THE REVEREND O. H. CLOETER   

Pastor Cloeter

     The Reverend O. H. Cloeter, age 88 of Faribault, died on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.
     Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault.
     Visitation will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and also on Wednesday for one hour prior to the services.
    Ottomar Helmut Cloeter was born July 9th, 1920 to Rev. Richard T.O. and Mathilda (nee Meyer) Cloeter in Pomeroy, Iowa, his mother’s home. He received birth into God’s family of grace through Holy Baptism on July 25, 1920, and later confirmed his faith in Christ Jesus as his Savior on March 25, 1934 at St. Peter (Bell) Lutheran Church, Waterville, MN. He spent a few infant months in southwestern South Dakota, and then moved to Ormsby (Galena Township) Minnesota where he spent his early childhood years. He lived his elementary school years in Akron, Colorado after which the family moved to rural Waterville (Elysian Township), Minnesota. He attended Concordia College, St. Paul graduating in 1940, and in the fall of that year he began his seminary training at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He spent a year of vicarage (1943-44) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the seminary in January 1945 with a Master of Divinity degree and as a member of the only Epiphany class in the seminary’s history.
His first call took him to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bristol, Connecticut, where he was ordained on February 11, 1945 and where he served as assistant pastor in a large congregation that still had German services. In 1950 he accepted the call to St. James Lutheran Church in Northrup, Minnesota, serving there until January 1957 when he accepted the call to Trinity Lutheran Church of Faribault, Minnesota serving there until 1978. That summer he was elected president of the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. He continued serving in that office until his retirement in 1991.
     Through the years he also served in a number of other offices at various times: Vice- president of the Minnesota South District from 1966-74; regional pastoral representative on the District Board of Directors from 1974-78; a member of the District Evangelism Committee; chairman of the District Social Ministry Committee; Chairman of the District Mission Administration Committee; member of the District Campus Committee; member of the Lutheran Social Services Board of Directors; chairman of the Board of Regents of Concordia College in St. Paul for 13 years; secretary of the Council of Presidents of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. In 1980, Concordia College of St. Paul conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Letters (Litt.D), “honoris causa.”
     On June 3, 1945 he was united in marriage to Elsie Lorenz at St. Peter (Bell) Lutheran Church in rural Waterville. They are the parents of seven children: Renata (Gary) Brand, Richard (Christine), Paul (Nancy), Carl (Judy), Roberta (Scott) Wiesehan, Robert (Marilyn), and Anita; 18 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Lorna Vogt, and Victoria (Don) Langewisch; brothers Waldo (Betty), Martin (Dorothy), Hubert (Diane), and Edwin (Judy); brother-in-law Rudolph Jonke; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
     His parents, sister Paula Jonke, sister-in-law Mildred Cloeter and brother-in-law Myron Vogt preceded him in death.
     He entered his eternal rest on Saturday, August 30, 2008. The body of Ottomar Cloeter will be buried at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault and will await the day of resurrection when it will reunite with his soul which, through faith in Jesus Christ, is now in heaven

 


 Guest Book Memories Will Be Recorded Below
   

Name:
Debbie Eaton Ties
Email:
debra_ties@yahoo.com
Date:
Tuesday September 09, 2008

Memories

I was blessed to have known Carl, Berta, and Renata many years ago. I spent an exciting summer with Carl and Berta at Camp Omega and then several years later joined Emmaus Lutheran in St. Paul and became friends with Renata. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Name:
Karen Gudknecht
Email:
karengudknecht@aol.com
Date:
Tuesday September 09, 2008

Memories

Hello Anita and family, Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. Although I won't put all my many great memories to pen, I will never forget my experiences and education at Trinity and especially our friendship. I hope someday you can reconnect with your Peace and Trinity cheerleading buddies, Christa, Brenda and Teresa. We all send our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all and again my sympathies, Karen Naples, FL

Name:
Joyce Krueger Fuerst
Email:
j.fuerst@utanet.at
Date:
Monday September 08, 2008

Memories

dear Family members, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies at the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, the Rev. O.H. Cloeter. to help explain a little who I am: I am the youngest daughter of Bernard A. Krueger, who died in 1988. As I attended Trinity lutheran church and school as a child, I knew Rev. Cloeter very well. But it was in 1974, upon my graduation from Luther College, that Rev. Cloeter helped me the most. I was torn between accepting a teaching position in Iowa, which my parents wanted more than anything, and a year abroad in Austria on a Fullbright scholarship. I won't go into detail, but the turmoil in my family was so great, that I went to Rev. Cloeter for advice. Although I actually expected him to side with my parents, he was not only extremely kind and very objective, he told me simply to just follow my heart. This was almost 35 years ago. I have been living in Austria since 1974, am happily married with two adult children (22 and 25), have a wonderful husband, home and also a position as a professor of English at a business college. His advice was simple and kind and I am grateful to him to this day that he helped me so much on that fateful morning. I have REv. Cloeter to thank for the very sound advice he gave me. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to tell him that myself, I hope this will give you a little insight into his inner strength and understanding of people when they are in dire need, and also a little joy and pride after reading this short letter. yours sincerely, Joyce Krueger Fuerst

Name:
Jim & Sharon Drache
Email:
jpdrache@deskmedia.com
Date:
Sunday September 07, 2008

Memories

Our deepest regrets to hear the passing of great man, teacher and pastor. Pastor Cloeter was well respected by me as I had him as my confirmation teacher at Trinity. He also preached several times as a fill in pastor at our current church in Medford. The times he did come and preach he always remembered me. It was always a joy to see him and talk to him. Pastor Cloeter was very dedicated to God and we all know he is with God in Heaven. God Bless. Jim & Sharon Drache Medford, MN

Name:
Mrs. Glenn (Trudy) Wiechmann
Email:
Date:
Wednesday September 03, 2008

Memories

Elsie, I would have been with you today but since I can not, I do want you to know I pray that the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will grant you comfort,strength and joy YES Victory in the resurrection. You are blessed with a very wonderful family. Your sister in Christ,Trudy

Name:
Kate (Turner) Pelant
Email:
katiepelant@hotmail.com
Date:
Wednesday September 03, 2008

Memories

Dear Cloeter Family: I was saddened to hear that the Reverend had passed away. He was blesssed to have such a loving family. The community was blessed to have had such a wonderful pastor. I have fond memories of growing up next door on Minnesota Place. I can still hear Carl practicing hymns on the piano on warm summer evenings. Berta was my best friend and I was lucky that we could whistle for each to come and play. Mrs. Cloeter made the most delicious breads and baked goods and sometimes Berta would share with me. I know that your faith and love will comfort you during this sad time. Thank you all for these beautiful memories. God bless.

Name:
Tim and Julie (Thimjon) Costello
Email:
NDbentrider@cableone.net
Date:
Wednesday September 03, 2008

Memories

Julie and I have the Cloeter family in our thoughts and prayers. Julie and I were at CSP when a number of the Cloeter brothers were in attendance there. Bobby and I roomed together in the dorm as well as at Thornton Manner. Our prayer is that the Lord will sustain and keep you in this time and always. T. M. Costello

Name:
Sandy Ballenthin Van Erp
Email:
svanerp@att.net
Date:
Wednesday September 03, 2008

Memories

Dear family of Pastor Cloeter and especially Elsie, We saw each other for one last time at Adeline Streufert's visitation. I am thankful to have had that blessing. As a former student with grateful and fond memories of Pastor (we would never have called him O.H.!) it is so reassuring to know we will all be together again in salvation. Our prayers go with you all as you grieve. Pastor remembered me long after my confirmation, well into my parenting years at Our Saviour's on Johnson Parkway, St. Paul. A good and faithful servant to his calling. Blessings, Sandy and daughters Tina and Laura

Name:
Glenn and Marilyn Offermann
Email:
Offermann@csp.edu
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

We express our sincere sympathy to the Cloeter family and remember you in our prayers. Marilyn and I especially remember President Cloeter during the days of the preparation of the District's centennial history as an outstanding Christian gentleman who loved his church and his family.

Name:
Vernon & Jayne Kettner
Email:
vernon.kettner@stmartinswinona.org
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

Dearest Robert & Marilyn, Your sorrow is a true testament of all the love you have for your father/father-in-law! Our sympathy is deep for both of you and your family. Though we know our fathers are now in heaven (probably having a great discussion on theology?)it is sad to no longer have them here on earth where we can see them and communicate with them on a regular basis. May the love your dad shared and the hope he had in Jesus Christ, forever be a part of your life! Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult days. "For the Lord shall comfort..." Isaiah 51:3 With much love, Vernon & Jayne Kettner St. Martin's Lutheran Church - Winona MN

Name:
Jeannie and David Polzin
Email:
jeanniep150@yahoo.com
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

Our sincere sympathies to the family of President Cloeter. David and I were both at CSP with several of the Cloeter boys, and we have known the Langewisches and Ed and Judy Cloeter for many years from Redemption in Bloomington. May God's presence give you strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Name:
Stephen E. Wiederkehr
Email:
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

Very sorry to hear about your Father. May God bless you and your families as you mourn this loss.

Name:
Peg Mundahl
Email:
Momom1970@aol.com
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

Dear Elsie, you are certainly in our thoughts and prayers. I will always remember that you and Pastor came to Bob's installation when we came to Peace in Faribault just about two years ago. That was very special. And I enjoyed singing in the choir with you both at our joint worship services. May you rejoice as God is saying: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" Sincerely, Pastor and Peg Mundahl, Peace Lutheran Church, Faribault.

Name:
Joan Kiecker Gilmore
Email:
joan.gilmore@idq.com
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

Bob, I went to Concordia with you and knew of your family. My condolences on the death of your dad. JOAN KIECKER GILMORE

Name:
Vickie (Fuchs) Lass
Email:
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

My sympathy to you all. After having lost my brother, Bob, just this July, I whole-heartedly sympathize with you. Your dad will be missed! He was always good to me and said I was like a daughter to him. Best regards!

Name:
Greg Anderson
Email:
anderson@ipfw.edu
Date:
Tuesday September 02, 2008

Memories

My memories of your dad and your family could fill a page. First and Foremost, everyone has my deepest sympathy. I wish I could be there and share this time with all of you. One of my earlier memories is your family coming out to our cottage and swimming. Yes, your dad did swim. I thought this was so funny: my pastor was swimming. But of course, why wouldn't he. Duh! Know that I love all of you very, very much. Thank God we are Christians, and we will see everyone again. I thank God that your dad helped me learn this. Your dad was an inspiration to me. With great sympathy and fondness,

Name:
Le Ann (Bartelt) Peterson
Email:
leannpete@msn.com
Date:
Monday September 01, 2008

Memories

My sympathies to the Cloeter family. My family lived in Faribault from 1967-1969 during which time I attended Trinity Lutheran school. I was confirmed by Pastor Cloeter in May of 1969. I will always remember his soft, calming voice, and willingness to answer any questions of faith I may have had. As a result I have a strong faith in the Lord. God's blessings to you at this time

Name:
Dennis Aase
Email:
adenmar123@aol.com
Date:
Monday September 01, 2008

Memories

My dear Pastor Cloeter...I remember that "from my youth Thou hast taught me"...Pastor Cloeter, thou good and faithful servant, I know that I "shall not look upon your like again."