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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Orpha Rachuy Emkes ’46
Orpha H. Emkes passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025. She was born April 15,1924 in Westbrook, Minnesota to the late Ernest and Bertha (Bloch) Rachuy. She was baptized May 4,1924 and confirmed in September 5,1937 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. She attended public schools in Rosehill Township and graduated from Westbrook High School, class of 1942. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa studying secretarial work and was later employed at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, Iowa and Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook as church secretary. She married Bernard Emkes on June 9,1946 and they were married nearly…
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Douglas Kutschat ’62
Douglas A. Kutschat, 86, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully at his home on November 9, 2025, with family by his side. Douglas was born April 29, 1939, in Albert Lea, MN, to Walter and Angeline Kutschat. He was raised in Southern Minnesota and Eastern Iowa. He had a younger sibling, Steve. Douglas was a 1957 graduate of Oelwein High School. Then, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He was a member of the Wartburg Choir, which he had the opportunity to tour with in Europe. He graduated from Wartburg in 1962. Then he started his music teaching…
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Meg Harper Rath ’17
Meg Harper Rath ’17, Oelwein, is vice president of marketing at AgeWell Solvere Living.
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Janice Helmke Basler ’56
Janice Hilda (Helmke) Basler was born on August 11, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the youngest of six children born to William Henry and Hilda Helena (Boge) Helmke. Jan graduated from Renwick High School and went on to earn a two-year Elementary Education Certificate from Wartburg College. She later attended Drake University, where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Education. While at Wartburg, she was a proud member of the Wartburg Choir, reflecting her lifelong love of music. Jan dedicated 39 years to teaching, sharing her passion for learning with generations of students.…
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Paul Mugan ’90
Paul Mugan ’90, Waverly, retired after 34 years of teaching secondary biology, 26 of which were at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. He serves as an adjunct professor with the Wartburg College education department and works with the Wartburg football team’s academic program and as a tight end coach.
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Janel DeZarn Ray ’01
Janel DeZarn Ray ’01, Beaver Dam, Wis., is the chief financial officer and chief operations officer at Special Olympics Wisconsin.
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Sharon Rasmussen ’88
Sharon Joy Rasmussen, age 59, of Oregon (formerly of Eau Claire) died on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from complications of Glioblastoma. Nadine, her loving caretaker, took care of her at home during the final months of her life. Sharon was born on March 25, 1966, in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin to Rev. Dale and Jean (Brenden) Rasmussen. She lived in Spring Green, WI until 1972 when the whole family was in a devastating car accident and they moved to Eau Claire. She attended Eau Claire schools, then Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. After achieving her Master’s degree, she worked as…
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Dorothy Boeckenheuer Keith ’53
Dorothy Ann [Boeckenheuer] Keith, lifelong educator, passed away on November 1, 2025, at Creekside in Grundy Center. Dorothy was born January 16, 1934 in Hawkeye, Iowa to Carl and Clara [Braun] Boeckenheuer. She graduated from Hawkeye High in 1951, and attended Wartburg College, obtaining her teaching certificate in 1953. She began her teaching career in Reinbeck, Iowa upon graduation and soon after met her husband Donald Lindsay Keith. They were married on July 24, 1955 in Hawkeye, Iowa and settled back in Reinbeck immediately after. To this union two children were born, Debra Ann Keith and David Gregory Keith. Donald…
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Arlene Schnaidt Orth ’61
Arlene Orth, 89, of Clarksville died on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Allen Memorial in Waterloo. Arlene Karoline Orth was born on December 14, 1935, the daughter of Rudolph and Anna (Heth) Schnaidt in Beulah, ND. She graduated from Beulah High School in 1953. She later attended Wartburg College for two years in Waverly. It was then she met Merlin on a blind date. On June 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Merlin J. Orth at Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah, ND. Following Merlin’s discharge in February in 1961, the couple returned to Waverly where…
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Roderick Evans ’92
Roderick (Rod) Lynn Evans 55 of Des Moines, Iowa passed away October 27, 2025, at UnityPoint Des Moines Hospital. He was born on February 12th, 1970, to Donald Evans and Susan (Moore) Lewiston at Mercy Hospital Des Moines, IA. Rod graduated from Norwalk High School, Class of 1988. Following graduation, he continued his education at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. After college, he chose to go into the trades and was a proud member of the Local 45 Sheetmetal Union. Rod was very well known for his ornery smile and laugh, He had his favorite hangouts, LD’s Corner Tap and…
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Duane Schlitter ’65
Passed away on October 27, 2025, after a 19-year battle with metastatic thyroid cancer. Born on April 2, 1942, Duane was the youngest child of Carlton Friederick Schlitter and Mardella Henrietta Louise (Kruse) Schlitter. Duane grew up on the family farm in Linton Township, IA. Duane graduated from Monona/Farmersburg High School in May 1960. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College, then obtained his master’s degree from the University of Kansas. He then accepted a position with the African Mammal Project at the Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C. Under a new program, he was…
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Kyle Elliott Fidler ’83
Kyle Elliott Fidler April 27, 1960 — October 25, 2025. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kyle Rae Elliott Fidler, who departed this life peacefully at home on October 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Kyle was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose warmth, generosity, and radiant spirit touched everyone she met. Her boundless kindness and unforgettable laughter brought joy to countless lives. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Kyle was born in La Porte City, Iowa, to…
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Dorothy Obermeyer Dykman ’49
After a blessedly long and beautiful life, Dorothy Berniece Obermeyer Dykman met the God she had long worshiped, and was welcomed into eternal life on October 25, 2025. Dorothy was born in Norfolk, Nebraska on the 25th of May, 1929, to Emma and Reverend George Obermeyer. She was raised in a close-knit German Lutheran family, and as a PK (Pastor’s Kid) she was immersed in faith and the life of the church. After the tragic death of her mother, Dorothy and her younger sisters, Betty and Trudy, were mothered by their beloved Aunt Lilly until their father married Alice Widmer…
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Olinda Deines Patzer ’58
Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Olinda Louise Patzer (Deines), passed away peacefully at home in Cedaredge, Colorado on October 24, 2025. She was 89 years old. Olinda was the heart of our home and family. She was married for 57 years to her soulmate, Erich Patzer. They together raised two children, Stacey (55), and Lisa Marie (52), and were instrumental in the upbringing of three grandchildren, Maggie (27), Erich (22), and Dusk (21). Olinda will be dearly missed. She was known for her generous spirit, her creativity, and her passion for education. She was a trailblazer for her time,…
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Norma Boyd Alfrejd ’62
Norma Jean Alfrejd (nee Boyd), 84, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025 with family at her side. Norma was born in Nevada, Missouri to Maybelle Boyd Rabon (nee Warner) and William Emmett Boyd. Her father passed when she was very young. Her mother would re-marry, Estel Rabon. She was the eldest of three children, brothers, Ronald Boyd and Ford Rabon. Her life and ambition took her many places – from her birthplace in Nevada, Missouri to LeLoup, Kansas, then to Blue Island, Illinois. Favorite childhood memory of hers included attending a one room schoolhouse with her aunts and…
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Zoe Worple ’25
Zoe Worple ’25, New Hampton, is a brain injury specialist at Community NeuroRehab, Des Moines.
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Dr. Robert Farner ’52
Robert L. “Doc” Farner, MD passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington, IL. He was 95. Robert Lewis Farner was born to Fred (Fritz) and Marie Vallazza Farner on February 4, 1930. He grew up on a farm near Toluca, IL. He started his educational journey by attending Center School, a one-room schoolhouse in Marshall County, and then graduated from Toluca High School. He took his pre-med courses at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. He then received his medical degree from The University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1955. After an externship at Illinois…
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Herbert Hildebrandt ’52
Obituary for Herbert William Hildebrandt As usual…I arrived as a baby, a boy in January 1931, and ultimately the door closed in October 2025. I deeply tasted the world, anchored my life on a sea of love with Dee (nee Delores Bartels of Waseca, Minnesota), my wife of 65+ years who died in August 2018. Those years along with daughter Susan (Jack) and son Mark (Lorna), respectively with grandchildren Conor, then Cole and Sophia. Dee and I were only children; she from Waseca, Minnesota, I from Appleton, Wisconsin. She grew up on a farm and knew the difference between a…
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Sara Webb ’24
Sara Webb ’24, Tipton, is a graduate student in veterinary medicine at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames.
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Jordan Swiatkowski ’24
Jordan Swiatkowski ’24, Stewartville, Minn., is a mental health practitioner at Fernbrook Family Center, Rochester
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Ron Luck ’67
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…
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Dixon Zander ’63
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…
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Sharon Slack Knight ’66
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…
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Jean Maas Pike ’58
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);…
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Bonnie Hartmann Drape ’54
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,…
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Jay Johnson ’92
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…
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Eldon DeWeerth ’63
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,…
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Donald Smith ’58
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,…
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Lois Wenske Hoops ’52
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…
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Norman Scott ’57
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…
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Robert Klemesrud Jr. ’70
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…
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Kent Dahlquist ’65
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…
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Gregory Puls ’71
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…
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Charles Steahr ’78
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…
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Wayne Slack ’59
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…
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David Rasmussen ’62
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…
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Arthur Frick
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…
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Charlotte Scholl Spragg ’62
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…
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Jane Buenzow Rudolph ’58
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,…
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Ruth Albrecht Moeller ’51
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…