The Boer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at Luther Seminary

Harold and Helen Boer established the Boer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund in November 2023. Harold and Helen grew up together in Rock Valley, Iowa and attended the First Reformed Church of Rock Valley. They moved to Lyons, South Dakota in 1974 and joined the West Nidaros Lutheran Church of Crooks, South Dakota.

In 1975, they bought a two-stall gas station/repair shop, where, out of necessity, the business evolved into a fire truck manufacturing company. With the help of many friends, relatives and neighbors, the business grew into a global company, building over 500 fire trucks per year being shipped to many international locations.

In about 2012, they were a part of a group to assist with the startup of a mission church which became West Side Lutheran Church in northern Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was during this period that they realized the need for pastors and became aware of the cost to educate pastors, particularly on the need in rural areas and in South Dakota.

Harold and Helen were blessed with three sons, Jason, Mike, and Steve, and five grandchildren and one great grandchild. God has gifted them with many gifts and as stewards of these gifts, they feel that it is their responsibility to share with those around them. One way to accomplish that is to lighten the financial load for potential pastors of the Lutheran Church in rural ministry.

It is our hope and prayer that the endowed scholarship program at Luther Seminary will lead people with this calling in life to fulfill those dreams in ministry.