Frederick W. Henkelmann

Reverend Frederick W. Henkelmann, 76, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Pigeon, died on December 25, 2024.

Fred was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on June 25, 1948, to Reverend Ernst and Evelyn (Westphal) Henkelmann. At age 2, his family moved to Pigeon, Michigan where he attended Cross Lutheran School and Laker High School, graduating in 1966. Fred received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wartburg College in 1970, the same year he married Raylene Friederich on June 20th.

Fred continued on to earn his Master of Divinity degree in 1974 from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, during which time he spent his one year internship at Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, Oklahoma. Fred, Raylene, and daughter Sarah moved to Cleveland, Australia in 1974, where he served three congregations for six years – St. James, St. Paul, and Faith Lutheran. During this time, son Matthew and daughter Rachel were born. In 1980, he returned to the United States with his family and served eight years as pastor to Dovre Lutheran Church in Newburg, North Dakota and English Lutheran Church in Maxbass, North Dakota. In 1988, he was called as pastor to Peace Lutheran Church in Linton, ND, and served until he retired in 2013.

Fred was a dedicated father, actively engaged in his children’s lives, and his love for Raylene was evident throughout their 54 ½ years of marriage. He attended every school sports and music event, and never missed an opportunity to help his kids, even rebounding basketballs, or timing their workouts. He played tennis, followed Detroit baseball and football, and was a ham radio operator. Fred followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather to be a Pastor, and he was a faithful servant of God to the very end of his life.

Fred is survived by his wife Raylene and their three children, Sarah Henkelmann, Matthew (Charlene) Henkelmann, and Rachel (Adam) Henderson, and two grandchildren, Eli Henderson and John Henkelmann.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Ruth and Lois.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Tuesday, December 31st at Cross Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be 2-6pm Monday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Pigeon.

Memorials may be made to Cross Lutheran Church Organ Fund, Lutheran World Relief (give.LWR.org), or your local church.