TWO GENERATIONS HONORED WITH HANSON
AWARD
Dana College presented Arthur and Helene Antholz and
Lila and Clayton Nietfeld ’65 with the Clifford T. and D.
Florence Hanson Servant Award during the annual Dana College Builders
Luncheon, May 21.
The Hanson Servant Award recognizes individuals who
model selfless devotion and gives recognition to ordinary people
who do extraordinary things inspired by faith, love and service.
“Arthur and Helene Antholz regarded everything they had as
their Lord’s gift to them and believed that it should be shared
with others,” said Dr. Myrvin Christopherson ’61, president.
“Their church, missions of their Lutheran Church and Dana
College were among those they benefitted routinely. Their lives
were models of Christian stewardship.”
Arthur and Helene Antholz were true American farmers.
From their first farm together north of McDonald, Kan., to their
last near Nunn, Colo., the Antholzes were inspirations to their
farmer friends. Arthur served on school and community boards, the
Board of American Missions of the American Lutheran Church, the
Central District Mission Committee, the Martin Luther Home of Beatrice,
Neb., and various committees at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
in Greeley, Colo., and Faith Lutheran Church in Eaton, Colo. Helene
served in women’s organizations on the local, conference and
district levels, and also served as president of the Women of the
Central District of the American Lutheran Church. Arthur died in
May 2001, and Helene lives at The Kenton Manor Care Center in Greeley,
Colo.
The Antholzes passed their commitment to service and
stewardship on to their daughter, Lila, and her husband, Clayton.
After Clayton graduated from Dana College in 1965 and Wartburg Seminary
in 1968, he and Lila served numerous congregations, including Denver,
Colo.; Good Shepherd Home in Blair; Malmo, Neb.; Dodge City, Kan.;
Englewood, Colo.; and Pickrell, Neb. Clayton also served as Central
District Director for “Commitment to Mission,” a stewardship
program of the American Lutheran Church. The Nietfelds also spent
a summer in the Seward Peninsula of Alaska, serving the five mission
congregations there while the pastors and families enjoyed vacation
and further studies. Clayton retired from the ministry in 1996.
He and Lila continue to live in Eaton, Colo.
“Rev. Clayton and Lila Nietfeld continued to
share the legacy of the Antholz family and have lived their lives
as servants of their Lord Jesus Christ,” Christopherson said.
“They sacrificed greatly so that at age 34 Clayton could come
to Dana College and then Wartburg Seminary to prepare for the Lutheran
ministry. When he retired from active ministry, he returned to be
steward of the wheat farm Arthur farmed. Lila and Clayton practice
their Christian faith on the land as well as in the pulpit or pew.
Nobody in need escapes their loving service. We are honored that
they would permit us to recognize them with the Hanson Servant Award.”
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