A daughter’s love: Mary Krc ’12 attends Golden Reunion on behalf of mom Elizabeth (Duerr) Krc ’75

Elizabeth (Duerr) Krc ’75 had been looking forward to attending her class Golden Reunion at Concordia University, Nebraska for a very long time. Years ago, she and her daughter Mary Krc ’12 began to make plans for them both to attend the reunion. But in March 2025, Elizabeth suffered a severe stroke. Although she has experienced a remarkable recovery since the event, doctors determined she should not travel to the reunion. Seeking to ease her mom’s sadness at missing the event and still wanting to participate in some way, Mary decided to attend the reunion on her mom’s behalf. She took photos, visited with other reunion attendees and obtained many wonderful memories to take home to share with her mom. 

“The Golden Reunion has been an anticipated event for my mom for some time now, something that we would talk about and plan for when it was still years away,” explained Mary. “We were finalizing our travel plans when my mom suffered a severe stroke. God has blessed her with an amazing recovery, one that has left even the doctors amazed as she should not be able to talk or move as well as she can. Since she was making such rapid progress, we hoped that my mom would be well enough to travel for the reunion, but as complications set in, we realized that the trip was unrealistic. As my mom's caregiver, I knew how much the reunion meant to her, and I wondered if it would be at all possible for me to attend the reunion in her place, taking pictures and videos and picking up mementoes to give her a virtual reunion experience.” 

Mary talked to Concordia Nebraska Senior Director of Outreach, Relations and Engagement Jennifer Furr and the two hatched a plan: Mary would attend the reunion on her mother’s behalf, pick up her mom’s commemorative Golden Medallion and some other Bulldog swag and take photos of the event and campus. 

“The idea was not as crazy as I had thought it would be,” laughed Mary. “With my sister set to come take over my caregiver duties so I could make the trip, I was ready for my return to Concordia Nebraska. I cannot say enough good things about my experience attending the Golden Reunion in my mom's place. Jen and all of the Concordia staff made me feel welcome right from the start, making sure that I had everything I needed and that I was as much a part of the reunion as everyone else. Since I had been unable to attend my tenth reunion a few years earlier, I joked that I was enjoying my thirteenth reunion and getting a preview of what my own Golden Reunion might look like someday.”  

Mary said that since the event was not her own class reunion but her mom’s, she chose to observe activities and gathering from the fringes, giving her the perfect vantage point to take pictures and listen to the many stories being shared around her.  

“Through these memories, I was able to envision the campus as it was back in 1975 and see that though there have been many changes since then, the heart of Concordia Nebraska has always been the same: preparing young people for service to God in their chosen vocation,” she said. 

Mary was unable to attend the reunion banquet where other attending alumni were presented with their Golden Medallion mementos, but Furr ensured that Mary received Elizabeth’s medallion in a special, private presentation. 

“I was given the medallion and a few flowers from the banquet centerpieces to take home to my mom, and the university shared specific words of gratitude for mom’s years of service as a teacher. Of all the mementoes I brought home, these were what meant the most to my mom,” said Mary. “This simple act of care is something that sets Concordia Nebraska apart from other universities and makes me feel blessed to be one of its alumni.” 

Elizabeth found her way to Concordia Nebraska after hearing about it from a relative who attended the university. She has a bachelor of science in education with a minor in science from the university and also has a master of education in special education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She said she enjoyed everything about her life on campus at Concordia Nebraska. From dorm life, chapel and worship at St. John to geography trips, working the switchboard in Brommer and participating in various service organizations, she was happy and busy during her time at the university. She said she’d always known she wanted to serve as a teacher. 

“All professors were interesting and nurturing towards students, making us feel part of the campus life and focusing on us becoming good teachers,” she said. “My faith was expanded through many worship and service opportunities while living daily in a Christian environment. I’m thankful for the foundation given to me and others during our years at Concordia Teachers College!” 

Following graduation, Elizabeth taught first grade at First Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she also worked with the youth group. She continued to work with the youth group after she went on to teach public school special education. After she married her beloved and now sainted husband Glen, she homeschooled her daughters – Mary and Ruth (Krc) Hammes ’14 – and served as a substitute teacher. She said she enjoyed ongoing participation in Christian education-related activities and evangelism at her church while participating in public and LCMS school activities such as 4-H, Awana and other service opportunities. 

“I was given the medallion and a few flowers from the banquet centerpieces to take home to my mom, and the university shared specific words of gratitude for mom’s years of service as a teacher. Of all the mementoes I brought home, these were what meant the most to my mom. This simple act of care is something that sets Concordia Nebraska apart from other universities and makes me feel blessed to be one of its alumni.”

Elizabeth’s love of Concordia Nebraska and alumni status is what caused Mary to find her way to attending the university, too. 

“I actually found my way to Concordia Nebraska through my mom's twenty-fifth college reunion. Attending as a young child, I remember walking around campus, exploring the buildings and listening to alumni tell stories. By the end of that visit, I had decided that this was where I wanted to go to college as well. Between the fantastic education program and small-town local, it was the perfect fit for me,” she said.  

Mary has a bachelor in science in elementary education with a self-directed concentration in social studies and literature. She is currently enrolled in Concordia's online graduate program pursuing a master of education degree in literacy.  

“While I always felt God leading me to be a teacher, I had a hard time deciding what kind of a teacher I wanted to be…high school or elementary? History or English? I wanted to do it all! It was through studying the undergraduate course guide and talking with my faculty advisor, Dr. Bork, that I learned about the self-directed concentration available for elementary education majors,” she explained. “This was a fantastic opportunity, as I did not have to choose one specific area of study. I was able to develop a program using a wide variety of classes that I felt would help me be a well-rounded teacher. This helped prepare me for my current teaching position, which requires that I teach a variety of subject areas at a variety of grade levels. I do not think I would be able to do as well in this position had I not had the opportunity to develop my self-directed concentration and not feel isolated to one content area of teaching.” 

Mary said that the Christ-focused atmosphere at Concordia Nebraska was and remains incredibly encouraging and important for students. 

“While my faith is, and always has been, the center of who I am, the on-campus worship opportunities offered at Concordia helped keep my faith front and center during college years when it could so easily have fallen to the wayside as classes and extracurricular activities claimed my attention. It was encouraging to go to chapel, surrounded by classmates and professors. In today's world, it can be easy to feel alone as a Christian. But at Concordia, I was reminded every day that I was not alone, that there were others who believed as I did.”  

Mary said her career path as a teacher has taken unexpected turns since graduation. She started off as a classroom teacher in a Lutheran day school teaching first grade. When her mom experienced some health challenges, she returned home for what she thought would be a short-term stay to help out. As Elizabeth’s medical challenges continued, Mary extended this stay indefinitely to help with her care and then to be a support after Glen died unexpectedly.  

“With no Lutheran schools in our area, I initially served our public school system as a short and long-term substitute,” said Mary. “Then a member of our church suggested I apply to work with the district home/hospital teaching program. I have now spent 10 years in this unique teaching field and expect to continue for the foreseeable future. As a home/hospital teacher, I provide one-on-one academic instruction and support for students of all ages who are unable to be present in the classroom for any length of time due to physical, emotional or in some cases, behavioral needs. Students may be assigned to work with me for a few weeks, a few months or even for a full school year. I am responsible for providing instruction in all core content areas, as well as a variety of electives. For a person who trained as an elementary educator, I have taught more high school algebra and biology classes than I ever expected! And high school elective classes, such as pre-veterinary medicine and intro to theatre, have given me the chance to teach subject areas that I never would have had a chance to teach otherwise.”  

She said that in this role, no two days are alike, and she is always challenged. The position also gives her the flexibility to support her mom and spend time with her extended family. 

“What I find most fulfilling about my teaching position is that God has blessed me with the privilege to walk beside these young people during some of the most difficult days of their young lives. Though the public school setting prevents me from speaking God's word to them, I am able to pray for my students and show God's love to them through each of our interactions,” she said.  

Mary said that the entire family, including Elizabeth, Ruth and Ruth’s husband Andy Hammes ’14 treasure spending time together and often talk about fond memories during their time at the university. 

“Thank you to the Golden Reunion classes of 1974 and 1975 for allowing me to tag along at the reunion event,” said Mary. “I so enjoyed getting to speak with some of you and learn about your years at Concordia and beyond. And to anyone who wondered about the too-young-to-be-at-the-reunion lady in the ball cap hanging around at the back of the group - that was me!” 

Concordia University, Nebraska welcomed the Classes 1974 and 1975 to campus for a Golden Reunion event June 10-12, 2025. The event celebrated the university’s past, present and future and featured time for alumni to reconnect with friends, attend class-led chapel, experience optional dorm stays and more.