IN MEMORIAM (August 2022)
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
ALLMANN, JOHN ALFRED REV., Nov. 16, 1934, Clovis, N.M., to Feb. 22, 2022, Tacoma, Wash.; son of Rev. Alfred and Lorina (Lentz) Allmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Navasota, Azle, Dallas, Waco, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1996. Survivors: sons: Michael, Timothy. Funeral: March 17, 2022, Waco, Texas.
BERLIN, VON ERIC REV., Oct. 31, 1947, Toledo, Ohio, to May 20, 2022, Bowling Green, Ohio; son of Carl and Ethel (Keep) Berlin; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1990. Served 1991-1996, 1998-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Sidney, Celina, Grafton, Elyria, Ohio. Retired 2011. Survivors: Sandra (Hampton) Berlin; son: Eric; daughters: Amy Drees, Laura. Funeral: May 24, 2022, Perrysburg, Ohio; Interment: May 24, 2022, Bowling Green, Ohio.
BONGARD, RONALD A. REV., May 16, 1931, Excelsior, Minn., to April 4, 2022, Eagan, Minn.; son of George and Hulda (Froh) Bongard; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Underwood, Hazen, N.D.; Watertown, Mankato, Blue Earth, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1989-1994. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his wives Sally (Foster) Bongard and Marie (Hilpert) Bongard. Survivors: son: Stephen; daughters: Patti Hare, Sandra. Funeral: April 7, 2022, Eagan, Minn.; Interment: April 7, 2022, Minneapolis, Minn.
CARIO, DONALD ALBERT REV., Aug. 15, 1930, Rochester, N.Y., to April 4, 2022, Cartersville, Ga.; son of Albert and Mabel (Winter) Cario; graduated Springfield Seminary 1968. Served 1968-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Burton, Mich.; Ithaca, N.Y.; State College, Pa. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Marie (Bauch) Cario and son John. Survivors: son: William; daughters: Martha Sherod, Beth Stein. Funeral: April 7, 2022, Cartersville, Ga.; Interment: April 8, 2022, Canton, Ga.
DOMMER, RONALD G. REV., Feb. 22, 1932, Winamac, Ind., to Feb. 18, 2022, Onalaska, Minn.; son of Otto and Mollie (Henning) Dommer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Aloha, St. Helens, Ore.; Wolcottville, Ind.; Overland, Mo.; Canoga Park, Calif. Dundee, Ill.; Winona, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 2000. Survivors: Doris (Warneck) Dommer; sons: Timothy, Philip. Funeral: Feb. 23, 2022, Onalaska, Minn.; Interment: Winamac, Ind.
GINTER, RONALD ARTHUR REV., Oct. 22, 1933, Detroit, Mich., to April 29, 2022, Jacksonville, Fla.; son of William and Bertha (Klane) Ginter; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1995, 2013-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Oil City, Pa.; Blackwood, N.J.; Batavia, Spencerport, N.Y. Retired 2014. Preceded in death by his son Mark. Survivors: Bernadine (Hinkel) Ginter; sons: Stephen, William; daughter: Linda Eick. Memorial Service: June 4, 2022, Batavia, N.Y.; Interment: June 4, 2022, Stafford, N.Y.
GRAUDIN, JOHN EDWARD REV., June 26, 1929, Boston, Mass., to May 3, 2022, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; son of Jacob and Mildred (Cepurneek) Graudin; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Alexandria, Va.; Summerville, S.C. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Earlene (Moose) Graudin. Survivors: sons: Steven, Kevin; daughter: Julie. Funeral: May 5, 2022, Summerville, S.C.; Interment: May 6, 2022, Newton, N.C.
GUDGEL, RICHARD L. REV., May 23, 1943, Ainsworth, Neb., to May 11, 2022; son of Andrew and Marie (Jochem) Gudgel; colloquy 1990. Served 1990-2010, 2015-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Omaha, Utica, Neb.; Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 2004-2010. Retired 2021. Preceded in death by his son Philip. Survivors: Bonita (Hesterberg) Gudgel; son: Michael; daughters: Tawn Bueltmann, Shelley Dartmann, Juli Reinke. Funeral: May 20, 2022, Utica, Neb.; Interment: May 20, 2022, Juniata, Neb.
HESSE, DONLEY D. REV., June 25, 1932, Grygla, Minn., to May 21, 2022, Mena, Ark.; son of Lawrence and Anna (Rude) Hesse; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Rosemont, Wymore, Summerfield, Gordon, Lyons, Neb.; Ormsby, Minn.; Sioux Falls, Marion, Parker, S.D.; Mena, Ark. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Lois (Osten) Hesse and daughter Sara. Survivors: Timothy, Jonathan; daughter: Rachel Hoffland. Funeral and Interment: May 29, 2022, Mena, Ark.
HODEL, RONALD K. REV., Nov. 13, 1955, Denver, Colo., to May 21, 2022, Dana Point, Calif.; son of Ronald Hodel; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1981. Served 1981-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Richmond, Piedmont, Capistrano Beach, Calif.; Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 2003-2009, 2013-2015. Retired 2019. Survivors: Gail (Brum) Hodel; sons: Christopher, Karl, Andrew; daughter: Margaret.
KRAUSE, DAVID WILLIAM REV., July 19, 1933, Dorset, Minn., to March 12, 2022, Bella Vista, Ark.; son of Rev. Otto and Gertrude (Schulz) Krause; colloquy 1994. Served 1994-1998, 2007-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Cable, Wis.; Heber Springs, Ark. Retired 2013. Preceded in death by his wife Kathleen (Gellert) Krause. Survivors: son: Stephen; daughters: Vivian Massaglia, Rachel Durham. Celebration of Life: June 10, 2022, Bella Vista, Ark.
LEHR, MILTON O. REV., March 2, 1933, Chicago, Ill., to April 3, 2022, Oviedo, Fla.; son of John and Martha (Wismar) Lehr; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Oxford, Packwaukee, Wis.; S. Holland, Ill.; Lockwood, Arnold, Mo.; Spring Hill, Fla. Retired 2008. Survivors: sons: Theodore, Richard.; daughter: Deborah. Funeral: Spring Hill, Fla.
MEYER, CHRISTOPH RODGER REV. DR., July 19, 1934, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to May 6, 2022, Acworth, Ga.; son of Christoph and Kathleen (Nelson) Meyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1960-1968, 1970-1978, 2012-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Boonville, Mo.; Downey, Santa Ana, Tustin, Calif.; Hong Kong; Tucker, Ga. Retired 2014. Survivors: son: Craig; daughters: Gretchen, Elsie. Funeral: May 9, 2022, Sandy Springs, Ga.
NICOL, LLOYD ERNEST REV., June 8, 1927, Union County, Ohio, to May 9, 2022, Marysville, Ohio; son of Christopher and Eleonora (Kleiber) Nicol; colloquy 1983. Served 1983-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Wapakoneta, Sidney, Ohio. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Marilyn (Hubmann) Nicol and son who died in infancy. Survivors: son: Michael; daughters: Patty, Nancy Nemoyer, Bonnie Niermann. Funeral and Interment: May 16, 2022, Marysville, Ohio.
PAULSON, JOHN ROBERT REV., May 19, 1939, Atascadero, Calif., to April 14, 2022, Lincoln, Neb.; son of John and Margaret (Johnson) Paulson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Yuma, Ariz.; Davis, Calif.; North Bend, St. Paul, Utica, Neb.; Aurora, Colo. Retired 2005. Survivors: Kathryn (Barr) Paulson; son: Brent; daughter: Eileen Burden. Memorial Service and Interment: April 25, 2022, Seward, Neb.
RUMSEY, JOHN CHARLES JR. REV., Aug. 15, 1928, San Diego, Calif., to May 17, 2022, Guthrie, Okla.; son of John Sr. and Henrietta (Trout) Rumsey; graduated Springfield Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Woodward, Okla.; South Gate, Imperial Beach, Calif. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his son David. Survivors: Dorothy (Meyers) Rumsey; son: John III.; daughters: Rebecca Gladden, Judith Sisson, Grace Rohwer. Funeral: Guthrie, Okla.
SCHMIDTKE, JOHN RICHARD REV. DR., Sept. 23, 1962, Sheboygan, Wis., to May 12, 2022, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Robert and Marilyn (Wilsing) Schmidtke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1987. Served 1987-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Peoria, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo. Survivors: Sharon (Farmer) Schmidtke; sons: Daniel, Michael, Nathaniel; daughter: Tequila Pruitt. Funeral: May 20, 2022, Oakville, Mo.; cremation.
SCHREIBER, JOHN ROLFF REV., Sept. 1, 1950, Stevens Point, Wis., to April 14, 2022; son of Rev. Lawrence and Bertha (Rolff) Schreiber; graduated Springfield Seminary 1976. Served 1976-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Rockwell City, Iowa; Orchard, Neb.; Hillman, Goodrich, Rogers City, Mich. Retired 2014. Survivors: sons: Christian, Benjamin, Jesse, Daniel. Memorial Service: April 20, 2022, Nunica, Mich.; Interment: Coopersville, Mich.
SCHULTZ, JOSEPH ARTHUR REV., Sept. 14, 1929, Hemlock, Mich., to April 2, 2022, Eau Claire, Wis.; son of Alby and Delia (Wolfgram) Schultz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Drumheller, Craigmyle, Alberta, Canada; Chelsea, Medford, Antigo, Fall Creek, Wis. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Vanaman) Schultz and son David. Survivors: sons: Joseph, Stephen; daughter: Susan. Funeral: April 11, 2022, Eau Claire, Wis.; Interment: April 11, 2022, Fall Creek, Wis.
SCHWAB, DENNIS L. REV., Aug. 27, 1948, St. Louis, Mo., to March 30, 2022, St. Charles, Mo.; son of Henry and Hazel (Henroid) Schwab; colloquy 1978. Served 1978-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Fairfield Bay, Ark.; Knoxville, Tenn.; St. Charles, Mo. Retired 2020. Preceded in death by his wife Sally (Preus) Schwab. Survivors: son: Matthew; daughter: Sarah Nissing. Funeral and Interment: April 9, 2022, St. Charles, Mo.
SETER, BERNHARD M. REV., Nov. 12, 1952, Bottineau, N.D., to March 22, 2022, Grafton, N.D.; son of Marvin and Myra (Hahn) Seter; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1978. Served 1978-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Grafton, Drayton, Crystal, N.D.; North Dakota District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994. Survivor: Faye (Freeman) Seter. Funeral: April 5, 2022, Grafton, N.D.; Interment: Crystal, N.D.
SMITH, ERNEST G. REV., June 3, 1929, Queens, N.Y., to April 5, 2022, Grand Island, Neb.; son of William and Lillian (Craig) Smith; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1991. Ministries/Parishes: O’Neill, Atkinson, Columbus, Neb.; U.S. Army Military Chaplain; Baltimore, Md.; New Guinea.; Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 1960-1965. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wife Katherine (Williams) Smith. Survivors: sons: Nathan, Jonathan; daughters: Stephanie Maxson, Nancy Lindholm. Funeral: April 11, 2022, Columbus, Neb.; Interment: April 12, 2022, Omaha, Neb.
SNYDER, ROBERT ELMER JR. REV., Feb. 16, 1940, White Plains, N.Y., to March 31, 2022, St. Louis Park, Minn.; son of Robert Sr. and Dorothea (Goltz) Snyder; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966. Served 1966-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Anthon, Correctionville, Humboldt, Iowa; Faribault, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his son Paul. Survivors: Margaret (Moellering) Snyder; daughters: Susan, Debra Cunningham. Memorial Service: April 24, 2022, Faribault, Minn.
URBERG, SØREN STRAT REV., Aug. 21, 1931, Blair, Wis., to May 16, 2022; son of Rev. Konrad and Thea (Hagen) Urberg; colloquy 1991. Served 1991-1996. Ministry/Parish: Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 2001. Survivors: Patricia (Haraldson) Urberg; son: Konrad; daughters: Dagny Brandt, Ingrid, Ragna. Service of Christian Victory: May 23, 2022, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
COMMISSIONED
BOETTCHER, ARDELLA A., June 13, 1932, Storm Lake, Iowa, to May 18, 2022, Belvidere, Ill.; daughter of Walter and Anna Boettcher; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1973-1992. School/Ministry: Belvidere, Ill. Retired 1992. Funeral and Interment: May 26, 2022, Belvidere, Ill.
BRAUN, THEODORE T., June 26, 1936 to March 20, 2022, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; graduated River Forest 1966. Served 1966-2000. School/Ministry: Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Donna (Dressler) Braun. Survivors: son: Carl; daughter: Laura Strouts. Funeral and Interment: March 25, 2022, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
BROTT, EUGENE C., Nov. 5, 1933, N. Judson, Ind., to April 5, 2022, Seward, Neb.; son of Victor and Frieda (Hankey) Brott; graduated River Forest 1955. Served 1955-1998. Schools/Ministries: St. Louis, Mo.; Winfield, Kan.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1999. Survivors: Norma (Scheiwe) Brott; son: Thomas; daughters: Elizabeth Aring, Ingrid Minchow. Funeral: April 13, 2022, Seward, Neb.
DIETERS, TROY FREDERICK, Nov. 28, 1965, Ft. Collins, Colo., to Nov. 2, 2021, Sioux Falls, S.D.; son of Fred and Carole Dieters; graduated Seward 1993. Served 1993-1994, 1997-2010. Schools/Ministries: Fulda, Minn.; Houston, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colo. Survivor: Donna (Longmore) Dieters. Memorial Service: Nov. 8, 2021, Hartford, S.D.
GALLUP, KATHLEEN MARIE, Jan. 5, 1950, Crystal Lake, Ill., to May 10, 2022, Romeoville, Ill.; daughter of Robert and Evelyn (Steinke) Gallup; graduated River Forest 1972. Served 1983-2010. Schools/Ministries: Orlando, Fla.; Rockford, Plainfield, Ill. Retired 2010. Memorial Service: May 28, 2022, Joliet, Ill.
JORDING, DAVID C., Feb.12, 1944, Quincy, Ill., to March 27, 2022, Sherwood, Wis.; son of Clifford and Bess (Brackley) Jording; graduated River Forest 1966. Served 1966-2005. Schools/Ministries: Sheboygan, Menasha, Wis.; Algonquin, Ill. Retired 2005. Survivors: Joann (Martin) Jording; son: Matthew; daughter: Jennifer Bassuener. Funeral: March 31, 2022, Menasha, Wis.; Interment: Quincy, Ill.
KAMPRATH, FREDRIC WILLIAM, July 5, 1936, Seward, Neb., to March 22, 2022, Boca Raton, Fla.; son of Robert and Anna Kamprath; graduated Seward 1958. Served 1958-2003. Schools/Ministries: Montebello, Oakland, Calif.; Grand Rapids, E. Detroit, Mich.; Boca Raton, Fla. Retired 2003. Survivors: Lei (Lani) Kamprath; son: Michael; daughters: Kimberly Grose, Heather Batson, Tamara Hayden. Memorial Service: March 31, 2022, Boca Raton, Fla.
LAABS, CHARLES WILLIAM, Sept. 17, 1928, Milwaukee, Wis., to May 2, 2022, Northlake, Ill.; graduated River Forest 1951. Served 1951-1994. Schools/Ministries: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; New Orleans, La.; River Forest, Ill. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Jewel (Barg) Laabs. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, David, Timothy, Christopher. Celebration of Life: July 30, 2022, Melrose Park, Ill.
LINDSAY, KAY ELLEN (PFEIFFER), March 15, 1950, Amarillio, Texas, to October 28, 2021, Amarillo, Texas; daughter of Joe and Jo (Robertson) Pfeiffer; colloquy 2007. Served 2007-2021. Schools/Ministries: Dallas, Texas; Shanghai, China. Survivors: daughters: Jennifer Umpleby, Stephanie Reasoner, Kimberly Jackson. Memorial Service: Nov. 6, 2021, Dallas, Texas; Interment: Oc. 31, 2021, Clarendon, Texas.
LINNEMANN, VERNETTE MAE (SCHWOLOW), Feb. 24, 1929, Palatine, Ill., to May 15, 2022, Portland, Ore.; daughter of Albert and Emma Schwolow; graduated River Forest 1981. Served 1981-1994. School/Ministry: Portland, Ore. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by her husband Arthur Linnemann. Survivors: sons: Rev. Paul, Mark; daughters: Anette, Kristine. Celebration of Life and Interment: June 12, 2022, Portland, Ore.
LOESCH CAROL JANET (DAVIS), April 1, 1934, Bluffs, Ill., to April 15, 2022, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter of Marvin Davis and Mildred (Mueller) Grousnick; colloquy 1984. Served 1984-1996. Schools/Ministries: Lincoln, Neb.; Perryville, Mo.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Retired 1996. Survivors: Rev. Dr. Donald Loesch; son: Steve; daughters: Angie Pfeil, Maria Wilken. Funeral and Interment: April 20, 2022, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
LOOMANS, DALE C. Aug. 7, 1938, Portage, Wis., to March 16, 2022, Reedsburg, Wis.; son of Clarence and Gladys (Chapman) Loomans; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1961-2000. Schools/Ministries: Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Reedsburg, Wis. Retired 2000. Survivors: Eunice (Tuschy) Loomans; sons: Scott, Ted; daughter: Wendy Janjua. Funeral and Interment: March 24, 2022, Reedsburg, Wis.
MENKE, STEVEN ALLEN, Septe.14, 1958, Saginaw, Mich., to Dec. 16, 2021, Round Rock, Texas; son of James and Dorothy Menke; graduated River Forest 1981. Served 1981-2014. Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Mich.; Austin, Walburg, Texas. Retired 2014. Survivor: son: Samuel. Celebration of Life: Dec. 21, 2021, Georgetown, Texas.
