
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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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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.…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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);…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…