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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James Mann ’71
James George Mann, resident of Homer Glen, IL, died suddenly and unexpectedly on February 21, 2022 at the age of 73. James is survived by his mother Arlene Mann, his wife Delores Onate, his sons Paul (Meriel), and David (Sherry), the mother of his children Elizabeth Mann, stepson, David Karaffa and four grandchildren, Evan, Sean, Olin, and Jin, his brother Douglas (Sandra) and sister Christine. James was born in Dubuque, Iowa on January 20, 1949 to Floyd and Arlene Mann. He spent most of his young life in Boscobel, WI. He later attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA graduating with…
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Rev. Howard Buenting ’55
Howard Buenting will be remembered most for his wry sense of humor that not only delighted people but often left people wondering. He was born in Green Bay, WI and was known for his pranks and playfulness. He had a kind and tender soul, and was loved wherever he went because of his ability to truly be present with people and accept them with grace and kindness. He worked as a Lutheran Pastor and as an Addiction Counselor throughout most of his life and gave hope and inspiration to others. He married Roberta Pageler in 1958 in Manson, IA and…
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Betty Bakken Meyer Bodine ‘59
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 age of five, she was adopted by Rev. Fredrick A. J. and Twilma Meyer. Betty was raised in a loving household in Scranton, ND with three adopted siblings. She loved growing up in a small town and was active in cheerleading, basketball, softball, and Peace Lutheran Church, where her dad served as the pastor and…
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Merlin Nomann ‘51
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 certifications in radiology. While working in Tillamook Oregon, he met his wife.In 1950, at the start of the Korean war, Mel chose to enlist in the Navy. He was briefly stationed at the Mare Island Naval base. Shortly after his eldest son was born, he…
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Lorraine Lynes Chester ‘47
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 in 1943 both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. Lorraine attended the Plainfield School System, graduating in 1943, from the Plainfield High School, and continued her education at Wartburg College in Waverly for 2 years. On June 11, 1945, Lorraine was united in marriage…
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Dorothy Prottengeier Meier ‘48
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 life, blessed in many ways. She loved and talked much of her years of working at W.T. Grant Company, Val Stores, and the Teddy Bear restaurant, all in Wapakoneta. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she sang in the adult choir and…
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Bonita Karmie ‘75
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 from Oak Lawn Community High School in 1971, and graduated Cum Laude from Warburg College in Waverly, Iowa, with a BAED majoring in History. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. Bonnie received her Master in Ed with an emphasis in Private School Administration…
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Rev. George Krumrey ‘51
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. George was a Navy veteran. He was a longtime Lutheran minister, starting in Oklahoma then serving several congregations in Iowa-Hampton, Ankeny, Dubuque, and Des Moines. He was a community activist and volunteered his time helping clean up the east side. George and Phyllis were active…
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Dr. James Fritschel ’51
James Erwin Fritschel, May 13, 1929 — December 15, 2025. Jim Fritschel was born on May 13, 1929, in Greeley, Colorado. He was originally named “Erwin James,” after his father Erwin (Doc) Fritschel, but Doc and his wife, Irma (Hast), always called him Jim, Jimmy, or James. And it stuck. Jim grew up as the eldest of three sons. With a pastor father and a church organist mother, Jim grew up surrounded by Lutheran faith and music. Word has it that sometimes the pastor was paid in bags of potatoes, and frugal Irma managed to readily feed the family with…
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Dr. Barry Greene ’63
Barry Raymond Greene, age 84, died on December 13, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. He was born on March 27, 1941, in Clinton, Iowa, to Earl and Mildred Greene. Barry grew up in postwar Clinton, Iowa, where he found joy and freedom in the rhythms of community life: parks, sports and music on the radio, neighborhood games, his bike, and the pull of the Mississippi River. He was a jock, a class clown, and a self-proclaimed crooner, known early on for his humor, competitiveness, and sharp observations about the world around him. Barry’s father, Earl, was the hero of his…
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Brenda Begalske George ’83
Brenda Le George (nee Begalske), age 66, passed away on December 11, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospice following a four year long battle with breast cancer, surrounded by loved ones. Brenda was born to Walter “Gus” and Donna Begalske on February 7, 1959, in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, as the oldest of three daughters. She attended MFL Community Schools in Monona, Iowa, where her father was a long-time teacher of physics and chemistry. She was an active member of the golf, softball and basketball teams at MFL, as well as band and choir. Brenda briefly attended Iowa State University before…
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Laurel Smeins Hibbard ’98
On Monday, December 8, 2025, Laurel Lee (Smeins) Hibbard won her long battle against cancer and passed through death into new life in Christ. Laurel was born on July 2, 1976, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Dennis and Phyllis (Milhous) Smeins, joining big sister Sarah. Her childhood was filled with family, friends, time spent outdoors and at the lake, music, laughter, and above all else, love. She met her best friend, Melissa (Dooley) Barber, on the first day of first grade, and their friendship spanned a lifetime. Their circle of friends grew into what they would eventually call “The Group,” a…
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Dr. William Davis ’64
Dr. William A. “Bill” Davis, 83, a nationally recognized pioneer in the field of in-vitro fertilization, peacefully transitioned into eternal life at his home on December 7, 2025 with family by is side. Born on November 11, 1942. He devoted his career to giving life. He was a gifted and compassionate OB-GYN whose work helped countless couples conceive families of their own. His calm and affirming bedside manner, paired with his innovative work in reproductive endocrinology, leaves a multigenerational legacy of life and love. Bill was a true renaissance man — abundantly kind, generous, creative, intellectually curious, artistic, and adventurous.…
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Eleanor Schlueter Arneson ’53
Eleanor E. Arneson, age 95, of Mount Horeb, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Mount Horeb. She was born on October 5, 1930, in Oconomowoc, Wis., the daughter of the Rev. Roland and Anna (Herbener) Schlueter. Eleanor graduated from Monona High School in Monona, Iowa, where she was a basketball star. Following high school, she attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Eleanor was united in marriage to Dale K. Arneson on February 20, 1955, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa. Over the years, Eleanor worked as a homemaker and daycare provider, and at the Cave of…
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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, Minnesota, where she graduated high school in 1955. Diane continued her studies at St. Cloud State College, earning her Associate of Education degree in 1958. It was there she (the cheerleader) met the love of her life, Andy Melrose (the football player). The two shared…
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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., the second child of Alvin and Delva Pedersen. He was a 1968 graduate of Algona High School where his passion for sports led him to excel as a pitcher on the baseball team and an all-conference first team dead eye shooting guard for the basketball team. After…
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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 meant church, home-cooked meals, and lively baseball games with uncles and cousins. These gatherings became treasured traditions, instilling in James a lifelong love for family and the joy of coming together for good conversation. James spent his early years in Iowa before his family moved…
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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 later divorced. She then married Homer “Jack” Clinton in 1971, and they also later divorced. On November 10, 2003, Nancy married Ed Ross, and they shared 33 wonderful years together. Nancy was a homemaker and worked as a typesetter for the Citizen Herald newspaper in…
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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 and from Wartburg College in 1978. While at Wartburg he met Susan Bennett and they married in Clarion, Iowa on a snowy October 24, 1981. They lived in Iowa City for a short time and then moved to Cedar Rapids, where their two sons were…
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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 the PEO, and participated in Zion Lutheran Church activities. Janette loved all things nature related. She volunteered at the Fossil and Prairie Center and was the first female to serve on the Floyd County Conservation Board. She could often be found bird watching, especially hummingbirds…
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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 High School in North Dakota. She received a Two-Year Teaching Certificate from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She taught elementary school while living in Saskatchewan, Canada. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education at Moorhead State University in 1977. Marilyn was…
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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, class of 1942. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa studying secretarial work and was later employed at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, Iowa and Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook as church secretary. She married Bernard Emkes on June 9,1946 and they were married nearly…
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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 a 1957 graduate of Oelwein High School. Then, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He was a member of the Wartburg Choir, which he had the opportunity to tour with in Europe. He graduated from Wartburg in 1962. Then he started his music teaching…
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Janice Helmke Basler ’56
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. She later attended Drake University, where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Education. While at Wartburg, she was a proud member of the Wartburg Choir, reflecting her lifelong love of music. Jan dedicated 39 years to teaching, sharing her passion for learning with generations of students.…
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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 (Brenden) Rasmussen. She lived in Spring Green, WI until 1972 when the whole family was in a devastating car accident and they moved to Eau Claire. She attended Eau Claire schools, then Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. After achieving her Master’s degree, she worked as…
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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 Reinbeck, Iowa upon graduation and soon after met her husband Donald Lindsay Keith. They were married on July 24, 1955 in Hawkeye, Iowa and settled back in Reinbeck immediately after. To this union two children were born, Debra Ann Keith and David Gregory Keith. Donald…
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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 in Waverly. It was then she met Merlin on a blind date. On June 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Merlin J. Orth at Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah, ND. Following Merlin’s discharge in February in 1961, the couple returned to Waverly where…