Nils Njus Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Nils Njus Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by Nils himself along with his daughter Margaret Njus Kranz in November, 1976. Many other gifts continue to be received from family and friends to strengthen the impact of the fund. Nils emigrated to the United States from Norway at the age of 15, and worked as a farm hand to earn money to attend school. He graduated from Augustana Academy in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1898, and served the church by teaching in the parochial school at Hills, Minn., for two years. He then attended Luther Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1903. His first call was to a four-point parish in northern Minnesota, but due to the continued emigration of Lutherans to that area during his six years of service, he eventually served 12 congregations at one time. He later served a three-point parish in North Dakota before returning to western Minnesota, where he served a three-point parish until his retirement. His son Joel is a 1944 graduate of Luther Theological Seminary, his daughter Linka was married to Edmund Beaver, who graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in 1932, his daughter Lucille was married to Quentin Quanbeck who graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in 1957, and his granddaughter Karen Johnson’s husband, David, is a 1967 graduate of Luther Theological Seminary. His brother Lars also graduated from Luther Seminary and was ordained in 1901. This fund provides important financial support for deserving students enrolled in any degree program.