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.
Search Class Notes:
All Class Years
-
Heather Green Simpson ’98
Heather Green Simpson ’98, Geneva, N.Y., is visitor services and program manager at Rose Hill Mansion and Johnston House, two properties owned by Historic Geneva.
-
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…
-
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…
-
Susan Madson Severson ’89
Joe Donnellan and Susan Madson Severson ’89, Hayward, Wis., were married Jan. 31, 2026.
-
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…
-
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…
-
Susan Linn Pillard ’81
Susan Linn Pillard ’81, Central City, authored the book Search, which tells her story as an adoptee and how she found her biological family before DNA advancements and without a private investigator.
-
Justin Erickson ’10
Justin Erickson ’10, Roseville, Minn., was named deputy secretary of state for operations for the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. He will oversee legal, business services, human resources, and IT operations.
-
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…
-
Maecie Wright Henson ’22
Maecie Wright Henson ’22, Waterloo, is a risk manager at Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, P.C.
-
Morgan Goedken ’19
Morgan Goedken ’19, Mankato, Minn., is the associate athletic director of compliance and student engagement at Minnesota State University.
-
Anna Mallen ’16
Anna Mallen ’16, Des Moines, is a member attorney with Whitfield & Eddy Law. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2023-2026) for Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, and Litigation – Labor and Employment. She has also been selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2023-2025) in the area of Employment Litigation: Defense.
-
Jordan Anderson ’12
Jordan Anderson ’12, Olathe, Kansas, is CEO and partner at Scenic Development, Overland Park.
-
Garrett Christeson ’09
Garrett ’09 and Kate Christeson, De Soto, were married on Oct. 11, 2025. Garrett is district sales manager at Rubrik.
-
Christine Folkerts McSweeney ’94
Christine Folkerts McSweeney ’94, Center Point, is the associate high school principal in the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District, Vinton.
-
Jim Britton ’84
Jim Britton ’84, Eau Claire, Wis., is a special education assistant in the Eau Claire Area School District and has taught for 38 years. He currently serves as head coach for the Eau Claire Axemen, a professional indoor arena football team, and has coached football, baseball, basketball, and track for 46 years.
-
Brian Rodemeyer ’76
Brian Rodemeyer ’76, Algona, is retired after serving 41 years as a school administrator. He officiated many high school baseball, basketball, and volleyball championship games and was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame for Sports Officials in March 2025. He now supervises student teachers for Buena Vista University and Morningside University.
-
Joe ’71 and Julie James ’73 Breitbach
Joe ’71 and Julie James ’73 Breitbach, Waverly, celebrated 50 years as owners and operators of Joe’s Knighthawk Restaurant and Lounge. Julie has also written and published nine children’s books.
-
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…
-
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…
-
Leroy Buchholz ‘59
Leroy “Lee” Buchholz, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Lee was born February 3, 1937, at his family’s home in Table Rock, Nebraska, the son of Otto and Anna (Geyer) Buchholz. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Lee attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and later graduated from high school in Johnson, Nebraska. He attended Nebraska State Teachers College in Peru, Nebraska, for two years before transferring to Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. He…
-
Leonard Schmidt ‘63
It Is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Leonard Richard Schmidt. He died Sunday evening December 1, 2024, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. He was 83 years old. Leonard (Len) was born in Savanna, Il to parents Richard Schmidt and Geneva (Brandenburg) Schmidt on May 14, 1941, the first of four children. His father was a farmer, so they moved around. Len talked of the one room schools he attended and the distance he would walk to school. He graduated from Andrew High School, then went to Wartburg College,…
-
Betty Sauer Dowis ’50
Betty Dowis passed away peacefully on December 1, 2024, just days after celebrating her 96th birthday. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Adam and Mary Sauer, Betty lived a life filled with love, devotion, and service to her family and community. Betty’s journey took a memorable turn at age 14 when she met the love of her life, Graydon Dowis while working part-time at the carnival owned by Graydon’s family. Their shared story became the foundation of a beautiful marriage. Together, they lived in Boulder, Colorado, while Graydon completed law school and later made their home in Sterling, Colorado, where…
-
Gerald Menning ‘51
Gerald J. Menning, 96, of Waterloo, and formerly of Waverly, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Kaufman, Texas. Gerald was born on May 28, 1928, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Alfred Carl and Della Agnes Geer. He was baptized in June 1928 in Milwaukee and confirmed in 1943 in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Gerald graduated from the Oshkosh High School in 1947 and Wartburg College in Waverly in 1951. On April 4, 1953, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Griffey in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The couple made their home in Waverly,…
-
Rev. Norman Franzen ‘58
The Reverend Norman Norris Franzen of Omaha entered his heavenly home on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, at Hillcrest Shadow Lake Nursing Facility, at the age of 88. Norman was born April 15, 1936, in Gothenburg, to Meinert and Elizabeth (Aden) Franzen. He was raised in Gothenburg and was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church. He graduated from Gothenburg High School with the Class of 1954. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, where he was a member of Beta Sigma Psi fraternity. He graduated from Wartburg College, before attending Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating with a master’s…
-
Marilyn Stoltz Isakson ‘69
Marilyn Isakson, 84, of Colwell, passed away peacefully at home November 28, 2024, where she was cared for by her loving family. Marilyn Kay (Stoltz) Isakson was born in Clarion, Iowa on October 19, 1940 to Roy Elmer Stoltz and Lillian Margaret (Shediwy) Stoltz. She received her education in schools in Palo Alto County, Iowa graduating in 1958 from Graettinger Community Schools. She attended Junior College in Emmetsburg and received an associate degree in Elementary Education. She later earned a BSE in Elementary Education from Wartburg College. Marilyn married Leon Allen Isakson on August 6, 1960 at St. Paul Lutheran…
-
Dennis Wesenberg ‘63
Dennis Wesenberg, 82, of Dows, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the First Lutheran Church in Dows with a time of fellowship to follow. Visitation will be an hour before the service. The service will be live streamed on the the First Lutheran Church’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dowsfirstlutheran. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls.Dennis Dee Wesenberg was born on February 11, 1942, in Franklin County, Iowa, to Richard “Dick” and Velma (Johnson) Wesenberg of…
-
Darlene Wilke Schwarzkopf ‘57
Darlene Kathryn Schwarzkopf died on November 24, 2024, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Canton, South Dakota on March 11, 1937, and grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa. Darlene graduated from Rock Rapids High School. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and later graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in education. Darlene taught elementary school in Sibley, Iowa, Janesville, Iowa and for 35 years at Walnut Grove School in Council Bluffs. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter IQ-LP and Iowa Retired…
-
Betty Hoefs Bauer ’62
Betty Jane (Hoefs) Bauer, April 8, 1940 – November 21, 2024. Betty Jane Hoefs, the first child of Gilbert and Alice Hoefs, was born in the family farmhouse near New Prague, Minnesota. Being raised on the farm, she learned the toils and joys of farming first-hand. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montgomery, and it was there she met and married her husband, Milton Bauer, a butcher’s son, on June 22, 1963, while he was in Veterinary school at the University of Minnesota, and she a medical technologist at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. Two years later…
-
Judy Harms Spinler ‘71
Judy Spinler, 75, passed away peacefully after a short battle with pancreatic cancer on November 19, 2024, at the Oldorf Hospice House, Hiawatha, Iowa. Judy was born July 7, 1949, daughter to Paul and Leola (Ingersoll) Harms in Waterloo, Iowa. She graduated from Wartburg College and the University of Northern Iowa. She was united in marriage to Frank Spinler on June 28, 1997, in Waverly, Iowa. Judy was heavily involved in volunteer work for Mercy. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, NEA , ISEA, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Judy enjoyed traveling, cross stitching, reading, and taking…
-
Vivian Rudolf Rindelaub ‘57
Vivian (Rudolf) Rindelaub, age 89 5/6 years, of Alexandria, formerly of Waseca, Marcell, and Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024, at her home. A visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the time of the 3 p.m. service on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, with Rev. Megan Preston presiding, 1655 18th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308. A 12-noon interment will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Woodville Cemetery, Waseca. A 12:30 p.m. luncheon will be held at Trinity Hall, St. John Lutheran Church, 401 3rd Ave NE, Waseca, MN 56093. Memorial…
-
Sheridan Skeen ‘69
Sheridan Ray Skeen, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024, at the age of 77. Born on March 9, 1947, he received the nickname “Peanut” by his family since he arrived prematurely and was such a small baby. Sheridan grew up on a farm near Kankakee, Illinois, where he was raised by his grandmother, Lena, along with Myron and Charlotte Skeen who instilled in him the values of hard work and compassion that shaped his life’s path. A strong athlete and scholar, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he played football and cultivated a…
-
Dr. Duane Koenig ‘53
Dr. Duane G Koenig, 90 years of age, of Plymouth, passed away Monday, November 4, 2024. He was born on November 5, 1933, in Beatrice to Albert and Elsa (Pfingsten) Koenig. Duane attended Hoag country school through the 8th grade, then transferred to Beatrice, graduating in 1951. He was confirmed in faith at St John’s Lutheran Church in Beatrice. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, for two years, where he studied music and started the college’s first ever jazz band. Duane married Yvonne Kyles in 1954, they had four children, divorcing 30 years later. From 1954 to 1956 he…
-
Margaret Baker ’76
Margaret Lynn Baker of Olathe Kansas unexpectedly passed away November 04, 2024. Margaret (Maggie) was born on November 20, 1953, in New Hampton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Mark Homer Baker and Madelynn Anne Baker (nee Elscott). Maggie graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1973, then went on to Wartburg College, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (minor in political science). Maggie then attended the University of Iowa where she obtained a master’s degree in library science. After graduation, Maggie took a position at the Fort Dodge Public Library working there until 1987. Thereafter she took a similar…
-
Peter Weller ‘61
Peter John Weller, age 84, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Halcyon House in Washington. Peter was born January 13, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Carl Wilhelm and Kathryn (Bieber) Weller. He attended school at the Lane Tech Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois, and received his Business Administration Degree from Wartburg College. He then attended the University of Iowa where he received his Master’s Degree in Recent American History in 1964 and moved to Washington later that year. In 1968 Peter’s life was forever transformed after meeting the love of his life…
-
Rev. Harold Heinzig ‘56
Rev. Harold Frederick Herman Heinzig October 3, 1934 — November 1, 2024 Rev. Harold Frederick Herman Heinzig, age 90, died on Friday afternoon, November 1, 2024, at Centra Care – St. Cloud Hospital, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson.…
-
Joyce Wonsmos Kasper ‘63
Joyce Arline Kasper, 84, of Clear Lake, formerly of Forest City and Thornton, a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Apple Valley Assisted Living in Clear Lake. Born on August 5, 1940, to Marius (Shorty) and Helen (Hartwig) Wonsmos in Thornton, Iowa, Joyce cherished her early years, often helping her father on the family farm. She graduated from Thornton School in 1959 and attended Wartburg College, majoring in Business Education. In 1963, Joyce married John Kasper, and they moved to Oak Lawn, Illinois, where they welcomed two sons, Kenneth Douglas and John…
-
James Carver ‘64
James “Jim” Douglas Carver Obituary James “Jim” D. Carver, 82, of Waverly died on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at his residence in Waverly. James Douglas Carver was born on April 15, 1942, the son of Francis and Dorothy (Wilson) Carver in Spencer, Iowa. He earned his Eagle Scout and was active in sports while in high school, notably football, basketball, swimming and diving. Jim received his BA in Fine Arts at UNI and also attended the University of Iowa and Iowa State University for City Planning. Jim had two previous marriages to Daniela Salvadori and Jan Chesler. He…
-
Rev. John Sieverts ‘74
Rev. John C. Sieverts age 72 of Minocqua, WI, formerly of Waterloo, IA, died Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Country Terrace Home in Minocqua. John C. Sieverts, born on December 10, 1951, to John J. and Anna Mae (Johnson) Sieverts. John was baptized and confirmed at Crane Creek, where he began a lifelong journey of devotion and leadership in the Lutheran Church. A proud member of the New Hampton High School Class of 1970, John continued his education at Waldorf College, graduating in 1972, followed by Wartburg College in 1974, and finally earning his degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in…
-
Rev. Arnold Wuertz ‘44
Rev. Arnold A. Wuertz, age 102, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Arnold grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota with parents Adolph and Laura (Ziemer) Wuertz. He was the second of their two children and was preceded in death by his parents and brother Edgar, who died at the age of two months. He was also preceded in death by his wife Irma (Ruhter) Wuertz who died in 2023 at age 98, his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Halsteen) Wuertz, and son-in-law, Larry Taylor. Arnold is survived by 6 children; Linda Taylor, Ellen Wuertz, John Wuertz,…