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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All Class Years
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Diane Christensen Melrose ’72
Diane Pearl (Christensen) Melrose, age 88, of Charles City, was called home to her Lord on November 29, 2025. Born on November 17, 1937, in Montevideo, Minnesota to Arthur and Norma (Larsen) Christensen, Diane grew up surrounded by faith, family, and community. She lived in Montevideo until 1951, then moved with her family to Pipestone,…
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Dale Pedersen ’72
Dale Allen Pedersen, 75, of Waukee, IA passed away on November 24, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer compounded by a recent stroke. His wife, Kathy, was by his side. Dale was born in the office of Dr. H. Frank Givens of West Bend, IA on December 8,1949 weighing 9 lbs. 10 oz.,…
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James Ristau ’73
James Conrad Ristau, 85, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, at Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. James Conrad Ristau was born on August 23, 1940, to Clarence and Bernice (Hockenson) Ristau at the family home in Thornton, Iowa. Growing up with two sisters in a close family home, James loved Sundays which…
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Nancy Larrison Clinton-Ross ’93
Nancy Jeanne (Larrison) Clinton-Ross, 77, of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away on November 19, 2025, at her home. Nancy was born on October 9, 1948, in New Castle, Indiana, the daughter of James and Sylvia (McDaniel) Larrison. She graduated in 1966 from Chrysler High School in New Castle. Nancy married Robert Lawson in 1967; the couple…
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Charles Harken ’78
Charles Alan Harken, of Cedar Rapids, died on November 19, 2025 in St. Luke’s Hospital from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. Charlie was born on August 31, 1956, the 5th of 8 children, to Irene and Gerald Harken of Shell Rock, Iowa. He grew up in Shell Rock, graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1974…
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Janette Hofler Lien ’77
Janette Sue Lien passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025 at the age of 72. She was well known in the community for her career as an educator in the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School District having taught a variety of science classes over her nearly 37-year career. She served on the School Board, was active in…
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Frances Truckenbrod Kline ’57
Frances “Franny” Kline, 88, of Solon and formerly from Waverly died on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Solon Care Center in Solon. All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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Marilyn Bentz Schnaidt ’55
Marilyn Y. Schnaidt, 91 of New Rockford, ND formerly of Devils Lake ND passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Marilyn Yvonne, daughter of George and Irene (Tschakofske) Bentz, was born on November 21, 1933, in Hazen, ND, where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Golden Valley…
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Orpha Rachuy Emkes ’46
Orpha H. Emkes passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025. She was born April 15,1924 in Westbrook, Minnesota to the late Ernest and Bertha (Bloch) Rachuy. She was baptized May 4,1924 and confirmed in September 5,1937 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. She attended public schools in Rosehill Township and graduated from Westbrook High School,…
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Douglas Kutschat ’62
Douglas A. Kutschat, 86, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully at his home on November 9, 2025, with family by his side. Douglas was born April 29, 1939, in Albert Lea, MN, to Walter and Angeline Kutschat. He was raised in Southern Minnesota and Eastern Iowa. He had a younger sibling, Steve. Douglas was…
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Meg Harper Rath ’17
Meg Harper Rath ’17, Oelwein, is vice president of marketing at AgeWell Solvere Living.
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Janice Helmke Basler ’56
Janice “Jan” Basler August 11, 1936 – November 5, 2025 Janice Hilda (Helmke) Basler was born on August 11, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the youngest of six children born to William Henry and Hilda Helena (Boge) Helmke. Jan graduated from Renwick High School and went on to earn a two-year Elementary Education Certificate from Wartburg College.…
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Paul Mugan ’90
Paul Mugan ’90, Waverly, retired after 34 years of teaching secondary biology, 26 of which were at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. He serves as an adjunct professor with the Wartburg College education department and works with the Wartburg football team’s academic program and as a tight end coach.
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Janel DeZarn Ray ’01
Janel DeZarn Ray ’01, Beaver Dam, Wis., is the chief financial officer and chief operations officer at Special Olympics Wisconsin.
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Sharon Rasmussen ’88
Sharon Joy Rasmussen, age 59, of Oregon (formerly of Eau Claire) died on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from complications of Glioblastoma. Nadine, her loving caretaker, took care of her at home during the final months of her life. Sharon was born on March 25, 1966, in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin to Rev. Dale and Jean…
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Dorothy Boeckenheuer Keith ’53
Dorothy Ann [Boeckenheuer] Keith, lifelong educator, passed away on November 1, 2025, at Creekside in Grundy Center. Dorothy was born January 16, 1934 in Hawkeye, Iowa to Carl and Clara [Braun] Boeckenheuer. She graduated from Hawkeye High in 1951, and attended Wartburg College, obtaining her teaching certificate in 1953. She began her teaching career in…
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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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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…
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Rev. Harold Oelschlager ’52
Harold E. Oelschlager, 95, passed peacefully into eternal life on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Village at Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst, Illinois. He was born on February 22, 1930, to Otto and Della (Heitman) Oelschlager in Princeton, Minnesota. Harold graduated from Princeton High School and attended Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa, where he earned…
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Randolph Murty ’93
Randy was born in Wichita, Kansas on February 16, 1958. His parents, Joe and Inez Murty, moved to Tama, Iowa and he grew up there along with three brothers. He graduated from LDF High School in Le Grand, Iowa, and received a B.A. degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He received his certificate for…
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James “Ed” Veasey Jr. ’94
James “Ed” Veasey Jr., 52, of Rock Island, passed away Monday July 14, 2025 at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis. James was born on October 27, 1972 in Moline, the son of James and Ruby (Barnett) Veasey Sr. He was a graduate of Rock Island High School, and James later graduated from Wartburg College…
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Dr. Darrell Wiener ’59
Dr. Darrell Dean Wiener, 88, of Le Mars, Iowa, went home to be with his Lord on July 5, 2025, after four plus years of fighting cancer. Darrell was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on January 15, 1937, the son of Albert and Elda (Ludwig) Wiener. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.…
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Robert Matthias ’64
Robert “Bob” Lee Matthias May 20, 1942 – July 3, 2025 Robert “Bob” Lee Matthias, age 83, passed away at his home in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a place he cherished and called home for nearly five decades. Born on May 20, 1942, in Denver, Iowa, Bob grew up with a strong work ethic and deep family…