My late wife, Joanne, had many LSS connections. Her first LSS stint was as a contract counselor with LSS of South Dakota when we were living in Sioux Falls in the late '70s. From there she went to LSS of Illinois in their office in Moline. Eventually she became the director of the Western Illinois office of LSS. Her next stop was as Vice President for programs of LSS of Minnesota. After she left her position as Founding President and Executive Director of Lutheran Services of America she accepted the position of President and CEO of LSS of South Dakota. In her retirement she served on the Board of Directors of LSS of MN.
When LSS of South Dakota invited me, via Sara, to a Zoom meeting of LSS Founders, I decided to attend in Joanne's honor. Betty Oldenkamp succeeded Joanne as President/CEO and has held that position for 15 years. In the Zoom meeting she announced her retirement. The agency has continued to thrive under her leadership.
Joanne would have been thrilled to learn that, LSSSD, now sponsors street workers in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, working with vulnerable youth ages 10-21. LSSMN has long had such a program and Joanne was very supportive of it.
Takk for alt,
Al
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