Luther Rose

Past Chaplains

Rev. Oscar Johnson (Nov 1, 1981 – Mar 15, 1985)

Rev. Lowell Guebert (Sept 1, 1985 – Oct 15, 1988; Jan 10, 1998 – May 18, 1998)

Rev. Ken Kuziej (Jan 1989 – Mar 31, 1991)

Rev. Ken Finnestad (Aug 1991 – June 30, 1993)

Rev. Roland Ziprick (Sept 1, 1993 – Aug 31, 1994)

Rev. Gary Barr (Aug 29, 1994 – Jan 9, 1998)

Rev. Howard Ulmer (May 19, 1998 – 2007)

Rev. Ron Bestvater (October 2007 – Jan 2020)

Obituary of Rev. Gene Grant

Historical Highlights

1979

Nov 14: A proposal for a Lutheran Hospital Ministry in Saskatoon was ready for consideration.

Nov 26: The first organizational meeting was held in the Luther Tower Board Room. Present were Mel Murray, Lydia Twyver, Shirley Kasdorf, Rev. Boyd Molder, Rick Kauk, Iris Bauer-Skogsrud, Rev. Gene Grant, Lonnie Piller, Ernest Drewlo, Lillian Drewlo, Helen Burrows, Rev. Dr. Ken Peterson, Rev. Lowell Guebert, Phyllis Guebert, Fred Gable, Mary Gable.

The following resolution was adopted: “To establish a society to provide a more effective ministry to all Lutherans who are in hospitals in Saskatoon and to aid pastors in the care of their members.”

1980

Jan 7: The second organizational meeting was held in the Luther Tower Board Room. Twenty-two people were present. Some of the issues discussed were:

  1. The purpose of the Society,
  2. The membership formula,
  3. The composition of the Board and the executive committee.

Feb 4: The third organizational meeting was held. At this time, the proposed society was named St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Society. This meeting struck a constituting committee. The members elected were: Rev. Gene Grant, Doug Wedman, Rev. Mel Murray, Lydia Twyver, Rev. Bob Byhre, Lon Piller, and Elsie Hannon.

Feb 14: Meeting of the Constituting Committee.   Two major decisions made were:

  1. The name is to be “Lutheran Care Society, Inc.”
  2. The Board shall consist of a minimum of five members and a maximum of twelve members.

Mar 17: Meeting of the Constituting Committee. The name of the society is to be “The Lutheran Care Society of Saskatoon Incorporated”.

Mar 24: The Constituting Meeting was held in the Luther Tower Board Room at 8:00 p.m. Twenty-one members were present. Major accomplishments:

  1. The proposed constitution, with a few changes, was adopted
  2. The Articles of Incorporation were adopted
  3. The first Board members elected were: Rev. Gene Grant, Dr. Martin Leeseberg, Lydia Twyver, Elsie Harmon, Lon Piller, Doug Wedman and Phyllis Guebert.
  4. The first Treasurer elected was Ernest Drewlo.

April 10: The first Board meeting was held. Officers elected were: Rev. Gene Grant, President; Lon Piller, Vice President; Elsie Harmon, Secretary. Discussion centred on the long-range goal of engaging a paid Chaplain.

Sept 23: Incorporation of the Lutheran Care Society of Saskatoon.

1981

Mar 24: Certificate of Registration plus charitable society number received.

May 11: The annual meeting decided to send a letter of election to Rev. Oscar Johnson to serve as part-time Chaplain. He began work on Nov 1.

1982

Dec: Rev. and Mrs. Oscar Johnson hosted a Continental Breakfast for clergy. (The tradition continued for a few years.)

1983

May 9: Noted at the Annual Meeting that financial support has been received from the ELCC and the Manitoba-Saskatchewan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

1987

Jan: The Caregiver newsletter created.

1988

March 20: “Spring Celebration” held at Zion Lutheran Church.

1993

Nov 9: Ad hoc committee struck to explore possibility of merging with Lutheran Sunset Home.

1999 – 2001

Restructuring discussions involving LutherCare Communities occupied the Board.

2003

Sept 28:  The first “Praise and Thanksgiving Hymn Sing” was held.

2014

“LuMinHoS” (Lutheran Ministry in Hospitals, Saskatoon) became the operating name of this ministry even though the official name remains the “Lutheran Care Society of Saskatoon, Inc.”

2016

The LuMinHoS Chaplain became a full-time position.

 2017

The first sabbatical for a LuMinHoS Chaplain was provided.