The threads of music, science, and faith are woven throughout the Janssen and Klaassen family histories at Wartburg. Erv Janssen ’58 met his future wife, Maurine Nissen ’57, in the Wartburg Choir.

“She tried to get me to go out with one of her friends, and instead I asked her,” he said. 

The intensity of the chemistry program with Dr. Al Swensen meant Erv had to drop choir to focus more on academics. Janssen is now retired from a career in the mental health field, having served as chief of psychiatry at the former Children’s Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla.

His college experience is echoed by grandson Stephen Klaassen’18, who graduated with a degree in biology with plans to become a doctor. Klaassen was president of Wind Ensemble and led the young Wartburg Drumline and Revolution Indoor Percussion groups, taking advantage of leadership opportunities that have been a defining Wartburg experience for generations. 

“Wartburg gives that opportunity for young people to work on leadership skills. And the encouragement of the staff to try things, that’s still part of the value system,” said Erv. 

In between are Klaassen’s parents, Daniel ’88 and Kathy Janssen ’85 Klaassen, who also met in a Wartburg music ensemble. 

“They were in Castle Singers together,” said Stephen. “My mom was a senior and my dad was a freshman, and they didn’t know if it would last.” 

But last it did, and like her father, Kathy earned a degree from Wartburg’s strong science program and has had a career as a psychiatrist in Oklahoma.

“Our boys knew of Wartburg at a very young age in part due to Homecomings and the family stories,” said Kathy. “When my sister and I were kids, we too made the Homecoming treks back to Wartburg.”  

Daniel, who works in financial planning in Oklahoma and graduated with a finance and marketing degree, has his own family legacy with three uncles who attended Wartburg. His favorite memories are from athletics and Castle Singers, with a healthy dose of shenanigans.

“My roommate and I filled a close friend’s room with crumpled newspaper on her birthday,” he said. “FYI, it takes a lot of newspaper to completely fill a dorm room!”

The family lore and Wartburg’s science program are what hooked Stephen, who came to Wartburg from a large high school in Oklahoma. 

“We are very proud and amazed at everything that he has been able to accomplish during his time there, while keeping his grades at a high level needed for med school,” said Daniel.Kathy agrees: “I feel that he came to his own appreciation of a smaller town and smaller educational setting and am glad he chose to experience this.”