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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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,…
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Kay Marshek Schroeder ’64
Kay Carol Schroeder, age 82, of Hendersonville, passed away on October 17, 2024, at the Elizabeth House. Born on March 9, 1942, in Chippewa County, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Myron Marshek and Faith Stubenvoll Marshek. Kay was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. She was known to have been born with a “green thumb” and was a horticulturalist for over 25 years. She was very active in the Damascus Theatre Company in Maryland where she was an actress and served on their board of directors. Kay loved to do word puzzles and was an avid…
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Ralph Lohse ‘69
Mr. Ralph Lohse passed away at his home in the Town of Trenton on Tuesday evening, October 15, 2024, with his loving wife by his side. He was 77 years old. Ralph was born to Roy and Helen (nee Anderson) Lohse in Franklin Grove, Illinois on July 7, 1947. Ralph, his three brothers, and their sister grew up in Franklin Grove and attended local schools. After graduating from Franklin Grove High School, Ralph went on to study at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. While studying Communications, he was actively involved with the Wartburg Players, the campus theatre group, honing in…
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Sylvester Van Hove ‘59
Sylvester Henry Van Hove was born May 5, 1932, in rural Titonka, Iowa, the son of Ted and Bina (Tjaden) Van Hove. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Titonka High School in 1950. He graduated from St. Louis College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, Missouri, in June 1954. After Mortuary school, he attended Wartburg College. On January 18, 1958, Sylvester was united in marriage to Wanda L. Mueller in Waverly, Iowa. They lived in Waverly until moving to Dows, Iowa, where they purchased their first funeral home in 1959. He expanded his funeral business to…
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Gary Nielsen ‘69
Gary R. Nielsen, 77, of Schertz, Texas passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11, 2024. Gary was born in Racine, Wisconsin on March 5, 1947, to Russell H. Nielsen and Joyce (Bax) Nielsen. Gary had a zest for life, and although faced with many serious health issues, his faith, attitude, and love for his family and friends remained steadfast and positive. Gary’s father, Russell, was in the U.S. Navy and Army. Before he was killed in action in the Korean War in 1950, the family lived in Columbus, Georgia, Galveston, Texas, and Port Townsend, Washington. After Russ’ death, Gary and…
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Jeffrey Wad ‘74
Jeffrey James Wad age 74 of Nashua died Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at his home. Jeffrey James Wad, born on May 23, 1950, in New Hampton, Iowa, he was the son of Earl and Wilma (Ransom) Wad and grew up in Ionia, where he developed a passion for art and education. A proud graduate of New Hampton High School in 1968, Jeffrey furthered his education at Wartburg College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Art and Elementary Education. His love for his hometown led him back to Ionia, where he worked in various roles before dedicating himself to a fulfilling career…
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Luther Mohr ’58
Luther John Mohr AKA Luke Mohr was born on April 3, 1935 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada. He died in his home on October 8, 2024 in Indio, California. He leaves behind his wife Marilyn, and was father to daughters Cindy (John) Perrin, Stephanie Mohr, Debra Dotson(predeceased), Susan Eddy, Roberta (John) Pearson. He was grandfather to Gina Casey and Jami Casey and also had 10 step-grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren. His siblings are Phyllis Dougherty, Marguerite Kruse, John Mohr, Darlene O’Brian, Joyce Steffenson and David Mohr(predeceased). He spent 35 years in banking, starting several banks and enjoyed motorhome…
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Leon Webrand ‘62
Leon Anton Webrand passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Bermuda Dunes, California, on October 2, 2024. Born on July 11, 1933, Leon led a fulfilling life marked by devotion to his family and a distinguished career. Leon was a loving husband to his late wife, Sandra Webrand, who preceded him in death on September 18, 2024, after 66 years of marriage. He was also a cherished father to his son, Blair, and respected father-in-law to Rachel. His sister, Barbara Johnson, and his parents, Vendla and Melvin Webrand, also preceded him in death. Educated at Wartburg College, Iowa,…
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Valerie Gramlich-Broderick ‘06
Valerie Christine Gramlich-Broderick, 41, of Urbandale, IA, passed away on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, surrounded by her family at the Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, IA. Valerie Christine Gramlich was born August 15th, 1983, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Gerald (Jerry) and Mary (Berns) Gramlich. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon, IA. Valerie graduated from Waukon High School in 2002. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She excelled in education and this was shown with her receiving…
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Rev. Carl Jech ’63
Carl died, serenely and with dignity, on September 28, 2024, at Coming Home Hospice in San Francisco, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born October 16, 1941 in Brainerd, MN, to Rev. Herbert and Helen Jech. He grew up in St. Paul, MN. His parents; and sister, Margaret, died before him. He is survived by longtime love, Eric Simpson; and loving family: sister, Mary; his children, Jeffrey and Dawn; his grandchildren, Mahkayla, Talisynn, Ayanna, and Scottie. He lived his life to the fullest, including as a minister, teacher, author, musician, magician, carpenter, world traveler, conversationalist, family man, and…
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Julie Rhoades DuVal ’92
Julie Kay (Rhoades) DuVal, lifelong educator, beloved friend and devoted follower of Christ passed away at her home in Logan, Iowa on September 24, 2024, at the age of 54. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 1970, to D.G. and Peggy Rhoades, Julie attended Crescent Elementary, Kirn Junior High School, and Abraham Lincoln High School before continuing her studies at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. At Wartburg, Julie’s love for mathematics and education grew and she graduated with majors in mathematics education and mathematics with a minor in coaching. Mrs. DuVal taught for 31 years in the math departments…
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Patricia Tiffany Hinman ‘65
Patricia Sue Tiffany Hinman passed away after a lengthy illness on September 24, 2024, in McKinney, TX, where she had resided the last 14 years. Pat was born May 9, 1943, to Jessie Vonnie (Davisson) and Howard Milton Tiffany in Dumont, Iowa. She attended Chapin, Iowa, community schools until her senior year, when her school-teacher mother was forced to change teaching jobs because of school consolidation. They moved to Mondamin, Iowa, where Jessie taught for one year and Pat graduated with the class of 1961. Pat graduated from Wartburg College with a business education degree and later obtained a master’s…
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Beverly Hinkel Shalkhauser ‘65
Beverly left us on September 16, 2024 to dance and sing in heaven. She was born Beverly Kay Hinkel on July 19, 1943 in Waterloo, Iowa to Russell and Maxine (Foster) Hinkel. Her father was killed in WWII and later Maxine married Carl Reisner. Bev graduated from Cedar Falls High School and met her husband at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. They were married August 7, 1965 in Cedar Falls. They recently celebrated their 59 year anniversary. Bev graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in Social Work. She started teaching Special Education in the Green Bay school system. She…
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Dennis Bigelow ‘65
Dennis Clair Bigelow, 81, of Cedar Falls, passed away at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics on Thursday, September 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sumner on December 1, 1942, son of Clair and Maye (Morf) Bigelow. Denny graduated from West Central Maynard High School with the Class of 1961, then Wartburg College in 1965 with a B.S. in Economics. On August 14, 1965, he married his fellow Wartburg Classmate and true love, Alma Marie Brunscheen, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming, Iowa. Denny worked a variety of sales and marketing jobs during his…
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Arlys Orvella Soeder ‘68
Arlys Lorraine Soeder December 2, 1931 – September 11, 2024 Lorraine Soeder, age 92, of Waverly, Iowa and formerly of Denver, Iowa, died Wednesday, September 11, at Whispering Willows Care Center in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Arlys was born December 2, 1931, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Helmer and Cora (Stoen) Orvella. She graduated from Decorah High School and then Luther College in Decorah where she obtained her teaching certificate. Arlys later received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly. On August 27, 1952, Arlys was united in marriage to Wayne Soeder in Canton, South Dakota. Arlys taught country school…
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Julie Whitney Florence ‘85
Julie Irene (Whitney) Florence passed away at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from complications of necrotizing fasciitis. Julie was born on September 29, 1962, in Albany, Georgia, to James and Katherine Whitney. She grew up in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and graduated from Southeast Polk (SEP) High School and Wartburg College. She resided in Columbia, Missouri, for most of her life. Her career as a probation/parole officer in Columbia, Missouri, was her passion, however, for the past 10 years, she was employed by MOHELA (Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority). Julie was an independent and soft-spoken person…
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Erin Brown ‘94
Erin Scott Brown passed away at his home on September 3, 2024. He was born in Mason City, Iowa on January 25, 1972. He graduated from St. Ansgar High School and then attended Wartburg College, receiving a degree in social work. Erin currently worked at Becker Public Schools as a social worker. Previous employment includes the US Postal Service in Osage, IA as a mail carrier, Boys & Girls Club, Lutheran Social Services, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. His career as a social worker was very important to him and he was dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth.…
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Dr. James Bastian ‘62
Dr. James “Jim” Louis BastianAugust 16, 1940 – September 2, 2024 Jim, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated chiropractor, passed away at age 84. Born to Louis “Doc” Allen Bastian D.C., and Bernice Eleanora Bastian, Jim lived a life full of purpose and dedication to service, work, and providing for his family. Jim had a wonderful life beginning in Independence, Iowa, surrounded by the love of family and friends. It was there that Jim worked hard and found happiness in being a good student, participating in Boy Scouts, basketball, duck hunting, fishing, and many other hobbies including building a…
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Kevin Perrinjaquet ‘73
Kevin James Perrinjaquet, 73, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Kevin was born on July 17, 1951, the son of Gerald and Marjorie (Knickerbocker) Perrinjaquet. After graduating from Edgewood-Colesburg High School in 1969, Kevin attended Wartburg College, where he earned a business degree in 1973. Upon graduation, he returned to Edgewood to become the third generation in the family business: The Edgewood Feed Mill. An active leader in the Edgewood community, Kevin served as a board member of the Edgewood Community Savings Bank, as well as the Edgewood Convalescent Home, where he…
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Thomas Havemann ‘67
Thomas H. “Tom” Havemann, 79, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, IA. Tom was born on May 25, 1945, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of William C. Havemann and Bertha A. (Swanson) Havemann. He married Judith M. (Judy) Vorwerk on September 23, 1967, at First Baptist Church in Muscatine. Tom graduated from Muscatine High School in 1963. He then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. From 1967 to 1971, Tom served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL. and Virginia Beach, VA. He also served aboard the…
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Hillis DeVere Creger ’52
H. DeVere Creger of Waverly, Iowa passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the age of 95. Hillis DeVere Creger was born November 7, 1930, the son of Hillis R. and Elna L. (French) Creger in Plainfield, Iowa. He graduated from Plainfield High School and then attended Wartburg College for two years. On March 25, 1951, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Eggleston at the Methodist Church in Waverly. DeVere worked for two years at Walker Motors as a bookkeeper and then as a general accounting manager at Koehring Cranes and Excavators (Terex) for 40 years until…
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Marianna Schutter King ’83
Marianna King of Waverly, Iowa passed away after a brief illness and one day of hospitalization from cardiopulmonary arrest at the Waverly Health Center, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the age of 81. Marianna was born July 30, 1944, the daughter of Alyle A. and Helen (Lounsbury) Schutter, in a military hospital at Barksdale Field near Shreveport, LA where her father, an army chaplain, was in training. After WWII her family moved from Louisiana to New York to Michigan and back to New York, finally settling in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Marianna graduated from New Brunswick High School and…
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Dr. Richard Stedtfeld
Richard Warren “Dick” Stedtfeld, 97, of Glasgow, Montana, loved to sing and often burst forth into song throughout his long life. His eldest daughter, Laura, sang hymns to him in some of the last hours of his life and he passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026. Born in Glasgow, Montana in September 1928, Dick met the love of his life, Ruth Elaine Lund, at a Bible Camp in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana in 1944. They married in 1952 and shared 70 beautiful years together until Ruth’s passing in 2021. Dick often recalled, “A long time ago, Ruthie…
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Rev. David Kruger ’58
On March 10, 2026, Reverend David P. Kruger known to many as Pastor Dave, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and service. He was born on November 6, 1936, in Iowa to Reverend Emil Kruger and Emma (Cornelius) Kruger. Dave pursued his education at Wartburg College and Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1958. After feeling called to the ministry, he attended the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, where he completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1962. During his internship for his divinity degree he met…
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Janet Krafka Rohrer ’68
Janet Krafka “Fritz” Rohrer passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2026 at 91 years of age. Fritz lived a life full of family, faith and friendships. Christened Janet, she earned her nickname Fritz from her father who shortened it from Snickelfritz – a term of endearment for an energetic, curious child. The name stuck and embodied Fritz’s lively personality throughout her life. Fritz graduated from Ottumwa High School and earned her degree in elementary education from Wartburg College. She began her teaching career in Clarion, Iowa, where she met the love of her life, Ed Rohrer. She enjoyed…
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Janet Ames Lockwood ’64
Janet Lockwood, 87, of Sheffield, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond. Jan (Janet) Lockwood was born in Atlantic, Iowa, April 23, 1938. Parents were Wyman and Eva Ames. She graduated from Madrid High School in 1956, then Waldorf Junior College in Forest city in 1958. She taught elementary school in Clarion, North Polk and in Waverly. During those years, she attended classes at Drake University, then received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Wartburg College in Waverly. She was married in 1967, then widowed in 1969. In 1974, she married Larry…
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Robert Johnsen ’61
Robert J. “Bob” “Bubba” Johnsen, 86, of Beatrice, passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, at Bryan East Medical Center in Lincoln. He was born August 19, 1939, in Beatrice to William and Grace (Wallman) Johnsen. Bob graduated from Beatrice High School and later attended Wartburg College. On December 31, 1969, he married Donna Doehler at Holy Cross Church in Beatrice. Bob served for a short time in the Nebraska Air National Guard. Throughout his working years, Bob was employed by Schottler Manufacturing, served as a workshop supervisor at the Martin Lutheran Home, and later worked for Cominco, Natural Gas…
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Rev. Dr. Herman Diers ’49
Herman Diers, a wise and compassionate man of exceptional grace and generosity, a community builder committed to peace and an end to hunger, died March 7, 2026. He was 97. Born in Hampton and raised in Lutheran parsonages across eastern Iowa, Herman earned degrees from Wartburg College (BA), Wartburg Seminary (MDiv), Northwestern (MA), and Berkeley (PhD), and honorary degrees from Dana and Wartburg Colleges. On Dec. 28, 1950, he married Dorothy Lange. They first lived in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, to found Grace Lutheran Church. In 1959, they moved to Waverly, where they both worked at Wartburg College until 1993,…
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James Pilgrim ’60
James W. Pilgrim, 87, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026 at MercyOne Medical Center in Mason City. James Walter was born July 3, 1938, in Tracy, Minnesota, the son of Rev. Paulus W. Pilgrim and Elsie (Bartz) Pilgrim. Jim began his education in Austin, Minnesota, and attended country school for grades two through four in Fulda, Minnesota. He later graduated from Hector High School in Hector, Minnesota. He went on to attend and graduate from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and later completed graduate coursework at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Jim…
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Martha Farlow Knapp ’66
Martha Kay Farlow Knapp, 81, of Winterset, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Martha Kay McKeever was born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 21, 1944 to William McKeever and Kathryn (Gordon) McKeever. Her parents were divorced and her mother later married Billy W. Farlow, who adopted her legally. Marty grew up in Winterset, attending North Ward Elementary, South Ward for junior high, and graduating from Winterset High School in 1962. She worked at the Ben Franklin store and attended St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Three Little…
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James Waterbury
James Bentley Waterbury died March 2, 2026, at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, after a short battle with metastatic melanoma. He was 78. Jim was born August 2, 1947, the third of four children born to Charles Arthur and Mary Elizabeth Stoddard Waterbury. His mother once told him he was her favorite because her labor with him was so short. However, he may have made that up. We all make up the stories we need. Jim graduated from Waterloo West High in 1965, and Princeton University in 1969. How he made it through is a testament to his professors’…
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Sue Engel Dunshee ’62
Sue Ann Engel Dunshee, 85, of Houston, TX went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Monday, March 2, 2026, at her home, Spring Cypress Senior Living in Cypress, TX. Sue was born September 30, 1940 in Cedar Falls, IA, the second of five siblings born to the late Paul and Mildred Engel. After graduating from Hudson High School, she studied at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Professionally Sue worked various office jobs, primarily in the accounting and payroll departments until she retired in 2005. Sue met her husband, Donald (Don) Dunshee on a blind date, an encounter that…
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Darrell Arntzen ’68
Darrell Lynn Arntzen, a beloved figure in his community and a park ranger, passed away on March 1, 2026, at Bickford of Urbandale, Urbandale, Iowa. He was born on July 26, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Orie Edgar and Mary Priscilla (Murray) Arntzen. Darrell grew up in Iowa, graduating from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School with the class of 1962 before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree from Wartburg College in 1968. Darrell’s career began in 1969 when he joined the Department of Natural Resources as a park ranger. He worked tirelessly, moving from park…
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Carol Suckow Wolf ’65
Carol J. Wolf, 82, of Oelwein, Iowa, died Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Arlington Place Assisted Living in Oelwein. Carol Jean Suckow was born July 14, 1943, in West Union, Iowa, the daughter of Charles Lewis and Helen Mildred (Springer) Suckow. She graduated from North High School and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College and her master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Carol taught grade school in La Porte City, Northwood and Sacred Heart Catholic School in Oelwein. On August 10, 1968, she was united in marriage to Boyd Eugene Wolf at the Little Brown Church…
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Joyce Mueller Paxson ’60
Joyce M. Paxson was born on September 11, 1938, to Adolph Mueller and Mary Chambers in Manchester, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her husband William T. Paxson, daughters Katie Paxson and Terri Bennett, and sister Jackie Gibson. Joyce is well-known for her passion and dedication to music. Receiving her training at the Wartburg College School of Music, she went on to sing with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and toured with the Roger Wagner Chorale in many places around the US and Europe. She sang all kinds of music: opera, classical, and liturgical music. Joyce was a voice…
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Todd Wollenzien ’87
It is with deep sadness we announce Todd Wollenzien, 60, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at MercyOne Hospital in West Des Moines, Iowa. After a long battle with cancer, he passed peacefully in his sleep with his family at his bedside, after a day full of exchanging stories about him and his contagious humor. Todd was born to Francis and Jane (Barnard) Wollenzien in Waverly, Iowa, on June 15, 1965. From a young age he was rambunctious, funny, kind, and an intelligent spirit, who was a friend to everyone he met. He spent many mornings helping out in…
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Robert Selk ’59
Robert Rudolph Koeppen Selk, 89, of Dysart, Iowa, passed away on February 22, 2026, just 25 days after celebrating his 89th birthday. Robert will be buried in the Dysart Cemetery. He was born on January 28, 1937, to Rudolph and Louise Selk. Bob graduated from Dysart High School in 1955 and later attended Wartburg College where he received his degree in business administration in 1959. After college, he worked for Maytag and later retired as a manager from Job Service of Iowa. He also had his own tax business and would farm. He had a deep desire to help…
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Verona Orth Zelle ’52
Verona Zelle, 95, of Waverly, Iowa died on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly. Verona Ruth Zelle was born on January 21, 1931, and raised in rural Jesup in Black Hawk County, Iowa, the fifth daughter of six children born to Louis A. and Olinda M. (Riensche) Orth. She was baptized on February 1, 1931, and confirmed on March 5, 1944, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Jubilee, Iowa. Verona attended Jubilee Consolidated Schools through the 8th grade and graduated in 1948 from Jesup High School. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly for one year and…
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Daniel Glommen ’63
Daniel Stanley Glommen, February 13, 1941 — February 20, 2026. Daniel Stanley Glommen was born on February 13, 1941, in Wilmington, Ohio. As a son of an Air Force officer, Dan and his siblings lived in many areas, including Washington Courthouse, Ohio; Levittown, New York; and Frankfurt, Germany. At the age os 12, he and his family moved to San Antonio, Texas. Dan played football for the South San Antonia Bobcats and played the biggest bass drum in the state of Texas. In 1955, Dan and his family moved to Security, Colorado. He attended Fountain High School and then transferred to Widefield…
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Carol Burdick Rudey ’73
Carol Anne Rudey, 74, of Racine, WI, died of complications from a fall at Aurora SummitOconomowoc Hospital on Friday, February 20th, 2026, surrounded by family in her finalmoments. The fall took place in early December.She is a true testament to love and determination in her lifelong battle against RheumatoidArthritis.Carol was dedicated to her family and will be forever loved by her husband of 51 years (TomRudey) and two adult sons (Scott Rudey and David Rudey- wife Casey (Ulman)-grandson LukeRudey). Carol was preceded in death by her mother (Frances) and father (Milton), her oldestbrother John Burdick and her younger brother Paul,…