Dean Mattson | Inducted February 2025
Dean Mattson grew up on a dairy farm outside of Luck. He attended Oak Hill country school and graduated from Luck in 1962. He attended Augsburg College and graduated with a degree in History and a minor in theology. Shortly after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 5 years in Vietnam before contracting malaria. After his recovery, he began work at the Pentagon, with intermittent service in Germany and Japan. He was ultimately promoted to Executive Officer for the Army Information Management Support Center at the Pentagon. Dean was an accomplished square dancer, traveling the world with his partner to compete. Dean was planning to retire near the family farm when he was killed in the September 11th terrorist attack on the Pentagon in 2001.
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Dr. Clifford Madsen | Inducted February 2025
Dr. Clifford Madsen graduated from Luck in 1926. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and Doctor of Theology degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was a pastor from 1934-1942, and during WWII he served as a Chaplin in the United States Navy. In 1946, he joined the faculty at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. He was eventually elected president of Dana College in 1956, and remained in that position until his retirement in 1971. Among the numerous honors awarded to him were an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska and the distinction of being named the first and only president emeritus by the Dana College Board of Regents. Of all honors bestowed him, perhaps the most extraordinary was the Cross of the Knight Order of Dannebrog by King Frederik of Denmark, which granted him knighthood. The Dana College performing arts center was named in his honor as the Madsen Fine Arts Center.
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Edna (Johansen) Lawson | Inducted February 2025
Edna (Johansen) Lawson attended Lincoln School for grades 1-8, and graduated from Luck High School in 1932. Edna had a passion for caring for people. After selling the family grocery store, Edna became a nurses’ aide at the Frederic Hospital. In 1966, Edna became the administrator of the Luck United Pioneer Nursing Home. She held this position until her retirement in 1986.
Retirement did not stop Edna’s passion for connecting and caring for people. She became a member of the St Croix Valley Health Care Foundation, volunteering her time, love and services. In 2002, she was awarded the Health Advocate Award for her volunteerism. Edna was a charter member of the Luck Alumni Association, continuing to serve until she was 100 years old!
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Eiler C. Ravnholt | Inducted February 2025
Eiler C. Ravnholt was born in 1923 on his family farm near Milltown, WI. Following his graduation from Luck in 1941, Eiler served with distinction in World War II as a member of the 104th Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations. He later graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1948. While teaching in Mankato, MN, he became involved in the Blue Earth County Democratic-Farmer Labor Party, serving as a Delegate to the 1960 Democratic National Convention. In 1965 he became Assistant to Vice President, Hubert H. Humphrey. Eiler then joined the staff of Senator Daniel K. Inouye (Hawaii) as his top aide. He was an active participant in the Senate Watergate Hearings, which investigated the misdeeds of then President Nixon and his administration. Eiler went on to become Vice President of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association until his retirement in 1995 when he and his wife returned to Luck. His love of politics and social sciences inspired his generous contributions to the Luck Library and Museum, active involvement with the Luck Senior Center, and steady attendance at Cardinal events.
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Harvey L. Dueholm | Inducted February 2025
Farmer-legislator Harvey L. Dueholm was born near Bone Lake in 1910. Harvey attended Luck school, but like many young men of that era, his commitment to the family farm required him to forego graduation. After his father Marius’ election to the Wisconsin State Assembly, Harvey assumed much of the responsibility for the operations of the farm, and ultimately took over after Marius’ death in 1936. After unsuccessful campaigns for sheriff and town chairman, Harvey ultimately was elected town chairman and Polk County Supervisor. He then ran for State Assembly, winning election in 1958 on his second attempt. Harvey quickly won a reputation in the Assembly for his earthy, self-deprecating sense of humor, which he used with keen political skill to advance his points on conservation, mental health, consumer protection, and senior citizens. Harvey consistently received high ratings in the Capital Times’ public interest poll, and on several occasions was the only legislator to receive a 100% rating. He retired in 1977 and returned to the family farm.
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Neal A. Jorgenson | Inducted February 2025
Neal A. Jorgenson was raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Luck in 1953. He spent two years in the U.S. Army and then earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at UW-River Falls. He continued his education at UW–Madison in 1960, where he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in dairy science, with a minor in biochemistry. He joined the faculty of the UW-Department of Dairy Science (now the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences) as a dairy nutritionist in 1968. His research studies focused on forage quality and forage harvesting practices, the results of which translated directly to help the local dairy farmer. He went on to serve the college as associate dean, executive associate dean, and dean. He retired in 1998.
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Richard Vilstrup | Inducted February 2025
Richard Vilstrup grew on his family’s farm in Luck and graduated from Luck High School in 1946. He attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where he participated in national speech and debate competitions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1952, then served four years in the U.S. Army. Dick went on to earn his PhD in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science in 1962 and served as State Extension Program Leader, receiving the Superior Service Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dick was a professor of agriculture and marketing at UW Madison for thirty years, retiring in 1980 as a Professor Emeritus. He served on the board of directors for Land O’ Lakes and Farm Credit Bureau, among others. Dick was inducted into the National Cooperative Hall of Fame, as well as the International Adult Continuing Education Hall of Fame.
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