
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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Marilyn Louise Reicks-Botterbrodt, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at her home in Hartman, Arkansas in front of her large picture window overlooking the lake, her “happy place”. She was lovingly surrounded by her husband and family.Marilyn Louise Stortz was born on June 11, 1932 in Decorah, IA to parents, Alfred and Nellie (Walsh) Stortz. She was the middle child, with an older brother, Charles (Chuck) and a younger brother, Jerry. She grew up in Canoe Township in Northeast Iowa and lived on the family farm.Marilyn graduated from Decorah High School on June 1, 1950. She received…
Allen Wayne Lyndrup, 79, our great Viking warrior, teacher, and lover of life passed away on February 4, 2024. Allen was born in Oak Park, IL on January 29, 1945. After finding a passion for being involved in a show at Central High School in Clifton, IL, Allen studied theater at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. Like his parents (Carolyn and Luther Lyndrup) he became a teacher, beginning his career at McHenry High School outside of Chicago. While completing a Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Georgia, he met the love of his life and his adored wife of fifty-two years Anne…
CYNTHIA “CY” SUE YESS, died on the morning of Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Lakeshore Inn in Waseca. Cy was born to Marvin and Milly (Holtz) Yess on July 26, 1949. She was their second child and was an amazing sister to her big sister Carolyn and her baby brother Curt. Cy was baptized into Christ’s family and confirmed her faith at Saint John Lutheran church in Waseca. She attended Southside Elementary and graduated from Waseca Central High school in 1967. Her summers were consumed by backyard ballgames barefoot with the neighborhood kids or with all of her cousins…
The Rev. Dr. William (“Bill”) Paul Thalacker, 89, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family in Waverly, Iowa, on January 31, 2024, due to the effects of congestive heart failure. Bill was born in Grinnell, Iowa, on November 14, 1934, to Rev. Arnold and Erna (Klein)Thalacker. He moved with his family to Lutheran congregations and communities in Iowa served by his father: Grinnell/Malcom, Castle Grove/Monticello, Lizard Township/Palmer and Des Moines. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He grew up mostly in the country, enjoying the freedom, tasting some of farm life, and participating in Luther…
Ronald J. Neessen, 85, died on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at his home. He was born on January 16, 1939, in Iowa, the son of Thomas and Wilma (Henning) Neessen. He graduated from DeWitt Community Schools in 1957, Wartburg College in 1961 and the Madison School of Banking in 1963. He married Sheran Matson in June 1964, later divorcing. On July 20, 1974, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Miriam Platz, in Waterloo. He was employed as a National Bank Examiner with the US Comptroller of the Currency from 1963 to 1982. He then became…
Madeleine “Lynn” Niemuth, 89, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024. Madeleine “Lynn” Niemuth was born in Horton, KS on January 4, 1935, to Paul and Lucina (Hanoulle) Baudot. Her parents and sister Lucienne had emigrated from Belgium to the U.S. (Kansas) in 1928 to seek a better life after the ravages of World War I took their toll in that country. They entered the country as farmers and worked in that capacity until 1943 when they moved to Oconomowoc, WI, where Lucie was already living. Lynn attended elementary school near Horton, KS, and then in Oconomowoc following…
Gretchen Michelle Watson, 45, passed away January 23, 2024. Gretchen was born August 25, 1978, in Waterloo, IA, to Rand Eugene and Brenda Mae (Rockwood) Watson. She graduated from Janesville Consolidated School in 1996 in Janesville, IA. Gretchen received her BA in Business Administration from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA in 2000. Gretchen was self-employed, working in the wine and spirits industry. She traveled to Europe with the Iowa Music Ambassadors and also went to Australia with the Wartburg Castle Singers. Gretchen is survived by her parents, Rand and Brenda Watson of Mesa, Arizona; brother, Greg Watson of Ames, IA;…
Michael James Nedoba, 53, of Holmen, Wisconsin passed away early Tuesday morning at 4:19, January 23rd, 2024 at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Mike was born in 1970, the youngest son to Curt and Carol (nee Fehr) Nedoba in Waterloo, Iowa. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and then the University of Iowa where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Mike was always a devoted Iowa Hawkeyes fan. In 1993, after the Velvet Revolution in what was Czechoslovakia, Mike traveled to the former Warsaw Pact country to teach English as a Second Language. While…
Claire “Skip” James Merfeld, 95, Cedar Falls, died Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Western Home, Cedar Falls. Skip was born June 18, 1928 in Bristow, Iowa to the late Roy and Carrie (Stewart) Merfeld. He married Alice Folkert and the couple celebrated 64 loving years together before her death in 2012. Skip is survived by his sons, Bruce (Peggy) Merfeld of Cedar Falls and Dan (Nancy) Merfeld of Elburn, Illinois; daughter-in-law, Christy Merfeld of Cedar Rapids; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Dean Merfeld; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Jay; and grandson,…
Rev. David Harold Andreae, age 80, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Elkader Care Center. He was born March 18, 1943, inOelwein to Herbert J. and Esther M. (Zwanziger) Andreae. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Sebald Lutheran Church, rural Strawberry Point. The family farmed in Clayton County between Strawberry Point and Volga in Sperry Township.He attended public school at Volga, was a member of the last class to graduate – Class of 1961 – before consolidation into Central Community Schools at Elkader and – he was the Valedictorian of the Class! David then attended Wartburg College…
Ryan Randall Winters, 43, of Denver, Colorado, formally of Iowa Falls, passed away Tuesday January 16, 2024. Ryan was born on September 5, 1980 in Iowa Falls, Iowa to Randy and Dianna (Bahr) Winters. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in the class of 1999. His academic and athletic accomplishments were vast in school, as one of the valedictorians of his class and championships in shot put and football. He had quite the competitive nature and love for the team. Ryan received his bachelor of science degree from Wartburg College and his doctorate from Regis University in Colorado. He…
Gary S. Platt, age 74, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids after a 16 year battle with cancer. Gary was born on September 19, 1949 to the late Arthur and Doris (Ollerman) Platt. Professionally, he was a general manager in the food service industry in Wisconsin Rapids for many years. Gary was an avid sports fan his entire life. He was a pitcher for the Neenah High School baseball team that was state runner-up in 1965. He continued his baseball career at Wartburg college as a pitcher. He…
Hillary M. Gerber, 54, a lifelong rural Stewartville, MN farmer died unexpectedly of a cardiac arrest on Monday (January 8, 2024) at the family farm. Hillary Marshall Gerber was born on September 17, 1969, in Rochester, MN to Paul and Ruth (Kaldenberg) Gerber. He grew up on the Gerber Family farm in Pleasant Grove Twp., attended and graduated from Stewartville HS in 1988. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA for 2 years and then the U of Minnesota -Waseca for 1 year. Hill was married on March 15, 1997, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Goodhue to Debra J.…
Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Marianna Wolters, of Rantoul passed away peacefully in her loving home on Friday, January 5th. Marianna recently celebrated her 83rd birthday, and was blessed to live a life of faith, service, and love. She was born December 29th, 1940, in Smith Center, Kansas, to Frieda deJung Dirks and Rev. Henry J. Dirks. As the daughter of a Lutheran Pastor, as she grew, so did her passion for living a life of sharing her Love of Christ, the joy of music, and the gift of lifelong learning with others. She was an only child and was…
Obituary of Oswald William Goettler, as written by Ozzie. Oswald William Goettler (Ozzie) was born November 29, 1927 at Andrew, Iowa to Henry and Magdalena Goettler, very poor, but very religious parents, for this he was thankful for. He became a Christian at a very young age and being poor, it taught him to get along with only the things he needed. Ozzie, age 96, passed away on January 3, 2024 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon, Iowa after a brief stay. He attended Andrew High School for 12 years. He walked two miles to and from school each day,…
Wayne L. Imm, 94, of Toluca, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 5:10 am at his home in Toluca. Wayne was born February 20, 1929, in Streator, IL to Lester and Ella (Nenne) Imm. He married Dolores Ponsetto on November 28, 1953. Wayne attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. In 1951 he went into the Army and served in Tokyo, Japan during the Korean War. He came home and went into business with his father at Imm & Son, in Toluca, selling Chevrolet and Oldsmobile vehicles for 54 years. In addition, he owned & operated Toluca Bottling Works. He served…
Brent Harstad, November 5, 1943 ~ December 25, 2023. Brent Gordon Harstad left a footprint on our community. He was a father and a husband, a judge and a businessman, and most of all, a good friend. He always gave of himself and worked to make the world a better place. He would meet you with a big smile and a hearty hello, often with jokes or witty quips. He wanted to lift people up and laugh with them, so we ask this of you as you read this, reach out and lift someone up, and share your wonderful smile…
Clarence Edward Coleman, February 16, 1940 – December 5, 2023. Clarence Edward Coleman was born in Mankato, Minnesota on February 16,1940 and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa; the only child of Eleanor (Egli) and Walter De Nio. Clarence went by many names mostly because he never liked his first name. His nicknames were given to him at a young age such as Snorky and Cork, which he was called by his family his whole life. In his early career at Family Service League in Waterloo, IA, he was known simply as “Coleman.” Later in life, he decided to use his middle name,…
Sandra K. Wiegert, 78, resident of Loveland, ColoradoSandra (nee Oltrogge) Wiegert died suddenly Monday, November 27, 2023. Sandy was born at her family’s home near rural Sumner, Iowa. Sandy grew up in Waterloo Iowa, graduated from East High School and Wartburg College, Waverly. She taught at Pierce Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In Cedar Rapids, she met and later married Eldon Wiegert in 1968. They welcomed a daughter, Amy a few years later. The family re-located to Loveland in 1984.She was a much-appreciated resident of Loveland. She was an active volunteer for many years at area schools, non- profit organizations, and…
Delbert “Dell” Sailer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on November 12, 2023. Born into a large and loving family as one of twelve children to George and Martha Sailer, Dell grew up on a farm in Hazen, North Dakota. Preceded in death by six brothers; Walter, Lawrence, Gerhardt, Arnold, Martin, and Gerald, sister Leila (Simpson) and two infant sisters. He is survived by sisters Velma (Wylie), Veona (Jorgensen), and brothers Vernon and Roland. Dell’s journey led him from the fields of North Dakota to the halls of higher education, where his passion for theology, philosophy and…
Ron “Ronnie” R. Luck, 84, of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025. He was born on September 18, 1940, in Waverly, the son of Ralph and Dorothy (Magnuson) Luck. He married Mattie Anders on November 4, 1988, and she preceded him in death on January 28, 2025. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Donald and Larry Luck; and sister-in-law, Beverly Luck. He is survived by his daughter, Debra (Brad) Geuther of Glendale, AZ; son, Ken (Gwen) Luck of LaMoille, IL; stepdaughter, Michelle Bartolazzi of Springfield; four grandchildren; Jade Geuther, Nigel Lizarraga, Garrett Luck…
Dixon Zander, June 16, 1940 – May 2, 2025. Dixon Zander, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Madrid, Iowa. Dixon was born June 16, 1940, in Sumner, Iowa to William and Dora (Zell) Zander. He grew up working on the family farm. Dixon graduated from Sumner High School in 1958. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in teaching. He also participated in track and field where he held the record for pole vaulting for many years. Dixon married Barbara Hanifan on June 10, 1962, in Toledo, Iowa and they…
Sharon Sue Knight, 81, of Waverly, Iowa, passed away Wednesday night, April 30, 2025, at her home. Sharon was born on February 9, 1944, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Arlene (Timm) and Theodore Slack. She attended school in Waterloo until moving to Waverly after the death of her father. Sharon graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock in 1962 and then studied business at Wartburg College. On November 20, 1966, Sharon was united in marriage to John Knight in Waverly. John was serving in the United States Air Force, and the couple moved to RAF Lakenheath in England. In 1968, they…
Jean Ann Maas Pike fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on April 28, 2025 to continue her eternal journey with God. Jean will be deeply missed by her children, David (Catherine) Pike (Lansing MI), Steven (Mary Carle) Pike (Mequon, WI), Cheryl (Tom Delaney) Pike (Neenah); her children’s father Richard W. (Sue Hlinak) Pike (Appleton); sister Mary Ellen Hamilton (Madison), brother William (Kathy) Maas (Grand Rapids MI); grandsons Nicholas (Stephanie) Furman (Neenah), Joseph Delaney (Burnsville, MN), Christopher (Katie) Pike (East Lansing, MI) and Matthew Pike (Lansing, MI); great-grandchildren Jack, Luke and Lizzie (East Lansing, MI), and Kaysyn and Braelynn (Neenah);…
Bonnie Mae Drape, October 26, 1934 – April 25, 2025. Bonnie Mae Drape was born on October 26, 1934, the daughter Walter and Elda (Walther) Hartmann in Waverly, Iowa. She was baptized on December 9, 1934, and Confirmed on March 28, 1948, both at St. John Lutheran Church – Western Douglas. Bonnie graduated from Nashua High School in 1952 and then attended Wartburg College for two years. Following her education, she taught at Douglas #4 from 1954 until 1955. On June 3, 1956, she was united in marriage to Allan W. Drape at St. John Lutheran Church – Western Douglas. In 1971,…
Jay A. Johnson, 62, known as “OB” to his friends, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa with family at his side. Jay Adrian Johnson was born August 23, 1962, in Forest City, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1980, where he was an all-conference basketball and baseball player. After graduation, he attended Waldorf College and Wartburg College and then went on to work for Winnebago Industries where he made many friends that he loved telling stories about. He was also proud that he was able to…
Eldon DeWeerth, loving husband, father, grandfather, partner, and retired Lutheran pastor, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, April 14, 2025. He was 83. Eldon was born on November 2, 1941, in Bradford, Illinois. He grew up on a farm in Bradford and graduated from Bradford High School and Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Eldon married his high school sweetheart, Mary Dewey, on June 22, 1963. Eldon earned master’s degrees from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was ordained to the ministry and served congregations in Edmonds and Longview, Washington,…
Donald Eugene Smith, 92, of Ankeny passed away peacefully, April 14, 2025. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny (517 SW Des Moines St.) Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch. The service will be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral. Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 23, at Bingham Township in Woden, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. Don was born July 1, 1932, in Woden, Iowa to Ralph and Mae Smith. He attended Woden High School and graduated in 1949. He later graduated from Waldorf Junior College in Forest City,…
Lois, age 94, was born on December 9, 1930 near Glenvil, Nebraska to William Wenske and Elsie Anna Dumke Wenske. She passed away peacefully in Lakewood, Colorado on April 7, 2025 surrounded by her family with love. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Hoops, and her seven siblings. She is survived by her two children, Tim Hoops (his wife Linda Sue) and Cindy Boatright (her husband Mark); her 5 Grandchildren, Heather Hoops, Heidi Eng, Hilary Hoops, Nick Boatright and Chris Boatright; and 5Greatgrandchildren (with one on the way). Lois was raised on a farm in Clay County, Nebraska and graduated from Clay Center High School in 1948. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where she met her husband, Victor Hoops. Lois and Victor were married on…
My husband, Norman Marshall Scott, passed away quietly at 89 years on April 2, 2025, from a long battle with cancer. Norm was born in Waterloo, Iowa on July 12, 1935. Growing up Norm worked summers and weekends at John Dere. Norm enjoyed playing golf with his grandparents where he learned the art of the game and integrity from them. Norm received his Bachelor’s Degree at Wartburg College in Iowa before moving to California where he received his Master’s Degree at Cal State Long Beach and began his teaching career. Norm was a teacher for 47 years with a passion…
Robert Duane Klemesrud, Jr., age 76, of Osage peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Bob was born on August 18, 1948, to Robert Sr. and Joan (Ryner) Klemesrud at Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City, Iowa. Bob completed his high school education from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School in 1966, where he participated in FFA and various sports. He then obtained an AA Degree from NIACC, where he played both basketball and baseball. In 1970, he earned a BA in Education from Wartburg College. Bob…
Kent Glenn Dahlquist, age 83 passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025 in St. Cloud, MN in the arms of his loving wife and children. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 21, 2025 at Hope Covenant Church in St. Cloud, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, MN. Kent was born on February 2, 1942 to Glenn and Thelma [Mittun] Dahlquist. He grew up in Moorhead, MN and Cosmos, MN and was the oldest of three children. After high school, Kent…
Gregory Puls peacefully departed from this world March 28, 2025, with family at his side after a battle of cancer, Hydrocephalus (NPH), and Parkinsonism. Gregory Wayne Puls was born January 26,1949 in Grinnell, IA to Wayne and Wilma (Jean) Puls. He has one brother, Randy Puls, who resides in Ft Dodge, IA. Greg spent most of his life in Grinnell, IA. His parents moved to Colorado Springs, CO for a short time. During that time, he delivered the Newspaper to the Airforce Academy. He and his family moved back to Grinnell after 1 year in Colorado Springs. Greg graduated from…
Charles “Chuck” Albert Steahr, age 68, of Centerville, IA, passed away surrounded by his family at the Mercy One Medical Center on March 25th, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Muscatine, IA on September 26, 1956, the son of Charles and Betty (Workman) Steahr. He attended the Muscatine High School graduating with the class of 1974. Chuck then attended St. Ambrose College and Wartburg College earning his MBA. He worked at Murphy Brothers, Louis Rich, Bridgestone Bandag, Menards and East Penn. In his free time, he loved to go camping, watch Iowa Hawkeyes football, spend…
Wayne T. Slack, 88, of Ackley, Iowa, passed peacefully at Grand JiVante` on Sunday, March 23, 2025. After a long stay in the hospital, he died from complications of reoccurring lymphoma. Wayne was born on January 30, 1937, in New Hampton, Iowa, the son of Ted and Arlene Slack. He was baptized on March 7th, 1937, and confirmed on May 13, 1957, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Hampton. He graduated from New Hampton High School in 1955. Wayne then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1959. He was a three and four…
David Allen Rasmussen, age 86, passed away Saturday, March 22nd 2025 in the company of his family. Friends may greet the family during visitation at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. A rosary will be said for all who wish to pray with the family prior to the visitation at 3:30p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 27th at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. James Goerend officiating at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton, Iowa. Internment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery following the Mass. The family welcomes…
Arthur C. Frick II, 101, of Waverly died on March 10, 2025, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly. Arthur Charles Frick was born on October 15,1923, the son of Arthur Clement and Nola Ann (Mangum) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was baptized in 1923 and confirmed in 1935, both at the 1st Methodist Episcopal Church in Milwaukee. Arthur graduated from. He served with the US Army Air Corps in the Pacific theater from October 22,1942 until his discharge in January 27,1946. He furthered his studies at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee until 1948 , University of Wisconsin, Madison in…
Charlotte Spragg passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 17, 2025, following surgery in Ft. Myers, Florida. Born in 1937 to Beatrice and Daniel Scholl, she was the third of seven children. She graduated from Waterloo West High School and went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa and Wartburg College. She was united in marriage to Thomas Spragg in 1960. Their journey took them to Iowa City, Indianapolis, Rochester, Minnesota and back to Waterloo where they resided until moving to Clear Lake, Iowa in 1998. Charlotte was a devoted mother to her two sons, Todd and Matthew, who were…
Jane Jeanette Rudolf, age 88, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, in the SpringHills Memory Care Unit, in Middletown, Ohio. Jane was born in Minneapolis on August 6, 1936, and adopted by Fred and Ida Buenzow, through Lutheran Social Services. Jane was baptized on October 13, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN and confirmed at Mansfield Lutheran Church east of Kiester, MN in 1949. She attended her first eight grades in a rural school – District 81 and graduated from Kiester High School in Kiester, MN in 1954. She attended Wartburg College (1954-1955) in Waverly, Iowa, and graduated from Lowthian College in Minneapolis,…
Ruth Renata Moeller, 93, of Waverly, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Tripoli Nursing Home in Tripoli, Iowa. Ruth was born September 29, 1931, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Otto and Renata (Schott) Albrecht. She was baptized the following day in the New Hampton Hospital. She first lived in Waucoma where she was confirmed in 1945. In 1947, she moved to New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1949. She graduated from Wartburg College in 1951 with a teaching certificate. She taught for five years in Fredericksburg, Lamont and Waverly country school: Lafayette School…