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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Merlin Nomann ‘51
Merlin (Mel) NomannJune 9, 1928 – October 21, 2021Modesto, California – Merlin (Mel) John Nomann died at home on October 21, 2021, at the age of 93.Mel was born on June 9, 1928, in Palmer Iowa. Mel grew up in Pocahontas Iowa after completing high school in 1947.After high school he obtain a variety of certifications in radiology. While working in Tillamook Oregon, he met his wife.In 1950, at the start of the Korean war, Mel chose to enlist in the Navy. He was briefly stationed at the Mare Island Naval base. Shortly after his eldest son was born, he…
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Lorraine Lynes Chester ‘47
Lorraine Chester, 94, of Plainfield, Iowa, died on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Good Neighbor Society Nursing Home in Manchester, Iowa, of heart failure. Lorraine was born on June 11, 1927, at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of James Kendal and Lenora (Kuethe) Lynes. She was baptized in 1927 and confirmed in 1943 both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. Lorraine attended the Plainfield School System, graduating in 1943, from the Plainfield High School, and continued her education at Wartburg College in Waverly for 2 years. On June 11, 1945, Lorraine was united in marriage…
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Dorothy Prottengeier Meier ‘48
Dorothy M. Meier, 96, of Wapakoneta, died 3:30 a.m., Mon. June 28, 2021, at the Wapakoneta Manor.She was born July 27, 1924, in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of John Louis and Mary Ann (Erdman) Braun. On Feb. 6, 1943, she married Frederick Eugene Meier, who preceded her in death on May 8, 1986.Dorothy lived a long life, blessed in many ways. She loved and talked much of her years of working at W.T. Grant Company, Val Stores, and the Teddy Bear restaurant, all in Wapakoneta. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she sang in the adult choir and…
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Bonita Karmie ‘75
Bonita (Bonnie) Joy Karmie, 67, passed away peacefully in her sleep after a protracted illness on April 9, 2021, Gulf Breeze, FL. Bonnie was born on November 14, 1953 in Chicago, IL, to Alvin and Geraldine Karmie. She was Baptized on September 13, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Oaklawn, IL. Bonnie graduated with honors from Oak Lawn Community High School in 1971, and graduated Cum Laude from Warburg College in Waverly, Iowa, with a BAED majoring in History. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. Bonnie received her Master in Ed with an emphasis in Private School Administration…
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Rev. George Krumrey ‘51
George Edward Krumrey, 95, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith (Mueller) Krumrey and his wife, Phyllis Christine Krumrey. George is lovingly remembered by his son, David Allen Krumrey (Julie); daughter, Carol Elizabeth Rouse (Garret); and grandchildren: Lauren, Garrett, Gracie, Dylan, and Emma. George was a Navy veteran. He was a longtime Lutheran minister, starting in Oklahoma then serving several congregations in Iowa-Hampton, Ankeny, Dubuque, and Des Moines. He was a community activist and volunteered his time helping clean up the east side. George and Phyllis were active…
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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,…