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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Brynn Hanson ’25
Brynn Hanson ’25, Lawton, is a music therapy intern at Music Therapy Services of South Dakota, Sioux Falls.
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Jace Goedel ’24
Jace Goedel ’24, St. Francis, Minn., is an IT technician at RFA Engineering, Eden Prairie.
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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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Bailey Strait Ginter ’18
Bailey Strait Ginter ’18, Dubuque, earned a master’s degree in business administration at Clarke University and is a marketing and sales representative at J&S Better Built Barns, Zwingle.
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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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Dr. Jamie Kling ’99
Dr. Jamie Kling ’99, Portage, Wis., is a family medicine physician at the UW Health Clinic and a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He has made significant contributions to the education of medical students and residents, serves on the Medical School Admissions Committee, and is a service…
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Laurie Robinson Cognetta ’73
Laurie Robinson Cognetta ’73, Woodbridge, Va., sang with the National Christian Choir in commemoration of its 40th anniversary.
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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…
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Robert Klemesrud Jr. ’70
Robert Duane Klemesrud, Jr., age 76, of Osage peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Bob was born on August 18, 1948, to Robert Sr. and Joan (Ryner) Klemesrud at Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City, Iowa. Bob completed his…
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Kent Dahlquist ’65
Kent Glenn Dahlquist, age 83 passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025 in St. Cloud, MN in the arms of his loving wife and children. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 21, 2025 at Hope Covenant Church in St. Cloud, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. A…
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Gregory Puls ’71
Gregory Puls peacefully departed from this world March 28, 2025, with family at his side after a battle of cancer, Hydrocephalus (NPH), and Parkinsonism. Gregory Wayne Puls was born January 26,1949 in Grinnell, IA to Wayne and Wilma (Jean) Puls. He has one brother, Randy Puls, who resides in Ft Dodge, IA. Greg spent most…
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Robert Klemesrud Jr. ’70
Robert Duane Klemesrud, Jr., age 76, of Osage peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Bob was born on August 18, 1948, to Robert Sr. and Joan (Ryner) Klemesrud at Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City, Iowa. Bob completed his…
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Kent Dahlquist ’65
Kent Glenn Dahlquist, age 83 passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025 in St. Cloud, MN in the arms of his loving wife and children. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 21, 2025 at Hope Covenant Church in St. Cloud, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. A…
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Gregory Puls ’71
Gregory Puls peacefully departed from this world March 28, 2025, with family at his side after a battle of cancer, Hydrocephalus (NPH), and Parkinsonism. Gregory Wayne Puls was born January 26,1949 in Grinnell, IA to Wayne and Wilma (Jean) Puls. He has one brother, Randy Puls, who resides in Ft Dodge, IA. Greg spent most…
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Charles Steahr ’78
Charles “Chuck” Albert Steahr, age 68, of Centerville, IA, passed away surrounded by his family at the Mercy One Medical Center on March 25th, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Muscatine, IA on September 26, 1956, the son of Charles and Betty (Workman) Steahr. He attended the Muscatine High School…
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Wayne Slack ’59
Wayne T. Slack, 88, of Ackley, Iowa, passed peacefully at Grand JiVante` on Sunday, March 23, 2025. After a long stay in the hospital, he died from complications of reoccurring lymphoma. Wayne was born on January 30, 1937, in New Hampton, Iowa, the son of Ted and Arlene Slack. He was baptized on March 7th,…
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David Rasmussen ’62
David Allen Rasmussen, age 86, passed away Saturday, March 22nd 2025 in the company of his family. Friends may greet the family during visitation at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. A rosary will be said for all who wish to pray with the family prior…
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Arthur Frick
Arthur C. Frick II, 101, of Waverly died on March 10, 2025, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly. Arthur Charles Frick was born on October 15,1923, the son of Arthur Clement and Nola Ann (Mangum) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was baptized in 1923 and confirmed in 1935, both at the 1st Methodist Episcopal Church…
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Charlotte Scholl Spragg ’62
Charlotte Spragg passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 17, 2025, following surgery in Ft. Myers, Florida. Born in 1937 to Beatrice and Daniel Scholl, she was the third of seven children. She graduated from Waterloo West High School and went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa and Wartburg College. She was united in…
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Jane Buenzow Rudolph ’58
Jane Jeanette Rudolf, age 88, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, in the SpringHills Memory Care Unit, in Middletown, Ohio. Jane was born in Minneapolis on August 6, 1936, and adopted by Fred and Ida Buenzow, through Lutheran Social Services. Jane was baptized on October 13, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN and confirmed at Mansfield Lutheran Church…
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Ruth Albrecht Moeller ’51
Ruth Renata Moeller, 93, of Waverly, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Tripoli Nursing Home in Tripoli, Iowa. Ruth was born September 29, 1931, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Otto and Renata (Schott) Albrecht. She was baptized the following day in the New Hampton Hospital. She first lived in Waucoma where she…
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James Peters ’63
James J. Peters of Freeport, IL died March 3, 2025 at Winn Prairie in Freeport, IL. He was born in Fond du Lac, WI on February 3, 1942. He was the son of Wilbert and Helen (Miller) Peters. Jim’s early life was spent on his father’s livestock farm. He graduated from Goodrich High in 1959.…
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Lucille Lunde Hackbart ’52
Lucille Karleen Hackbart (Lunde), age 94, of Golden Valley, passed on March 1, 2025. Born in Decorah, IA, she attended High School in Monona, IA, and graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. Lucille taught 3rd grade in the Robbinsdale School District and substituted in Mpls. schools. Active in the community, Lucille was a member…
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Royce Kreul ’65
Royce E. Kreul, age 82, a 53-year resident of Oregon, Wis., died of congestive heart failure on February 26, 2025. Royce was born on November 18, 1942, in Fennimore, Wis., to Leonard and Wilma Kreul. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fennimore. He attended Fennimore Public schools participating in football,…
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Gwenda Geyer Groskurth ‘58
November 14, 1936 — February 16, 2025 Albert Lea Gwenda Ann (Gwen) Groskurth, 88, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away at her home on February 16, 2025. Gwen was born at her parent’s home in rural Fayette County, IA, on November 14, 1936. She was the only child of her parents, Minnie Rose Springer Geyer…
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Joan Matt Oelke ‘49
Joan Adel Oelke age 96 of New Hampton died Thursday, February 13, 2025 at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center. Joan was born Aug. 7,1928 to Will and Emilie (Mueller) Matt on the home farm in National, Farmersburg Township in Clayton County, Iowa. She was the youngest of four sisters. Joan was baptized at home by…
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Gordon Kopitzke ‘54
Gordon H. Kopitzke, age 92 of the Town of Grant, Shawano County passed away at the same home he was born in on Sunday morning February 9, 2025. Gordon was born on August 1, 1932 as the son of the late Leonard and Minnie (Pockat) Kopitzke. He graduated from Marion High School in 1950 and earned…
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Elaine Knoploh Wedemeier ‘55
Elaine R. Wedemeier, 90, of Maynard and formerly of Westgate, Iowa, died peacefully Thursday morning, February 6, 2025, at Hillcrest Assisted Living in Sumner, Iowa. Elaine Rose Wedemeier, daughter of John and Lydia (Sell) Knoploh, was born February 17, 1934. She was baptized on March 4, 1934, and confirmed on March 30, 1947, at St.…
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Deanna Lange ‘69
Deanna Kay Lange, 77, of Bettendorf, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at her residence. Deanna was born October 1st, 1947, to Walter and Helen (Martens) Lange in Davenport, IA. She attended Davenport schools and graduated in 1965 from Davenport Central High School. She then went on to attend Wartburg College in…
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Verdell Hubbell Kelly ‘52
Verdell M. Kelly, 92, of Dows, with loved ones by her side, went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, and reunited with her love, Dennis, on Monday, February 3, 2025. There will be no funeral service, as this was her desire. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory of Iowa Falls is caring for Verdell…
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Lavoy Haage ‘68
Lavoy Gene Haage passed away from complications of Leukemia on February 2, 2025, at the age of 84. Lavoy was born March 17, 1940, to Gert and Helen Haage, in LeMars, Iowa. Lavoy was the oldest of 3 siblings and raised on a farm in LeMars, Iowa. They farmed the land and raised livestock. Lavoy…