Rev. David H. Andreae
Rev. David Harold Andreae, age 80, passed away Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at the Elkader Care Center. He was born March 18, 1943, in Oelwein to Herbert J. and Esther M. (Zwanziger) Andreae. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Sebald Lutheran Church, rural Strawberry Point. The family farmed in Clayton County between Strawberry Point and Volga in Sperry Township.
He attended public school at Volga, and was a member of the last class to graduate—class of 1961—before consolidation into Central Community Schools at Elkader, and he was the valedictorian of the class. David then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor of arts degree in history and Greek, and from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, in 1969, with a bachelor of divinity degree. He always said, with all the bachelors degrees and several older unmarried relatives in the family, he came by his bachelor marital status quite honestly!
During seminary years, David spent a summer and some time during the school year as a student pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Clinton; his official year of internship was at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Walla Walla, Wash., in 1967-1968.
Following ordination on June 8, 1969, he was installed in July 1969 as pastor of Bethel, Elm Grove, and Elk Valley Lutheran Churches, near Larimore and McCanna, N.D. David spent 22 enjoyable years serving that three-point rural parish. However, the “homing” instinct kicked in and he was installed on Aug. 4, 1991 as pastor of Big Canoe and Highland Lutheran Churches, rural Highlandville (he said Decorah is a southwestern suburb). This brought him closer to family again, and still allowed him to be the German Shepherd to a wonderful, rural Norwegian parish much like his North Dakota parish had been. After 22 years of service to Big Canoe and Highland congregations, he retired and moved to Waukon. It was a bit unusual that he served only two parishes in 44 years, but he did supply preaching, leading worship for congregations whose pastors were away, or for those who did not currently have a pastor. David enjoyed this. He was responsible only for Sunday worship and people appreciate having help for Sunday service. The challenge was no two congregations seemed to use the same order of service!
David’s hobbies were numerous: motorcycling, snowmobiling toy (and real) tractors. His John Deere toy collection is now on display at the Froelich Tractor Museum in Froelich. He had a private pilot license and owned a Cessna 172 and a Cessna 182. He was a member of the Luren Singing Society, the oldest Norwegian American men’s’ chorus, Decorah. He was also a member of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Sons of Norway, the Torsk Klubbe, the North Dakota Heritage Foundation in Bismarck, N.D., the Two-Cylinder Club (for old John Deere tractor addicts), headquartered in Grundy Center, the Iowa State Snowmobile Association and the Winn Trail Twisters Snowmobile Club.
Survivors include two younger sisters, Nancy A. (Gary) Klingman of rural Strawberry Point and Jane M. (Jerome) Godson of Volga; nephews Mace (Kristin) Klingman and Matt (Sabine) Klingman; nieces, Heather (Ted) Schuler, Jody (Shawn) Harmsen and Jennifer (Dan) Zomchek; 10 great-nieces and nephews and many friends.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Esther Andreae.
Visitation was Jan. 28, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader. Funeral was Jan. 29, at St. Sebald Lutheran Church, rural Strawberry Point, with Vicar Brittney Barkus officiating.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.
