Death of Robert Baerwolf

  Robert D. Baerwolf of Evart, MI died in Grand Rapids, MI on October 5, 2015. He was 76 years old. Pastor Baerwolf was born in Poynette, WI on January 19, 1939 to his parents, Robert and Hilda (nee Spaude) Baerwolf.
  Bob entered Concordia College in Milwaukee, WI where he completed his last two years of high school and his first two years of college before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne IN, in 1961, followed by Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in 1965.
  Bob finished his year of vicarage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL before being ordained at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington, WI. He received his first calls to serve in the ministry to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lyons Creek and Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona, KS.
  Bob also served parishes in Michigan including St. Paul Lutheran Church in Herron,
Zion Lutheran Church in Petoskey, Zion Lutheran Church in Holland and Trinity Lutheran Church in Reed City.
  After retirement Bob served vacant congregations at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Shelby, Bethel Lutheran Church in Howard City and Norwalk Lutheran Church in Norwalk.
Pastor Baerwolf served the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as circuit counselor, the Board of Directors and the Senior Adult Ministry Committee.
  In retirement, he also served as a chaplain for Hospice of Michigan.
  On November 24, 1962 Robert married Judith Nell Rehm in Gary, IN.
The Lord richly blessed them with 37 years of marriage and the gift of five children, Paul, Mark, Deborah, Phillip and Sarah. He loved spending time with his family.
  He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing euchre and traveling.
  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, James and Gerald.
  Pastor Baerwolf was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy along with his son-in-law, Michael Grieve.
  He is lovingly survived by his children, Paul and his wife Cathy, Mark, Deborah, Phillip and his wife Ramona, and Sarah. Pastor Baerwolf is also survived by his grandson, Tyler.
Funeral service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reed City on Saturday, October 10, 2015.

NECROLOGY - Class of 1959 - Concordia College, Milwaukee

Thomas J Fenner              
                                                Born:   /   Died:  early 1960s

Kenneth Schilling              
                                                Born:   /   Died:  c. 1969

Robert Seizinger               
                                                Born:   /   Died:  1974

Algimant A Kleinat             
                                                Born:   /   Died:  July 1989

David M Bergen                 
                                                 Born:  July 29, 1939   /   

                                                 Died:  November 3, 1994

Larry W Clemetsen          
                                                 Born:  September 9, 1939   
                                                 Died:  November 1, 1997

James Alan Schroeder 
                                 Born:   /  Died: September 30, 2001

Dale R McKirgan                  
                                                 Born:  July 20, 1939
                                                 Died:  December 5, 2001

David George Truemper 
                                 Born:  February 1, 1939 
                                                 Died:  October 30, 2004

David William Peyer           
                                                 Born:  April 15, 1938
                                                 Died:  April 4, 2005

Willard John Kassulke       
                                                 Born:  August 8, 1939 
                                                 Died:  January 9, 2011

Carl Herman Toelke, Jr     
                                                 Born:  March 25, 1939
                                                 Died:  January 29, 2015
Robert Duane Baerwolf   
                                                 Born:  January 19, 1939
                                                 Died:  October 5, 2015

Carl Toelke's death

 Carl H Toelke, Concordia-Milwaukee classmate who joined our class as a sophomore in 1954, died on January 29, 2015.
 Carl is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karon, his sister, Lois and his two children, Sheri and Paul (Christine).
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert.
Carl's professional career as a pastor, social worker, and professor brought much joy to those whose lives he touched.
Visitation is on Saturday, February 14 at 9:00 a.m. at
Timothy Lutheran Church, 6704 Fyler Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139.  The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the church.
"Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him."

 

The Greek Student's 23rd Psalm

Going thru some drawers and envelopes that have not been opened in years, I found a browning 3x5 file card that brought back lots of memories.  For those of you who had "Pappy" Hardt for Greek during Prima, I'm sure this will bring back memories for you, too. 
I don't remember who composed this psalm; if any of you remember, let me know.
Here's the psalm...

1.   Pappy is my Greek prof; I shall not pass.

2.   He leadeth me to confusion.

3.   He guideth me in a straight path for my grade’s sake.

4.   Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of knowledge,

            I learn not, for I am dumb.

      my notebook and pen accompany me wherever I go.

5.   He maketh me to show my ignorance before my classmates.

      He anointeth my head with fine examples.  My pen runneth dry.

6.   Surely, Metzger and Kaegi shall follow me all the days of my life,

      and I will dwell in Prima forever.

 (With fond memories of Dr C August Hardt – “Pappy” – Concordia Milwaukee / Prima – 1958-1959)

Willard John Kassulke - 8-8-1939 to 1-9-2011

Word has been received of the death of classmate Will "Kaz" Kassulke on Sunday, January 9, 2011.  Will died at 8:35 am, just after his wife Carolyn has said "Amen" to the prayer they had prayed together.

Will's obituary can be found at the Eaton Funeral Home website (Sullivan  MO), where Will's life is rehearsed and further details regarding his funeral and memorial service are found.

"Kaz" was a native of Milwaukee.  He was confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church at 35th & Scott, just across the "valley" and joined the Class of '59 as a Quintaner.  He will be remembered as a studious classmate who also found time to participate in intramural sports on our class teams.  One of the things we will remember about Will is that he was the older brother of  Karl, a Pro Bowl safety with the Minnesota Vikings from 1963-1970.

Most of us last saw "Kaz" at our class's 50th reunion in Oconomowoc  WI in June of 2009.  Will is the 11th member of the Class of 1959 to be called to Eternal Glory.

Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to his wife Carolyn, his children Wesley, Dori and Marty, and his sisters Carmen and Christine.

"Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, 
and let light perpetual shine upon him."

Good News from Will Kassulke

Back in April, classmate Will "Kaz" Kassulke, informed several of us that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer last December.  He commented at that time that "the chemo seems to be successful in slowing any dramatic advancement.  The treatments, however, drain me of much of my energy."

This past week, Kaz informed me of his current situation (and gave me permission to pass this information along to the Class of '59 via this means).  Kaz writes:

"Yesterday [July 9] I had a new stent put in my bile duct because the one they put in 7 months ago was having blockage.  They had told us when they put the first one in that it may only last one to six months.   Since several recent cat scans showed that my tumors were shrinking, the doctor who did the procedure told me afterwards, 'See you in another six or seven months'.  Really more energy is coming back and my afternoon naps are becoming shorter.  Also I am now able to walk the hills in our subdivision in the morning instead of just walking a few level streets.  This all makes for some good news that I felt I had to share with you.  Many, many thanks for all your prayers and well wishes in our behalf!"

Praise God for God's goodness to our brother.  You may contact "Kaz" by clicking on his name in the first paragraph.