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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Charles “Pete” Griffin Jr. ‘73
Our father, Charles Peter Griffin, Jr or “Pete,” sadly passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Cedar Court Senior Living Center in Adams, Minn., at the age of 72. Pete was born July 4, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Martha (Gardner) and Charles Griffin, Sr (Chuck). In his youth, dad loved sports, especially baseball and basketball and was even a standout athlete in college, playing on the school’s championship basketball team. He continued to play amateur basketball with a team from Iowa City, the Airliner, after college for a while. Despite his relatively short stature for a basketball player,…
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Philip Truckenbrod ‘64
Philip Charles Truckenbrod, passed away after a sudden illness on April 22, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri, with his daughter, Emily, by his side. He was born on the family farm in Paw Paw, Illinois to Edgar John and Evelyn Cecelia Margaret (Schmitz) Truckenbrod on August 25, 1942. During his youth, Philip was active is many school activities including playing drum set for the Mendota Accordion Band, in which his sister also played. After high school, Philip attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, majoring in Psychology. While at Wartburg, he made many wonderful life- long friends, especially “The Boys” from…
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Abby Saathoff Doxey ‘09
Abbey Lee Doxey, 36, of Waverly, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at UnityPoint Health/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. She was born June 24, 1987, in Waterloo, daughter of Robert and Laurene (Smith) Saathoff. Abbey graduated from Clarksville High School where she played Basketball and Volleyball with the Class of 2005 then from Wartburg College in 2009. She married Matt Morrill in July 2013 and they later divorced. Abbey married Wesley Doxey in Nashville, Tennessee on October 22, 2022. She worked as a Graphic Designer for Woolverton Printing. Abbey was preceded in death by her grandparents: Peter and Darlene Saathoff,…
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Eileen Wolken Schurr ’56
Eileen Ruth Schurr, 88, of Castle Rock, Colorado went home to be with the Lord on April 19, 2024. Eileen was one of 7 children born to Henry and Dora (Eilers) Wolken of Urbana, Illinois. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Robert Wolken, Dick Wolken, Martin Wolken and Walter Wolken; and her sister Annetta (Wolken) Freese. She is survived by her sister, Marie Buhr of Rantoul, IL and her children Sheila Bartlett of Parker, CO, Brian Capps of Gatlinburg, TN, Traci Link of Centennial, CO, and Matthew Schurr of Centennial, CO as well as her 10…
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Peter Tundel ’69
Tundel, Peter C. Age 76 of Eden Prairie passed away April 17, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by wife, Sandi; daughter, Nikki (Tim), daughter, Laura (Aaron), and son, Mark (Jason). Pete was smart, funny, caring and determined. He was a unique mix of optimist and cynic. And he was extremely loved. He was born in Brooklyn to Christian, Norwegian parents. He grew up playing football, baseball and basketball with his three brothers. He met his wife at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. They got married in 1970. Pete worked for Cargill for 15 years, with job…
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Ronald Fischer ‘68
Ronald (Ron) Alwin Fischer was born on August 7, 1946 to Edith and Marvin Fischer in Mendota, Illinois. He died in his Tonganoxie, Kansas home on April 15, 2024. After graduating from Mendota High School in 1964, Ron earned his college degree at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He then began pursuing an advanced degree at Iowa State when he was drafted into the Navy in the early seventies. He served as a corpsman all 4 years at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. He married the love of his life, Joyce Elayne Engle, in 1966. They were married for 41 years,…
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Zoey Clark Bronsink ‘20
Zoey Marie Clark Bronsink, December 24, 1997 — April 15, 2024. Zoey was born December 24, 1997 in Des Moines Iowa. She was the oldest daughter of Brad and Sue Clark. Zoey graduated from Waukee High School where she was active in sports and marching band. Later, she attended Wartburg College. Zoey returned home where she met the love of her life, Joel Bronsink. They married on August 19th, 2023. Together they made a beautiful home with their cats, Gwen and Perry. Zoey loved reading, gardening, hiking, camping, traveling, sustainability, game nights and puzzles. She was passionate about the environment…
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Dolores Pipho Boehm ‘46
Dolores M. Boehm, 97, of rural Wadena, Iowa, died Saturday evening, April 13, 2024, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington, Iowa, with Rev. Margaret Yackel-Juleen officiating. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington and for one hour before the service on Friday at the church. Interment: Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, Iowa. Memorials may be directed in her name to the Bremwood Children’s Home, EWALU or LSI. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Dolores Marie Pipho was born March…
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Erma Baumgartner Clausing ’49
Erma Hilda Clausing, 95, of Cedar Falls, Iowa and formerly from Waverly, passed away early Thursday morning, April 11, 2024, at Nation Cottage in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Erma Hilda (Baumgartner) Clausing was born on September 21, 1928, to Emil and Elizabeth (Beyerlein) Baumgartner in Clayton County, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Sebald Lutheran Church, Strawberry Point, Iowa, on October 14, 1928, and confirmed there on April 5, 1942. She attended a rural school near her home through 8th grade and graduated from Strawberry Point High School in 1945, and attended Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, graduating in 1946. She then…
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Arnold Fritz ‘53
Arnold William “Bill” Fritz, age 92 of Carlyle, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Mr. Fritz was born in Wesley, Iowa on January 1, 1932, a son of the late William A. and Wilma (nee Gerdes) Fritz. Bill married Norma Jeane Ahrens in Grinnell, Iowa on June 21, 1953, and she preceded in death on March 2, 2015. Mr. Fritz is survived by his children – Dawn M. Stedelin and husband John of Huey, Illinois, Dale William Fritz of Birmingham, Alabama, and Jelene R. Rickhoff and husband Kenneth of Bartelso, Illinois; 5 grandchildren – Jarrod Ashby…
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Fred Holzrichter ‘66
Fred W. Holzrichter – passed away peacefully, at home with family present, on Thursday April 11, 2024. He was 80 years old. Fred was born in Chicago to Hugo and Elsa Holzrichter. He was raised in Chicago and graduated from Harper H.S. He began his studies at Wartburg College, Waverly, IA., but during a “financial break” in 1967, was drafted into the Army. Trained as a Chaplain’s Asst., he was sent to Korea and served on the DMZ. Upon his return home, he completed his B.A. degree in Wartburg. Fred worked in Advertising, Alumni and Development fields. One of his…
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Mary “Sue” Hitchins Kern ’70
Mary “Sue” Kern, 93, of Waverly, Iowa died on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly. Mary Adorine Kern was born on February 8, 1931, the daughter of James and Margaret (Reburn) Hitchins in South Bend, Indiana. She attended primary school in the New Albin area, then Iowa Teacher College (UNI) for two years where she received her teaching degree followed by Mt Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She later went to Wartburg College, where she received her master’s degree. On June 1, 1957, she was united in marriage to Edward G. Kern at St. Joseph…
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Linda Sturtz ‘75
Linda K. Sturtz, 71, of St. Louis Park, MN, formerly of Vinton, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis Park, MN. Linda was born November 29, 1952, in Independence, the daughter of Malin and Arlene (Kaiser) Sturtz. She attended school in Vinton, graduating from Washington High School in 1971. She then attended Wartburg College, graduating in 1975, where she earned her teaching degree. Linda’s teaching career was as a middle school science teacher. She taught in the school districts of Myservey-Thornton and Waterloo, both in Iowa. She was also a tennis and swimming coach…
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Paul “Bob” Moeller ’61
Paul Robert “Bob” Moeller died on March 25, 2024 at home at the age of 84. Bob was born in Alpena, Michigan, the son of the late Lutheran Bishop Paul and Iris (Troyer) Moeller. Bob graduated in 1957 from Oakwood High School in Dayton, Ohio. Bob’s family was interested in nature – his mother was a Girl Scout leader. She had a federal permit to collect bird nests that were no longer used by nesting birds. The family helped with this collection which was donated to an educational center. Bob was a Boy Scout and earned his Eagle Scout Badge. In June…
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Judith Kreft Bunz ’61
Judith (Judy) Ann Kreft Bunz passed away at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, on March 24, 2024. She was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on March 15, 1939, and lived in Lytton, Iowa until her marriage to Claus Heinrich Bunz in 1961. Following high school, Judy studied at Wartburg College where she received a certificate in Medical Technology and completed her training at Mercy Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Judy practiced as a medical technologist at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa and at Denison Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. She married Claus Heinrich Bunz, on October 7th,…
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Dolores Ellermeier Tjarks ’51
Sioux Falls, SD – Dolores Tjarks, age 91, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Sioux Falls, SD. Dolores taught her children to love God above all else, see the best in people and dish out praise in heaping spoonfuls. She was endlessly kind. Dolores lived a life of service to her family, church, students, friends and colleagues. She had a passion for teaching and loved to help children discover the joy of reading. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved quilting. Dolores Eileen Ellermeier was born July 15, 1932, in the farm home of her…
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Patricia Donahoo Tuecke ‘59
Patricia M. Tuecke, 84, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center. She was born November 12, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Lloyd and Ester (Schomer) Donahoo. She grew up on her parents farm near Millard, Nebraska, and attended Millard High School. After graduating from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and prior to marriage, Patricia was a teacher in Marshalltown, Iowa. In 1960 she was married to John Tuecke of Garnavillo, Iowa, whom she had met at Wartburg. They had two sons, Jeff and Steve. After the family moved to…
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Dr. Darrell Schlange ’61
Darrell Gene Schlange O.D, D.O.S, age 84, of Palos Heights, Illinois, passed away on March 10, 2024. He was born on October 18, 1939, in Auburn, Nebraska. Darrell was a dedicated Associate Professor of Optometry at Illinois College of Optometry and also had a successful private practice in the Palos Heights area. He was known for his multiple research presentations both in the USA and internationally, as well as his publications. He was a proud graduate having excelled at Wartburg College and Illinois College of Optometry, where he graduated as valedictorian. Darrell furthered his education at the University of Chicago. …
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Lois Wiese McCulloch ’56
Lois M. McCulloch died March 10, 2024 at Ascension St. Joseph Center in Freeport. Born Feb 15, 1935, in Spring Valley, IL to Herman J and Mildred (Hamer) Wiese, she married Donald “Mac” McCulloch of Freeport in Sept 1957. She is survived by her daughters, Rose Anne Flores of Phoenix, AZ, and Dawn (David) Bronkema of Cincinnati, OH; 5 grandchildren, Chris (Katrina) Roberts of South Jordan UT, Rachel Roberts of South Jordan UT, Amber Roberts of Scottdale AZ, Gabriel and Daniel Flores of Phoenix, AZ as well as 3 great grandchildren – Connor and Caleb Roberts and Holden Roberts, all of…
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Irene Streng Snyder ‘52
Irene E. Snyder, 93, passed away on Sunday March 10, 2024 in Oshkosh. Irene was born November 11, 1930, in Cook, Nebraska, the daughter of the Reverend John and Nora (Bischoff) Streng. The Streng family moved to Beatrice, NE when her father was called to serve at St. John Lutheran Church in 1937.During World War II, Irene served her country by delivering telegrams after school. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1948 and returned to Beatrice several times for reunions. In the fall of 1948, Irene started attending Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Irene remembers her first day on…
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Rev. Stanley Lillich ’64
Stanley R. Lillich (Stan) died of cancer on his 84th birthday on Sunday, April 12th after a six-day stay at Oakwood Village Health & Rehabilitation Center at Prairie Ridge where he was well cared for by family and staff. His death claimed a temporary victory. Our Lord’s promise is “the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” Thanks be to God that His victory over death and the grave will also be ours, through faith in Him. Stanley R. Lillich was born on April 12, 1942, in Benkelman, NE to the Reverend Adolph and Clara Lillich. He was baptized by…
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Dawn Maas Jaeger ’83
Dawn Jaeger, 64, of Grinnell, died on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center. Dawn Marie Maas was born to William and Joyce (Tretow) Maas on June 29, 1961, in Sheboygan, Wis. She was raised in Random Lake, Wis., and graduated with the Random Lake High School Class of 1979. Dawn continued her education at Wartburg College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in social work in 1983, and completed her Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Iowa. On August 27, 1983, Dawn was united in marriage with Brent Jaeger at Saint Paul’s…
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David Kalkwarf ’70
David Orville Kalkwarf, 77 of McGregor, Iowa passed away from Alzheimer’s on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Meadow View Memory Care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. David was born October 7, 1948 to Orville and Hazel (Voss) Kalkwarf in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from Pontiac High School with the class of 1966 and attended Wartburg College for two years before joining the United States Army. When David returned from serving in the Army he continued his education at the Illinois State College and graduated with a CPA certificate in accounting. On November 28, 1969, David was united in marriage with Barbara Augsburger at…
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Marian Boicourt Glidewell ’59
Loving wife and mother, Marian Janice Glidewell of Emporia, KS died at Newman Regional Health on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the age of 88. Marian was born June 20,1937 in Minneapolis, MN to Melvin Alvin and Adeline Mae (Nelson) Boicourt. She grew up in the Homecroft neighborhood of St. Paul, MN surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In addition to her family, Marian found guidance at Homecroft Elementary and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. During WWII, the tight-knit neighborhood supported each other while the men were serving their country. Marian had many stories to share of her childhood…
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Arlington Fink ’56
Arlington M Fink passed on April 6, 2026, at the age of 93; born December 15, 1932, in Delmont, Arlington resided in Ames, Iowa. A.M. Fink was born in his German-Russian grandparents’ home in Delmont, South Dakota. The youngest in a deeply religious family, he got to sit on his father’s lap as his father read from the German Bible every morning. In this intimate time he learned to read German script before dealing with English in a one-room school at age six. Being unsuited to farming because of hay fever, A.M. attended Armour High School and Wartburg College, a…
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Michelle Stearns Parsons ’99
Michelle Lynn Stearns Parsons, age 48, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, was born the daughter of Dale and Janet (Honsbruch) Stearns, on July 26, 1977, in Waterloo, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, Iowa. Michelle graduated from Aplington Parkersburg High School in 1995 and continued her education, graduating from Wartburg College with her bachelor’s degree and had been working towards her master’s degree. Michelle had a passion for helping people which led her to several communities, working in social work and substance abuse counseling over the years before making her current home in Mineral Point,…
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Rev. Robert Wessels ’57
Robert “Bob” Gerd Wessels was born February 12,1934 to Adolph and Johanna Wessels. Bob was one of four children and grew up on a farm 7 miles north of Independence Iowa. Bob attended Buchannan County Rural School #5 and Independence High School. After graduation in 1951, Bob farmed for two years with his “Opa”, dad, older brother Harry and younger brother Lawrence “Lornie”. During this time Bob met and dated Margie Harris. Marge and Bob both did volunteer work for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. Bob received God’s call while at camp and soon after was enrolled at Wartburg College…
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Roger Pagel ’63
Roger Allan Pagel, October 22, 1941 – April 3, 2026. Roger graduated from Tama High School, and also Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where he played football. He met Marty in 1962 at Wartburg and they were married on August 21, 1965. Roger was a PE teacher at Mission Middle School from 1970-1999. He was a football coach at Bellevue High School, Mission Middle School, and Bellevue East High School. Preceded in death by parents Harold and Darlene Pagel brother in-law Curtis Olthoff. Survived by wife of 60 years, Mariedith “Marty” (Greenlee) Pagel; children Scott Pagel (Angie), Shawn Pagel (Michele),…
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Robert Beener ’63
Robert “Bob” Beener, 97, of Cedar Falls, IA, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2026, at Western Homes Creekside Living in Grundy Center. Bob was born June 14, 1928, in Waterloo, IA, the third son of Charles and Lydia (Speicher) Beener. His family included-two older brothers, Irvin and LaVerne, two younger sisters, Mary, and Janice “Jenny,” and one younger brother, Richard “Dick” Beener. Growing up in the Great Depression years, Bob’s work history began at an early age with a paper route. In High School, he began working second shift at the Rath Packing Company and continued to work there while…
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Elizabeth von Fischer Hier ’53
Elizabeth Mae von Fischer Hier, January 28, 1931 – March 23, 2026. Elizabeth (Betty) von Fischer Hier, 95, of Clear Lake, IA, passed away peacefully at the IOOF Home in Mason City, IA after a courageous three-month battle with bone cancer. Betty was born on January 28, 1931, in Springfield, Minnesota, the daughter of Philip Emil and Vera Santine Wilhelmina (Buth) von Fischer. She attended school in Springfield and began playing the flute in the 6th grade with three other classmates. In 7th grade, and each year following, they were the top small group at regional, and state contests. She graduated from…
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Rev. Robert Edwards ’72
Rev. Robert Lynn Edwards passed away on March 22, 2026 in Ames, IA after a short battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Bob was born on November 14, 1949, in Emmetsburg, IA to Leslie and Marian Edwards. Bob attended school in Emmetsburg until his family moved to Forest City, IA. He graduated from Forest City High School in 1968. While still in high school, he started attending church on his own and after a particularly moving Lenten service, decided he wanted to become a pastor. Bob attended Waldorf College for two years, where he met the love of his life and…
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Larry Stille ’64
Larry Lee Stille, aged 83, was called home by his Savior on March 22nd, 2026, surrounded by his family, at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Larry was born August 7th, 1942 in Charles City, IA. He was a proud graduate of Wartburg College, graduating with a BA in biology and going on to attend Schoitz Memorial Hospital’s medical technologist training program. He then began thirty-five years of service at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA, rising to become Director of Technical Lab Services, as well as Director of Pharmacy and Radiologic Services. At St. Luke’s, he met the…
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Beverly Riis Sperry ’64
Bev, age 83, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026 at Our Lady of Peace Hospice Home (St. Paul, MN), with her daughter and husband at her side. Bev leaves a legacy of humor, honesty and caring for others; her long-time commitment to education, her family, and her church. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. Born on February 19, 1943 at Lutheran Hospital (Hampton, Iowa) to Alvin and Ardyce Riis of Coulter, Iowa. Becoming a big sister when Susan was born six years later. The family later made their home on a dairy farm…
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Joan Havener Anderson ’71
Joan L. Anderson, 76, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church on Northland, 5200 Northland Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends an hour prior to services at the church. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s social media pages. Joan was born on May 3, 1949, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Chilcote) Havener. She was a 1967 graduate of Knoxville High School and earned her teaching degree from Central…
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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…