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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Tina Cox Vogelmann ’95
Tina Cox Vogelmann ’95, Lake Geneva, Wis., earned a master’s degree from Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Md., and is superintendent at Hartland Lakeside School District, Hartland.
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James Cassmann ’95
James Cassmann ’95, Mabel, Minn., is an administrative assistant at Mayo Clinic-Rochester for the General Internal Medicine International Clinic and faculty development.
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Alexis Oberdorfer ’94
Alexis Oberdorfer ’94, West Saint Paul, Minn., is senior vice president of services for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.
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Van Beach ’94
Van Beach ’94, Cumming, is global head of Life Actuarial Solutions with Aon.
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Jeff Martin ’92
Jeff Martin ’92, Kennesaw, Ga., produced “Lethal Restraint” as a journalist for the Associated Press. The project is a series of stories, photos, videos, and a PBS Frontline documentary examining the deaths of more than 1,000 people after encounters with police that involved “less-lethal” force. The series was a finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting.
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David Gerleman ’91
David Gerleman ’91, Alexandria, Va., a history instructor at George Mason University, Fairfax, is a 2024-25 Fulbright Scholar Award recipient and is teaching two courses at the University of Debrecen, Hungary.
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Kathryn Buck Strong ’90
Kathryn Buck Strong ’90, Broomfield, Colo., retired from the city of Lakewood after 26 years as a teacher and education coordinator for Head Start. She now serves as an office administrator with Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder.
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Kevin Kelling ’88
Kevin Kelling ’88, Grand Rapids, Mich., is a mortgage loan originator at Macatawa Bank.
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Stu Fritz ’88
Stu Fritz ’88, Holland, Mich., retired after 31 years as head baseball coach and associate professor of kinesiology at Hope College. He is serving part time as an athletics and philanthropy liaison.
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Jan Hazlewood Plane ’87
Jan Hazlewood Plane ’87, Brandon, Wis., earned the ACM-SIGCSE Broadening Participation in Computing Award. She was also awarded the May Bumby Severy Award for Teaching Excellence at Ripon College.
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Jamie Clemente De Geer ’84
Jamie Clemente De Geer ’84, Valley Park, Mo., celebrated 25 years as director of music ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Manchester. She serves in various roles from worship and youth leadership to choir director.
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Deborah Newton Mortensen ’83
Deborah Newton Mortensen ’83, Alta, retired in 2022 after 39 years with the Storm Lake Community School District. She authored the children’s book Not Me, published in 2024.
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Dawn Rodenberg Lynes ’82
Dawn Rodenberg Lynes ’82, Garnavillo, earned the 2023 Tom Lewis Award from the Coalition for Family and Children’s Services in Iowa.
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Gregory Diercks ’78
Gregory Diercks ’78, Chicago, Ill., is retired.
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David Burrier ’76
David ’76 and Sherry Burrier, Runnells, were married Jan. 1, 2022. He has authored and published 10 children’s books since retiring in 2019.
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Robert Atkins ’76
Robert Atkins ’76, Roscoe, Ill., is retired.
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Coby Carstens ’02
Coby Carstens ’02, Iowa City, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.
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David Van Driel ’72
David Van Driel ’72, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., earned a master’s degree from Rice University, Houston, and is CEO at Van Driel Ventures/Energy and Waste Network.
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Rev. Dianne Stange Prichard ’71
The Rev. Dianne Stange Prichard ’71, DeWitt, co-authored the book Raising America: Building a More Perfect Union.
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Dr. Erv Janssen ’58
Dr. Erv Janssen ’58, Tulsa, Okla., a U.S. Navy veteran, was a 2024 inductee in the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor for his lifetime of service in support of the mental health of active duty service members, reservists, veterans, and their families.
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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 attended Akron country school and graduated high school from LeMars, Iowa. After high school, he worked for several years for a drywall company before starting his college education in Waverly at Wartburg College. Lavoy returned to LeMars in 1965 amid his college years and met…
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Lois Reyelts Trachte ‘66
Lois Dorothy (Reyelts) Trachte, 80, of Waverly, Iowa, died on January 30, 2025, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community. Lois was born on February 4, 1944, to Claus and Mildred (Griesse) Reyelts in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. She became a poster child for her family’s Reyelts Dairy, even though she didn’t like milk. Lois graduated as valedictorian from Central Lyon High School in 1962 and from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in 1966, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education. During her college years, she spent two summers…
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Mary Krohlow ‘66
Mary Kathryn Krohlow, 80, of Burlington, died Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at her home. Born May 1, 1944, in Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Edgar A. and Ruth E. Zuelke Krohlow. She attended Seymour High School, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1962. She continued her education and graduated from Wartburg College. Mary started her career in 1966 teaching English and serving as the staff advisor to the students who produced the newspaper, “The Purple and Gray” and the “Pathfinder” yearbook at Burlington Community High School. Mary served on both the Burlington Public Library Board of…
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John Hearn ‘68
John E. Hearn, 78, passed away at his residence on Sunday, January 26, 2025. He was born in Racine on September 9, 1946, the son of the late Earl and Ella (nee Andersen) Hearn. He graduated from Washington Park High School and Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, where he excelled in baseball and was inducted into Wartburg’s Hall of Fame for basketball. John taught at various schools, most notably, Washington Junior High until making a career transition into sales. He had a passion for playing softball in Racine for many years. He also enjoyed golfing and bowling, as well as…
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Rev. Loren Van Oort ‘59
The Rev. Loren J. Van Oort, 87, of South Bend, Indiana, a devoted husband, father,grandfather, great-grandfather, and servant of God, passed away peacefully on January23, 2025, with his loving wife Lorraine and family by his side.Loren was born on September 28, 1937, to the late John and Lillian Van Oort inSheldon, Iowa. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-seven years, Lorraine(Lorrie), and three daughters, Leann (Mike) Dincolo, Lisa (Bill) Arnold, and Lila (Jeff)Leonard. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Katie Dincolo, Joseph (Lauren) Golc,James Dincolo, Allie (Mitchell) Alpaugh, Jennifer Golc, and Jeffrey Golc. Pastor Loren isalso survived…
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Rev. Donald Schmidt ‘49
Rev. Donald Armin Schmidt was an ELCA Lutheran pastor. He peacefully passed away at age 97 in his home, surrounded by his family, on January 23, 2025. Don was born in Ixonia, Wisconsin on May 29, 1927 to Bernard & Anna Wilhemina [née Frederick] Schmidt. He married Donna Jeanne Brallier on June 1, 1951 and was blessed to have a loving union that lasted 72 years. Don received his undergraduate degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He then graduated in 1952 from the Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He dedicated his life to his Heavenly Father and his…
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Rev. Alton Schwandt ‘50
Alton Schwandt October 30, 1927 – January 17, 2025 Alton William Schwandt was born on October 30, 1927 on a dairy farm near Ripon, Wisconsin. He was the son of William and Dora Ruth Schwandt. He graduated from Ripon High School and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He graduated with a BA in music and answered the call of Christian ministry to Wartburg Seminary. He graduated in 1953 and was ordained in his home church in Ripon with uncle and brother (Roland) officiating. He married Mary Ruth Alke on June 8, 1951. Together, they managed the Mount Pleasant Children’s…
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Elaine Reinking Ehlers ‘52
Elaine May Ehlers April 12, 1931 – January 16, 2025 Elaine May Ehlers was born April 12, 1931, in Kingsley, Iowa. She was the daughter of Emil J. Reinking and Elsie (Puttmann) Reinking. She attended Salem Lutheran Church in Correctionville, Iowa, where she was baptized on May 24, 1931, and confirmed April 14, 1946. She attended rural country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1948. Elaine pursued a degree in education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, graduating in 1952. After graduation, she taught first grade at Irving School in Waverly from 1952-1954. On June 1,…
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Eleanor Jungck Flathman ‘52
Eleanor Anne Jungck Hansen Flathman, aged 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at her home in Pine City, Minnesota. She was born July 8th, 1929, to Virla (Bare) and Louis C. Jungck in rural Rushville, Nebraska, where she spent her childhood on the family farm. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Eleanor was the firstborn of seven children. Her siblings are: Maurice (Jean) Jungck (both deceased), Gwen (Dave, deceased) Dierex, Kathryn (James, deceased) Stava, Martha Hunzeker (deceased), Marty (Dottie) Jungck, and Mari (Lynn, deceased) McKee. Eleanor is lovingly remembered by her family, including the four children…
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Lynn Olson
Lynn Jay Olson was born on July 15, 1946 and smiles and kindness were added to the equation. Smiles started at an early age as he grew up with his parents, Leslie and Shirley, sister, Marcia, and cousin, Ellerd. One story passed down from his mother Shirley has Lynn, at age 6, dangling from his pant leg from the rafters in the barn. We can imagine him beaming with energy, much like his grandson Roy. At age 18, Lynn graduated from high school and left Hoffman, MN, saying goodbye to his home on the farm, and greeting the world with…
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William Dietzler ’60
William “Bill” Dietzler, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was born in Milwaukee on August 2, 1937, to the late Marlon and Florence Dietzler and grew up in Wausau, WI. He loved music, including playing songs on the organ and piano (even tuba when in school), singing in the church and barbershop choirs, and dancing with his wife. Bill was a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, (where he met Ardell) and served in the U.S. Army while in college. He was a lifelong Lutheran and volunteered in a variety of roles within the church…
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Marilyn Azbell Reid ‘65
Marilyn Irene Reid, 81, of Waterloo formerly of Greene, died Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Friendship Village in Waterloo. She was born October 9, 1943 in Kankakee, Ill., the daughter of William and Irene (Meyers) Azbell. She married John “Jack” Reid on December 10, 1983 at the United Methodist Church in Marble Rock. He preceded her in death on June 28, 2011. Marilyn graduated from Waverly High School in 1961 and received her BA in teaching from UNI. She worked as a third-grade teacher for many years at Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School District until retiring in 2005. She enjoyed reading books,…
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Jack Mueller ‘73
Jack R. Mueller,77, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025, in Mason City, Iowa. Jack was born May 6, 1947, in New Hampton, Iowa, the only son of Willis and Doris (Liebenstein) Mueller. He grew up in Fredericksburg, attending Fredericksburg High School and graduating in 1965. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science degree from Wartburg College and finished his education at Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy. Jack served many communities as a Physical Therapist, eventually retiring from MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City. In 1974, Jack married Marilyn Eisenhauer, and the…
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Judith Rieniets Schwake ‘58
Judith K. Schwake, 86, of Sumner, died Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner. Judith Kay (Rieniets) Schwake was born May 19, 1938, to Frederick and Kathryn (Gerdes) Rieniets in Monticello, Iowa. She was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, where she received her Christian instruction and was confirmed. Judy graduated from Monticello Public High School in 1956. During school she was an active member of the speech club, winning awards for interpretive reading. She taught Sunday School throughout high school, even attending a class at a place called the Sunday School…
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Douglas Brown ‘83
Douglas Dean Brown September 3, 1960 – January 5, 2025 Douglas Dean Brown, 64, of North Liberty, passed away at his home surrounded by family. Doug was born on September 3, 1960 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Minerva (Nuss) Brown. He was raised in Dysart, Iowa, graduating in 1979 from Dysart-Geneseo High School. His youth activities included choir, band, and Zion Lutheran Church youth groups. He attended and graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in 1983. He fell in love with and married Linda Cooper on July 17, 1999 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Iowa City Iowa. A…
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Marilyn Rosdail-Moller ‘75
Marilyn Carol Rosdail-Moller, 72, passed away on December 31, 2024. She was born on April 19, 1952, to Milton and Marvel (Barr) Rosdail in Storm Lake, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Marilyn was the eldest child and helped her mother care for 7 lively brothers & sisters while growing up. She helped cook and clean–and became an excellent seamstress–eventually earning the title, “Miss Betty Crocker” for her homemaking knowledge. Marilyn also spent time with her father in the gas station and, later, his garage, where she may have helped him repair…
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Janice Winter Perine ’57
Janice Alice Perine, age 89, of Glendale, Arizona passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024. Janice was born on a farm near Parkston, South Dakota on January 25,1935 as the 4th child to Albert Winter and Hulda Uttecht Winter. She weighed 9 pounds and 11 ounces at birth. On February 23, 1935, she went on to be baptized in a country church close to the farm called Eigenfeld Lutheran church. Since her youth Janice was a big fan of her uncle Dan. He would carry her all over town on Saturday night when the farmers did their marketing. Dan would…
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Paul Anderson ‘66
Paul Gene AndersonAugust 12, 1943 – December 28, 2024It is with profound sadness that the family of Paul Gene Anderson announces his passing after a prolonged illness, on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at his home in Houston, Texas. He was 81 years old.Early Life and EducationPaul was born on August 12, 1943, in Ironwood, Michigan, the son of Theodore Grant and Florence Hackett Anderson. He spent much of his childhood in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he developed a deep appreciation for both the rugged beauty of the Upper Midwest and the values of community and learning instilled by his father, who served…
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Allen Hansen ’92
Allen Edward Hansen, 55, of Lake City, passed away unexpectedly of complications from Congestive Heart Failure, at Hansen’s Harbor on December 28, 2024. Allen was born May 14, 1969 to Peter and Jane Hansen in Lake City. He grew up, lived, and worked his entire life at Hansen’s Harbor, getting his start by running forklifts by the age of 10. In his later years, he managed the business and did all the maintenance, boat repairs, and care. He was proud of the development of the building of the harbor store as well as many docks over the years and the…
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Jeff Sandlin ‘06
Jeffrey Nels Sandlin passed away on December 26, 2024. His heart could not overcome a recent illness after enduring many years of medical challenges. Jeff was born December 30, 1983, in Belleville, Illinois, the only son of Rev. Kenneth and Marcia (Haupt) Sandlin. He spent his early childhood in Cahokia, where he loved to watch the planes take off from the downtown St. Louis airport and to look out the patio door at the St. Louis Gateway Arch. His elementary, middle, and high school years were spent in Hillsboro, IL, where he graduated from high school in 2002. Following high…