Shortly after the dawn of the 20th century, two grassroots groups one made up of German Lutherans in Appleton, Wisconsin, and the other of Norwegian Lutherans in Minneapolis were concerned about the security and well-being of their fellow Lutherans. Each group was determined to start a fraternal benefit society that would help Lutherans protect their families with life insurance. Aid Association for Lutherans was chartered for business in 1902, but only after years of effort by dedicated founders Albert Voecks, Gottlieb Ziegler, William Zuehlke and John Grupe. Lutherans throughout much of eastern Wisconsin were canvassed to sign up the 500 members required for the new organization to obtain its state charter.
The founding of Lutheran Brotherhood came as a result of the 1917 merger convention of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Lifelong Lutherans Jacob Preus, a Minnesota insurance commissioner, and Herman Ekern, a former Wisconsin insurance commissioner, proposed launching a not-for-profit mutual aid society. After much debate, the proposal passed and the society began life as "Luther Union." Three years later, the organization was renamed "Lutheran Brotherhood."
From the beginning, Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) and Lutheran Brotherhood (LB) offered similar products and services. In June 2001, after close consideration of how combining the two organizations would benefit members, AAL and LB agreed to merge. Following the merger came a new operating name approved by members: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Today, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to embrace the traditions and practices that made both AAL and LB positive, vital resources in the lives of Lutherans, their congregations and their communities across the country.
print