident of Decorah, started his career in radio at KFJB in Marshalltown, IA. Eventually, he settled in Decorah and became…

Interview by Dan Bellrichard (pictured here on the left) • Originally published in the Winter 2011-12 Inspire(d) “Bob’s Standard Services” in Decorah was a landmark since…

Update: Marjorie Moe, now 95 (2015) moved to Eastern Star Nursing Home October of 2011. Her (now former) neighbor Jody Jens interviewed her several years back…

Interviewed by daughter Elizabeth Breuning – Cowie. Originally published in the Feb/March 2010 issue of Inspire(d) Magzine. Duane Bruening, husband of Eileen, father of eight, Grandfather…

Interviewed by Benji Nichols • Originally published in Inspire(d) Magazine (March 2008) Both Richard and Mildred Dinger grew up in the Decorah area. Through growing…

Originally published in the Spring 2015 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine • Betty passed away March 8, 2015.  Interviewed by her granddaughter, Sarah Rattenborg, while at lunch. They…

Interviewed by Benji Nichols (Orginally published in the April/May 2010 Inspire(d)) Joyce Cote – Approached life with laughter, curiosity, and an eternal love for ‘the water.’…

Interview and intro by granddaughter Molly. Spec passed away April of 2012 Ambrose Spec Wilmes was a man of stories. A history book that remained open…

Orginally published in the Oct/Nov 2009 Inspire(d) Magazine • Photo courtesy Luther College Archives Answers recalled by daughters Marit Pudas and Marjorie Wharton • Orville…

Interview/Intro by Janelle (Holty) Halverson • Originally published in the Winter 2014-15 Inspire(d) Magazine Dorothy Seegmiller, 80,  loves phone calls, visits with friends, and a…

Interview and Introduction by Jen Johnson and Lor Miller – This probit originally appeared in the “Summer” 2012 issue of Inspire(d). At the age of…

Clifford Julian Smorstad, age 96 (May 24, 1918 – July 13, 2014)  Clifford Smorstad was born in rural Decorah in 1918 and grew up near…

Margaret Halvorson Stortz (passed away at 92 March 21, 2014) Interviewed by grandson Benji Nichols Margaret was born in the fall of 1921 and grew…

Armella passed away October 2, 2017 , at the age of 91. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, and loved ones.…

Interviewed by Benji Nichols Dr. Richard Simon Hanson grew up in rural Wisconsin with a love of farm life that has led a journey of…

Thelma Reetz was one of the many progressive leaders that were involved in getting services for people with intellectual disabilities started in Waukon, Iowa in…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (6/20/16) TO SYLVESTER! Interview by Joanie Rollins (daughter of Sylvester) and Benji Nichols. Sylvester Carolan, age 105, claims his faith, his family, a…

Interviewed by daughter-in-law Lynne Zotalis. It’s so interesting how things come around. I will have two new grandchildren by spring.  Their great grandma, Virginia, will…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Honesty. Don’t speak badly about others, and never say a “bad” word! What did you want to…

Regina Cecelia Broghammer (nee Knox) Born at home “on Groundhog’s Day” (February 2), 1908 in Plymouth Rock Parish in Winneshiek County, Iowa. Regina is the…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Just be myself. How about the worst? When they took my car keys away.  I had already…

Interviewed by Eric Paulson, Hometown Taxi driver, who says Sandy is the most inspiring person he has ever met. What’s the best advice anyone ever…

Dee Kuhlman, aged “it’s nobody’s business” but her own, loves to cook (and fancy at that), is incredibly organized, and has a wonderfully loving and…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Work, Work, and Work! Treat everyone good and they will treat you good. What did you want…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? The best advice anyone ever gave me was when I was about 22 years old. I went…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? I have two: (1) Nothing will happen unless you make it happen (this was from my brother,…

“My Mother always said I was one of the first babies born at the old hospital,” says Phyllis Leseth from the heart of her historic home on Rural Avenue in Decorah. Speaking with her, it is apparent that this charming woman has more stories than one can imagine. At 92, Phyllis speaks eloquently about her experiences being among the first group of women to attend Luther College (class of ’39) and of being one of the first females to work on the Luther Newspaper & News Bureau.