Meet Our Donors
Mr. Stephen H. Mahle and Rev. Katherine Austin Mahle
Steve Mahle was born and reared in St. Paul, MN. He is a life-long member of The United Methodist Church. He graduated from Beloit College, with a major in physics and then went to graduate school at Penn State University, graduating in 1969 with a master's degree in physics. After serving in the US Army, stationed at the Manned Space Craft Center, he returned to Minnesota where he worked at Medtronic, Inc. for 37 years. He was President of the Cardiac Disease Rhythm Management business for 17 years. He retired as Executive Vice President of the Company in charge of governmental affairs. Steve serves on a number of for-profit and non-profit boards, including the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Beloit College Board of Trustees He is married to the Rev. Katherine Austin Mahle. They have 2 children and four wonderful grandchildren.
Katherine Austin Mahle grew up in Peoria, Illinois as a Presbyterian. She also graduated from Beloit College where she and Steve met in an Old Testament class. After their marriage in 1967, Kathi began to experience The United Methodist Church and explore Wesleyan theology. Joining Friendswood United Methodist Church while in Texas, she was convinced she had found a new theological home. Upon moving to Minnesota, she pursued her calling to ministry and earned her M.Div. from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She was ordained an elder in 1979 and has served in Minnesota and in various elected capacities in the General Church. She currently is a member of the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church. She serves on a number of boards including the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, Hamline University, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and the Collegeville Institute. Her hobbies include grandchildren and gardening.
The Mahles are charter members of the Legacy Society, having been inducted in 2001. They are being recognized for their second planned gift---a second endowed scholarship---to Africa University.