Alumni Couple Shares Commitment to Service

Happily married for nearly 42 years, Marvin '61 and Barbara Clasen '59 Ehnen have plenty in common. Besides their alma mater, they also share a commitment to service and stewardship, two qualities that were nurtured during their years at Wartburg College.
A native of Nebraska, Marvin also graduated from Wartburg Seminary and has spent a career attending to the spiritual and emotional needs of those in the various parishes where he has served. Currently, he is director of pastoral care at Good Samaritan Center, an elderly care facility in Davenport.

Barbara grew up in Wisconsin and, after raising two children, worked for the State of Iowa and as museum technician at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch.

The Enhens have been faithful stewards of their blessings. Like many couples in or near retirement, a large portion of their assets is held in retirement funds (401Ks, IRAs, etc.) that have not yet been subject to income tax. Recently, while completing their estate-planning process, they made a generous commitment that will positively impact future generations of Wartburg students.

"We considered it a special privilege to be able to attend Wartburg College some 40-plus years ago. Today, we consider it a great pleasure to be able to support the college in a significant way," Marvin and Barbara said. "We're firmly convinced that Wartburg continues to offer students excellent opportunities to explore their world of knowledge, their faith values, and their opportunities to serve."

Both Marvin and Barbara named Wartburg as the second beneficiary of their IRAs. Each is the other's first beneficiary, meaning the ultimate gift to Wartburg will come after both are deceased. Since the proceeds flow first to a spouse and then to a charity, no income tax is paid, resulting in the maximum use of those dollars.

Maintaining an inheritance for their children was a priority to the Ehnens. The solution came by involving their Lutheran Brotherhood agent, who set up a life insurance policy, the proceeds of which will ultimately flow tax-free to their two children. To pay the insurance premiums, the Ehnens withdraw a portion of their annual IRA investment earnings. As a result, they've created a tax-free legacy for their children and ensured that the principal will benefit Wartburg.

"Whenever we return to Wartburg, we're impressed with the wonderful character of the students, the ambitious expansion of the facilities, and the Christian spirit that pervades the entire campus," Marvin and Barbara said. "We are proud to be Wartburg alumni."

To learn more about how you may be able to use retirement assets to impact Wartburg and your family, and save taxes, too, please contact Jay Boeding, CFRE at 319-352-8487 or jay.boeding@wartburg.edu.