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.
Rev. Robert Koch, December 5, 2025
The Reverend Robert A. Koch, pastor emeritus, Seward, Nebraska, departed this life on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the age of 76. Bob was born on December 12, 1948, to Alton and Euretha (Meyer) Koch in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He attended Mt. Pleasant High School graduating in 1967. He then attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, earning his M.Div. degree in 1975. On August 9, 1975, Bob was united in marriage to Bettie Kaye Bretthauer at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Middle Creek). Pastor Koch served the following congregations during his ministry: Zion, Garland, and Immanuel, Seward, Nebraska (1975-1981); Concordia, Forsyth, Montana (1981-1982); Trinity, Sidney, and St. John’s, Fairview, Montana (1984-1985); Redeemer, Hardin, and St. John’s, St. Xavier, Montana (1985-1990); and St. Paul’s, Potter, and Salem, Gurley, Nebraska (1990-1992).
In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, playing cards and board games like Scrabble. He enjoyed spending time with his family playing sports and watching the sporting events and musicals of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He liked to sing and play the piano and enjoyed telling jokes (even posting them daily on different message boards). He loved talking with people and sharing his love of Christ.
Pastor Koch is survived by his children, Raymond (Shannon) Bretthauer of Lincoln, Nebraska; Randall Koch of Brighton, Colorado; Ryan (Amanda) Koch of Seward, Nebraska; Rhonda (Robert) Mueller of Seward, Nebraska; Rosemary (Richard) Bretthauer-Mueller of Grayson, Georgia; Rebekah (Conrad) Trevino of Seward, Nebraska; and Robin (Jose) Aragon of Parker, Colorado; 23 grandchildren, Riitta (Nic) Kulinski, Robert (Amanda) Mueller II, Ross Mueller, Russell (Farrell) Mueller, Rodney (Emmy) Mueller, Rosalie Mueller, Rikki (Alex) Wakefield Mueller, Rianna (Scott) Cain, Alex (Sarah) Mueller, Jake (Lindy) Mueller, Eli Mueller, Faythe (Conner) Gerner, Brady (Madison) Treviño, Marcus Treviño, Victoria (Travis) Sarringar, Raymond “Anthony” (Ashley) Bretthauer, Sierra Shouse, Jalyn Parker, John Rogers, Tyler Koch, Jordan Aragon, Jaylee Aragon, Emily Aragon; 28 great grandchildren; sisters, Julie Koch and Bonnie (Charlie) Snyder; brother, David (Barbara) Koch; sister-in-law, Linda Koch; niece, Holly Dean; nephews, Mark McConahay, Scot Koch, and Chris Koch.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Euretha Koch; wife, Bettie Kaye Koch; brother, William Koch, and granddaughter Kara Mueller.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Visitation will be Thursday, December 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward. Committal will be held Friday, December 12, at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Middle Creek), Seward. Memorials can be made in care of the Koch Family.
Barbara Friedmeyer, July 10, 2025
Mrs. Barbara June (Loehr) Friedmeyer, wife of the Reverend A. Norman Friedmeyer, Lincoln, Nebraska, departed this life on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born on June 3, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Leonard and Barbara (Weber) Loehr.
June’s life in Christ began at her baptism on July 2, 1939, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altheim, Missouri. She was confirmed in her faith on May 10, 1953, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chesterfield, Missouri, and was a lifelong member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. She was involved with and served as an officer in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, as well as many other organizations and groups in the church.
In 1957, she graduated from Eureka High School in Eureka, Missouri. Following graduation, she began her career as a secretary and administrative assistant at many places, most notably Fleischman Hillard in St. Louis and Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska.
She married Arthur Norman Friedmeyer on May 15, 1965, at St. James Lutheran Church in University City, Missouri, a union that lasted over 60 years and was blessed with 4 children, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life.
June was awarded a PHT (“Putting Husband Through”) certificate from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, supporting Norman throughout his ministry, and was very proud to be a pastor’s wife as he served at various congregations in Nebraska, including Trinity Lutheran (Friedensau) in Hebron and First Lutheran in Plattsmouth.
Throughout her life, June was involved in volunteering and serving at Midlands Hospital in Papillion, Nebraska, and with the election commission, and found joy in sewing, quilting, and gardening, often sharing the fruits of her labor with friends and family.
June is survived by her devoted husband, Rev. A. Norman Friedmeyer of Lincoln, Nebraska; her loving children, Ellen (Mike) Ullman of Lincoln; Lisa (Josh) Rudin of Arvada, Colorado; Greg (Sheila) Friedmeyer of Blair, Nebraska; and Kathy (Eric) Elmer of Edwardsville, Illinois; her cherished siblings, Larry Loehr, Roland Loehr, Robert Loehr, Michael Loehr, and Julie (Loehr) Grateke; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting guests at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 510 S. 33rd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, beginning with a brief graveside visitation at 3:00 p.m. followed by a committal service at 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in California, Missouri (located at the intersection of Mill Street and West Patrick).
Memorials may be directed to Orphan Grain Train and Lutherans For Life.
Condolences may be sent to Rev. A Norman Friedmeyer, 2715 Docs Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska 68507.