Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 6

dearWHEATON

the globe reinforced Wheaton College’s

day proclaiming the good news of Jesus

commitment to international endeavors, and

Christ via short wave radio to his family,

highlighted the impact graduates have had.

tribe, and others who spoke his language.

Thank you, Georgia, for a magazine of

His dedication to reach those he loved

visual beauty and compelling content.

encouraged me to make sure that those

Carol Savage

around me hear the gospel every day. Many

Plueddemann ’66, M.A. ’85

Wheaton alumni and others have prayed,

West Chicago, Illinois

given financially, and gone into their
communities and other countries to help fulfill
Betty Burtness Knoedler ’50

In her 23 years as editor of Wheaton

the Great Commission (Acts 1:8). May ELWA

magazine, Georgia demonstrated great

always be a reminder that the small, quiet

abilities for a task such as this. She had keen

voice of God, when listened to, can make a

notes often included a sunset photo along

insights into the changes in society as well as

difference for Christ and His Kingdom.

with verses of Scripture selected for the

in Wheaton College during those years. Her

Dale Carrell ’84

recipient. Betty’s handwriting personalized

understanding of student life and of the

Pelham, Alabama

the Savior’s love and truth, and her photos
reminded us of God’s love that’s greater than

mission of Wheaton College was remarkable.

Betty Knoedler: The Written
Word and Wheaton Legacy

our pain, and that He will perfect everything

creative layouts that always spoke well of the
College.  Her articles of general interest were

Three days before Christmas 2013, Betty

were arrows sent to the heart, made potent by

on target.  Her fundraising was low key and

Burtness Knoedler ’50 left her family and

the time and care she took to write in her own

sensitive.  She never lost sight of Wheaton’s

friends for heaven. The Wheaton College

hand, her thoughts flowing out of her heart

vision of worldwide outreach. Her articles

family has lost a prayer warrior and loving

and through her pen onto paper.

of interest on the overseas activities of

friend. Betty’s influence on the College

students, alumni, and faculty were well done. 

and Wheaton alumni spanned seven

smartphone, and was adept at email. But

At my age I find myself reading with interest

decades. Her faithful friendship sweetened

I recently learned from Bud Knoedler that

the “In Memory” columns in finding news of

our service and enriched our lives. 

she also never forgot—and thus has given to

 Her appreciation of good art led to

my friends and contemporaries.

A dozen or more years ago, I enlisted

that concerns us (Psalm 138:8). Her notes

Betty could text her grandchildren on her

us—the value and experience of receiving a

Bud and Betty Knoedler’s help with a time-

handwritten letter.

will miss you.

honored tradition of the Alumni Association:

Marilee Melvin ’72

Dave Howard ’49

that of sending handwritten expressions of

Executive Assistant to

Fort Myers, Florida

sympathy to alumni who lost loved ones—

President Ryken

Thank you, Georgia, for a great job. We

spouses, children, parents, and siblings.

Finding Love in Africa

They graciously took on this responsibility,

Write Us

Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) was

and over the years have personally inscribed

We want to hear from you. Send us your

where God showed me how his message is

several thousand cards to fellow alumni,

letters and emails as they relate to material

the same no matter whether broadcast from

praying over each bereaved person and

published in the magazine. Correspondence

the WETN studios or the jungles of Africa.

family as they did so.

must include your name, address, and

After spending the summer of 1983 on the

Countless numbers of people were

phone number. The editor reserves the right

coast of Liberia as an assistant engineer,

picture window in her Northwoods home

and length. Unfortunately, not all letters can

near HoneyRock, Betty captured images

be published nor can they be returned.

the radio ministry) because his parents

of the setting sun over Cranberry Lake with

Editor, Wheaton

had chased him out of his hometown with

her camera, every image different, and all

Wheaton College / Whe