Obituaries
Obituaries of ordained ministers, widows of pastors, and commissioned workers rostered in the Nebraska District LCMS
Please note: Our office relies on families, congregations, and schools to provide obituary information. If you do not see an obituary here that you believe should be shared with the district, please contact communications@ndlcms.org to notify us.
Below are recent obituaries from the District.
Ronald Rathe, April 8, 2026
Ronald August Rathe was called to glory on April 8, 2026. Ron served as the Nebraska District Lutheran Layman’s League President from 1989-1991 and was elected to the Nebraska District LCMS Board of Directors for two terms (1994-2006), serving as board chairman during his second term.
He was the oldest of five sons born to Orvin and Frieda (Ehmen) Rathe on April 7, 1947 in Norfolk, Nebraska. He lived with his family in Madison, NE before moving to Sterling in 1955. He was baptized April 27, 1947 and began his Christian education at Madison Lutheran School through the fourth grade. After moving to Sterling, Ron attended rural country school until it closed when he was in the 7th grade, and then went to Sterling Public Schools where he graduated in 1965. He was confirmed March 26, 1961 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sterling, Nebraska.
After graduation, Ron worked for about a year and then enlisted in the Air Force on May 3, 1966. He served his country during the Vietnam Era, serving in Vietnam for one year until his release from active duty on March 2, 1970. Ron served in the reserves until May 2, 1972. He earned the Rank of Sergeant during his military duty. He was very proud to go on the Vietnam Veteran Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2017.
Ron was united in marriage to Joyce Rademacher on October 30, 1970 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tecumseh, Nebraska. Ron and Joyce made their home in Tecumseh where they raised their family.
Ron worked for OPPD for 34 years, working as a lineman for 25 years and as manager of the Tecumseh and Humboldt offices for the last 10 years, retiring in 2004.
In his spare time, Ron loved bird hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, traveling and was on a bowling team and played men’s slow pitch softball for many years. He was an avid cigar loving St. Louis Cardinals fan. Ron’s city and civic involvement included, active life member of the Tecumseh VFW, Avenue of Flags Board member for 20 + years, Veterans Memorial Committee member, Chairman and longtime Zoning Board member for the City of Tecumseh and Tecumseh Chapter of Pheasants Forever board member.
For many years, Ron and his family faithfully assisted with the Avenue of Flags. Ron served St. John’s Lutheran Church in many elected capacities including Elder and Chairman and taught Sunday School and Adult Bible Class.
He dearly loved his family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and keeping up with all their activities over the years. He passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at the age of 79 years and 1 day.
Ron is survived by his wife, Joyce of Tecumseh, daughters, Michelle Wenzl and significant other David Armstrong of Sterling, Janelle Moran and husband Eric of Tecumseh, Carolyn Beethe and husband Justin of Tecumseh, son Andrew Rathe and wife Katie of Grand Island, nine grandchildren, Sarah Hart and husband Rev. Erik Hart, Zachary Scamehorn, Madison “Maddie” Moran and fiance’ Austin Kennedy and Morgan Moran, Katelyn, Isaac and Leighton Beethe and Lincoln and Maverick Rathe, 3 great-grandchildren Ezekiel, Oliver and Johanna Hart, brothers, Larry Rathe and wife Donna of Sterling, Darrel Rathe and wife Connie of Basehor, KS and Daniel Rathe and wife Pat of Sperry, OK , numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Mark Lee Rathe, sister-in-law, Donna Rathe, grandson, Mark Wenzl and sons-in-law, Steve Scamehorn and Jim Wenzl.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2026 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Marcel Kohlmeyer officiating. The service will also be livestreamed on the St. John’s Lutheran Facebook page for those unable to attend. A link to the livestream will also be available on his webpage after the service.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska. Friends and family are invited to wear their favorite St. Louis Cardinal clothing in Ron’s honor.
Interment will immediately follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, west of Sterling, Nebraska with full military honors by the Tecumseh VFW Post #8221, American Legion Post #2 and Offutt Air Force Funeral Honors Team.
Memorials may go to St. John’s, Tecumseh, or Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.
Mrs. Carol Brinkmeyer, April 4, 2026
Carol Ann (Henning) Brinkmeyer, wife of the Reverend Arthur Brinkmeyer, Hallam, Nebraska, departed this life on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the age of 84. Carol was born on November 15, 1941, on the homestead near Kramer, Nebraska, the daughter of the late Ben and Cora Henning. She was born and died at the Henning homestead. She was made a child of God on December 7, 1941, also at the Henning homestead.
She attended elementary school at St. John’s Lutheran School and high school in Crete, Nebraska, and later attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, where she met her husband, Arthur Brinkmeyer. She graduated with a degree in Lutheran education. Art and Carol were married on July 28, 1963, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kramer, Nebraska.
Art and Carol were assigned to teach at Lutheran schools in Evansville, Indiana, where they welcomed their two daughters, Laura Ann and Lynne Ann. After living there for seven years, they moved to Independence, Kansas, where their son, David Allen, was born.
In 1976, Carol and the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where Arthur attended Concordia Seminary to become a pastor. Carol and Art later moved to Sabetha, Kansas, where Art served as a Lutheran pastor. They then relocated to Seward, Nebraska, where Carol worked at Concordia Teachers College as the events coordinator, a role she greatly enjoyed and at which she excelled. In 1984 Art accepted a call to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, Nebraska, so Carol commuted to her job at Concordia for the next 20 years.
Carol and Art retired to the homestead near Kramer, Nebraska, where they lived for 22 years until her passing. Carol enjoyed many hobbies, including gardening, canning, and compiling genealogy books for the Henning and Brinkmeyer families, leading the church choir, leading Bible studies, and was a member of ladies’ aid and LWML. One of her greatest accomplishments was leading the 150th anniversary celebration of St. John Lutheran Church in Kramer, Nebraska, her childhood church.
She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a blessing to all who knew her. Carol’s strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was evident throughout her life, and she shared it with everyone she met.
Carol is survived by her husband, Arthur Brinkmeyer and their three children: Laura (Jeff) Matson, Lynne (Justin) Sperko, and David Brinkmeyer. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Ashlyn (Emery) Brown, Brock Matson, Kelsie Kralik, Mitchel Kralik, Abigail Brinkmeyer, Joshua Brinkmeyer, Micah Brinkmeyer, and Chloe Brinkmeyer; and one great-granddaughter, Kinsley Brown. She is also survived by her brothers Don (Judy) Henning, Roger (Mary Jo) Henning, and sister-in-law Donna Henning.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Cora Henning; her brother, Marvin Henning; and her nieces, Heather Henning and Lyn Henning Thorman.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Kramer, Nebraska, with Rev. Maynard Toensing officiating. The service can be viewed via https://youtube.com/live/gV9Wzpuu8J4?feature=share.
Burial followed at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Concordia University Endowment Fund of Ben and Cora Henning or St. John Lutheran Church, Kramer, Nebraska.
Condolences may be sent to Rev. Arthur Brinkmeyer, 9540 W. Panama Road, Hallam, Nebraska 68368.
Glendora Duensing, February 2, 2026
Please pray for the family of Glendora R. “Glennie” Duensing, who served as support staff for education at the Nebraska District LCMS Office for 13 years (1980-1993).
Visitation will be Monday, February 16, from 1:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, February 17, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John School – new addition, or Concordia University Art Center. Find the full obituary at https://www.zabkaperduefuneralhome.com/obituary/glendora-r-glennie-duensing.