In Memoriam (May 2025)

IN MEMORIAM (May 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

ARNDT, WARREN BRUCE REV., April 12, 1940, Chicago, Ill., to Feb. 7, 2025, Troy, Mich.; son of Melvin and Gladys (Jarzomkowski) Arndt; graduated Springfield 1967. Served 1967-2015. Ministries/Parishes: New Guinea; Troy, Mich. Retired 2015. Survivors: Elise (Rehberger) Arndt; sons: Paul, David, John, Daniel; daughter: Elisabeth. Funeral: Feb. 15, 2025, Rochester, Mich.

BLOOM, WILLIAM W. JR. REV. DR., Sept. 22, 1939, Harvey, Ill., to Feb. 14, 2025, Charlottesville, Va.; son of William Sr. and Viola (Engel) Bloom; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Starkville, Miss.; Sweetwater, Seguin, Texas; Whitewater, Wis.; Holbrook, N.Y. Retired 2006. Survivors: Patsy (Alexander) Bloom; sons: William IV, Christopher; daughter: Alexia Bailey. Funeral: March 10, 2025, Charlottesville, Va.

BROCKOPP, ELROY DAVID REV., Oct. 21, 1925, Golden, Ill., to Feb. 1, 2025, Grand Haven, Mich.; son of Rev. William and Martha (Baumann) Brockopp; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1970, 1976-1990. Ministries/Parishes: Coldwater, Union City, Grand Rapids, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Krugler) Brockopp. Survivors: son: James; daughters: Judy Lovatt, Karen Hammer, Beth Paris. Memorial Service: Feb. 14, 2025, Grand Haven, Mich.

CORDES, DAROWIN E. REV., Feb. 19, 1935, Hillman, Mich., to Feb. 4, 2025, Manistee, Mich.; son of Herman and Emma (Krueger) Cordes; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1961-1973, 1974-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Rosebud, Drake, Mo.; Disco, Pontiac, Manistee, Mich. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wives Julie (Roth) Cordes and Janet (Nelson-Wild) Cordes. Survivors: sons: Daniel, Nelson Wild, David Wild; daughters: Leah, Karen Wild-Brown, Janet Wild, Susan Barnard. Funeral: Feb. 15, 2025, Manistee, Mich.

ETHERIDGE, DARYL HARVEY SR. REV., Feb. 10, 1952, Lockport, N.Y., to Jan. 31, 2025, Adrian, Mich.; son of Harvey and Evelyn (Arnold) Etheridge; graduated St. Catharines Seminary 1983. Served 1983-1996, 2011-2025. Ministries/Parishes: Secor, Ill., Owego, N.Y., Adrian, Blissfield, Mich. Survivors: Diane (Quester) Etheridge; sons: Joshua, Christian; daughters: Heather Bigelow, Katie. Funeral: Feb. 8, 2025, Adrian, Mich.; Cremation.

FLEMING, JAMES EDWARD REV., March 8, 1941, Memphis, Tenn., to Feb. 2, 2025, Rochester Hills, Mich.; son of Walter Hooks and Abriler (Fleming) Thomas; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2003. Served 2003. Ministry/Parish: Yonkers, N.Y. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his son James. Survivors: Geria (Hill) Fleming; daughter Sandra Cleveland. Memorial Service: Feb. 10, 2025, Troy, Mich.; Inurnment: Feb. 18, 2025, Troy, Mich.

FROEHLICH, RONALD GEORGE REV., March 17, 1930, Milwaukee, Wis., to Jan. 24, 2025, Wauwatosa, Wis.; son of George and Loretta (Meyer) Froehlich; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Trumbull, Conn. New England District 4^th Vice-President 1989-1991. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Judith (Ahlers) Froehlich. Survivors: son: Andrew; daughters: MaryJean Nelson, Lois Sanders, Beth Bridge. Celebration of Life: Feb. 8, 2025, Wauwatosa, Wis.

GIECK, WILLIAM RUDOLPH REV., July 22, 1931, Beiseker, Alberta, Canada, to Feb. 2, 2025, Federal Way, Wash.; son of John and Maria (Kafer) Gieck; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Delta, Paonia, Colo.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Chula Vista, Orange County, Calif.; Federal Way, Milton, Wash.; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA. Retired 1996. Survivors: Loretta (Rosnau) Gieck; sons: Michael, Timothy; daughters: Linda O’Connor, Lorie Morgan. Celebration of Life: Feb. 15, 2025, Milton, Wash.

HILL, MARK JEROME REV. DR., Oct. 18, 1954, Pontiac, Mich., to Feb. 19, 2025, Grand Blanc, Mich.; son of Rollin and Marion (Wells) Hill; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1980. Served 1980-2025. Ministries/Parishes: Alta Vista, Kan.; Dillsboro, Ind.; Coldwater, Utica, Saginaw, Roseville, Oxford, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio. Indiana District Circuit Visitor; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1997-1998. Survivors: Cora (Smith) Hill; daughters: Sarah Rogerson, Mary Mueller. Funeral: Feb. 24, 2025, Grand Blanc, Mich.

JASPER, LOUIS RUDOLPH REV. DR., May 19, 1934, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Feb. 3, 2025, Clifton Springs, N.Y.; son of Rudolph and Alice (Hogeman) Jasper; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1978, 1981-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Jackson Heights, N.Y.; HONG KONG. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his wife Joan (Weissbach) Jasper. Survivors: daughters: Julia Deal, Judith, Joanne Schmitt. Funeral: Feb. 13, 2025, Newark, N.Y.

JOHNSON, DAVID P. REV., Feb. 17, 1951, Omaha, Neb., to Nov. 16, 2024, Jackson, Mo.; son of John and Ester (Dyer) Johnon; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1979. Served 1979-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Midland, Mich.; Lincoln, Neb.; Jackson, Mo. Missouri District Circuit Visitor 2001-2009. Retired 2013. Survivors: Valerie (Oldenkamp) Johnson; son: Paul; daughters: Sara Knabe, Katie Chapman, Laura Boyle. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 21, 2024, Jackson, Mo.

KEUCK, RICHARD L. REV., Nov. 19, 1938, Sioux City, Iowa, to Feb. 27, 2025, Casper, Wyo.; son of Frederick and Juanita (Dragoo); graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1990. Served 1990-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Columbia, Hecla, S.D.; Lovell, Moorcroft, Sundance, Wyo. Retired 2000. Survivors: Arlene (Stumpf) Keuck; son: Craig; daughters: Christine Bonds, Kerri. Funeral and Interment: Mar. 7, 2025, Casper, Wyo.

KRAMER, HOWARD WILLIAM REV. DR., June 3, 1924, Uniontown, Mo., to Feb. 4, 2025, Columbia, Mo.; son of William and Renata (Welp) Kramer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1948. Served 1948-1990. Ministries/Parishes: Carthage, Des Peres, Mo.; Louisville, Ky.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.  Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his wife Valerie (Moeller) Kramer. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, Michael; daughters: Judith Van Andel, Ruth Zielke. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 8, 2025, Des Peres, Mo.

KUCENSKI, WILLIAM A. REV., Oct. 31, 1926, Scranton, Pa., to Jan. 4, 2025, Aurora, Ill.; son of August and Lona (Lisowski) Kucenski; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Waterloo, Iowa; Hinckley, Aurora, Ill. Northern Illinois District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1989. Preceded in death by his wife Doris (Timm) Kucenski and his sons Stephen, Robert, and James. Survivors: sons: Daniel, Michael, William II; daughters: Sharon Watkins, Jeanne Krumwiede, Joanne Miller. Funeral: Jan. 18, 2025, Montgomery, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 18, 2025, Aurora, Ill.

NAEGELE, WARREN LEROY REV. DR., April 11, 1933, Sylvan Grove, Kan., to Sept. 23, 2024, San Antonio, Texas; son of Edwin and Amanda (Witte) Naegele; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Dana, Dayton, Iowa; Olathe, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Nylene (Nolting) Naegele. Survivors: son: Stan; daughters: Cynthia Blankenship, Dawn Wallingford.

NUECHTERLEIN, LOUIS G. REV., Oct. 10, 1928, St. Joseph, Mich., to Jan. 25, 2025, Cheshire, Conn.; son of Rev. Louis and Gertrude (Schacht) Nuechterlein; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Cheshire, Conn. New England District Circuit Visitor 2011-2012. Retired 1994. Survivors: Gloria (Kinworthy) Nuechterlein; sons: John, Paul; daughters: Mary Brod, Anne Harney. Funeral and Inurnment: Feb. 7, 2025, Cheshire, Conn.

OLSON, ROGER WILLIAM REV., June 19, 1936, Holman, Wis., to Feb. 2, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of William and Agnes (Hewlitt) Olson; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1984. Served 1985-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Oklahoma City, Okla.; Ft. Wayne, Kendallville, Ind. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by his wife Loide (Schutes) Olson. Survivors: son: Charles; stepsons: Jeff Schutes, Paul Schutes, John Schutes. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 6, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

RICKUS, ROBERT LAWRENCE REV., Oct. 6, 1939, South Gate, Calif., to Jan. 25, 2025, Spencerport, N.Y.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1966-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Salisbury, Mo.; Tonawanda, N.Y. Retired 2003. Survivors: Katharine (Shinn) Rickus; sons: James, John; daughter: Karen. Celebration of Life: March 15, 2025, Rochester, N.Y.

SHUTA, RICHARD JOSEPH REV. DR., Feb. 6, 1939, Olyphant, Pa., to Jan. 4, 2025, Chelsea, Mich.; son of Joseph Shuta and Irene (Matushak) Shuta Mueller; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Seward, Neb.; Ann Arbor, Mich. Retired 2012. Funeral: Jan. 17, 2025, Dickson City, Pa.; Interment: Jan. 17, 2025, Peckville, Pa.

TORMOEHLEN, ALGER JOHN THEODORE REV., Feb. 9, 1932, Seymour, Ind., to Feb. 7, 2025, St. Charles, Mo.; son of Albert and Hilda (Stuckwisch) Tormoehlen; colloquy St. Louis 1977. Served 1977-1995, 2008-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Black Jack, St. Louis, Mo. Missouri District Circuit Visitor 1978-1988. Retired 2021. Survivors: Lois (Severin) Tormoehlen; son: David; daughters: Karen Zielke, Kathy Cox. Funeral: Feb. 15, 2025, Black Jack, Mo.; Interment: Feb. 15, 2025, St. Charles, Mo.

WAGNER, WILLIAM W. REV. DR., Sept. 14, 1940, Sheboygan, Wis., to Feb. 16, 2025, Beloit, Wis.; son of Wesley and Alice (Schmidt) Wagner; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Sheboygan, Sharon, Beloit, Wis. South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1983-1988, 2006-2013. Retired 2006. Survivors: Joy (Hawkins) Wagner; sons: Trevin, Brent; daughter: Kendra Rahberg. Funeral: Feb. 24, 2025, Delavan, Wis.; Interment: Feb. 24, 2025, Beloit, Wis.

WEGENER, MERLEN FRED REV., Aug. 24, 1936, Evansville, Ill., to Feb. 4, 2025, Columbus, Ohio; son of Henry and Minnie (Hanebutt) Wegener; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Winona, Minn.; Union City, Tenn.; Farmington, Mo. Retired 1998. Survivors: Nancy (Scherer) Wegener; sons: Duane, Joel. Funeral: Feb. 8, 2025, Dublin, Ohio; Interment: Feb. 8, 2025, Hilliard, Ohio.

WOBROCK, ROBERT ELMER REV., July 2, 1931, Detroit, Mich., to Jan. 9, 2025, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; son of Elmer and Eleanore (Reeck) Wobrock; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1974, 1979-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Anaheim, Alhambra, Terra Bella, Calif. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his children Gretchen and Jonathan. Survivors: Corrine (Gaver) Wobrock; sons: Philip, Joel, Nathan; daughters: Christine, Rachel, Sarah, Hannah, Mary. Funeral: Jan. 18, 2025, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

COMMISSIONED

BAUMGARTEL, MARK WILLIAM, Dec. 28, 1938, LeMars, Iowa, to Nov. 26, 2024, Norfolk, Neb.; son of William and Ada (Schultz) Baumgartel; graduated Seward 1961. Served 1961-1999. Schools/Ministries: Rising City, Battle Creek, Neb.; Crown, Minn.; Redding, Calif.; New Boston, Northville, Dearborn, Mich.; Murray, Utah. Retired 1999. Survivors: Helen (Proehl) Baumgartel; sons: Jeffrey, Jonathan; daughter: Ann Fleming. Funeral: Dec. 2, 2024, Battle Creek, Neb.

CHRISTOFFERSEN, PATRICIA ANN (CHECK), May 24, 1954, Rahway, N.J., to June 1, 2024, Edmonds, Wash.; daughter of Raymond and Virginia (Eak) Check; graduated Irvine 2002. Served 2002-2004. School/Ministry: Las Vegas, Nev. Retired 2018. Survivors: Arthur Christoffersen; sons: Eric, Kurt; daughter: Katrina. Celebration of Life: June 8, 2024, Edmonds, Wash.

FRICK, KARL GEORGE, June 19, 1953, Sycamore, Ill., to Jan. 5, 2025, Leo, Ind.; son of Edward and Eva (Reinken) Frick; graduated River Forest 1975. Served 1975-2015. School/Ministry: Fort Wayne, Ind. Retired 2015. Survivors: Karen (Lorenzen) Frick; son: Grant; daughter: Lauren. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 15, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

GASAU, WILLIAM L., June 26, 1946, Kansas City, Mo., to Dec. 25, 2024, Sweet Springs, Mo.; son of William and Laura (Strobel) Gasau; graduated Seward 1968. Served 1968-2015. School/Ministry: Concordia, Mo. Retired 2015. Survivors: Linda (Greder) Gasau; son: Nicholas; daughters: Kristen Anderson, Melissa Quezada, AnnaLisa LaBoube. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 31, 2024, Emma, Mo.

GRIMPO, RONALD DWAIN, Oct. 31, 1951, Wakenda, Mo., to Feb. 12, 2025, Reese, Mich.; son of Raymond and Alberta (Schnare) Grimpo; graduated Seward 1973. Served 1973-1998, 2000-2017. Schools/Ministries: Reese, Bay City, Mich. Retired 2017. Survivors: Phyllis (Bowman) Grimpo; sons: Philip, Kevin, Michael, Tim. Funeral: Feb. 17, 2025, Bay City, Mich.; Interment: Feb. 17, 2025, Reese, Mich. 

GUGEL, RUTH E. (KRINGEL), Feb. 7, 1945, Pittsburgh, Pa., to July 23, 2024, Shelby Township, Mich.; daughter of Rev. Edwin and Ruth Kringel; graduated Seward 1966. Served 2000-2002. School/Ministry: Eastpointe, Mich. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by her husband Harold Gugel. Survivors: sons: Mark, Dave. Funeral: July 31, 2024, Utica, Mich.; Interment: Troy, Mich.

NATZKE, FLORENCE IRENE (GRUHN-BARNS), Sept. 27, 1939, Poole, Neb., to Jan. 9, 2025, Greenleaf, Wis.; daughter of Berthold and Ella (Ohlmann) Gruhn; graduated Milwaukee 1980. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by her husband LaVerne Barns. Survivors: Robert Natzke; sons: Dale Barns, Kerry Barns, Roy Barns. Funeral: Jan. 18, 2025, Wayside, Wis.; Interment: Jan. 23, 2025, Lexington, Neb.

SCHMIDT, WALTER RICHARD, Nov. 30, 1935, to Feb. 20, 2025, Waconia, Minn.; graduated River Forest 1959. Served 1959-2002. Schools/Ministries: Brentwood, Mo.; Baltimore, Md.; HONG KONG; Angola, N.Y.; Phoenix, Ariz. Retired 2002. Survivors: Lois Schmidt; sons: David, Tim; daughter: Kristine Marlatt. Celebration of Life: Mar. 3, 2025, Waconia, Minn.

WEHLING, STANLEY HENRY, Mar. 29, 1942, E. Chicago Heights, Ill., to Jan. 16, 2025, Pleasant Dale, Neb.; son of Harry and Marie (Cote) Wehling; graduated Seward 1964. Served 1964-2005. Schools/Ministries: Corpus Christi, Texas; Palmyra, Mo.; Bremen, Kan.; Ogallala, Neb. Retired 2005. Survivors: Paula (Mueller) Wehling; son: Andrew; daughters: Rachel Symmank, Deborah Gebhardt, Lois Eatherton. Funeral: Jan. 25, 2025, Pleasant Dale, Neb.; Interment: Jan. 25, 2025, Seward, Neb.

WENTHE, WILLIAM DEAN SR., Oct. 28, 1938, Sylvan Grove, Kan., to Sept. 25, 2024, San Antonio, Texas; son of Henry Wenthe and Ella (Haesemeyer) Wenthe; graduated Seward 1961. Served 1961-2001. Schools/Ministries: Houston, Kerrville, Austin, Texas. Retired 2001. Survivors: Helen (Medack) Wenthe; son: William Jr.; daughter: Bethany Thoresen. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 7, 2024, Georgetown, Texas.

ZWICK, RICHARD CHARLES, Oct. 26, 1931, Seward County, Neb., to Jan. 7, 2025, Seward County, Neb.; son of Richard and Louise (Abrahams) Zwick; graduated Seward 1954. Served 1954-1997. Schools/Ministries: Plainview, Seward, Neb.; Auburn, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Mich. Retired 1997. Survivors: Eveline (Heppner) Zwick; son: Matthew; daughter: Barbara Cowden. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 13, 2025, Seward, Neb.

 

CORRECTIONS:

Writer has just been made aware of information provided in error caused this posting in February to be incorrect. Correct name is SPRENGELER, ERWIN CARL REV. 

SPRENGELER, ERVIN CARL REV., May 5, 1937, Green Isle, Minn., to Oct. 8, 2024, Whitehall, Mont.; son of Arthur and Dorothea (Renken) Sprengeler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1970, 1982-2000, 2002-2012.  Ministries/Parishes: Cranbrook, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada; Spokane, Wash.; Tillamook, Ore.; Green Isle, Minn. Retired 2016. Survivors: Glorian (Stuedemann) Sprengeler; sons: Paul, Jeremy; daughters: Elizabeth, Mary Lou, Rebecca, Angela, Joy. Celebration of Life: Nov. 9, 2024, Whitehall, Mont.

Additionally, incorrect information provided caused error in item shown below published in April 2023.  Funeral and interment were held in Alexandria, Minn., not Va. 

BRUESKE, MERTICE ADELLE (SPAUDE) DEAC., June 28, 1935, Willmar, Minn., to Jan. 30, 2023, Osseo, Minn; daughter of Rev. Emil and Elvira (Ladwig) Spaude; graduated Valparaiso 1958. Survivors: Rev. Robert Brueske; sons: Patrick, Jeffrey; daughter: Tara.  Funeral and Interment: Feb. 2, 2023, Alexandria, Va.