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.
Search Class Notes:
All Class Years
-
Gabrielle Calease Fox Estel ’17
Gabrielle Calease Fox Estel ’17, Waverly, was selected as a guide for the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat. She is a travel advisor at Destinations Unlimited.
-
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 a bachelor’s degree in English. He completed seminary training at Wartburg Lutheran Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and was ordained in 1956. He later earned a master’s degree in sacred theology and pursued doctoral work in Old Testament theology. Harold served in the parish ministry at…
-
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 Candidacy for Ordained Ministry from the United Methodist Church Conference in Ottumwa, Iowa, and pursued theological studies at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri for several years. Hampered by physical limitations he gave up his goal of becoming an ordained minister, but…
-
Benjamin Bryant ’25
Benjamin Bryant ’25, Peosta, is a risk management consultant at Cottingham & Butler, Dubuque.
-
Will Armstrong ’25
Will Armstrong ’25, Phoenix, Ariz., is a junior financial consultant at Four Corners Financial Advisors, Tempe.
-
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 in Waverly, Iowa, where he played basketball. He completed his master’s degree at Western Illinois University. He married Carla (Reitz) Whitbread in 1998 with whom he had two wonderful daughters, Jada and Zoe. They divorced in 2007. James later married Molly Mayfield on September 8,…
-
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. He grew up in the Merrill area where he attended country schools in Stanton Township and graduated from Merrill High School in 1955. In 1954, Darrell joined Company K, 133rd Infantry, of the Iowa National Guard. Darrell proudly served his country for eight years, attaining…
-
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 values on a farm run by his late parents, Matt and Leona Matthias. Alongside his siblings—Don, Sonja, and Barb—Bob experienced a rural upbringing that shaped his lifelong character and humility. Bob’s life was forever changed when a high school coach recognized his potential and encouraged…
-
Donald Hein ’62
Donald Ray Hein, 85, of Fishers Indiana was called to the Lord Thursday, July 3, 2025. Don Hein was born May 24, 1940 in Oelwein, Iowa to the late Rev. Herman and Marie (Reyelts) Hein. Don was a remarkable athlete at Waverly High School, playing for the conference champion Waverly football team, pitcher for the Waverly baseball team, and playing forward for the Waverly basketball team having been named First-Team All-State in basketball, leading his team to the championship game of the Class A Iowa State tournament. Don graduated Waverly High School class of 1958. In 1960, Don was named…
-
Brian Mirs ’89
Brian Lee Mirs, age 60 of Burnsville, MN passed away unexpectedly at his lake home on July 3, 2025. Brian was born on December 18, 1964 in Waverly, IA to Frank and Carol Mirs. Brian graduated in 1983 from Waverly Shell Rock High School, and in 1988 from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. Brian earned his private pilot license while still in high school, and eventually joined the US Navy in 1988, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He served three deployments where he flew the P-3 Orion. In 1996, Brian was honorably discharged from the Navy…
-
Nicole Felton Wellendorf ’12
Nicole Felton Wellendorf ’12, Granite Falls, Minn., is a behavioral health therapist at CCM Health, Montevideo.
-
Cheryl Tomke ’71
Cheryl “Cheri” Tomke, 76, of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion. Cheryl “Cheri” Lee Tomke was born at Hampton, Iowa on June 17, 1949 and was the only child of Joseph R. and Irma (Evans) Tomke of Clarion. In her youth, Cheri was active in Camp Fire Girls and 4-H. She graduated from Clarion Public High School in 1967 and earned a B.A. degree at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a major in English and a teaching degree in Secondary Education. Cheri worked at three area churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, and Catholic)…
-
Rev. James Baseler ’69
Pastor James ‘Jim’ Edward Baseler, 78, of Toms Brook, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Greenfield Reflections of Woodstock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev George Edward and Ruth Mardorf Baseler, his sister, Dorthy ‘Dottie’ Carvalho and nephew Eric Carvalho. Jim was born on October 21, 1946, in Bloomington, Illinois. He graduated from Lowell High School, San Francisco, Ca., Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Ca. His internship was in Hickory, North Carolina with Pastor Albert Keck. Pastor Jim was called to serve at Bethel Lutheran Church, Manassas, Toms Brook…
-
Ardell Troester Dietzler ’61
Ardell (Troester) Dietzler, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 21, 2025. She was born in Guttenberg, IA, on January 30, 1939, to the late Emil and Ruth Troester and grew up in Clayton County, IA. She loved to read, cook, quilt, sew, knit, and crochet. Ardell met her husband, William (Bill) at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. After graduating college, Ardell enjoyed teaching students in K-12 grades (plus Sunday School classrooms) in Iowa, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Tennessee. She was a lifelong Lutheran and volunteered in a variety of roles within the church. Ardell was an active member…
-
Jeffrey Schroder ’77
Jeffrey “Jeff” Roy Schroder was born in West Union, Iowa on March 20, 1955, to Harry and Gertrude (Lauer) Schroder. He died on June 20, 2025, at the age of 70, after a courageous battle with cancer. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Gwen, two daughters Alison (Mitchell) Stewart and Emily (Lane) Sturtz, four grandchildren Remy, Isla, Bodey, and Blythe, two sisters Kathy Meyer and Carol (Roger) Robinson, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved mom Gertrude Lauer Schroder, dad Harry Schroder, brother-in-law John Meyer, and mother and father-in-law Marvin and…
-
Aleece McNeilus Beadle ’71
Aleece Bobette Beadle, 93, of rural Dumont, passed away Friday, June 20, 2025, at UnityPoint-Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. Aleece Bobette McNeilus was born January 17, 1932, the youngest of seven children, to William and Ethel (Walsh) McNeilus, ¼ mile west of Bristow. Aleece attended rural one room schools, Jefferson #2 near Coster and Jackson #5 northeast of Allison until she entered Bristow School when in 5th grade. She graduated from Bristow in 1949 and then attended Iowa State Teachers College, (now UNI) for 4 quarters, and later graduated from Wartburg College. She started teaching in a rural one room…
-
Eric Skuster ’74
Eric Skuster, 73, formerly of Waverly, passed away in Urbandale, Iowa, on June 14, 2025. Born on April 4, 1952, in Osage, Eric was the eldest of five boys. His childhood was filled with simple joys like visiting the Jack & Jill grocery store to look at baseball cards on the back of cereal boxes. Even then, Eric had a knack for making memories out of life’s little moments. His family eventually moved from their farm to Charles City where Eric graduated high school in 1970. Eric continued his education at Wartburg College. He planned to major in Biology, but…
-
Lila Antholz Nietfeld ’54
Lila Anna [Antholz] Nietfeld was born to Arthur & Helene [Ommen] Antholz, on August 23, 1932. Lila and her sister, Lucile, were raised north of McDonald, KS. She would gratefully recall family life on the farm and in the small surrounding communities—including active participation in the church where she was baptized, confirmed and nurtured in her faith. The family moved to Greeley, CO, but not before her introduction to Clayton Nietfeld in 1946, who she would marry 8 years later. Lila graduated from Wartburg College with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Clayton & Lila were united in marriage…
-
Janice Cave Kay ’58
Janice Lucille Cave Kay of Wheaton, Illinois died June 10, 2025. Born March 13, 1936 in Waverly, Iowa, Janice was the daughter of Ethel Genevieve (Hunter) Cave and Earl Edmund Cave. Janice earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, graduating in 1959 from Wartburg College, Waverly, IA where she studied both voice and piano. At Wartburg, Janice’s musical gifts, beauty, and vivacious personality drew the attention of a new history instructor. Soon, Thomas O. Kay was a frequent dinner guest at the Cave household, winning not only Janice’s love, but also the respect of her parents and the devotion of…
-
Timothy Pace ’77
Timothy Robert “Tim” Pace, 1954 – 2025. Timothy “Tim” Robert Pace, 70, passed away June 9 in Independence, Missouri. A gathering to celebrate his life was held on June 24 at Crown Point Church in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Tim was born in Waverly on December 21, 1954, to Maurice “Pat” and Bernita (Volk) Pace. He graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1973 and from Wartburg College in 1977. After graduation, Tim moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he managed a Happy Joe’s Pizza restaurant, the beginning of a long career in the pizza business. After a few years, he moved…
-
Leroy Buchholz ‘59
Leroy “Lee” Buchholz, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Lee was born February 3, 1937, at his family’s home in Table Rock, Nebraska, the son of Otto and Anna (Geyer) Buchholz. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Lee attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and later graduated from high school in Johnson, Nebraska. He attended Nebraska State Teachers College in Peru, Nebraska, for two years before transferring to Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. He…
-
Leonard Schmidt ‘63
It Is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Leonard Richard Schmidt. He died Sunday evening December 1, 2024, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. He was 83 years old. Leonard (Len) was born in Savanna, Il to parents Richard Schmidt and Geneva (Brandenburg) Schmidt on May 14, 1941, the first of four children. His father was a farmer, so they moved around. Len talked of the one room schools he attended and the distance he would walk to school. He graduated from Andrew High School, then went to Wartburg College,…
-
Betty Sauer Dowis ’50
Betty Dowis passed away peacefully on December 1, 2024, just days after celebrating her 96th birthday. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Adam and Mary Sauer, Betty lived a life filled with love, devotion, and service to her family and community. Betty’s journey took a memorable turn at age 14 when she met the love of her life, Graydon Dowis while working part-time at the carnival owned by Graydon’s family. Their shared story became the foundation of a beautiful marriage. Together, they lived in Boulder, Colorado, while Graydon completed law school and later made their home in Sterling, Colorado, where…
-
Gerald Menning ‘51
Gerald J. Menning, 96, of Waterloo, and formerly of Waverly, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Kaufman, Texas. Gerald was born on May 28, 1928, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Alfred Carl and Della Agnes Geer. He was baptized in June 1928 in Milwaukee and confirmed in 1943 in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Gerald graduated from the Oshkosh High School in 1947 and Wartburg College in Waverly in 1951. On April 4, 1953, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Griffey in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The couple made their home in Waverly,…
-
Rev. Norman Franzen ‘58
The Reverend Norman Norris Franzen of Omaha entered his heavenly home on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, at Hillcrest Shadow Lake Nursing Facility, at the age of 88. Norman was born April 15, 1936, in Gothenburg, to Meinert and Elizabeth (Aden) Franzen. He was raised in Gothenburg and was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church. He graduated from Gothenburg High School with the Class of 1954. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, where he was a member of Beta Sigma Psi fraternity. He graduated from Wartburg College, before attending Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating with a master’s…
-
Marilyn Stoltz Isakson ‘69
Marilyn Isakson, 84, of Colwell, passed away peacefully at home November 28, 2024, where she was cared for by her loving family. Marilyn Kay (Stoltz) Isakson was born in Clarion, Iowa on October 19, 1940 to Roy Elmer Stoltz and Lillian Margaret (Shediwy) Stoltz. She received her education in schools in Palo Alto County, Iowa graduating in 1958 from Graettinger Community Schools. She attended Junior College in Emmetsburg and received an associate degree in Elementary Education. She later earned a BSE in Elementary Education from Wartburg College. Marilyn married Leon Allen Isakson on August 6, 1960 at St. Paul Lutheran…
-
Dennis Wesenberg ‘63
Dennis Wesenberg, 82, of Dows, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the First Lutheran Church in Dows with a time of fellowship to follow. Visitation will be an hour before the service. The service will be live streamed on the the First Lutheran Church’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dowsfirstlutheran. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls.Dennis Dee Wesenberg was born on February 11, 1942, in Franklin County, Iowa, to Richard “Dick” and Velma (Johnson) Wesenberg of…
-
Darlene Wilke Schwarzkopf ‘57
Darlene Kathryn Schwarzkopf died on November 24, 2024, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Canton, South Dakota on March 11, 1937, and grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa. Darlene graduated from Rock Rapids High School. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and later graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in education. Darlene taught elementary school in Sibley, Iowa, Janesville, Iowa and for 35 years at Walnut Grove School in Council Bluffs. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter IQ-LP and Iowa Retired…
-
Betty Hoefs Bauer ’62
Betty Jane (Hoefs) Bauer, April 8, 1940 – November 21, 2024. Betty Jane Hoefs, the first child of Gilbert and Alice Hoefs, was born in the family farmhouse near New Prague, Minnesota. Being raised on the farm, she learned the toils and joys of farming first-hand. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montgomery, and it was there she met and married her husband, Milton Bauer, a butcher’s son, on June 22, 1963, while he was in Veterinary school at the University of Minnesota, and she a medical technologist at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. Two years later…
-
Judy Harms Spinler ‘71
Judy Spinler, 75, passed away peacefully after a short battle with pancreatic cancer on November 19, 2024, at the Oldorf Hospice House, Hiawatha, Iowa. Judy was born July 7, 1949, daughter to Paul and Leola (Ingersoll) Harms in Waterloo, Iowa. She graduated from Wartburg College and the University of Northern Iowa. She was united in marriage to Frank Spinler on June 28, 1997, in Waverly, Iowa. Judy was heavily involved in volunteer work for Mercy. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, NEA , ISEA, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Judy enjoyed traveling, cross stitching, reading, and taking…
-
Vivian Rudolf Rindelaub ‘57
Vivian (Rudolf) Rindelaub, age 89 5/6 years, of Alexandria, formerly of Waseca, Marcell, and Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024, at her home. A visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the time of the 3 p.m. service on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, with Rev. Megan Preston presiding, 1655 18th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308. A 12-noon interment will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Woodville Cemetery, Waseca. A 12:30 p.m. luncheon will be held at Trinity Hall, St. John Lutheran Church, 401 3rd Ave NE, Waseca, MN 56093. Memorial…
-
Sheridan Skeen ‘69
Sheridan Ray Skeen, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024, at the age of 77. Born on March 9, 1947, he received the nickname “Peanut” by his family since he arrived prematurely and was such a small baby. Sheridan grew up on a farm near Kankakee, Illinois, where he was raised by his grandmother, Lena, along with Myron and Charlotte Skeen who instilled in him the values of hard work and compassion that shaped his life’s path. A strong athlete and scholar, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he played football and cultivated a…
-
Dr. Duane Koenig ‘53
Dr. Duane G Koenig, 90 years of age, of Plymouth, passed away Monday, November 4, 2024. He was born on November 5, 1933, in Beatrice to Albert and Elsa (Pfingsten) Koenig. Duane attended Hoag country school through the 8th grade, then transferred to Beatrice, graduating in 1951. He was confirmed in faith at St John’s Lutheran Church in Beatrice. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, for two years, where he studied music and started the college’s first ever jazz band. Duane married Yvonne Kyles in 1954, they had four children, divorcing 30 years later. From 1954 to 1956 he…
-
Margaret Baker ’76
Margaret Lynn Baker of Olathe Kansas unexpectedly passed away November 04, 2024. Margaret (Maggie) was born on November 20, 1953, in New Hampton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Mark Homer Baker and Madelynn Anne Baker (nee Elscott). Maggie graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1973, then went on to Wartburg College, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (minor in political science). Maggie then attended the University of Iowa where she obtained a master’s degree in library science. After graduation, Maggie took a position at the Fort Dodge Public Library working there until 1987. Thereafter she took a similar…
-
Peter Weller ‘61
Peter John Weller, age 84, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Halcyon House in Washington. Peter was born January 13, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Carl Wilhelm and Kathryn (Bieber) Weller. He attended school at the Lane Tech Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois, and received his Business Administration Degree from Wartburg College. He then attended the University of Iowa where he received his Master’s Degree in Recent American History in 1964 and moved to Washington later that year. In 1968 Peter’s life was forever transformed after meeting the love of his life…
-
Rev. Harold Heinzig ‘56
Rev. Harold Frederick Herman Heinzig October 3, 1934 — November 1, 2024 Rev. Harold Frederick Herman Heinzig, age 90, died on Friday afternoon, November 1, 2024, at Centra Care – St. Cloud Hospital, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson.…
-
Joyce Wonsmos Kasper ‘63
Joyce Arline Kasper, 84, of Clear Lake, formerly of Forest City and Thornton, a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Apple Valley Assisted Living in Clear Lake. Born on August 5, 1940, to Marius (Shorty) and Helen (Hartwig) Wonsmos in Thornton, Iowa, Joyce cherished her early years, often helping her father on the family farm. She graduated from Thornton School in 1959 and attended Wartburg College, majoring in Business Education. In 1963, Joyce married John Kasper, and they moved to Oak Lawn, Illinois, where they welcomed two sons, Kenneth Douglas and John…
-
James Carver ‘64
James “Jim” Douglas Carver Obituary James “Jim” D. Carver, 82, of Waverly died on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at his residence in Waverly. James Douglas Carver was born on April 15, 1942, the son of Francis and Dorothy (Wilson) Carver in Spencer, Iowa. He earned his Eagle Scout and was active in sports while in high school, notably football, basketball, swimming and diving. Jim received his BA in Fine Arts at UNI and also attended the University of Iowa and Iowa State University for City Planning. Jim had two previous marriages to Daniela Salvadori and Jan Chesler. He…
-
Rev. John Sieverts ‘74
Rev. John C. Sieverts age 72 of Minocqua, WI, formerly of Waterloo, IA, died Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Country Terrace Home in Minocqua. John C. Sieverts, born on December 10, 1951, to John J. and Anna Mae (Johnson) Sieverts. John was baptized and confirmed at Crane Creek, where he began a lifelong journey of devotion and leadership in the Lutheran Church. A proud member of the New Hampton High School Class of 1970, John continued his education at Waldorf College, graduating in 1972, followed by Wartburg College in 1974, and finally earning his degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in…
-
Rev. Arnold Wuertz ‘44
Rev. Arnold A. Wuertz, age 102, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Arnold grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota with parents Adolph and Laura (Ziemer) Wuertz. He was the second of their two children and was preceded in death by his parents and brother Edgar, who died at the age of two months. He was also preceded in death by his wife Irma (Ruhter) Wuertz who died in 2023 at age 98, his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Halsteen) Wuertz, and son-in-law, Larry Taylor. Arnold is survived by 6 children; Linda Taylor, Ellen Wuertz, John Wuertz,…