submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu
We recently received word of the death Gracia (Nydahl) Luoma ’66. Gracia died on November 30, 2024. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in mathematics, she forged a career in computer science. Gracia and her husband, Rev. Dr. John Luoma ’65, were generous supports of Augsburg, which included funding the John K. and Gracia Nydahl Luoma Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need, academic achievement, and a commitment to vocational service, preferably in the Christian ministry, education, psychology, or medical fields.
In 2019, Gracia was quoted referring to Augsburg has “the family business, so to speak.” Born in Minneapolis to the Nydahl family, she recalled frequent outings to Augsburg events as a young child. Her grandfather Johannes, who emigrated from Norway in 1845, graduated from both Augsburg College and Augsburg Seminary, which he attended from 1883 to 1891. He became a professor of history and Norwegian before becoming Augsburg’s head librarian in 1920. Johannes and his wife, Tabitha, had six children, all of whom followed his footsteps, as have many other descendants. In fact, Augsburg recognized this “formative family” with a Distinguished Service Award in 2004.
Gracia’s memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 NE Gher Road, Vancouver, WA 98662. The service will be at 2:00 p.m. PT on January 9, 2025. The obituary linked below includes information on viewing the service remotely.