Marjorie [Maj] Stormo-Gipson, Class of 1974

At KIS: 1965-1974

"To love another person is to see the face of God." Maj modeled this for all of us. She knew what it meant to love and be fully alive. Maj, named for her mother and grandmother, was born in Kodaikanal in 1956 and spent most of her youth in India. At Kodai School Maj was enthusiastically involved in a variety of activities. After graduation from KIS she went on to the University of California in Santa Cruz where she met the love of her life, Justin Stormo. They were married in Stavanger, Norway on 29 July 1976. Maj graduated with highest honors from UC Santa Cruz. Justin and she both attended Dartmouth Medical School. After completing their internship, they did volunteer medical work in Nicaragua for two year. Maj completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco in 1989, by which time they had three children. The family moved to Coeur d'Alene, ID, in 1991 where Maj was a beloved pediatrician. Maj and Justin shared a passion for providing volunteer medical care to the under-served community in Latin America. Maj loved water activities of all kinds, especially with her family. She tragically died in July 2013 in a river rafting accident while with her family on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Maj is survived by her husband, Justin, their three children, Kenna '98, Kate , Luke '08, her mother, Marjorie Gipson, and her siblings, Tracy '59, Marcia '61, Reg '63, Carol '67 and John '73.

James Carman, Class of 1978

At KIS: 1968-1978

Although born in Rochester, NY, Jim spent most of his youth in India where his parents, Robert & Lucile Carman served at the Christian Medical Center, Vellore. Jim attended KIS from Grade 3. After graduating from KIS, Jim went on to Macalester College, MN, where he graduated with a degree in Anthropology. He was happiest when he was helping others; he worked as an organizer for several nonprofit organizations, as a teacher and as a stay-at-home dad. He was truly engaged in the moment--everything he did was done with all his heart. Jim cared about peace, nature and everyone he knew; he was a warm, positive presence in so many people's lives. Jim unexpectedly died in July 2013 of undetermined causes. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and their three children, his parents, Bob '48 & Lu 'FS, his brother, Chuck '76, sister, Betsy '80 as well as numerous other relatives from the KIS Family; he was preceded in death by his brother Paul '83. A remembrance ceremony was held at the Lyndale Peace Gardens in the Twin Cities.

Alice (Tegenfeldt), Class of 1962, Mundhenk

At KIS: 1955-1961

Alice Tegenfeldt was born in 1945 at Kodaikanal and survived her twin sister who died about a month later. Her parents worked in northern Burma (Myanmar) and Alice began attending Kodai School from Grade 6. After studying at Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, Alice worked as a linguist in Vietnam. She married Norman Mundhenk in Saigon. Norm and Alice worked for many years in Papua New Guinea, where Norm was a consultant for Bible translators. Alice studied early childhood education, taught preschool in Mount Hagen, and later went to Burma as a consultant. She worked there for about 15 years, founding the Yinthway Foundation, which focuses on early childhood issues. Alice died at home in Pearson Point, WA, in May 2013. She is survived by her husband, six children, and her Kodai School Alumni siblings, Ed, John, Paul, David and Judy.

Walter Pringle, Former Staff

At KIS: 1967-1970

Walter was born in Port Huron, MI. His happy childhood was spent on his family's wooded acreage which he explored with his dog. He enjoyed athletics, participating in baseball, football, track and field as well as boxing. He studied two years of pre-engineering before serving in the US Army from 1954-1956. After his military service, he continued his studies at Anderson College, Adrian College and Wayne State University where he received his Master's degree in Educational Guidance and Counseling. It was at Anderson that he met and married Jacqueline Schieck, KIS Class of 1957. After teaching junior high math for six year in East Detroit, he and Jackie went to Kodai in 1967 for three years. They were on the staff of Kodai School where Walter was Guidance Counselor and taught Math. After teaching seven more years in MI, Walt and his family moved to Camrose, AB, and he became a Canadian citizen. Walt died in May 2013 and was interned in the Camrose Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, son Gregory, two grandsons and other family members in both Canada and Michigan.

Keith DeJong, Class of 1946, Former Staff & Parent

At KIS:  1939-1946; 1957-1993

Keith DeJong, born in 1928 at Kuwait City, Kuwait, to Reformed Church of America missionary parents, was a student at Kodai School from age 10 until he graduated in 1946. He excelled in academics, track, trombone and singing. Among his many Field Day feats, his record for the Rope Vault still stands; that unique KIS sport was retired. His fantastic tenor voice will long be remembered by all who heard him sing. After Kodai School, he attended Hope College, MI, graduating in 1951. After college, he had a two-year stint in the US Marine Corps, during the Korean Conflict, as a chaplain's assistant.

In 1957 Keith and his wife, Marcine, joined staff at Kodai School where they raised their four children, Garry '74, Bruce '77, Dorothy '78 and Jim '80. Five of their eight grandchildren also attended KIS: Terah '01, Hans '04, Ketsa '06, Leif '09, Andry '11. His brothers David '51 and wife, Dorothea (Essebaggers) '51 and Garrett (Ed) '54 are all part of the extended Kodai School Family. Keith, suffering from Alzheimer's disease during his final years, died in peace and comfort in Waterville, MN, on 16 May 2013. Interment will be in Orange City, IA. Keith and Marcine were members of the KIS Shola Society and will long be remembered for their generosity to the KIS Music Department.

Marjorie Hoffman, Former Staff & Parent

At KIS:  1950-1957

Marjorie Hoffman, widow of Nelson M. Hoffman, Jr., President Emeritus of Midway College, passed on to new life on April 13, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky. Marjorie and Nelson were on staff at Kodai School where Nelson was Bursar, forerunner to Finance Director. Born in Kansas, Marjorie earned a Baccalaureate degree at Asbury College. A published poet, she edited several literary magazines and achieved recognition for her critical ability. Marjorie is survived by her five children of whom the two older sons, Nelson M, III '66 and Michael '68 are Alumni of Kodai School. A memorial service was held at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, on April 27, 2013.

Albert Shaw, Former Staff

At KIS:  1957-1974

Al Shaw was born in Union City, NJ, and raised by his maternal grandmother in Valley Cottage, NY.  He graduated from Rockland State Hospital Nursing School and then from Nyack Missionary Training Institute, where he met Bernice Garrison.  After he proposed 3 times (!) they married in 1942 and sailed with their daughter, Peggy '61, to India, where 2 more daughters, Lynette '66 and Vivian '68, were born.  They served in Maharashtra as missionaries with the Christian Missionary Alliance until moving to Kodai in 1957 to teach in Kodai School and serve as dormparents at Longcroft.  Al taught 7th Grade, high school Biology and First Aid, but his first and great love may have been hiking to Tope.  In 1974 he and Bernice went to Quito, Ecuador to teach in the Alliance Academy.  After their retirement in 1982, they moved to Portland, OR, to be close to their daughters and families.  Al's passion for healthy eating, exercise, good manners and correct grammar were matched by his lifelong belief in conservation ("Please turn off the light when you leave a room!") and his love of God's glorious creation.  He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.  Al died in April 2013.

Diana Bohl, Former Staff

At KIS:  2000-2001

Diana Bohl, born in Tiffin, OH, died in February 2013 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.  Diana graduated from Heidelberg College and Northwestern University and taught in public schools in Ohio and Illinois before moving to Erie, PA, where she served on the faculty of Mercyhurst College.  She was on sabbatical from the College when she and her husband Adrian spent the academic year as volunteers at Kodai School.  At KIS Diana helped with the development of the Student Resource Center.  She retired in 2008.  Diana is survived by her mother, her husband Adrian, two daughters, a granddaughter and siblings.

Ruth Esther "Chellie" (Manley) Rowland, Class of 1939

At KIS: 1928-1939

Much loved Chellie, 91, went home to be with her Lord Jesus right after Christmas 2012. She was born in India to Dr. Charles and Mrs. Ruth (Bass) Manley, American Baptist missionaries based in Hanamakonda, AP. Most of her childhood was spent in India, where her two older brothers, Tracy, Class of 1931, and Charles, Jr., Class of 1937, gave her the nickname Chellie (short for Chellamma), "little sister" in Telegu. At age 6, she joined her brothers at Highclerc School at Kodaikanal where she participated in many music programs and plays. Her family vacationed in Kodai and Chellie was especially fond of rowing on the lake and hiking the hills. After her graduation in 1939, she attended Linfield College in McMinnville, OR, where she met her husband John Rowland. The two were married after she graduated in 1943. While Chellie was busy raising their growing family, John taught in Alton, IL, and was on the faculty of Gonzaga in Spokane and Washington State in Pullman before working for Boeing. Chellie & John were both active in church and were both involved in the ministry of music. Chellie returned to college in the 1970's and became a music teacher in local schools. She was the choir director at her church. Her passion for family, music and faith showed in every aspect of her life. Chellie made it her mission to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord!"! Preceded in death in 1997 by her husband John, Chellie is survived by their children Gladys, John and Alice who continued support to KFI in their mother's memory.

Gary Knapp, Former Staff

At KIS:  2000-2003

Gary Knapp passed away in December 2012 from an aorta dissection.  He taught physics, woodworking, design technology, computer graphics and was Web Master at KIS.  He later returned to Kodai to work on Ann Peck's 'FS efficient stove project, installing new stoves in villages houses around Kodaikanal.  At the time of his death, he was planning to present a paper on the smokeless stove project in Cambodia in March 2013.  Gary and his wife moved to Montana in 2005 where he took up his interest in woodworking, building beautiful craftsman style clocks.  He had just sold his 900th clock in November 2012.  He is survived by his wife, Lois (Lowey) Heibert '67.

Jean Dettman, Former Staff & Parent

At KIS:  At KIS: 1964-1967

Jean Emery Dettman, born in Toledo, OH, died in November 2012 in Hingham, MA. Jean and her late husband Paul were on staff at Kodai School where she taught French and Paul was the Bursar (Finance Director). She was active in her church. She was devoted to her family and was a life-long learner. Jean is survived by six children who are Alumni of KIS, twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A memorial service was held in December 2012 at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Hingham, MA.

Harold Wolverton, Class of 1937

Harold, known as Bubba, passed away in October 2012, two months shy of his 94th birthday. He was born in India where his parents were serving with the Canadian Baptist Ministries. He attended Kodai School and was in the Class of 1937. He was a radar technician in the Air Force in England during World War II, he received his post-secondary school education at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta. He practiced dental surgery for four decades and was a Renaissance man who could fix anything and discuss matters of any kind. He will be remembered as a kind-hearted and generous gentlemen. His generosity extended to KFI and KIS. He was a member of the KIS Shola Society.