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| A Vision for Future Blessings |
Are we sometimes blinded to the opportunities we have to share God's Word? The world is waiting to hear the message of the Gospel and God is calling us to work in the fields today. He wants us to open our eyes and keep them focused on Him. Lucille and Julius "Doc" Sixta heard the call and kept their eyes open for opportunities to help with the Lord's harvest.
When Julius Sixta was blinded as a young man, he did not close his eyes to the opportunities that lay before him. He just learned to see things differently. His vision for the future was to become a chiropractor; blindness was not going to stop him. He established a practice in his home and soon became known simply as "Doc." Tragically, his first wife died shortly after their daughter JoAnne was born. Doc's nurse, Lucille ("Lucy"), helped in the care of young JoAnne. Doc and Lucy then married and had two more daughters: Barbara and Mary.
Lucy and Doc not only shared the vision of helping others, but they both loved the Lord Jesus Christ and wanted to serve Him. The couple was very active in their home congregation of First English, Spencer where the Reverend Keith Kohlmeier served as pastor. Their lives modeled the words of John 4:35 as they were always thinking of ways to help other people learn to know their Savior. Lucy especially loved children's ministries and taught Sunday school for a number of years. She also worked diligently behind the scenes to help out the church's preschool program.
Family time was also important to Lucy and Doc. They owned a summer cottage on West Lake Okoboji that was purchased during the Depression era. Lucy and Doc wanted others to come and relax at the lake and enjoy quality family time together so they rented out their lake home. They shared their cottage with other families for over 28 years. Lucy even did the laundry for her guests!
When First English established the New Horizons Fund, Lucille and Doc were eager to serve as charter members. They encouraged others to share the vision: "Plant Love-Harvest Forever" and promoted opportunities to expand new ministries, scholarships, missions and capital improvements in the church. The New Horizons Fund still provides opportunities for those who want to help with the Lord's harvest.
After Doc's death Lucy was faced with a difficult decision. She knew she could not continue renting the cabin and would need to sell the property, but Lucy needed advice. She turned to her financial advisor, Leonard Langner, who was an AAL agent at the time. Leonard suggested that Lucy consider a charitable trust. He also introduced Lucy to Gift Planning Counselor Jim Schroeder. That was good advice. Jim worked in the Iowa District West helping people in their estate planning, as he still does today.
Jim helped Lucy gift her lake cabin to a charitable trust in 1990. The cabin was sold by the LCMS Foundation and the proceeds from the sale were invested by the Foundation in Lucy's charitable trust. The trust provided her a stream of income for her until her death in 1993. Now Lucy's children are receiving that same income for a twenty year period until 2013. At that time, Lucy's favorite charities will receive the trust principal. As we look to the future we see that Lucy and Doc's investment from 1944 is still working to provide for others. Lucy and Doc's desire to work "in the fields for the harvest" continues on even after they are gone. Camp Okoboji, First English Lutheran Church, and the Dakota Boys' Ranch in Minot, ND will someday benefit from Lucy and Doc's vision for the future. The charitable trust helped them accomplish these future blessings.
Lucy and Doc are often remembered for their many years of service, their financial gifts, and their prayers of support. But most importantly, they knew the fields were ripe and the harvest was ready. They kept their eyes open for opportunities to do the work of the Lord.
Why a Charitable Trust?
Perhaps you own a piece of property, but don't know what to do with it or how to plan for it. A gift planning counselor, like Jim Schroeder, can talk to you and help you with these tough decisions. Often times a charitable trust is the perfect solution.
Four reasons to choose a charitable trust:
- To avoid capital gains tax
- To receive an income stream after sale of property
- To benefit your children with an inherited income for up to 20 years
- To benefit your favorite charities
Whatever your situation is, know that you can take care of your family and be a part of the Lord's harvest. The opportunities are all around us. We just need to open our eyes and see.
If you would like more information on planning your estate, contact Jim Schroeder at 1.877.913.2221 or e-mail: jim.schroeder@idwlcms.org. Locate a counselor in your district by clicking on Meet the Staff.
For more information please select one of the following options:
1. If you would like to view a color presentation of a similar plan, please click one of these buttons.
2. If you have property and would like to see a color illustration with your property value and your ages, then please click here.
3. If you would like to request a printed illustration with your payout rate, then click here.
4. You may print a unitrust tri-fold brochure. The Sum of Objectives Realized or The Tax-Free Sale.
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