IN MEMORIAM (April 2020)
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
ALLWARDT, THEODORE ERICH SR. REV., July 10, 1934, Willoughby, Ohio, to Dec. 1, 2019, Kearney, Neb.; son of Rev. Erich and Olga (Grapatin) Allwardt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1960-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Rugby, Willow City, Oakes, Garrison, Max, N.D.; Lebanon, Mo.; Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Idaho; Truth or Consequences, N.M. Retired 2001. Survivors: Marian (Boriack) Allwardt; sons: Theodore Jr., Timothy; daughter: Carol DeLoach. Memorial Service: Dec. 13, 2019, Kearney, Neb.
BELZ, KENNETH C. REV., June 14, 1934, Stanton, Neb., to Jan. 8, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa; son of Clarence and Alma (Mathies) Belz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Rhinelander, Jeffris, Wis.; Harvard, Ill.; Flint, Hazel Park, Mich.; Fort Dodge, Van Meter, Iowa. Retired 1998. Survivors: Mary (Howland) Belz; sons: Martin, Mark; daughters: Kathy Sinn, Christine Wirts. Funeral: Jan. 11, 2020, Adel, Iowa; Interment: Jan. 11, 2020, Van Meter, Iowa.
COOPER, ROBERT CHARLES REV., Feb. 11, 1939, Akron, Ohio, to Jan. 29, 2020; son of Alvin and Elsie (Wolter) Cooper; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-1975, 2008-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Garrison, Ind.; North Miami Beach, Belle Glade, Fla. Retired 2009.
EIFERT, HERBERT NORMAN REV., Jan. 27, 1935, Warda, Texas, to Dec. 20, 2019, Pasadena, Texas; son of Rev. Paul and Ruth (Moerbe); graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Dunedin, New Port Richie, Fla.; Pasadena, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Julia (Zahn) Eifert. Survivors: sons: Chris, Tod. Funeral: Dec. 30, 2019, Pasadena, Texas; Interment: Dec. 30, 2019, Tomball, Texas.
ESSENBURG, STEVEN JAMES REV., March 21, 1952, Holland, Mich., to Jan. 23, 2020, Macomb, Mich.; son of Erwin and Betty (DeVries) Essenburg; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2001. Served 2001-2020. Ministry/Parish: Detroit, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 2008-2020. Survivors: Anita Essenburg; sons: John, Eric. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 31, 2020, Clinton Township, Mich.
HAUPTMAN, AUGUST LEO REV., Feb. 6, 1923, Santa Ana, Calif., to Jan. 9, 2020, Covina, Calif.; son of August and Katherine (Nielsen) Hauptman; graduated Springfield Seminary 1948. Served 1948-1988. Ministries/Parishes: Spokane, Wash.; St. Paul, Minn.; Toledo, Ohio; Los Angeles, Calif. Preceded in death by his wife Ferol (Brawner) Hauptman and daughters Katherine O’Meara, Ida Baker. Survivors: sons: George, Martin, Fred, Ted; daughters: Sarah Fanucchi, Jane Rodriugez, Elizabeth Bunnell. Funeral: Jan. 17, 2020, Covina, Calif.; Interment: Jan. 17, 2020, Westminster, Calif.
HENDERSON, ALLEN WAYNE REV., Feb. 13, 1955, Clarion, Iowa, to Oct. 2, 2019, Fort Dodge, Iowa; son of Orvie and Mabel (Johnson) Henderson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1989. Served 1989-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Williston, N.D.; Boone, Fort Dodge, Iowa.; Iowa District Circuit Visitor 1994-1999. Survivors: Kristine (Johnson) Henderson; son: Kelly; daughters: Kandi Lovin, Kristen Willingham. Funeral: Oct. 5, 2019, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Interment: Oct. 5, 2019, Boone, Iowa.
LEHFELDT, DALE CARL REV., Feb. 24, 1935, Valley City, N.D., to Jan.11, 2020, Waco, Texas; son of Carl and Lillian (Barz) Lehfeldt; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Haxtun, Crook, Colo.; Bottineau, Willow City, Lidgerwood, N.D.; Preston, Kan.; Mercedes, Texas. Retired 2011. Survivors: Olive (Esby) Lehfeldt; daughters: Laura Deardorf, Deborah Johnson, Betty Brockmueller, Nancy, Rachel Carder. Memorial Service: Jan. 18, 2020, Fairfield, Texas.
LEMMERMANN, WALTER CHARLES REV., Aug. 22, 1930, Chester, Ill., to Dec. 28, 2019, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Carl and Edna (Sickmeyer) Lemmermann; graduated Springfield 1955. Served 1955-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Rialto, Lake Arrowhead, Yucaipa, Anaheim, Calif.; Cairo, Shelton, Neb.; Decatur, Ill.; Curtis, Neb.; Bonne Terre, Mo. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Kerbs) Lemmermann. Survivors: sons: Walter Jr., Rev. Scott; daughters: Sherri, Suzanne Hough, Martha Theodore. Memorial Service: Feb. 15, 2020, Olivette, Mo.; Inurnment: Feb. 15, 2020, Chester, Ill.
MEDLEY, ELMER J. JR. REV., Sept. 3, 1935, Baltimore, Md., to Jan. 20, 2020; son of J. Elmer and Laura (Brandau) Medley; graduated Springfield Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1999. Ministries/Parishes: London Bridge, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Va.; Mitchell, S.D.; Brooklyn Park, Md.; Denver, N.C.; Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1999. Survivors: Barbara (Gordon) Medley; daughters: Laurie, Lisa.
METZ, ERWIN ALBERT SR. REV., July 12, 1925, St. Joseph, Mich., to Dec. 18, 2019, Spring, Texas; son of Carl and Martha (Bucholz) Metz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1985, 1988-1990. Ministries/Parishes: Uvalde, LaPryor, Harrold, Harlingen, Tomball, Cypress, Texas; Racine, Wis. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his son Timothy. Survivors: Eunice (Reimnitz) Metz; son: Erwin Jr.; daughters: Debra Lester, Kathy Bodin, Cynthia Schriber. Memorial Service: Dec. 29, 2019, Spring, Texas; Interment: Dec. 28, 2019, Spring, Texas.
MILBRATH, GERALD LOREN REV., April 9, 1934, Jackson, Minn., to Dec. 30, 2019, Council Bluffs, Iowa; son of Loren and Myrtle (Glaser) Milbrath; graduated Springfield Seminary 1958. Served 1958-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Elkader, McGregor, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Iowa West District Circuit Visitor 1975-1988. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his wife Gloria (Hoffman) Milbrath. Survivors: son: Randall; daughters: Rhonda, Lynda, Lindsey, Rochelle. Funeral: Jan. 11, 2020, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Interment: Jan. 11, 2020, Vincent, Iowa.
PETERSEN, JOHN MAYNARD REV. July 20, 1933, Manly, Iowa, to Jan. 9, 2020, Lakewood, Colo.; son of Sonke and Tillie Petersen; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1973-1996, 2001-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Petersburg, Ill.; Ft. Morgan, Aurora, Evergreen, Colo.; Blue Springs, Mo.; Rocky Mountain District President 1985-1993; Rocky Mountain District Circuit Visitor 1994-1996. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by his son Brian. Survivors: Joanne (Liesener); son: Paul; daughter: Becky. Funeral: Jan. 18, 2020, Lakewood, Colo.
ROSIN, WALTER LEE REV., Dec. 18, 1928, Boyd, Minn., to Jan. 24, 2020, Shawano, Wis.; son of Rev. Louis and Lillie (Welkener) Rosin; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1954-1998. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Ellisville, Concordia, Mo.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his son Mark. Survivors: Eunice (Schelp) Rosin; son: Michael; daughters: Susan Longmire, Mary Gabrielson. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 28, 2020, Shawano, Wis.
SCHERER, ARTHUR W. REV., Sept. 16, 1939, Staten Island, N.Y., to Jan. 10, 2020, Catonsville, Md.; son of Adam and (Ruth (Sweatman) Scherer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2003. Ministries/Parishes: LaPlata, Charlotte Hall, Arbutus, Md. Hampton, Alexandria, Va.; Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 1982-1988; Southeastern District President 1997-2003. Retired 2003. Survivors: Linda (Douglas) Scherer; son: Benjamin; daughter: Audrey Tetteh. Funeral: Jan. 20, 2020, Arbutus, Md.; Interment: Jan. 20, 2020, Elkridge, Md.
STRUCKMANN, OTTO G. REV., Jan. 17, 1935, St. Charles, Mo., to Jan. 24, 2020, Lockport, N.Y.; son of Otto and Christina (Schroeder) Struckmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Algola, Lockport, N.Y.; Easton, Pa. Retired 2005. Survivors: Suzanne (Post) Struckmann; sons: John, Mark, Paul; daughter: Rachel. Service of Celebration and Interment: Feb. 1, 2020, Lockport, N.Y.
WEGENER, KENNETH W. REV., Dec. 30, 1932, Ruma, Ill., to Jan. 9, 2020, Kewanee, Ill.; son of W.H. and Lena (Wheeler) Wegener; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Pleasant Plains, Farmingdale, Strasburg, Kewanee, Ill. Retired 1995. Survivors: Yvonne (Tinney) Wegener; son: David; daughter: Cynthia Archer. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 13, 2020, Peoria, Ill.
COMMISSIONED
ASH, WILLIAM NORVAL, April 30, 1944 Des Peres, Mo., to Sept. 4, 2019, Idaho Falls, Idaho; son of Norval and Helen Ash; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1968-1997. Schools/Ministries: Aurora, Lyons, Blue Island, Barrington, Woodstock, Ill.; Granada Hills, Calif. Retired 2006. Survivor: Margaret (Bohne) Ash. Funeral: Sept. 12, 2019, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
DAENZER, GILBERT HERMAN, Nov. 13, 1930, Conroy, Iowa, to Dec. 9, 2019, Seward, Neb.; son of Albert and Ada (Zuber) Daenzer; graduated River Forest 1952. Served 1952-1995. Schools/Ministries: Sheboygan, Wis.; St. Louis, Mo.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1995. Survivors: Bonnie (Kroeger) Daenzer; son: Douglas; daughter: Beth Landon. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 16, 2019, Seward, Neb.
DECUIR, LUTHER A., Nov. 15, 1941, Port Arthur, Texas, to Dec. 22, 2019, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Aristille and Lula (Walker) DeCuir; graduated Seward 1985. Served 1985-2009. Schools/ Ministries: Carthage, Eureka, St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2009. Survivors: Gloria (Saggars) DeCuir; sons: Lance, Darren, Peter, Judd; daughter: Rhonda Nicholas. Cremation.
KLEMZ, HARLAND H., June 11, 1937, Maple Lake, Minn., to Nov. 21, 2019, Columbus, Ind.; son of Harold and Gertrude (Reick) Klemz; graduated Seward 1958. Served 1958-1999. Schools/ Ministries: Dundee, Ill.; Faribault, Lester Prairie, Minn.; Wausau, Waupun, Wis.; Anchorage, Alaska. Retired 1999. Survivors: Caroline (Praeuner) Klemz; son: Kevan; daughter: Kimberly Blevins. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 26, 2019, Columbus, Ind.
KOENIG, HERMAN E., Passed away Oct. 4, 2019; graduated Ann Arbor 1984. Served 1989-1990. School/Ministry: Ocala, Fla. Retired 2004. Funeral: Oct. 25, 2019, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
MUELLER, JOHN GEORGE, April 14, 1939, Dearborn, Mich., to Jan. 24, 2020, Fort Wayne, Ind.; son of John and Ruth (Zehnder) Mueller; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1961-2006. Schools/Ministries: Rockford, Ill.; Fort Wayne, Ind. Retired 2006. Survivors: Barbara (Berndt) Mueller; son: Craig; daughters: Renee Marinko, Shelly Koelper. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 1, 2020, Fort Wayne, Ind.
SENECHAL JOHN WALLACE, March 10, 1944, North Tonawanda, N.Y., to Dec. 29, 2019, Colorado Springs, Colo.; graduated Seward 1966. Served 1966-2008. Schools/Ministries: Ferguson, Mo.; Colorado Springs, Centennial, Colo. Retired 2008. Survivors: Carol Senechal; son: Martin; daughter: Sara Zillinger. Memorial Service: Jan. 4, 2020, Colorado Springs, Colo.
STORK, MARTIN LOUIS, May 29, 1921, Monticello, Minn., to Jan. 1, 2020, Seward, Neb.; son of Rudolph and Lois Stork; graduated Seward 1942. Served 1942-1986. Schools/Ministries: Flint, Mich.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1986. Preceded in death by his wife Etta (Schoen) Stork. Survivors: daughters: Annetta, Elizabeth Obermueller. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 14, 2020, Seward, Neb.
