In memory of three faithful friends of LWR
This summer we mourn the passing of three great friends of Lutheran World Relief—Walter Jensen, Ove Nielsen, and Milton Briggs. All three men lived lives of great service to God and neighbor and all believed profoundly in the work of Lutheran World Relief.
Walter Jensen faithfully served as treasurer for both Lutheran World Relief and its sister organization, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). LIRS president Ralston Deffenbaugh, Jr. had the privilege of serving within Walter’s tenure and shares the following words of appreciation about him.
“Walter was “Mr. Lutheran” in New York City. He was the chief financial and administration person for the Lutheran Council USA and for related agencies. At various points, he was the treasurer for LIRS and LWR and was on the board of many of the Lutheran organizations in New York.
What a wonderful man Walter was! Faithful servant, good common sense, sunny disposition, one of those who helped bring the Kingdom near. When St. Paul listed the gifts of the spirit and included administration, there was Walter.”
Ove Nielsen was also a blessing to Lutheran World Relief in many ways. He served LWR with distinction for 23 years—from 1957 to 1980—as Assistant Executive Director. As is the way with time, our memories of Ove range from the stories of those who knew and loved him, to the legends that lived on after his retirement. Staffers who missed working with Ove knew him by reputation. “In my early years at LWR,” Jeff Whisenant, LWR’s Executive Vice President recalls, “Ove’s name was sometimes used to invoke fear, or to inspire us to greater heights of parsimoniousness in the expenditure of LWR’s resources.”
Milton Briggs served Lutheran World Relief for 27 years working within the Africa program. Those who worked with Milton describe him as “a charming fellow” whose life’s passion was music—a gift he shared with those at LWR and within the former New York-based Lutheran Center during Christmas services and other chapel events. Long-time friend and former LWR staff member June Braun, shares, “I will miss Milton sorely. For many years, Milton has come to my house for holidays and we would eat, sing and have a great time. He was a good friend and a great servant.”
The entire Lutheran World Relief family joins me in extending our heartfelt condolences to the families of Walter Jensen, Ove Nielsen, and Milton Briggs. We give thanks to God for their lives and service, and we rejoice in God’s steadfast promise of life eternal.
Walter Jensen faithfully served as treasurer for both Lutheran World Relief and its sister organization, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). LIRS president Ralston Deffenbaugh, Jr. had the privilege of serving within Walter’s tenure and shares the following words of appreciation about him.
“Walter was “Mr. Lutheran” in New York City. He was the chief financial and administration person for the Lutheran Council USA and for related agencies. At various points, he was the treasurer for LIRS and LWR and was on the board of many of the Lutheran organizations in New York.
What a wonderful man Walter was! Faithful servant, good common sense, sunny disposition, one of those who helped bring the Kingdom near. When St. Paul listed the gifts of the spirit and included administration, there was Walter.”
Ove Nielsen was also a blessing to Lutheran World Relief in many ways. He served LWR with distinction for 23 years—from 1957 to 1980—as Assistant Executive Director. As is the way with time, our memories of Ove range from the stories of those who knew and loved him, to the legends that lived on after his retirement. Staffers who missed working with Ove knew him by reputation. “In my early years at LWR,” Jeff Whisenant, LWR’s Executive Vice President recalls, “Ove’s name was sometimes used to invoke fear, or to inspire us to greater heights of parsimoniousness in the expenditure of LWR’s resources.”
Milton Briggs served Lutheran World Relief for 27 years working within the Africa program. Those who worked with Milton describe him as “a charming fellow” whose life’s passion was music—a gift he shared with those at LWR and within the former New York-based Lutheran Center during Christmas services and other chapel events. Long-time friend and former LWR staff member June Braun, shares, “I will miss Milton sorely. For many years, Milton has come to my house for holidays and we would eat, sing and have a great time. He was a good friend and a great servant.”
The entire Lutheran World Relief family joins me in extending our heartfelt condolences to the families of Walter Jensen, Ove Nielsen, and Milton Briggs. We give thanks to God for their lives and service, and we rejoice in God’s steadfast promise of life eternal.
Labels: milton briggs, ove nielsen, walter jensen
posted by John Nunes at
8:30 AM
0 Comments
.JPG)
