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Alumni Notes

The history of Concordia St. Paul is written by the lives of our alumni, so big news or small, we want to hear it all! If you have landed a promotion, welcomed a new family member, or moved to a new city, let us know by submitting an alumni note. Help us fill our future publications with the incredible things our alumni are doing.

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  • Joyce Aakre

    Class of 2002

    Joyce (Brandvold) Aakre, B.A. ’02 passed away on July 10, 2025.

  • Antoinette Padilla (Padilla)

    Class of 2022

    Antoinette Padilla, B.A. ’22 is training for the 2028 Summer Olympics for track and field and the 2026Winter Olympics. She would be Puerto Rico’s only female bobsled athlete.

  • Arik Johnson

    Class of 2021

    Arik, B.A. ’21, MBA ’23 and Erin (Fallert), B.A. ’21 Johnson got married on July 12, 2025. Arik competed in Track & Field, and Erin competed in Volleyball during their time at CSP.

    Arik Johnson

  • Andrew Olson

    Class of 2001

    Andrew Olson, M.A. ’17 is engaged to Laura Lee Finstrom. They are planning a November 15, 2025 wedding.

  • Jessica Anderson (Vano)

    Class of 2016

    Jessica (Vano) Anderson, B.A. ’17 earned a Christian Ministries degree. She found her calling as Event & Volunteer Coordinator at Amnion Women’s Center, a non-profit where she applies her faith-based education daily. She met her husband at CSP, got married in 2014, and had their first daughter while still in school. The couple now has…

    Jessica Anderson (Vano)

  • Natalie Raabe (Pieper)

    Class of 2015

    Natalie (Pieper), B.A. ’15, M.A. ’20 and Alec Raabe welcomed Lyla Ann on January 29, 2025.

    Natalie Raabe (Pieper)

  • Raymond Wiegert

    Class of 1955

    Raymond Wiegert, H.S. ’53, J.C. ’55 shared that his wife, Dolores, passed away on March 11, 2025. They had been married for 66 years.

  • Gizelle Smothers (Kramer)

    Class of 1979

    Gizelle (Kramer), B.A. ’79 and Jon, B.A. ’80 Smothers will celebrate 47 years of marriage in September 2025. They are enjoying Jon’s retirement.

    Gizelle Smothers (Kramer)

  • Edward Andrada

    Class of 1988

    Ted, B. A. ’88 and Jacquie Andrada celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and the birth of their first grandchild.

  • Donna Kuhn (Helm)

    Class of 1965

    Donna (Helm), B.A. ’65 and Roger Kuhn, H.S. ’60 are celebrating 65 years of marriage on July 31 with their four children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren (a fifth will be born this fall).

    Donna Kuhn (Helm)

  • Lucas Woodford

    Class of 1998

    Lucas Woodford, B.A. ’98 has been elected to a third term as President of the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. He serves as Associate Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Farmington, Minn.

  • Connor Kern

    Class of 2023

    Connor Kern, M.S. ’23 has been hired as the associate director for budget and compliance at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.