Kermit R. Lauterbach

Kermit Robert Lauterbach, age 86, joined the Church Triumphant December 26, 2020.  Kert was born to the Rev. William & Lillian Lauterbach on August 20, 1934 in Waupaca, WI.  He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Jean (nee Krenz) of over 66 years, his children James (Barbra), Laurie (Jeffrey) Matthews, David (Sharon Jarosz), Joel (Kelly), and Martin (Sheri) as well as 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother, Rev. W. Eugene (Betty) Lauterbach of Indianapolis, IN and his sister Carol (Roland) Brandt of Neenah, WI.

A memorial service and celebration of Kert's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 30, 2020 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2881 Division Road, Jackson, WI, with Pastor Paul Mittermeier presiding.  Due to COVID-19, attendance is limited and there will be not be a luncheon.  The service will be streamed live and available on the church's FaceBook page at:  St. John's Lutheran Church ELCA Jackson, WI.  Interment will be at a later date at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church Hochheim Cemetery, Towns of Theresa and Herman, WI.

Kert's family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Cedar Community Hospice and The Cottages at Cedar Run for the compassionate care they provided.

Kert earned a three-year diploma and later a B.S. Ed. from Concordia Teachers College – River Forest (Chicago) where he met his wife Carol.  He earned an M.S. Ed. from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, and a Theological Diploma from Lutheran School of Theology Chicago-Christ Seminary/Seminex.

Kert taught 2nd grade for three years at St. Paul Lutheran School, Rockford IL (1954-57).  He was teacher and Principal and built a new school at St. Peter Lutheran School, Schaumburg IL (1957-62).  He was teacher, Principal and Director of Christian Education (DCE) at Immanuel Lutheran School, Freeport IL (1962-67), where he organized the Tri­ State basketball tournament among Lutheran schools in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, which still continues.  He served as DCE at Cross Lutheran Church in Maplewood, MN (1967-74).  He was called as a Minister of Christian Education and Youth at Messiah Lutheran Church, Fairview Park, OH (1974-87).  He then served as pastor of

All Saints Lutheran Church in Olmsted Falls, OH from his ordination, December 13, 1987 until retiring in October 2001.  While at All Saints the membership grew five-fold and there he built a new church.

He served on the English District and English Synod Board of Directors and on the Northeastern Ohio Synod Council.  He served as delegate or officer on dozens of regional and national church boards and organizations.  He did editorial or review work for Lutheran Education Journal and the Augsburg, Concordia and Winston Publishing Houses.  He was columnist for the English Synod and wrote articles and editorials for several Lutheran publications.  He organized and directed the TEAM National Film Festival for several years.  He is listed in the first editions of Marquis' Who' s Who in Religion.  He served as internship supervisor for four seminaries, as internship supervisor and lecturer for Concordia University-Saint Paul, and as an adjunct professor at Ashland Theological Seminary.

In retirement he served as supply pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Reformed traditions.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Kert's arrangements.  Please consider signing the online guest book (www.myrhum-patten.com) to share your condolences with the family.  Cards addressed to the family may be sent in care of:  Laurie Matthews, 1614 Longmeadow Drive, West Bend, WI  53095.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran World Relief.