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
BENTRUP, ROLLAND L. REV., Nov. 12, 1927, Sylvan Grove, Ky., to June 1, 2018, Lexington, Ky.; son of Henry and Magarethe (Oetting) Bentrup; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Sparksville, Leesville, Medora, Ind.; Mantua, Ohio; Lexington, Danville, Paintsville, Ky. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his wife Luella Bentrup. Survivors: sons: Robert, Daniel, Stephen; daughter: Evon Thornton; stepson Robert Aker. Funeral: June 6, 2018, Lexington, Ky.; Interment: June 6, 2018, Nicholasville, Ky.
BREGE, WILLIAM ROBERT REV., Oct. 21, 1949, Portage, Wis., to June 24, 2018, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Rev. Robert and Edna (Moeller) Brege; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1985. Served 1985-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Ossian, Ind. Retired 2014. Preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Kasewurm) Brege. Survivors: sons: Todd, Timothy, David; daughter: Dawn Youquelet. Funeral and Interment: June 30, 2018, Ossian, Ind.
FIELDING, DAVID E. REV., July 11, 1944, Murphysboro, Ill., to Dec. 21, 2017, Granite City, Ill.; son of Elbert and Lucille (Hassebrock) Fielding; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970. Served 1971-2015. Ministries/Parishes: New Berlin, Granite City, Ill. Retired 2015. Survivors: Connie (Blackwood) Fielding; son: David; daughter: Sarah. Celebration of Life: Dec. 27, 2017, Granite City, Ill.; Interment: Dec. 27, 2017, Murphysboro, Ill.
FRANZEN, DENNIS J. REV., Aug. 3, 1951, Elmhurst, Ill., to June 1, 2018, Downers Grove, Ill.; son of Oliver and Betty Franzen; SMP Certified 2011. Served 2011-2018. Ministry/Parish: Lisle, Ill. Survivors: Margaret (Fuchssteiner) Franzen; son: Daniel; daughter: Caroline. Funeral and Interment: June 3, 2018, Lisle, Ill.
FREED, JOHN H. REV., April 23, 1933, Quakertown, Pa., to June 15, 2018, Houston, Texas; son of John and Mae (Datesman) Freed; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Pensacola, Milton, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Houston, Texas. Retired 1995. Survivors: Ruth (Wiederaenders) Freed; daughters: Jennifer, Rebecca, Angela. Funeral: June 27, 2018, Houston, Texas; cremation.
GREUNKE, DEAN REV., Jan. 27, 1933, Arlington, Neb., to June 11, 2018, Oviedo, Fla.; son of Max and Elsa (Knecht) Greunke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1984, 1987-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Dillsboro, Ind.; Memphis, Tenn.; Aurora, Naperville, Ill. Retired 1998. Survivors: Janette (Meyer) Greunke; sons: David, Joel; daughter: Janelle Zelensek. Memorial Service: June 18, 2018, Oviedo, Fla.
HACKBARTH, DONALD LEON REV., Dec. 17, 1942, Milwaukee, Wis., to May 30, 2018, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; son of Clarence and Ruth (Stolper) Hackbarth; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1978. Served 1978-2014. Ministry/Parish: Kenosha, Wis. Retired 2014. Survivors: Beverly (Baumann) Hackbarth; sons: Timothy, Michael; daughter: Rebekah MacDougall. Funeral and Interment: June 6, 2018, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
HANNEMAN, HARVEY DEAN REV., July 22, 1938, Garden City, Kan., to June 25, 2018; son of John and Mollie (Berger) Hanneman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1998, 2001-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Swanton, Ohio; Arkansas City, Wichita, Ludell, Atwood, Dodge City, Hays, El Dorado, Kan.; Sierra Vista, Ariz. Retired 2006. Survivors: Judith (Burmeister) Hanneman; sons: John, Paul; daughter: Kristen Ball. Memorial Service: June 29, 2018, Wichita, Kan.; cremation.
KINNE, LAWRENCE ADOLPH REV., Oct. 14, 1927, Gowrie, Iowa, to May 25, 2018; son of Franz and Matilda (Nahnsen) Kinne; graduated Springfield Seminary 1952. Served 1952-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Wilson, Newfane, N.Y.; Walled Lake, Southgate, Adrian, Northville, Mich. Retired 1994. Survivors: Delores (Kanehl) Kinne; sons: Rev. Timothy, Loren; daughters: Maureen Wolford, Joyce Schonsheck. Funeral: June 1, 2018, Walled Lake, Mich.; Interment: June 1, 2018, Livonia, Mich.
KRAMIN, HOWARD F. REV., April 30, 1936, Renville, Minn., to Jan. 18, 2018, Herndon, Va.; son of Frederick and Regena (Loock) Kramin; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1986, 1988-1992. Ministries/Parishes: New Ipswich, N.H.; Amherst, Neb.; Laramie, Wyo.; Chanhassen, Minn.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Naples, Fla.; Retired 1992. Survivors: Norma (Tiera) Kramin. Celebration of Life: January 20, 2018, Herndon, Va.
KRUEGER, THEODORE E. JR. REV., Jan. 8, 1927, Mellen, Wis., to July 4, 2018, Portage, Wis.; son of Theodore Sr. and Freida (Leitl) Krueger; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Melville, Brewer, Saskatchewan, Canada; Fall Creek, Marshfield, Westfield, Wis.; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1994. Survivors: Darlene (Brockopp) Krueger; sons: David, Theodore III, Paul; daughters: Linda Jacobson, Karla Meier, Kathleen Thalacker, Joy Witkowski. Celebration of Life: July 9, 2018, Portage, Wis.; Interment: July 9, 2018, Westfield, Wis.
LARSEN, ROLF E. REV., Nov. 7, 1938, Tracy, Minn., to May 22, 2018, Kerrville, Texas; son of Ulrik and Helen (Oscarson) Larsen; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Gretna, Neb.; Giddings, Kerrville, Texas. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by his wife Lynne (Lucas) Larsen. Survivors: son: Erik; daughter: Kris Santiago. Memorial Service: May 26, 2018, Fredericksburg, Texas.
LAUER, JAMES P. REV., Sept. 17, 1934, Carroll, Iowa, to Oct. 24, 2017, North Mankato, Minn.; son of Albert and Florence (Subbert) Lauer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1984, 1986-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Blue Earth, Trimont, Glencoe, Rochester, Hutchinson, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Minn.; Hampton, Va.; Hines, Ill. Retired 1999. Survivors: sons; James. Mark, Rev. Paul. Memorial Service: Oct. 27, 2017, Mankato, Minn.; Interment: Oct. 27, 2017, Minneapolis, Minn.
OLSON, TIMOTHY WALTER REV., Nov. 5, 1966, Antigo, Wis., to May 30, 2018, Eaton Rapids, Mich.; son of Peter and Valarie (Illichman) Olson; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1994. Served 1994-2018. Ministries/Parishes: St. Helen, Charlotte, Mich. Survivors: Chris (Hackett) Olson; son: James; daughters: Rebekah Boston, Rachel. Funeral and Interment: June 5, 2018, Charlotte, Mich.
RASMUSSEN, WAYNE RALPH REV., Nov. 28, 1938, Chicago, Ill., to June 3, 2018, Milwaukee, Wis.; son of Ralph and Mildred (Greinke) Rasmussen; colloquy 1990. Served 1990-1996, 1998-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Mequon, Menomonee Falls, Hales Corner, Hartland, Wauwatosa, Wis.; Austin, Texas. Survivors: Marilyn (Kueker) Rasmussen; daughters: Amy Newman, Ann Glor. Funeral: June 9, 2018, Wauwatosa, Wis.; cremation.
ROBATZEN, DAVID A. REV., June 4, 1959, Pittsburgh, Pa., to June 5, 2018; son of Harry and Betty (Lydic) Robatzen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1988. Served 1988-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Park Rapids, Minn.; Pensacola, Fla. Funeral and Interment: June 9, 2018, Pensacola, Fla.
SCHMELDER, WILLIAM JAMES REV., Aug. 5, 1933, Bristol, Conn., to June 18, 2018, St. Peters, Mo.; son of Louis and Lavinia (Mugford) Schmelder; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1960-1995. Ministries/Parishes: St. Charles, St. Louis, Mo.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Covina, Calif.; Casa Grande, Coolidge, Ariz. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his daughter Lynn Voelkel. Survivors: Delle (Behnken) Schmelder; sons: William Jr., Keith, Craig; daughter: Kathi Kean. Funeral: June 23, 2018, Olivette, Mo.; Interment: June 23, 2018, St. Louis. Mo.
SLATER, THOMAS KARL REV., Nov. 21, 1951, Detroit, Mich., to May 31, 2018, Eureka, Calif.; son of Lynn and Helen (Peterson) Slater; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1987. Served 1987-2001, 2003-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Eureka, Fortuna, Calif. Retired 2016. Preceded in death by his stepson Kurt Fauth. Survivors: Donna Slater; stepdaughters: Judy Miller, Julie Conroy. Memorial Service: June 16, 2018, Ferndale, Calif.
SMITH, TED K. REV., Feb. 2, 1948, San Diego, Calif., to May 25, 2018, Yucca Valley, Calif.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2014. Served 2015-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Yucca Valley, Calif.; Reedsport, Ore. Survivors: Barbara Smith; son: Brandon. Funeral: June 2, 2018, Yucca Valley, Calif.; Interment: June 2, 2018, Riverside, Calif.
SULLIVAN, BRYAN CARL REV., Nov. 14, 1941, Houston, Texas, to June 3, 2018, Elgin, Texas; son of Darwin and Helen (Winkelmann) Sullivan; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1978. Served 1978-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Houston, Elgin, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1982-1991. Retired 2010. Survivors: Joyce (Bachmeyer) Sullivan; son: John; daughters: Vicki Dumbeck, Carla Case, Marian Jones. Funeral and Interment: June 6, 2018, Elgin, Texas.
TEMME, ELTON H. REV., Sept. 17, 1932, Barnes, Kan., to July 1, 2018, Blue Hill, Neb.; son of Rev. L. W. and Elsie (Umbach) Temme; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Tyler, Fairmount, N.D.; Barnes, Oberlin, Larned, Kan.; Charlotte, N.C.; Blue Hill, Neb.; Farmington, N.M. Retired 1992. Survivors: Virginia (Schmitzer) Temme; daughters: Ann Auten, Lori, Teresa Dietz. Funeral and Interment: July 6, 2018, Blue Hill, Neb.
URBACH, DONALD EDWARD REV., Dec. 19, 1931, Chicago, Ill., to May 27, 2018, Glencoe, Minn.; son of Albert and Irene (Treskow) Urbach; colloquy 1989. Served 1989-1997, 2010-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Holton, Netawaka, Kan.; Glencoe, Minn. Retired 2012. Survivors: Carol (Luedke) Urbach; son: David; daughter: Kristine Alsin. Funeral and Interment: June 1, 2018, New Germany, Minn.
WEBER PAUL A. REV., Feb. 10, 1927, Jonesville, Ind., to May 27, 2018, Napoleon, Ohio; son of Adolph and Emma (Decker) Weber; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1952-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Eagle Grove, Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Woodburn, Auburn, Ind.; Macomb, Mich.; Napoleon, Olmsted Falls, Ohio.; Ohio District President 1982-1988. Retired 1989. Preceded in death by his wife Berdina (Woebbeking) Weber and son Stephen. Survivors: son: Luther; daughters: Paulette, Christie. Funeral: June 4, 2018, Napoleon, Ohio; Interment: June 4, 2018, Woodburn, Ind.
WEIS CARL WILLIAM REV., July 16, 1959, Hammond, Ind., to May 30, 2018, Saginaw, Mich.; son of Earl and Lois (Hilgendorf) Weis; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1985. Served 1985-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Florida, Flat Rock, Ohio; Paw Paw, Saginaw, Mich. Survivors: Karen (Reich) Weis; sons: Samuel, Joseph. Funeral: June 7, 2018, Saginaw, Mich.
WILLIAMS, DONN PAUL REV., July 2, 1955, Milwaukee, Wis., to June 3, 2018, Houston, Texas; son of Richard and Dorothy Williams; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1981. Served 1981-1984, 1986-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Minot, N.D.; Canton, Moundridge, Kan.; Houston, Texas. Survivors: Michele (Haubein) Williams; sons: Josiah, Christopher, Jonathan, Benjamin. Funeral: June 6, 2018, Houston, Texas.
WILLIAMS, EDWIN REV., Nov. 21, 1934, Buffalo, N.Y., to June 23, 2018, Omaha, Neb.; son of Arthur and Alvina (Wittcopp) Williams; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1974, 1976-1977, 1991-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Hanover, Normanby, Ontario, Canada; Wall, Creighton, S.D.; Omaha, Springfield, Neb.; Hastings, Iowa. Retired 2000. Survivors: Carol (Hoover) Williams; daughter: Joy Peterson; son: Patrick. Funeral: June 30, 2018, LaVista, Neb.; Interment: June 30, 2018, Omaha, Neb.
COMMISSIONED
ENDORF, WELDON W., Aug. 9, 1932, Tobias, Neb., to June 28, 2018, Scranton, Pa.; son of Henry and Edna (Bartles) Endorf; graduated Seward 1955. Served 1995-1994. School/Ministry: Hicksville, N.Y. Retired 1994. Survivors: Gail (Redlitz) Endorf; sons: David, Douglas; daughter: Debra Wickboldt. Funeral: July 6, 2018, Hicksville, N.Y.; Interment: July 6, 2018. Farmingdale, N.Y.
ENGEBRECHT, NORBERT R., July 8, 1921, Spencer, Wis., to May 17, 2018; son of Richard Engebrecht; graduated River Forest 1943. Served 1944-1986. Schools/Ministries: River Forest, Ill.; Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 1986. Preceded in death by his wife Jane Engebrecht. Survivors: son: Michael; daughter: Sandra Grass. Funeral and Interment: May 19, 2018, Milwaukee, Wis.
HEINS, ERIC J., July 15, 1951, Detroit, Mich., to June 8, 2018, Rochester, Mich.; son of Jim and Norma Heins; graduated Seward 1977. Served 1977-2017. Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Dearborn, Berrien Springs, Monroe, Lake Orion, Mich. Retired 2017. Survivors: Dawn (Landmesser)Heins; son: Chad; daughters: Shay, Cali O’Neill. Funeral: June 14, 2018, Royal Oak. Mich.; Interment: June 14, 2018, Rochester, Mich.
KUHLMANN, BRICE EDWARD, Dec. 18, 1933, St. Louis, Mo., to Jan. 24, 2018, Austin, Texas; son of Edward and Edna (Junge) Kuhlmann; graduated Seward 1957. Served 1957-1998. Schools/Ministries: Warda, Brenham, Walburg, Mercedes, Bishop, Giddings, Texas. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his son Gregory. Survivors: Lavine (Jenke) Kuhlmann; son: Steven; daughters: Deborah Wilson, Leah Wolf. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 28, 2018, Giddings, Texas.
LAIL, CHRISTOPHER JOEL, Sept. 9, 1951, Anua, Nigeria, to March 10, 2018, St. Peters, Mo.; son of Robert and Ruth Lail; graduated Seward 1974. Served 1974-2018. Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Allen Park, Mich.; Edmonds, Wash.; St. Peters, Mo. Survivors: Cheryl (Meissner) Lail; son: Robert; daughter: Emilie Phillips. Funeral and Interment: March 17, 2018, St. Charles, Mo.
LIPKE, ALAN KENT, March 7, 1941, Aurora, Ill., to May 24, 2018, Jackson, Mo.; son of LeRoy and Bonnie (Talley) Lipke; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1964-2003. Schools/Ministries: Evansville, Ind.; Aurora, Ill.; Jackson, Mo. Retired 2003. Survivors: Sally (Lenz) Lipke; son: Scott; daughter: Lisa White. Funeral and Interment: May 28, 2018, Jackson, Mo.
MAXEY, DEBORAH S. (GOBROGGE), April 6, 1962, Napoleon, Ohio, to Feb. 25, 2018, Defiance, Ohio.; daughter of Melvin and Helen (Fintel) Gobrogge; graduated Seward 1984. Served 1984-2018. Schools/Ministries: Pierce, Arlington, Neb.; Defiance, Ohio. Survivors: Stephen Maxey; son: Kyle; daughter: Natalie. Funeral and Interment: March 2, 2018. Defiance, Ohio.
RATHER, LORIS WALTER, March 16, 1936, Ludell, Kan., to May 10, 2018, Waukesha, Wis.; son of Walter and Alma Rather; graduated Seward 1958. Served 1958-2000. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Summit, Melrose Park, Ill.; Worms, Neb.; Portage, Wis. Retired 2000. Survivors: Lois (Hofrege) Rather; son: Kevin; daughters: Kathleen Rose, Cynthia Lehman, Joleen Paige. Funeral: May 19, 2018, Hartland, Wis.; Interment: May 19, 2018, Portage, Wis.
RIEMER, LAVONNE L., March 15, 1929, Brillion, Wis., to June 4, 2018, Seward, Neb; daughter of Henry and Norma (Beer) Riemer; graduated Seward 1964. Served 1973-1987. School/Ministry: Seward, Neb. retired 1987. Funeral: June 11, 2018, Seward, Neb.; Interment: Rantoul, Wis.
SCHOECH, LOIS ELIZABETH, Nov. 24, 1929, Lone Elm, Mo., to Jan. 23, 2018, Webster Groves, Mo.; daughter of Rev. Joseph and Emily (Tanner) Schoech; graduated Seward 1950. Served 1973-1993. Schools/Ministries: Wichita, Kan.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1993. Funeral: Jan. 26, 2018, Affton, Mo.; Interment: Jan. 26, 2018, Lemay, Mo.
STUEMKE, NORMAN CARL, April 12, 1931, Altamont, Ill., to Jan. 4, 2018, Austin, Texas; son of Charles and Louise Stuemke; graduated River Forest 1955. Served 1955-1996. School/Ministry: Austin, Texas. Retired 1996. Survivors: Dorothy (Quinlan) Stuemke; daughters: Pam Blick, Patty Hamm, Penny Hanson. Memorial Service: Jan. 9, 2018, Austin, Texas.
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