We love hearing from our alumni!
Whether you’ve reached a career milestone, started a new venture, made an impact in your community, or celebrated a personal achievement, your story inspires current and future Knights. Share your accomplishments with us so we can celebrate your success and highlight the many ways Wartburg alumni make a difference in the world.
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All Class Years
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Marilyn Miller Sychra ’68
Marilyn Miller Sychra ’68, Des Moines, is retired. She was a teacher, worked for the State of Iowa Code Office, and operated a genealogy and private investigator business.
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Sarah Ellefson Groth ’11
Sarah Laurene (Ellefson) Groth was born on November 8, 1988, the daughter of James and Brenda (Fisher) Ellefson, in Marshalltown, Iowa. She attended Marshalltown Schools graduating in 2007. Sarah received her BA Degree from Wartburg College in 2011 and then obtained two Master’s Degrees – in education, curriculum and counseling. On October 8, 2011,…
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Donald Heidemann ’94
Donald Lee Heidemann November 10, 1971 – May 13, 2025 Donald Lee Heidemann, age 53, of Forest City, Iowa, died May 13th in his home after a struggle with mental illness. He leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, generosity, and deep devotion to his family, faith, and community. Don was born on November 10, 1971, in…
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Chelsey Spore McDill ’00
Chelsey Spore McDill ’00, Cedar Rapids, earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership – nonprofits from Regent University and is chief executive officer at Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center.
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Dylan Obowa ’25
Dylan Obowa ’25, Fergus Falls, Minn., is a brand ambassador for Gravy Train Restaurant Management Group, Cedar Rapids.
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Talbot Kinney ’25
Talbot Kinney ’25, DeWitt, is a graduate student in physician assistant studies at Des Moines University.
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Izzy Gomes ’25
Izzy Gomes ’25, St. Francis, Minn., is a veterinary assistant at Primary Care Animal Hospital.
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Edward Baumgarten ’67
Edward Baumgarten, of Oshkosh, WI was found deceased on May 12, 2025 in his home at the age of 79. He was born to Rev. Edmund E. and Marie (Spreuer) Baumgarten on July 11, 1945 in Wausau. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed his Christian faith during his pre-teen years. Edward spent his…
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Hannah Sprague Mattson ’21
Blake Mattson and Hannah Sprague ’21, Coralville, were married July 2024.
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Dr. James Liesener ’55
James W. Liesener (Jim), born on April 29, 1933, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at his home in Easton, Maryland, on May 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Edie; his daughter, Jennifer Liesener; granddaughter, Taylor Hilderbrand; and daughter-in-law, Melanie Liesener. He was preceded…
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Dr. Anne Reiher ’06
Dr. Anne Reiher ’06, Jackson, Miss., earned a doctoral degree in health administration at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
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Ellie Meyer ’25
Ellie Meyer ’25, Iowa Falls, is attending graduate school in biology at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames.
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Ja’Niya LaBeaux ’25
Ja’Niya LaBeaux ’25, Pleasant Hill, is attending graduate school in criminology at Tiffin University, Tiffin, Ohio. She is also an officer in the Iowa Army National Guard.
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Helen Sprenger Pagel ’55
Mrs. Helen M. Pagel, 96, of Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, IL, passed away at 6:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the home. Born June 24, 1928, in Coatsburg, IL, Helen was the daughter of William and Minnie Heins Sprenger. She married Wilfred A. Pagel on November 23, 1968, in Cedar Rapids, IA.…
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Dr. Benjamin Gansemer ’13
Dr. Benjamin Gansemer ’13, Lakeville, Minn., is a clinical scientist with Abbott Laboratories.
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Lennon Schriever ’25
Lennon Schriever ’25, Grimes, is a front of house intern at the Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola.
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Ryleigh Parrack ’25
Ryleigh Parrack ’25, Papillion, Neb., is a music therapist at Music Therapy with Aimee, Cary, N.C., and is a graduate student in public administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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Allison Kettmann ’25
Allison Kettmann ’25, Earlville, is an associate financial advisor at Edward Jones, Cascade.
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Alyson Hasner ’25
Alyson Hasner ’25, Lakeville, Minn., is a graduate student in speech-language-hearing sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
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Alyssa Halvorson ’25
Alyssa Halvorson ’25, Cresco, is a regional director in-training/job coach at CHOICE Employment Services, Decorah.
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Rev. Charles Farnham ’55
Charles Norman Farnham 1935 – 2022 Charles Norman Farnham was born on January 11, 1935, to Malinda Eichmeyer and Henry A. Farnham, in Hampton, Iowa and passed away on October 28, 2022, in Vancouver WA.Charles lived most of his life in Salem Oregon. He moved to Vancouver in 2018.After graduating from seminary, Chuck started his…
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Marcea Moeller Clary ‘53
Marcea C. Clary, 90 of Sioux City, formerly of Sloan, passed away Friday, September 16, 2022. A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Thursday, September 22nd at Skien Lutheran Church in rural Sloan; with a Prayer Service at 7 pm. Funeral and Burial will held at a later date. Arrangements are with Waterbury Funeral…
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Alta Sanders Morris ’54
Alta Mae Morris, 88, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away March 19, 2022. Alta was born May 21, 1933 in Bellevue, Iowa to Lawrence and Alma Sanders. She played basketball, was Homecoming Queen and Valedictorian of her 1950 Graduating class at Maquoketa High School. Alta also attended Wartburg College. For the year after college, she worked…
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Norman Holzrichter ‘70
Norman Holzrichter February 26, 1946 — March 7, 2022 Norman Holzrichter, 76, of Grayslake, IL, died peacefully at his home surrounded with love by his family. He was born on February 26, 1946, in Chicago, IL, to Hugo and Elsie (Bonk) Holzrichter. He met Susan Brown at Wartburg College and on December 30, 1967, Norman…
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James Mann ’71
James George Mann, resident of Homer Glen, IL, died suddenly and unexpectedly on February 21, 2022 at the age of 73. James is survived by his mother Arlene Mann, his wife Delores Onate, his sons Paul (Meriel), and David (Sherry), the mother of his children Elizabeth Mann, stepson, David Karaffa and four grandchildren, Evan, Sean,…
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Rev. Howard Buenting ’55
Howard Buenting will be remembered most for his wry sense of humor that not only delighted people but often left people wondering. He was born in Green Bay, WI and was known for his pranks and playfulness. He had a kind and tender soul, and was loved wherever he went because of his ability to…
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Betty Bakken Meyer Bodine ‘59
Betty Ann Bodine September 7, 1937 — December 16, 2021 Betty Ann Bakken was born on September 7, 1937, to Walter and Rosella (Rude) Bakken in Decorah, IA. At the age of three, Betty was placed at The Children’s Home in Waverly, Iowa, along with her five siblings, due to her mom’s tuberculosis. At the…
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Merlin Nomann ‘51
Merlin (Mel) NomannJune 9, 1928 – October 21, 2021Modesto, California – Merlin (Mel) John Nomann died at home on October 21, 2021, at the age of 93.Mel was born on June 9, 1928, in Palmer Iowa. Mel grew up in Pocahontas Iowa after completing high school in 1947.After high school he obtain a variety of…
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Lorraine Lynes Chester ‘47
Lorraine Chester, 94, of Plainfield, Iowa, died on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Good Neighbor Society Nursing Home in Manchester, Iowa, of heart failure. Lorraine was born on June 11, 1927, at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of James Kendal and Lenora (Kuethe) Lynes. She was baptized in 1927 and confirmed…
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Dorothy Prottengeier Meier ‘48
Dorothy M. Meier, 96, of Wapakoneta, died 3:30 a.m., Mon. June 28, 2021, at the Wapakoneta Manor.She was born July 27, 1924, in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of John Louis and Mary Ann (Erdman) Braun. On Feb. 6, 1943, she married Frederick Eugene Meier, who preceded her in death on May 8, 1986.Dorothy lived a long…
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Bonita Karmie ‘75
Bonita (Bonnie) Joy Karmie, 67, passed away peacefully in her sleep after a protracted illness on April 9, 2021, Gulf Breeze, FL. Bonnie was born on November 14, 1953 in Chicago, IL, to Alvin and Geraldine Karmie. She was Baptized on September 13, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Oaklawn, IL. Bonnie graduated with honors…
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Rev. George Krumrey ‘51
George Edward Krumrey, 95, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith (Mueller) Krumrey and his wife, Phyllis Christine Krumrey. George is lovingly remembered by his son, David Allen Krumrey (Julie); daughter, Carol Elizabeth Rouse (Garret); and grandchildren: Lauren, Garrett, Gracie, Dylan, and Emma.…