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Boll family presented Concordia Nebraska's Family Heritage Award

Seward, NE (08/25/2026) — During Homecoming weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. Concordia University, Nebraska's Family Heritage Award is given to a family that has had at least three generations attend Concordia Nebraska and that supports the university through contributions of time, talent and treasure.

John and Caroline (Timmerman) Boll find fulfillment in serving others through education, sharing the Gospel and seeing generations of students, family members and communities eternally impacted by faith-centered teaching and service. John HS '58 CO '62, a farm boy from North Dakota, and Caroline HS '58 CO '61, a farm girl from Iowa, met at Concordia High School in Seward in 1955. They graduated in 1958 and continued their education at then-named Concordia Teacher's College graduating with education degrees then getting married in 1962. John later got his master's degree in education from Wayne State University and administrative certification from Montana State University Billings.

John and Caroline served in Lutheran education and ministry for 43 years prior to retirement, serving in churches and schools in Michigan, Illinois, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and Minnesota. John served as an educator and principal, and Caroline served as a teacher.

All of the Bolls' children graduated from the university - three with education degrees and Lutheran Teacher Diplomas; and Jonathan, who used his pre-sem education to serve with Peacemaker Ministries and eventually Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Billings, Montana. Son David '88 and his wife Dolores (Dee Nyquest) Boll '88 have served in Lutheran schools in New York and Minnesota. Daughter Myrna (Boll) Lastusky '93 taught at Sheboygan Lutheran High School where she met and married fire chief Jay Lastusky. Son Jonathan '02 and wife Jennifer (Arend) Boll '02 serve in Billings, Montana. Son Andrew '04 and wife Melinda (Mueller) Boll '04 served in Minnesota and Montana. In addition, three of David and Dolores' four sons are also alumni of the university. Michael '16 and Amy (Buchholz) Boll '16 serve in Minnesota. Matthew '22 teaches in a Lutheran school in Minnesota. Benjamin '22 serves as a first lieutenant as a tank commanding officer. Jonathan teaches social studies at Nova Classical Academy in the Twin Cities.

Son David said Concordia Nebraska is a special place that has had a profound impact on his family. He said he is grateful for the university's consistent focus on preparing students to serve in the church and the world.

"The key word is servants," he said. "We need to continue the Concordia Nebraska-taught approach that it is not about us, but about others: that we are here by the grace of God to serve, wherever we are, in whatever discipline we work. The country and world desperately need truth to be told and lived, and places like Concordia Nebraskaneed support in order to raise up those that can assist people in going out into the world to spread the Good News."

Daughter Myrna said the Bolls made Lutheran education a priority for all their children.

"We all feel very blessed to be part of a family for whom Christ is at the center. It is a rare gift to have an entire extended family who loves Jesus, and we never take it for granted," said Myrna. "Our folks - like theirs before them - are leaving a legacy of faith, and Concordia has been a major part of that through the years."

"I know that both my parents have seen God at work in their lives and shaping their ministerial destinies through the work of Concordia Nebraska. They have both had an incredibly far-reaching impact through their teaching as well as their witness as part of the doctrinally-trained Lutheran laity," added son Andrew. "It is amazing how their experience at Concordia has indirectly touched so many lives and families, and I know they have always acknowledged God's gracious hand in all that they have done and experienced, but particularly with regard to their formative time at Concordia, Seward. They will certainly leave more than a single legacy with all the hearts and lives they have touched, but what they are returning to the Lord in the form of a gift to Concordia is definitely one heritage that they will treasure now and which will have an impact into eternity!"

Since retiring, John has dedicated a great deal of his time to The Gideons as a tireless evangelist handing out Gideon Bibles to anyone who will take them. Not only does he speak to many congregations each year to share the mission of the Gideons, but he never eats at a restaurant without offering a free copy of God's Word to servers, busboys and others. Both John and Caroline previously volunteered with The 72 Partners on the Road (formerly Harvesters for Christ).

"Congregations partner with a team from The 72 to accomplish specific evangelism goals that the congregation has identified," added Myrna. "Congregations then commit themselves to be in Bible study with the team, to support them in prayer both publicly and privately, and to support their work in both word and deed while the team is on-site serving them. John and Caroline visited 11 congregations in four states during their years with The 72."

John and Caroline love spending seven months out of the year in Billings, Montana near three of their children and their families. They attend Trinity Lutheran Church in Billings, a congregation they first grew to love during their time there from 1975 to 1988. From November to April each year, they spend time in El Mirage, Arizona with John's brothers and sisters and their spouses, as well as many other friends. They enjoy visiting friends and family around the country, golfing, volunteering at Orphan Grain Train and with other faith-based charities. John loves to hunt in the fall, and Caroline can often be found baking, reading a book or doing a puzzle. Together, they enjoy playing cards, watching a good movie or spending time with loved ones.

"Our family reflects a multigenerational legacy of faith, service and Lutheran education. All our children attended Concordia Nebraska and pursued careers in education and ministry including three of the four spouses," said John. "Many grandchildren have followed the same path. Our family is united by a shared commitment to Christ-centered service, and Concordia Nebraska has played a central role in shaping that legacy. We never take it for granted that every single member of our immediate family - spouses included - have a deep love for their Savior Jesus Christ."

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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