Longtime CLU librarian dies

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Aina Abrahamson was one of the founding members and a major supporter of the Scandinavian Festival at CLU.

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 17, 2008) Aina Abrahamson, who served as California Lutheran University’s librarian for 20 years, died of congestive heart failure on Thursday, Oct. 16. She was 93.

“Aina was a woman of extraordinary faith, courage and kindness who was devoted to Lutheran higher education and Scandinavian culture,” said Lynda Paige Fulford, senior director of communications and community relations at CLU. “She knew how to live life, and those who had the privilege of knowing her are very fortunate. She will be greatly missed.”

Born in Warren, Minn., on April 18, 1915, Abrahamson graduated summa cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. Originally a teacher by profession, Abrahamson worked at the Ashira Girls School and the Marangu Teachers Training College in the former Tanganyika in East Africa. She traveled to many places, working at least one summer in Uppsala, Sweden. She worked as a librarian in the Long Beach public schools before coming to California Lutheran College as librarian in 1962, just one year after it opened. She was named library director in 1971 and library director emerita upon her retirement in 1982.

After her retirement, the Thousand Oaks resident remained active in the community and a vital part of CLU. One of the founding members and a major supporter of the Scandinavian Festival at CLU, Abrahamson served on the planning committee for many years. Devoted to promoting the Scandinavian culture, she was an integral part of the Scandinavian Cultural Center and served on several boards of Scandinavian organizations. She received numerous awards and honors over the years, including the CLU Distinguished Service Award in 1993 and the Swedish Council of America Award in 1997. She was also an avid quilter and organist.

As a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, she served on the Global Mission Committee of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Abrahamson died in Alhambra. Preceded in death by her two sisters, she is survived by six nephews.

A family graveside service will be held at Rose Hills in Whittier. A memorial service is being planned for next week at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or the Scandinavian Foundation.