IN MEMORIAM (November 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

BROOKS, CURTIS WAYNE REV., Feb. 7, 1964, Jefferson City, Mo., to July 11, 2024, Papillion, Neb.; son of William and Kay (Wandrey) Brooks; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1995. Served 1995-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Red Lake Falls, Minn.; Menomonie, Boyceville, Wis.; Papillion, Neb. Funeral: July 18, 2024, Papillion, Neb.; Interment: July 18, 2024, Madison, Mo.

BRUENJES, IRVIN H. REV., July 3, 1934, Girard, Kan., to July 20, 2024, Bismarck, N.D.; son of Louis and Christina (von Soosten) Bruenjes; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Shattuck, Okla.; Follett, Texas; Abilene, Kan.; New Salem, Glen Ullin, N.D. North Dakota District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his son Phillip Bruenjes. Survivors: Mary (Ryan) Bruenjes; son: Donald; daughters: Jean Hall, Janelle Hoherz. Funeral: July 25, 2024, Bismarck, N.D.; Interment: July 25, 2024, New Salem, N.D.

DORSETT, JOSEPH J. II REV., Jan. 6, 1959, Louisville, Ky., to July 10, 2024, Tulsa, Okla.; son of Joseph I and Betty-Jo (Worthington) Dorsett; colloquy 2019. Served 2019-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Boardman, N. Jackson, Ohio. Retired 2022. Survivor: son: Joseph III. Funeral: July 21, 2024, Tulsa, Okla.; Interment: Newport News, Va.

DUMER, LESTER HERMAN REV., Dec. 23, 1928, Stewart, Minn., to July 22, 2024, Papillion, Neb.; son of Fred and Marie (Otto) Dummer; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1994, 2010-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Lyons, Kan.; N. Prairie, Wis.; Coal Valley, E. Moline, Warsaw, Ill.; Keokuk, Iowa. South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1974-1982. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his children Joel Dumer and Jeffrey Dumer. Survivors: Marion (Gierich) Dumer; daughter: Lisa Anderson. Funeral: July 27, 2024, Louisville, Neb.; Interment: July 29, 2024, Omaha, Neb.

FELLER, ROBERT F. REV., April 19, 1932, St. Louis, Mo., to Aug. 2, 2024, Tucson, Ariz.; son of Robert and Anna (Schrader) Feller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1958-1984. Ministries/Parishes: Tyndall, Springfield, S.D.; Troy, N.Y.; Chicago, Streamwood, Ill.; Walled Lake, Mich. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Elaine (Kringen) Feller and daughter Michele. Survivors: sons: Todd, Steve.

FINKE, NORMAN ROLAND REV., March 27, 1938, Maywood, Calif., to July 27, 2024, Waxahachie, Texas; son of Rev. Roland and Lorraine (Luedeke) Finke; colloquy 1992. Served 1992-2003. Ministry/Parish: Waxahachie, Texas. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by his wife Martha (Etzler) Finke. Survivors: son: Rev. Gregory; daughters: Julie, Pamela Haynes, Debra Hill. Memorial Service: Aug. 13, 2024, Waxahachie, Texas.

GERDES, CHRISTOPHER ERIC REV., June 20, 1977, Humboldt, Neb., to Aug. 5, 2024, Pagosa Springs, Colo.; son of Wayne and Cynthia (Volker) Gerdes; graduated Ft. Wayne 2012. Served 2013-2018, 2023-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Chester, Hubbell, Hebron, Neb.; Netawaka, Kan. Survivors: Dana (King) Gerdes; sons: Cedric, Eliah, Alerik, Josias, Levi, Malachi; daughters: Sophia, Isabella. Funeral: Aug. 17, 2024, Elk Creek, Neb.; Interment: Aug. 17, 2024, Humboldt, Neb.

GRIFFIN, WILLIAM HENRY JR. REV. DR., March 29, 1929, Kannapolis, N.C., to July 20, 2024, Westwego, La.; son of William Sr. and Bessie Griffin; graduated Greensboro Seminary 1951. Served 1956-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Chicago, River Forest. Ill. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his son Mark. Survivors: Ella Griffin; son: Mavin; daughters: Marie Parham, Millicent Davis.; Funeral: July 31, 2024, Chicago, Ill.; Interment: Lakeside, Mich.

HAAS, MARK WAYNE REV., June 7, 1949, Upland, Calif., to Aug. 13, 2024, Temecula, Calif.; son of Richard and Helen (Hime) Haas; colloquy 1985. Served 1986-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Sacramento, Placerville, Calif. California/Nevada/Hawaii District Circuit Visitor 2009-2013. Retired 2016. Survivors: Dee (Shumard) Haas; sons: Gregory, Matthew; daughter: Melanie. Memorial Service: Sept. 21, 2024, Sacramento, Calif.

HEINTZEN, ERICH H. III REV. DR., Nov. 25, 1933, Baltimore, Md., to Aug. 1, 2024, Seminole, Fla.; son of Rev. Erich II and Elizabeth (Dederer) Heintzen; graduated Springfield Seminary 1961. Served 1961-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Belfield, Dickinson, Grand Forks, N.D.; Denver, Colo.; Tallahassee, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Fla. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his son Mark. Survivors: Barbara (Mansfield) Heintzen; sons: Paul, Erich IV. Memorial Service: St. Petersburg, Fla.

HUGHES, WILLIAM JOHN III REV., Sept. 22, 1934, Ashley, Pa., to July 22, 2024, Fredericksburg, Va.; son of William Jr. and Marjorie (Newton) Hughes; graduated Springfield Seminary 1959. Served 1959-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Villa Park, Arlington Heights, Ill.; Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 2003. Survivors: Bonnie (Pfutzenreuter) Hughes; son: William; daughters: Cynthia, Jennifer.

JANSEN, RONALD ALDEN REV., May 24, 1941, Turtle Lake, Wis., to Jan. 27, 2024, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Victor and Esther (Glaubitz) Jansen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1967-2003, 2012-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Winona, Albert Lea, Minn.; Marshfield, Wis.; Collinsville, Ill. Retired 2014. Survivors: Karen (Blank) Jansen; sons: Rev. Nathan, Aaron, Adam; daughter: Sarah Stuhlman. Memorial Service: Aug. 3, 2024, Sunset Hills, Mo.; Interment: De Soto, Mo.

PRAGMAN, JAMES H. REV. DR., Sept. 26, 1938, Boonville, Mo., to July 27, 2024, Mankato, Minn.; son of Rev. Herbert and Esther (Gieseke) Pragman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1967-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Kirkwood, Mo.; Seward, Neb.; Mankato, Burnsville, Minn. Retired 2004. Survivors: Claudia (Copping) Pragman; daughters: Alexa, Alison. Funeral: Aug. 2, 2024, Mankato, Minn.

RICHARDSON, JAMES MARTIN SR. REV., Dec. 20, 1936, Clinton, Ky., to Aug. 11, 2024, Lampasas, Texas; son of William and Essie (Martin) Richardson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2000. Served 2000-2007, 2009-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Smithville, Rosanky, Texas. Retired 2014. Survivors: Susan (Bierman) Richardson; son: Rev. James Jr.; daughter: Sara. Funeral and Interment: Aug. 16, 2024, Kendall County, Texas.

ROBARGE, DARYL B. REV., June 18, 1948, Utica, N.Y., to Oct. 25, 2023, Manassas, Va.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1974. Served 1974-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Geona, Hugo, Colo.; Layton, Utah; Peoria, Ariz. Retired 2012. Survivors: Deborah (Stoneburner) Robarge; sons: David, Philip; daughter: Kristina. Funeral: Feb. 16, 2024, Peoria, Ariz.

SANDBERG, DARRILL D. REV., Feb. 8, 1935, Warren, Minn., to Aug. 18, 2024, Rocklin, Calif.; son of Oscar and Ione (Wooley) Sandberg; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1998, 2008-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Drumheller, Craigmyle, Alberta, Canada; Palmdale, Escondido, S. San Francisco, Georgetown, Rocklin, Calif.; Bullhead City, Ariz. Retired 2016. Survivors: Lorna (Starck) Sandberg; son: Darr; daughters: Stephanie, Melanie Meyer, Julie Meyer. Funeral: Sept. 14, 2024, Rocklin, Calif.

SCHAEFER, HENRY LOUIS REV., Sept. 18, 1930, Monroe, La., to May 6, 2024, Joplin, Mo.; son of Rev. Henry and Marcella (Koeneman) Schaefer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Tyler, Fairmont, N.D.; DeSoto, Fenton, Freistatt, Mo.; Clovis, Walker, Akeley, Minn. Missouri District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his wife Marilyn (Enderson) Schaefer. Survivors: sons: Timothy, Thomas; daughters: Heidi, Traci.

SCHLECHT, DENNIS W. REV., Dec. 22, 1936, Norfolk, Neb., to July 18, 2024, Naperville, Ill.; son of Rev. Otto and Martha (Orlove) Schlecht; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-2006, 2013-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Garner, Iowa; Chicago, Springfield, Wheaton, Westchester, Ill.; Modesto, Temple City, Sacramento, Calif. Retired 2018. Survivors: Anita (Kruger) Schlecht; daughters: Laurie, Lisa, Amy, Sarah. Funeral and Interment: Aug. 11, 2024, Naperville, Ill.

SCHUETTE, RONALD HENRY REV., Oct. 2, 1937, Washington, Mo., to July 14, 2024, Eureka, Mo.; son of Waldemar and June (Eckart) Schuette; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Pennsauken, N.J.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Miami, Fla. Retired 2002. Survivors: Sandra (Meddaugh) Schuette; son: David; daughters: Christin Hager, Esther Armstrong. Memorial Service: Aug. 3, 2024, Eureka, Mo.; cremation.

SUGUITAN, JOHN GLENN REV., Nov. 6, 1954, Chicago, Ill., to July 29, 2024, Mason, Ohio; son of John and Thelma (Boone) Suguitan; SMP St. Louis Seminary 2013. Served 2013-2024. Ministry/Parish: Cincinnati, Ohio. Preceded in death by his son Vincent. Survivors: Barbara (Harms) Suguitan; sons: Matthew, Joshua; daughter: Alicia. Funeral and Interment: Aug. 3, 2024, Cincinnati, Ohio.

TEUSCHER, MICHAEL LEE REV., June 18, 1951, St. Louis, Mo., to May 12, 2024, Charlevoix, Mich.; son of Rev. Richard and Esther (Kernstock)Teuscher; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Newell, Ames, Iowa; Akron, Ohio; Charlevoix, Kilmanagh, Sebewaing, Mich. Retired 2015. Survivors: Elisabeth (Graudin) Teuscher; sons: Jeremiah, Nathanael, Jacob, Matthew. Funeral: May 18, 2024, Boyne City, Mich.; Committal: May 18, 2024, Charlevoix, Mich.

COMMISSIONED

CHORLEY, CAROL ANN (SIELING), Dec. 24, 1960, Perham, Minn., to Aug. 12, 2024, Alexandria, Minn.; daughter of Arlin and Elaine Sieling; graduated St. Paul 1983. Served 1983-2024. Schools/Ministries: Stuart, Fla.; Alexandria, Minn. Survivors: Thomas Chorley. Funeral: Aug. 16, 2024, Alexandria, Minn.

FALKENSTERN, EUGENE, Nov. 5, 1936, Ukraine, to July 21, 2024, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Eugene and Adeline (Matus) Falkenstern; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1961-1998. School/Ministry: Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 1998. Survivors: Carolyn (Smith) Falkenstern; sons: John, Tim; daughter: Diane Bultemeyer. Funeral and Interment: July 27, 2024, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

KIESCHNICK, HENRIETTA B. (SCHMIDT), July 2, 1936, Jefferson City, Mo., to July 15, 2024, Baton Rouge, La.; daughter of Henry and Bertha (Korsmeyer) Schmidt; graduated River Forest 1958. Served 1973-1998. Schools/Ministries: Houston, Texas; Montgomery, Ala.; New Orleans, La. Preceded in death by her husband Harold Kieschnick. Survivors: sons: Rev. Kevin, Kurt; daughter: Kathryn Johnson.

MORSE, BETTY JEAN (MEISSNER), 1941, Buffalo, N.Y., to July 29, 2024, Vashon, Wash.; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 2002-2004. School/Ministry: Shanghai, China. Retired 2004. Survivor: William Morse. Funeral: Sept. 8, 2024, Vashon, Wash.; Interment: Buffalo, N.Y.

MUELLER, GENE MARIE (BASINGER), April 3, 1936, to March 10, 2024; graduated Seward 1980. School/Ministry: Harlingen, Texas. Retired 2003.

SCHULTZ, JACK MAURICE DR., July 7, 1957, Sheboygan, Wis., to May 12, 2024, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; son of Arthur and Leona (Rosenthal) Schultz; graduated River Forest 1980. Served 1980-1986, 1998-2024. Schools/Ministries: Streamwood, Ill.; Appleton, Wis.; Irvine, Calif. Survivors: Christine (Crow) Schultz; son: Joshua; daughters: Anna, Abigail. Funeral: May 25, 2024, Irvine, Calif.