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
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John Seegers ‘71
John E. Seegers, 75, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. John was born December 22, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Mervin John and Eldora Rose (Lobeck) Seegers. He graduated from Linn-Mar High School and obtained a business…
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Kent Cuvelier ‘69
Kent Alton Cuvelier, 80, of New Hartford, Iowa, passed away Friday night, May 31, 2024, at home with his family lovingly at his side. Kent was born July 17, 1943, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Jean Elaine (Elliott) and Iven Earl Cuvelier. Following his graduation from New Hartford High School in 1961, Kent…
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Nona Beemer Stella ‘67
NONA M. STELLA (nee Beemer) age 79, beloved wife for 56 years of Phil; loving mother of Peter (wife Rossana) and Andrew (wife Laura); devoted grandmother of Gabriella, Luciano, Zola and Frances; cherished daughter of the late Robert “Duck” and Helen (nee Randa) Beemer; sister-in-law of Michael and Mary Jane Stella. Preceded in death by…
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Janice Goeman Larsen ‘55
Janice Larsen (nee Goeman), passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024 in St. Louis, MO. She was born in Madison, South Dakota to (Adelia and John). Janice was a devoted wife, mother, and Oma. She was preceded in death by Wally, her husband of 66 years. She is survived by her son Scott (Heidi) Larsen…
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Judith Weiss Miller ‘67
Judith Ann Miller, age 79, of Woodville, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, Ohio. She was born on Feb. 17, 1945, in Michigan City, Indiana, to Robert and Hilda (Fischer) Weiss. Judith would later graduate from Isaac C. Elston High School in 1963 and the Wartburg College in 1967. On…
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Elaine Hillmann Wilcke ‘51
We mourn the passing of Elaine Marie Wilcke, 94, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Elaine was born at Grinnell, Iowa on September 28, 1929, daughter of Elmer and Tena Pals Hillmann. On August 15, 1951, she married Ernest W. Wilcke, son of Detlef and Lulu Clausen Wilcke. To this…
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James VanDriel ‘63
James L. VanDriel, age 82, of Eden Prairie, passed from this Earthly life to begin his life in heaven, on May 19, 2024. Family was with him. He passed peacefully while dreaming. Preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ester VanDriel; brother, Gene VanDriel; and wife, Barbara VanDriel. He will be forever loved and…
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Jerry Bishop ‘67
Jerry Edward Bishop, 79, of Lafayette and formerly of Monticello, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at The Springs in Lafayette. He was born on October 9, 1944 in Urbana, OH to the late Marvin and Ada (Smith) Bishop. He was a graduate of Appleton High School in Wisconsin and Wartburg College in Iowa.…
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James Niemann ‘58
James “Jim” L. Niemann Obituary James L. Niemann, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 6, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner surrounded by his family and friends. Jim was born December 26, 1936, to Paul & Emma (Klemp) Niemann. Jim graduated from Sumner High School in 1954 where he was a star athlete in…
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Kathlene Hoffman ‘67
Kathlene L. Hoffman, 80, of Rockford, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 4, 2024. She was born in Minnesota on September 24, 1943, the daughter of Mary and Arthur Kriesel. She married the love of her life, Robert Hoffman, in Branson, Missouri in 2010. Kathlene received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.…
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Myrna Zirk Fauska ‘62
Myrna E. (Zirk) Fauska, 86 of Kendall passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at her home. She was born on April 10, 1938, to Herbert and Grace (Sweet) Zirk in St. Paul, MN. Growing up, Myrna would spend her summers with her grandparents on the Zirk family farm. After high school, she attended Wartburg…
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Jane Broughton Thompson ‘69
Jane Arlene Thompson (nee Broughton, formerly Brinkman) died peacefully on April 29, 2024, in her “happy place” of Fort Myers, Florida, surrounded by family and friends.Jane was born in West Union, Iowa to Arlene (Boess) and Walter Broughton. Her family moved to Dubuque, and she graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1965. She then spent two years…
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Henry Friedrich ‘58
Henry Bruce Friedrich died at his home in North Liberty, Iowa, on April 24, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by his wife, three children, and daughter-in-law. Bruce was born on October 20, 1936, to Henry and Margaret Wilson Friedrich of Bessie, Oklahoma. He grew up in a family of Germans from Russia, including his…
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Charles “Pete” Griffin Jr. ‘73
Our father, Charles Peter Griffin, Jr or “Pete,” sadly passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Cedar Court Senior Living Center in Adams, Minn., at the age of 72. Pete was born July 4, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Martha (Gardner) and Charles Griffin, Sr (Chuck). In his youth, dad loved sports, especially baseball…
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Philip Truckenbrod ‘64
Philip Charles Truckenbrod, passed away after a sudden illness on April 22, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri, with his daughter, Emily, by his side. He was born on the family farm in Paw Paw, Illinois to Edgar John and Evelyn Cecelia Margaret (Schmitz) Truckenbrod on August 25, 1942. During his youth, Philip was active is…
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Abby Saathoff Doxey ‘09
Abbey Lee Doxey, 36, of Waverly, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at UnityPoint Health/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. She was born June 24, 1987, in Waterloo, daughter of Robert and Laurene (Smith) Saathoff. Abbey graduated from Clarksville High School where she played Basketball and Volleyball with the Class of 2005 then from Wartburg College…
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Eileen Wolken Schurr ’56
Eileen Ruth Schurr, 88, of Castle Rock, Colorado went home to be with the Lord on April 19, 2024. Eileen was one of 7 children born to Henry and Dora (Eilers) Wolken of Urbana, Illinois. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Robert Wolken, Dick Wolken, Martin Wolken and Walter Wolken; and…
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Peter Tundel ’69
Tundel, Peter C. Age 76 of Eden Prairie passed away April 17, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by wife, Sandi; daughter, Nikki (Tim), daughter, Laura (Aaron), and son, Mark (Jason). Pete was smart, funny, caring and determined. He was a unique mix of optimist and cynic. And he was extremely loved.…
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Ronald Fischer ‘68
Ronald (Ron) Alwin Fischer was born on August 7, 1946 to Edith and Marvin Fischer in Mendota, Illinois. He died in his Tonganoxie, Kansas home on April 15, 2024. After graduating from Mendota High School in 1964, Ron earned his college degree at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He then began pursuing an advanced degree…
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Zoey Clark Bronsink ‘20
Zoey Marie Clark Bronsink December 24, 1997 — April 15, 2024 Zoey was born December 24, 1997 in Des Moines Iowa. She was the oldest daughter of Brad and Sue Clark. Zoey graduated from Waukee High School where she was active in sports and marching band. Later, she attended Wartburg College. Zoey returned home where…
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Lois Reyelts Trachte ‘66
Lois Dorothy (Reyelts) Trachte, 80, of Waverly, Iowa, died on January 30, 2025, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community. Lois was born on February 4, 1944, to Claus and Mildred (Griesse) Reyelts in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. She became a poster child for her…
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Mary Krohlow ‘66
Mary Kathryn Krohlow, 80, of Burlington, died Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at her home. Born May 1, 1944, in Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Edgar A. and Ruth E. Zuelke Krohlow. She attended Seymour High School, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1962. She continued her education and graduated from Wartburg…
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John Hearn ‘68
John E. Hearn, 78, passed away at his residence on Sunday, January 26, 2025. He was born in Racine on September 9, 1946, the son of the late Earl and Ella (nee Andersen) Hearn. He graduated from Washington Park High School and Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, where he excelled in baseball and was inducted…
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Rev. Loren Van Oort ‘59
The Rev. Loren J. Van Oort, 87, of South Bend, Indiana, a devoted husband, father,grandfather, great-grandfather, and servant of God, passed away peacefully on January23, 2025, with his loving wife Lorraine and family by his side.Loren was born on September 28, 1937, to the late John and Lillian Van Oort inSheldon, Iowa. He is survived…
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Rev. Donald Schmidt ‘49
Rev. Donald Armin Schmidt was an ELCA Lutheran pastor. He peacefully passed away at age 97 in his home, surrounded by his family, on January 23, 2025. Don was born in Ixonia, Wisconsin on May 29, 1927 to Bernard & Anna Wilhemina [née Frederick] Schmidt. He married Donna Jeanne Brallier on June 1, 1951 and…
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Rev. Alton Schwandt ‘50
Alton Schwandt October 30, 1927 – January 17, 2025 Alton William Schwandt was born on October 30, 1927 on a dairy farm near Ripon, Wisconsin. He was the son of William and Dora Ruth Schwandt. He graduated from Ripon High School and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He graduated with a BA in music…
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Elaine Reinking Ehlers ‘52
Elaine May Ehlers April 12, 1931 – January 16, 2025 Elaine May Ehlers was born April 12, 1931, in Kingsley, Iowa. She was the daughter of Emil J. Reinking and Elsie (Puttmann) Reinking. She attended Salem Lutheran Church in Correctionville, Iowa, where she was baptized on May 24, 1931, and confirmed April 14, 1946. She attended rural…
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Eleanor Jungck Flathman ‘52
Eleanor Anne Jungck Hansen Flathman, aged 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at her home in Pine City, Minnesota. She was born July 8th, 1929, to Virla (Bare) and Louis C. Jungck in rural Rushville, Nebraska, where she spent her childhood on the family farm. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.…
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Lynn Olson
Lynn Jay Olson was born on July 15, 1946 and smiles and kindness were added to the equation. Smiles started at an early age as he grew up with his parents, Leslie and Shirley, sister, Marcia, and cousin, Ellerd. One story passed down from his mother Shirley has Lynn, at age 6, dangling from his…
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William Dietzler ’60
William “Bill” Dietzler, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was born in Milwaukee on August 2, 1937, to the late Marlon and Florence Dietzler and grew up in Wausau, WI. He loved music, including playing songs on the organ and piano (even tuba when in school), singing in the church and…
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Marilyn Azbell Reid ‘65
Marilyn Irene Reid, 81, of Waterloo formerly of Greene, died Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Friendship Village in Waterloo. She was born October 9, 1943 in Kankakee, Ill., the daughter of William and Irene (Meyers) Azbell. She married John “Jack” Reid on December 10, 1983 at the United Methodist Church in Marble Rock. He preceded…
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Jack Mueller ‘73
Jack R. Mueller,77, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025, in Mason City, Iowa. Jack was born May 6, 1947, in New Hampton, Iowa, the only son of Willis and Doris (Liebenstein) Mueller. He grew up in Fredericksburg, attending Fredericksburg High School and graduating in 1965. He went on to…
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Judith Rieniets Schwake ‘58
Judith K. Schwake, 86, of Sumner, died Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner. Judith Kay (Rieniets) Schwake was born May 19, 1938, to Frederick and Kathryn (Gerdes) Rieniets in Monticello, Iowa. She was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, where she received her Christian instruction and…
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Douglas Brown ‘83
Douglas Dean Brown September 3, 1960 – January 5, 2025 Douglas Dean Brown, 64, of North Liberty, passed away at his home surrounded by family. Doug was born on September 3, 1960 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Minerva (Nuss) Brown. He was raised in Dysart, Iowa, graduating in 1979 from Dysart-Geneseo High School. His…
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Marilyn Rosdail-Moller ‘75
Marilyn Carol Rosdail-Moller, 72, passed away on December 31, 2024. She was born on April 19, 1952, to Milton and Marvel (Barr) Rosdail in Storm Lake, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Marilyn was the eldest child and helped her mother care for 7 lively brothers &…
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Janice Winter Perine ’57
Janice Alice Perine, age 89, of Glendale, Arizona passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024. Janice was born on a farm near Parkston, South Dakota on January 25,1935 as the 4th child to Albert Winter and Hulda Uttecht Winter. She weighed 9 pounds and 11 ounces at birth. On February 23, 1935, she went on…
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Paul Anderson ‘66
Paul Gene AndersonAugust 12, 1943 – December 28, 2024It is with profound sadness that the family of Paul Gene Anderson announces his passing after a prolonged illness, on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at his home in Houston, Texas. He was 81 years old.Early Life and EducationPaul was born on August 12, 1943, in Ironwood, Michigan, the…
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Allen Hansen ’92
Allen Edward Hansen, 55, of Lake City, passed away unexpectedly of complications from Congestive Heart Failure, at Hansen’s Harbor on December 28, 2024. Allen was born May 14, 1969 to Peter and Jane Hansen in Lake City. He grew up, lived, and worked his entire life at Hansen’s Harbor, getting his start by running forklifts…
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Jeff Sandlin ‘06
Jeffrey Nels Sandlin passed away on December 26, 2024. His heart could not overcome a recent illness after enduring many years of medical challenges. Jeff was born December 30, 1983, in Belleville, Illinois, the only son of Rev. Kenneth and Marcia (Haupt) Sandlin. He spent his early childhood in Cahokia, where he loved to watch…
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Lois Rueber Cordes ‘58
Lois Elaine (Rueber) Cordes May 16, 1939 ~ December 25, 2024 (age 85) Lois Elaine Cordes, 85, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo. She was born on May 16, 1939, on her grandparents’ farm near Oelwein, the daughter of Arnold and Wilma (Brickman) Rueber. Lois attended Putnam…