In Memoriam (May 2024)

IN MEMORIAM (May 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

BALZER, JAMES GEORGE REV., Jan. 31, 1939, Unionville, Mich., to Feb. 1, 2024, Sturgis, Mich.; son of Alexander and Eva (Jacoby) Balzer; colloquy 1997.  Served 1997-2007.  Ministry/Parish: Britton, Mich. Retired 2007.  Preceded in death by his son Craig Balzer.  Survivors: Phyllis (Behnke) Balzer; son: Bryan; daughters: Pamela Reed, Amy Pemberton.  Funeral and Interment: Feb. 10, 2024, Sturgis, Mich.

BORGES, GARY F. REV., Aug. 19, 1934, Cleveland, Ohio, to Jan. 24, 2024, Salem, Ore.; son of Frederick and Loretta (Keller) Borges; graduated Springfield Seminary 1960.  Served 1960-1999.  Ministries/Parishes: Seattle, Port Angeles, Wash.; Salem, Ore. Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1968-1978.  Retired 1999.  Survivors: Joanne (Jaech) Borges; son: Marcus; daughter: Christine Olson.  Funeral: Feb. 10, 2024, Salem, Ore.

BROGAARD, JOHN CHRIST REV., Sept. 9, 1940, Chicago, Ill., to Feb. 11, 2024, Verona, Wis.; son of Fred and Caroline (Hegarty) Brogaard; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970.  Served 1970-2006.  Ministries/Parishes: Norton, Kan.; Two Rivers, Omro, Wis.; S. Sioux City, Neb. Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 1984-1996; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 2001-2006.  Retired 2006.  Preceded in death by his son Daniel Brogaard.  Survivors: Jean (Pfitzer) Brogaard; son: Andrew; daughter: Kristin.  Interment: Fremont, Wis.

CLEMONS, DANIEL FLOYD REV., June 29, 1944, Grand Rapids, Mich., to Jan. 30, 2024; son of Floyd and Sadie (deVries) Clemons; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1990.  Served 1990-1992, 1995-2014.  Ministries/Parishes: Willmar, Virginia, Minn.; Newberry, Paradise, Mich. Preceded in death by his son Timothy Clemons. Survivors: Ellen (Wellfare) Clemons; son: John; daughter: Sheri Colling.  Memorial Service: Feb. 18, 2024, Howard City, Mich.

EVENS, THOMAS LEE REV., Jan. 8, 1944, Toledo, Ohio, to Jan. 22, 2024, Yucaipa, Calif.; son of Walter and Bettie Evens; colloquy 2014.  Joined LCMS as emeritus 2014.  Survivors: Nadine (Zadanowsky) Evens; sons: Peter, Timothy, David, Joseph, Michael; daughter: Marie.  Funeral: Jan. 31, 2024, Yucaipa, Calif.; Interment: Jan. 31, 2024, Calimesa, Calif.

HALL, ROBERT KURTZ REV., May 22, 1937, Maywood, Ill., to Feb. 19, 2024, Carmel, Ind.; son of Bruce and Gladys Hall; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970.  Served 1970-1989, 1990-2002.  Ministries/Parishes: Edwardsville, Madison, S. Bend, Tell City, Ind.; Elizabethtown, Lexington, Ky. Retired 2002.  Survivors: Patricia (Thiel) Hall; son: Craig; daughters: Cherie, Windy, Pattie Benson, Debbie Gish.  Funeral: Feb. 22, 2024, Fishers, Ind.; Interment: Feb. 23, 2024, Elmhurst, Ill.

HENSLIN, DAVID DWIGHT REV., July 3, 1945, Roseau, Minn., to Feb. 9, 2024, Rochester, Minn.; son of Marvin and Lucille (Krueger) Henslin; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1983.  Served 1983-1989, 1990-1994, 1997-1999.  Ministries/Parishes: Rochester, St. Charles, Elgin, Minn.  Retired 2013.  Survivors: Sandra (Hall) Henslin; sons: Eric, Brent; daughter: Heather.  Memorial Service: Feb. 16, 2024, Rochester, Minn.

ILTEN, JAMES BRUCE REV., Sept. 29, 1932, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Jan. 30, 2024, Lombard, Ill.; son of Robert and Hulda (Brammer) Ilten; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1958-2003. Ministries/Parishes: River Forest, Chicago, Lombard, Ill.; Newtown, Conn. Northern Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1994-1997. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by his wife Nadine (Lindhorst) Ilten. Survivors: daughters: Janet, Julie, Kathleen Heller, Karla Menze.  Funeral: Feb. 5, 2024, Lombard, Ill; Interment: Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

KASS, ROBERT EDWARD REV., Aug. 6, 1926, Duluth, Minn., to Nov. 29, 2023, Evanston, Ill.; son of Albert and Lydia (Rennert) Kass; graduated Springfield Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Lakota, Southam, Michigan, N.D.; Riesel, Texas; Chicago, Mt. Prospect, Ill.; Taylor, Mich. North Dakota District Circuit Visitor; Texas District Circuit Visitor; Northern Illinois District Circuit Visitor; Michigan District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wife Grace (Frederick) Kass. Survivors: son: Rev. Stephen; daughters: Monica Rogers, Rebecca.  Funeral: Dec. 6, 2023, Evanston, Ill.; Interment: Dec. 6, 2023, Mt. Prospect, Ill.

KENT, THOMAS GEORGE REV., Dec. 27, 1936, Peoria, Ill., to Dec. 11, 2023, Arvada, Colo.; son of Clarence and Edith (Oesterle) Kent; colloquy 1980.  Served 1980-1983, 1985-1989.  Ministries/Parishes: Preston, Kan.; Denver, Colo. Retired 2003.  Survivors: son: Michael; daughter: Angela Click. Celebration of Life: Dec. 18, 2023, Arvada, Colo.

KRETZSCHMAR, ROBERT JAMES REV., July 30, 1943, Monroe, Mich., to Feb. 8, 2024, Bel Air, Md.; son of Rev. Carl and Bernice (Bendel) Kretzschmar; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969.  Served 1969-1975, 1978-2012.  Ministries/Parishes: Roselle, Ill.; Towson, Baltimore, Md. Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 1991-1993.  Survivors: Diane (Hoopert) Kretzschmar; sons: Ian, James III, Matthew, Brendan; daughter: Tracy Clements. Memorial Service: March 2, 2024, Baltimore, Md.

KUBE, BERNHARD OTTO REV., April 10, 1937, Detroit, Mich., to Jan. 25, 2024, Roseburg, Ore.; son of Edward and Martha (Mueller) Kube; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964.  Served 1964-1998.  Ministries/Parishes: Yakima, Wash.; Detroit, Tawas City, Mich.; Sutherlin, Ore. Retired 1998. Survivors: Carol (Weier) Kube; sons: David, Kevin. Funeral: Feb. 25, 2024, Sutherlin, Ore.

LILIENKAMP, CARL R. REV. DR., March 10, 1951, Lockwood, Mo., to Jan. 13, 2024, Wayne, Neb.; son of Gilbert and Elnora (Brinkhoff) Lilienkamp; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1977.  Served 1977-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Madison, Staplehurst, Columbus, Arapahoe, Wayne, Neb. Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 1990-1992.  Survivors: Darlene (Oehlert) Lilienkamp; sons: Daniel, Adam, Ben; daughter: Krista Young.  Funeral: Jan. 20, 2024, Wayne, Neb.; Interment: Jan. 20, 2024, Columbus, Neb.

LYDICK, ROBERT ROY REV., May 27, 1947, Jamaica, Long Island, N.Y., to Feb. 4, 2024, Panama City Beach, Fla.; son of Allen and Jerri (Tompkins) Lydick; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1997.  Served 1997-2013, 2017-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Evergreen, Colo.; Panama City Beach, Panama City, Fla. Retired 2020.  Survivors: Nancy (Brandenburg) Lydick; daughters: Christina Kirkwood, Jerri Mitchell, Laura.  Funeral: Feb. 8, 2024, Panama City Beach, Fla.; Interment: Panama City, Fla.

OROZCO, JULIO ALBERTO REV., Jan. 16, 1941, Barranquilla, Columbia, to Nov. 25, 2023, Arlington Heights, Ill.; son of Rev. Julio and Carmen Orozco; graduated Springfield Seminary 1972. Served 1972-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Queens, N.Y.; Hialeah, Fla. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by his daughter Elizabeth Orozco. Survivors: Marie Orozco; son: Julio; daughters: Marilu Peterson, Christine Gorgen, Diana Pedersen. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 4, 2023, Arlington Heights, Ill.

PIERCE, ROBERT JAMES REV., Dec. 13, 1939, Chicago, Ill., to Dec. 31, 2023, Ogallala, Neb.; son of Glenden and Bessie (Anderson) Pierce; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966.  Served 1966-2019.  Ministries/Parishes: Schuyler, Waco, Ogallala, Neb. Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 2003-2015.  Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his daughter Laura Pierce. Survivors: Bonita (Beck) Pierce; daughters: Michelle Degenhardt, Kristina Schilke. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 5, 2024, Ogallala, Neb.

REEHL, CHARLES WILLIAM REV., Sept. 27, 1932, Oshkosh, Wis., to Feb. 18, 2024, Van Dyne, Wis.; son of George and Meta Reehl; colloquy 1979.  Served 1979-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Necedah, New Miner, Town of Menasha, Kewaskum, New Fane, Wis. Retired 2003. Survivors: Kathleen (White) Reehl; sons: Timothy, Thomas, Stephen; daughter: Sarah Gabbei. Funeral: Feb. 29, 2024, Oshkosh, Wis.

REUNING, WALTER H. REV., June 22, 1931, Manchester, N.H., to Feb. 1, 2024, Norwood, Mass.; son of Rev. Walter and Wanda (Woblgemuth) Reuning; graduated St. Lous Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1997.  Ministries/Parishes: Palm Springs, Twenty-nine Palms, Hot Springs, Calif.; Boston, Mass. New England District Circuit Visitor 1992-2012.  Preceded in death by his wife Donna (Peters) Reuning. Survivors: son: Jonathan; daughters: Mary Kraus, Joy MacLeod. Funeral: Feb. 6, 2024, Dedham, Mass.; Interment: Feb. 6, 2024, W. Roxbury, Mass.

ROSENBLADT, WILLIAM RODNEY REV. DR., Jan. 3, 1942, Tacoma, Wash., to Feb. 2, 2024, Westminster, Calif.; son of William and Maxine (Munsen) Rosenbladt; colloquy 1987. Served 1987-2016. Ministry/Parish: Irvine, Calif. Retired 2016. Survivors: son: Theodore; daughter: Erin Naomi. Memorial Service: March 10, 2024, Irvine, Calif.; Gravesite Service and Interment: Feb. 15, 2024, University Place, Wash.

SENG, DAN L. REV., April 3, 1939, Roanoke, Ind., to Jan. 20, 2024, Battle Creek, Mich.; son of Homer and Mildred (Yentes) Seng; graduated Springfield Seminary 1968.  Served 1968-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Ironwood, Battle Creek, Mich.; Saxon, Chippewa Falls, Wis. Retired 2001.  Preceded in death by his son Paul Seng. Survivors: Linda (Andresen) Seng; sons: Timothy, Matthew; daughter: Rebekah. Funeral: Jan. 29, 2024, Battle Creek, Mich.; Interment: Battle Creek, Mich.

WEHRSPANN, DAN THOMAS REV., Aug. 8, 1949, Kingsley, Iowa, to Jan. 24, 2024, Cornelius, Ore.; son of Rev. EJ and Carmen Wehrspann; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Spencer, Rapid City, S.D.; Portland, Roseburg, Ore. Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 2015.  Preceded in death by his wife Linda (Zehe) Wehrspann. Survivors: Katrina (Moe) Wehrspann; son: Micah; daughter: Kristi Maeng. Celebration of Life: Feb. 10, 2024, Hillsboro, Ore.

WERDIN, GREGORY GEORGE REV., Jan. 1, 1950, Freeport, Ill., to Feb. 10, 2024, Sun City W., Ariz.; son of Theodore and Bernice (Gieseke) Werdin; graduated Springfield Seminary 1976. Served 1976-2010, 2013-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Natchitoches, La.; Burlington, Ill.; Ypsilanti, Mich.; Simcoe, Ontario, Canada; Albuquerque, N.M.; Wickenburg, Congress, Ariz. Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 2018-2024.  Survivors: Beth (Elbert) Werdin; son: Ted; daughter: Rachel Van Zele. Funeral: Feb. 18, 2024, Sun City W., Ariz.

WOLF, BLAKE G. REV., Oct. 31, 1950, Youngstown, Ohio, to Feb. 13, 2024, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; son of William and Louise (Fiess) Wolf; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1977.  Served 1977-1997, 1999-2017. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Oakville, Affton, Mo. Retired 2017. Survivors: Deborah (Samuel) Wolf; son: Joshua; daughters: Angela, Kayla. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 20, 2024, Lee’s Summit, Mo.

YOUNG, PAUL VICTOR REV., July 5, 1948, Racine, Wis., to Jan. 30, 2024, Midland, Mich.; son of Ernest and Evelyn (McCool) Young; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1988.  Served 1988-2013, 2014-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Hillpoint, Loganville, Oconomowoc, Wis.; Sanford, Clare, Mich. Michigan District Circuit Visitor 2006-2024. Survivors: Cindy (Charron) Young; daughters: Abigail, Jessica Harrold. Funeral: Feb. 9, 2024, Midland, Mich.; Interment: Feb. 9, 2024, Alpena, Mich.

COMMISSIONED

HARTMANN, DELLA J. (EVERTS), June 16, 1928, Grafton, Neb., to Feb. 7, 2024, Seward, Neb.; daughter of Reinhard and Etta (Baumann) Everts; graduated Seward 1951. Served 1974-1992. Schools/Ministries: Staplehurst, Hastings, Neb. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by her husband Donald Hartmann. Survivors: sons: Steven, David; daughters: Gayle Bayer, Lori Uden, Lonna Richters. Funeral: Feb. 15, 2024, Seward, Neb.; Interment: Seward, Neb.

HETZ, ELLEN MARIE (STAHL), May 21, 1940, St. Louis, Mo., to Jan. 26, 2024, St. Louis, Mo.; daughter of John and Alfretta (Wilkening) Stahl; graduated River Forest 1962.  Served 1980-2004. Schools/Ministries: St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by her husband Ronald Hetz, Survivors: son: Ross; daughter: Rachel Hofman. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 3, 2024, St. Louis, Mo.

HOPPMANN, NORMAN GLEN, Jan. 9, 1937, Garden County, Neb., to Jan. 11, 2024, Omaha, Neb.; son of Henry and Lydia Hoppmann; graduated Seward 1960. Served 1960-1999. Schools/Ministries: Poplar Bluff, Affton, Emma, Mo.; Columbus, Neb.; Amarillo, Texas; Evansville, Ind.; Watertown, Wis. Retired 1999. Survivors: Jeanette (Stuthman) Hoppmann; sons: Dan, Jon; daughters: Karen O’Brien, Sara Conrad. Funeral: Jan. 16, 2024, Elkhorn, Neb.; Interment: Jan. 16, 2024, Pilger, Neb.

KROMPHARDT, WILBUR FREDERICK, Aug. 28, 1929, W. Seneca, N.Y., to Jan. 16, 2024, Wheatfield, N.Y.; son of Clarence and Rose (Grotke) Kromphardt; graduated River Forest 1953. Served 1953-1995. Schools/Ministries: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cleveland, Ohio; Eustis, Fla.; Glendale, Niagara Falls, N.Y. Retired 1995. Survivors: Carol (Meissner) Kromphardt; son: David; daughters: Sandra London, Sharon Neuman. Funeral: Jan. 22, 2024, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Interment: W. Seneca, N.Y.

MIESSLER, MARK LAMBERT, June 16, 1963, New Orleans, La., to Feb. 5, 2024, Orlando, Fla.; graduated River Forest 1986.  Served 1986-2008. Schools/Ministries: Plant City, N. Miami, Panama City, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Wichita, Kan.; Pasadena, Texas; Tampa, Fla. Survivors: Marcia Miessler; sons: Michael, Matthew; daughter: Andrea Ponsor. Memorial Service: Feb. 13, 2024, Oviedo, Fla.

PFLIEGER, ROBERT WILLIAM, Feb. 18, 1935, Chicago, Ill., to Feb. 15, 2024, Lincoln, Neb.; son of William and Bernice (Holt) Pflieger; graduated River Forest 1956. Served 1956-1998. Schools/Ministries: Seward, Neb.; Chicago, Ill. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his daughter Wendy Offermann. Survivors: Donna (Wilson) Pflieger; son: Thomas; daughter: Sandra Drewel. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 20, 2024, Seward, Neb.

RAABE, DEAN WARREN, Dec. 13, 1946, W. Point, Neb., to Jan. 15, 2024, Omaha, Neb.; son of Warren and Sylvia Raabe; graduated Seward 1970. Served 1970-1978, 2004-2013. Schools/Ministries: Milwaukee, Wis.; Houston, Texas, Omaha, Neb. Retired 2013. Survivors: Linda (Pawluk) Raabe; son: Chris; daughters: Angela Firuccia, Holly Leeds. Funeral: Jan. 22, 2024, Omaha, Neb.; Interment: Beemer, Neb.

SCHMIDT, ARNOLD EDGAR DR., Sept. 19, 1934, Deshler, Neb., to Nov. 9, 2023, Union, Mo.; son of Fred and Helene (Krenke) Schmidt; graduated Seward 1956. Served 1956-1969, 1977-2000.  Schools/Ministries: Rosebud, St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2000.  Survivors: Ruth (Heidbrink) Schmidt; son: Eric; daughters: Julie Price, Jennifer Klenke. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 14, 2023, Union, Mo.

SCHROEDER, ARNOLD RICHARD, Nov. 22, 1938, Moline, Ill., to Nov. 2, 2023, Portage, Ind.; son of H. Arnold and Mary Ann (Harsha) Schroeder; graduated Seward 1960. Served 1960-2001. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Homewood, Ill.; Ft. Wayne, Monroeville, Ossian, Hobart, Ind. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wife Mary (Hudson) Schroeder. Survivors: sons: Arnie, Stephen; daughters: Amy Kunas, Emily Salmon. Funeral: Nov. 11, 2023, Hobart, Ind.; Interment: Nov. 13, 2023, McCool, Ind.

SERCK, LEAH MAE DR., Feb. 27, 1934, O’Neill, Neb., to Feb. 19, 2024, Seward, Neb.; daughter of William and Etta (Reimers) Serck; graduated Seward 1958. Served 1974-2002. School/Ministry: Seward, Neb. Retired 2002. Funeral: March 2, 2024, Seward, Neb.; Interment: Chambers, Neb.