In Memoriam (April 2025)

IN MEMORIAM (April 2025)

            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

BACHMAN, JAMES VERNON REV. DR., June 14, 1946, Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Oct. 25, 2024, Estes Park, Colo.; son of Merle and Louise Bachman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1972. Served 1972-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Lake City, Tallahassee, Fla.; Valparaiso, Ind.; Irvine, Calif. Retired 2019. Survivors: Susan (Happel) Ortmeyer Bachman, who has since passed away in October 2024, sons: Josh, Nate; daughter: Katie. Celebration of Life: Oct. 29, 2024, Estes Park, Colo.

BERTRAM, EDWARD GARDUS REV., Nov. 21, 1935, Ambur, India, to Dec. 20, 2024, Arlington Heights, Ill.; son of Rev. Walter and Emilie (Franke) Bertram; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1961-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Chiavi, Hsien Tsao Pu, Taiwan; Greendale, Wis.; Addison, Roselle, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo.; Etowah, N.C. Retired 2009. Survivors: Marilyn (Rittamel) Bertram; sons: Rev. Anthony, Martin, Richard; daughters: Charissa Oleskow, Alethea Gaston. Memorial Service: Feb. 8, 2025, Mt. Prospect, Ill.

CAMPBELL, DAVID E. REV. DR., Jan. 16, 1932, Denver, Colo., to Dec. 2, 2024, Phoenix, Ore.; son of George and Bendena (Hilderbrand) Campbell; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1964-1986, 1989-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Central Point, Ashland, Ore.; Seattle Wash.; Survivors: son: Jason; daughter: Erin. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 21, 2025, Eagle Point, Ore.

DEDE, JOHN QUINTUS REV., Dec. 1, 1931, Milwaukee, Wis., to Jan.3, 2025, Americus, Ga.; son of Rev. Albert and Alma (Stass) Dede; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Nigeria; Ft. Lauderdale, Perrine, Leesburg, Fla. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Virginia (Stallmann) Dede and daughter Jocelyn Moore. Survivors: son: Charles; daughters: Susan Heckler, Elizabeth. Memorial Service: Mar. 15, 2025, Plains, Ga. Interment: Americus, Ga.

DEHNKE, GARY DALE REV., Oct. 7, 1943, Eau Claire, Wis., to Dec. 27, 2024, Grayson, Ga.; son of Adolph and Lilly (Honadel) Dehnke; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1984. Served 1984-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Algona, Iowa; St. Louis, Mo. Iowa West District Circuit Visitor 1986-1990; Missouri District Circuit Visitor 2006-2009; Florida Georgia District Circuit Visitor 2021-2022. Retired 2009. Survivors: Christine (Poynter) Dehnke; sons: Nathan, Benjamin, Joshua; daughter: Elizabeth Carter. Memorial Service: Jan. 18, 2025, Tucker, Ga.; Interment: Fall Creek, Wis.

GREENE, DAVID LEE REV., Jan. 24, 1950, Fredericksburg, Va., to Nov. 10, 2024, Lafayette, La.; son of Frank Jr. and Helen (Faustermann) Greene; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2002. Served 2002-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Crowley, Iota, La. Southern District Circuit Visitor 2009-2012. Survivors: Deborah (Capelle) Greene; sons: Rev. Frank III, Donald; daughters: Elizabeth Mayeux, Elaine Eves. Funeral: Nov. 15, 2024, Crowley, La.; Interment: Nov. 15, 2024, Jennings, La.

HUNSICKER, PAUL CARL SR. REV. DR., Sept. 17, 1951, Wausau, Wis., to Jan. 2, 2025, Weston, Wis.; son of Carl and Lorraine (Mertes) Hunsicker; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1984. Served 1984-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Adrian, Iron River, Amasa, Mich.; Abbotsford, Colby, Wis. North Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 2009-2013. Retired 2015. Survivors: Susan (Zinter) Hunsicker; sons: Paul Jr., David. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 11, 2025, Wausau, Wis.

KLOEHN, GORDON ALVIN REV., May 12, 1936, Marshfield, Wis., to Dec. 28, 2024, Spokane, Wash.; son of Reinhold and Agnes (Reckner) Kloehn; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Holland, Woodstock, Minn.; Selma, Ala.; U.S. Air Force Military Chaplain; Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Spokane, Wash. Retired 1997. Survivors: Joanne (Seehafer) Kloehn; sons: Paul, Mark; daughters: Kristi Jones, Kelly Selby. Celebration of Life: Jan. 4, 2025, Spokane, Wash.

KRETZMANN, JAMES PAUL REV., Aug. 10, 1949, Kowloon, Hong Kong, to Jan. 10, 2025, Cedar Park, Texas; son of Rev. Herbert and Dorothy (Meier) Kretzmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2004. Served 2005-2009, 2010-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Taylor, Raymondville, Texas. Retired 2015. Survivor: Norma Jean (Rader) Kretzmann. Funeral: Jan. 17, 2025, Cedar Park, Texas; Interment: Jan. 23, 2025, Howard City, Mich.

MANGELSDORF, KENNETH DONALD REV., Mar. 7, 1937, Moline, Ill., to Dec. 25, 2024, Mishawaka, Ind.; son of Herman and Marie (Geiger) Mangelsdorf; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1965-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Edinburg, Rochester, Ill.; Mishawaka, Ind. Retired 2015. Survivors: Anne (Strieter) Mangelsdorf; son: Mark; daughters: Kristine Harvey, Kathryn Meyer. Funeral: Dec. 30, 2024, Mishawaka, Ind.; Interment: Dec. 31, 2024, Rock Island, Ill.

MASHEK, JOHN D. REV., April 24, 1950, Akron, Ohio, to Dec. 21, 2024, Ohio; son of Steve and Ethel Mashek; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1980. Served 1980-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Johnstown, Central City, Pa.; Norton, Ohio. Retired 2016. Memorial Service: Jan. 11, 2025, Norton, Ohio.

NOVOTNEY, ROBERT LOUIS REV., May 14, 1929, Streator, Ill., to Dec. 13, 2024, Chilton, Wis.; son of Andrew and Anna (Sedory) Novotney; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Woodworth, N.D.; Jackson, Alpha, Minn.; Milwaukee, Watertown, Chilton, Wis. Retired 1992. Survivors: Marjorie (Murray) Novotney; son: Aaron; daughter: Angela. Funeral: Dec. 21, 2024, Chilton, Wis.

RAUSCHEK, CHARLES AUGUST REV., May 31, 1937, Decatur, Ill., to Aug. 30, 2024, Hickory, N.C.; son of August and Edith (Drops) Rauschek; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Auburn, Lompoc, Chino Hills, Calif.; Springfield, Ore. Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1993-1997. Retired 2002. Survivors: Phyllis (Moenning) Rauschek; daughters: Deborah Lundberg, Laura Stevens. Funeral and Inurnment: Sept. 14, 2024, Conover, N.C.

RIEMER, FREDERICK MAX REV., Jan. 22, 1931, Flint, Mich., to Jan. 8, 2025, Springfield, Ill.; son of Rev. Ora and Anita (Knoll) Riemer; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Dryden, Dinorwic, Waldhoff, Ontario, CANADA; Connersville, Ind.; Findlay, Ohio; Jacksonville, Ill.; Atlanta, Texas. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Betty (Koss) Riemer and son Timothy. Survivors: Judith (Lovekamp) Riemer; son: Daniel; daughters: Deborah O’Dell, Rebecca Nehrt. Funeral: Jan. 13, 2025, Jacksonville, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 13, 2025, Altamont, Ill.

SUTTON, CHRISTOPHER JAMES REV., Nov. 12, 1977, Ark., to Oct. 22, 2024, Calif.; son of James and Olivia Sutton; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2007. Served 2007-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Gulfport, Miss.; U.S. Navy Chaplain. Survivors: Christian (Kersten) Sutton; daughters: Katelyn, Bella. Funeral: Nov. 2, 2024, Oceanside, Calif. Memorial Service: Nov. 7, 2024, San Diego, Calif.

ZOEBL, GEORGE THEODORE REV. DR., Aug. 31, 1949, Oak Park, Ill., to Dec. 23, 2024, Columbus, Ohio; son of George and Marion (Rothschild) Zoebl; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1981. Served 1981-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Ashland, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio. Survivors: Veronika (Rohde) Zoebl; son: Nathan; daughter: Natalie Waits. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 2, 2025, Columbus, Ohio.

COMMISSIONED

BONITZ, WILLAM CARL, April 2, 1928, Mellen, Wis., to Jan. 11, 2025, Greenwood, Ind.; son of Carl Jr. and Martha (Busse) Bonitz; graduated River Forest 1955.  Served 1955-1993.  Schools/Ministries: Seymour, Indianapolis, Ind.; Sheboygan, Wis.  Retired 1993.  Preceded in death by his wife Donna (Hackman) Bonitz and son David.  Survivors: Mark, Timothy. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 17, 2025, Indianapolis, Ind.

FINLEY, MARGARET ANN (THOMSON), March 5, 1938, to Nov. 26, 2024, San Francisco, Calif.; colloquy Irvine 1987.  Served 1989-2008.  School/Ministry: San Francisco, Calif. Retired 2008.  Preceded in death by her husband James Finley Jr. Survivors: daughters: Jean Guthrie, Margaret Twomey, Eileen Crouse. Funeral: Dec. 7, 2024, San Francisco, Calif.

GEHRS, PAULINE A., Dec. 16, 1947, Elmhurst, Ill., to Dec. 1, 2024, Oak Ridge, Tenn.; daughter of Carl and Pearl (Hitzke) Gehrs; graduated River Forest 1969.  Served 1974-2010.  Schools/Ministries: Tinley Park, Chicago, Ill. Retired 2010.  Funeral: Dec. 28, 2024, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

GOTSCH, MARILYN HELEN (MASCH), Feb. 8, 1932, Detroit, Mich., to Sept. 23, 2024, Oak Park, Ill.; daughter of Ernst and Henrietta Masch; graduated River Forest 1968.  Served 1980-1992.  School/Ministry: Hillside, Ill. Retired 1992.  Preceded in death by her husband Herbert Gotsch Jr. Survivors: daughters: Gwen, Linda Johnson, Karen Rohde. Funeral: Oct. 5, 2024, River Forest, Ill.

GRESENS, JOAN R. (VERTZ), Aug. 27, 1935, Two Rivers, Wis., to Dec. 8, 2024, Flossmoor, Ill.; daughter of Walter and Martha Vertz; graduated River Forest 1974.  Served 1974-1992.  School/Ministry: Dolton, Ill. Retired 2014. Preceded in death by her husband Ronald Gresens.  Survivors: sons: Jim, Phil. Funeral: April 5, 2025, Homewood, Ill.

GRUNST, NATHANIEL MARK, Oct. 27, 1939, Joliet, Ill., to Aug. 31, 2024, Tulsa, Okla.; son of Erwin and Gertrude (Zielke) Grunst; graduated River Forest 1961.  Served 1965-2002.  School/Ministry: Chicago, Ill. Retired 2002.  Preceded in death by his wife Cornelia (Feiertag) Grunst. Survivors: son: Marty; daughter: Cynthia Bednarz.  Memorial Service: Jan. 3, 2025, Albuquerque, N.M.

KAMMRATH, WILLIAM H., Oct. 8, 1942, Chicago, Ill., to Dec. 23, 2024, Maringo, Iowa; son of William and Ellen Kammrath; graduated River Forest 1964.  Served 1968-2011.  School/Ministry: River Forest, Ill.  Retired 2011.  Survivors: Connie (Buelow) Kammrath; sons: Andrew, Geoffrey; daughters: Aster, April Kenyon.  Funeral: Dec. 30, 2024, Newhall, Iowa.

KLOTZ, VERNER HALFPAP JR., Jan. 8, 1944, Riverside, Calif., to Dec. 26, 2024, Lombard, Ill.; son of Verner Sr. and Frieda (Reipke) Klotz; graduated River Forest 1968.  Served 1968-2017.  Schools/Ministries: Concordia, Mo.; River Forest, Ill. Retired 2017.  Survivors: Carol (Waldschlagel) Klotz; son: Craig; daughters: Cynthia Lewerke, Kimberly Webster.  Funeral: Jan. 11, 2025, Lombard, Ill.

LEMKE, MARK A., Feb. 21, 1954, New London, Wis., to Dec. 26, 2024, Seward, Neb.; son of Edwin and Ella (Bruns) Lemke; graduated Seward 1976.  Served 1976-2009.  Schools/Ministries: Harahan, La.; Cleveland, Ohio; Orlando, Fla.; Seward, Neb. Retired 2009. Survivors: Cynthia (Rickman) Lemke; son: Alexander; daughter: Crystal Solano. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 3, 2025, Seward, Neb.

PREUSS, ELVIRA AUGUSTA, Jan. 23, 1923, Seymour, Ind., to Dec. 5, 2024, Seymour, Ind.; daughter of William and Susanna (Lambertus) Preuss; graduated River Forest 1959.  Served 1974-1985.  School/Ministry: Seymour, Ind. Retired 1985.  Funeral and Interment: Dec. 11, 2024, Seymour, Ind.

VAN LANINGHAM, DOLORES JEANNE LYNNE (NEWTON, ZEHNER), Dec. 22, 1929, St. Louis, Mo., to Oct. 29, 2024, Lakewood, Colo.; daughter of William and Jeanne Newton; graduated Winfield 1949.  Served 1976-1992.  School/Ministry: Lakewood, Colo. Retired 1992.  Preceded in death by her husbands Rev. Robert Zehnder and E. L. Van Laningham and stepchild Todd.  Survivors: sons: Michael, Tim, Tom; daughter: Tamara; stepchildren: Chris, Kirk, Jill.  Funeral: Nov. 11, 2024, Lakewood, Colo.; Interment: Nov. 11, 2024, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

WUERTZ, DUANE W., Aug. 9, 1935, Austin, Minn., to Jan. 5, 2025, Tawas City, Mich.; graduated Seward 1957.  Served 1957-1996.  School/Ministry: Richville, Mich. Retired 1996. Survivor: daughter: Wendy Johnson.