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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Dennis Bigelow ‘65
Dennis Clair Bigelow, 81, of Cedar Falls, passed away at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics on Thursday, September 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sumner on December 1, 1942, son of Clair and Maye (Morf) Bigelow. Denny graduated from West Central Maynard High School with the Class of…
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Arlys Orvella Soeder ‘68
Arlys Lorraine Soeder December 2, 1931 – September 11, 2024 Lorraine Soeder, age 92, of Waverly, Iowa and formerly of Denver, Iowa, died Wednesday, September 11, at Whispering Willows Care Center in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Arlys was born December 2, 1931, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Helmer and Cora (Stoen) Orvella. She graduated from Decorah High School…
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Julie Whitney Florence ‘85
Julie Irene (Whitney) Florence passed away at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from complications of necrotizing fasciitis. Julie was born on September 29, 1962, in Albany, Georgia, to James and Katherine Whitney. She grew up in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and graduated from Southeast Polk (SEP) High School and Wartburg College.…
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Erin Brown ‘94
Erin Scott Brown passed away at his home on September 3, 2024. He was born in Mason City, Iowa on January 25, 1972. He graduated from St. Ansgar High School and then attended Wartburg College, receiving a degree in social work. Erin currently worked at Becker Public Schools as a social worker. Previous employment includes…
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Dr. James Bastian ‘62
Dr. James “Jim” Louis BastianAugust 16, 1940 – September 2, 2024 Jim, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated chiropractor, passed away at age 84. Born to Louis “Doc” Allen Bastian D.C., and Bernice Eleanora Bastian, Jim lived a life full of purpose and dedication to service, work, and providing for his family. Jim had…
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Kevin Perrinjaquet ‘73
Kevin James Perrinjaquet, 73, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Kevin was born on July 17, 1951, the son of Gerald and Marjorie (Knickerbocker) Perrinjaquet. After graduating from Edgewood-Colesburg High School in 1969, Kevin attended Wartburg College, where he earned a business degree in 1973. Upon graduation,…
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Thomas Havemann ‘67
Thomas H. “Tom” Havemann, 79, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, IA. Tom was born on May 25, 1945, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of William C. Havemann and Bertha A. (Swanson) Havemann. He married Judith M. (Judy) Vorwerk on September 23, 1967, at First…
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Rosella Dirksen Beninga ‘48
Rosella (Rosie) M. Beninga, 97, of Grundy Center, Iowa, passed away August 27, 2024, at Arlington Place in Grundy Center. Rosie was born on September 19, 1926, in Bancroft, South Dakota, the daughter of Harm and Catherine (Peterson) Dirksen. She graduated from Bancroft High School in 1944. After graduating from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa,…
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Carol Wessels Bye Koeneman ‘66
Carol Ann Wessels Bye Koeneman, age 80, passed away peacefully August 27, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. She was born January 7, 1944 in Independence, Iowa to Verna (Peck) and William Wessels. She was raised in Independence surrounded by her brothers and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Growing up, Carol enjoyed playing the piano, singing, swimming,…
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Rev. Jan Horne ‘63
Pastor Jan Horne, 88, of Robins, IA passed on into the presence of our Savior Monday August 26, 2024. One of three children, Jan was born in Oslo, Norway on February 5th 1936, to parents, Arthur and Solveig Horne. As a child, Jan survived the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War 2. Because of…
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Alberta Brandt Pieper ‘56
Alberta “Boots” Pieper, age 89, of Clara City, Minnesota passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at Clara City Care Center. Alberta Leona Pieper was born February 1, 1935 to Albert and Minnie (Hesse) Brandt in Denver, Iowa. She grew up in Denver and was baptized on March 3, 1935 and confirmed on April 13, 1949…
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Leona Mortensen Reyelts ‘54
Leona Lena Reyelts March 1, 1932 – August 26, 2024 On the evening of August 26th, God sent a strong wind to raise up the soul of one of His true and faithful servants. Rainbows and lightening decorated the skies as Leona Reyelts, aged 92, died peacefully of natural causes to join her husband, Rev.…
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Richard Larson ‘57
Richard Jeffrey Larson, age 89, died on August 25, 2024, from a fall at his home in Prestbury. He was born February 27, 1935, to Jeffrey and Malene Larson in Earlville, Illinois. He was raised in the Earlville area, attended a one room grade school for seven years, and graduated from the Earlville grade and…
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Kristine Karls Lambert ‘71
Kristine Wendy Lambert December 5, 1948 – August 24, 2024 Kristine Wendy (Karls) Lambert, age 75, of Schaumburg. Beloved wife of the late Julian Raymond Lambert. Beloved daughter of the late Alice Lillian (Erickson) Karls and Robert Matthew Karls. Loving mother of John P. Lambert and Julie A. (Kirk) Dahlen. Dearest grandmother of Emma Dahlen. Dear sister…
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Richard Tillou ‘51
Richard D. Tillou, 95, formerly of Mason City passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Cascade Creek Memory Care, Rochester, MN. Richard Tillou was born on August 30, 1928, in Richland Center, WI to parents John and Audrey (Thompson) Tillou. Richard graduated from Richland Center High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in…
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Paul Beckman ‘54
Paul Lester Beckman, 92, of West Burlington, died Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at his home. Born June 14, 1932, in Prairie Grove, he was the son of Lester and Esther (Flachman) Beckman. He attended Flint River School and was a 1950 graduate of Danville High School and a graduate of Wartburg College. He served as…
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Kathryn Fritschel Gerard ‘58
Kathryn Annette Fritschel Gerard August 3, 1936 – August 15, 2024 Kathryn (Kay) Annette Gerard, née Fritschel, 88 of Sugar Land, Texas, died peacefully at home on Thursday, August 15th surrounded by her family. Kay was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, the second child of Reverend Walter and Nina Fritschel, and grew up in Charles…
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Loretta Schmitt Blain ’56
Loretta “Lorrie” Irene Blain, age 88, passed away in her home in Costa Mesa, CA on August 14, 2024. Born on June 29, 1936, in Bismarck, North Dakota to Bertha and Jacob Schmitt, Lorrie lived a life full of love, devotion, and service. Growing up on a farm in Wishek, ND, Lorrie moved to Waverly, Iowa to…
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Roger Swanson ’52
Roger D. Swanson was born February 6, 1931, in Manchester, Iowa, to Anton V. and Elsie (Reck) Swanson. He died on August 13, 2024, at the Great River Care Center in McGregor, Iowa. Roger attended grade school at Rural Hazel Green Township in Delaware County, Iowa and graduated from Buck Creek Consolidated High School in…
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Dr. Emilie Noel Zehr ‘73
Emilie S. Zehr, 73 a resident of Bondurant, Iowa, died peacefully on Thursday August 1, 2024 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing, following a courageous battle with cancer. Emilie Susanna Noel was born January 22, 1951 in Clinton, IA; the eldest of…
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Doris Kumpf Keller ’44
Doris W. (Kumpf) Keller passed away peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father on September 13, 2025 at age of 101. Doris was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Rev. Fred and Esther (Hoffman) Kumpf on July 7, 1924. She was raised in Humboldt, SD and Johnson, NE. She was preceded in passing by…
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Alan Sexter ’87
Alan Sexter, age 60, of Wausau died on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Wausau Manor. Alan was born on September 24, 1964, in Decorah, lA, to the late James and Jeralyn (Krugel) Sexter. He grew up in Owatonna, MN where he developed a life long love of the Minnesota Vikings. After graduating high school, he…
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Norbert Gauerke ’55
Norbert Lee Gauerke (Norb, Nubby, Nubs), age 92 passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on September 12, 2025 surrounded by his family that loved him. He was born on May 31, 1933 in Appleton to the late Erwin and Alma (Lemke) Gauerke. He was baptized on July 16, 1933 and…
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Marlene Albertsen DeRosa ’74
Marlene DeRosa, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and vibrant pillar of her community, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on September 8, 2025. While her family and many friends feel her absence deeply, her kindness and zest for life fill their hearts with enduring warmth and gratitude. Born in Danbury, Iowa…
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Bernard Masker ’65
Bernard “Bernie” Masker, 84 of Conrad, IA passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Premier Estates of Toledo, IA. Bernie was born August 25, 1941, to Wilson and Albina (Balvin) Masker. He was raised in Tama, IA and attended Tama High School where he was very active in football and wrestling. He continued his football…
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Jeffery Glaw ’84
Jeffery Linn Glaw, age 63, of Keosauqua, Iowa, and formerly of Parkersburg, Iowa, died Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at his home. Jeff was born on July 2, 1962, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Norman Glaw and Karon (Johnson) Dobbs (formerly Glaw). He was raised in Waterloo and Parkersburg, graduating from the Aplington-Parkersburg High School…
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Darryl Meyer ’63
R. Darryl Meyer passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, following a short illness. He was 85. Born in Nebraska to Rev. Raymond and Lenora Meyer, Darryl moved to Minnesota and Wisconsin, and then back to Nebraska, following his father’s pastoral calling. He graduated from Benson High School…
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John Culbertson ’50
John Dale Culbertson Obituary John D. Culbertson, age 96, of Waverly died on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly of natural causes. John was born September 15, 1928, in Waverly, the son of Floyd and Merle (Getts) Culbertson. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1946; UNI in 1950; and…
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Gaye Ostlund Scott ’71
Gaye L. Scott, 76, of Mason City went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 30, 2025 at Heritage Care Center. Gaye Lorraine Ostlund was born January 31, 1949 at Lake City, Iowa to Donald and Frances (Lorraine) Ostlund of Lohrville, Iowa. She was the oldest of 3 children. Her first years were…
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Robert Gronstal ’52
Robert Joseph Gronstal, 94, of Gastonia and formerly of Treynor, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Robin Johnson House on August 28, 2025. Born in Council Bluffs, IA on September 10, 1930 to Joseph and Elvira Gronstal. Bob grew up and spent most of his life in Treynor, IA. He was a graduate of Wartburg College…
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Dr. George Roleder ’50
We are saddened to share the passing of longtime chapter member George Roleder on August 26, 2025. George was known as a humorist and author of, “By George! The Birds are Copying Us” and “Flights of Bird Fancy” – collections of witty short stories that both challenge serious birders to double-check their handbooks and offer…
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Carolyn Joseph Stufflebeam ’58
Carolyn Teresa Stufflebeam, 89, of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025. Carolyn was born June 2, 1936, in Oak Park, Illinois to Frank and Mary (Verdek) Joseph. She attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. On December 27, 1958, she married Daniel Leroy…
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Larry Kueker ’66
Larry L. Kueker, 81, of Waverly, Iowa died on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly. Larry Lee Kueker was born on May 7, 1944, the son of Leslie and Mildred (Heineman) Kueker in Waverly. He was baptized on May 28, 1944, and confirmed on April 27, 1958, both at St.…
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Patrick Feltus ’63
Patrick Marshall “Pat” Feltus, 84, of Allison, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Maple Manor in Aplington, with family by his side. Pat was the son of Robert Dale Feltus and Siena Margaret (DeBower) Feltus. He graduated from Allison-Bristow High School and attended Wartburg College in Waverly. Pat married Ruth Ann Endelman on November…
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Margrete Gorden Smeby ’64
Margrete Oline Smeby, 106, passed away Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Margrete was born May 28, 1919, to Joseph and Margit Gorden in Detroit. She was the oldest of four children, followed by three brothers: William, Frank and Bernie. She graduated from high school in Detroit and…
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Oscar “Ozzie” Scofield ’63
Oscar Ray “Ozzie” Scofield, 84, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 1, 1941, Ozzie was the son of the late Ray F. Scofield and Marion Kalman Scofield. A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, he embraced adventure on the open road and earned several prestigious…
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Laurita Top Perry ’76
Ms. Laurita “Laura” Top Perry December 30, 1953 – August 18, 2025 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ms. Laurita “Laura” Perry of Parker, CO on August 18, 2025. Our beloved mother, Laura, was one of the most courageous, compassionate, and resilient women to ever walk this earth. Her strength…
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John Netty II ’88
John Anthony Netty II, 59, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, formerly of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away to be with the Lord on August 16, 2025, at his Richmond Lake home, with his wife, Brandy, by his side. John was born June 1, 1966, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John and Luella (Comstock) Netty. John graduated…
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Bonnie Simpson Brewer ’68
Bonnie Brewer, age 79, of Ripon, was received into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 4, 2025, at SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital. She was born on March 21, 1946, in Ripon, WI, a daughter of Colin Jr. and Desiré (Hardell) Simpson. After graduating from high school, Bonnie went on…
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Naomi Ketema Alene ’18
Naomi Ketema Alene, age 29, of Aurora, Colorado passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Naomi was born in Denver, Colorado on July 25, 1996 to Ketema and Salome. She was a treasured daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. Naomi will be deeply missed by all who she crossed paths with. All obituary information has…