Lee and Louise Sundet
Pastors and teachers who effectively teach God's word can have a great impression on young people. Lee and Louise Sundet can witness to that. Lee is a member of Luther Seminary's foundation board of trustees. Raised in a small town Lutheran community in Spring Grove, Minn., the Sundets learned about Jesus and Christian community in their youth. What they learned has had a lasting influence.
"In our hometown, the church was the center of the community. Our first impression was that Jesus loves us and he gave his life so we can have eternal life. This is God's gift to us and we want others to have this same understanding and experience," said Lee.
Their experience and hope for the church influenced their support of the seminary and its youth and family ministry program. "We have a strong interest in Luther Seminary because we feel the future of the church is the seminary, the youth and the teachings of the Bible."
The Sundets support Luther Seminary financially with gifts totaling more than one million dollars. They also served on the team that developed the business plan for the seminary's youth and family ministry program. Their support continues each year as they, along with others, review the progress of the program and help set annual goals.
"It is our hope that the seminary knows how congregations feel," said Lee. "We hear so many positive things about Luther Seminary. The school listens to congregational members, staff, students and the church in order to serve its mission. This is how Luther Seminary learns what is needed to effectively train Christian leaders."
Since 1982, Lee has devoted most of his time to community work. Before retiring, he worked in the automotive manufacturing field. His extensive community service experience includes work with Tentmakers, Augsburg College, the Greater Minneapolis Association of Evangelicals and the National Muscular Dystrophy Association. Louise's service experience includes work with the Golden Valley College, the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa and her sorority, Kappa Delta. She has also led women's ministry groups, prayer groups and Bible studies at her church.
Lee and Louise have two adult daughters, two adult sons and eight grandchildren. The family is very active in various businesses and at their respective churches.