This issue of LifeDate will be special to many people. Listed on this page, you will see lists of memorial and honorarium gifts given to Lutherans For Life in 2007. Many of you will know some of the people on these lists. You will see mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, children, pastors, and friends. You will see loved ones with a common understanding—Life Wins!

The mission of Lutherans For Life is to witness to that message. Your gifts help pass on that message in a world that points to death. What a fitting way to honor someone who has made a difference in your life. What a fitting way to honor the Lord of Life for His blessings. What a way to pass the message that Life Wins on to others who need the comfort, forgiveness, and peace found in that victory.

There are so many stories to tell about the people on these pages. One couple thanked us for "allowing them to have a small part in the ministry of LFL." We are so grateful and humbled when we receive these generous gifts. To God be the glory and thanksgiving as He allows all of us to be a part of His work.

Allow me to tell you about two of the "winners" whose witness will be carried on through the gifts of others.

This fall we received a memorial gift to be used to support Renewal For Life. The Houston LFL chapter sent us a letter with the gift stating, "Our general membership voted unanimously today to contribute these funds in honor of Pastor John "Lou" Konz who, as you know, was a tireless advocate for Life."

Pastor Konz certainly was a tireless advocate for Life. While I didn’t have a chance to meet him, I have met many people who will tell you that God used him to make a difference in their lives—to proclaim Life Wins! through his ministry and example. Receiving a gift in Pastor Konz’s memory to be used for Renewal For Life was so fitting as he was very aware of the need for the Church to accept the responsibility to tie the Gospel to the life issues. Through his vocation, Pastor Konz made a very public statement for Life and the Lord of Life. Through gifts given in his memory, that statement will continue to be proclaimed.

This year’s list of memorials also includes a very special person in my life, my Grandma Moore, who entered into eternal life December 1, 2007, at age 96. My grandmother’s 62nd birthday was January 22, 1973. I don’t remember ever talking to Grandma about Roe v. Wade, or abortion, or many other life issues. She was never one to join groups or get involved in causes. And yet, like Pastor Konz, through her vocation, Grandma Moore was a tireless advocate For Life!

I carry Grandma’s obituary with me. It’s not very long, and probably not very notable in the eyes of the world. It tells of a loving and devoted wife, mother, and homemaker; a lifetime member of a rural Lutheran church; a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. A woman who in eternal life rejoined her parents, husband, son, and sisters in heaven.

I don’t carry this short newspaper clipping to remember the details of Grandma’s life. I carry it to remind me that Life Wins! Grandma was baptized into life! When she died, she entered into eternal life! In between those events, there was a constant witness to life! She accepted each day the Lord gave her and was faithful to Him, to her husband, and to her family. She sinned and she received forgiveness at the Lord’s Table. She quietly lived life knowing there was victory in Christ.

When I would tell Grandma how God had used her to touch my life, she would shrug her shoulders and say she really didn’t think she was worth much. They started painting her fingernails in the care facility. We would smile together, both of us knowing she would rather have the dirt of her garden beneath her nails than the polish on top of them. She didn’t really care about the fingernail polish, but it made the staff happy to paint her nails. Making other people happy was her way to serve the Lord.

In her last days, Grandma could no longer speak and didn’t open her eyes much. Yet, every time I visited her and prayed the Lord’s Prayer, there was movement—a witness to life. In her final hours, one of the nurses at the care facility told us how graceful Grandma was as she approached death. Even then, Grandma’s life was a witness to the peace that comes from being "full of grace." Even then, Life was winning!

Jane Sherry Benalil by Tim & Barbara Rynearson;

Roy Blake by Pregnancy Assistance Center North;

Pearl Boelcke by Allan & Donna Benson;

Velma L. Bradshaw by Ken & Marquita Hays;

James A. Brauer by Lois Brauer;

Rudy Bredefeld by Hank & Barbara Richter;

Randall Brekken by Marci Brekken;

Quentin Brendemuhl by Evelyn Brendemuhl;

Dolores Bruncke by William Bruncke;

Jim Buss by Ralph & Lola Behrens;

Mary Canty by Kathy Peterson;

Diane Chadwick’s mother by Doug & Lynette Auch;

George Clark by Reinhard & Maureen Friedrich;

My cousin by Kathy Meyer;

Robert W. Curry by Reinhard & Maureen Friedrich;

Mr. Arnold Daberkow by Rev. Terry Daberkow;

Velma Dahl by Rev. Jack & Barbara Dahl;

Irene Dankers by Richard Thimijan;

Oreata Davis by Steven & Jill Von Boeckman;

Elfrieda Dech by Trisha Adams, Mr. & Mrs. Erwin Aufdemberge, Paul & Linda Bartlett, Duane & Ruthann Bettcher, Jay & Jeanne Mackay, St Peter Lutheran Church Staff, Macomb, MI, Eric & Gale Thompson, Marge Ugalde;

Bill Dieatrick, Jr. by Rev. & Mrs. Don Meyer;

Bernice J. Dittmar by her loving family;

Alex Drumheller by Phil & Judy Yagla;

Leroy Duchow by Rev. & Mrs. Charles Gierke;

Marcus, Dorothea & George Duchow by Robert & Rose Wendt;

Candy Ducote by Lee Ducote;

Judy Dyer by Lola Blair, Peter & Becky Bullock, Nolan & Edith Camp, James Kurt, Denny & Judi Williams, William Wing & Kathy (Wing) Starr;

Silas Erickson by Rev. Kevin & Linda Patch;

My sister Evelyn by Lorene Rothfusz;

Rebekah Ann Finkel by Mark & Renee Finkel;

Mrs. Carl Fitchett by Rev. Carl Fitchett;

Lorelei Ruth Frank by Thomas & Corrine Frank;

Florence Friedrich by Steve & Kathy Fosness;

Margaret Fromm by Lloyd & Miriam Luehmann;

Walter Gaedke by Phyllis Terry, Dennis & Elaine West;

Dennis R. Gehl by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Jack Gehl by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Judith Gierke by Ruth Daube;

Judy Gierke by Harlan & Betty Busse;

Jack E. Giese by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Martha Giewald by Eldon & Judith Winker;

Charles Glover by Carl & Marilyn Schkade;

Wilma Gocke by Henry & Florence Paulus;

Eugene Gregoire by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Garland L. Gregoire by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Leon R. Gregoire by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Stan Grubb by Sharon Grubb;

Ellen Guiswite by Rev. Kevin & Linda Patch;

Herbert Hainline by Rev. John & Mary Lohman;

Duane Haley by Leila Smith;

Paula Hamilton by Margaret Heithold;

Mrs. Norma Haney by Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Cox;

Edwin Hanselman by his family;

Eunice C. Hanusa by Lois Hanusa;

Ernest Hasbargen by Janet Hasbargen;

Stephen Hentz by Rev. Bob & Marion Hentz;

Elsie A. Heppner by Harry Heppner;

Rev. Dr. Vern Hinz by James & Mary Queen;

Edna A. Hoeft by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Jonathon Anthony Hoeft by Virgil & Kathleen Rosin;

Jane Hoelz’s mother by Ardele Menken;

Emily Hoffman by Harvey & Marlene Beneke, Helen Bunge, Carver Lifelines LFL Chapter #096;

Hattie Hohbein by Ralph & Kathryn Forke;

Gary Hollatz by Sharon Hollatz;

Lila Honebrink by Helen Bunge;

Virginia E. Houf by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Harold Huebner by Rev. Mark & Mrs. Marcia Baldwin;

Gary Huisken by Gretchen Zitterich;

Ruby Huyck by Eugene & Sherry Johnson;

Karen Idt’s father by Doug & Lynette Auch;

Dr. Gregory Jablonovsky by Stevie Herndon;

Martin & Regina Jacobs by Rev. Arthur & Angeline Weidner;

Maxim Jakovac by Rodney & Dawn Rathmann;

Stella Jansen by Rev. Ed & Eileen Brandt;

Ruth Jipp by Hugo & Muriel Armbrecht, Larry & Jean Rupp;

Abi Johnson by D. Evelyn Petering;

Edward Jones by Welma Klute;

Irma Jorgensen by Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Armbrecht;

Dr. Paul E. Kaldahl by Mrs. Paul Kaldahl;

Ruth Kallies by Phyllis Schmoller;

Dr. Ewald Kane, Jr. by Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Lakamp;

Joan Kauffman by Rev. & Mrs. Don Meyer;

Linda Kearney by Harold & Joan Chapman;

Verne Kinne by Charles & Phyllis Trost;

William Kirchenberg by Allan & Donna Benson;

Baby Hannah Kirchner by Doug & Lynette Auch;

Dianne Klancir by Rev. Richard & Gayle Boehnke;

Carl Klaus by Byron & Donna Zuehlk;

Grace Kleckner by Rev. Mark & Kimberly Kleckner;

Rick Klever by Madeline Pedersen;

Rev. John Louis Konz by Richard & Nancy Briley, Faith Lutheran Church, Stephenville, TX, Rev. Harold Hein, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Midland, TX, Rev. A. Dean & Mrs. Loretta Kelm, LFL of Texas, Aileen Mundstock;

Howard Kooseman by Rev. Richard & Gayle Boehnke;

Helen Knauff by George & Cynthia Chapa;

Loren Knutzen by Rick & Jennie Dawson;

Dan Krueger by Kenny & Kie Maas;

Elmer Krueger by Carol Krueger;

Janet Krueger by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Larry A. Krueger by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Caryl Kuhlman by Trisha Adams, Hugo & Muriel Armbrecht, Joe & Irene Armbrecht, Mike & Dalona Fiscus, Rev. Marvin & Joyce Flanscha, Randy & Karen Frohwein, Richard & Gretchen Hartwig, Myrtis Kuhlman, Rev. Bruce & Deb Lakamp, Rev. Dr. Jim & RoxAnne Lamb, Richard Oehlsen, Jerilyn Richard, Don & Eloise Severidt;

Ron Kuhlmann by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Charter Oak, Iowa;

Al Kutchinski by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Charter Oak, Iowa;

Lorraine Landreth by Rev. Bruce & Deb Lakamp;

Shirley Landsparger by Thomas & Bernice Berlin;

Geneva Langebartels by Ken & Linda Haselhuhn;

Baby Lauren by Erna Schmid;

Ralph Lehman by Richard & Gretchen Hartwig;

Daris (Johnson) Lewis by John & Mary Pagenkopf;

Diane Lexuold by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Trost;

Arnold Likeness by Mrs. Marea Likeness;

Chip Limbaugh by Doris White;

Mrs. Fran Locklair by Ed & Ester Oehme;

Frank J. Loeffler, Jr. by Marie Spragg;

JoAnne Loomis by Ardella Boettcher;

Micah Benjamin Love by David Love;

Loved Ones in Heaven by Patricia Kratz;

Naomi Mager by Rev. Michael & Rhonda Harman;

My sister Margaret by Lloyd & Miriam Luehmann;

Kathleen Mascha by Olive Mascha;

Barbara Mason by Dorothy Edler;

Terry Maynard by Carolyn Olson;

Rev. John C. McKiness by John P. & Janice McKiness, Tom & Corinne Strumpel;

Sondra McLarty by Eugene & Sherry Johnson, Ardele Menken;

Douglas McRoberts by Richard Thimijan;

Ralph Mehlisch by Edith Armbrecht, Hugo & Muriel Armbrecht, Mike & Dalona Fiscus, Rev. Marvin & Joyce Flanscha, Randy & Karen Frohwein, Lucille Hunzelman, Bonnie Karsjen, Rev. Dr. Jim & RoxAnne Lamb, Dorothy Mehlisch;

Rosemarie Meluis by Mr. & Mrs. Dean Boekelheide;

Mrs. Ivis Merz by Marion Newman;

Lorena Meyer by Rev. Dr. Jim & RoxAnne Lamb;

Vic Meyer by Lavon & Fern Bohling;

Kathleen C. Michel by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Kenneth Michel by Marian L. Michel;

Pearl Milbrath by Rev. Kevin & Linda Patch;

Emma Miller by Sarah Brandt;

Betty Mittelstaedt by Rev. Arthur & Olga Senn;

Donald R. Moe by Alice Moe;

James S. Moen by Rev. Ed & Eileen Brandt;

Hilda Moore by Trisha Adams, John & Deb Allen & family, Hugo & Muriel Armbrecht, Joe & Irene Armbrecht, Randy & Karen Frohwein, Ray & Ruth Frohwein, Richard & Gretchen Hartwig, Lucille Hunzelman, Rev. Bruce & Deb Lakamp, Richard Oehlsen, Kenneth & Vera Pfantz, Mr. & Mrs. Steven Smith;

Hillard Mueller by Mrs. Viola Mueller;

Ruth Murphy by Mr. & Mrs. Fred Rodefeld;

Joshua Musser by Steve & Kathy Fosness;

Gerald Myers by Ron & Carol Jochimsen;

Rose Myers by Carolyn Blum;

George L. Nehus by Gladine Nehus;

Wallace Neuhaus by Rev. & Mrs. Don Meyer;

Gabriel Robert Noel by Rev. Howard & Verda Stewart;

Vicky Lynn Nooney by Dan, Lynn & Joseph Crivello, Daryl & Doris Favignano, Jerald & Ann Joersz, Ray & Ruth Koenig, Mildred Mauch, Mrs. Lois Meyer, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Meyer, Jeannine E. Moeller, John Schneider, John & Elva Schubert, Gene & Mary Stellhorn, Lambert & Janet Tiemann, Rev. & Mrs. Alger Tormoehlen;

Nels Norling by Allan & Donna Benson;

Bill Nostdahl by Rev. Kevin & Linda Patch;

Baby Micah Obsuszt by Allan & Donna Benson;

Sharon Oechsle by Steve & Kathy Fosness;

Betty Oehlsen by Richard Oehlsen;

Betty Ohlendorf by Rev. & Mrs. Don Meyer;

Rebecca Oliver by Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Lakamp;

Lynel Onken by Pearl Kurth;

Joan Lea Oostenbrug by Ardella Butler;

M. R. Pederson by Hugo & Muriel Armbrecht;

Elding Peterson by Robert & Mildred Bartels;

Rev. Charles Piazza by Rev. & Mrs. Glenn Renken;

Florence Plath by Jay & Jeanne Mackay;

Judith A. Pogue by John Reeves;

Mabel Potsic by Norman & Sandra Gurgel;

Walter Potthoff by Doug & Lynette Auch;

Jim Powell by Mrs. Janice Powell;

Kenneth Prichard & daughter by Richard Thimijan;

Rev. Armin Prowatzke by Sherry L. Prowatzke;

Issac Quickel by William & Linda Quickel;

Mollie Radtke by Judy Anderson;

Stewart Rang by Byron & Donna Zuehlk;

Magdalene Reaman by Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Lakamp;

Adele Renner by Sandy Danneman, Mr. & Mrs. James E. Norris, Lee & Liz Renner, Zion Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio;

Cheryl Rettig by Jay & Jeanne Mackay;

Geraldine Richard by John Kyrola & family, Jerilyn Richard & family;

Emery Paige Riegle by Rev. & Mrs. Arthur Reich;

Gordon Roberts by Donna L. Griess, Timothy & Annette Lord;

Judith Ann Robinson by Thomas & Roxanne Martensen;

W. O. Rorvig by Adeline Rorvig;

Clara Russell by Richard & Joanne Johannsen, Rev. Lowell & Patricia Kayser;

Marie Sand by Rev. & Mrs. Don Meyer;

Donald Sauer by Marshall & Ilsley Corporation;

Lloyd Schaan by Duane & Ruthann Bettcher;

James J. Schabach by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Marian M. Schabach by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Rev. Armin Schaefer by Mrs. Audrey Schaefer;

Rev. Dennis Schiefelbein by Rev. & Mrs. Herb Schiefelbein;

Jim Schultz by Bethine Klinker;

Lois Schumacher by Carl & Diane Schroeder;

Simon Scroggins by Hugo & Muriel Armbrecht;

Rev. & Mrs. E. J. Sedory by Daniel Sedory;

Mr. & Mrs. Erwin Seifferlein by Byron & Donna Zuehlk;

Rev. John Sellmeyer by Rev. Michael & Rhonda Harman;

Arnold Sielaff by Vic & Geri Schulz;

Mrs. Dorothy Simon by Ron & Carol Jochimsen;

Tony Smeraldi by Hank & Shirley Scheuermann;

Betty Smith by Rev. & Mrs. Don Meyer;

Bill Smith by Stevie Herndon;

Lucille Sohn by John & Mabel Gimbel, Rev. Dr. Jim & RoxAnne Lamb, Lorraine Zastrow;

Linden Speers by Richard & Jane Hoelz, David & Pat Knuth, Ardele Menken;

Bob Sporleder by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Charter Oak, Iowa;

Donald C. Spragg, Sr. by Marie Spragg;

Erika Margaret Steiner by Paul & Pamela Steiner;

Audrey D. Steinhilb by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Marion Stevens by Robert & Alice Ganskop;

Marian D. Storms by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Cary Strang by Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Lakamp;

Melvin W. Strasser by Barbara Strasser;

Helen Stumpfig by Alfred Stumpfig;

Walter Swindle by Stevie Herndon;

Orville Thede by Charles & Phyllis Trost;

Ken Tietje by Steve & Kathy Fosness;

Talmer Tjelmeland by Phyllis Terry;

Jay Tritelli by Ralph A. Welch;

Alta Troester by Don & Norma Troester;

Paul Troester by Mrs. Marlene Troester;

Baby Mallory Jo Vaith by Doug & Lynette Auch;

Margaret Venz by Rev. Bruce & Deb Lakamp;

Jack Vitalis by Greg & Becky Smith;

Rev. Paul VonDielingen by Eldon & Judith Winker;

Daniel Wagendorf by Ellis & La Verne Haake;

Cindy Warden by Chuck & Shirley M. Burkholder, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Potosi, Missouri;

Marie Weaver by Rev. Marvin & Marilyn Barz;

Lewis Webster by Jane Webster & family;

Aaron Wendorf by Thomas & Barbara Cloverdale, Jim & Donna Eusek, Friends, Rev. John & Maxine Johansen, Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Jorgenson, Holly Michaelis, Cory & Sally Poole & family, John & Jeanette Schultz, Terry & Barbara Sell, Michael & Glennise Wendorf;

Katy Wescoatt by Mark & Dee Dee Wescoatt;

Robert E. White by Doris White;

George Williams by Dennis & Judith Williams;

Samantha Williams by Judy Anderson;

Walter A. Wills by Dorothy M. Wills;

Ruth Wilson by Janice & David Oppedahl;

Eddie Winkelmann by Life Choices;

Ron Wischer by Andrew & Beth Gojkov;

Harland Wolken by Denny Goshon;

Arlene M. Zehetner by Rick & Susan Zehetner;

Rev. Timothy & Kathy Azzam by Lou & Miriam Kuhlmann;

My great-grandson "Baby Doc" by Victor Haynes;

Mildred Hanser Gross by Larry & Kitty Oetting;

Joan Grotelueschen by Lt. Col. Mark & Alison Groteleuschen;

Confirmation of Garrett Guimond by Michael & Glennise Wendorf;

Rev. & Mrs. G. F. Hallman by Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Ferguson;

Our sons’ biological mothers by Dean & Deanna Hobelmann;

Hilda Jochimsen by Ron & Carol Jochimsen;

Mary & Jason Johnson by Roger & Jane Henry;

Our daughters Kathy, Lora, & Sara and their families by Wilfred & Dorothy Ziekert;

Chester & Peggy Kizzire’s 60^th Wedding Anniversary by Glennise & Mike Wendorf;

Rev. & Mrs. Herb Kluck’s birthdays by Armand & Karen Haak;

The Krenning & Snyder families by Marguerite Krenning;

Martin Kretzmann’s birthday by Rev. & Mrs. James Kretzmann;

Phillip & Judy Kuehnert by Tyler H. Gill;

Our nine grandchildren by Rev. Bruce & Deb Lakamp;

Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Lakamp by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Boone, Iowa;

Deb Lakamp by Randy & Karen Frohwein;

Rev. Dr. James Lamb’s 25 years in the ministry by Dr. Elsa Brochman and Dr. Sam Murray, Terry & Connie Davis, Randy & Karen Frohwein;

Margaret Lion by Allan & Donna Benson;

My 10 healthy grandchildren by Elise Locke; Confirmation of Kasey Manley by Michael & Glennise Wendorf;

Ruby Maschke’s birthday by Rev. Kenneth & Mrs. Pam Lueke;

My daughter Maureen by Rosemary E. Wold;

Lydia Satorius Mayer by William Satorius;

Kent Meyerhoff’s support of LFL by Tonya Crawshaw;

Our grandchildren Mitchell, Molly, & Isabella by Ed & Esther Oehme;

Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Mueller by Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Kieffer;

Our 50^th Wedding Anniversary by Rev. John & Marian Obeda;

Mrs. Judith Otten by Eric & Kim Otten;

Arthur & Joan Phipps’ 60 Wedding Anniversary by Juanita H. Meschke;

Robert & Mary Jo Prahl by Mr. & Mrs. Warren Prahl;

Francis Rowe’s 90^th birthday by Edith Armbrecht;

Our 40^th Wedding Anniversary by Steve & Judy Rozek;

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Seward, Nebraska, by Nebraska Lutherans for Life;

Raymond & Lucille Schilling’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary by Terry & Jan Hedeman;

Tony Schmitz by Margaret Schmitz;

John & Jeanette Schultz’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary by Glennise & Mike Wendorf;

Our 50^th Wedding Anniversary by Joy & Leonard Siekert;

My daughter Stacey by Linda D. Taylor;

Gene & Mary Stellhorn’s 50^th Wedding anniversary by Mr. & Mrs. William Lichtenberg;

My precious children Steve, Scott, & Kristi by Cindy Geishecker;

The Sumsky family by Ruth Proft Dannehl;

Rev. & Mrs. Dale Sveom’s 25^th Wedding Anniversary by Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth L. Cox;

Alice Tepe by Ron & Carol Jochimsen;

Rev. Kent Umbarger’s 20 years in the ministry by Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Lakamp;

Robert & Marion Underhill by Jane Schwalm;

Irma Widdel’s 90^th birthday from Rev. Marvin & Marilyn Barz;

Jerry & Ardith Wolvin’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary by Donald & Norma Troester;

Dr. Jerry Yarnell by Amy Brandt;

Dr. Larry & Marianne Yoder by Fuad & Kathy Rihani;

Our family blessings by Rev. Bruce & Mary Zimmermann;

Byron Zuehlk’s 60^th birthday by Donna Zuehlk;