Liam Regan Boeker born October 20, 2011 to Michael’93 and Malinda’95 (Johnson) Boeker. Grandparents are Paul and Fayth Boeker.

1967, “Norman David Rempel, 65, of Fresno, CA died Saturday, October 15, 2011. He was a college administrator and professor. Memorial: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary. Arrangements: Clovis Funeral Chapel.” – Fresno Bee
Obituary will be added later. Dr. Rempel taught for 16 years at Grace University. He left Grace in 1988 to accept an administrative position at Fresno Pacific University in California. He joined the Grace Board of Trustees in 2002, resigning in 2004 when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
The following paragraph is from his blog about life with MS: http://normability.com/norms-life-with-ms-episode-6/
“So, Norm, what are you saying? Are you saying that you are ready to die? Is that what you’re really saying? Let’s make it real, now. OK?”
Yes, I’m ready to go. I’ve always been in the arms of our Savior, but this now feels real. I’ve had a life that was perfect for me. I loved teaching and I loved being an administrator at two Christian universities. And I couldn’t have chosen something more fitting for me. I have been blessed with a great match between desire and choice. And that’s only one aspect. I’m so blessed to have found my Sweetheart of 44 years and have 3 children who we love deeply, and they in turn do the same for us. And our church life and university life have given us such a wonderful set of people to work with. So when I say I am grateful, I have every reason to really, really mean it.

1951, Irene Sylvia Giesbrecht
SALEM, OREGON - On Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, a woman of intelligence, beauty and grace went home to her Lord and Savior’s arms. Irene was born April 6th, 1930 in Peking China to missionaries, August and Martha Ewert, the oldest of five children. Irene returned to the United States permanently in 1942. While attending Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska she met her husband Alvin Giesbrecht and they were married in 1952. Over the next eight years Irene gave birth to her four children, Darrel, Hugh, Rae, and Murray. In 1966 Irene returned to college to begin work on her master’s degree.

In 1971, Al and Irene moved to Salem Oregon where Irene finished her master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Oregon and began work as Librarian at Waldo Middle School. She retired from the school after 19 years. Always active, she spent the next years on missions to Ecuador, the Ukraine, and working with the Gideons Auxiliary. During this time she also travelled to many places including Europe and returning to her birth place in China.

Irene passed quietly at home after an extended illness. She is survived by her husband, three brothers, one sister, four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at Monday, October 17, 10:30 AM at Emmanuel Bible Church, 8512 Sunnyview Rd NE, Salem. Arrangements by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home. Online tributes at www.HED-FH.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Gideons.

Asher Adair Peterson was born on September 24, 2011 to Gary (’04) and Cindy Peterson. Asher was 8lbs 7oz, 20 inches long and was warmly welcomed by brother Kevin and sister Emma.

For the past 19 years, Dr. John Holmes, Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of the Bible, has studied and served at Grace University. After finishing his formal education, God brought Dr. Holmes and his leadership skills back to Grace to serve his alma mater. Dr. Holmes uses his Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to serve the faculty and students while furthering the mission of Grace. Dr. Holmes returned to Grace after beginning his teaching career at another Bible institute because his wife, Donna, was invited to be the Dean of Women, and he was thrilled at the opportunity to impact students in and out of the classroom.

In addition to providing academic leadership and oversight to the faculty, he teaches various Bible courses (including teaching OT Survey for 15 years). Prior to serving as Academic Dean, Dr. Holmes served in the EXCEL Degree Completion Program, and as the Registrar. He reaches beyond his office and classroom to work with students each fall in the mountains of Colorado through the University’s Outdoor Recreation Backpacking class. He is a nationally certificated as a single pitch rock climbing instructor and enjoys teaching a rock climbing class in the spring.

When he is not at Grace, Dr. Holmes enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. They are avid swimmers, cyclists, and runners. Dr. Holmes frequently can be found speaking at local churches and sharing his passion for Christ and the work being done at Grace University. His life verse is Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.”

HELP RETIRE THE DEBT

Thanks to all of you who have responded to the call to bless Grace University through the Retire the Debt Campaign, but we still have a long way to go.

When Dr. Eckman began his tenure as president, a key donor gave seed money for necessary structural and technological upgrades. The gift was large, but not large enough to complete all the projects needed to keep the University viable. The Board of Trustees made a difficult, but sound, decision to take out low interest Nebraska Educational Finance Authority (NEFA) bonds to finance projects on campus.

Paying down debt is not a glamorous endeavor, but it is an important goal for Dr. Eckman before he retires in June. He wants to leave the University in the best condition for his predecessor. By eliminating the debt from the NEFA bonds taken out during a key time of growth at Grace, you are helping Grace instead direct its funds toward maintaining the stability of the University and building servant leaders.

There is still much work to be done and we appreciate your continued prayer and support as we work to raise the funds for this important need.

At the end of September, I participated in the ordination service of one of Grace University’s young alumni pastors.  This special event caused me to reflect back to my own ordination on November 24, 1963 (two days after JFK was assassinated).  My wife and I were serving at a small congregation in western Canada and our families were all in Kansas.  There was no way for them to connect with this important event in person. We connected almost exclusively by letter in those days, and seldom by telephone because of the prohibitive cost of long-distance.  Today we stream significant events live, post happenings on YouTube, share on FaceBook, send instant text messages, Skype face-to -face visits, write blogs, and use numerous other social and business media.  The United States Postal Service is languishing because their service is no longer the major connector.

The Grace University Alumni Connector is an alumni blog that I hope will become increasingly the “go-to place” where you will stay connected with friends, fellow alumni, and to Grace University.  On the same website, you can enjoy volleyball and basketball games streamed live, browse opportunities in Career Services, look at the Events Calendar, find current information regarding financial and estate planning, and do your online giving. The Grace University Alumni Connector is the place to post your career changes, your prayer requests, happy and sad announcements, and comment on what others have posted.  We look forward to hearing from you and we hope you “connect” often.

Rarely today can we approach world events with the certainty of Jeremiah revealing God’s workings with Babylon and Judah; but we can gain a principle that produces confidence and certainty: God stands above the line of history as the Sovereign.  Our assurance is that He controls all that occurs on that line for His glorious purposes.  There is no geographical refuge that can guarantee such security.  That comes only from faith and trust in the Sovereign of history.  Only genuine biblical Christianity provides the answers to the key questions of life.

1966- Donna Lynn (Schroeder) Heil, 62, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday (July 12, 2011) at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.  She was born on Oct. 14, 1948, in Newton, KS to Pete and Edith Schroeder. She was a graduate of Berean Academy in Elbing,KS and attended Grace University from 1966 -68.On Jan. 26, 1969, she married Sterling H. Heil in Omaha, Neb. Donna worked for St. Alphonsus RMC for 14 years and was known for her smile and cheerful outlook. She had a love for the Lord and a steady faith that was not shaken in the face of adversity. Her love and devotion to her family shone to everyone who knew her.Donna is survived by her husband of 42 years; three daughters, Diane and Chad Ruwe of Kuna, Idaho, Jennifer Heil of Boise, and Holly and Adam Lowe of Boise; three sons, Sterling III and Robbie Ann  Heil of Clearwater, KS, John Heil of Boise, and Paul Heil of Boise; nine grandchildren, Becca Ruwe, Alex Ruwe, Andrew Lowe, A.J. Lowe, Mathew Lowe, Megan Lowe, Colton Heil, Emma Heil and Sterling Heil IV; three brothers, Bob and Shirley Schroeder of Newton,KS, Del and Sandy Schroeder of Fort Collins, Colo., and Richard and Becky Schroeder of Newton, KS; and three sisters, Delores and George Mock of Phoenix, Ariz., Carolyn Shepherd of Bethany, Okla., and Janet and Glen Olbricht of Newton,KS.She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Marjorie Michalk of Houston; and brother-in-law, Ron Shepherd of Bethany, Okla.Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Relyea Chapel in Boise. Burial will take place in Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise. Memorials may be made to Turning Point Ministries of San Diego.

Married New Years Eve as a surprise to those whom attend the church’s New Years Eve Party. FUN FUN… this New Years Eve we are planning the party. ALL are welcome to join us in Ohio…