Tjornhom, Susanne A. (1922-2010)
TJORNHOM, ALRICK, ANDERSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/17/2010 at 22:56:21
Susanne A. Tjornhom - Apr. 9, 1922 - Feb. 8, 2010
FERGUS FALLS - Susanne Alexandra Tjornhom, 87, died Feb. 8, 2010, in Woodbury, Minn.
She was born in Alexandria, Minn. on April 9, 1922, (Palm Sunday), the daughter of Rev. A. T. Tjornhom and Mrs. Tjornhom (Constance Alrick). She was baptized May 7, 1922, at First Lutheran Church of Alexandria. On June 30, 1940, she renewed her baptismal vow in Confirmation at Our Saviors Lutheran church in Hillsboro, N.D. She graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1940 and in 1944 she received her B.A. degree in Business Education from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. She earned both the M.A. and Ph.D from the University of North Dakota.
Her first year of teaching was in Parkers Prairie, Minn. Following that year, she taught in several Minnesota schools including Long Prairie, Moorhead, Red Wing, and Fergus Falls. She was a member of the first faculty at Fergus Falls Junior College.
Although she enjoyed every year she taught, her almost four years in Ghana, West Africa, were especially challenging and rewarding. The capable young men she mentored earned graduate degrees in the U.S. and continue to fill important positions in the U.S. and Ghana.
After returning to the U.S., she became a member of the faculty of Waldorf College in Forest City. At the time of her retirement, she was completing four years as Dean of Waldorf College.
After retiring in 1988, she returned to her home on Otter Tail Lake and became a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Amor. A young man from the church told her he didn't know how to read and she set up a schedule to assist the man in learning. During the years of her retirement she taught several others how to read. The last student she tutored was from Sudan in Africa.
Wherever she taught, Susanne maintained her allegiance to her church. She regularly attended Sunday services, taught Sunday School, participated in activities of Women of the Church and assisted the Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation. She maintained her membership in several professional organizations including the NEA and MEA, Delta Kappa Gamma, Delta Pi Epsilon, Pi Mega Pi, AAUW, local teacher organizations, and the Fergus Falls Book Club.
No matter where she taught, she always returned to Otter Tail Lake to refresh herself.
Her last years were spent at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother (Alrick); her sister and brother in law, Natalia and Paul Anderson; and her brother, Mark Tjornhom. She is survived by her sister in law, Florence; nephews and nieces Steven, Paula, Amy and Peter and their spouses and families all of Minnesota.; Michael and Cindy and their families of California; and numerous other family and friends.
A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in the summer of 2010. Memorials to Zion Lutheran Church, 36051 County Road 74, Battle Lake, MN 56515.
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