DiAnn & Gary Svenson Stories

Twelve years ago today, DiAnn hosted an informal gathering that included tasty Mabe's Pizza and her son-in-law Josh's famous from-scratch colonial cheesecake recipe to celebrate her retirement from nearly two decades of service to Luther College Dining Services. For this event, she consented to let others do the cooking, a rare experience for her.  DiAnn started as a sub, became a 2nd cook and was eventually head cook of her own shift where she and her colleagues worked hard and cared deeply about quality food for their students and their families, summer activity attendees, and many who came to special events like the famous Peace Dining Room brunch.  DiAnn thoroughly enjoyed her colleagues and the many Luther students she got to know over the years through their work study employment as cafeteria workers and students managers.  DiAnn's family thanks everyone for your incredible support during this difficult 2021 year. You are wished all the best for 2022!

This undated Christmas card depicts the Centennial Road home between Ossian and Frankville where DiAnn grew up and lived until she and Gary married in 1972. It is one of two homes she ever lived in. Many wonderful memories are connected to this Ehler family farm where DiAnn was raised by her parents, Felix and Bertha, alongside her siblings - Jeanette, Laverna, Marlene and Ronnie.  To read DiAnn's "Epitome of an Iowa Farm Girl" eulogy that includes wonderful memories from the family farm share at  her June 2021 funeral, click here .  This photo is likely from from the 1950's or 1960's when it was commonplace for air travel companies to take photos of farms and offer them to farm owners for their personal use.  What are your favorite Christmas greeting card memories through the years? Merry Christmas!