Kristi Dahlberg Gallegos C’97 G’06: Early Estate Planning Confirms Future Gifts to North Park

Kristi Dahlberg Gallegos C’97 G’06 with her husband Raun Gallegos: Covenant church members and North Park supporters

Kristi Dahlberg Gallegos C’97 G’06 knows firsthand how fleeting life can be. From her work as a career nurse practitioner, Gallegos is direct: “You never know what can happen in life. Don’t put off making plans.”

She followed her own advice years ago, deciding to prepare her will to “know what will happen with my estate after I die.” Gallegos was single and in her 30s and had just bought her first condo. “I didn’t want the disposition of my condo to be decided by a court, so I decided I needed a will.” On the advice of her father Ray Dahlberg, the former executive director of Covenant World Mission, Gallegos worked with the Covenant Trust Company—which shares in the cost of will preparation for those who include a bequest for Covenant ministries.

Gallegos designated bequests for both North Park University and Northbrook Covenant Church, where she and her husband Raun are members. Now in her 40s, Gallegos is relieved to know that “her wishes are clear” with regard to her estate, including knowing she can “keep on giving after I’m gone.”

She has many warm memories about her North Park experience. “I got a great education and made lasting friendships” as an undergraduate and while earning her master’s degree.

Gallegos has re-engaged with North Park to mentor future nurse practitioners. She visits campus to talk with graduate nursing students about her current work as a nurse practitioner and supervisor with Manor Care Health Services in Illinois.

“I believe in and support North Park’s commitment to academic excellence and outstanding faculty. North Park also helps students learn how to work and serve in the world as Christians,” says Gallegos, who has many family members who are North Park alumni—and current students. “I want to see North Park continue to grow, especially the nursing program. And now I know I can continue to support my school.”