Donor Stories Main

Calleta and Paul Koefoed
Calleta and Paul Koefoed of Cedar Falls both had strong associations with education and the University of Northern Iowa. Paul's ties to UNI began early. More on Calleta and Paul Koefoed >>.

A Gift With Great Rewards
Donating their land to charity enabled Ray and Meta Parker to avoid taxes associated with land sales, achieve financial security for their retirement years, and help students realize their dreams. More on A Gift With Great Rewards >>.

The Bettles Contribute to the University
Robert '63 and Virginia McShane '63 Bettle recalled working hard to get through school quickly, sometimes taking on several jobs or loading their schedules with more courses. More on The Bettles Contribute to the University >>.

Legacies of a Teacher
Mildred recalled, "I thought why not continue my work in some way. I've worked so hard in Iowa to develop teacher education. I want it carried on." More on Legacies of a Teacher >>.

Teacher's Gift Exemplifies Love of Learning
Widowed at a young age, Myra Boots was challenged to raise two young children while juggling a full time job and pursuing a graduate degree. More on Teacher's Gift Exemplifies Love of Learning >>.

Making a Gift Work for You
Jim Handorf graduated from ISTC in 1954 with a B.A. in business education, spending the last 24 years of his career at UNI. He taught at Price Lab for two years, and then taught as a professor in the College of Business for the final 22 years. More on Making a Gift Work for You >>.

Bill and Mary Haskell-Hansen
Mary Haskell-Hansen's dedication to the arts and her passion for education were the driving forces behind her decision to establish a charitable remainder trust. More on Bill and Mary Haskell-Hansen >>.

In Recognition: Dr. Jack and Pam Inglis Breithaupt
Outside the window, a spring rain fell on the flowers surrounding the University of Northern Iowa Foundation building. Inside, in a softly lit room, sat a couple from Cedar Rapids talking with a Northern Iowa freshman. More on In Recognition: Dr. Jack and Pam Inglis Breithaupt >>.

A Better Rate of Return with Less Worry
Ron '62 and Clarice Rubek grew weary checking their stock portfolios. It just wasn't fun anymore, watching them go up, down, up and down again. They had better places to expend their energy. Sound familiar? More on A Better Rate of Return with Less Worry >>.

It's the Best Thing I've Ever Done!
When Florence M. Nelson, a 1947 UNI graduate, contacted the UNI Foundation to establish a scholarship fund utilizing a charitable gift annuity, she was heard to say, "This is the best thing I've ever done." More on It's the Best Thing I've Ever Done! >>.

Veda Rasmussen
Teacher, school social worker, world traveler, patron of the arts, and life-long learner, Veda Rasmussen embraces life with a combination of humor, common sense, and openness to new adventures. More on Veda Rasmussen >>.

Mildred Hope Wood
In the fall of 1939 a young idealistic teacher entered her first classroom of first and second graders. On that first day, Mildred Wood '56 discovered that one pupil had been in first grade for two years and this was to be her second year in second grade. More on Mildred Hope Wood >>.

Shirley Hewlett
With her decision to attend Iowa State Teachers College, Shirley Haakinson Hewlett continued a tradition that includes three generations of her family. After receiving her two year degree, she took a position in Rolfe, Iowa where she met her future husband, Dale Hewlett. More on Shirley Hewlett >>.

Berdena Beach
From the fields of her parents' farm, Berdena Nelson Beach could see the red tile roofs of Iowa State Teachers College. More on Berdena Beach >>.

Fleming Sisters Invested in Tomorrow's Teachers
Sharon Campbell had just completed her first year of teaching at South Tama Schools. It was an exciting and challenging year, and, as she looked back at her life, she thought of the people who helped her along the way. More on Fleming Sisters Invested in Tomorrow's Teachers >>.

John and Charlene Muir
John '40 and Charlene '41 met and fell in love at ISTC. Married 63 years, John'40 and Charlene'41 in many ways represent the ideals and values of UNI graduates. More on John and Charlene Muir >>.

Major IRA Gift
Tom is a retired CPA. With good investments, his IRA had grown to become over 80% of his total estate. Tom was looking for a way to rebalance his estate. He wanted to make a major gift to charity, but needed to protect his home and personal savings. More on Major IRA Gift >>.

Sale and Unitrust
Gene and Carol White purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well. A larger company is now discussing the possibility of buying the smaller company. Gene and Carol are looking for a way to save taxes. More on Sale and Unitrust >>.

Generous IRA Gift
Jerry is a fireman who volunteers for a number of charities in his community. Recently, University of Northern Iowa Foundation shared an opportunity to join in a new program with a positive impact. Jerry was excited to help, but a lead gift of $10,000 was needed to start the program. More on Generous IRA Gift >>.

Part Gift and Part Sale
Sue and Jim Wilson bought their first home many years ago. As they were landscaping in the yard, painting and fixing up that home, Jim was impressed with the home improvement store. More on Part Gift and Part Sale >>.

Easy IRA Gift
Barbara retired after forty years as a teacher. She had volunteered for many years with University of Northern Iowa Foundation. More on Easy IRA Gift >>.

* These donor stories are for illustrative purposes. Each story is based on an actual gift case or a combination of cases. The pictures and names may be representative of the actual donors who were involved in either the cases or a combination of cases.