Alpha Xi Delta - University of South Dakota

page 3 page 3 Alpha Xi Delta Alpha Xi Delta Lucille Connaughton Van Valkenburg '51 is 90 years young and active in her church, where she is known as the pie lady! She retired from U.S. Customs in 2000 and has lived in Scottsdale, Arizona since then. Lucille went on a trip to Ireland four years ago with an Alpha Xi Delta from Ohio State; they had known each other for years before discovering they had our sisterhood in common. Email: lucillevan@cox.net Khristine Andersen Haensel '58 shared, "My days are pretty quiet. I belong to several art groups and enjoy painting, carving, and handwork. I really love getting together with my children and grandchildren. I enjoy all the activities on the SDSU campus that I can attend." Khristine lives in Brookings, S.D. Virginia Pederson Larimer '63 is a full-time caretaker for her husband who has Alzheimer's disease. The couple lives in Altoona, Iowa. Email: r.larimer@mchsi.com Lynn Moran '66 received her 50-year plaque from the SD Bar Association in June 2022 at the annual convention. She resides in Woonsocket, S.D. Email: lamm@gwtc.net Rhonda Garvey Watkins '69 is enjoying time with her grandkids and traveling, especially to her favorite destination of Aruba. She now calls Melbourne, Fla., home. Email: rhonwat10@gmail.com Mary Rasmusson Welty '74 is a retired IT professional living in Humble, Texas. Email: mrastxwel@gmail.com Annie Matthews Falk '79 is living and working in Aberdeen, S.D. She is a school counselor and still loves her job. Annie is married to Alex, whom she met at USD, and is the mother of four children. All her kids have graduated from USD, and two have attended graduate school there. She also has four darling grandchildren who she hopes are future coyotes! Email: anniefalk11@gmail.com Lisa Nelson Kilawee '85 and her husband, Michael, have been married 25 years. They have a 23-year-old daughter who started an MSW program in fall 2023. The couple live in Amherst, Wis., and Lisa works for a health center in Champaign, Ill., in a hybrid capacity. Email: lkilawee@promisehealth.org Errin Carlson '90 is self-employed with Ruby Ribbon Granite Run Golf, where she works as the manager. She has two children, Andrea Willroth (27) and JJ Bird (16). Errin now lives in Granite Falls, Minn. Email: errincarlson@yahoo.com Alumnae News E psilon Chapter's rich history has been shaped by the selfless service of committed alumnae. From undergraduate leadership to Epsilon Corporation Board involvement, Bonnie Untereiner Bjork '73 is one of those alumnae who has remained dedicated to the sisterhood for decades. EPSILON EXPERIENCES Bonnie's Alpha Xi Delta membership stemmed from great first impressions with authentic women in the house. Many great memories were made during late-night gatherings and playing whist card games between classes. "Every day living with sorority sisters in the house was special," Bonnie said. During her undergraduate years, Bonnie had the honor of serving as Epsilon Chapter president alongside being a Panhellenic representative. "I felt pride in the chapter as we grew it from the smallest on campus to becoming the #1 Alpha Xi Delta chapter in the nation in 1977." SERVICE WORK Beyond college, Bonnie utilized her leadership skills while working in public service. She had economic development and fundraising careers in both the public and private nonprofit sectors of South Dakota and Minnesota. While serving in South Dakota state government, Bonnie led the fundraising of millions of dollars to finish the galleries of the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center as well as building the World War II and Vietnam veterans memorials. IMPACTING THE SISTERHOOD Bonnie's commitment to service stayed close to home as she quickly joined the Epsilon Chapter Corporation Board after graduating. Selected to represent younger graduates, Bonnie served a term into the early '80s before becoming Province Collegiate Director for Alpha Xi Delta chapters in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Following later Coming Home campaign fundraising committee involvement, Bonnie returned to the Epsilon Corporation Board of Directors. Serving as Alumnae Relations Chairman, she coordinated the closing out of the Coming Home campaign, coordinated database updates, newsletter materials, and the alumnae Facebook page. "While not a board member at the time, I am proud of my involvement in raising funds to build the new Alpha Xi Delta house at Epsilon and thankful for the generosity of my alumnae sisters. While serving, I believe we have done a good job as a board of keeping alumnae informed, celebrating alumnae accomplishments, and listening and adjusting to the changing times of chapter life." Bonnie hopes today's members can recognize the joy of lifelong Epsilon connections just as she has. She also urges fellow alumnae to stay involved by attending Founders Day events, USD events, or even just visiting the chapter house and experiencing why alumnae support is critical to the chapter's success. You can connect with Bonnie at bjork10@pie. midco.net. Bonnie Untereiner Bjork '73 on Her Epsilon Endeavors A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Left, from left: Bonnie Untereiner Bjork '73, Cheri Burns '73, Holly King Miller '73, and Cindy Enterman Heischmidt '73 gather for a 25-year reunion. Right, from left: Holly King Miller '73, Cindy Enterman Heischmidt '73, Cheri Burns '73, Bonnie Untereiner Bjork '73, Deborah Townsend Haffner '73, and Judy Eschenbaum Homan '73 celebrate 50 years of sisterhood. "I earnestly hope that I have impacted Epsilon Chapter undergraduates with the knowledge that your collegiate sisters are your lifelong friends."

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