In Memoriam (April 2019)

IN MEMORIAM

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

BAUDER, HAROLD J. REV., Dec. 15, 1934, Bethune, Colo., to Jan. 19, 2019, Vancouver, Wash.; son of Herman and Hulda (Schlichenmeyer) Bauder; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Philippines; Springfield, Ore.; Tacoma, Seaview, Wash.; Kimberly, Idaho. Retired 2006. Survivors: Mary Alice (LeMaster) Bauder; son: John; daughters: Susan Veis, Sophia Yorke, Sigrid Rule. Funeral: Feb. 2, 2019, Vancouver, Wash.

BAXTER, JAMES JEFFREY REV., March 27, 1953, East Cleveland, Ohio, to Jan. 15, 2019, Houston, Texas; son of James and Barbara (Kiernan) Baxter; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1986. Served 1986-1995, 2012-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Alma, Mich.; Champaign, Macomb, Ill.; Palacious, Texas. Retired 2013. Survivor: son; Daniel. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 24, 2019, Houston, Texas.

FRERKING, KENNETH LEE REV., Feb. 22, 1932, Amarillo, Texas, to Jan. 12, 2019, Columbia, Mo.; son of Horace and Lucille (Tieman) Frerking; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Columbus, Ohio; Columbia, Mo. Retired 1997. Survivors: Ethelyn (Crawford) Frerking; daughter: Joanna McDowell. Funeral: Jan. 18, 2019, Columbia, Mo.

FROEHLICH, CHARLES D. REV., May 7, 1927, Goose Creek, Texas, to Jan. 9, 2019, Wharton, Texas; son of Rev. Anton and Ada (Baepler) Froehlich; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1997. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo.; River Forest, Ill. Retired 1997. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 14, 2019, Wharton, Texas.

GAUGER, REUEL CARL REV., Nov. 25, 1931, Milwaukee, Wis., to Dec. 22, 2018, Olney, Texas; son of Emil and Ella (Kasten) Gauger; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Olney, Texas; Lidgerwood, Binford, Cooperstown, Hope, N.D. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his daughter Hope. Survivors: Janice (Jeske) Gauger; sons: Timothy, Benjamin; daughter: Amanda Ja’el. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 27, 2018, Olney, Texas.

GEHRS, GERHARD ARTHUR JR. REV., June 19, 1935, Chicago, Ill., to Jan. 9, 2019, Riverside, Calif.; son of Rev. Gerhard Sr. and Martha (Drebes) Gehrs; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Los Angeles, Riverside, Calif. Survivors: sons: William, James; daughters: Tracy, Pamela. Funeral: Jan. 14, Corona, Calif.; Interment: Jan. 14, Riverside, Calif.

KATH, HARVEY GERALD REV., June 2, 1938, Pequot Lakes, Minn., to Oct. 30, 2018, Plymouth, Minn.; son of Gerald and Erna (Bruns) Kath; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Papua New Guinea; Hamburg, Merrill, Wis.; Glencoe, Minn. Retired 2002. Survivors: Norita (Willner) Kath; son: Jonathan; daughters: Rachel Dvorak, Kristina. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 5, 2018, Glencoe, Minn.

LECKBAND, ROYCE CONRAD REV., May 1, 1930, Ocheyedan, Iowa, to Nov. 18, 2018, Lakefield, Minn.; son of Harold and Eleanor (Bremer) Leckband; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Farmingdale, Pleasant Plains, Ill.; Spring Valley, Marshall, Tracy, Wheaton, Fulda, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994. Retired 1995. Survivors: sons: Thomas, Daniel, Rev. Jerome; daughter: Elizabeth Patterson. Funeral: Nov. 26, 2018, Lakefield, Minn.; Interment: Nov. 26, 2018. Ocheyedan, Iowa.

LEDER, RONALD L. REV., July 29, 1930, Corvallis, Ore., to Jan. 23, 2019, Oakridge, Ore.; son of William and Hulda (Winterstein) Leder; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-2005, 2011-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Carlyle, Wordsworth, Saskatchewan, Canada; Flin Flon, The Pas, Manitoba, Canada; Sunnyside, Wash.; Burley, Idaho; Oakridge, Eugene, Ore.; Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 2012. Survivors: Jeanne (Toedter) Leder; son: Brian; daughters: Marlys, Sharon. Memorial Service: Feb. 2, 2019, Portland, Ore.

LUHRS, DAVID J. REV., Jan. 16, 1944, Hutchinson, Minn., to Dec. 10, 2018, Green Bay, Wis.; son of Alvin and Ella (Elbert) Luhrs; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Harvel, Ill.; Hillman, Mich.; Eau Claire, Forestville, Wis. Retired 2013. Survivors: Janice (Jacot) Luhrs; sons: Karl, Ryan. Funeral: Dec. 20, 2018, Green Bay, Wis.

MAKI, DAVID W. REV., April 7, 1955, Perham, Minn., to Jan. 17, 2019, St. Croix Falls, Wis.; son of Melvin and Mary Lee (Ollie) Maki; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Dorchester, Mondovi, Wis.; Gallatin, Tenn.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Arden Hills, Minn. North Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994, 1995-1997. Survivors: Debra (Monson) Maki; sons: Ryan, Matthew, Joel. Memorial Service and Interment: Jan. 25, 2019, New York Mills, Minn.

MARTIN, THEODORE A. REV., June 15, 1915, Manchester, N.H., to Dec. 27, 2018, Worcester, Mass.; son of Rev. Louis and Emma (Artz) Martin; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1939. Served 1946-1985. Ministries/Parishes: Holyoke, Clinton, Mass. Retired 1985. Preceded in death by his wife Rita (Partridge) Martin. Survivors: sons: Theodore Jr., Paul. Celebration of Life and Interment: Jan. 3, 2019, Clinton, Mass.

NELSEN, RAYMOND E. REV., Feb. 28, 1935, Belview, Minn., to Jan. 5, 2019, Gresham. Ore.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1977. Served 1977-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Mt. Angel, Ore.; Chehalis, Wash. Retired 2000. Survivors: Barbara Nelson; sons: David, Mark; daughters: Diana, Deborah. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 2, 2019, Portland, Ore.

RATHGEBER, DOUGLAS DWIGHT REV., March 9, 1944, Wichita Falls, Texas, to Dec. 20, 2018, Beaumont, Texas; son of Carl and Laverne (Kuehn) Rathgeber; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Selma, Ala.; Beaumont, Texas. Retired 2017. Survivors: Karen (Liermann) Rathgeber; son: Paul; daughter: Wendy. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 29, 2018, Beaumont, Texas.

SAEGER, LAWRENCE W. REV., July 8, 1943, Quincy, Ill., to Jan. 22, 2019, Quincy, Ill.; son of William and Arlene (Meyerand) Saeger; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Texhoma, Boise City, Okla.; Freeport, Texas; Bloomingdale, Vandalia, Ill.; Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994. Retired 2005. Survivors: Susan (Diener) Saeger; daughters: Laura Dison, Debra Gatewood. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 26, 2019, Quincy, Ill.

SCHLEGEL, RONALD JOHN REV., Nov. 16, 1933, Beloit, Kan., to Dec. 19, 2018, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; son of Rev. Albert and Luella (Siggs) Schlegel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1998. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo.; Baltimore, Md. Retired 1998. Survivors: Enid (Esterly) Schlegel; sons: John, Paul; daughters: Joy, Faith.

SCHREIBER, WILLIAM HALGREN REV., Feb. 5, 1932, Alta, Iowa, to July 24, 2018, Boulder City, Nev.; son of Edward and Amy (Halgren) Schreiber; graduated Columbus Seminary 1967. Served 1984-1993. Ministry/Parish: Hanford, Calif. Funeral: August 13, 2018 Henderson, Nev.; Interment: Aug. 13, 2018, Las Vegas, Nev.

SIESS, KENNETH JOSEPH REV., Oct. 2, 1931, Seymour, Ind., to Aug. 27, 2018, Edina, Minn.; son of Rev. Clarence and Marie (Dau) Siess; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Brooklyn, N.Y.; Milford, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo.; Minneapolis, Minn. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Eleanor Siess. Survivors: sons: Timothy, Jonathan, Matthew, Daniel; daughter: Elizabeth. Funeral: Sept. 8, 2018, Minneapolis, Minn.

STAUDACHER, THEODORE LOUIS REV., March 28, 1937, Saginaw, Mich., to Dec. 20, 2018, Pingree Grove, Ill.; son of Rev. Raymond and Gladys (Steffens) Staudacher; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1962. Served 1962-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Dundee, Thornton, Mt. Prospect, Ill.; Topeka, Kan. Retired 2000. Survivors: Carol (Hochsprung) Staudacher; sons: Timothy, David, Mark; daughter: Teri Evans. Funeral: Jan. 3, 2019, East Dundee, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 3, 2019, Leland Township, Mich.

STEINKAMP, GEORGE PHILLIP REV., April 10, 1934, Hawarden, Iowa, to Dec. 3, 2018, Apple Valley, Minn.; son of Rev. George and Hilda (Baade) Steinkamp; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Courtenay, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada; Houston, Texas; Delaware, Manchester, Iowa; Howard, S.D.; Mountain Lake, Sauk Rapids, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1996. Survivors: Sylvia (Hilger) Steinkamp; sons: David, Mark, Matthew, G. Michael; daughter: Jennifer. Memorial Service: Dec. 15, 2018, Lakeville, Minn.

SUELFLOW, EDWIN SAMUEL REV., July 2, 1924, Freistadt, Wis., to Dec. 31, 2018, Oconomowoc, Wis.; son of Richard and Martha (Wendt) Suelflow; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1948. Served 1948-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Coloma, S.D.; Burton, Franklin, Neb.; Adell, Milwaukee, Wis.; South Wisconsin District President 1988-1994. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his daughter Denise. Survivors: Erma (Haarberg) Suelflow; son: Steven; daughter: Elyse. Funeral: Jan. 5, 2019, Sussex, Wis.; Interment: Jan. 5, 2019, Adell, Wis.

SYMMANK, CHARLES RAY REV., Oct. 27, 1931, Giddings, Texas, to Jan. 11, 2019, Medford, Ore.; son of Arnold and H. Wilhelmine (Vahrenkamp) Symmank; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Rockford, Rochelle, Ill.; Snohomish, Wash.; Medford, Ore. Retired 1997. Survivors: Joan (Wisch) Symmank; sons: Daniel, David; daughter: Celeste Allsberry. Funeral: Feb. 15, 2019, Medford, Ore.

TRAHMS, VERNON THEODORE REV., June 28, 1928, Clarksburg, W.V., to Dec. 22, 2018, Las Vegas, Nev.; son of Theodore and Ruth (Carlson) Trahms; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Mantua, Ohio; Rock Rapids, Sioux City, Iowa; Pomona, Glendale, Calif. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wife Esther (Dueker) Trahms and son Timothy. Survivors: son: Theodore; daughters: Deborah, Cynthia. Funeral: Jan. 12, 2019, Las Vegas, Nev.; Interment: Jan. 26, 2019, Sun City West, Ariz.

VISSER, ROBERT MARTIN REV., Aug. 12, 1920, Havillah, Wash., to Jan. 1, 2019, Citrus Heights, Calif.; son of Garritt and Martha (Duchow) Visser; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1946. Served 1946-1985. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Scott, Kan.; Sunnyvale, Lodi, Citrus Heights, Calif. Retired 1985. Preceded in death by his wife Virginia (Vogel) Visser and son Peter. Survivors: son: Joel, Kenneth; daughters: Janet Onishi, Lynne Abraham, Claire Jackson, Jean Teske. Funeral: Jan. 8, 2019, Citrus Heights, Calif.; Interment: Jan. 8, 2019, Fair Oaks, Calif.

VOSS, THEOPHIL HERMAN REV., Aug. 1, 1922, Monitor Township, Mich., to Dec. 15, 2018, North Canton, Ohio; son of Rev. Emil and Esther (Bartels) Voss; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1946. Served 1947-1987. Ministries/Parishes: Dearborn, Mich.; Akron, Ohio. Retired 1987. Survivors: Jean Voss; sons: Timothy, Gabriel; daughter: Sharon Alderman. Celebration of Life: Dec. 21, 2018, North Canton, Ohio.

COMMISSIONED

SANDER, REED S., Aug. 8, 1948, Columbus, Neb., to Dec. 15, 2018, Lincoln, Neb.; son of Harlen and Dolores (Saalfeld) Sander; Graduated Seward 1970. Served 1970-2013. Schools/Ministries: Hamlin, N.Y.; Kearney, Fremont, Neb.; Roselle, Hillside, Ill. Retired 2013. Survivors: Sharolyn (Schomburg) Sander; son: Ty; daughter: Shanna Opfer. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 20, 2018, Seward, Neb.

SPROUSE, MICHELLE LEE (HAAS), March 7, 1966, Las Vegas, Nev., to Aug. 14, 2018, Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter of Richard and Leta Haas; Colloquy 2000. Served 2000-2018. School/Ministry: Las Vegas, Nev. Survivors: sons: Alexander, Lucas; step-son: Michael; step-daughter: Jennifer Isom. Celebration of Life: Aug. 25, 2018, Las Vegas, Nev.