IN MEMORIAM (October 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
BRATZ, ROBERT OTTO JR. REV., Nov. 24, 1952, Green Bay, Wis., to July 11, 2024, Three Rivers, Mich.; son of Rev. Dr. Robert Sr. and Helene (Englehardt) Bratz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1981. Served 1981-1982, 1983-1987, 1989-2013, 2014-2020, 2022-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Waldorf, Md.; Elkhart, Culver, Ind.; Richton Park, Ill.; Three Rivers, Mich.; Easton, Pa.; Wauseon, Ohio. Survivors: Lindysue (Luster) Bratz; sons: David, Peter, Andrew, Stephen, Philip, Benjamin; daughters: Jennifer Bradfield, Rachel Cipich. Funeral: July 17, 2024, Three Rivers, Mich.; Interment: July 17, 2024, South Bend, Ind.
BODE, KIM EDWARD REV., Nov. 2, 1950, Chicago, Ill., to June 9, 2024, Hop Bottom, Pa.; son of Carl and Geneva Bode; graduated Springfield Seminary 1976. Served 1976-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Gary, Ind.; Munson, Hop Bottom, Pa. Eastern District Circuit Visitor 2007-2010, 2024. Retired 2019. Survivors: Anne (Oswald) Bode; son: Joshua; daughters: Jessica Nordquist, Lisa Sloyer, Amanda Burkhart, Samantha. Funeral: June 15, 2024, Hop Bottom, Pa.
COLLINS, JERROLD MICHAEL REV., Jan. 20, 1945, Painesville, Ohio, to June 28, 2024, Tallahassee, Fla.; son of James Collins; graduated Springfield Seminary 1978. Served 1978-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Madison, Ohio; N. Palm Beach, Chiefland, Fla.; Edmonds, Wash.; Hood River, Ore. Survivors: Dorothy (Waite) Collins; son: Michael; daughters: Kristin Sugg, Lisa Bacot. Funeral: July 13, 2024, Tallahassee, Fla.
CRABTREE, BRUCE LEE REV., Nov. 1, 1941, Porterville, Calif., to June 16, 2024, Gerradstown, W.V.; son of Ver and Ida (Miner) Crabtree; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1997. Served 1997-2011, 2013-2016, 2017-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Franklin, Neb.; Monroe, Mich.; Marathon, Fla.; Kent Island, Md.; Scappoose, Ore. Retired 2011. Survivors: Carolyn (LaCourse) Crabtree; son: Nicholas; daughters: Beth McBeth, Cari Taylor, Amber. Funeral: June 22, 2024, Gerradstown, W.V.; Interment: July 12, 2024, Triangle, Va.
FLORY, MARK ST. HILLIER REV., Aug. 11, 1950, Grand Rapids, Mich., to June 18, 2024, Lady Lake, Fla.; son of Esther Flory; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1983. Served 1983-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Greenville, Ill.; Greensburg, Ind.; Petersburg, Mich. Retired 2022. Survivors: Cheryl (Siefert) Flory; son: Matthew; daughter: Lisa. Memorial Services: July 11, 2024, Grand Rapids, Mich.; July 20, 2024, Leesburg, Fla.
KREBS, ROGER LEONARD REV., June 20, 1948, Parkers Prairie, Minn., to July 11, 2024, Alexandria, Minn.; son of Gustav and Viola (Jahnke) Krebs; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1995. Served 1995-1996, 2000, 2012-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Duluth, Wrenshall, Fairfield, Holloway, Parkers Prairie, Minn. Retired 2020. Survivor: Deborah (Johnson) Krebs. Funeral and Interment: July 21, 2024, Parkers Prairie, Minn.
OSWALD, ARTHUR AUGUST DAVID REV., Aug. 21, 1923, Pulcifer, Wis., to June 14, 2024, Rockford, Ill.; son of Rev. Arthur and Etta (Hoefle) Oswald; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1947. Served 1947-1988. Ministries/Parishes: LaValle, Granton, Chili, Wis.; Webster City, Iowa; Rochelle, Ill. Iowa District West Circuit Visitor. Retired 1988. Survivors: Jane (Klebenow) Oswald; son: Mark; daughters: Sandra Nun, Deborah Wagner, Susan Finke, Mary Dorth. Funeral and Interment: June 20, 2024, Grafton, Wis.
PAGE, JAMES WILLIAM REV. DR., Aug. 12, 1941, Torrance, Calif., to May 25, 2024, Port Hueneme, Calif.; son of Joseph and Charlotte (Snook) Page; colloquy 1995. Served 1995-1997, 1998-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Burbank, Corona, San Fernando, Granada Hills, Calif. Retired 2013. Survivors: Wanda (Pearson) Page; son: Steven; daughter: Ruth Acoya. Funeral: Sept. 7, 2024, Ventura, Calif.
ROSNAU, PAUL OTTO REV., March 11, 1931, Chicago, Ill., to July 13, 2024, W. Covina, Calif.; son of Otto and Adeline Rosnau; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1964, 1972-1996. Ministries/Parishes: San Antonio, Texas; Hinsdale, Ill.; La Puente, Calif. Retired 1996. Survivors: Theola (Kulpa) Rosnau; sons: Rev. Alan, Dean; daughters: Lynn Scheiderer, Jill Popeney. Funeral and Interment: July 24, 2024, Whittier, Calif.
ROTNEM, ROBERT LEE MARTIN REV., Aug. 14, 1943, San Diego, Calif., to June 18, 2024, Santee, Calif.; son of Rolf and Elaine (Shaw) Rotnem; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1989. Served 1995-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada; Valley Center, Atwater, Calif. Retired 2010. Survivors: Marilyn (Shirk) Rotnem; daughters: Gina Sanders, Lisa Hitchcock. Funeral: July 20, 2024, San Diego, Calif.; Interment: July 23, 2024, San Diego, Calif.
SCHASER, RUDOLF CHARLES REV., Nov. 7, 1939, Chicago, Ill., to June 7, 2024, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Rudolf and LaVerne (Novak) Schaser; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Cotabato, Pasay City, Baguio City, Philippines; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Metairie, La.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2005. Survivors: Dorothy (Kullmann) Schaser; son: Michael; daughters: Melissa Huse, Cynthia Edes. Funeral: June 15, 2024.
SPRENGLER, DONALD H. REV., May 13, 1935, Thorp, Wis., to June 13, 2024, Wausau, Wis.; son of Ferdinand and Orlena (Roesler) Sprengler; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Stirum, Gwinner, N.D.; Polar, Lily, Wis. North Dakota District Circuit Visitor; North Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor. Retired 2000. Survivors: Phyllis (Wunrow) Sprengler; sons: Scott, Thomas; daughters: Dawn Cass, Amy King, Jennifer. Funeral and Interment: June 18, 2024, Polar, Wis.
STUBE, JOHN CARLSON REV. DR., Jan. 27, 1951, Moscow, Idaho, to July 15, 2024, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Oscar and Alice (Carlson) Stube; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1981. Served 1981-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Rangely, Meeker, Colo.; Provo, Utah; Ft. Wayne, Ind. Rocky Mountain District Circuit Visitor. Retired 2018. Preceded in death by his daughter Sarah Stube. Survivor: daughter: Katie Mere. Funeral and Interment: July 19, 2024, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
WENDT, HAROLD N. REV. DR., Feb. 10, 1931, Temora, Australia, to July 13, 2024, Bloomington, Minn.; son of Paul and Sophia (Backen) Wendt; colloquy 1968. Served 1968-1971, 1979-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Augusta, Mo.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Bloomington, Edina, Minn. Retired 2017. Survivors: Chloris (Klingberg) Wendt; son: Peter; daughter: Stephanie. Memorial Service: Aug. 1, 2024, Edina, Minn.
WESTRA, JOHN REV., Dec. 5, 1945, Palermo, Sicily, Italy, to June 16, 2024, Carol Stream, Ill.; son of John and Felicia Westra; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Owensboro, Ky.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Wheaton, Ill.; Holland, Mich. Michigan District Circuit Visitor 2007-2012. Retired 2012. Survivors: Nancy (Idema) Westra; sons: John, Robert; daughter: Pamela Winterroth. Funeral: June 22, 2024, Wheaton, Ill.; Interment: June 22, 2024, Elwood, Ill.
WIPPICH, FREDERICK JOHN HERMAN JR. REV., Dec. 23, 1929, St. Cloud, Minn., to June 12, 2024, Thornton, Colo.; son of Frederick Sr. and Marian (Spaude) Wippich; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Winfield, Independence, Kan. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wives Ethel (Emberland) Wippich and Helen (Biberdorf) Wippich. Survivors: sons: Jon, Stephen; daughter: Nancy Colburn. Funeral: June 21, 2024, Thornton, Colo.; Interment: June 28, 2024, Branson, Mo.
COMMISSIONED
ALBERDA, JOHN, July 22, 1947, to Jan. 31, 2024; son of John and Diamante Alberda; graduated River Forest 1969. Served 1970-2024. School/Ministry: Brookville, N.Y. Funeral: March 23, 2024, Brookville, N.Y.
ANDERMANN, ROSEMARY SUE (LINK), Dec. 6, 1955, LaPorte, Ind., to June 16, 2024, Sterling, Ill.; daughter of Charles Sr. and Shirley (Tootie) Link; graduated River Forest 1984. Served 1997-2021. School/Ministry: St. Charles, Mo.; Sterling, Ill. Retired 2021. Survivors: Rev. David Andermann; son: Benjamin; daughter: Heather Armstrong. Funeral: June 22, 2024, Dixon, Ill.; Interment: June 22, 2024, Eureka, Ill.
DUENSING, PAUL STEPHEN, April 12, 1954, Twin Falls, Idaho, to March 7, 2024, Seward, Neb.; son of Elden and Glendora Duensing; graduated Seward 1977. Served 1978-2013. Schools/Ministries: Honolulu, Hawaii; Houston, Texas; Denver, Parker. Colo. Retired 2022. Survivors: sons: Markus, Andrew, Joel; daughter: Amy Kopecky. Funeral: April 8, 2024, Seward, Neb.
GERLING, KATHLEEN JANE (HRUBY), Oct. 13, 1981, Madison, Ind., to June 2, 2024, Tigard, Ore.; daughter of Robert and Debra Gerling; graduated Seward 2003. Served 2008-2009, 2013-2024. Schools/Ministries: Jacksonville, Fla.; Kaneohe, Hawaii; Portage, Wis.; Beaverton, Ore. Memorial Service: June 8, 2024, Beaverton, Ore.
HELD, MICHAEL PHILIP, Oct. 23, 1943, Sheboygan, Wis., to March 19, 2024, Cypress, Texas; son of Alvin and Emma Held; graduated Seward 1966. Served 1968-2002. Schools/Ministries: Affton, Mo.; Fair Oaks, Calif.; Houston, Texas. Retired 2002. Survivors: Jeanne (Burkholtz) Held; sons: Jeffrey, Jonathan; daughters: Carla Purcell, Lisa Vogt. Memorial Service: April 6, 2024, Houston, Texas.
HERMANN, DONALD FRED, Feb. 2, 1929, Neb., to April 29, 2024, Arlington Heights, Ill.; son of Walter and Helen (Schaefer) Hermann; graduated Seward 1951. Served 1951-1991. School/Ministry: Arlington Heights, Ill. Retired 1991. Survivor: Marilyn (Meyer) Hermann. Funeral and Interment: May 6, 2024, Arlington Heights, Ill.
LADWIG, BARBARA-EM (BURROWS), Sept. 18, 1951, Chicago, Ill., to March 12, 2024, Huntley, Ill.; daughter of William and Florence (Bridges) Burrows; colloquy River Forest 1994. Served 1995-2013. School/Ministry: Elgin, Ill. Retired 2013. Survivors: Glen Ladwig; sons: Nate, Alex, Kyle. Funeral: June 20, 2024, Elgin, Ill.
MOSER, CARL JEROME DR., Nov. 8, 1937, Oak Grove, Ore., to May 31, 2024, St. Charles, Mo.; son of Jacob and Bertha (Braun) Moser; colloquy Seward 1964. Served 1964-2000. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, River Forest, Ill.; Orlando, Fla.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2000. Survivors: Elizabeth (Harrison) Moser; son: Rev. Stephen; daughters: Linda Becker, Cynthia Kunze. Funeral and Interment: June 6, 2024, St. Charles, Mo.
SEABORN, JACQUELIN K. (KRAUSE), Dec. 24, 1941, Bismarck, N.D., to Jan. 25, 2024, Phoenix, Md.; colloquy Bronxville 1990. Served 1992-2005. School/Ministry: Towson, Md. Retired 2005. Survivors: Donald Seaborn Sr.; sons: Donald Jr., David; daughter: Rachel Fox. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 3, 2024, Glen Arm, Md.
SWANSON, DAVID W., Sept. 13, 1948, Cleveland, Ohio, to July 5, 2024, Lansing, Ill.; son of Axel and Billie Swanson; graduated River Forest 1970. Served 1971-2011. Schools/Ministries: Joliet, Homewood, Lansing, Ill. Retired 2011. Survivors: Sandra (Nolting) Swanson; sons: Aaron, Tim; daughter: Lisa Burleson. Funeral: July 12, 2024, Lansing, Ill.
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