Oct 11, 2011

$65,000 bequest

The Central Lakes College Foundation next fall will award up to five student scholarships to Brainerd High School graduates attending CLC, thanks to a $65,000 bequest from a retired elementary school teacher. Erma Feriancek of Nisswa, who died last March at age 86, taught at Harrison School in Brainerd for 22 years. Several years after she retired, Erma purchased a life insurance policy with the CLC Foundation as beneficiary. Her bequest has created an endowment from which annual scholarships are to be distributed to eligible students. “This is a wonderful example of how even individuals of modest means can create a legacy,” said Pam Thomsen, executive director of the Foundation. Erma was a native of Blackduck who attended Bemidji State University twice – first to earn her AA degree in 1944 and later her bachelor’s in 1961. She also taught elementary school in Walker for 10 years. She was very active in numerous organizations following retirement.