In Memoriam
Obituary information is provided by district offices to the Synod’s Office of Rosters and Statistics. Any questions about content should be referred, therefore, to the appropriate district office. — Ed.
Ordained
ANDERSON, DAVID LEE REV., August 15, 1931, Isle, Minn., to January 3, 2017, Dubuque, Iowa; son of Gilbert and Elvera (Hemmerick) Anderson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Cincinnati, Ohio; Dillsboro, Ind.; Dubuque, Iowa; Crookston, Eldred, Minn.; Iowa East District Circuit Visitor 1971-1973. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his wife Arla (Moberg) Anderson and son Joel. Survivors: son: Thomas; daughter: Krista. Funeral and Interment: January 7, 2017, Dubuque, Iowa.
BESLER, WILLIAM WARNER REV., November 27, 1938, Detroit, Mich., to January 7, 2017, Alpena, Mich.; son of Arthur and Helen (Tetreau) Besler; colloquy 1981. Served 1981-2004. Ministry/Parish: Rogers City, Mich. Retired 2004. Survivors: Judith (Blaha) Besler; daughters: Teresa, Rochelle, Jennifer. Funeral and Interment: January 11, 2017, Alpena, Mich.
BLOCH, JAMES H. REV., March 28, 1941, Berlin, Wis., to January 11, 2017, Mahomet, Ill.; son of Bernhard and Elda (Hielke) Bloch; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-1989, 1991-2007. Ministries/ Parishes: Gasline, Snyder, St. Catherines, Stratford, Travisock, Ontario, Canada; Eagan, Minn.; Clinton, Ill.; Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1993-1997. Retired 2007. Survivors: Johanne (Pehkonen) Bloch; son: Matthew; daughters: Rachel Osthus, Rebecca Cain, Sarah. Memorial Service: January 18, 2017, Osman, Ill.; cremation.
BOERGER, CHARLES F. REV., August 21, 1923, Racine, Wis., to December 9, 2016, Rochester, Mich.; son of Rev. J. F. Jr. and Martha (Krenzke) Boerger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1947. Served 1947-1986. Ministries/Parishes: Onaway, Cheboygan, Northville, Mich. Retired 1986. Preceded in death by his wife Lorraine (Isaacsen) Boerger. Survivors: sons: Charles Jr., David, Kenneth, Rev. Paul, Norman; daughters: Lorri Heins, Patti Schneider. Memorial Service: January 14, 2017, Rochester, Mich.
FRIEDRICHS, WALDEMAR JOHN REV., May 9, 1922, Herkimer, Kan., to January 7, 2017, Topeka, Kan.; son of Friedrich and Agnes (Stohs) Friedrichs; colloquy 1999. Served 1999-2003. Ministry/Parish: Topeka, Kan. Retired 2003. Survivors: Olinda (Holle) Friedrichs; sons: Warren, George; daughters: Virgean Bosworth, Kristen Barber, Debra Crites, Lora Samuelson. Funeral and Interment: January 13, 2017, Topeka, Kan.
HEINE, WILLIAM CHARLES REV., May 3, 1954, Lexington, Neb., to December 18, 2016, Houston, Texas; son of Gilbert and Aurella (Ringenberg) Heine; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Gregory, S.D.; Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, Sheridan, Wyo.; Concordia, Mo.; Houston, Texas. Survivors: Melinda (Smith) Heine; son: Karl; daughters: Katherine Malcomb, Sarah Seagroatt, Susan. Funeral: December 23, 2016, Houston, Texas; Interment: December 29, 2016, Lexington, Neb.
KLINE, DUWAYNE LAWRENCE REV., December 23, 1931, St. Paul, Minn., to January 1, 2017, Hemet, Calif.; son of Daniel and Esther (Tew) Kline; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Ephrata, Seattle, Everett, Wash.; Sacramento, Calif. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his daughter Paula. Survivor: son: Timothy. Funeral: January 12, 2017, Hemet, Calif.; Interment: January 12, 2017, Riverside, Calif.
KOKE, LOUIS IRVINE REV., January 26, 1935, Peoria, Ill., to August 31, 2016, Midland, Mich.; son of Irvin and Edna (Spoede) Koke; graduated Springfield Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Decatur, Petersburg, Mt. Pulaski, Ill.; Midland, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1990-2003. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his daughter Deborah. Survivors: Mary Ann (Keck) Koke; sons: John, Mark. Celebration of Life and Interment: September 6, 2016, Midland, Mich.
KUHN, DONALD ADOLPH REV., May 8, 1929, Detroit, Mich., to January 2, 2017, Dundee, Mich.; son of Adolph and Mary (Minar) Kuhn; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Colo.; Layton, Utah; Monroe, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1978-1988. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Eileen (Kunzie) Kuhn. Survivors: son: Martin; daughters: Mary Steils, Stephanie Schneidewind. Memorial Service: January 7, 2017, Monroe, Mich. Interment: Ida, Mich.
KUNTZ, ARNOLD G. REV., March 2, 1926, Clintonville, Wis., to December 13, 2016, Garden Grove, Calif.; son of Arnold and Beata (Habenicht) Kuntz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Alhambra, Escondido, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Irvine, Calif.; Pacific Southwest District President 1969-1985; Synod Board of Directors 1992-1995. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wife Marlene (Meyer) Kuntz. Survivors: daughters: Terry Lang, Susan Michel. Funeral: January 7, 2017, Irvine, Calif; Interment: January 7, 2017, Cypress, Calif.
LUNA, MIGUEL F. REV., January 6, 1962, El Salvador, to January 24, 2017, Woodburn, Ore.; colloquy 2008. Served 2008-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Woodburn, Portland, Mt. Angel, Ore. Retired 2016. Survivors: Marta Luna; daughters: Keyla, Raquel, Chelsea. Memorial Service: February 12, 2017, Portland, Ore.; Interment: January 28, 2017. Mt. Angel, Ore.
MCCUNE, SAMUEL WILLIAM REV., March 27, 1935, Pittsburgh, Pa., to January 8, 2017, Lancaster, N.Y.; son of Samuel and Alberta (Fleske) McCune; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Willow Springs, Mo.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Buffalo, N.Y. Retired 2000. Funeral: January 12, 2017, Kenmore, N.Y.; Interment: January 13, 2017, Pittsburgh, Pa.
MEIER, HARLAN DOYLE REV., June 9, 1927, Lincoln County, Kan., to January 13, 2017, Linn, Kan.; son of Harold and Lillie (Schroeder) Meier; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1952-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Utica, S.D.; Altus, Okla.; Linn, Kan.; Elwood, Neb. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Betty Meier. Survivors: son: James; daughters: Susan Bell, Cheryl Waterman. Funeral and Interment: January 18, 2017, Linn, Kan.
MELZ, ARNO HUGO REV., June 16, 1934, Stevens, Iowa, to December 29, 2016, Urbandale, Iowa; son of Hugo and Bertha (Miller) Melz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Sonora, Ozona, Texas; Waterloo, Iowa. Retired 1998. Survivors: Opal (Davidson) Melz; son: David; daughter: Marianne Ksiazak. Funeral and Interment: January 4, 2017, West Des Moines, Iowa.
MEYER, DAVID R. REV., January 21, 1935, St. Joseph, Mo., to December 21, 2016, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; son of Otto and Alma (Korris) Meyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Battle Creek, Iowa; Wooster, Mt. Hope, Ohio; Wauwatosa, Berlin, Wis.; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1997. Survivors: Clara (Feucht) Meyer; sons: Paul, Daniel, James. Funeral and Interment: December 28, 2016, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
NICKERSON, JOHN MAHLON REV., August 21, 1931, Rochester, Minn., to December 14, 2016, Greenwood, S.C.; son of Mahlon and O’Tillie (Boie) Nickerson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1982, 1988-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Kingsford, Mich.; Lake Forest, Chicago, Ill.; Lynchburg, Va.; Spartanburg, Greenwood, S.C.; Annapolis, Md. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his wife Lois (Blomberg) Nickerson. Survivors: Sue (Bradley) Nickerson; sons: Kirk, Eric, John, Paul; daughters: Beth Garrette, June Miller, Lisa Sterner; step-son: Stephen Byrd; step-daughters: Ann Palmer, Sherry Belcher, Rosemary Byrd, Cindy Janyja. Celebration of Life and Interment: December 17, 2016, Greenwood, S.C.
PARSON, WILLIAM T. REV., June 8, 1938, Norfolk, Va., to January 12, 2017, Winston-Salem, N.C.; son of Linwood Sr. and Mildred Parson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2017. Ministry/Parish: Winston-Salem, N.C. Survivors: Kathleen Parson; daughters: Wilona, Wiletta, Briann. Memorial Service: January 21, 2017, Winston-Salem, N.C.
PETERMAN, GERALD WALTER REV., March 19, 1931, Green Bay, Wis., to January 20, 2017, Graham, Texas; colloquy 1984. Served 1984-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Graham, Bridgeport, Texas. Retired 2009. Survivors: Jan (Condon) Peterman; sons: Gerald Jr., Dutch, John, Eric; daughters: Valerie Peterman, Dawn Landis, Erin Flodstrom. Funeral and Interment: January 24, 2017, Graham, Texas.
RASTL, MARVIN L. REV., March 14, 1924, Birnamwood, Wis., to January 9, 2017, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of John and Hulda (Matzke) Rastl; graduated Springfield Seminary 1947. Served 1947-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Wilton, Baldwin, Tolley, Sherwood, N.D.; Poy Sippi, Wis.; North Judson, Columbia City, Cedar Lake, Ind.; Indiana District Circuit Visitor 1986-1989. Retired 1989. Preceded in death by his wife Eunice (Meyer) Rastl and son Luther. Survivors: sons: Ronald, Rev. Nathan; daughters: Lois Cain, Marlyss Smith, Priscilla Evans, Naomi Brown, Ruth Dixon. Funeral and Interment: January 13, 2017, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
ROCKROHR, DAVID K. REV., August 10, 1935, Milwaukee, Wis., to January 25, 2017, West Bend, Wis.; son of Edwin and Erna (Rosenberg) Rockrohr; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Portland, Ore.; Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 1995. Survivors: Jane (Spersrud) Rockrohr; sons: Rev. Carl, Timothy, Peter, Daniel. Funeral: January 31, 2017, West Bend, Wis.; Interment: January 31, 2017, Milwaukee, Wis.
SCHMIDT, DONALD WALLACE REV., March 3, 1933, Elmore, Minn., to January 24, 2017, Smyrna, Tenn.; son of William and Gertrude (Klatt) Schmidt; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1968, 1973-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Silver City, Deming, N.M.; Pueblo, Colo.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Nashville, Tenn.; Retired 1991. Survivors: daughters: Colleen Routh, Kathleen McKinney.
WEIS, JAMES M. REV., March 14, 1936, Cape Girardeau, Mo., to January 4, 2017, Springfield, Ill.; son of Albert and Alma (Kiehne) Weis; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1962-1975, 1996-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Springfield, Ill.; Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1997-2000. Retired 2001. Survivors: Sharon (Jennings) Weis. Funeral: January 11, 2017, Springfield, Ill.; Interment: January 11, 2017, Olney, Ill.
WILLIAMS, DOUGLAS R. REV., December 19, 1943, San Francisco, Calif., to December 21, 2016, Lincoln, Calif.; son of William and Edelweiss (Calais) Williams; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2007, 2011-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Eden, Menard, Texas; San Jose, Cloverdale, Windsor, Oroville, Calif. Preceded in death by his daughter Cassia. Survivors: Mary (Denison) Williams; sons: Mark, Stephen, Jonathan; daughter: Krista. Funeral: January 14, 2017, Oroville, Calif.; Interment: January 6, 2017, San Mateo, Calif.
WILLMANN, VICTOR DAVID REV., November 13, 1944, Sequin, Texas, to January 21, 2017, Tyler, Texas; son of Louis and Annabell (Barkley) Willmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1971. Served 1971-2007. Ministries/Parishes: Murdo, Draper, Britton, S.D.; Andrews, Tyler, Texas; St. Louis, Mo.; Detroit, Mich.; Casselberry, Fla. Retired 2007. Survivors: Pamela (Gwyn) Willmann; sons: Mark, Theodore, Steven; step-daughter: Mercedes Smith. Funeral: January 27, 2017, Tyler, Texas; Interment: January 28, 2017, Kingsbury, Texas.
YOUNT, ROBERT E. REV., September 8, 1928, Mexico, Mo., to December 18, 2016, Minnetonka, Minn.; son of Clyde and Gladys (Ebert) Yount; gradauated Springfield Seminary 1967. Served 1967-1974, 1983-1988, 2002-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Prince Albert, Sasketchewan, Canada; Green Bay, Wis.; Greensburg, Rushville, Ind.; Lake Elsinore, Calif.; Kewanee, Ill. Retired 2005. Survivors: Darlene (Shaw) Yount; sons: James, Allen; daughter: Patricia Rocheleau. Funeral: December 28, 2016, Plymouth, Minn.; Interment: December 28, 2016, Minneapolis, Minn.
Commissioned
BICKEL, DAVID WILLIAM, May 26, 1950, to June 26, 2016, Holland, Mich.; son of Eldor and Dorothy Bickel; graduated Seward 1972. Served 1972-2005, 2010-2015. Schools/Ministries: Sebewaing, Mich.; Dallas, Texas; Hong Kong, China; Milwaukee, Mequon, Wis.; Seoul, South Korea. Retired 2015. Preceded in death by his son Aaron. Survivors: Christine Bickel; daughters: Jenni Renaud, Joanna, Meggen Saka. Memorial Service: July 1, 2016, Holland. Mich.
DIERKER, WILMA MARIA ELLA (DITTMANN), December 30, 1919, Staplehurst, Neb., to August 23, 2016, Inglewood, Calif.; daughter of William and Frieda (Schroeder) Dittmann; graduated Seward 1942. Served 1973-1982. School/Ministry: Inglewood, Calf. Retired 1982. Preceded in death by her husband Rev. Eldred Dierker and daughter Elizabeth. Survivors: son: Rodger; daughters: Rebecca, Priscilla. Celebration of Life: September 10, 2016, Inglewood, Calif.; Interment: Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
DOERING, WILLARD EUGENE, November 13, 1931, Georgetown, Texas, to December 28, 2016, Springfield, Mo.; son of Charles and Rosalie Doering; graduated River Forest 1952. Served 1952-1987. Schools/Ministries: Houston, Texas; Webster Groves, Kirkwood, St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1987. Survivors: Louise (Rebstock) Doering; sons: David, Donald; daughter: Deborah Kuenker. Memorial Service and Interment: January 3, 2017, Springfield, Mo.
KLOESS, KATIE LYNN, July 8, 1987, Park Ridge, Ill., to December 15, 2016, Marengo, Ill.; daughter of Gary and Susan (Backsmeier) Kloess; graduated River Forest 2013. Served 2013-2016. School/Ministry: Marengo, Ill. Memorial Service: December 21, 2016, Marengo, Ill.; Interment: December 21, 2016, Arlington Heights, Ill.
KUECK, JANICE MARTHA (KOELTZOW), March 15, 1945, Denver, Colo., to December 5, 2016, Plano, Texas; graduated Seward 1967. Served 1982-2015. School/Ministry: Plano, Texas. Retired 2015. Survivors: Richard Kueck; sons: Daniel, Jonathan; daughter: Brenda Cumming. Funeral and Interment: December 10, 2016, Plano, Texas.
LAMB, KENNETH ALLEN, February 20, 1934, Inglewood, Calif., to January 16, 2017, San Diego, Calif.; son of Harvey and Erna (Weckwerth) Lamb; graduated River Forest 1955. Served 1955-1996. Schools/Ministries: Covina, La Mesa, Calif. Retired 1996. Memorial Service: January 28, 2017, La Mesa, Calif.; Interment: January 26, San Diego, Calif.
LENTSCH, THOMAS BURNARD JR., November 29, 1948, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to October 2, 2016, Catonsville, Md.; son of Thomas and Ruth (Consier) Lentsch; graduated Seward 1970. Served 1970-2009. Schools/ Ministries: South Euclid, Ohio; St, Louis, St. Charles, Mo.; Dallas, Texas; Baltimore, Md. Retired 2009. Survivors: Katherine (Stumpf) Lentsch; daughter: Amanda Whitley. Funeral: October 8, 2016, Catonsville, Md.; Interment: October 8, 2016, Elkridge, Md.
MILLER, BARBARA L. (JANKE), August 7, 1948, Milwaukee, Wis., to July 19, 2016, Wauwatosa, Wis.; graduated River Forest 1979. Served 1979-2007. School/Ministry: Menomonee Falls, Wis. Retired 2007. Survivors: Keith Miller; daughters: Carrie, Kathleen. Celebration of Life: July 22, 2016, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
OTTO, ARLO E., March 9, 1947, St. Louis, Mo., to January 17, 2017, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Ervin and Audrey (Cornelius) Otto; graduated Seward 1970. Served 1970-2012. Schools/Ministries: Wyandotte, Mich.; St. Louis. Mo. Retired 2012. Preceded in death by his son Paul. Survivor: daughter: Christen. Funeral and Interment: January 23, 2017, St. Louis, Mo.
PFANKU, SYLVIA M. (MOEN), January 25, 1932, Eau Claire, Wis., to September 14, 2016, Chippewa Falls, Wis.; daughter of Myron and Sylvia (Solberg) Moen; colloquy 1989. Served 1989-1997. School/Ministry: Loveland, Colo. Retired 1997. Survivors: Vern Pfanku; son: Eric; daughters: Kristin, Lisa Brown, Jeanne Hasse. Funeral and Interment: September 17, 2016, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
RONSCHKE, WILLIAM PAUL, April 20, 1946, Cleveland, Ohio, to January 12, 2017, Richwood, Ohio; son of Paul and Selma Ronschke; graduated River Forest 1968. Served 1968-2004. Schools/Ministries: Cleveland, Garfield Heights, Ohio. Retired 2013. Survivors: Roberta (Kruger) Ronschke; sons: Joel, Joshua; daughter: Jodi Nicol. Funeral and Interment: January 18, 2017, Cleveland, Ohio.
ROSIN, DELORES M. (GIESE), October 22, 1944, to January 21, 2017, Fond du Lac, Wis.; daughter of Alex and Frieda (Steinbach) Giese; graduated River Forest 1966. Served 1973-2008. School/Ministry: Mayville, Wis. Retired 2008. Survivors: Roger Rosin; sons: Chad, Kevin; daughters: Kari Hagman, Christa. Funeral and Interment: January 27, 2017, Mayville, Wis.
SCHROEDER, RALPH EDWARD, November 29, 1943, to May 4, 2016, Greendale, Wis.; graduated Seward 1965. Served 1965-2001. Schools/Ministries: Overland Park, Kan.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Mequon, Wis. Retired 2001. Survivors: Carolyn Schroeder; son: Ronald; daughters: Sonja Immekus, Melanie Roberts, Jana Marso. Funeral: May 14, 2016, Franklin, Wis.
SOHN, MIRIAM L. (SATTELMEIER), June 26, 1951, Petoskey, Mich., to December 22, 2016, Grand Ledge, Mich.; daughter of Rev. Ferdinand and Wilma Sattelmeier; graduated Seward 1973. Served 1973-1984, 1986-1990, 1992-2014. Schools/Ministries: St. Peter, Ill.; Walled Lake, Lansing, Charlotte, Mich. Retired 2014. Survivors: Otto Sohn; son: Andrew; daughters: Kathryn Couser, Karen Snelling. Celebration of Life: January 11, 2017, Lansing, Mich.
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