In Memoriam (October 2025)

IN MEMORIAM (October 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

ALLAN, KENNETH HOWARD REV., Feb. 1, 1932, Niagara Falls, N.Y., to July 2, 2025, Portage, Mich.; son of Howard and Flora (Schoenherr) Allan; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Bordentown, N.J.; Kalamazoo, Portage, Mich. Retired 1997. Michigan Circuit Visitor. Preceded in death by Marlene (Suhr) Allan. Survivors: Janice (Goertz) Allan; sons: Andrew, Matthew; daughters: Stephanie Stamp, Mary Cass; stepchildren: Brian Goertz, Jackie Michels. Celebration of Life: July 12, 2025, Portage, Mich.; Interment: July 11, 2025, Portage, Mich.

ANACKER, ARTHUR W. REV., March 19, 1930, Portage, Wis., to July 2, 2025, Portage, Wis.; son of Ernest and Emma (Schwantz) Anacker; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Alta, Ireton, Iowa; Waldo, Sheboygan, Wis. Iowa West District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife Shirley (Brickwell) Anacker. Survivors: sons: Gary, James, Joel; daughters: Amy Hartman, Julie Reseburg, Marie Kroll, Laura Weber. Funeral and Interment: July 7, 2025, Portage, Wis.

ANDERSON, MARK BISHOP REV., July 29, 1958, Houston, Texas, to July 9, 2025, Odessa, Texas; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1996. Served 1996-2008, 2011-2014, 2020-2024. Texas District Circuit Visitor 2004-2009. Retired 2024. Survivors: daughters: Jennifer, Lynn.

ATWATER, JOSEPH E. JR. REV., April 1, 1949, New York, N.Y., to July 1, 2025, Smithtown, N.Y.; son of Joseph Atwater; SMP Certified 2012. Served 2011-2016, 2018-2025. Ministries/Parishes: San Diego, Calif.; Klamath Falls, Ore. Survivors: Laura (Zdonczyk) Atwater; sons: Matthew, Daniel O’Neill, Thomas O’Neill; daughters: Danielle Giordano, Janienne Wendt. Funeral and Interment: July 12, 2025; St. James, N.Y.

BELASIC, DAVID STEVEN FRANK REV., June 2, 1935, Racine, Wis., to June 15, 2025, Santa Rosa, Calif.; son of Anthony and Ruth (Kapellusch) Belasic; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Spokane, Wash.; Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Buffalo, West Seneca, N.Y. Northwest District Circuit Visitor. Ohio District 1^st Vice-President 1983-1990, Ohio District Circuit Visitor 1978-1982. Eastern District President 1991-2000. Retired 2014. Preceded in death by his wife Joy (Halverson) Belasic. Survivors: sons: Mark, John; daughter: Mary Hackett.

DWORAK, GARY ARTHUR REV., Jan. 5, 1940, Decatur, Ill., to March 11, 2025, Westfield, Ind.; son of Oscar and Margaret (Warnick) Dworak; graduated Springfield Seminary 1967. Served 1967-1983, 1986-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Winfield, Kan.; Mt. Olive, Ill.; Indianapolis, Brownsburg, Ind. Indiana District Circuit Visitor 1991-1997. Retired 2001. Survivors: June (Meybohm) Dworak; sons: Jonathan, Paul; daughter: Ruth LeMounier. Funeral: March 22, 2025, Zionsville, Ind.; Interment: March 22, 2025, Indianapolis, Ind.

GOEBEL, VELMER HERMAN REV., Oct. 21, 1939, Fairmont, Minn., to June 20, 2025, Enid, Okla.; son of Martin and Anna (Panzer) Goebel; colloquy St. Louis Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Howard Lake, Minn.; Medicine Lodge, Pittsburg, Kan.; Lahoma, Okla. Oklahoma District First Vice-President 2004-2009, Second Vice-President 2002-2003, Oklahoma Circuit Visitor 1994-2001. Retired 2004. Survivors: Lorelei (Kaelberer) Goebel; daughters: Karla Sisco, Janelle Faulkner. Celebration of Life: July 8, 2025, Enid, Okla; Interment: Wilbert, Minn.

GREEN, RICHARD FRANKLIN REV., June 3, 1947, Seattle, Wash., to April 30, 2025, Laurel, Mont.; son of Frank and Mary (Lehnherr) Green; graduated Springfield Seminary 1974. Served 1974-1987, 1999-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Bridger, Belfry, Mont.; Seattle, Mount Lake Ter. Wash. Retired 2021. Survivors: Karen (Nelson) Green; sons: Benjamin, Jonathan, Paul. Memorial Services and Interment: May 5, 2025, Laurel, Mont.

GROSS, GORDON ARNOS REV., April 1, 1932, Alamosa, Colo., to April 12, 2025, Canon City, Colo.; son of Rev. Mortiz and Mildred (Hanser) Gross; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Houston, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; Seward, Neb.; Colby, Kan.; Brighton, Colo.; Bozeman, Mont. Rocky Mountain District Second Vice-President 1988, Third Vice-President 1986-1987, Rocky Mountain District Circuit Visitor 1991-1993. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his wife Evelyn (Frick) Gross and son Gerald. Survivors: son: Thomas; daughters: Natalie Roesler, Kristina Harper, Jennifer Boles. Memorial Service: April 16, 2025, Canon City, Colo.

IVERSON, THEODORE ALLAN REV., Sept. 4, 1933, River Forest, Ill., to March 15, 2025, Oakland, Calif.; son of Edward and Elvira (Grashorn) Iverson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958- 2009. Ministries/Parishes:  Magnolia, Iowa; Fresno, Monterey, San Francisco, Calif. California/Nevada/Hawaii District Secretary 1978-2009. Retired 2009. Preceded in death by his wife Betty (Vogel) Iverson. Survivors: sons: Mark, Kent, Allan; daughter: Adriene. Funeral: June 7, 2025; Interment: March 22, 2025.

JOHNSON, DONALD WILLIAM REV., Feb. 28, 1946, Port Angeles, Wash., to July 2, 2025, Hudson, Wis.; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1974-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Neah Bay, Wash.; Portland, Ore. Retired 2022. Survivors: Mary (Penny) Johnson; sons: David, Christopher; daughter Rachel. Memorial Service: Aug. 14, 2025, New Richmond, Wis.

JOHNSON, KEITH LEONARD REV. DR., Aug. 25, 1939, Sumner, Iowa, to July 6, 2025, Muskego, Wis.; son of Andrew and Blanche (Nicklaus) Johnson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966. Served 1966-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Hartford, Parker, Wolsey, Wessington, S.D.; Foley, Ala.; Hales Corners, Wis. South Dakota District Circuit Visitor, English District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 2020. Survivors: Sylvia (Vandor) Johnson; son: Brian; daughters: Carolyn Berlinski, Jennifer Trojan. Funeral: July 25, 2025, Hales Corners, Wis.

LAMPE, GARY ALAN REV., June 29, 1952, Monett, Mo., to May 19, 2025, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Erwin and Olga (Holle) Lampe; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1978. Served 1978-1998, 1999-2025. Ministries/Parishes: Pettibone, Woodworth, Glenburn, N.D.; Lemay, St. Louis, Mo. Preceded in death by his son Troy. Survivor: Diann (Gehring) Lampe. Funeral: May 31, 2025, St. Louis, Mo; cremation.

MURAWSKI, DENNIS DEAN REV., Jan. 30, 1948, Cleveland, Ohio, to July 15, 2025, Medina, Ohio; son of Warren and Esther (Buuck) Murawski; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1974. Served 1975-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Chillicothe, Waverly, Valley City, Ohio. Retired 2013. Survivors: Susan (Specker) Murawski; sons: Timothy, James, Robert. Funeral and Interment: July 21, 2025, Valley City, Ohio.

OLSON, WILLIAM GEORGE REV., June 3, 1933, Manitowoc, Wis., to July 9, 2025, Concord, N.C.; son of John and Anna (Kloida) Olson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1961. Served 1980-1993. Ministry/Parish: Charlotte, N.C. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his wife Jean (Rothwell) Olson. Survivors: son: Scott; daughters: Julie Vermillion, Jennifer Jones, Rebecca Thoms, Sarah. Funeral: July 17, 2025, Charlotte, N.C.; Interment: July 17, 2025, Salisbury, N.C.

PLATH, WILLIAM HENRY REV., March 15, 1940, Wood Lake, Minn., to July 7, 2025, Lodi, Calif.; son of Arthur and Edith (Marggraf) Plath; colloquy 1985. Served 1985-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Foothill, Sacramento, Calif. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by his wife Joy (Boysen) Plath. Survivors: sons: Gregory, Grant; daughter: Janee’ Gaffney. Memorial Service: July 20, 2025, Lodi Calif.

REICH, ARTHUR WILLIAM JR. REV., June 6, 1934, Detroit, Mich., to July 13, 2025, Goodrich, Mich.; son of Arthur and Namoi (Douglas) Reich; colloquy Ft. Wayne Seminary 2001. Served 2001-2006. Ministry/Parish: Ossineke, Mich. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by his wives Patricia, Gayle, Marjorie, and Winnie. Survivors: children: Mark, James, Susan Marshan, Art III; Jack Riegle, Keith Riegle, Larry Riegle, Michael Riegle, Jill Clark, Kim Diehl, Suzette Wright. Funeral: July 21, 2025, Flint, Mich.; Interment: July 21, 2025, Holly, Mich.

RUEDIGER, PAUL GERHARDT REV., Feb. 1, 1940, Marion Springs, Mich., to June 25, 2025, Rose City, Mich.; son of Rev. Gerhardt and Ida (Krenzke) Ruediger; colloquy Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2005. Ministries/Parishes: West Branch, St. Helen, Moltke, Mich. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his daughters Anne and Elizabeth. Survivors: Loetta (List) Ruediger; sons: Timothy, Thomas; daughter: Amy Hensel. Funeral: June 30, 2025, Auburn, Mich.; Interment: June 28, 2025, Lupton, Mich.

RYNEARSON, RODNEY RICHARD REV. DR., June 1, 1935, Omaha, Neb., to July 25, 2025, Frankenmuth, Mich.; son of Wesley and Helen (Brock) Rynearson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Spokane, Wash.; Rochester, N.Y.; Detroit, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo. Eastern District Circuit Visitor. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Rhoda Jean (Ryan) Rynearson and son Stephen. Survivors: Velma (Math) Lubbert Rynearson; sons: Timothy, Peter; stepsons: Stanley Lubbert, Steven Lubbert, Stuart Lubbert. Funeral July 31, 2025, Frankenmuth, Mich.; Interment: Aug. 1, 2025, Livonia, Mich.

SCHWEIM, FRED ARTHUR REV., Jan. 9, 1936, Pratt, Kan., to June 9, 2025, Richland, Wash.; son of Fred and Lydia (Windler) Schweim; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1963-1977. Ministries/Parishes: Mountlake Ter., Meadowdale, Wash.; Santa Clara, Ore. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline (Schnitker) Schweim. Survivors: son: David; daughter: Joyce Donais. Memorial Service: June 25, 2025, Kennewick, Wash.

STACHE, WILLAM REV., Feb. 18, 1936, Hilbert, Wis., to July 21, 2025, Columbus, Ind.; son of William and Christina (Reimer) Stache; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Alcester, Armour, S.D.; Columbus, Ind. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his son Mark. Survivors: Doreen (Numsen) Stache; son: Timothy; daughter: Jill Baker. Funeral and Interment: July 26, 2025, Columbus, Ind.

STISSER, LEE HOWARD REV., April 15, 1946, Wellsville, N.Y., to June 9, 2025, Wellsville, N.Y.; son of Howard and Ruth (Ballerstein) Stisser; graduated St. Catherines Seminary 1991. Served 1991-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Buffalo, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla. Florida-Georgia District Circuit Visitor 2003-2009. Retired 2011. Survivors: Christine (Benda) Stisser; sons: Aaron, Brian. Funeral: June 15, 2025, Wellsville, N.Y; Interment: Wellsville, N.Y.

TEWS, JAMES R. REV., Jan. 24, 1952, Council Bluffs, Iowa, to July 15, 2025, Omaha, Neb.; son of Alvin and Ruth (Grundmeier) Tews; colloquy Ft. Wayne Seminary 1998. Served 1998-2017, 2025. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Wolcottville, Ind.; Council Bluff, Iowa. Survivors: Susan (Wilkins) Tews; daughters: Julia Williamson, Sonia Mendez. Funeral and Interment: July 19, 2025, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

WHALEY, JOHN H. REV., Nov. 24, 1948, Stockton, Calif., to June 25, 2025, Rio Vista, Calif.; son of John and Frances (Diaz) Whaley; graduated 2009. Served 2009-2014. Ministry/Parish: Livermore, Calif. Retired 2015. Survivors: Deborah (Moody) Whaley; son: Brian; daughter: Allison. Memorial Service: Aug. 23, 2025, Fremont, Calif.

COMMISSIONED

BAACK, LARRY DEAN, March 19, 1940, Sidney, Neb., to July 20, 2024, Columbus, Ind.; son of Arthur and Olga Baack; graduated Seward 1962. Served 1962-2003. Schools/Ministries: Evansville, Columbus, Ind. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by wife Marilyn (Bettmann) Baack. Survivors: sons: Randy, Darrin, Korry; daughter: Joleen Krueger. Celebration of Life and Interment: July 26, 2024, Columbus, Ind.

BARLAU, MARTIN WERNER DR., Sept. 24, 1935, McGrath, Minn., to May 19, 2025, Loveland, Colo.; son of Rev. Werner and Margaret (Jeske) Barlau; graduated Seward 1957. Served 1957-2000. Schools/Ministries: Norfolk, Neb.; Lakewood, Aurora, Colo. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by wives Judith (Koenn) Barlau and Jean (Von Haden/King) Barlau. Survivors: sons: John, James; daughter: Sandra Mullins. Memorial Service: June 11, 2025, Ft. Collins, Colo.; Interment: June 11, 2025, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

BRANDT, MARVIN JACOB FREDERICK, March 10, 1929, Cole Camp, Mo., to April 13, 2025, Columbus, Ind.; son of Ed and Marie (Wittrock) Brandt; graduated River Forest 1952. Served 1952-1994. Schools/Ministries: Honey Creek, Mo.; Luzerne, Waterloo, Iowa; Peoria, Ill. Retired 1994. Survivors: Alice (Hemeyer) Brandt; sons: John, Paul, Jerome, Daniel; daughters: Zoe Bergstedt, Janice Sabotin. Celebration of Life and Interment: April 28, 2025, Columbus, Ind.

BURGER, RONALD GREGORY, July 7, 1944, LaPorte, Ind., to April 8, 2025, Indianapolis, Ind.; son of Walter and Mary Alice (Gregory) Burger; colloquy River Forest 1986. Served 1986-2007. Schools/Ministries: LaPorte, Indianapolis, Ind. Retired 2007. Survivors: Dianne (Dinwiddie) Burger; son: Bob; daughters: Heidi Yamada, Wendy Piasentin. Funeral and Interment: April 12, 2025, Indianapolis, Ind.

GAST, FREDERICK JOHN, May 24, 1944, Detroit, Mich., to June 16, 2025, Macomb Mich.; son of Frederick and Helen (Brickman) Gast; colloquy River Forest 1969. Served 1969-1989, 1995-2007. Schools/Ministries: Utica, Shelby Township, Mich. Retired 2007. Survivors: Carolyn (Fischer) Gast; son: Scott; daughter: Cheryl Bullaro. Memorial Service: June 23, 2025, Utica, Mich.

KRATZ, ROBYN MICHELLE, Jan. 28, 1964, Portage, Wis., to July 10, 2025, Endeavor, Wis.; daughter of Harry and Lennice (Goetz) Kratz; graduated Mequon 1988. Served 1988-2025. Schools/Ministries: Chebanse, Ill.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Retired 2025. Funeral and Interment: July 21, 2025, Portage, Wis.

KRUSE, DONNA M. (HASSE), Dec. 26, 1933, Nashua, Minn., to April 6, 2025, Oakbrook Ter., Ill.; daughter of Charles and Ester Hasse; graduated River Forest 1960. Served 1983-1999. School/Ministry: Forest Park, Ill. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by her husband Arthur Kruse. Survivors: son: Joel; daughters: Jill, Kim Rodden. Celebration of Life: May 31, 2025, Forest Park, Ill.

LOONTJER, JACQUELINE LOUISE (MASKUS), Sept. 27, 1947, Dodge City, Kan., to June 12, 2025, Kansas City, Mo.; daughter of Jack and Dorothy (Leighty) Maskus; graduated Seward 1969. Served 1987-2014. School/Ministry: Kansas City, Mo. Retired 2014. Preceded in death by her husband Wayne Loontjer. Survivors: son: Nathan; daughter: Erin Pagel. Funeral and Interment: June 19, 2025, Kansas City, Mo.

RULLMAN, JACQUELINE S. (SCHULZ), Feb. 15, 1942, to Jan. 2, 2025, Winston Salem, N.C.; daughter of Elwood and Frances Schulz; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1973-1981, 1989-2002. School/Ministry: Winston Salem, N.C. Retired 2002. Survivors: Glenn Rullman; son Jeff; daughter: Anne Cook. Memorial Service and Interment: May 3, 2025, Winston Salem, N.C.

SCHLICHTING, ALBERT CARL, April 13, 1928, Potter, Neb., to Feb. 13, 2025, Spring, Texas; son of Albert and Sarah Schlichting; graduated 1950. Served 1950-1991. Schools/Ministries: Reno, Nev.; Denver, Colo. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wife Georgene (Holtzen) Schlichting. Survivors: son: Kevin; daughters: Donna Mueller, Janet Nazarenus. Memorial Service: Spring Texas.

WIEGAND, JON MATTHEW, Oct. 11, 1973, Port Jefferson, N.Y., to June 3, 2025, St. George, Utah; son of Steven and Judith Wiegand; graduated Bronxville 1995. Served 1995-2007, 2021-2025. Schools/Ministries: St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Fla.; Rego Park, N.Y.; Westfield, N.J.; St. George, Utah. Survivors: Julianne (Geminn) Wiegand; son: Matthew; daughters: Sarah, Lauren. Memorial Service: June 21, 2025; St. George, Utah.