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The Reverend Harold T. Stelzer, pastor emeritus, Lincoln, Nebraska, departed this life on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at the age of 90. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on September 6, 1920, to Theodore G. and Hattie (Brunn) Stelzer. He was born into the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on September 19, 1920, at Trinity English Lutheran Church, Racine, Wisconsin. He was confirmed on May 20, 1934, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Seward, Nebraska. He was united in marriage to Margaret R. Holscher on June 28, 1944, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ogallala, Nebraska.
Pastor Stelzer graduated from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska, in 1941. He held Masters Degrees from the University of Nebraska and Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He served as a teacher and musician at Holy Cross, Dodge City, Kansas (1941-1943) and Bethany, Detroit, Michigan (1944-1946); as principal and musician at St. James, Howard Lake, Minnesota (1946-1954), Sherman Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1955-1956), and Emmanuel, York, Nebraska (1956-1966).
In the summer of 1966, Harold completed the colloquy program at Concordia Seminary, Springfield, and was ordained and installed as pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Elk Creek, Nebraska, on August 7, 1966. He also served as pastor at Trinity, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (1975-1984) and as visitation pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska (1984-2008). He founded the Men’s A Cappella Chorus at Christ Lutheran and embraced his new role as visiting pastor with his usual enthusiasm. Pastor Stelzer also assisted many pastors around the state by visiting many people from all over Nebraska who were hospitalized in Lincoln. He also had a special love for Concordia University, Seward, where his father had been a music professor and director of choirs. He found great joy in the service to others and his Lord.
Pastor Stelzer is survived by one daughter, Diane (Ronald) Merrill, Lincoln, Nebraska; five sons, Dennis (Susan), Lincoln, Dr. Paul (Mary Delle), New York City, James (Carol), Lincoln, Dr. Mark (Kathryn), LeMars, Iowa, and Donald (Patricia), Lincoln; sister, Ruth Pralle, Chicago; sisters-in-law, Betty Stelzer, Houston, and Marci Stelzer, Colorado Springs; 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Margaret; his parents; sister, Verna Hinck; brothers, Roland and Herbert; son-in-law, Phillip Krentz; infant grandson, Todd Stelzer; brothers-in-law, Rev. Fred Pralle and Walter Hinck; and sister-in-law, Florence Stelzer.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2011, at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Visitation will begin at noon on Sunday, July 10, at Roper & Sons in Lincoln with family greeting friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln.
Condolences may be sent to Dennis Stelzer, 11051 South 98th, Lincoln, Nebraska 68526.
Pastors are invited to robe for the service and wear green stoles. They can meet on the lower level of Christ Lutheran to robe prior to the service. Special seating will be provided for them. They will provide an honor guard at the church entry following the service.
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