Their legacy lives on.
We remember all of the Knights who came before us and passed leaving a legacy and light for us all to follow. Below are obituaries of alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of the college shared with us. If you have an obituary of a fallen Knight please share it with us.
Search Obituaries:
In Memoriam
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Roger Waggie ’54
Roger Waggie, 95, of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Newell, died Oct. 10, 2026, in Rochester. Roger Dewayne Waggie, the eldest son of Roy and Dora (Beckfield) Waggie, was born Oct. 21, 1930, in Newell and was raised on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Albert City, which he attended for the majority of his life. After graduation from Newell High School in 1948, he briefly attended Wartburg College before enlisting in the Army where he served in Korea in the Army Signal Corps. After an honorary discharge he enrolled at Iowa State…
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Dr. David Bruns ’61
David Charles Bruns, M.D., a longtime physician, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 5, 2026 at IU North Hospital in Carmel, IN. He is survived by 3 sons, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren: Son, Matthew (Lesa) Bruns of Westfield, IN and grandsons, Andrew (Libby) Bruns and great granddaughter Anna, Michael (Chrissy) Bruns and great grandson August, Nathan (Serena) Bruns and great granddaughter Lucy, and Benjamin Bruns. Son, Mark (Jody) Bruns of Carmel, IN and granddaughters, Sarah Bruns, Kate Bruns, and Claire Bruns. Son Luke (Karen) Bruns of Dallas, TX…
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Beverly Johnson Schwarz ’60
Beverly “Bev” Schwarz passed away on October 4, 2026, in Madison. She was born on July 10, 1938, the daughter of Alfred F. Johnson and Evelyn E.J. Rickleffs. Beverly graduated from Sterling High School in Sterling, Ill., and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. In 1960, she married James Arnulf Schwarz in Sterling. Beverly dedicated her career to education as a teacher and also served as a church musician, contributing her talents to the ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church on Winnebago Street. Bev was an active member of the women’s organization at Trinity…
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Arlene Rudolph Welbes ’55
Arlene (Rudolph) Welbes, age 91, born to Charles and Christina Rudolph on April 1, 1935, and the youngest of nine children, died peacefully surrounded by her family on October 3, 2026. Growing up in Jamestown, ND, Arlene, who was gifted with a beautiful soprano singing voice, was often called on to leave school and perform as the soloist for funerals and other events at St. John’s Lutheran Church where her family worshiped. Her large family had very limited means, and after graduation from Jamestown H.S. in 1953, she attended Wartburg College in Iowa on a church scholarship. At Wartburg she…
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Rev. Durwood ‘Bud’ Buchheim ’53
Rev. Durwood “Bud” Leroy Buchheim July 27, 1923 – September 29, 2026 Durwood Leroy Buchheim was born on his family farm near Pumpkin Center, South Dakota, July 27, 1923. Pumpkin Center, located eight miles south of Humboldt and 18 miles west of Sioux Falls, was, at the time, an early version of a modern-day convenience store – a place for gas, car repairs, and basic groceries (today, it’s merely a historical marker on the side of highway). His home at birth and throughout his years growing up was a two-story, 3-bedroom farmhouse with no closets and no indoor plumbing. Though…
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Ellen Walter Ganschaw ’71
Ellen Fay Ganschaw, née Walter, passed away on September 26, 2026, at the age of 77. Her life reflected years of service to her workplace, church, and community, balanced with the enjoyment she found in creative pursuits and favorite sports. Born on January 7, 1949, Ellen was the daughter of Elnora (Walter) Graffen and Howard Walter. She graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1967 before continuing her education at Wartburg College of Waverly, Iowa. There, she earned a bachelor’s degree in religion in 1971. On September 12, 1985, Ellen married David Ganschaw. David preceded her in death, and their marriage…
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William Wood ’53
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William Joseph (Bill, Billy) Wood, 95. He passed away in the early morning hour of September 21, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center with his wife by his side. Bill was born in Denning, Arkansas to James and Georgia (Nichols) Wood. His family moved to Waterloo, IA when Bill started school. He graduated from high school and then attended a year at Wartburg College. In 1969, Bill moved his family from Waterloo to Bismarck, ND and Bill made one of the biggest decisions of his career when he decided to…
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Bonnie Niedermeier Broge ’88
On Monday, September 21, 2026, a beautiful light went out when Bonnie Kay Broge left her earthly home to meet the many loved ones waiting for her in her eternal home. Bonnie was born in Freeport, Illinois, to Jerri and Kenny Gusloff, joining her older sister, Sara. Following Kenny’s passing, the family moved to Des Moines and eventually settled in Ankeny, Iowa, where Bonnie and Sara grew up alongside their younger siblings, Dennis and Jennie. Bonnie graduated from Ankeny High School, earned her bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College, and completed her master’s degree at the United States Sports Academy. She…
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Julie Packard-Knutson ’76
Julie Packard-Knutson, 71, of Fort Dodge passed away Saturday, September 19, 2026. Julie is survived by her sons, Packard Knutson of Ankeny and James Knutson of Fort Dodge and his son Greysen, sister Barb Johnson and her children Ned and Erin Johnson, cats Oreo and Gigi and many loving cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Bud and Marie Packard and an infant brother. Julie Packard was born December 30, 1954 in Belmond. She attended area schools and graduated from Wartburg College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. She spent two years teaching…
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Hulda Mertz Hartman ’51
Just shy of reaching her 101st birthday, Hulda passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 12, 2026. She joins her parents, four brothers and two sisters, an infant son Kent Lloyd, infant grandson Michael David and sons-in-law Bruce and Tim. Hulda was born on a farm in Bowdle, South Dakota to Jacob and Elizabeth (Bieber) Mertz on October 24, 1925. As a first generation American, she spoke German until she entered first grade. As a shy little girl and adapting to the English language, the teacher would often hold Hulda on her lap as she instructed the older students…
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Rev. Eugene Tjarks ’52
Rev. Eugene Tjarks, 96, of Sioux Falls, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Services will be Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 W. 41st Street in Sioux Falls. His family will be available for visitation before and after the service. Gene lived a life of Christ-inspired service. He had a servant heart and a willingness to help anyone in need or in distress, be it family, friends, acquaintances or strangers. For an untold number of people he offered prayers, strong arms and…
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Rev. Eugene Walther ’55
On the morning of Tuesday September 8th, 2026, Heaven got quite a bit brighter, much wiser and a whole lot “punnier”. Pastor Eugene Walther, Siegel, entered the gates of Heaven to meet the God he spent his life studying, teaching and worshiping. Eugene A Walther was born December 13, 1934 to Karl and Bertha (Stille) Walther. He was the 4th son of a Swiss immigrant farmer and a German descendent mother. They were a 52 Sundays a year church-goers, from whom he learned the discipline and nurture of law and love. From a toothless, aged church school teacher, he became…
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Rev. O. Paul Hougen
Rev. Paul Hougen, 93, of Denver, Iowa, and formerly of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, Iowa. O. Paul Hougen was born to Virgil and Leona Hougen September 9, 1932 in Minneapolis, MN and baptized October 4. From 1934-1940 he lived in New Effington, SD. From 1940-1946 his home was in the country out from Irene, SD. His freshman year of high school was at Augustana Academy, in Canton, SD. He was confirmed July 21, 1946 at Elim Lutheran Congregation by his father, Virgil Hougen. Kenyon, MN was his home…
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Barbara Dobron Harken ’67
Barbara Jean Harken (Red Barb), 81 of Waverly, Iowa, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 11, 2026, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly. Barb was born on July 14, 1945, in St. Luke’s Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Zenon and Evelyn Marie (Counihan) Dobron. In 1948, the family moved to a suburb of Chicago, Oak Lawn where she was baptized and confirmed. In 1960 they moved to Marshalltown, Iowa. Barb graduated in 1963 from Marshalltown High School and then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, graduating in 1967 with a BA in Education. On July 29,…
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Rev. Dr. Robert Vogel ’56
The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Vogel ’56 — fondly remembered by many students as “Daddy Vogs” — was Wartburg College’s 15th president, serving from 1980-1998. He died Friday, July 24, 2026, surrounded by his family, including his wife, Sally ’57, and their children, Kirk ’83 and Susan. Vogel was a Lutheran pastor and church executive — and great-grandson of Otto Kraushaar, one of the presidents at Wartburg’s former Clinton campus. His tenure is remembered for his contagious excitement, animated by his vision for what Wartburg College could be, and his passion for our students. Many still recall one of his favorite…
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Dr. Glenn Fenneman ’62
Glenn Fenneman, age 86, of Waverly, Iowa, died Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. Glenn was born June 25, 1940, in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Edna (Kohlman) Fenneman. He was baptized and confirmed at First United Church of Christ, Pleasant Valley, rural Plainfield. Glenn attended Dayton #7 (Shady Dell) country school until the 8th grade and then Clarksville High school graduating in 1958. Glenn then attended Iowa State University in 1958 and then Wartburg College in Waverly graduating in 1962 with his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He received master’s…
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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. 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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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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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 pant leg from the rafters in the barn. We can imagine him beaming with energy, much like his grandson Roy. At age 18, Lynn graduated from high school and left Hoffman, MN, saying goodbye to his home on the farm, and greeting the world with…
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Lavern Busse
Lavern Theodore Busse, 85, passed away on September 27, 2026, at HallMar Village, Marion, Iowa. Lavern was born at his parents’ home on December 23, 1940, and grew up on their farm northeast of Waverly, Iowa. He was raised on hard work. Prior to his senior year of high school, his father was killed in a car accident. Lavern became a farmer overnight, spending his senior year both completing high school and farming. In 1960, Lavern married Audrey Kappmeyer of rural Tripoli, Iowa. Together, they continued farming and had three children: LoriAnn, Jeffrey, and Lisa. In 1965, he added John…
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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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Charles Birnstiel
Esteemed Professor, bridge engineer, and author Dr. Charles Birnstiel passed away on March 11th at the age of 94. Charles was born on December 6, 1929, in Manhattan, NY, to German immigrants Karl and Margarete Birnstiel. After attending public grade schools in East Harlem, Charles studied at Brooklyn Technical High School, and then at New York University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, A Master of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Doctorate Degree in Structural Engineering. Following his graduation, Charles devoted himself to teaching and structural mechanics research as a professor at both New York University…