In memory Clergy Spouses

Lois Jane Knecht 1928-2022

Jane Knecht, 93, surviving spouse of the Rev. Dave Knecht, died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Farmstead Estates in Moorhead, Minnesota. A memorial service was held Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Fargo First United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota. Burial was in the Fargo National Cemetery at Harwood, North Dakota.

Lois Jane Sheldon was born in Fargo, North Dakota, on September 2, 1928, to Charles and Florence Sheldon of Wheatland, North Dakota. Jane grew up on the family farms, both of which were near Wheatland. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1946.

After attending North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo for two years, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Valley City State University in 1951. On August 12, 1951, Jane married David F. Knecht at the Wheatland Methodist Church.

Jane taught in Wilmette, Illinois, for two years while Dave finished his seminary education. They returned to North Dakota, where Dave served Methodist and United Methodist churches at Fairmount-Bethany, Fargo Faith, and Bismarck McCabe. He then was a district superintendent and then administrative assistant to Bishop Edwin Boulton, before serving at Fargo First and as interim pastor at Bismarck McCabe.

Jane worked as a paraprofessional at Northridge Elementary

Frieda Hultin 1924-2022

Frieda Hultin, 97, of Fargo, North Dakota, surviving spouse of the Rev. Irvin Hultin, died Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in a Fargo nursing care center. Funeral services were held Monday, June 20, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. Interment was at the Turtle Lake Cemetery in Turtle Lake.

Frieda Bauer was born on June 17,

School in Bismarck. When the family moved to Fargo in 1979, Jane returned to North Dakota State University and earned her master’s degree in counseling and guidance in 1983. In 1984 she joined forces with two other women to establish Discovery Counseling and Educational Center in Fargo.

In the fall of 1988, Jane taught educational psychology at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Resigning from Discovery Counseling in 1990, she joined Dave on a pulpitexchange program that took them to Kingswinford, England, for a year. Upon their return to Fargo, Jane began teaching again.

When Dave retired from the ministry, Jane and Dave became increasingly involved in volunteer ministries within the United States and overseas, including interim missionary work in Lithuania. They enjoyed spending time at the Haven, their cabin on Little Wolf Lake near Cass Lake, Minnesota.

Jane is remembered as strong, stubborn, compassionate, funny, loving, fair, and patient.

She is survived by seven children: Kathy Knecht of Fargo, North Dakota, Margaret (Scott) Schaar of Fargo, North Dakota, Jeanne (Duane) Scheffler of South Dakota, Laurie (AJ) Kluver of Alexandria, Minnesota, Chris (Ryan) Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, Jon (Amy) Knecht of Mapleton, Minnesota, and Tim Knecht of Grand Forks, North Dakota; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Dave, on September 11, 2018.

1924, to William and Magdalena (Wanner) Bauer on the family farm southwest of Mercer, North Dakota. She was raised and educated in the Mercer area and attended Mercer Consolidated School. After graduating in 1942, she left the farm to work as a waitress at the Turtle Lake Hotel and Restaurant and then as a clerk at the Haas Mercantile and Grocery Store. In 1949, she enrolled at the Lutheran Brethren Bible College in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. After graduating, she then enrolled in the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Frieda’s career as a nurse took her to hospitals in Bismarck and Rugby, North Dakota; Miles City, Montana; and Fergus Falls. She then was the school nurse and dean of women at Hillcrest Academy in Fergus Falls. Minnesota. During her employment at the Turtle Lake Hospital, she met the Rev. Irvin L. Hultin. They were married on August 3, 1964, at the Turtle Lake Methodist Church.

Irv and Frieda served Methodist and United Methodist churches in North Dakota at Turtle Lake-McClusky, SterlingDriscoll, Hazen-Beulah-Zap, Tuttle-Robinson, Rock LakeClyde, and Marion-Dickey.

Irv retired in 1986, and they moved to Minot, North Dakota. Frieda worked as a night nurse at Trinity Nursing Home from 1986 to 2003. Irv died July 15, 2010.

She was a member of the United Methodist Women and held state and local church women offices, led local church mission

Evelyn Blumer 1932-2022

Evelyn Blumer, 90, spouse of the Rev. Boyd Blumer, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Burial followed at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Evelyn Elaine Roepke was born on May 14, 1932, to Bernhardt and Edna (Rahe) Roepke in Barnes, Kansas. She attended rural elementary school at Bodaville, Kansas, and graduated from high school in Clay Center, Kansas. After high school, Evelyn received her Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and home economics from Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Boyd A. Blumer on August 24, 1954, in Barnes. Together they served EUB, Methodist and United Methodist churches in North Dakota and South Dakota at Goodrich-Chaseley, Clear Lake-Gary, Aberdeen Faith-Bath, Sioux Falls First, Hartford, and Sturgis. Boyd also served as Northern District Superintendent and Central District Superintendent, and he and Evelyn were directors of the Tree of Life Ministry at Mission from 1995 to 1997. Boyd studies and adult and youth Sunday school classes, and taught vacation Bible school. She also was a certified lay speaker, filling empty pulpits when needed. retired in 1997, and they lived in Mitchell, South Dakota, for many years before moving to Sioux Falls.

Frieda enjoyed people, traveling, reading, canning, playing board games at home, and building jigsaw puzzles. She often said that her greatest reward was knowing that the residents and patients in her care were made comfortable and were cared for and loved.

Frieda is survived by her son, David (Judy) Hultin, of Fargo; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Irv; her parents; and her siblings: Lydia Bauer, Fredrich Bauer, Jacob Bauer, Emma Fischer, Elizabeth Laib, John Bauer, and Martha Hoppe.

Throughout the years Evelyn worked as a school secretary, district school office secretary, and as coordinator of mission projects. She was an active member of United Methodist Women and the American Association of University Women.

Evelyn loved sunflowers, which were a reminder of her home state of Kansas. She transplanted her mother’s irises to each place they lived. She was an avid reader and kept a diary of all the books she had read. Evelyn was quietly passionate about mission work, especially Tree of Life Ministry and LaGonave Alive, a ministry in Haiti. She organized a mission kit program at Mitchell First United Methodist Church.

Evelyn is survived by her husband, Boyd; three sons: Craig (Barbara) Blumer of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bruce (Sharon) Blumer of Tea, South Dakota, and Kurt Blumer of Chicago, Illinois; a daughter, Susan (Ed) Togel of Watertown, South Dakota; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, with one on the way; a brother, Ross Roepke of Tullahoma, Tennessee; and a sister, Joyce Heddleson of San Luis Obispo, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Keith Roepke, and a sister Arlyss Wendland.

Arlene Towler 1928-2022

Arlene Towler, 94, spouse of the Rev. James Towler, of Sartell, Minnesota, died Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Sartell. Burial was in North Star Cemetery at St. Cloud.

Arlene Marie Davis was born on March 8, 1928, to Roy and Ella (Brooks) Davis in Mankato, Minnesota, where she grew up. In high school, Arlene was active in Spanish Club and Neu Tau Girl Reserves of the YWCA. She was active in the Wesley Foundation at Mankato State Teachers College, where she graduated.

Arlene taught school for a year. On August 25, 1951, she married James Towler. They moved to Madison, New Jersey, where Jim attended Drew Theological Seminary. Arlene joined the Woman’s Society of Christian Service in 1953 at Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York, where they lived. She held several district offices in WSCS and United Methodist Women in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

In 1955 they moved back to Minnesota. Jim transferred to the North Dakota Conference of The Methodist Church in 1964. Together he and Arlene served Methodist and United Methodist churches in North Dakota at Fargo First, Bowbells-Coteau-Kenmare, Arthur-Hunter-Erie, and Langdon-Hannah. Jim then transferred to the South Dakota Conference, and they served at Miller-Greenleaf, Timber Lake-Timber Lake ALC (ELCA)-Isabel UCC-Timber Lake

Beverly Kinzler 1930-2022

Beverly Kinzler, 92, of Bismarck, North Dakota, surviving spouse of the Rev. Dr. Ed Kinzler Jr., passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. A memorial service was held Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck. Interment was in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at Mandan, North Dakota.

Beverly June Nelson was born on June 21, 1930, to Ben and Edith (Gordon) Nelson in Bismarck. She was the second of eight children. Bev graduated from Bismarck High School in 1948.

On January 7, 1949, she married Marvin Oberlander, and they had four children. The family lived in Sioux Falls, South

ABC, and Presho-Kennebec-Reliance.

Arlene started art departments at schools in Pine River, Minnesota, and Arthur, North Dakota. Her love of creating things led her into quilting in 1958. She quilted banners for the South Dakota Conference of The United Methodist Church and for local congregations. She started teaching quilting in 1975 and demonstrated quilting at an exposition held at the opening of the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck. She was an organizer of the South Dakota Quilters Guild in 1985 and was its first president. One of her firstprize quilts, “Summer Fragrance,” was published in the book First Prize Quilts by Dimetra Makris (1984).

Arlene conducted leadership training for Sunday School teachers, taught Sunday School, and worked with youth programs. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts and a leader in the Campfire Girls.

Jim retired in 1994, and they moved to St. Cloud. Arlene enjoyed bird watching, knitting, quilting, and camping with the family, which included canoe trips to the Boundary Waters.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Jim, of Sartell; a son, Dwight (Colleen) Towler of Dallas, Texas; a daughter, Karri Lin Cortlandt of Cloquet, Minnesota; brother-in-law Roger (Sue) Towler of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota; sister-in-law

Dorothy Towler of Rock Island, Illinois; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister and brother-in-law, Luella and Robert Rose.

Dakota; Mandan, and Cleveland, North Dakota. After Marvin died on October 20, 1967, Bev moved to Bismarck and then to Chicago, Illinois, for a short time, before returning to Cleveland.

On May 26, 1973, Bev married the Rev. Otto Edward Kinzler Jr., a retired Navy chaplain. Together they served United Methodist churches in North Dakota at Rocklake-Clyde, Minot North Hill-Des Lacs, Larimore, and Devils Lake.

Bev and Ed traveled to almost every state in their motor home. Following Ed’s retirement from the ministry in 1986, they spent much of their time golfing, being with family, and playing cards with friends. Ed died June 29, 2015.

Bev’s hobbies included crocheting and embroidering, and she was an accomplished seamstress who sewed clothing for her family and others. She enjoyed making beautifully decorated cakes for special occasions. She sang in church choirs and participated in adult Bible studies and daily devotions.

Bev is survived by her daughters: Valarie (Vaughn) Johnson of Perth, North Dakota, and Renae (Wayne) Ash of Sidney, Montana; daughter-in-law Margaret Oberlander of Bismarck, North Dakota; step-children: Chris (Herb) Burton of New Mexico, Eunice (Gordon) Herring of Texas, Dan (Mary) Kinzler of Florida, Phil (Karen) Kinzler and Paul (Tiffany) Kinzler of Idaho; brothers: Bruce Nelson of Bismarck, North Dakota, Dick Nelson of Maryland, and Earl Nelson

Linnea Worner 1927-2022

Linnea Worner, 95, surviving spouse of the Rev. George Worner, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022, at Colorado Springs, Colorado. A memorial gathering was held Sunday, May 7, 2023, at a family home. Inurnment was on Monday, May 8, 2023, at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

Linnea Elinor Asplund was born on July 28, 1927, to Otto Conrad Asplund and Karley Ogat Eriksen Asplund in Bismarck, North Dakota. She graduated from Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, in 1950, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences.

Linnea met George John Worner at camp the summer before her college graduation. George told a friend, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry,” and then pushed Linnea into the pool to get her attention. They were married on June 2, 1951, in Naperville, Illinois.

After George graduated from Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville in 1955, he and Linnea served together in North Dakota at the Hebron Evangelical United Brethren Church until 1959. George went on active duty as a U.S. Air Force chaplain and served two years at Reese Air Force Base in Texas before he and Linnea returned to North Dakota. Together they served EUB churches at BowbellsCoteau, Casselton-Chaffee, and Mandan Good Shepherd.

of West Fargo, North Dakota; sisters: Shirley Upham of Mandan, North Dakota, and Karen Ressler of West Fargo, North Dakota; sisters-in-law: Bernice Shaffer of Jamestown, and Betty Kinzler of Iowa; 24 grandchildren and 33 greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, Marvin Oberlander and Ed Kinzler; her parents; two sons: Scott and Rick Oberlander; two brothers: Dennis and Terry Nelson; and two great-grandchildren.

George returned to active duty as an Air Force chaplain in 1966, and they served together at McClellan AFB in California, Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, Hickam AFB in Hawaii, Eglin AFB in Florida, Edwards AFB in California, Clark AFB in the Philippines, and in San Antonio, Texas. He retired from the Air Force in 1985 and from the North Dakota Conference in 1988. George and Linnea remained in San Antonio, where he served as supply pastor at Texas United Methodist churches until 1991, when they moved to Colorado Springs to be close to family and friends.

Linnea transformed each new residence into a home filled with love and the ever-present aromas of pies, cookies, chicken soup, and roast in the oven. While stationed in Hawaii, Linnea learned the art of quilting and made intricate creations for family and friends.

She was an adventurous traveler like her mother. In their retirement, Linnea and George traveled around the United States and to Japan, The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, and England. Linnea enjoyed the outdoors, swimming, taking walks, gardening, and golfing.

Linnea is survived by five children: LeAnne (Bob) Miller, Sheila (Doug) Matthew, Christine (Sam) Eldridge, Rebecca Lussier, and Elroy (Carmela) Worner; 9 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her sister June (Wayne) Marty; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George, on September 6, 2013; her parents, and her brother, Otto Warren Asplund.

Dan Kersey-Russell 1959 -2022

Dan Kersey-Russell, 63, spouse of the Rev. Jeanine Kersey-Russell, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, due to pneumonia, viral infections, and health issues. A memorial service was held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck.

Dan was born on June 29, 1959, to David and Janice (Brown) Russell in the United States Naval Base Hospital at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. His mother remarried and moved the family to Grand Forks, North Dakota. He became one of eleven brothers—step, full, and half.

After Dan graduated from Central High School in 1977, he married and had three children. He was the second chef on staff at the iconic Whitey’s in East Grand Forks for the next 23 years, where he learned the art of making liver pâté and chicken wild rice soup.

Harryette Sjursen 1932-2023

Harryette Sjursen, 90, surviving spouse of the Rev. Ralph Sjursen, died peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona, with family by her side. A celebration of life service is planned for Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Arthur, North Dakota.

Harryette Joy Albert was born on April 3, 1932, to Harry and Helga Albert on the Henry Hill Farm northwest of Erie, North Dakota. She grew up on the family farm south of Erie and attended school in Erie. As a young girl, she enjoyed yodeling while driving the International Harvester Farmall Model H tractor.

In 1949, Harryette graduated from Erie High School and then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, for two years. She completed medical laboratory technician training in Minot, North Dakota, graduating with honors. She worked as a medical lab technician at Trinity Hospital in Minot.

During this time, she met Ralph Sjursen who taught science and math at Dakota Lutheran High School in Minot. He frequently donated blood at Trinity Hospital to earn extra income. They were married on June 6, 1953, in Erie.

In 1997, Dan met the Rev. Jeanine (Kersey) O’Neal. They married on April 17, 1998, and changed their last names to Kersey-Russell. Dan adopted Jeanine’s son, Bill. Dan and Jeanine had triplet sons and adopted five more children. Dan loved fostering children, and they had more than 80 children come and go from their home.

Dan worked many jobs. In Bismarck, he worked at St. Alexius in housekeeping, at the CAT Bus as a driver, at Denny’s as a cook, and at Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Most recently, he was a bus driver for Harlow’s Bus Service taking children to and from school, which he loved.

Dan had many hobbies. He began volunteering with the Boy Scouts in the late 1990s. He was a scoutmaster and the proud father of four Eagle Scouts. His home projects included building a treehouse for their kids. He loved the outdoors and camping and traveling with his family across the United States.

Dan is survived by his wife, Jeanine, and his family and many friends.

A career change for Ralph took them back to his home state of New Jersey. While Ralph attended seminary, Harryette worked at Greystone Psychiatric Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey. The couple then moved to Gilberton, Pennsylvania, for their first parish assignment.

In 1956, they returned to North Dakota, where they served Methodist and United Methodist churches at Velva-Benedict, Hunter-Arthur, Dickinson, and Grassy Butte. After Ralph’s retirement in 1991, they continued serving at Grassy Butte and Belfield Presbyterian Church until 2001.

While serving the church in Dickinson, the family’s need for a special education classroom led the couple to take a leadership role in the development of community services for children with special needs. Harryette enjoyed being a foster parent and was recognized for her work providing services to individuals with special needs.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchild. She and Ralph enjoyed keeping Saturdays open for family fun, often exploring the badlands of southwestern North Dakota.

Harryette is survived by her son, Phillip (Sheila) of Bismarck, North Dakota; daughter Greta of Phoenix, Arizona; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Doris Gist 1929-2023

Doris Gist, 93, spouse of the Rev. Rodney Gist, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. A memorial service was held on Monday, February 20, 2023, at First United Methodist Church of Sioux Falls, with the Rev. Sara Nelson officiating. The inurnment was at Richland Cemetery in Inwood, Iowa.

Doris Jean Leivestad was born on February 17, 1929, to Olof and Lucille (Foote) Leivestad in their home at Inwood. Her seventh birthday present was piano lessons. At Inwood High School, she accompanied all the musical groups under Mr. Dahl’s direction and won numerous prizes at the music contests, before graduating in 1947. Doris studied music education at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating summa cum laude in 1951. Many years later, while her children were in high school, she earned a master’s degree in education from Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Doris taught vocal and instrumental music in Soldier, Iowa, for kindergarten through high school. She also taught English in Soldier. Two weeks before beginning her work in Soldier, she met Rodney Gist at his grandmother’s funeral service in Inwood, where Doris was the pianist. After their first date that night, they corresponded for two years while Rod finished his theological education at Garrett Biblical Institute. They were married on the day he graduated, June 15, 1953. Together Doris and Rod served Methodist and United Methodist churches in South Dakota at Viborg-Irene, Sioux Falls First, Britton-Langford, Canistota-Salem, CanistotaRiverside (Presbyterian), Spearfish, Gregory Larger Parish, and Canton. They also served at Louth and Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom.

Doris taught piano to hundreds of students in the communities in which they served. Her attention to detail was evidenced by hand-sewing matching dresses for a Mother’s Day tea for her mother, herself, her daughters, her foster daughter, and her daughters’ dolls. She was a caregiver for her sister, Muriel, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, and her mother.

Doris enjoyed finding punctuation errors in the many books she read, knitting, watching lunar eclipses, learning butterfly species while volunteering at the Sertoma Butterfly House in Sioux Falls, and seeing variations in the flora and fauna on drives and walks that she loved to take.

Since 2002, Doris and Rod lived in Sioux Falls and were active at First United Methodist Church. They also enjoyed flights and cruises to at least 25 countries.

Doris is survived by her husband, Rodney; two daughters: Barbara (David) Cook of Fennimore, Wisconsin, and Linda (James) Marten of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Mary Ann Rager 1928-2023

Mary Ann Rager, 94, surviving spouse of the Rev. Wayne Rager, died Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Canton, South Dakota.

Mary Ann Damm was born on July 15, 1928, to Karl and Johanna (Jensen) Damm in Centerville, South Dakota. A few years later, her family moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where she graduated from Yankton High School in 1946. She went on to obtain her teaching certificate from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, South Dakota, and taught country school for three years.

Mary Ann married Wayne Rager on July 31, 1949, in Yankton. Together Wayne and Mary Ann served Methodist and United Methodist churches in South Dakota at Irene-

Lorraine Werner 1926-2023

Lorraine Werner, 96, surviving spouse of the Rev. Edwin Werner, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida. A memorial service is planned for the summer of 2023, with interment at Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Lorraine Ruth Schafer was born on June 10, 1926, to Walter and Ruth (Bueche) Schafer. She met Edwin H. Werner while attending college in Naperville, Illinois. They were married on June 19, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio.

Lorraine and Edwin returned to North Dakota and served the Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist churches at Walcott-Kindred (1946-1949), McCluskey-Mercer (1946-1956), Tappen-Medina (1956-1959), Marion (19591962), Hazen-Buelah-Zap (1962-1968), Pembina-JolietteHumboldt, Minnesota (1968-1975), and Harvey-Martin-

Viborg, Scotland, Tyndall, White-Sterling, HitchcockBroadland, Canton, Sioux Falls Sunnycrest-Ellis, and Madison. When Wayne retired in 1990, they moved back to Canton.

Mary Ann’s passions were art and poetry, thrilling family and friends with her creative writing abilities and pencil portraits. She loved cooking, baking, music, cleaning, and drinking black coffee.

Mary Ann is survived by two sons: Daniel (Linda) Rager of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Tom (Deb Simunek) Rager of Luverne, Minnesota; five grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, on June 7, 2013; son David on December 28, 2012; her parents; and two sisters: Ann Knutson and Joyce Suga.

Chaseley (1975-1982). Following Edwin’s retirement, they served at Bowbells-Coteau-Donnybrook-Kenmare (19821984) and Rolla-Dunseith (1984-1988).

Lorraine served as a local pastor under appointment to RollaDunseith (1988-1990) and then Antelope United Methodist Church, near Morton, North Dakota (1990-1994). She was very involved in the United Methodist Women and served as the North Dakota president. She also served on the conference’s Episcopacy Committee.

Lorraine and Edwin had five children: Ruth Nesheim, Kathryn Berge, Mark Werner, the Rev. Joel Certa-Werner, who serves in the Wisconsin Conference, and the Rev. David Werner, who serves in the Minnesota Conference. Grandson Rev. Thanael Certa-Werner serves at Cavalier Trinity in the Dakotas Conference.

Edwin preceded Lorraine in death on July 7, 1988.