In Memoriam (October 2018

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

BENTRUP, ROLLAND L. REV., Nov. 12, 1927, Sylvan Grove, Ky., to June 1, 2018, Lexington, Ky.; son of Henry and Magarethe (Oetting) Bentrup; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953.  Served 1953-1992.  Ministries/Parishes: Sparksville, Leesville, Medora, Ind.; Mantua, Ohio; Lexington, Danville, Paintsville, Ky.  Retired 1993.  Preceded in death by his wife Luella Bentrup.  Survivors: sons: Robert, Daniel, Stephen; daughter: Evon Thornton; stepson Robert Aker. Funeral: June 6, 2018, Lexington, Ky.; Interment: June 6, 2018, Nicholasville, Ky.

BREGE, WILLIAM ROBERT REV., Oct. 21, 1949, Portage, Wis., to June 24, 2018, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Rev. Robert and Edna (Moeller) Brege; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1985.  Served 1985-2014.  Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Ossian, Ind.  Retired 2014.  Preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Kasewurm) Brege.  Survivors: sons: Todd, Timothy, David; daughter: Dawn Youquelet.  Funeral and Interment: June 30, 2018, Ossian, Ind.

FIELDING, DAVID E. REV., July 11, 1944, Murphysboro, Ill., to Dec. 21, 2017, Granite City, Ill.; son of Elbert and Lucille (Hassebrock) Fielding; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970.  Served 1971-2015.  Ministries/Parishes: New Berlin, Granite City, Ill. Retired 2015.  Survivors: Connie (Blackwood) Fielding; son: David; daughter: Sarah.  Celebration of Life: Dec. 27, 2017, Granite City, Ill.; Interment: Dec. 27, 2017, Murphysboro, Ill.

FRANZEN, DENNIS J. REV., Aug. 3, 1951, Elmhurst, Ill., to June 1, 2018, Downers Grove, Ill.; son of Oliver and Betty Franzen; SMP Certified 2011.  Served 2011-2018.  Ministry/Parish: Lisle, Ill.  Survivors: Margaret (Fuchssteiner) Franzen; son: Daniel; daughter: Caroline. Funeral and Interment: June 3, 2018, Lisle, Ill.

FREED, JOHN H. REV., April 23, 1933, Quakertown, Pa., to June 15, 2018, Houston, Texas; son of John and Mae (Datesman) Freed; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959.  Served 1959-1995.  Ministries/Parishes: Pensacola, Milton, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Houston, Texas.  Retired 1995.  Survivors: Ruth (Wiederaenders) Freed; daughters: Jennifer, Rebecca, Angela.  Funeral: June 27, 2018, Houston, Texas; cremation.

GREUNKE, DEAN REV., Jan. 27, 1933, Arlington, Neb., to June 11, 2018, Oviedo, Fla.; son of Max and Elsa (Knecht) Greunke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958.  Served 1958-1984, 1987-1998.  Ministries/Parishes: Dillsboro, Ind.; Memphis, Tenn.; Aurora, Naperville, Ill.  Retired 1998.  Survivors: Janette (Meyer) Greunke; sons: David, Joel; daughter: Janelle Zelensek.  Memorial Service: June 18, 2018, Oviedo, Fla.

HACKBARTH, DONALD LEON REV., Dec. 17, 1942, Milwaukee, Wis., to May 30, 2018, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; son of Clarence and Ruth (Stolper) Hackbarth; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1978.  Served 1978-2014. Ministry/Parish: Kenosha, Wis.  Retired 2014.  Survivors: Beverly (Baumann) Hackbarth; sons: Timothy, Michael; daughter: Rebekah MacDougall.  Funeral and Interment: June 6, 2018, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

HANNEMAN, HARVEY DEAN REV., July 22, 1938, Garden City, Kan., to June 25, 2018; son of John and Mollie (Berger) Hanneman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964.  Served 1964-1998, 2001-2006.  Ministries/Parishes: Swanton, Ohio; Arkansas City, Wichita, Ludell, Atwood, Dodge City, Hays, El Dorado, Kan.; Sierra Vista, Ariz.  Retired 2006.  Survivors: Judith (Burmeister) Hanneman; sons: John, Paul; daughter: Kristen Ball.  Memorial Service: June 29, 2018, Wichita, Kan.; cremation.

KINNE, LAWRENCE ADOLPH REV., Oct. 14, 1927, Gowrie, Iowa, to May 25, 2018; son of Franz and Matilda (Nahnsen) Kinne; graduated Springfield Seminary 1952.  Served 1952-1993.  Ministries/Parishes: Wilson, Newfane, N.Y.; Walled Lake, Southgate, Adrian, Northville, Mich.  Retired 1994.  Survivors: Delores (Kanehl) Kinne; sons: Rev. Timothy, Loren; daughters: Maureen Wolford, Joyce Schonsheck.  Funeral: June 1, 2018, Walled Lake, Mich.; Interment: June 1, 2018, Livonia, Mich.

KRAMIN, HOWARD F. REV., April 30, 1936, Renville, Minn., to Jan. 18, 2018, Herndon, Va.; son of Frederick and Regena (Loock) Kramin; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964.  Served 1964-1986, 1988-1992.  Ministries/Parishes: New Ipswich, N.H.; Amherst, Neb.; Laramie, Wyo.; Chanhassen, Minn.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Naples, Fla.; Retired 1992. Survivors: Norma (Tiera) Kramin.  Celebration of Life: January 20, 2018, Herndon, Va.

KRUEGER, THEODORE E. JR. REV., Jan. 8, 1927, Mellen, Wis., to July 4, 2018, Portage, Wis.; son of Theodore Sr. and Freida (Leitl) Krueger; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956.  Served 1956-1994.  Ministries/Parishes: Melville, Brewer, Saskatchewan, Canada; Fall Creek, Marshfield, Westfield, Wis.; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991.  Retired 1994.  Survivors: Darlene (Brockopp) Krueger; sons: David, Theodore III, Paul; daughters: Linda Jacobson, Karla Meier, Kathleen Thalacker, Joy Witkowski.  Celebration of Life: July 9, 2018, Portage, Wis.; Interment: July 9, 2018, Westfield, Wis.

LARSEN, ROLF E. REV., Nov. 7, 1938, Tracy, Minn., to May 22, 2018, Kerrville, Texas; son of Ulrik and Helen (Oscarson) Larsen; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982.  Served 1982-2004.  Ministries/Parishes: Gretna, Neb.; Giddings, Kerrville, Texas.  Retired 2004.  Preceded in death by his wife Lynne (Lucas) Larsen.  Survivors: son: Erik; daughter: Kris Santiago.  Memorial Service: May 26, 2018, Fredericksburg, Texas.

LAUER, JAMES P. REV., Sept. 17, 1934, Carroll, Iowa, to Oct. 24, 2017, North Mankato, Minn.; son of Albert and Florence (Subbert) Lauer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960.  Served 1960-1984, 1986-1999.  Ministries/Parishes: Blue Earth, Trimont, Glencoe, Rochester, Hutchinson, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Minn.; Hampton, Va.; Hines, Ill.  Retired 1999. Survivors: sons; James. Mark, Rev. Paul.  Memorial Service: Oct. 27, 2017, Mankato, Minn.; Interment: Oct. 27, 2017, Minneapolis, Minn.

OLSON, TIMOTHY WALTER REV., Nov. 5, 1966, Antigo, Wis., to May 30, 2018, Eaton Rapids, Mich.; son of Peter and Valarie (Illichman) Olson; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1994.  Served 1994-2018.  Ministries/Parishes: St. Helen, Charlotte, Mich.  Survivors: Chris (Hackett) Olson; son: James; daughters: Rebekah Boston, Rachel.  Funeral and Interment: June 5, 2018, Charlotte, Mich.

RASMUSSEN, WAYNE RALPH REV., Nov. 28, 1938, Chicago, Ill., to June 3, 2018, Milwaukee, Wis.; son of Ralph and Mildred (Greinke) Rasmussen; colloquy 1990.  Served 1990-1996, 1998-2018.  Ministries/Parishes: Mequon, Menomonee Falls, Hales Corner, Hartland, Wauwatosa, Wis.; Austin, Texas. Survivors: Marilyn (Kueker) Rasmussen; daughters: Amy Newman, Ann Glor.  Funeral: June 9, 2018, Wauwatosa, Wis.; cremation.

ROBATZEN, DAVID A. REV., June 4, 1959, Pittsburgh, Pa., to June 5, 2018; son of Harry and Betty (Lydic) Robatzen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1988.  Served 1988-2018.  Ministries/Parishes: Park Rapids, Minn.; Pensacola, Fla. Funeral and Interment: June 9, 2018, Pensacola, Fla.

SCHMELDER, WILLIAM JAMES REV., Aug. 5, 1933, Bristol, Conn., to June 18, 2018, St. Peters, Mo.; son of Louis and Lavinia (Mugford) Schmelder; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959.  Served 1960-1995.  Ministries/Parishes: St. Charles, St. Louis, Mo.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Covina, Calif.; Casa Grande, Coolidge, Ariz.  Retired 1995.  Preceded in death by his daughter Lynn Voelkel.  Survivors: Delle (Behnken) Schmelder; sons: William Jr., Keith, Craig; daughter: Kathi Kean.  Funeral: June 23, 2018, Olivette, Mo.; Interment: June 23, 2018, St. Louis. Mo.

SLATER, THOMAS KARL REV., Nov. 21, 1951, Detroit, Mich., to May 31, 2018, Eureka, Calif.; son of Lynn and Helen (Peterson) Slater; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1987.  Served 1987-2001, 2003-2016.  Ministries/Parishes: Eureka, Fortuna, Calif.  Retired 2016.  Preceded in death by his stepson Kurt Fauth. Survivors: Donna Slater; stepdaughters: Judy Miller, Julie Conroy.  Memorial Service: June 16, 2018, Ferndale, Calif.

SMITH, TED K. REV., Feb. 2, 1948, San Diego, Calif., to May 25, 2018, Yucca Valley, Calif.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2014.  Served 2015-2018.  Ministries/Parishes: Yucca Valley, Calif.; Reedsport, Ore.  Survivors: Barbara Smith; son: Brandon.  Funeral: June 2, 2018, Yucca Valley, Calif.; Interment: June 2, 2018, Riverside, Calif.

SULLIVAN, BRYAN CARL REV., Nov. 14, 1941, Houston, Texas, to June 3, 2018, Elgin, Texas; son of Darwin and Helen (Winkelmann) Sullivan; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1978.  Served 1978-2010.  Ministries/Parishes: Houston, Elgin, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1982-1991.  Retired 2010. Survivors: Joyce (Bachmeyer) Sullivan; son: John; daughters: Vicki Dumbeck, Carla Case, Marian Jones.  Funeral and Interment: June 6, 2018, Elgin, Texas.

TEMME, ELTON H. REV., Sept. 17, 1932, Barnes, Kan., to July 1, 2018, Blue Hill, Neb.; son of Rev. L. W. and Elsie (Umbach) Temme; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958.  Served 1958-1992.  Ministries/Parishes: Tyler, Fairmount, N.D.; Barnes, Oberlin, Larned, Kan.; Charlotte, N.C.; Blue Hill, Neb.; Farmington, N.M.  Retired 1992.  Survivors: Virginia (Schmitzer) Temme; daughters: Ann Auten, Lori, Teresa Dietz.  Funeral and Interment: July 6, 2018, Blue Hill, Neb.

URBACH, DONALD EDWARD REV., Dec. 19, 1931, Chicago, Ill., to May 27, 2018, Glencoe, Minn.; son of Albert and Irene (Treskow) Urbach; colloquy 1989.  Served 1989-1997, 2010-2012.  Ministries/Parishes: Holton, Netawaka, Kan.; Glencoe, Minn.  Retired 2012.  Survivors: Carol (Luedke) Urbach; son: David; daughter: Kristine Alsin.  Funeral and Interment: June 1, 2018, New Germany, Minn.

WEBER PAUL A. REV., Feb. 10, 1927, Jonesville, Ind., to May 27, 2018, Napoleon, Ohio; son of Adolph and Emma (Decker) Weber; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952.  Served 1952-1989.  Ministries/Parishes: Eagle Grove, Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Woodburn, Auburn, Ind.; Macomb, Mich.; Napoleon, Olmsted Falls, Ohio.; Ohio District President 1982-1988. Retired 1989.  Preceded in death by his wife Berdina (Woebbeking) Weber and son Stephen.  Survivors: son: Luther; daughters: Paulette, Christie.  Funeral: June 4, 2018, Napoleon, Ohio; Interment: June 4, 2018, Woodburn, Ind.

WEIS CARL WILLIAM REV., July 16, 1959, Hammond, Ind., to May 30, 2018, Saginaw, Mich.; son of Earl and Lois (Hilgendorf) Weis; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1985.  Served 1985-2018.  Ministries/Parishes: Florida, Flat Rock, Ohio; Paw Paw, Saginaw, Mich.  Survivors: Karen (Reich) Weis; sons: Samuel, Joseph.  Funeral: June 7, 2018, Saginaw, Mich.

WILLIAMS, DONN PAUL REV., July 2, 1955, Milwaukee, Wis., to June 3, 2018, Houston, Texas; son of Richard and Dorothy Williams; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1981.  Served 1981-1984, 1986-2010.  Ministries/Parishes: Minot, N.D.; Canton, Moundridge, Kan.; Houston, Texas.  Survivors: Michele (Haubein) Williams; sons: Josiah, Christopher, Jonathan, Benjamin.  Funeral: June 6, 2018, Houston, Texas.

WILLIAMS, EDWIN REV., Nov. 21, 1934, Buffalo, N.Y., to June 23, 2018, Omaha, Neb.; son of Arthur and Alvina (Wittcopp) Williams; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961.  Served 1961-1974, 1976-1977, 1991-2000.  Ministries/Parishes: Hanover, Normanby, Ontario, Canada; Wall, Creighton, S.D.; Omaha, Springfield, Neb.; Hastings, Iowa.  Retired 2000.  Survivors: Carol (Hoover) Williams; daughter: Joy Peterson; son: Patrick.  Funeral: June 30, 2018, LaVista, Neb.; Interment: June 30, 2018, Omaha, Neb.

COMMISSIONED

ENDORF, WELDON W., Aug. 9, 1932, Tobias, Neb., to June 28, 2018, Scranton, Pa.; son of Henry and Edna (Bartles) Endorf; graduated Seward 1955.  Served 1995-1994.  School/Ministry: Hicksville, N.Y.  Retired 1994. Survivors: Gail (Redlitz) Endorf; sons: David, Douglas; daughter: Debra Wickboldt.  Funeral: July 6, 2018, Hicksville, N.Y.; Interment: July 6, 2018. Farmingdale, N.Y.

ENGEBRECHT, NORBERT R., July 8, 1921, Spencer, Wis., to May 17, 2018; son of Richard Engebrecht; graduated River Forest 1943.  Served 1944-1986.  Schools/Ministries: River Forest, Ill.; Milwaukee, Wis.  Retired 1986.  Preceded in death by his wife Jane Engebrecht.  Survivors: son: Michael; daughter: Sandra Grass.  Funeral and Interment: May 19, 2018, Milwaukee, Wis.

HEINS, ERIC J., July 15, 1951, Detroit, Mich., to June 8, 2018, Rochester, Mich.; son of Jim and Norma Heins; graduated Seward 1977.  Served 1977-2017.  Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Dearborn, Berrien Springs, Monroe, Lake Orion, Mich.  Retired 2017. Survivors: Dawn (Landmesser)Heins; son: Chad; daughters: Shay, Cali O’Neill.  Funeral: June 14, 2018, Royal Oak. Mich.; Interment: June 14, 2018, Rochester, Mich.

KUHLMANN, BRICE EDWARD, Dec. 18, 1933, St. Louis, Mo., to Jan. 24, 2018, Austin, Texas; son of Edward and Edna (Junge) Kuhlmann; graduated Seward 1957.  Served 1957-1998.  Schools/Ministries: Warda, Brenham, Walburg, Mercedes, Bishop, Giddings, Texas.  Retired 1998.  Preceded in death by his son Gregory.  Survivors: Lavine (Jenke) Kuhlmann; son: Steven; daughters: Deborah Wilson, Leah Wolf.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 28, 2018, Giddings, Texas.

LAIL, CHRISTOPHER JOEL, Sept. 9, 1951, Anua, Nigeria, to March 10, 2018, St. Peters, Mo.; son of Robert and Ruth Lail; graduated Seward 1974.  Served 1974-2018.  Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Allen Park, Mich.; Edmonds, Wash.; St. Peters, Mo.  Survivors: Cheryl (Meissner) Lail; son: Robert; daughter: Emilie Phillips.  Funeral and Interment: March 17, 2018, St. Charles, Mo.

LIPKE, ALAN KENT, March 7, 1941, Aurora, Ill., to May 24, 2018, Jackson, Mo.; son of LeRoy and Bonnie (Talley) Lipke; graduated River Forest 1964.  Served 1964-2003.  Schools/Ministries: Evansville, Ind.; Aurora, Ill.; Jackson, Mo.  Retired 2003.  Survivors: Sally (Lenz) Lipke; son: Scott; daughter: Lisa White.  Funeral and Interment: May 28, 2018, Jackson, Mo.

MAXEY, DEBORAH S. (GOBROGGE), April 6, 1962, Napoleon, Ohio, to Feb. 25, 2018, Defiance, Ohio.; daughter of Melvin and Helen (Fintel) Gobrogge; graduated Seward 1984.  Served 1984-2018.  Schools/Ministries: Pierce, Arlington, Neb.; Defiance, Ohio.  Survivors: Stephen Maxey; son: Kyle; daughter: Natalie.  Funeral and Interment: March 2, 2018. Defiance, Ohio.

RATHER, LORIS WALTER, March 16, 1936, Ludell, Kan., to May 10, 2018, Waukesha, Wis.; son of Walter and Alma Rather; graduated Seward 1958.  Served 1958-2000.  Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Summit, Melrose Park, Ill.; Worms, Neb.; Portage, Wis.  Retired 2000. Survivors: Lois (Hofrege) Rather; son: Kevin; daughters: Kathleen Rose, Cynthia Lehman, Joleen Paige.  Funeral: May 19, 2018, Hartland, Wis.; Interment: May 19, 2018, Portage, Wis.

RIEMER, LAVONNE L., March 15, 1929, Brillion, Wis., to June 4, 2018, Seward, Neb; daughter of Henry and Norma (Beer) Riemer; graduated Seward 1964.  Served 1973-1987.  School/Ministry: Seward, Neb.  retired 1987.  Funeral: June 11, 2018, Seward, Neb.; Interment: Rantoul, Wis.

SCHOECH, LOIS ELIZABETH, Nov. 24, 1929, Lone Elm, Mo., to Jan. 23, 2018, Webster Groves, Mo.; daughter of Rev. Joseph and Emily (Tanner) Schoech; graduated Seward 1950.  Served 1973-1993.  Schools/Ministries: Wichita, Kan.; St. Louis, Mo.  Retired 1993.  Funeral: Jan. 26, 2018, Affton, Mo.; Interment: Jan. 26, 2018, Lemay, Mo.

STUEMKE, NORMAN CARL, April 12, 1931, Altamont, Ill., to Jan. 4, 2018, Austin, Texas; son of Charles and Louise Stuemke; graduated River Forest 1955.  Served 1955-1996. School/Ministry: Austin, Texas.  Retired 1996.  Survivors: Dorothy (Quinlan) Stuemke; daughters: Pam Blick, Patty Hamm, Penny Hanson.  Memorial Service: Jan. 9, 2018, Austin, Texas.