BVU to Honor Eleven at Founders' Day Service

September 2, 2015

Buena Vista University will hold its 38th annual Founders' Day memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 19 to honor 11 deceased individuals who have served the institution as faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, friends and benefactors.

"Our students have access to many outstanding and transformational educational experiences, thanks to the support and dedication of those who believe in the vision of this institution," said BVU President Fred Moore. "The individuals we will honor at this year's Founders' Day have contributed significantly to our history and success, and they serve as an inspiration to BVU and their communities."

Inaugurated in September 1978, Founders' Day has become an annual memorial service that has honored more than 200 individuals through 2014. The service, led by Rev. Ken Meissner, university chaplain, begins at 11 a.m. at Schaller Memorial Chapel and is open for the public to attend.

Those being recognized this year are:

Norman Bonnema, Storm Lake, was a professor of business administration at Buena Vista and also aided the growth of the Graduate & Professional Studies program. Norman was born in Steen, Minn., and was a retired Naval Reserve commander. He began his career at Buena Vista in 1964 as an assistant professor and worked his entire career for Buena Vista University as a professor, teaching and impacting students in the business program. In 1976, Norman was the center director for the newly-established Graduate & Professional Studies locations in Spencer. He is survived by his wife, Lorna, of Storm Lake. Norman passed away on April 17, 2015.

Wayne Forbes, Storm Lake, was a Buena Vista 1947 alumnus, benefactor to the University, and served on the Board of Trustees (1962-69). Wayne was born in Pierson and served his country as an aerial navigator in the Army Air Corps before graduating from Buena Vista. He owned and operated Forbes Shoes in Storm Lake from 1953 until his retirement in 1988 and was active in the community. He and his late wife Betty provided gifts to BVU to support the 25th Anniversary Fund in the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business and a major gift for the recent Peterson Field project. Wayne was a member and former president of the BVU Alumni Association Board and was honored with the John Fisher Award in 1977 and the Henry Olson Alumni Award in 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2004. Wayne passed away on Jan. 22, 2015.

Mary Louise Hoeft, Edina, Minn., was a Buena Vista University benefactor along with her late husband, Leonard Hoeft, who was President/CEO at Wm. H. Ziegler and was a respected leader in the construction industry. Mary Lou was born in Sycamore, Ill., and was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and attended The Woman's Club of Minneapolis with friends. Philanthropy, generosity, and faith were at the core of Mary Lou and Leonard's life together, and the couple gave generously to many non-profit and educational institutions, including two major capital projects at BVU. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, in 2013. Mary Lou passed away on June 25, 2014.

LaVonne Hoffman, Storm Lake, was a 1973 alumna and adjunct music instructor and accompanist at Buena Vista University from 1988 to 2006. LaVonne was born in Albert City and received a music degree in piano from the Chicago Music Conservatory College in 1950. Upon returning to Albert City in 1970, she attended Buena Vista and received her bachelor's degree in music in 1973. She was a dedicated elementary school music teacher for the Storm Lake Public Schools until her retirement in 1989. LaVonne was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake and was an accomplished pianist, piano teacher, soloist, voice coach, and also performed at many funerals, school functions, and other events in the community. She is survived by her three children. LaVonne passed away on May 27, 2015.

Dennis Holmstrom, Storm Lake, was a plumber with the Buena Vista University Maintenance Department. Dennis was born in St. Paul, Minn., and grew up in Iowa. He served in the United States Navy as a Seabee and was honorably discharged in 1969. He had his own business, Holmstrom Plumbing and Heating, before coming to work at Buena Vista in 1987. Dennis retired in 2012. He enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing, collecting antiques, and restoring his 1956 Century boat. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, in 2010. Dennis passed away on Aug. 15, 2014.

Jan Patton, Storm Lake, was a 1982 alumna and worked as the health director at Buena Vista. Jan was born in Carroll and attended St. Anthony's School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse for many years before becoming heath director at BV, where, at age 50, she graduated summa cum laude. Jan served on the Upper Des Moines Opportunity Board, Storm Lake Community School Board, Gingerbread House, Home Health Care Board, and a member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake and the Apache Wells Community Church in Arizona. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill Patton. Jan passed away on Oct. 7, 2014.

Martha "Marty" Hoover Siefer, Fort Dodge, was a Buena Vista University benefactor along with her late husband, Fred Siefer, who was a member of the Board of Trustees (1955-73). Martha was born in Macedonia, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa. She volunteered at the First Presbyterian Church, played in several bridge groups, was a member of PEO and Tri-T, and was a hospice volunteer. Martha and Fred established the Marion Miller Siefer Memorial Scholarship, now named the Fred E. Siefer Scholarship, at Buena Vista University, which is granted to a student who attends the Fort Dodge Graduate & Professional Studies program location or to any student with academic abilities and financial need. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Elton Hoover in 1962 and Fred Siefer in 1996. Martha passed away on March 1, 2015.

Helen Schott, Des Moines, was a 1933 alumna and a Buena Vista University benefactor. She was born in Sac County and received her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Drake University. She was a dedicated elementary teacher in Peterson, Sioux City, and Des Moines and taught for 42 years. Helen is remembered by former students and family as a caring, gentle, and sweet woman, and she enjoyed gardening and staying updated on current events. She and her sister, Marie, were frequent and generous supporters of BVU over the years. She is survived by eleven nieces and nephews. Helen passed away on April 12, 2015.

Jeff Spielman, Minneapolis, Minn., was Buena Vista head men's basketball coach and worked in the BVU Office of Alumni and Development. Jeff was born in Windom, Minn., and received his master's degree from South Dakota State University. During his career, he was a college basketball coach for 15 years, including guiding the Beavers from the start of the 1983-84 season until the end of the 1992-93 campaign and coaching nine BV All-Iowa Conference selections. Jeff was currently the director of advancement at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences. He is survived by his three children and four grandchildren. Jeff passed away on Nov. 19, 2014.

Daniel Toft, Peterson, was an adjunct professor in the history department at Buena Vista University. Daniel was born in Royal and graduated from Grinnell College with a degree in history before enlisting in the Army. He received his doctorate in history from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and was a professor at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, and at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He settled in Peterson in 1989 and taught at BVU from 1990 to 2008. Daniel also played piano professionally, enjoyed gardening, and was a lover of literature, history, and culture. He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren. Daniel passed away on Dec. 23, 2014.

Pearl Vest, Ames, was a Buena Vista University benefactor along with her late husband, Alan Vest, who served on the Board of Trustees (1978-95) and was a Sir John Templeton Life Trustee. Pearl was born in Parkston, S.D., graduated from Dakota Wesleyan College in Mitchell, S.D., and taught elementary school for four years in Geddes, S.D. She married Alan in 1939, and the couple settled in Sac City for 67 years before moving to Ames in 2004. Pearl was an active member of First Methodist Church in Sac City and belonged to several book clubs. She was a member of PEO for 64 years. Alan preceded her in death in 2007. Pearl passed away on Jan. 14, 2015.