THE LEFLER LOAN FUND

Herbert P. Lefler served as Mayor of St. Louis Park from 1958 to 1959.

In 1962, Lefler started the Lefler Loan Fund to help Park High students go to college. Lefler was an attorney and served as Mayor from 1958 to 1959. His widow, Mary Lefler, explained that his dream was to create a loan program in which the money would recycle. He chose to offer loans instead of scholarships because he believed that something is worth more if you have to work for it. Lefler kept the fund alive mostly by himself, donating $5,000 every now and then. “All my husband did was write a check anytime there was a meeting and they were a little low on money. He enjoyed working with young people and he wanted to help as much as he could.”

Lefler died in 1991, and the administrative committee disbanded. The $10,000 balance was transferred to a scholarship program called Dollars for Scholars. Unfortunately, the program was rather casually administered, and many recipients did not repay the loan. An article in the June 21, 2005 Minneapolis Star put out the call for recipients to pay back their loans to Dollars for Scholars at St. Louis Park High, attention Cathie Tilman, PO Box 16403, St. Louis Park 55426.







 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.