Raymond H. and Florence L. Sponberg Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Raymond H. and Florence L. Sponberg Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by Raymond and Florence Sponberg in 1997. Ray and Florence had been active lay leaders in the Lutheran church, both in their congregation, Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minn., and in their synod. Both have served on numerous boards and steering committees, and Florence played the organ in several congregations in Warren, Austin, and Mankato, Minn., as well as in Dallas, Texas. Florence received degrees from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and Mankato State College, Mankato, Minn., and taught at both the high school and college levels. She was especially interested in theology and in women’s studies. Ray received his degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and served in the military for nearly five years during World War II. He also worked as Director of Admissions for Gustavus Adolphus College before establishing his own life insurance and pension agency, which he maintained for over fifty-three years before his death in 2000. This fund provides important financial support for deserving female second-career students preparing for full-time ministry in the ELCA. In the event that the fund generates enough money to fund a second scholarship, that scholarship will provide important financial support for any student interested in serving in a foreign mission field.