In Memoriam (August 2024)

IN MEMORIAM (August 2024)

             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

BAHR, FERDINAND O. REV. DR., April 24, 1933, Kohler, Wis., to March 21, 2024, Waukesha, Wis.; son of Oscar and Wilhelmetta (Amend) Bahr; graduated Springfield Seminary 1959.  Served 1959-2000; 2009-2014.  Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo.; Bedford, Ind.; Milwaukee, Wis.  Retired 2014.  Survivors: Doris (Claybaker) Bahr; son: Joel; daughters: Rachel Bartsch, Sarah Meissgeier, Rebecca Wawrzyn.  Funeral: March 27, 2024, Milwaukie, Wis.; Interment: Kohler, Wis.

BECK, GORDON ARTHUR REV., March 21, 1940, St. Cloud, Minn., to March 28, 2024, Williamsburg, Va.; son of Rev. Arthur Beck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966.  Served 1966-1995; 2009-2012.  Ministries/Parishes: The Bronx, N.Y.; San Diego, Poway, Calif.; Florissant, Mo.  Retired 2012.  Survivors: Sally (Johnson) Beck; son: Andrew; daughters: Gretchen Eskilson; Sara.  Funeral: April 6, 2024, Williamsburg, Va.

BEIDERWIEDEN, THEODORE WILLIAM III REV., Oct. 22, 1936, Dumont, N.J., to April 9, 2024, Traverse City, Mich.; son of Rev. Theodore II and Evelyn (Haberkorn) Beiderwieden; colloquy 2008.  Served 2008-2015.  Ministry/Parish: Arcadia, Mich.  Retired 2015.  Survivors: sons: Derek, Mark; daughter: Karyn Loomis.  Funeral and Interment: April 13, 2024, Arcadia, Mich.

BOYER, RICHARD ALFRED REV., Aug. 16, 1936, Indianapolis, Ind., to April 17, 2024, Bel Aire, Kan.; son of Rev. Herman and Lydia (VanHorn) Boyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961.  Served 1961-2001.  Ministries/Parishes: Muskogee, Okla.; U.S. Navy Chaplain; Derby, Kan.  Retired 2001.  Survivors: Delores (Lepper) Boyer; sons: Stephen, Joel, Brent, Brad, Barth.  Funeral: April 24, 2024, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Memorial Service: April 27, 2024, Wichita, Kan.; Interment: Ft. Wayne, Ind.

BRANDENBURG, TERRY L. REV., Nov. 17, 1948, Seward, Neb., to March 23, 2024, Omaha, Neb.; son of Lemuel and Evelyn Brandenburg; graduated Springfield Seminary 1976.  Served 1976-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Orange, Calif.; Chaska, Glencoe, Minn.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Grand Island, Neb.  Retired 2014.  Preceded in death by his daughter Bethany.  Survivors: Rachel (Cloeter) Brandenburg; daughter: Jennifer Kreikemeier.  Funeral: April 3, 2024, Omaha, Neb.

BREITWISCH, JOHN GILBERT REV., June 12, 1943, Whitefish Bay, Wis., to March 19, 2024, Beaver Dam, Wis.; son of Gilbert and Leona (Ruff) Breitwisch; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970.  Served 1970-2006.  Ministries/Parishes: Munson, Pa.; Beaver Dam, Wis. South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1980-1988.  Retired 2006.  Survivors: Lynn (Verburgt) Breitwisch; sons: John, Matthew Brighsky; daughter: Dinah.  Funeral and Interment: March 24, 2024, Beaver Dam, Wis.

BUELOW, ALBERT HENRY REV., Nov. 24, 1934, Fresno, Calif., to April 23, 2024, Urbandale, Iowa; son of Carl and Anna (Marty) Buelow; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960.  Served 1961-2009.  Ministries/Parishes: Bronxville, N.Y.; Odebolt, Iowa. Iowa District West District Secretary 1982-2012.  Retired 2009.  Survivors: Karen (Grummer) Buelow; sons: Paul, Philip, Timothy, Jonathan.  Funeral: April 30, 2024, Johnston, Iowa; Interment: April 30, 2024, Latimer, Iowa.

DELGEHAUSEN, LOREN E. REV., April 5, 1935, Appleton, Minn., to March 15, 2024, Baton Rouge, La.; son of Henry and Esther (Sachs) Delgehausen; graduated Springfield Seminary 1960.  Served 1960-1998.  Ministries/Parishes: Marianna, Fla.; Baton Rouge, Baker, Alexandria, Lafayette, La.; Mobile, Ala.  Southern District Circuit Visitor 1986-1988.  Retired 1998.  Survivors: Janet (Hughes) Delgehausen; son: Timothy; daughter: Rebeccah Reilly.  Funeral: March 22, 2024, Baton Rouge, La.; Interment: Baton Rouge, La.

DEVANTIER, PETER A. REV., Jan. 1, 1942, Niagara Falls, N.Y., to April 30, 2024, Wellsboro, Pa.; son of Alfred and Martha (Williams) DeVantier; graduated St. Catharines Seminary 1990.  Served 1990-2016.  Ministry/Parish: Wellsboro, Pa. Eastern District Circuit Visitor 2001-2009.  Retired 2016.  Preceded in death by his wife Judith (Simson) DeVantier.  Survivors: son: Brian; daughters: Kimberly Taylor, Heather Benedict, Jennifer Pinto.  Funeral: May 4, 2024, Wellsboro, Pa.; Interment: Wellsboro, Pa.

HAUPT, JAMES F. REV., June 29, 1933, Baltimore, Md., to April 10, 2024, San Antonio, Texas; son of Oscar and Grace (Houseworth) Haupt; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962.  Served 1962-1997.  Ministries/Parishes: Cypress, San Antonio, Texas; Rockford, Ill.; Fresno, Montclair, Piedmont, Calif. Retired 1997.  Preceded in death by his wife Nancy (Jones) Haupt.  Survivors: sons: James II, David.  Funeral and Interment: April 25, 2024, San Antonio, Texas.

HOLTORF, GENE KENT REV., April 28, 1945, Cedar Bluff, Neb., to April 2, 2024, Linn, Kan.; son of Jerald and Ruth (Hoffmann) Holtorf; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1993.  Served 1993-2013.  Ministry/Parish: Palmer, Kan. Retired 2013.  Preceded in death by his wife Marcellyn (Mulder) Holtorf.  Survivors: son: Jerald; daughter: Theresa Meier.  Funeral and Interment: April 8, 2024, Palmer, Kan.

KIPP, DAVID PAUL REV., Oct. 14, 1954, Minneapolis, Minn., to March 26, 2024, Norfolk, Neb.; son of Rev. Frederick and Gertrude (Knecht) Kipp; colloquy 1992.  Served 1992-2019. Ministries/Parishes: San Antonio, Texas; Louisville, Ky.; Crown Point, Ind. Retired 2019.  Survivors: Susan (Wendzel) Kipp; sons: John, Michael. Celebration of Life and Interment: April 3, 2024, Norfolk, Neb.

KOOPMANN, GARY ALEX REV., July 3, 1942, La Grange, Texas, to March 27, 2024, New Braunfels, Texas; son of Delvin and Violet Koopmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1984.  Served 1984-2016.  Ministries/Parishes: Morgan City, Jennings, Iota, La. Retired 2016.  Survivors: Marcia (Hafemeister) Koopmann; son: Kendall; daughter: Kristie.  Memorial Service: April 12, 2024, New Braunfels, Texas.

KRIGER, ROBERT A. REV., Aug. 17, 1938, N. Hollywood, Calif., to April 3, 2024, Richmond, Calif.; son of Wilbert and Francis (Sundell) Kriger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1968.  Served 1968-1986.  Ministries/Parishes: Leola, Ipswich, S.D.; Artois, Willows, El Cerrito, San Francisco, Calif.  Retired 1994.  Survivors: Anne (Greenthaner) Kriger; son: R. Caleb; daughter: Katherine.  Funeral: April 13, 2024, Pinole, Calif.

LOOSE, RODNEY WAYNE REV., Sept. 9, 1938, Chilton, Wis., to May 8, 2024, Delta, Colo.; son of Elmer and Gertrude (Lau) Loose; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966.  Served 1966-2011.  Ministries/Parishes: Sulphur, Shreveport, La.; Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.; Osceola, Iowa; Jackson, Miss.; Paonia, Colo. Southern District Circuit Visitor 1980-1994.  Retired 2011.  Survivors: Vera (Strelow) Loose; son: Curtis; daughters: Grace, Suzanne.  Funeral and Interment: May 11, 2024, Delta, Colo.

LUDWIG, THOMAS A. SR. REV., June 30, 1955, Kokomo, Ind., to April 4, 2024, Kokomo, Ind.; son of Kermit and Lillian (Kerkhoff) Ludwig; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2010.  Served 2010-2024.  Ministries/Parishes: Kokomo, Arcadia, Ind. Preceded in death by his wife Judith (Metcalf) Ludwig. Survivors: Susan (McKinley) Ludwig; sons: Thomas Jr., Rev. Jordan McKinley, Mason McKinley; daughters: Jennifer Bollnow, Kimberly Jones, Stephanie King.  Funeral: April 10, 2024, Kokomo, Ind.; Interment: April 10, 2024, Howard County, Ind.

NEUMANN, LEONARD C. REV., July 19, 1939, Ida Grove, Iowa, to April 13, 2024, Greenwood, Ind.; son of Carl and Elvira (Schwenk) Neumann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965.  Served 1965-1984; 1985-1987; 2001-2006.  Ministries/Parishes: Spencer, Lynch, Norfolk, Neb.; Burlington, Iowa; Florence, Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Pevely, Mo.; Vincennes, Ind.; Mt. Carmel, Ill.  Retired 2006.  Survivors: Miriam (Maassel) Neumann; son: Matthew; daughter: Anne Marie.  Funeral: April 19, 2024, Greenwood, Ind.

POERSCHKE, JAMES PAUL REV., Feb. 7, 1936, N. Tonawanda, N.Y., to April 2, 2024, Anaheim Hills, Calif.; son of Paul and Verona (Cone) Poerschke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1970; 1971-2001.  Ministries/Parishes: Kalamazoo, Portage, Mich.; U.S. Navy Chaplain; Whittier, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Retired 2001.  Survivors: Janet (Roth) Poerschke; sons: John, David.  Funeral: Anaheim, Calif.; Interment: April 19, 2024, Riverside, Calif.

REPP, ARTHUR CHRISTIAN JR. REV., July 11, 1934, San Antonio, Texas, to March 27, 2024, Florissant, Mo.; son of Rev. Dr. Arthur and Wilhelmina (Witt) Repp; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961.  Served 1961-1999.  Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Bel-Nor, Mo. Retired 1999.  Survivors: Sharon (Brunworth) Repp; son: Arthur; daughters: Andrea, Angela McDonnell, Amy.  Funeral: April 6, 2024, Bel-Nor, Mo.

SCHEIDT, PAUL ARTHUR REV., April 15, 1936, Lexington, Ky., to April 5, 2024, Chesterfield, Mo.; Rev. Arthur and Leonora (Hoyer) Scheidt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961.  Served 1961-2000.  Ministries/Parishes: Wapakoneta, Sidney, Ohio; Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Retired 2000.  Survivors: Edythe (Doerring) Scheidt; daughters: Cindy Regan, Christy, Carla Cox.  Funeral: April 15, 2024, Chesterfield, Mo.

SLUBERSKI, THOMAS RICHARD REV. DR., Dec. 7, 1939, Jersey City, N.J., to March 2, 2024, Bronxville, N.Y.; son of Walter and Anna (Gall) Sluberski; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966.  Served 1969-2024.  Ministries/Parishes: Valparaiso, Ind.; Bronxville, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.; Russia; Brazil.  Funeral: March 9, 2024, Bronxville, N.Y.; Interment: March 9, 2024, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.

STOLZ, NORDEAN A. REV., March 20, 1940, Waseca, Minn., to March 18, 2024, Minneapolis, Minn.; son of Charles and Adeline (Priebe) Stolz; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1980.  Served 1980-2024.  Ministries/Parishes: Ogilvie, Crosby, Iron Hub, Minn.; Pana, Ill. Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1991-1997. Preceded in death by his son Jeff Stolz.  Survivors: Janet (Wilson) Stolz; son: Travis. Funeral: April 13, 2024, Crosby, Minn.; Interment: April 13, 2024, Aitkin, Minn.

STREUFERT, NORBERT ARTHUR REV., Aug. 22, 1928, Chicago, Ill., to March 29, 2024, N. Oaks, Minn.; son of Rev. Arthur and Lillian (Fruendt) Streufert; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953.  Served 1954-1988.  Ministries/Parishes: Sioux Falls, S.D.; Melrose Park, Ill., Seward, Neb. Retired 1999.  Preceded in death by his wife Eunice (Cordes) Streufert and daughter Ann.  Survivors: sons: John, Victor, David; daughter: Beth Steigerwalt. Funeral and Interment: April 13, 2024, White Bear Lake, Minn.

COMMISSIONED

CROWE, ELIZABETH MARIE, Jan. 29, 1953, Queens, N.Y., to Jan. 10, 2024, Cape Coral, Fla.; daughter of Edward and Mildred (Berg) Crowe; graduated River Forest 1974.  Served 1974-2013.  Schools/Ministries: Hilbert, Wis.; Hollis Hills, Maspeth, N.Y.  Retired 2013.  Funeral: Flushing, N.Y.; Interment: March 23, 2024, Ft. Myers, Fla.

HOLTZ, ROBERT EARL DR., Jan. 20, 1933, Plato, Minn., to April 20, 2024, St. Paul, Minn.; son of Reuben and Bertha (Rolf) Holtz; graduated Seward 1955. Served 1955-1998. Schools/Ministries: Albany, N.Y.; St. Paul. Minn. Retired 1998. Survivors: Lois (Brakenhoff) Holtz; sons: Joel, Timothy, Michael, Jon; daughter: Debra. Funeral: April 27, 2024, St. Paul. Minn.; Interment: Roseville, Minn.

KOERSCHEN, JOEL H., Sept. 5, 1949, Glencoe, Minn., to April 23, 2024, San FrancIsco, Calif.; graduated St. Paul 1971. Served 1972-1987; 1988-2018. Schools/Ministries: Colorado Springs, Menlo Park, Colo.; Ogden, Utah; Austin, Texas; Livermore, Calif. Retired 2018. Survivors: Carolyn Koerschen; son: J.W.; daughter: Claire. Memorial Service: May 11, 2024, Redwood City, Calif.

MARA, RODNEY JOHN, June 14, 1951, Alameda, Calif., to March 29, 2024, Lodi, Calif.; son of John and Edna (Hans) Mara; graduated Seward 1979. Served 1981-2013. Schools/Ministries: Little Rock, Ark.; Havertown, Pa.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Stockton, Lodi, Calif. Retired 2013. Survivors: Julie (Schellhas) Mara; son: Joshua; daughter: Patricia. Celebration of Life: May 4, 2024, Lodi, Calif.; cremation.

MOORMAN, JILL LOUISE (ROSENBERG), June 7, 1971, Florissant, Mo., to Feb. 23, 2024, Long Beach, Calif.; daughter of Rev. Robert and Sandra (Pabst) Rosenberg; graduated Seward 1995.  Served 1996, 2001-2024.  Schools/Ministries: Murray, Utah; Long Beach, Calif.  Survivors: Rev. Seth Moorman; daughters: Marissa, Mariah.  Memorial Service: March 16, 2024, Anaheim, Calif.

ROWELL, CAROLYNN W. (WAHLSTROM), April 30, 1940, Highland Park, Mich., to Dec. 14, 2023, Cameron Park, Calif.; daughter of Harold and Signe Wahlstrom; colloquy 1995.  Served 1995-2001.  School/Ministry: Long Beach, Calif. Retired 2005.  Preceded in death by her husband David Rowell.  Survivors: son: Breck; daughter: Brenda Campeau.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 9, 2024, Cypress, Calif.

SCHROEDER, MELVIN H., Oct. 25, 1939, Great Bend, Kan.; to May 5, 2024, Tinley Park, Ill.; son of Peter and Irene (Carl) Schroeder; graduated Seward 1961. Served 1961-1999. Schools/Ministries: Houston, Texas; Hong Kong; Harper Woods, Mich.; Memphis, Tenn.; Chicago, Ill. Retired 1999. Survivors: Karen (Birkes) Schroeder; son: Timothy; daughters: Lynda Stencel, Suzanne, Nanci Griffin. Funeral and Interment: May 10, 2024, Tinley Park, Ill.

WEGNER, RICHARD TIMOTHY, Sept. 9, 1947, Sheboygan, Wis., to April 1, 2024, Shawano, Wis.; son of Rev. Mark and Gladys (Koepper) Wegner; graduated River Forest 1969.  Served 1969-2011.  Schools/Ministries: Tipton, Ind.; Milwaukee, Random Lake, Wis.; Austin, Minn.  Retired 2011.  Survivors: Carol (Leininger) Wegner; sons: James, Jeffrey; daughter: Janette Thompson.  Funeral and Interment: April 6, 2024, Bonduel, Wis.