+ OBITUARY +
Kenneth L. Reiner, Commissioned Minister—Teacher Emeritus, departed this life on September 7, 2017, at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was born on August 22, 1938, in New Salem, North Dakota, to Fred and Frieda Bauer Reiner. He graduated from high school in Zap, North Dakota and attended Concordia College, St. Paul Minnesota for two years before transferring to Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education and a Lutheran Teachers Certificate in 1960, He later earned a Masters in Education Psychology and Administration from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Ken’s first call as a Lutheran teacher was as a missionary in Nigeria, West Africa. This call led to service in that country for twenty nine years in various positions, including: teaching at the Lutheran High School in Obot Idim and Hillcrest (an international Christian school) in Jos; serving as the Principal and Headmaster at Hillcrest; and as the Field Chairman of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Nigeria. Returning from the mission field in 1989, Ken served for the next twenty three years at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Synodical Headquarters in St. Louis as “Counselor for Personnel.” Ken described his position as taking care of missionaries around the world. This position provided him many opportunities to use his experiences gained in Africa for the good of the next generation of Lutheran missionaries. He officially retired from his focus on missions in 2012, and moved to Chambers, NE to help care for family; however, until the time of his death he continued to be involved in his passions of caring for and watching out for Missionary Kids when they came back to the US for post-secondary school and for Foreign Seminary Students studying at Lutheran Seminaries.
Ken was united in marriage to Darlene Harlety on August 7, 1960 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chambers, Nebraska. She went with Ken to Africa, joining him in his service to the Lord. They were blessed with three children, Luke, Sharon and David.
Mr. Reiner is survived by his wife, Darlene of Chambers; his sons Luke (Devonna) of Cheyenne, WY and David (Tracy) of Burwell, NE and his daughter Sharon (Jon) Oetting of Sparks, NV and his grandchildren: Holly (Luke) Flanscha stationed at Ft. Polk, LA; Heather (Ken) O’Donnell of Cheyenne, WY; Rachael (Evan) Balleweg of Lincoln, NE; Joel (Jessica) Oetting of Knoxville, TN; Anna Oetting of Sparks, NV; and Tressa Reiner of Burwell, NE. Also surviving are his brothers Myron (Kitty) of Corinth, TX; Don (Marilyn) of Bismarck, ND; Tim (Pat) of Devils Lake, ND; cousin, classmate and lifelong friend Darold (Janell) Reiner of Kalispell, MT; other cousins, aunts and uncles; and the group of fellow missionaries with whom he served. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 16, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chambers. Burial will follow in the Chambers Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Friday, September 15, with a prayer service at 7 pm, at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.
Memorials may be given to: Mission Central, 40718 Hwy E18, Mapleton, IA, 51034-7105, attn.: Gary Thies or to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chambers.
+ Obituary for Rev. Dr. Paul L. Rowoldt +
The Reverend Dr. Paul L. Rowoldt, pastor emeritus, Columbus, Nebraska, departed this life on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at the age of 89. He was born in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, on October 21, 1927, to Paul M.L. and Emma (Garnich) Rowoldt. After high school, he enlisted in the Regular Army. He received the WWII Army of Occupation medal, Japan. He was honorably discharged September 7, 1947.
In 1949, Paul enrolled in the pre-seminary program at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska. There he also attended Central Lutheran Theological Seminary, graduated, and was ordained in 1955.
Paul met Marian Meyer at Midland College and they were united in marriage on June 22, 1952. Together they served many ELCA congregations throughout Kansas and Nebraska. Pastor Rowoldt was received into LCMS clergy membership in October, 1992. Although he retired from active ministry in 1985, Paul continued to serve as Chaplain for the American Legion, received his Doctorate of Ministry, and had a private counseling practice in Columbus for 13 years. In his retirement, he also served as a supply pastor for various churches in the area.
He will be remembered by many as a man who loved people. Your status didn’t matter. He would greet you with a smile and ask how your day was going.
Pastor Rowoldt is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marian; one daughter, Ruth (Nathan) Larson; one son, Tim; two grandsons, Nikoli (Candy) and Adam (Jeanine); and two great-grandchildren, Malia and Elliot.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at Peace Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska. Pastors of the district are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall at 10:15 a.m. to process and sit together during the ceremony. No vestments. For planning purposes, please contact the church office by email at church@aliveinpeace.org or phone 402-564-8311 if you are planning on being part of the pastor procession.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment with military honors by the American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard will be in the Fremont Memorial Cemetery, Fremont, Nebraska.
Memorials may be directed to Mission Central, Mapleton, Iowa, or the American Legion Hartman Post 84.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Marian Rowoldt, 3731 Lakeview Lane, Columbus, Nebraska 68601-7321.
+Obituary for Rev. Daniel Moriarity+
Rev. Daniel Thomas Moriarity, age 68 of Blair, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017, due to complications following surgery, of a massive heart attack. He will be sorely missed by friends, colleagues and family. Funeral services were held May 31, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska.
Daniel was born on June 13, 1948 in Indianapolis, IN to Daniel King Moriarity and Bernice Irene (Gentry) Moriarity. He was the first born of four: one brother, Timothy I. Moriarity, and two sisters, Jean Foster, married to Dr. Peter Foster; and Mary Elizabeth Bartos, married to Joseph Bartos.
Daniel attended Warren Central High School in Indianapolis and graduated in 1966. He went on to Concordia University in Mequon, WI; Concordia Sr. College in Fort Wayne, IN; and finally Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. In 1973, he fulfilled his vicarage obligation in Strasbourg, France and graduated as a pastor in 1974.
He began creating his own family life in June of 1971 when he married Linda R. (Herrmann) Moriarity. They were blessed with two children: a son, Daniel David in 1973 and a daughter, Rebecca Ruth (Moriarity) Medley in 1974. Daniel is married to F. Miranda (Bourland). Rebecca is married to F. Jason Medley.
Over the years, Rev. Dan served in various congregations as a pastor: first at St. Paul Lutheran in Ann Arbor, MI; then St. Paul Lutheran in Phoenix, AZ; at St. Mark, also in Phoenix, AZ; and at Ascension Lutheran in Torrance, CA. He was a gifted linguist who taught at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO and later at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, MI where he taught Greek, Hebrew and Latin.
He was asked to translate the first 5 books of the Bible for the God’s Word Bible and in retirement began to translate the pericopes for pastors. Sadly, his death has prevented him from publishing.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska.
Words of comfort and encouragement may be sent to Mrs. Linda Moriarity and family at 1290 13th Ave., Blair, NE 68008.
+ Obituary +
Burnell Von Seggern departed this life on February 25, 2017, in Creighton, Nebraska at the age of 76. He was born March 2, 1940, in Fremont, Nebraska, to Arthur and Ella (Wobken) Von Seggern. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Cuming County Line). The family moved to Venus in 1941. He attended Venus District 44 and graduated from the eighth grade. Burnell was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Venus in 1954. He attended Creighton High School and graduated with the class of 1957. After high school, Burnell joined the Nebraska National Guard (1957-1964), and farmed with his father Art Von Seggern.
On September 18, 1960, he married Virginia A. Johnson at Zion Lutheran Church in Creighton, Nebraska. Burnell and Virginia were blessed with three children, David J., Kay R., and Susan L. They lived next to the Venus store, north of Orchard, Nebraska, all their married life.
Burnell was always an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where he held nearly all church offices. He also served as the District President of the Nebraska Lutheran Laymen’s League from 2007 to 2010, and was a 12 year member of the Nebraska District LCMS Board of Directors, serving from 1991-2003.
Burnell is survived by his wife, Virginia of 56 years; son, David (Yvonne) of Creighton; daughter, Susan (Brad) Krutsinger of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Allyson Von Seggern of Phoenix, Arizona, Aaron Von Seggern of Wayne, NE, Seth Hincker and Tessa Hincker of Lincoln, NE, Kimberly Krutsinger of Jacksonville, AL, Kessandra Krutsinger and Kaden Krutsinger of Colorado Springs; brother, Dale (Kristy) Von Seggern of Columbus, NE; sisters, Joanne Falter of Norfolk, NE and Betty (Lowell) Poppe of Scribner, NE; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Ella Von Seggern; a daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Stephen Hincker; brother, Dennis Von Seggern; sisters-in-law, Irene and Marlene Von Seggern; and brother-in-law, Dwayne Falter.
Memorials may be directed to Mission Central for missionary support in his memory, the Nebraska District LLL, or the Lutheran Hour.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Orchard. Reverend Marcel Kohlmeyer will officiate, with burial in Orchard City Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 3, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton, with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service. Pastors from the Nebraska District who attend the funeral are requested to announce themselves to the ushers.
