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LWML SD District History

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History of the LWML South Dakota District

Compiled for the 2018 convention, with excerpts from the LWML SD District 40th Anniversary Convention Manual.

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Twenty seventeen is a milestone in the history of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League as the organization celebrates its 75th year as the women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

 

“The LWML South Dakota District had its beginnings at Howard, SD on May 10, 1942, when delegates from 30 congregations began the process of organizing and applying for International membership. On January 1, 1943, the District league became a charter member of the International League with 34 societies.

 

The first convention was held in Huron, SD, May 18, 1943. The constitution was adopted and delegates were elected to attend the nation convention at Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the second annual convention at Brookings, SD, the first project — an organ for Memorial Church in Sioux Falls, SD — was adopted.

 

The first Mite Box offering received by the national treasurer (Mrs. A.H. Meitler; also first LWML SD President) was from our LWML SD in October of 1943. Through the years, one method of gathering funds has been emphasized — the volunteer free-will offering through the Mite Box. Twenty-five percent of all district mite offerings are sent to LWML to carry out home and foreign mission projects adopted by delegates at biennial conventions. Seventy-five percent of all mite monies remain in the district to carry out district business and to support mission grants selected by ballot at district biennial conventions. Grants have included: purchases of organs, student center and mission stations furnishings, Deaf Chapel, State Fair Building, help for Youth, Handicapped, and Indian Missions, Educational Assistance, Aid to Foreign Mission in Nigeria, Argentina, India, and Bible Translators. From a beginning project [currently: grant] of $250, projects have grown to yearly grants of $7000 [2018: biennial grants of $5,000].

 

In addition, each year since 1949, a deaconess scholarship has been granted. In 1974, this scholarship was named the “Jo Carman Deaconess Scholarship” in memory of our tenth district president. [In circa 1994, this grant was joined with the LCMS South Dakota District’s Student Endowment Fund, to grant aid to those students who are communicant members in congregations of the LCMS South Dakota District, and who are preparing to serve the church as pastors, teachers, or other full-time servants to the Church, at one of the schools operated by the Synod. This grant, along with the State Fair Puppet Place Ministry and the “Today’s Light” subscription for the South Dakota Women’s Prison grants, are on-going grants of the LWML SD District.]

 

Our district has the honor of producing the design of the LWML emblem. Mrs. Quinn Dennis of Huron, SD, is the designer. It was adopted at the International Convention in Chicago, IL, in 1947. It symbolizes: CROSS — the symbol of Christ’s completed atonement, center of our faith, source of our hope, motive for our love; OPEN BIBLE — the word of God, a lamp unto our path, and a light for all nations; RAYS — God’s saving truth, spreading into all the world; CIRCLES — a common faith uniting Christian women in love and service; LWML — women with a mission, pointing others to Christ.

 

In 1948, the district was organized into five zones. Additional zones were added, and in 1964, the change was made to 10 zones, which coincide closely with district circuit lines. These include: Aberdeen, Black Hills, Brookings, Chamberlain, Huron, Milbank, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls, and Yankton. At present, these zones include 113 member units in 105 congregations, with a membership of over 3,000. [2018: 86 member units in 89 societies, with a membership of over 1,700.]

 

Christ-centered programs are made available to all members. The first Christian Growth Guidance Institute was held in 1956 at Mitchell, SD. In 1958, a one-day Christian Growth Workshop was held the day preceding the district convention in Huron, SD. In 1961, this was changed to two workshops in different places, and in 1965, the present plan began; that of three workshops in the fall of the year. [In 2001, the plan was changed to four days over two weekends.]”

 

Retreats were held in 1954, 1955, 1976, and 1987; in 1991 they became a biennial event, held in the spring of odd-numbered years.​

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District Presidents

Part of our history is how names were written. For many years, the husband's first name was always included. In more recent times, the officer's name stands alone.

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  • 2024–2028  Mary Jo Stier

  • 2022–2024  Patty Peters

  • 2016–2020  Lisa Asmus

  • 2012–2016  Arlene Naasz

  • 2008–2012  Elaine Hankel

  • 2004–2008  Dianne Diekmann (Mrs. Gerald)

  • 2000–2004  Janell McKinstry (Mrs. Earl)

  • 1996–2000  Pat Reichert (Mrs. Don)

  • 1992–1996  Annette Jarratt (Mrs. Charles)               

  • 1988–1992  Sharon Falk (Mrs. Charles)

  • 1984–1988  Ruth Neuberger (Mrs. Tom)

  • 1980–1984  Betty Haar (Mrs. Winfred)

  • 1975–1980  Norma Harer (Mrs. Darrell)

  • 1974–1975  Betty Reimnitz (Mrs. Gerhard)

  • 1970–1974  Edna Haeder (Mrs. Hugo)

  • 1966–1970  Josephine Carman

  • 1962–1966  Emilie “Millie” Schmidt (Mrs. C.F.)

  • 1960–1962  Elna Dite (Mrs. Ed)  
                       later Mrs. George Hanson

  • 1956–1960  Marie Mueller (Mrs. L.B.)

  • 1954–1956  Leah Proehl (Mrs. Ed)

  • 1952–1954  Gladys Hammer (Mrs. Victor)
                       later Mrs. Keith Watters

  • 1948–1952  Eva Ellwein (Mrs. A.L.)

  • 1944–1948  Ruth Jungeman (Mrs. J.H.)                   

  • 1943–1944  Eva Ellwein (Mrs. A.L.)                         

  • 1942–1943  Leona Meitler (Mrs. A.H.)

​Convention History ​

64th Convention June 5–6, 2026, Rapid City, SD.

  • “Confidence in His Grace”

63rd Convention June 7–8, 2024, Aberdeen, SD.

  • “Inexpressible Joy ✟ Matchless Savior”

62nd Convention June 3–4, 2022, Yankton, SD. 80th Anniversary

  • “Walk in Love”

61st Convention 2020 In-person event canceled due to COVID-19. Necessary business was completed via mailed ballots and a digital (Zoom) meeting. Newly-elected officers were installed June 14, 2020.

  • “Set Your Eyes on Jesus”

60th Convention June 1–2, 2018, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • “Sharing God’s Love from Generation to Generation”

59th Convention June 3–4, 2016, Pierre, SD.

  • “We are the body of Christ; each one of you is part of it.”

58th Convention May 30–31, 2014, Mitchell, SD.

  • “Shout for the King”

57th Convention June 1–2, 2012, Watertown, SD.

  • “Listen, Laugh, Love”

56th Convention June 4–5, 2010 Huron, SD.

  • “Come To Calvary’s Holy Mountain”

55th Convention June 6–7, 2008 Oacoma, SD.

  • “Joy Down in My Heart”

54th Convention May 5–6, 2006  Brookings, SD.

  • “Be Seasoned With Salt”

53rd Convention May 7–8, 2004 Rapid City, SD.

  • “Joyful in Hope”

52nd Convention May 3–4, 2002, Aberdeen, SD. 60th Anniversary

  • “Live a Life of Love”

51st Convention May 8–9, 2000, Yankton, SD.

  • “Free to Serve Our God”

50th Convention May 11–12, 1998, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • “A Time To Shine/Give God The Glory”

49th Convention May 13–14, 1996, Pierre, SD.

  • “The Fabric of Our Faith … Believing, Confessing, Doing”

48th Convention May 9–10, 1994,  Mitchell, SD.

  • “Led by the Spirit”

47th Convention May 3-4, 1992, Rapid City, SD  50th International LWML 1992

  • “Remember … Glorify His Name”

46th Convention May 7-8, 1990, Huron, SD.

  • “Seek His Face —Share His Love”

45th Convention May 10, 1988, Mitchell, SD.

  • “Let Your Faith Radiate”

1987–1988 changed to biennial convention with 1987 the first no annual convention.

44th Convention May 13,1986, Aberdeen, SD.

  • “Praise His Name”

43rd Convention May 14, 1985, Brookings, SD.

  • “Reach, Touch, Grow”

42nd Convention/Seminar May 8, 1984, Yankton, SD.

  • “Strengthened by His Word”

41st Convention May 10, 1983, Rapid City, SD.

  • “Feed on His Word”              

40th Anniversary Convention May 11, 1982, Huron, SD.

  • “Led With Mite-y Love”

39th Convention May 12, 1981, Pierre, SD.

  • “Go Forward”

38th Convention May 13, 1980, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • “Speak of the Hope within You”

37th Convention May 8, 1979, Mitchell, SD.

  • “Behold My Son — Your Shepherd”

36th Convention May 8, 1978, Rapid City, SD.

  • “Grow-Firmly Planted”   

35th Convention May 10, 1977, Milbank, SD.

  • “ Speak Out — Reach Out — for Christ”

34th Convention May 11, 1976, Aberdeen, SD.

  • “Beautiful Savior, Lord of the Nations” 

33rd Convention May 13, 1975, Brookings, SD

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32nd Convention May 14, 1974, Wolsey, SD.

  • “Drawing Closer to Christ”

31st Convention May 8, 1973, Pierre, SD.

  • “A New Song”

30th Convention May 9, 1972, Yankton, SD.

  • “Thirty Years of Joy — Thank You Jesus”

29th Convention May 4, 1971, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • “Lord, Waken My Love”

28th Convention May 5, 1970, Hot Springs, SD.

  • “Lift Up Thine Eyes Unto the Hills”

27th Convention May 6, 1969, Aberdeen, SD.

  • “A Love that Lives”

26th Convention May 7, 1968,  Gregory, SD.

  • “Good News for Modern Man”

25th Convention May 18, 1967, Wolsey, SD.

  • “Praying for Missions”

24th Convention May 3, 1966, Milbank, SD.

  • “Happiness is a Christian Home”

23rd Convention May 4, 1965, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • “God Calls You”

22nd Convention May 5, 1964, Mitchell, SD.

  • “Partners with Christ”

21st Convention May 7, 1963, Hot Springs, SD.

  • “Going Forward in Faith”

20th Convention May 1, 1962, Pierre, SD.

  • “Witness Where You Are”

19th Convention May 2, 1961,  Chamberlain, SD.

  • “Champion for Christ”

18th Convention May 5, 1960 Brookings, SD.

17th Convention May 6, 1959, Gettysburg, SD.

  • “It’s A Woman Mission World”

16th Convention May 7, 1958, Huron, SD.

  • “Latin American Missions”

15th Convention May 8, 1957, Aberdeen, SD.

  • “Saved to Serve”

14th Convention May 16, 1956, Rapid City, SD.

  • “Our Lutheran Mission in Japan”

13th Convention May 10, 1955, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • 12th Annual Convention May 11, 1954, Mitchell, SD.

11th Convention June 30, 1953, Gettysburg, SD.

  • “Mission Field Work”

10th Convention June 10,1952, Wagner, SD.

 9th Convention June 19, 1951, Chester, SD.

 8th Convention June 6, 1950, Wolsey, SD.

 7th Convention June 14,1949, Pierre, SD.

 6th Convention June 8,1948, Howard, SD.

 5th Convention June 3, 1947, Aberdeen, SD.

 4th Convention June 11, 1946, Avon, SD.

  • “Our Mission Work in South Dakota”

 3rd Convention June 12, 1945, Sioux Falls, SD.

  • “Saved to Serve”

 2nd Convention May 23, 1944, Brookings, SD.

 1st Convention May 18, 1943, Huron, SD.

1943 Chartered January 1, 1943, 34 societies.

1942 Organized May 10, 1942, Howard, SD.

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