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.
Search Class Notes:
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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Mark Thomas ’73
Mark Aldro Thomas (73), a beloved family man known for his joyful smile, witty nature, and celebrated career as an award winning social worker, claimed the promise of his baptism while in hospice care in his home in Broomfield Colorado on May 29, 2025. Mark was born on October 19, 1951 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to…
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Carolyn Austin ’97
Carolyn Bernice Austin, lovingly known as “Cal,” peacefully received her wings on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the age of 51 at UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. A devoted daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Carolyn’s life was a beautiful reflection of love, faith, and service. Her radiant smile, generous spirit, and…
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Donald Freeman ’55
Donald Carl Freeman was born on November 24, 1930, in Muscatine, Iowa, passed away on May 21, 2025, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He lived a life rich in purpose and passion, impacting the lives of many as a dedicated educator, photographer, and conservation activist. A strong presence within his community of Waverly, Iowa, Donald devoted his…
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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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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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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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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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Edward Deuhr ’81
Edward Dean Deuhr, 69, of Shell Rock, died of natural causes Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Waverly Health Center. All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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Dennis Strempke ’74
Dennis R. Strempke, 72, formerly of Hudson, IA, and currently living in Laguna Beach, CA quickly and unexpectedly slipped into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Castle Rock, CO, while visiting one of his sons. He was born on August 20, 1952, in Waterloo, Iowa, son of Donald and…
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Ron Luck ’67
Ron “Ronnie” R. Luck, 84, of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025. He was born on September 18, 1940, in Waverly, the son of Ralph and Dorothy (Magnuson) Luck. He married Mattie Anders on November 4, 1988, and she preceded him in death on January 28, 2025. He is also preceded in death…
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Dixon Zander ’63
Dixon ZanderJune 16, 1940 – May 2, 2025 Dixon Zander, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Madrid, Iowa. Dixon was born June 16, 1940, in Sumner, Iowa to William and Dora (Zell) Zander. He grew up working on the family farm. Dixon graduated from Sumner High School in 1958. He attended Wartburg College…
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Sharon Slack Knight ’66
Sharon Sue Knight, 81, of Waverly, Iowa, passed away Wednesday night, April 30, 2025, at her home. Sharon was born on February 9, 1944, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Arlene (Timm) and Theodore Slack. She attended school in Waterloo until moving to Waverly after the death of her father. Sharon graduated from Waverly-Shell…
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Jean Maas Pike ’58
Jean Ann Maas Pike fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on April 28, 2025 to continue her eternal journey with God. Jean will be deeply missed by her children, David (Catherine) Pike (Lansing MI), Steven (Mary Carle) Pike (Mequon, WI), Cheryl (Tom Delaney) Pike (Neenah); her children’s father Richard W. (Sue Hlinak) Pike (Appleton);…
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Bonnie Hartmann Drape ’54
Bonnie Mae Drape October 26, 1934 – April 25, 2025 Bonnie Mae Drape was born on October 26, 1934, the daughter Walter and Elda (Walther) Hartmann in Waverly, Iowa. She was baptized on December 9, 1934, and Confirmed on March 28, 1948, both at St. John Lutheran Church – Western Douglas. Bonnie graduated from Nashua High School…
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Jay Johnson ’92
Jay A. Johnson, 62, known as “OB” to his friends, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa with family at his side. Jay Adrian Johnson was born August 23, 1962, in Forest City, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1980, where he…
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Eldon DeWeerth ’63
Eldon DeWeerth, loving husband, father, grandfather, partner, and retired Lutheran pastor, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, April 14, 2025. He was 83. Eldon was born on November 2, 1941, in Bradford, Illinois. He grew up on a farm in Bradford and graduated from Bradford High School and Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.…
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Donald Smith ’58
Donald Eugene Smith, 92, of Ankeny passed away peacefully, April 14, 2025. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny (517 SW Des Moines St.) Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch. The service will be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral. Burial will be held on…
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Lois Wenske Hoops ’52
Lois, age 94, was born on December 9, 1930 near Glenvil, Nebraska to William Wenske and Elsie Anna Dumke Wenske. She passed away peacefully in Lakewood, Colorado on April 7, 2025 surrounded by her family with love. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Hoops, and her seven siblings. She is survived by her two children, Tim Hoops (his wife Linda Sue) and Cindy Boatright (her husband Mark); her 5 Grandchildren, Heather Hoops, Heidi Eng,…
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Norman Scott ’57
My husband, Norman Marshall Scott, passed away quietly at 89 years on April 2, 2025, from a long battle with cancer. Norm was born in Waterloo, Iowa on July 12, 1935. Growing up Norm worked summers and weekends at John Dere. Norm enjoyed playing golf with his grandparents where he learned the art of the…