IN MEMORIAM (November 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
DELL, MONTY ALAN, REV., May 20, 1945, Underwood, N.D., to July 28, 2022, Sioux Falls, S.D.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2005. Served 2005-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Wall, Creighton, S.D. Retired 2008. Survivors: LaDonna (Munster) Dell; sons: David, Terry; daughters: Joanna Fischer, Lanette Henrickson. Funeral: Aug. 1, 2022, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Interment: Aug. 1, 2022, Aberdeen, S.D.
GIERKE, CHARLES A. REV., March 10, 1941, Billings, Mont., to Aug. 5, 2022, Omaha, Neb.; son of Rev. Arnold and Lillian (Schmeichel) Gierke; graduated Springfield Seminary 1967. Served 1967-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Flint, Linden, Mich.; Westmont, Ill.; Columbus, Omaha, Neb.; Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 1991-1995. Retired 2006. Survivors: Joyce (Duchow) Gierke; sons: Paul, Rev. John, Sean; daughters: Gail Black, Karin Jensen. Memorial Service: Aug. 24, 2022, Omaha, Neb.
JONAS, HERMAN W. JR. REV., May 27, 1940, Oakland, Calif., to July 20, 2022, Cave Creek, Ariz.; son of Herman and Elizabeth (Brown) Jonas; colloquy 1978. Served 1979-1981, 1984-2002, 2005-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Davis, Irvine, Calif.; Phoenix, Black Canyon, Ariz. Retired 2014. Survivors: Sharon (Delancey) Jonas; son: Herman IV; daughters: Sabrina, Tiffany, Heather. Funeral: Sept. 10, 2022, Cave Creek, Ariz.
KELLEY, PHILLIP BERNARD REV., Feb. 19, 1948, Milwaukee, Wis., to Nov. 23, 2021, Roanoke, Va.; son of Bernard and Loraine Kelley; graduated Springfield Seminary 1974. Served 1974-1995. Ministries/Parishes: New York, N.Y.; Tucson, Ariz. Retired 2015. Survivors: Kittie Jo Kelley; sons: Brian Muller, Michael Muller, Mathew Muller, William Clevenger; daughter: Amanda. Funeral: Dec. 18, 2021, Roanoke, Va.
KRAUSE, FREDERICK CHARLES REV., July 28, 1932, Chicago, Ill., to Aug. 11, 2022, Trufant, Mich.; son of Henry and Ida (Hoffmann) Krause; graduated Springfield Seminary 1968. Served 1968-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Stanton, Carson City, Howard City, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 2000-2009. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife Lois (Barber) Krause. Survivors: sons: David, Jeffrey, Michael. Memorial Service: Aug. 17, 2022, Greenville, Mich.
MUELLER, GILBERT E. REV., Aug. 8, 1931, Moline, Ill., to June 8, 2022, Orfordville, Wis.; son of John and Olga (Mennicke) Mueller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1964, 1967-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Beach Corner, Spruce Grove, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Gaylord, Minn.; Cleveland, Ohio. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wives Donna (Prauner) Mueller and Ann (Cox) Mueller. Survivors: daughters: Michelle Greear, Starla Bremel; stepsons: Gene Cox, Terry Cox, Tim Cox; stepdaughter: Brenda Burke. Funeral: June 15, 2022, Davenport, Iowa; Interment: June 15, 2022, Taylor Ridge, Ill.
NENOW, CHARLES DEWAYNE REV., May 11, 1934, Norfolk, Neb., to June 3, 2022, Salisbury, N.C.; son of Arthur and Lenore (Broadstone) Nenow; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1988. Ministries/Parishes: Plattsmouth, Blair, Neb.; Bristol, Tenn.; Port Angeles, Wash. Retired 1999. Survivors: Joan (Biberdorf) Nenow; sons: Mark, Timothy; daughters: Leslie Volk, Jill Zorzanello. Funeral: June 11, 2022, Taylorsville, N.C.
OLSE, NOEL C. REV., Nov. 26, 1943, Detroit, Mich., to June 26, 2022, Austin, Texas; son of Carl and Inel (Baker) Olse; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1998. Served 1998-2019. Ministries/Parishes: LaPorte, Ind.; Sandusky, West Branch. Mich. Retired 2019. Survivors: sons: Michael, Andrew.
PREUS, JACOB AALL OTTESEN III REV. DR., March 20, 1953, Luverne, Minn., to Aug. 4, 2022, Apache Junction, Ariz.; son of Rev. Jacob II and Delpha (Holleque) Preus; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1980. Served 1980-1983, 1986-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Rancho Palos Verdes, Irvine, Calif.; St. Louis, Mo.; Watertown, Wis.; Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 1981-1983. Retired 2014. Survivors: Sherry (Bender) Preus; son: Jacob IV; daughters: Emily Donoso, Rebecca McAllister. Memorial Service: Aug. 27, 2022, Gilbert, Ariz.
RISTVEDT, JAMES WALLACE REV., Nov. 9, 1933, Highland Grove, Minn., to June 27, 2022, Omaha, Neb.; son of Leander and Daphne (Johnson) Ristvedt; graduated Springfield Seminary 1965. Served 1965-1988, 1995-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Picayune, Miss.; Littlefield, Texas; Wisner, Neb.; Denison, Iowa. Retired 2001. Survivors: Betty (Knobloch) Ristvedt; sons: Rev. Nathan, Phillip; daughters: Cynthia Vinovskis, Jennifer Ristvedt-Hille. Funeral and Interment: July 5, 2022, Omaha, Neb.
RUSSELL, RANDALL HENRY REV., March 7, 1950, Milwaukee, Wis., to July 24, 2022, Orange, Va.; son of Leland and Eleanor (Ahrens) Russell; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1991. Served 1991-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Oweygo, N.Y.; U.S. Navy Chaplain. Retired 2015. Survivors: Kathryn (Weber) Russell; son: Tige; daughter Tara Edelberg. Funeral: Aug. 2, 2022, Charlottesville, Va.; Interment: Aug. 2, 2022, Culpeper, Va.
SCHOCKMAN, GARY EUGENE REV., March 19, 1950, Toledo, Ohio, to Aug. 8, 2022, Greenville, Wis.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2013. Served 2013-2017. Ministry/Parish: Clinton, Wis. Retired 2017. Survivors: Karon (Marsh) Schockman; son: Jason, daughter: Schawn. Funeral: Aug. 17, 2022, Greenville, Wis.; Interment: Aug. 17, 2022, Dale, Wis.
SCHOENHERR, MARK ALAN REV., Nov. 29, 1950, DeKalb, Ill., to June 20, 2022, Port Charlotte, Fla.; son of Robert and Lorraine Schoenherr; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Williams Lake, Summerland, British Columbia, Canada; Tomahawk, Wis. Retired 2017. Survivors: Karen (Nordine) Schoenherr; sons: Michael, Matthew. Service of Remembrance: Sept. 16, 2022, Punta Gorda, Fla.
SIEBRASS, LOWELL LEON REV., July 31, 1937, Hooper, Neb., to Aug. 11, 2022, Riverside, Calif.; son of Oscar and Sevilla (Moeller) Siebrass; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Harlowton, Roundup, Mont.; Riverside, Calif.: Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 1990-1997. Retired 2003. Survivors: Margaret (Nelson) Siebrass; daughters: Lisa Mohn, Heather. Funeral: Sept. 17, 2022, Riverside, Calif.
STRELOW, LLOYD JULIUS REV. DR., July 21, 1937, Litchfield, Ill., to July 28, 2022, Glendale, Calif.; son of Rev. Julius and Louise (Reiss) Strelow; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Fremont, Cheboygan, Mich.; Covina, Tustin, Anza, Calif.; Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 2009-2013. Retired 2004. Survivors: Joyce (Warble) Strelow; son: Bruce; daughter: Becky. Funeral: Aug. 27, 2022, Orange, Calif.
COMMISSIONED
BARTELS, WALTER OTTO, Jan. 27, 1922, Altamont, Ill., to July 13, 2022, Albuquerque, N.M.; graduated Seward 1942. Served 1943-1987. Schools/Ministries: Oklahoma City, Enid, Okla.; Haven, Kan.; Albuquerque, N.M. Retired 1987. Preceded in death by his wife Iona Bartels. Survivors: sons: Ron, Leon; daughter: Kathleen. Funeral and Interment: July 22, 2022, Albuquerque, N.M.
CLOETER, WALDO HERMAN, April 12, 1925, St. James, Minn., to Jan. 12, 2022, Santa Clarita, Calif.; son of Rev. Richard and Martha (George) Cloeter; graduated Seward 1948. Served 1948-1990. Schools/Ministries: Van Nuys, Los Angeles, Canoga Park, Calif. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his wives Mildred (Werner) Cloeter, Elizabeth (Schussel) Cloeter and son Mark. Survivors: son: Philip; daughters: Janet, Laurie Rickards; stepsons: Bob Schussel, Larry Schussel, Rick Schussel; stepdaughter: Linda Axenroth. Funeral: Feb. 5, 2022, Santa Clarita, Calif.; Interment: Feb. 5, 2022, Newhall, Calif.
KUH, ELAINE LOUISE LEONA (OTTO), Dec. 1, 1937, to Aug. 22, 2022, Frankfort, Ill.; daughter of Walter and Grace (Jaehnke) Otto; graduated River Forest 1959. Served 1974-1998. School/Ministry: Blue Island, Ill. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by her husband Robert Kuh. Survivors: sons: Robert, Jonathan.; daughter: Diane Crumpley. Funeral: Aug. 26, 2022, Blue Island, Ill.; Interment: Aug. 26, 2022, Hampshire, Ill.
MUELLER, EDWARD HENRY ARTHUR, Jan. 21, 1937, Warsaw, Mo., to June 25, 2022, Lincoln, Neb.; son of Reinhardt and Emma (Gottula) Mueller; graduated Seward 1959. Served 1959-2002. Schools/Ministries: Perryville, Concordia, Mo.; Burbank, Calif. Retired 2002. Survivors: son: Mark; daughters: Sue Warren, Patricia Imig. Funeral and Interment: July 7, 2022, Seward, Neb.
ORTMAN, CAROLYN RUTH (NORDMEYER) April 4, 1946, Chebanse, Ill., to Feb. 27, 2022, Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter of Cleo and Elda (Rieke) Nordmeyer; graduated River Forest 1968. Served 2012-2014. School/Ministry: Chebanse, Ill. Retired 2014. Survivors: John Ortman; sons: Michael, Matthew, Nathan; daughter: Nicole Lowe.
PERKINS, KATHERINE SUE, Jan. 12, 1949, Orange, Calif., to July 23, 2022, San Diego, Calif.; graduated Seward 1971. Served 1973-2015. Schools/Ministries: Fremont, Oxnard, La Mesa, Calif. Retired 2015. Funeral: Aug. 8, 2022, La Mesa, Calif.
SCHEPMANN, JUDITH ANN (ALBRIGHT), July 3, 1947, Cincinnati, Ohio, to July 14, 2022, Loveland, Ohio; daughter of Merl and Dorothy Albright; graduated Seward 1969. Served 1980-1984, 1991-2004, 2010-2013. Schools/Ministries: Homewood, Joliet, Ill.; Silverton, Cincinnati, Morrow, Mason, Ohio. Retired 2013. Survivors: Gilbert Schepmann Sr.; sons: Erick, Joel; daughters: Tami Keilman, Heather Dyer. Funeral and Interment: July 30, 2022, Milford, Ohio.
WISMAR, RICHARD WALDEMAR III, Aug. 4, 1940, New Orleans, La., to June 13, 2022, Mandeville, La.; son of Richard Jr. and Evelyn Wismar; graduated River Forest 1963. Served 1964-1988, 1990-2006. Schools/Ministries: Great Bend, Kan.; Baton Rouge, La.; Portland, Ore. Retired 2006. Survivors: Ardith (Albrecht) Wismar; sons: Richard IV, Thor, Troy, Leif. Memorial Service and Interment: July 22, 2022, Covington, La.
WRASE, DIANNE L. (RHINEHART), Dec. 27, 1946, to June 4, 2022, Adrian, Mich.; graduated Seward 1969. Served 1986-1993. School/Ministry: Hollywood, Fla. Retired 2010.
