IN MEMORIAM (December 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
BABIN, KENNETH LOUIS REV., May 6, 1971, New Orleans, La., to Sept. 2, 2022, Metairie, La.; son of Gerald and Carolyn (Davis) Babin; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1997. Served 1997-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Gainesville, Fla.; New Orleans, La. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his daughter Amelie. Survivors: Priscilla (Wellmeyer) Babin; son: Joseph; daughters: Renee, Naomi, Chloe. Memorial Service: Sept. 17, 2022, New Orleans, La.
BERGMAN, MARVIN MARTIN REV. DR., Jan. 8, 1934, Philip, S.D., to Aug. 24, 2022, Seward, Neb.; son of Rev. Elmer and Laura (Meyer) Bergman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1960-1967, 1970-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Warren, Mich.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1999. Survivors: Shirley (Roth) Bergman; son: Jonathan; daughter: Joy. Funeral: Aug. 30, 2022, Seward, Neb.; Interment: Durango, Colo.
BLASKE, MARVIN OSCAR GEORGE REV., Jan. 3, 1931, Sauk Rapids, Minn., to Sept. 12, 2022, Milaca, Minn.; son of William and Frieda (Samuelovitz) Blaske; graduated Springfield Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Stirum, N.D.; Princeton, Milaca, Minn.; Minnesota North District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1996. Survivors: Louise (Sell) Blaske; sons: Mark, Stephen, David; daughters: Rebecca McBroom, Christine Wood, Ruth Kulberg. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 16, 2022, Princeton, Minn.
BURZA, GEORGE JOHN JR. REV., Nov. 3, 1951, Alhambra, Calif., to Sept. 7, 2022, Burien, Wash.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1985. Served 1985-2016. Ministries/ Parishes: Aberdeen Idaho; Seattle, Wash. Retired 2016. Survivors: Nancy Burza; son: Andrew; daughters: Amber, Autumn, Rebekah.
EBERLE, WILLIAM BERNHARDT REV., Oct. 13, 1935, New York City, N.Y., to Aug. 27, 2022, Severna Park, Md.; son of George Sr. and Marie (Ziesness) Eberle; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1991, 1993-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Elwood, Arapahoe, Neb.; Westerly, Ashway, R.I.; U.S. Army Chaplain; Schenectady, Glens Falls, N.Y. Retired 2002. Survivors: Elfriede (Haberstumpf) Eberle; sons: William, Christopher; daughter: Lisa. Celebration of Life: Sept. 8, 2022, Annapolis, Md.; Interment: September 8, 2022, Crownsville, Md.
GUNDERMANN, MILTON WAYNE REV., May 12, 1927, Mora, Minn., to Aug. 15, 2022, Kaneohe, Hawaii; son of Rev. Carl and Olga (Moeller) Gundermann; graduated Springfield Seminary 1951. Served 1951-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Braham, Minn.; U.S. Army Chaplain; Valparaiso, Ind.; Chicago, Ill.; Kaneohe, Hawaii. Retired 1992. Survivors: JoAnn (Weydemann) Gundermann; daughters: Jodi, Kini. Celebration of Life will take place in 2022; Interment: Kaneohe, Hawaii.
HARDING, STANLEY LOUIS REV., Aug. 8, 1944, Louisville, Ky., to Sept. 1, 2022, Elmhurst, Ill.; son of William and Rebecca (Ditto) Harding; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Waterloo, Iowa; Elmhurst, Ill. Retired 2010. Survivors: Linda (Jones) Harding; sons: Stephen, Benjamin; daughter: Rebecca. Funeral: Sept. 8, 2022, Elmhurst, Ill.
HOEMANN, RICHARD L. J. REV., April 23, 1933, Union, Mo., to Sept. 10, 2022, Jamesville, N.Y.; son of Edwin and Ida (Roth) Hoemann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Irwin, Pa.; Hamburg, Syracuse, N.Y. Retired 1998. Survivors: Judith (Stade) Hoemann; daughters: Martha Meyer, Rebekah Roppel, Sarah Butler, Ann Buclin. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 18, 2022, Fayetteville, N.Y.
KRUEGER, DALE BERNARD REV., Dec. 1, 1931, Faribault, Minn., to Sept. 22, 2022, Kalamazoo, Mich.; son of Bernard and Frieda (Priebe) Krueger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1958-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Sumner, Amherst, Neb.; Red Lake, Dryden, Dinorwic, Vermillion, Ontario, Canada.; Livonia, Kalamazoo, Mich. Retired 1999. Survivors: Ruth (Grostic) Krueger; son: John; daughters: Joanna, Mary Pellegrom. Service to Witness his Life: Kalamazoo, Mich. Interment: Owatonna, Minn.
LITTERER, CHARLES EDWARD, REV., Feb. 25, 1934, Louisville, Ky., to Aug. 22, 2022, Indianapolis, Ind.; son of Oscar and Frieda (Eibisch) Litterer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1968, 1970-1992. Ministries/ Parishes: Gainesville, Ga.; Dunkirk, N.Y.; Henderson, Owensboro, Ky.; Evansville, Ind.; Grafton, Ohio; Elizabethton, Greenville, Tenn.; Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Glyna Litterer. Survivors: Nancy Litterer; son: Thomas: daughter: Catherine. Funeral: Sep.r 24, 2002, Indianapolis, Ind.
MAROZIK, JOHN R. JR. REV., Dec. 31, 1935, Redwood City, Calif., to Aug. 30, 2022, Sonoma, Calif.; son of Rev. John and Esther (Bente) Marozik; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1965, 1970-1977, 1982-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Pittsburg, Merced, Susanville, Calif.; Yerington, Hawthorne, Ely, Nev. Preceded in death by his son Philip. Survivors: Ann Marozik; sons: Joel, Stephan. Memorial Service: Sept. 24, 2022, Santa Rosa, Calif.
MAYER, ROBERT F. REV., Oct. 13, 1929, Bay City, Mich., to Sept. 13, 2022, Lansing, Mich.; son of Rev. Herman and Anna (Hagan) Mayer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1954. Served 1955-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Tampa, Fla.; Greensboro, N.C.; Lansing, Mich.; Helena, Mont.; English District Circuit Visitor 1985-1986. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Marjorie (Knoll) Mayer. Survivors: Joan (Wyble) Mayer; son: William; daughters: Margaret Zancanella, Elizabeth Mestelle, Julie.; stepsons: Rick Wyble, Randy Wyble, Robert Wyble; stepdaughters: Beth Gregg, Nancy Vance, Jenna Marr. Funeral: Oct. 10, 2022, Lansing, Mich.
MUENCHOW, FRED ALBERT REV., Sept. 20, 1936, Honey Creek, Iowa, to July 24, 2022, Oklahoma City, Okla.; son of Rev. Frederick and Helen (Parsons) Muenchow; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Amenia, Grandin, Wimbledon, Courtney, Kensal, Fargo, N.D.; Wellsburg, Eldora, Iowa; River Forest, Altamont, Ill. Retired 2001. Survivors: Marlene (Scholz) Muenchow; son: Rev. Mark; daughters: Carol Kagemann, Karen Ritter, Susan Bellas, Linda Stark. Funeral: July 30, 2022, Oklahoma City, Okla.
NAUMANN, FREDERICK ALBIN REV., Aug. 13, 1932, to July 7, 2022, Claremore, Okla.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1958-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Seneca, Lebanon, Columbia, Hecla, S.D.; Seward, Omaha, Elkhorn , Neb. Retired 1994. Survivors: Dorothy Naumann; daughter: Chris Davis. Funeral: Aug. 13, 2022, Claremore Lake, Okla.; Interment: Mont.
OLSON, ROBERT W. REV., Jan. 6, 1927, Eau Claire, Wis., to Sept. 12, 2022, Spencer, Wis.; son of Sigwald and Helen (Anderson) Olson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1995. Ministries/Parishes: O’Neill, Atkinson, Neb.; Thorp, Stanley, Greenwood, Spencer, Wis. Retired 1995. Survivors: Bernice (Anderson) Olson; sons: Bruce, John, Paul, Philip, Stephen, Martin. Funeral: Sept. 25, 2022, Spencer, Wis.
REDEKER, WILLIAM NOEL REV., July 4, 1931, Mishicot, Wis., to Sept. 8, 2022, Grand Junction, Colo.; son of Arthur and Libbie (Ramesh) Redeker; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Los Gatos, Calif.; Sheboygan, Wis.; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his wife Anita (Soyfried) Redeker. Home Going Service and Interment: Sept. 17, 2022, Sheboygan, Wis.
SATTELMEIER, DANIEL JOHN REV., Jan. 4, 1949, Mt. Clemens, Wis., to Aug. 24, 2022, El Paso, Texas; son of Ferdinand and Wilma Sattelmeier; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; El Paso, Texas; Rocky Mountain District Circuit Visitor 2021-2022. Retired 2021. Survivors: Darlene (Stewart) Sattelmeier; sons: Joshua, Caleb, Isaac; daughter: Sara Johnston. Funeral: El Paso, Texas.
WENGER, MARK PAUL REV., Sept. 7, 1951, Boonville, Mo., to Sept. 12, Blue Springs, Mo.; son of Rev. Gilbert and Elsie Wenger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1981. Served 1981-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Magrath, Cardston, Alberta, Canada; Vandalia, Center, Oak Grove, Mo.; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Wichita, Kan.; Missouri District Circuit Visitor 2003-2006. Retired 2017. Preceded in death by his son Jonathan. Survivors: sons: Karl, Derek, Bryce; daughter: Joy Fulbright. Funeral: September 17, 2022, Blue Springs, Mo.; Interment: Sept. 17, 2022, Grain Valley, Mo.
ZIMMERMANN, TIMOTHY J. REV., March 10, 1944, Montevideo, Minn., to Sept. 5, 2022, Iowa City, Iowa; son of Rev. Dr. John and Mae (Wheat) Zimmermann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Odell, Neb.; S. Euclid, Ohio; Jefferson, Iowa City, Iowa. Retired 2010. Survivors: Carol (de Neui) Zimmermann; sons: Mark, Jonathan; daughter: Leah Degenhardt. Funeral: September 9, 2022, Iowa City, Iowa; Interment: Sept. 9, 2022, Wellsburg, Iowa.
COMMISSIONED
GAUGER, ANDRA JEAN (SCHMIDT), July 13, 1939, Evanston, Ill., to Aug. 25, 2022, Elgin, Ill.; daughter of John and Frances (Ottesen) Schmidt; graduated Seward 1961. Served 1973-2004. School/Ministry: Chicago, Ill. Retired 2004. Survivors: Melvin Gauger; son: Rev. William. Funeral: Sept. 1, 2022, East Dundee, Ill.; Interment: September 1, 2022, Elmhurst, Ill.
GEISLER, RALPH L. DR., April 15, 1938, Hooper, Neb., to Sept. 13, 2022, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Marvin and Frieda (Timme) Geisler; graduated Seward 1960. Served 1960-1975, 1979-2006. Schools/Ministries: Atchison, Hutchinson, Kan.; St. Ann, St. Louis, Mo.; Penfield, N.Y.; Omaha, Neb.; Naperville, Ill. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by his wife Anita (Hemmingson) Geisler. Survivors: sons: Gregory, Timothy; daughter: Cheryl Laaker. Memorial Service: Oct. 1, 2022, Kirkwood, Mo.; Interment: Oct. 1, 2022, Des Peres, Mo.
HUEBNER, BARBARA PATRICIA (HOBERMAN), May 5, 1949, Storm Lake, Iowa, to Aug. 21, 2022, Farmington, Minn.; daughter of Wilbert and Yvonne (Hartman) Hoberman; graduated Seward 1970. Served 1973-1974, 1979-1981, 1988-2012. Schools/Ministries: Twin Falls, Idaho; Hemlock, Mich.; Topeka, Kan.; St. Paul, Hutchinson, Minn.; Lincoln, Neb. Retired 2012. Survivors: Leland Huebner; son: Michael; daughters: Kelly Burkhart, Kim Brown. Funeral: Aug. 27, 2022, Farmington, Mich.; Interment: Sept. 10, 2022, Storm Lake, Iowa.
KNUEPPEL, HENRY PAUL, Dec. 24, 1929, Maywood, Ill., to Sept. 8, 2022, Park Ridge, Ill.; son of Henry and Esther (Kolb) Knueppel; graduated Seward 1952. Served 1952-1994. School/Ministry: Chicago, Ill. Retired 1994. Survivors: Judith (Millies) Knueppel; son: H. Paul; daughter: Rebecca Pesersen. Funeral: Sept. 16, 2022, Chicago, Ill.; Interment: Sept. 17, 2022, Wild Rose, Wis.
LEAPALDT, REUBEN LESTER, Sept. 12, 1930, Woodworth, N.D., to Aug. 28, 2022, Eugene, Ore.; son of Paul and Louise (Flemmer) Leapaldt; graduated River Forest 1953. Served 1953-1994. Schools/Ministries: Alexandria, Va.; Minot, N.D.; Billings, Mont.; Corvallis, Ore. Retired 1994. Survivors: Nancy (Bellville) Leapaldt; son: Paul; daughters: Caroline Prewitt, Beth Swanson, Rachel Petty. Funeral: Oct. 1, 2022, Eugene, Ore.
SPITZER, JAMES R., April 4, 1949, Milwaukee, Wis., to Sept. 7, 2022, West Allis, Wis.; son of Robert Spitzer; graduated River Forest 1971. Served 1971-1989, 1994-2006. Schools/Ministries: Portage Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 2006. Survivors: Janis (Pawlowske) Spitzer; son: Philip; daughter: Wendy. Funeral: Sept. 20, 2022, West Allis, Wis.
STEINBACH, ARLON JOHN June 3, 1945, St. Louis, Mo., to Aug. 1, 2022, Mountain Home, Ark.; son of Ervin and Leona (During) Steinbach; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1967-1994, 1998-2004. Schools/Ministries: Horicon, Reedsburg, Portage, Wis.; Las Vegas, Nev. Retired 2005. Survivors: Carol (Klemp) Steinbach; sons: William, Scott; daughters: Kristi Milam, Victoria Pelton. Funeral: Aug. 8, 2022, Mountain Home, Ark.; Interment: Portage, Wis.
WERNING, E. KATHY (BRAUN), Aug. 11, 1925, Falls City, Neb., to July 28, 2022, Vinton, Iowa; daughter of Carl and Katharine Braun; graduated Seward 1971. Served 1973 to 1988. Retired 1988. School/Ministry: Newhall, Iowa. Survivor: son: Timothy. Funeral and Interment: Aug. 5, 2022, Newhall, Iowa.
