A young college student from Benson, MN needed a term paper typed at the University of Minnesota. He found a business graduate from Willmar, MN nearby who charged him 25 cents a page. That luck turned into love and a 58-year marriage for Smitty and Loren Luschen.
“When I was 5, my dad had a heart attack at the age of 34. Many neighbors helped my mother keep the farm running-from milking, to raising livestock and harvesting crops-while my dad recovered. My sister and I didn’t go without our summer Bible Camp or music lessons, even though things were tight financially,” Smitty shares. “Later in life, I found out my uncles had stepped in to make sure we always had what we needed. I distinctly remember my mom putting $1 into the Willmar Community Chest envelope to help others and the church offering weekly. These examples shaped my thinking to help whenever I could, even in small ways,” she notes.
After Loren graduated from the U of M, he went to work for the Farmers Home Administration, Rural Development and Farm Service Agency, kicking off a 33-year career in government working primarily with agri-business and non-profits in rural Minnesota. Loren recalls, “It was a good job and we saw a lot of the state. We moved seven times in fourteen years! Roseau, Ortonville, Thief River Falls, Little Falls, Marshall, Cottage Grove and finally we were glad to settle down in Smitty’s hometown of Willmar.” The Luschen’s joined Jaycee’s during their stop in Thief River Falls as a way to meet new people and get involved. Their service via Jaycees followed them to each new community, affording leadership opportunities and earning them recognition as Outstanding Couple of the Year at a statewide level. They are proud of being retired Jaycee members and credit that time with instilling a solid base of volunteerism and giving back into their family. Today, they remain active in the Willmar Rotary Club, Willmar Lions and Calvary Lutheran Church while enjoying travel and time with their 3 grandchildren and 2 grand-dogs.
In the early years, Smitty worked in business in the metro area, became an expert in moving a household and then welcoming their two children, Terry and Toni. “When we moved back to Willmar, I was fortunate to find a job at Heritage Bank who encouraged their staff to be involved in the community. I decided I’d just do one thing at a time so I could balance work, home and volunteering,” says Smitty. That led to years of service to the Willmar Chamber, United Way, BPW and many more organizations for her. Smitty is especially proud of helping to establish the Willmar Area Community Foundation and the Willmar Women’s Fund noting “I am so proud of how the members are now leading those groups to do such important work.” Loren was a dedicated Boy Scout leader before retiring from government service and joining Lutheran Social Services as a credit counselor in his final work chapter. “Small towns and rural people are special. People just take care of one another, understand hard work and can really have fun together,” notes Loren.
While Loren developed a passion for golf and a good coffee club, Smitty found a new use for her lifelong sewing skills as an avid quilter. A member of the Country Quilters Guild, Smitty has served in several leadership roles and has married up that love of quilting and charitable giving, donating dozens of hand sewn quilts to local non-profit organizations to use in their fundraising efforts. “You always feel better about yourself if you are able to give back, whether it’s making a pan of bars for an event, sharing something from your garden with a neighbor or sending funds to a favorite charity. It’s important to become involved and work for the better good of your community. Everyone can do something small that really makes a difference,” shares Smitty.
The Willmar Area Community Foundation is pleased to recognize the outstanding legacy of service and generosity of Smitty and Loren Luschen with the 2025 Award in Philanthropy.