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 Stortz Reicks-Botterbrodt ’69
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…
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Allen Lyndrup ‘67
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…
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Cynthia Yess ‘71
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…
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Rev. William Thalacker ‘57
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…
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Ronald Neessen ‘61
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…
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Madeleine Baudot Niemuth ‘56
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…
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Gretchen Watson ‘01
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;…
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Michael Nedoba ‘92
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…
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Claire Merfeld ‘48
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,…
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Rev. David Andreae ‘65
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…
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Dr. Ryan Winters ‘03
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…
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Gary Platt ‘71
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…
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Hillary Gerber ‘92
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.…
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Marianna Dirks Wolters ‘61
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…
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Oswald Goettler ‘53
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,…
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Wayne Imm ‘51
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…
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Brent Harstad ‘66
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…
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Clarence Coleman ’66
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,…
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Sandra Oltrogge Wiegert ‘67
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…
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Rev. Delbert Sailer ’66
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…
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Carol Wessels Bye Koeneman ‘66
Carol Ann Wessels Bye Koeneman, age 80, passed away peacefully August 27, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. She was born January 7, 1944 in Independence, Iowa to Verna (Peck) and William Wessels. She was raised in Independence surrounded by her brothers and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Growing up, Carol enjoyed playing the piano, singing, swimming, lifeguarding, and fishing with her dad. Carol graduated from Wartburg College in 1966 with a degree in education. Music was a large part of her college experience, singing in the choir and playing in the band. She proudly earned the title of Miss Waverly and…
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Rev. Jan Horne ‘63
Pastor Jan Horne, 88, of Robins, IA passed on into the presence of our Savior Monday August 26, 2024. One of three children, Jan was born in Oslo, Norway on February 5th 1936, to parents, Arthur and Solveig Horne. As a child, Jan survived the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War 2. Because of the severity of the conditions at the time, Jan, along with his two older brothers, was sent to live in an orphanage. He was soon adopted by his paternal aunt and uncle, Karl and Herborg Steen, and grew up in their home in Kristiansand. He…
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Alberta Brandt Pieper ‘56
Alberta “Boots” Pieper, age 89, of Clara City, Minnesota passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at Clara City Care Center. Alberta Leona Pieper was born February 1, 1935 to Albert and Minnie (Hesse) Brandt in Denver, Iowa. She grew up in Denver and was baptized on March 3, 1935 and confirmed on April 13, 1949 both at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Denver. Alberta attended school in Denver and graduated from high school in 1952. She furthered her education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor’s of Music, receiving her Church Music Degree. Alberta started…
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Leona Mortensen Reyelts ‘54
Leona Lena Reyelts March 1, 1932 – August 26, 2024 On the evening of August 26th, God sent a strong wind to raise up the soul of one of His true and faithful servants. Rainbows and lightening decorated the skies as Leona Reyelts, aged 92, died peacefully of natural causes to join her husband, Rev. Lawrence Reyelts and granddaughter Thalea in Heaven’s embrace. Born in 1932 on a farm near LeMars, IA, Leona married Larry at 19 and together served Lutheran churches, first in California, then throughout western Canada. They returned to the US in 1972 and settled in SE…
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Richard Larson ‘57
Richard Jeffrey Larson, age 89, died on August 25, 2024, from a fall at his home in Prestbury. He was born February 27, 1935, to Jeffrey and Malene Larson in Earlville, Illinois. He was raised in the Earlville area, attended a one room grade school for seven years, and graduated from the Earlville grade and high schools. He attended Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1957. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1960. During his last year in law school, Dick joined the Illinois Air…
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Kristine Karls Lambert ‘71
Kristine Wendy Lambert December 5, 1948 – August 24, 2024 Kristine Wendy (Karls) Lambert, age 75, of Schaumburg. Beloved wife of the late Julian Raymond Lambert. Beloved daughter of the late Alice Lillian (Erickson) Karls and Robert Matthew Karls. Loving mother of John P. Lambert and Julie A. (Kirk) Dahlen. Dearest grandmother of Emma Dahlen. Dear sister of Karen (Edward) Bonkowski. Beloved aunt of a niece and several nephews. All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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Richard Tillou ‘51
Richard D. Tillou, 95, formerly of Mason City passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Cascade Creek Memory Care, Rochester, MN. Richard Tillou was born on August 30, 1928, in Richland Center, WI to parents John and Audrey (Thompson) Tillou. Richard graduated from Richland Center High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Wartburg College while being a four-year letterman on the baseball team. He then obtained his master’s degree from Colorado State University. On August 8, 1951, Richard was united in marriage to Carol Lehmann in Rock Rapids, IA. In July of 1952, Richard…
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Paul Beckman ‘54
Paul Lester Beckman, 92, of West Burlington, died Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at his home. Born June 14, 1932, in Prairie Grove, he was the son of Lester and Esther (Flachman) Beckman. He attended Flint River School and was a 1950 graduate of Danville High School and a graduate of Wartburg College. He served as a Corporal in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He married Lois Taeger on June 10, 1956, at Prairie Grove Church, she passed away March 13, 2022. Paul worked as an electrician for BNSF Railroad and was a life long farmer. He served for on…
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Kathryn Fritschel Gerard ‘58
Kathryn Annette Fritschel Gerard, August 3, 1936 – August 15, 2024. Kathryn (Kay) Annette Gerard, née Fritschel, 88 of Sugar Land, Texas, died peacefully at home on Thursday, August 15th surrounded by her family. Kay was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, the second child of Reverend Walter and Nina Fritschel, and grew up in Charles City, Iowa. After graduating from high school as co-salutatorian, she attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1958. In 1964, she earned a master’s degree in European history from the University of Colorado Boulder. Kay was part of the…
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Loretta Schmitt Blain ’56
Loretta “Lorrie” Irene Blain, age 88, passed away in her home in Costa Mesa, CA on August 14, 2024. Born on June 29, 1936, in Bismarck, North Dakota to Bertha and Jacob Schmitt, Lorrie lived a life full of love, devotion, and service. Growing up on a farm in Wishek, ND, Lorrie moved to Waverly, Iowa to attend Wartburg College. After receiving her AA in Parish Work in 1956, she lived for a time in Omaha, NE, but later moved to Northern California where she met her future husband, James “Jim” Blain. California joyfully became her permanent home. In 1959, Lorrie and…
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Roger Swanson ’52
Roger D. Swanson was born February 6, 1931, in Manchester, Iowa, to Anton V. and Elsie (Reck) Swanson. He died on August 13, 2024, at the Great River Care Center in McGregor, Iowa. Roger attended grade school at Rural Hazel Green Township in Delaware County, Iowa and graduated from Buck Creek Consolidated High School in Hopkinton, Iowa. He graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with degrees in math and English, received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, and his Elementary Counseling Endorsement from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He served in the U.S Army Signal Corp…
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Dr. Emilie Noel Zehr ‘73
Emilie S. Zehr, 73 a resident of Bondurant, Iowa, died peacefully on Thursday August 1, 2024 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing, following a courageous battle with cancer. Emilie Susanna Noel was born January 22, 1951 in Clinton, IA; the eldest of LaVern Martin and Elsbeth Emma (Schmahl) Noel. She graduated from North Scott High School in Eldridge, Iowa and Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She went on to earn a Masters of Arts degree in Microbiology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and the Ph.D.…
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Harold Heeren ‘64
Harold Henry Heeren, 82, of Caledonia, died peacefully Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. He was born June 27, 1942, in Milford, IL. He was the son of Elmer and Marie (Kietzman) Heeren. Harold attended Wartburg College and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He married Judith Allen on December 20, 1963. Harold worked as an engineer for Barber-Colman for over 30 years before starting a new company, Instrucon, with his partner, George Prentice. Harold was a charter…
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Harold Rindels ‘71
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Harold Rindels on July 31st, 2024 in Solon, Ohio. Harold (Hal/Butch) was born February 20th, 1949 in Grundy Center, Iowa. Hal taught Math upon graduation from Wartburg College prior to a long and successful career in the insurance industry. He enjoyed the music of the Grateful Dead, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and loved golfing and playing billiards with Patty and friends. Most of all, Hal will be remembered as a dedicated husband, proud and loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his sister Caroline; his daughter Allison L. (Jay…
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Racheal Gangestad Davis ‘59
L. Racheal Gangestad Amelung Davis, 87, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa. Racheal was born August 24, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Leon and Ruth (Dawes) Gangestad. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode, Iowa, and graduated from Bode Consolidated Schools with honors. Racheal then graduated with an English degree from Wartburg College in 1959 and spent 14 years teaching Junior High Language Arts in Mason City and Iowa City, Iowa. She then earned her…
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Gary “Gari” Green ‘71
Gary “Gari” Green of Kenosha, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the age of 74. Gari was born on October 1, 1949, in Pontiac, IL, the eldest child of Harry and Louise (Reese) Green. After graduating from Minonk-Dana-Rutland High School in 1967, Gari attended Wartburg College and went on to work at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL, before being called to the priesthood. Gari attended Nashotah House Seminary from 1983 -1986. After graduation, Gari served four congregations in Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Greendale, and Kenosha, WI. In 1968, Gari met Kate (Thompson) at Wartburg College in Waverly,…
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Robert Cummings ‘75
On July 16, 2024, Robert “Bob” Glen Cummings, 71, passed away suddenly at his home in North Pole. Born on July 31, 1952, in East Chicago, Indiana, Bob lived a long and fulfilling life surrounded by family, friends and meaningful work. With family roots in Kentucky, Robert’s parents Joe and Emma chose to raise him in Whiting, Indiana, where he graduated from Clark High School in 1970. In 1973 Bob was a student at Wartburg College in Iowa and he decided to pursue an internship in Fairbanks, Alaska. Although the internship did not work out, Fairbanks sure did. He found work…
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Ruth Wetherell Swanson ‘52
Ruth Ellen Swanson was born February 26, 1930, in Shumway, Illinois and died on July 12, 2024, in Monona, Iowa. She was born to Seth and Alma (Laue) Wetherell and baptized at Trinity Lutheran. Ruth attended school in Shumway, Illinois and graduated from Beecher City High School in Beecher City, Illinois. She graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a degree in home economics and physical education. She taught in Waukon, Iowa and also was a substitute teacher in Monona, Iowa for several years. Ruth was married to Roger Swanson on August 22, 1954 in Shumway, Illinois. The family…
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Dorlin Moeller ‘58
Dorlin James “DJ” Moeller age 87 of Fairbank passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. Dorlin was born January 14, 1937 in rural Bremer county the son of Herman and Lydia (Matthias) Moeller. He grew up on the family farm in rural Fairbank, he attended and graduated from the Oran School. After high school he received his Bachelors Degree in Education at Wartburg College in Waverly. Dorlin began his teaching career in the Allison-Bristow School district and then the Wapsie Valley Community School district, retiring in 1997, altogether he taught mathematics for a…
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Cheryl Sorensen Matthias ‘65
Cheryl Anne Matthias, age 81, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024. Born on June 23, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Soren and Vermilia Sorensen, Cheryl lived a life dedicated to education, counseling, and her family. Cheryl is survived by her loving husband, Robert Matthias; her children, Tanya (Ed Kennedy) Matthias and Brock (Nicole) Matthias; her grandchildren Owen, Kira, Soren, and Brody and her sister, Beverly Sorensen. Her family will forever cherish the memories of her warm smile, infectious laugh and compassionate nature. A lifelong learner and educator, Cheryl graduated from Wartburg College in Iowa with a…