10/7/2009 – News
Volume 126, Number 36
Former Esmond pastor concentrates on prison ministry in retirement
BY MATT OLIVER
Boone News Republican
Prisoners may not always have a lot to look forward to but for the past 30 years, local pastor Duane Lundberg has worked in the prison ministry to guide those who stray from the path.
"My goal and the goal of the ministry is to help the inmates get back on their feet, stay out of jail and to help them realize how God can make a difference in their lives," Lundberg said.
Lundberg currently works with the prison and men’s shelter ministries through the Boone Biblical Memorial Church. He began his pastoral duties in 1965 when he oversaw churches in Plum City, Wisc. and Pepin, Wisc. until 1968. After four years in Spring Grove, Minn., he arrived in Onawa, Iowa where he was a pastor for 20 years. From 1992 to 2004, he served as a pastor in Esmond. In 2004, Lundberg arrived in Boone and was the visitation pastor at the Evangelical Free Church until 2008.
During his time in Minnesota, Lundberg had his first encounter with the prison ministry after visiting a jail in Caledonia, Minn. as well as the St. Cloud Reformatory. His efforts within the ministry continued when he arrived in Onawa as he began to meet with inmates on a biweekly basis. From 1975 to 1992, he visited with nearly 1,000 inmates who he hopes will someday get their lives back on track.
"I have 700 inmates’ names in my prayer book who I continue to pray for," Lundberg said.
From jotting down prayers in his notebook to sharing the Bible with prisoners, Lundberg is not afraid to go wherever God’s work takes him.
"I’m willing to go anywhere and say anything to anyone that God shows me," he said.
For the past 40 years, Lundberg has submitted articles to local newspapers in Spring Grove, Caledonia, Onawa and Minnewaukan entitled, "Thoughts to Help Us Live."
"In my articles, I sometimes share letters from prisoners and I write about my prison ministry," Lundberg said.
With more than 30 years of open communication between himself and inmates, Lundberg says he continues to pursue the prison ministry because many inmates are at a time in their lives where they simply need someone to believe in them and many of the inmates have kept in touch.
"For over 30 years I’ve written to a lot of prisoners and I have boxes of letters from prisoners," he said. "I wrote to one man who was in prison for over 20 years and he still writes to me from Iowa City and I write to a woman who has been in prison in Mitchellville for over 30 years."
After moving to Boone in 2004, Lundberg began visiting with inmates at the Boone County Jail in 2005, providing one-on-one ministry as well as group ministries. When he’s unable to travel, he visits with inmates over videophones and oftentimes he’ll even take inmates’ wives to visit their spouses.
Aside from his involvement in the prison ministry, Lundberg is also very active with the men’s shelter ministry through the Boone Biblical Memorial Church. A number of individuals seek assistance through the local All For Jesus shelter, located at 924 W. 2nd St."Several community churches and individuals help with the ministry," Lundberg said.
From providing transportation to local grocery stores to helping those in need find affordable clothing and even jobs, Lundberg says there is a lot that can be done to help those who are temporarily in search of a place to call home.
John Swoyer, a retired First Baptist Church pastor, layman Conklin Gay and Boone Biblical Memorial Church Pastor Bruce Thomas are just a few individuals who assist Lundberg at the local level.
From providing free suppers at Boone Biblical Memorial Church from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Thursday, to Bible studies and visits with men in the shelter, there are a number of duties that keep Lundberg busy in his two respective ministries.
While there’s an enormous need for community members to be active in the men’s shelter ministry, Lundberg says such is the case for former inmates who can often find themselves back in prison.
"I’ve seen guys return over and over again and unless some change takes place in their lives, they can’t get out of that lifestyle," he said. "It takes a community working together."
Over the years, Lundberg says he has sat down with inmates who are serving time for a wide variety of crimes. Despite winding up in jail, Lundberg said that the prisoners he has met are intelligent people who previously had good jobs, as well as talents and abilities before getting off course in their lives. "They’re ordinary, likable people and I’ve never felt a threat from any of them," he said.
As a pastor, Lundberg strictly follows the Bible by reaching out to the sick, the hungry and those who are in prison. From former inmates finding jobs, paying off fines and earning their drivers’ licenses, Lundberg finds reward as they progress back into productive, law-abiding members of society.
"It’s rewarding to help people and to see some changes," he said.
By sharing conversations about his life, family and involvement in the ministry, Lundberg and a number of others have joined the cause to let inmates know that they care about them as individuals and are willing to invest time in their lives and accept them for who they are in an effort to restore hope in their lives.
"They just need someone to encourage them to realize they can be a success again," Lundberg said.
For more information about the prison and/or men’s shelter ministries, contact Pastor Duane Lundberg at 432-2954 or by e-mail at duanel@isunet.net.
This article was first published on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 in the Boone (Iowa) News Republican.
Rev. Duane Lundberg may be retired, but he continues his ministry. Rev. Lundberg was a pastor in Esmond for several years.
WWII veterans visit DC
Benson County’s WWII veterans who were on the recent Northern Valley Honor Flight from Grand Forks to Washington, DC September 25 and 26 are pictured. Left to right are Magnus Lysne of Leeds, Gordon Smith of Maddock and Robert Dulmage of Leeds. They toured many monuments in the city with the main focus on the WWII Memorial. While at that memorial, they were welcomed by former Senator Bob Dole (R-Kans.) and Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND). Friday evening the veterans were honored at a banquet at their hotel. Another highlight was a tour of Arlington Cemetery where they saw the Kennedy graves and changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. On their return to Grand Forks an honor guard saluted the plane as it taxied to the gate. Each veteran was escorted by a military representative from the Grand Forks Air Force Base into the Red River Valley High School where closing ceremonies were held.
Perform at Leeds
Leeds Elementary students recently enjoyed a cultural performance entitled "Scandinavians On the Road." These three performers shared Norwegian folk music, folk dance and folk tales about Norway’s history, culture, language and values. They performed at the Norsk Hostfest in Minot last week. Left to right are Holden Kersten, Jarrick McGarvey, Caleb Jorgenson, the Norwegian folk performers, Cody Jorgenson and Madi Dulmage.
Dental health tips
Holly Harrington from the ND Department of Health recently visited with Leeds kindergarten students about dental health. Left to right, front row, are Sloane Follman, A.J. Weixel, Maliyah Bowman, Kurtis Nelsen, Abby Zettler, Aden Jensen, Kylee Hansen and McKenna Tofsrud. Back row: Holden Kersten, Jarrick McGarvey, Destidy Schwanke, Holly Harrington and her puppet Aussie the Kangaroo, Cassidy Hanson and Cody Jorgenson.
McKenna Tofsrud practices proper teeth brushing techniques on Aussie the Kangaroo.
Rodeo finals held in Devils Lake; Ben Grann has good year in RRA
Burdick Arena in Devils Lake filled with the aroma of dirt, animal and man during the Roughrider Rodeo Finals held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-27. Cowboys and cowgirls from North Dakota, Montana and Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada were competing for the top spots in their events and a chance to be the "best of the best."
Results for local competitors are as follows:
Ben Grann of Sheyenne: calf roping 3rd go, 11.6 seconds, 3rd place, Reserve Champion for the year; steer wrestling 2nd go, 14.2 seconds, 6th place and 3rd go, 4.4 seconds, 1st place, Year End Champion; RRA Year End Champion Men’s All-Around.
Bobbi Grann of Sheyenne: goat tying 1st go, 8.1 seconds, 6th place, 2nd go, 7.1 seconds, 1st place and 3rd go, 7.6 seconds, 3rd place.
Mike Tollefson of Devils Lake: team roping 2nd go with Greg Carlson of Jamestown, 7 seconds, 1st place and 3rd go, 7.4 seconds, 1st place.
Results for junior and optional finals include: Brittany Cudworth of Warwick: junior goat tying 1st go, 9.1 seconds, tied for 5th place; Year End Champion.
Lacey Grann of Sheyenne: junior goat tying 2nd go, 8.8 seconds, 4th place.
Mike Tollefson: mixed team roping 1st go with Marlin Bertsch of Jamestown, 18.7 seconds, 6th place.
Mike Tollefson, left, of Devils Lake, formerly of Churchs Ferry, and his roping partner, Greg Carlson of Jamestown get ready to stop forward progress on this steer.
Bobbi Grann ties this goat’s legs as fast as she can with the judge watching for the moment to drop the flag signaling her completion. (Photos by Louise Oleson, Devils Lake Journal)
Quilt retreat held
The 2009 Prairie Quilt Retreat, hosted by LaVon Verke and Carol Thompson, was held September 25-27 at the Berven Farm, rural York.
Ten quilters worked on their own projects which included quilt tops, wall hangings, table runners, placemats and baby blankets. LaVon and Carol demonstrated the knotless quilt tie for hand quilting, Roxann Bennett demonstrated quilted, zippered handbags and Lois (Huffman) Saxburg demonstrated the art of "fraticing." Pictured left to right, front row are Kay Verke of Bismarck, Rita Teigen of Rugby, Pat Slack of Arvada, Colo. and Kari Follman of York. Back row: Roxann Bennett of Parker, Colo., LaVon Verke of Leeds, Carol Thompson of Harlow and Barbara Berven of Rugby. Not pictured are Virginia Eisenzimmer of Devils Lake and Lois Saxburg of Cooperstown.
Junior quilters Arnikka Thompson and Andrew Follman joined the group on Sunday.
Five generations
Five generations of females are pictured. Baby Lily LeClair is seated on the lap of her great-great-grandmother, Verda Malmedal of Devils Lake. Seated left is Lily’s mother, Tara Eback-LeClair. Standing are great-grandmother Shirley (Malmedal) Tostenson and grandmother Kathy (Tostenson) Eback. Mrs. Malmedal was a long-time resident of Tilden in Benson County.
Celebrates 100th
Verda Malmedal, long-time resident of Tilden in Benson County, celebrated her 100th birthday September 6. She was born at Arndt in 1909 and married Fred Malmedal in 1937. He was the mayor of Tilden. On August 6 she moved into the Odd Fellows Basic Care Unit 42 in Devils Lake. She has three children, Shirley Tostenson of Devils Lake, Marvin Malmedal of Underwood and Carol Stubbs of Omaha, Neb.
New Maddock FFA officers
Officers of the A.S. Gibbens FFA Chapter of Maddock for the 2009-2010 school year are pictured in this photo. New officers are Preston Gilderhus, president; Noah Engels, vice president; Janna Rice, secretary; Erin Leier, treasurer; Karl Kenner, reporter; John Sears, sentinel; Ben Backstrom, student advisor; Rachel Olson, parliamentarian; Megan Wald, chaplain; and Breana Buehler, historian.
The A.S. Gibbens FFA Chapter is celebrating its 80th anniversary this coming year as the Maddock Chapter was chartered November 8, 1929. A reunion will be held during the 4th of July weekend in 2010. The Maddock officers participated in the District Four Leadership Conference at Lakota October 1. Left to right are Erin Leier, Ben Backstrom, Megan Wald, Preston Gilderhus, Janna Rice, Noah Engels, Breana Buehler, Karl Kenner and Rachel Olson.
Warwick School has open house
Nearly 200 parents, staff, community members and students attended the Warwick School’s open house on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Tours of classrooms were held, including the new addition to the school and the shop downtown where parents could visit with teachers and see what their children were working on and learning.
Mini sessions were presented in the library, computer room and new fitness room.
FCCLA hosted a bake sale in the lunchroom where a book giveaway also took place and a meal was enjoyed at the close of the evening.
Steve Axtman from the ND Library in Bismarck gave two presentations for parents, giving them tips on how to help their children with homework using the computer.
Special visitors were Benson County Superintendent of Schools Jean Olson and former Warwick Superintendent Dr. Richard Kunkel.
Door prize winners were: library door prize, Cayden Feather; $25 casino gift certificates, Holly Retzlaff, Frank Lovejoy, Katina Walford and Kay Gravdahl; $50 gift cards at Wally’s, Frances Lovejoy and Miranda Alberts; $30 Holiday gas cards, Iris Yankton, Sherri Guy, Norene Littleghost and Jerry Brodel; $36 bingo certificate, Louis Garcia; $44 bingo certificate, Wendy Yankton; and Warwick T-shirts, Dane Durbin, Markki Shaw, Leon Guy, Jen Strouse, Chandler Redfox, Kelly Durbin, Blach Tylee, Kory Georgeson and Bonnie Jerome.
Many gym prizes were awarded: frisbees went to Jayvon Little and Kate Walford; jump ropes went to Kenzie Baker, Crystal Christofferson, Eric Belgarde, Shania Georgeson, Dante Azure and Peyton Azure; a rubber soccer ball went to Kevin Walford; playground balls went to Sage Bertsch and Jordan Bertsch; a foam football went to Michael Denne; a foam volleyball went to Angel Georgeson; lollipop paddles and ball went to Khloe Cavanaugh and Emily Rainbow; a scoop set went to Sage Bertsch; and a pedometer went to Nathan Cavanaugh.
Grand Prize winner of the laptop computer was Ella Cavanaugh.
This bulletin board was decorated by Warwick School’s registrar, Darcie Delorme, who also greeted guests.
Warwick student council members Antone Motley, left, and Thorn Poitra, center, assist Karlene Warner in setting up for the Warwick School open house.
The lunch room filled quickly with students, staff and families. In the front are Eric Belgarde, left, his little sister and his mother, Iris Belgarde.
Yri among Guardsmen to serve in Iraq
About 800 well-wishers, friends and family gathered September 30 at the Bismarck Army Aviation Support Facility complex in Bismarck for a send-off ceremony held in honor of 47 soldiers of Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion as they prepare to leave for a year-long deployment to Iraq. The soldiers are part of the 2-285th Air Assault Battalion headquartered out of Arizona.
Among them was 1st Lt. Josh Yri of Minnewaukan, a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. He is the son of Curtis and Terry Yri of Minnewaukan, who were in the crowd to see him off.
"Our country knows it can turn to North Dakota for some of the nation’s most capable soldiers," said Gov. John Hoeven.
The soldiers will depart North Dakota October 5 to attend training at their mobilization station in Oklahoma before deploying to Iraq.
Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion is comprised of 10 helicopters and crews of which North Dakota has five, and the other half of the company is from West Jordan, Utah. The company is primarily made up of pilots and crew chiefs, but also includes door gunners, mechanics, fuelers and flight operations personnel.
Since the terrorist attacks on America, the ND National Guard has mobilized more than 3,400 soldiers and nearly 1,800 airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Earlier in 2009, nearly 2,000 ND National Guardsmen were mobilized for flood fighting missions all across North Dakota. The state has a total force of about 4,400 soldiers and airmen.
A formation of five Blackhawk helicopters flew over the State Capitol in Bismarck at 10 a.m. on October 5. The soldiers on board are part of Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion and are deploying to Iraq.
One of the pilots is First Lt. Josh Yri of Minnewaukan. (Photo by Bill Prokopyk, ND National Guard Public Affairs Office)
