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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Elaine Hillmann Wilcke ‘51
We mourn the passing of Elaine Marie Wilcke, 94, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Elaine was born at Grinnell, Iowa on September 28, 1929, daughter of Elmer and Tena Pals Hillmann. On August 15, 1951, she married Ernest W. Wilcke, son of Detlef and Lulu Clausen Wilcke. To this…
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James VanDriel ‘63
James L. VanDriel, age 82, of Eden Prairie, passed from this Earthly life to begin his life in heaven, on May 19, 2024. Family was with him. He passed peacefully while dreaming. Preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ester VanDriel; brother, Gene VanDriel; and wife, Barbara VanDriel. He will be forever loved and…
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Jerry Bishop ‘67
Jerry Edward Bishop, 79, of Lafayette and formerly of Monticello, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at The Springs in Lafayette. He was born on October 9, 1944 in Urbana, OH to the late Marvin and Ada (Smith) Bishop. He was a graduate of Appleton High School in Wisconsin and Wartburg College in Iowa.…
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James Niemann ‘58
James “Jim” L. Niemann Obituary James L. Niemann, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 6, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner surrounded by his family and friends. Jim was born December 26, 1936, to Paul & Emma (Klemp) Niemann. Jim graduated from Sumner High School in 1954 where he was a star athlete in…
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Kathlene Hoffman ‘67
Kathlene L. Hoffman, 80, of Rockford, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 4, 2024. She was born in Minnesota on September 24, 1943, the daughter of Mary and Arthur Kriesel. She married the love of her life, Robert Hoffman, in Branson, Missouri in 2010. Kathlene received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.…
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Myrna Zirk Fauska ‘62
Myrna E. (Zirk) Fauska, 86 of Kendall passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at her home. She was born on April 10, 1938, to Herbert and Grace (Sweet) Zirk in St. Paul, MN. Growing up, Myrna would spend her summers with her grandparents on the Zirk family farm. After high school, she attended Wartburg…
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Jane Broughton Thompson ‘69
Jane Arlene Thompson (nee Broughton, formerly Brinkman) died peacefully on April 29, 2024, in her “happy place” of Fort Myers, Florida, surrounded by family and friends.Jane was born in West Union, Iowa to Arlene (Boess) and Walter Broughton. Her family moved to Dubuque, and she graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1965. She then spent two years…
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Henry Friedrich ‘58
Henry Bruce Friedrich died at his home in North Liberty, Iowa, on April 24, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by his wife, three children, and daughter-in-law. Bruce was born on October 20, 1936, to Henry and Margaret Wilson Friedrich of Bessie, Oklahoma. He grew up in a family of Germans from Russia, including his…
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Charles “Pete” Griffin Jr. ‘73
Our father, Charles Peter Griffin, Jr or “Pete,” sadly passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Cedar Court Senior Living Center in Adams, Minn., at the age of 72. Pete was born July 4, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Martha (Gardner) and Charles Griffin, Sr (Chuck). In his youth, dad loved sports, especially baseball…
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Philip Truckenbrod ‘64
Philip Charles Truckenbrod, passed away after a sudden illness on April 22, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri, with his daughter, Emily, by his side. He was born on the family farm in Paw Paw, Illinois to Edgar John and Evelyn Cecelia Margaret (Schmitz) Truckenbrod on August 25, 1942. During his youth, Philip was active is…
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Abby Saathoff Doxey ‘09
Abbey Lee Doxey, 36, of Waverly, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at UnityPoint Health/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. She was born June 24, 1987, in Waterloo, daughter of Robert and Laurene (Smith) Saathoff. Abbey graduated from Clarksville High School where she played Basketball and Volleyball with the Class of 2005 then from Wartburg College…
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Eileen Wolken Schurr ’56
Eileen Ruth Schurr, 88, of Castle Rock, Colorado went home to be with the Lord on April 19, 2024. Eileen was one of 7 children born to Henry and Dora (Eilers) Wolken of Urbana, Illinois. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Robert Wolken, Dick Wolken, Martin Wolken and Walter Wolken; and…
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Peter Tundel ’69
Tundel, Peter C. Age 76 of Eden Prairie passed away April 17, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by wife, Sandi; daughter, Nikki (Tim), daughter, Laura (Aaron), and son, Mark (Jason). Pete was smart, funny, caring and determined. He was a unique mix of optimist and cynic. And he was extremely loved.…
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Ronald Fischer ‘68
Ronald (Ron) Alwin Fischer was born on August 7, 1946 to Edith and Marvin Fischer in Mendota, Illinois. He died in his Tonganoxie, Kansas home on April 15, 2024. After graduating from Mendota High School in 1964, Ron earned his college degree at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He then began pursuing an advanced degree…
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Zoey Clark Bronsink ‘20
Zoey Marie Clark Bronsink December 24, 1997 — April 15, 2024 Zoey was born December 24, 1997 in Des Moines Iowa. She was the oldest daughter of Brad and Sue Clark. Zoey graduated from Waukee High School where she was active in sports and marching band. Later, she attended Wartburg College. Zoey returned home where…
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Dolores Pipho Boehm ‘46
Dolores M. Boehm, 97, of rural Wadena, Iowa, died Saturday evening, April 13, 2024, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington, Iowa, with Rev. Margaret Yackel-Juleen officiating. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral…
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Erma Baumgartner Clausing ’49
Erma Hilda Clausing, 95, of Cedar Falls, Iowa and formerly from Waverly, passed away early Thursday morning, April 11, 2024, at Nation Cottage in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Erma Hilda (Baumgartner) Clausing was born on September 21, 1928, to Emil and Elizabeth (Beyerlein) Baumgartner in Clayton County, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Sebald Lutheran Church,…
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Arnold Fritz ‘53
Arnold William “Bill” Fritz, age 92 of Carlyle, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Mr. Fritz was born in Wesley, Iowa on January 1, 1932, a son of the late William A. and Wilma (nee Gerdes) Fritz. Bill married Norma Jeane Ahrens in Grinnell, Iowa on June 21, 1953, and she…
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Fred Holzrichter ‘66
Fred W. Holzrichter – passed away peacefully, at home with family present, on Thursday April 11, 2024. He was 80 years old. Fred was born in Chicago to Hugo and Elsa Holzrichter. He was raised in Chicago and graduated from Harper H.S. He began his studies at Wartburg College, Waverly, IA., but during a “financial…
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Mary “Sue” Hitchins Kern ’70
Mary “Sue” Kern, 93, of Waverly, Iowa died on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly. Mary Adorine Kern was born on February 8, 1931, the daughter of James and Margaret (Reburn) Hitchins in South Bend, Indiana. She attended primary school in the New Albin area, then Iowa Teacher College (UNI)…
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Arlene Schnaidt Orth ’61
Arlene Orth, 89, of Clarksville died on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Allen Memorial in Waterloo. Arlene Karoline Orth was born on December 14, 1935, the daughter of Rudolph and Anna (Heth) Schnaidt in Beulah, ND. She graduated from Beulah High School in 1953. She later attended Wartburg College for two years…
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Roderick Evans ’92
Roderick (Rod) Lynn Evans 55 of Des Moines, Iowa passed away October 27, 2025, at UnityPoint Des Moines Hospital. He was born on February 12th, 1970, to Donald Evans and Susan (Moore) Lewiston at Mercy Hospital Des Moines, IA. Rod graduated from Norwalk High School, Class of 1988. Following graduation, he continued his education at…
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Kyle Elliott Fidler ’83
Kyle Elliott Fidler April 27, 1960 — October 25, 2025 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kyle Rae Elliott Fidler, who departed this life peacefully at home on October 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Kyle was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and…
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Dorothy Obermeyer Dykman ’49
After a blessedly long and beautiful life, Dorothy Berniece Obermeyer Dykman met the God she had long worshiped, and was welcomed into eternal life on October 25, 2025. Dorothy was born in Norfolk, Nebraska on the 25th of May, 1929, to Emma and Reverend George Obermeyer. She was raised in a close-knit German Lutheran family,…
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Olinda Deines Patzer ’58
Olinda Louise Patzer (Deines) July 12, 1936 — October 24, 2025 Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Olinda Louise Patzer (Deines), passed away peacefully at home in Cedaredge, Colorado on October 24, 2025. She was 89 years old. Olinda was the heart of our home and family. She was married for 57 years to her…
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Norma Boyd Alfrejd ’62
Norma Jean Alfrejd (nee Boyd), 84, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025 with family at her side. Norma was born in Nevada, Missouri to Maybelle Boyd Rabon (nee Warner) and William Emmett Boyd. Her father passed when she was very young. Her mother would re-marry, Estel Rabon. She was the eldest of three…
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Dr. Robert Farner ’52
Robert L. “Doc” Farner, MD passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington, IL. He was 95. Robert Lewis Farner was born to Fred (Fritz) and Marie Vallazza Farner on February 4, 1930. He grew up on a farm near Toluca, IL. He started his educational journey by attending Center School,…
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Herbert Hildebrandt ’52
Obituary for Herbert William Hildebrandt As usual…I arrived as a baby, a boy in January 1931, and ultimately the door closed in October 2025. I deeply tasted the world, anchored my life on a sea of love with Dee (nee Delores Bartels of Waseca, Minnesota), my wife of 65+ years who died in August 2018.…
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Dr. James Heddens ’60
James D. Heddens, D.P.M., Podiatrist Emeritus, passed away at the age of 88 on October 14 surrounded by his children. Jim was an active member of the Marshalltown community where he lived for over 60 years. He was born in Charles City in 1937, attended Wartburg College and graduated from the Illinois College of Podiatric…
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Marilyn Fick Luttinen ’66
Marilyn Kay Luttinen passed away on October 6, 2025 at the Quartet Senior Living Village in Bettendorf, Iowa. Born on May 12, 1944 in Los Angeles, California to Wilbur and Marcella Fick, Marilyn was a lifelong learner and dedicated to her faith. After receiving her Bachelor’s in teaching from Wartburg College, she was a Physical…
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Joan Schwefel Schroeder ’55
Joan A. Schroeder March 30, 1933 – October 2, 2025 Joan A. (Schwefel) Schroeder, age 92, passed peacefully on Thursday, October 2nd. Joan was born to her parents Evelyn (Zinzow) and William Schwefel in March 1933. The family established their home in Glendale WI – Joan the eldest joined by her brother Jon and sister…
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Charlice Haug Offenheiser ’54
Charlice Rosena H. Offenheiser, 93, of rural Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025, at her home with her family close by her side. Born February 11, 1932, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of Louis H. and Lavina (Groezinger) Haug. Charlice grew up on their Derinda farm, attending the one-room school in Derinda…
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Gwendolyn Parlin Paulson ’65
Gwendolyn Anne Paulson, age 82, wife, mother, master teacher, pillar of her community, died Monday, September 22, 2025, in River Falls, Wisconsin. She was born on February 5, 1943, in Joliet, Illinois, a daughter of Raymond and Esther (Ziesemer) Parlin. She was united in marriage to Ed Paulson. She was a 1965 graduate of Wartburg…
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William Wachholz ’63
William “Bill” Wachholz, 85, of Wausau, WI, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025. Bill was born on January 15, 1940, in Wausau to Marvin and Irmagard Wachholz. On June 7, 1969, he married the love of his life, Shirley Mielke. Together, they shared 24 wonderful years of marriage until Shirley’s passing, a time that…
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Vernita Frese Baumgartner ’51
Vernita Marie Frese Baumgartner, age 93, of Fremont was born September 2, 1932 in Nora Springs IA, and departed this life to be with our Lord on September 18, 2025. The youngest of three daughters born to George and Julia (Ueker) Frese, Vernita grew up on the family farm outside of Nora Springs, surrounded by…
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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…