Ruth E. Lund

Ruth Elizabeth (Carlson) Lund, 100, died Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Methodist Fremont Health in
Fremont, Nebraska. She was born April 29, 1923, in Meriden, Connecticut, to Carl and Alma
(Pierson) Carlson.
Visitation will be at Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska, on August 2, from 5pm to
7pm, concluding with a brief prayer service. The funeral will be at Sinai on August 3 at 1:30pm.
Committal will be private.
Ruth grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts, graduating from Attleboro High School, and worked
at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an Executive Assistant. Along the way she won the
title "Miss Attleboro." She was active in her church, Emmanuel Lutheran of Attleboro,
including serving as the church organist. In 1945, Emmanuel received a new pastor, the Rev. L.
Dale Lund. They were married on August 3, 1946, beginning a life together that lasted 66 years.
From then on, one of her greatest joys was to be a homemaker and mother.
The newly married Lunds left Attleboro in 1947, when Dale was called as Chaplain at Upsala
College in East Orange, New Jersey. In addition to campus and church life, there they welcomed
their four children, all delivered by the same doctor.
In 1958 Dale was called to be President of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Ruth
continued to be active at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, in the choir and the women's
organization. She also was active in the Bethany Dames, an organization of women who
supported the college. With Dale, she hosted many gatherings at her home and at the college,
including many well-known artists and church leaders. She also led the community in "Trick or
Treat for UNICEF" for several years.
In 1965, Dale was called to be Dean of the Faculty at the newly-forming Lutheran School of
Theology at Chicago. The family settled into Western Springs, Illinois. Ruth was active at
Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange, in the choir and the women's organization (which she
chaired for one year). She also worked at Colonial Manor, a LaGrange nursing home, as
Activity Director.
The Lunds moved to Fremont, Nebraska, in 1968 when Dale became President of Midland
Lutheran College. Fremont was their home for the rest of their lives. She was active in support
of the college. She helped establish with the Women of Midland a program to deliver birthday
cakes to freshman students at their families' request (and a cost of all of $5). Once again she
found herself hosting well-known artists and church leaders. Once again she was active in their
church, Sinai Lutheran, especially in the choir, handbell choir, and women's organization. She
was also a long-time member of PEO, Chapter AJ, in Fremont. Ruth was an active member of
the Hospital Auxiliary, donating thousands of volunteer hours, working in the hospital gift shop
and for other hospital support activities.

Ruth's life was enriched along the way by many friends. Her family is most grateful for all those
who have been with her and supported her for many years, including especially during her final
years.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Adele (Herb) Gustafson, Norma (Frank)
Straker, and Marion (John) Dragelin, and her brother, Thor (Lettie) Carlson; and seven nieces
and nephews.
She is survived by her four children: Philip (Susan) Lund of Countryside, IL, Mary (George)
Bayrd of Rochester, MN, Kent (Elizabeth) Lund of Denver, CO, and Christine Lund of
Northfield, MN; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and
nephews.
No flowers, please. Memorials may be directed to:
Sinai Lutheran Church, 980 E. 8 th St., Fremont, NE 68025
Bethany College, 335 E. Swensson St., Lindsborg, KS 67456
L. Dale and Ruth Lund Scholarship at Midland University, 900 N. Clarkson St., Fremont, NE
68025