Donors of Dollars for Scholars is a posting created to share a glimpse into the lives of named donors. We are grateful to the donors and their families for choosing to honor their loved ones in this way. It is our hope to share a new story every couple of months.
A "Donors of Dollars for Scholars" story...
Our mother, Arianne(Ann) Cornelius Sande Thoreson(7-21-1918--12-28-2008), First Generation American, knew the importance of an education because she had to leave school after 8th grade due to their large family and lack of money. She was always "the teacher" when she and her siblings played school in the grove by their farm home. Her dream was to be a teacher. Unable to attend high school, she had to work for the local farmers who needed help cooking for hired men. She met Lloyd Sande from Kanabec County who was one of those hired men. Ann and Lloyd married in September 1938 and moved to the Knife Lake area in Kanabec County to help Lloyd's father on the family farm, which they later bought. Toby and I (Nancy), children of Lloyd and Ann, attended a one room school where Lloyd and his siblings attended school. Our mother helped at Blaine School as a member of the Mother's Club to being on the School Board. Our mother's passion for education continued throughout her life. Mom's appreciation of the "Back to the 50's Scholarship" that was started by the 1950's graduating classes with a Homecoming Fundraiser, prompted her to tell me one evening, "When I die, I want you to give all my Memorial Donations to the Scholarship Fund." Our mom felt strongly about giving to the students of MHS, because Wally Thoreson, her second husband, a former MHS agriculture teacher, had set up an Ag Scholarship for students. Toby and I want to continue to honor our mom and Wally for the dream they had about being an educator and by continuing to fund a scholarship in her memory, The Ann Cornelius Sande Thoreson Scholarship. We love our partnership with Dollars for Scholars.
Lawrence "Toby" Sande
Nancy Sande Thomas
A "Donors of Dollars for Scholars" story...
Bob Beck, my brother-in-law, was born in Spencer, Iowa in 1919. He was a hard working man with many aspirations and dreams. It was at the young age of 15 that Bob began his career in the printing business. He was introduced to the intricacies of assembling and delivering newspapers, and he took on that responsibility for the weekly mimeographed Spencer Shopper. The following year, Bob worked as an apprentice for the Daily Reporter, making $5.00 a week, working 9 hours a day, and sometimes 36 straight hours. By age 18, this determined young man had trained himself in as the sole pressman for the Spencer News, running a feed using a 72 inch wide, 2,200 pound press roll. It was not easy work, but the job had to get done. Mr. Beck moved to Mora in 1947 to take a job with the Times. It was a good move for Bob, as he met the love of his life, Lois Brown, a lifelong resident of Mora. Bob and Lois married in 1948. A year later, Bob Beck teamed up with Harland Walters to start a new business, B & W Printers. A few problems stood in the way of this new endeavor: no money, no equipment, no location, and no business experience. Not to be defeated, these young, ambitious printers set out to overcome the obstacles. A dubious relative secured the money. A used printing press was purchased, something that neither knew how to operate. The location would be the basement of Mora Clothing Store (currently Made of Mora) for $20/month, and the business experience would be on-the-job training. Lois joined the business soon after it opened. For thirteen years, B & W printed out of this location before moving to their new building, which is now west of the current Pizza Pub. Bob and Lois worked as a team, adding new equipment, new employees, and eventually adding on to the building. 1977 brought a new name as well, The Mora Advertiser. Bob and Lois were active in the community, and served on many boards and addressed many issues. They retired in 1988 from a successful business built on hard work, perseverance and the trust of the people they served. They worked diligently to make Mora a better community. When Lois passed away in 1990, Bob donated to Dollars for Scholars, in memory of his bride, who had spent her entire life in Mora. Although they did not have any children of their own, they always hired students to work for them and enjoyed being involved in their lives. Bob passed away seven years later. Their legacy in the Mora community continues on today through the Beck Memorial Dollars for Scholars scholarships. It was their hope that others would work hard to fulfill their aspirations and dreams.
Story shared by Marlene Brown,
sister-in-law of Lois Brown Beck
A "Donors of Dollars for Scholars" story...
Some of the the most special words spoken about my late husband, John Hillman, were the words said by a young neighbor boy…"John is my friend! He talks to me!" John loved children, whether they were his nieces and nephews or his many Godchildren, whether they were the youth from his church or the kids in the community, John's desire was always the same--he wanted to have a positive impact on their lives. I am so grateful for the life that John and I shared and the opportunities I had to watch him love young people so well...always being fair, kind and expecting the best of the kids. It is with a spirit of humility and gratitude that I honor my husband by presenting the John Hillman Memorial Scholarship to a graduating senior at Mora High School. In this way, his impact lives on in the lives of the young.
Beatta Hillman
A Donors of Dollars for Scholars story...
I have been asked to write about the origins of the Carlson brothers' support for Mora Dollars for Scholars. Our parents, John and Myrtle Carlson were both Scandinavian immigrants of very humble beginnings. Neither had an opportunity to attend school beyond eighth grade. In 1942, as a young couple with three sons, they moved to an 80 acre farm three miles northwest of Mora. Over the next eleven years, four more boys were born to them. That little farm and the family's long hours of labor guaranteed food and shelter for our large family of nine but not much else except 25 years of debt. Through it all, Mom and Dad always showed total confidence that their sons could and would accomplish what needed to be done.
Like many struggling farm families of that era in Kanabec County, Mom and Dad had open generous hearts. They were grateful to be able to share what they had with relatives, friends and strangers. Mom and Dad (mostly Mom) would sometimes talk about starting a little side business that would help pay off the debt that cycled up and down season after season. Eventually when Dad was in his 60's, they borrowed more money to start a business and finally worked their way out of debt. Those examples of work, risk and sharing were the legacy John and Myrtle left for their sons.
When his eldest son graduated from high school and went out into the world at age 16, Dad's heartfelt advice was that he should learn a trade. Our father worked as a general laborer serving the needs of brick layers, block layers, etc. in addition to farm work. He knew a "trade" would enable Donald to have some advantages he (Dad) never had.
In time, the rest of us also continued our studies in a variety of ways beyond high school. We are very pleased that the Mora DFS program awards scholarships for the full range of post-high school education.
My brothers and I are grateful for the lessons and opportunities we have been given. We honor our parents for their love, their confidence in us and for believing we would learn from their example. The Mora Dollars for Scholars organization continues to be a good way for us to do this in the community which gave us, their sons, a good education.
Sincerely,
Martin Carlson writing also for Jerome, Oscar and Fred Carlson
A Donors of Dollars for Scholars story...
I met Judy while living in Iowa, attending Iowa Wesleyan University. We were united in marriage on August 4, 1963, and together moved to Indiana where I began my teaching career. Seven years later, I accepted a teaching position in Minnesota, where I also began a post-graduate program as an educator. After we settled in Mora, Judy opened a daycare in our home, as children held a special place in her heart. She enjoyed watching them grow and learn. Another "job" Judy enjoyed was her "Judy Duty" position. Every month, Judy would faithfully attend school board meetings, wanting to be kept abreast of local education initiatives. She was fondly given the name "Judy Duty" by a school board member because of her dedication and support to the students and staff at Mora Schools. As time went on, education became an even bigger part of Judy's life. She was married to a Science teacher, her daughter became a special education teacher, and her son-in-law served as a school administrator..
Judy served on the Dollars for Scholars board for a number of years. One of her most cherished jobs was reading the students' essays and recognizing the astounding work the students in high school put forth. The love for learning had always been a part of Judy's life. She passed this love onto her children and grandchildren.
Judy passed away in 2014, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. After her death, as a family we knew there was no doubt with whom her memorial money would be shared. We are grateful for her life, and honor her memory with a Dollars for Scholars scholarship. We know she'd be extremely proud watching her four grandchildren present a scholarship to a well-deserving recipient each spring.
Jim Belt and family
The Besser family has always enjoyed celebrating. Fourth of July parties, holiday gatherings, and summer BBQ's fill their backyards with friends, family and lots of laughter. Family reunions are another annual get together. Conversations among loved ones not only involve sharing stories of the year, but memories from the past. Some of their memories include those of Josh, their sweet brown-eyed boy who, at age 15, passed away too soon. Many family members remember stories of the independent, adventurous, yet shy boy who...
...at three years old, couldn't quite say squirrel, but with enthusiasm in his squeaky voice would point out the window and tell his grandpa there were skirls in the backyard...see the skirls...the skirls are climbing the trees!
...was excited to join the Besser deer hunting party. Bringing home a big buck was the goal of many in this group, but Josh had a different reason for heading out to the deer stand. Candy. Pockets full of candy.
...enjoyed fishing. Many summer days, Josh would bring his fishing pole down to the river and fish the afternoon away. Winter brought opportunities for ice fishing. Having fun in the fish house was quite enjoyable for Josh. On one fishing trip, he was so interested in the big stringer of fish, he dropped the whole thing down the fishing hole.
….had a mechanical mind and would sit for hours and hours, constructing Legos and building new creations.
….enjoyed backyard baseball games with his family. He would laugh and swing alongside his relatives until he got out, and then, as many boys his age might do, stomped off to the house, refusing to play anymore.
....always had a smile on his face when he came in the door and his standard greeting was a simple "Hey Grandma", nothing more, nothing less. To Josh, that pretty much said it all.
As the reminiscing comes to a close, the Besser family remembers the little things they miss, as well as the big component that has been added to their reunions. Each year, they hold a special auction where family members bring home-baked goodies, hand crafted decor, canned garden vegetables, smoked fish and many other items to sell to one another. A designated auctioneer from the family is chosen, and soon the bidding (as well as the heckling, the humor, and the harrassing) begins. It is a time of laughter and fun, yet one of great purpose….to honor Josh Besser by raising money for a Dollars for Scholars memorial scholarship in his name. A family that has always enjoyed celebrating chooses to continue celebrating the life of Josh, a 15 year old boy, who was dearly loved and forever missed.
The Besser family
