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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Donald Freeman ’55
Donald Carl Freeman was born on November 24, 1930, in Muscatine, Iowa, passed away on May 21, 2025, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He lived a life rich in purpose and passion, impacting the lives of many as a dedicated educator, photographer, and conservation activist. A strong presence within his community of Waverly, Iowa, Donald devoted his…
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Marilyn Miller Sychra ’68
Marilyn Miller Sychra ’68, Des Moines, is retired. She was a teacher, worked for the State of Iowa Code Office, and operated a genealogy and private investigator business.
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Sarah Ellefson Groth ’11
Sarah Laurene (Ellefson) Groth was born on November 8, 1988, the daughter of James and Brenda (Fisher) Ellefson, in Marshalltown, Iowa. She attended Marshalltown Schools graduating in 2007. Sarah received her BA Degree from Wartburg College in 2011 and then obtained two Master’s Degrees – in education, curriculum and counseling. On October 8, 2011,…
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Donald Heidemann ’94
Donald Lee Heidemann November 10, 1971 – May 13, 2025 Donald Lee Heidemann, age 53, of Forest City, Iowa, died May 13th in his home after a struggle with mental illness. He leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, generosity, and deep devotion to his family, faith, and community. Don was born on November 10, 1971, in…
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Chelsey Spore McDill ’00
Chelsey Spore McDill ’00, Cedar Rapids, earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership – nonprofits from Regent University and is chief executive officer at Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center.
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Dylan Obowa ’25
Dylan Obowa ’25, Fergus Falls, Minn., is a brand ambassador for Gravy Train Restaurant Management Group, Cedar Rapids.
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Talbot Kinney ’25
Talbot Kinney ’25, DeWitt, is a graduate student in physician assistant studies at Des Moines University.
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Izzy Gomes ’25
Izzy Gomes ’25, St. Francis, Minn., is a veterinary assistant at Primary Care Animal Hospital.
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Edward Baumgarten ’67
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…
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Hannah Sprague Mattson ’21
Blake Mattson and Hannah Sprague ’21, Coralville, were married July 2024.
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Dr. James Liesener ’55
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…
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Dr. Anne Reiher ’06
Dr. Anne Reiher ’06, Jackson, Miss., earned a doctoral degree in health administration at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
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Ellie Meyer ’25
Ellie Meyer ’25, Iowa Falls, is attending graduate school in biology at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames.
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Ja’Niya LaBeaux ’25
Ja’Niya LaBeaux ’25, Pleasant Hill, is attending graduate school in criminology at Tiffin University, Tiffin, Ohio. She is also an officer in the Iowa Army National Guard.
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Helen Sprenger Pagel ’55
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.…
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Dr. Benjamin Gansemer ’13
Dr. Benjamin Gansemer ’13, Lakeville, Minn., is a clinical scientist with Abbott Laboratories.
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Lennon Schriever ’25
Lennon Schriever ’25, Grimes, is a front of house intern at the Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola.
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Ryleigh Parrack ’25
Ryleigh Parrack ’25, Papillion, Neb., is a music therapist at Music Therapy with Aimee, Cary, N.C., and is a graduate student in public administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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Allison Kettmann ’25
Allison Kettmann ’25, Earlville, is an associate financial advisor at Edward Jones, Cascade.
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Alyson Hasner ’25
Alyson Hasner ’25, Lakeville, Minn., is a graduate student in speech-language-hearing sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
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Keith Meyer ’64
Keith E. Meyer, 84, formerly a longtime resident of Davenport, died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with family at his side. Keith Edwin Meyer was born on August 6, 1941, in Woden, Iowa, a son of Edwin Henry and Eva Ruth (Valley) Meyer. He spent his early years in Woden before the family moved to Dows,…
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Gary Schwandt ’65
Gary D. Schwandt, 83, passed away peacefully at 9:20 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026, surrounded by compassionate care at Avina Nursing Home and under the devoted support of hospice. Gary was born on April 14, 1942, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Everett and Virginia (Derge) Schwandt. He grew up…
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Delores Jaspersen Mindrup ’66
Delores Ann Mindrup, 80, of Mesa, Arizona, and formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026. Delores was born on September 8, 1945, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Lloyd C. and Alma Jennie (Nelson) Jaspersen. She was raised in the Sheffield area and graduated from Sheffield-Chapin High School in…
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Betty DePuew Miller ’60
Betty Jean Miller, age 88, of Clarksville, Iowa, was born the daughter of Edward Philip and Lucille Isabell (Hurd) DePuew on October 4, 1937, in Butler County, Iowa. Betty graduated from Clarksville High School in 1956 and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, for three years in elementary education. On June 21, 1958, she married…
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Darlene Zummak Esmoil ’50
Darlene Eleanore Zummak Esmoil, 96 years old, of Waterloo, Iowa, and formerly of Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes, Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Friendship Village Retirement Community in Waterloo. Darlene was born on September 13, 1929, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond Henry Zummak, Sr. and Bertha Hermine (Lenz) Zummak. She grew…
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Wilma Gast Johnson ’60
Wilma Lee Johnson, known to all as Willie, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on April 1, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Esther Gast where she was raised on a farm in Earlville, Illinois, as one of nine children. Willie’s journey began in…
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Carol Bergquist Hein ’58
At 12:20 AM Tuesday February 10th, 2026, we lost an angel. Carol Rae Hein of Coralville, aged 89, passed away with her family by her side. She was born in Chicago in 1936. She met her husband Herman while attending Wartburg College, married in 1958 and settled in the Iowa City area for the majority…
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William Striepe ’57
William R. Striepe, 91 of Waverly, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community. Bill was born on January 21, 1935, in Madison, Minnesota, the eldest son of William G. and Lorraine B. (Kienitz) Striepe. Bill was baptized in February of 1935 in Marrieta, Minnesota and confirmed in 1948…
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Kathie Schindel Hicok ’90
Hey all, you’re reading this because I, Kathie Schindel Hicok, born January 18, 1970, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, finally beat my battle with pancreatic cancer. It can no longer live in my body. Over the years, I spent my time as a DC-G band mom and school board member, independent travel agent, Mentor Iowa board…
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Todd Amani ’78
Todd Amani, cherished father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, colleague, and beloved soulmate of Mary Jo, passed from this life to the next on January 26th, his 71st birthday. His kindness, good humor, generosity, love of play, camaraderie, perseverance in all adversity, creativity, gentle nature, steadfastness, calm wisdom, and courage, especially in this final passage, touched…
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Marilyn Hersbergen Krauss ’64
Marilyn Kay Krauss, 83, of Webster City died January 24, 2026. She was born to George and Edith (Hersbergen) Krauss on January 25, 1942. She graduated form Corwith-Wesley High School. After graduating from Wartburg College, she taught fourth grade for forty years in Webster City. She is survived by her sister Ilene (Jim), her brother…
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Mary Gesell Schrandt ’77
Mary Schrandt, 71, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away January 23, 2026. Mary Jean Schrandt was born on April 12, 1954, to Raymond and Cleo (Rieken) Gesell. She grew up on a farm outside of Alta Vista, Iowa with her two sisters, Judy, and Sandy. Mary graduated from New Hampton High School in 1972. She…
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Frederick Grawe Jr. ’71
Frederick Grawe Jr., age 77, of Waverly, Iowa, died Thursday, January 22, 2026, at New Aldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Fred was born on November 4, 1948, in Waverly, Iowa, the son of Frederick Sr. and Ruth (Burhow) Grawe. He was raised in Waverly and graduated from Waverly Shell Rock High School in 1967.…
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Dr. Daniel Nelson ’68
June 12, 1946 – January 22, 2026 Dr. Daniel B. Nelson was born in Urbana ,IL on June 12, 1946 as the youngest of five children to Rev. Elmer A. Nelson and Mabel Mae (Jones) Nelson in Rantoul, IL. When in high school, he and his family moved from Rantoul to Park Ridge, IL where he graduated…
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Cleo Eliason ’65
Cleo Ann Eliason, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026 in Green Bay Wisconsin. She was born December 1, 1935, in Green Bay, to Edwin and Helen (Klug) Eliason. Cleo was proud to be a lifelong Lutheran. She graduated with High Honors from Green Bay East High School in 1954. She worked as…
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Burdette Walters ’73
Burdette passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital. Burdette Elgin Walters was born on Saturday December 2, 1950, at 10:40 P.M. at Allen Memorial Hospital, Black Hawk Co. Waterloo, Iowa, the only son of Mary (Maria Kaiser) and Eilert Walters Jr. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith December…
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Betty Waltmann Bergman ’61
Betty Lou Bergman, 86, of rural Hudson, passed away at home on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. She was born October 4, 1939, in Hudson, daughter of Leo and Alma (Engel) Waltmann. Betty graduated from Hudson High School in 1957, then earned her B.A. in Home Economics from Wartburg College followed by a Master’s Degree in…
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Wendy Dietrich Meyer ’85
Wendy Meyer, 64, of Oskaloosa, passed away on the evening of January 14, 2026, at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines. Wendy Lee Meyer, daughter of Wendell Elmer Erwin and Ethel Joy (Nielsen) Dietrich, was born on August 31, 1961, in Price, Utah. When Wendy was young, her family lived in various cities. She graduated from…
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Gary Zittergruen ’80
Gary Lynn Zittergruen, 67, of Waverly, formerly of Van Horne, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus in Rochester, Minnesota. Gary was born July 29, 1958, in Prairie Du Chien, WI, the son of Harlan and Dorothy (Mueller) Zittergruen. He grew up in Garnavillo, graduating high school in 1976. He then…
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Christopher Schmidt ’66
Christopher Karl Schmidt, 82, of Waverly, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community. Chris was born on June 1, 1943, in Ohio, the son of Karl and Viola (Grambau) Schmidt. He grew up in Waverly and graduated from Wartburg College in 1966. Chris and Mary Hjermstad were married in…