NEW ULM

Pastor Alvin R. Kienetz, 85, of New Ulm died Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2016 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm with Pastor Timothy Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm. Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. Sunday and from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, NORTH CHAPEL, in New Ulm and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Monday.

Alvin Roy Kienetz was born on November 5, 1930 to Michael and Frieda (nee Labott) in Two Rivers, WI. As an infant he was made a member of God's kingdom through Holy Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, WI, on November 30, 1930, by Pastor Gustave Haase. After instruction in the truths of God's Word, he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John Ev. Lutheran church, Gibson Township (rural Mishicot), WI. He attended Northwestern Preparatory School and Northwestern College in Watertown, Wi. He graduated from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI., in 1957 and earned a Master of Sacred Theology Degree from the same in 1982.

On June 16, 1957, he married Marlene Wilma Ann Sievert at St. Luke Ev. Lutheran Church, Watertown, WI. After marriage they lived in Butterfield, where he served St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church of Butterfield and St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Darfur. In 1963 the family moved to Neenah, WI, where he served Grace Ev. Lutheran Church until 1977 when he accepted the Lord's Call to begin a new mission on the southeastern part of Rochester. He served this parish (Ascension) until the time of retirement twenty years later. The couple moved to New Ulm where they joined St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church. He served as WELS- Chairman of OWLS Endowment Committee, Reviewer for Northwestern Publishing House, Corrector for the WELS Prison Ministry; MN District – Initial Care Committee for Called Workers; Conferences – circuit pastor, conference chairman, secretary, treasurer, assignment committee; St. Paul Congregation – Chairman of the Care Committee for Called Workers, Shut-in visitor, and Endowment Committee. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Sue Ann (Daniel) Remmele, Mark (Kay) Kienetz, Lori (Bruce) Budahn, and Kathie (Robert) Oberg. His wife, Marlene, four children, fifteen grandchildren, and five great grandchildren survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather; sister, Betty Kienetz; and a brother, Hugo Kienetz. Memorials may be given to: St. Paul's Lutheran School Building Fund, 201 North State, New Ulm, MN 56073 OR MN State Services for the Blind, 2200 University Avenue #240, St. Paul, MN 55114. www.mvfh.org