We have been blessed with thousands of donors over the years who have given their prayers, time, and financial support to help the student Saints at Lutheran.

Some of these supporters blessed us with gifts in excess of $100,000 at one time or in their lifetimes, which prompted the school to recognize their commitment by naming a room in their honor.

Ruth Lilly Auditorium

The Ruth Lilly Auditorium was dedicated in May 1998.  Named in honor of Ruth Lilly, great-great granddaughter of Eli Lilly who founded the pharmaceutical company that bears his name, who awarded Lutheran High School a gift of $1,000,000 to add an auditorium and several classrooms.

Mary and Martha Commons

The Mary and Martha Commons was dedicated in May 1999 in honor of Mrs. Mary Peters and Miss Martha Beckenholdt.

Mrs. Mary Peters, a long-time Beech Grove resident, was a charter member of Ascension Lutheran Church.  She served on the Board of Directors of Service Pipe and Supply, Inc., which was founded by her husband Irvin (Pete) Peters.  Four of Mary’s nine grandchildren attended Lutheran High School and she was actively involved with the school as an Honorary Chair for the Vision For Tomorrow I Campaign.  Mary went home to be with the Lord in 1992.

Miss Martha Beckenholdt has been active in many organizations in Greenfield and Hancock County.  She served as President of the Greenfield Gas Company until it sold in 1967.  As a member of Faith, Greenfield she has been active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at the local, zone, and district level in addition to being a faithful servant at church.  She has also served Lutheran High School as an Honorary Chair of the Vision For Tomorrow I and II Campaigns.

Norman O. Hambrock Music Room

The Norman O. Hambrock Music Room was dedicated in June 1999.  The room serves both the band and choral programs in addition to some theology classes.

Mr. Hambrock attended Lutheran elementary school and graduated from Purdue University.  An engineer at Detroit Diesel Allison, he was also a senior trustee and member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianapolis.

Mr. Hambrock enjoyed gardening, especially roses, during his lifetime and band music, especially the United States Marine Band and the Boston Pops Orchestra. His favorite Bible verse was Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called to His purpose,” and his favorite hymns were “Let Me Be Thine Forever” and “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Rathmacher Science Room

The Rathmacher Science Room was dedicated in June 2002.  Robert and Marilyn Rathmacher have been good friends of Lutheran High School dating back to the time before students ever walked on campus.

Both served on the Board of Directors of Lutheran High School as well as Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine.

Robert worked for Eli Lilly Company for 33 years, becoming a manager in statistical science, which supported the development and production of new agricultural and human pharmaceutical products.  Robert went home to heaven in 2001.

Marilyn has been an educator all her life.  She taught and established Kindergarten education at Zion Lutheran School as well as establishing the school’s Pre-Kindergarten program.

Strakis Family Library

Southside Landfill and the Balkema Family dedicated the Strakis Family library in May 2006.

David and Mary Strakis immigrated to the United States from Lithuania in 1918.

Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were and are active in the Indianapolis Lutheran community and especially involved with Lutheran High School through the building campaign and many LuFESTs.

At a particularly difficult time financially for the high school, a landfill company, which had purchased part of the Strakis family farm, made a significant loan to the school.  When the loan was due, the company, Balkema Enterprises, forgave the debt.

The company owners stipulated that the contribution be in the name of the Strakis family as a tribute to their lifelong dedication to the Lord’s church and the special ministry of education at Lutheran High School of Indianapolis.

Allan & Joyce Weihe Math Room

The Weihe (pronounced Why) Math Room was dedicated in November 2007.

Allan and Joyce Weihe have been faithful servants and supporters of Christian education and Lutheran High School for many years.  Joyce was an elementary school teacher of math and other subjects for many years.  She was also active at Carmel Lutheran Church and active with Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Area Youth Ministry.  Joyce passed away in 2007.

Allan graduated from the University of Illinois and started Allan H Weihe Engineers in 1960 in Indianapolis.  In 1966 the name was changed to Weihe Engineers.  Mr. Weihe served as an individual member of the Greater Indianapolis Association for Lutheran Secondary Education and served on the school’s board from May 1976 to 1978.

He helped with the original lease on the school’s first location in Wanamaker on Post Road.  Weihe Engineers completed the survey and site work for the Arlington Avenue facility and donated his expertise and work to further the process of the new facility.