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Alumni Obituaries, February 2013

Published Date: February 4, 2013

FRESCOLN-Robert E. (MDiv, 1960), 84, passed away recently.  He was born July 29, 1928, on a farm outside of Winner, SD, to Joseph George Frescoln and Esther Ellen (Leggott) Frescoln. He graduated from Winner High School and attended the University of South Dakota before being married to Ellen Eileen Nelson in 1949. In 1950, he committed his life to Christ and became active in the Methodist Church. He farmed with his father for six years before graduating from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Music.  In 1955, Robert entered the pastoral ministry, serving the Onida-Agar charge in South Dakota. He then attended seminary, graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1960, and Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology in 1962. He served Methodist/United Methodist churches in Lumberton, New Jersey; Sargent/Comstock, Nebraska; Milford, Nebraska; Minden, Nebraska; and Gering, Nebraska. Throughout his ministry, he gave witness by word and deed to the good news of Jesus Christ and encouraged others to do the same. He was known for his kindness, his unfailing love, and his tireless commitment to his family and his churches. He retired to a farm outside of Eminence, Missouri in 1993 where he enjoyed raising cattle and a return to rural life. Recently, he and Eileen relocated to a home in Mountain View, Missouri, where he passed away in his sleep on December 26, 2012. His life was exemplified by his love for Jesus Christ and his commitment to furthering God’s kingdom.  Robert was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Dorothy Vanneman and Jean Wenzlaff, a daughter, Ellen Elizabeth, son-in-law, Scott Bridgman, and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Nathan Bridgman. He is survived by his wife, Eileen, two sons, Joseph Scott (Cheryl) of Mountain View, MO, John Mark (Marlene) of St. Ann, MO, one daughter, Alice Ann Fowler (David) of Bloomfield, MO, eight grandchildren, Colette (David) Freeman, Wade (Andrea) Frescoln, Joe (Hilary) Frescoln, Garret (Austin) Frescoln, Ann Frescoln, Elissa (Matt) Killam, Ethan Fowler, Grant Fowler, eleven great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and family.

LEINEKE-Frank R. (BD, 1956), passed away on December 15, 2012.

NULTON-Virgil W. (BD, 1947), 90, passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Appleton Medical Center. He was born 90 years ago on October 22, 1922, the first baby born in Lakeside Hospital in Rice Lake, WI. His parents were C. Paul Nulton of Coloma and Ethel Bemis Nulton of Waupaca. He grew up in Cameron, Shell Lake, Boyceville, Colby, and Elmwood WI and attended John Fletcher College in Ottumwa IA, University of Wisconsin Madison, and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore KY. He married Dorothy Watson in Minneapolis in June, 1947. His home church is the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. Within it, he was ordained in 1946 and served as pastor of local churches in Ridgeway, Whitehall and Independence, Neillsville, Granton, Christie and Pleasant Ridge, Rice Lake and Weyerhauser, Sparta and Big Creek, Superintendent of Southwest District, West Bend and Ripon. Virgil served as Conference Secretary for many years. He, also, served on Boards of Directors at Lakeside Methodist Hospital in Rice Lake, Methodist Hospital in Madison, Schmidt Home in Richland Center, Morrow Home in Sparta, and Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh. He was an active volunteer after retirement in prison ministry at Oxford, WI, and substitute pastor at the Hope United Church of Christ in Fremont. Since retirement he has lived in Waupaca, Ripon and most recently at Evergreen Retirement Center in Oshkosh. He especially enjoyed the quiet times with nature at the family cottage his grandmother established on Stratton Lake near Rural. Virgil Nulton is survived by a son Rev. Paul (Shelley) Nulton of Appleton, daughter Kathy (Lee) Ware of Powhatan VA, grandchildren Karen Chandler, Robert Ware, Thomas (Lesley) Ware, Jeb (Rachel) Ware, Abby (Andrew) Schmidt, Sam (Jillian) Nulton and 5 great-grandchildren. He is survived, as well, by a sister Eunice Lawrence and brother-in-law Ed Schroeder. He was preceased by his wife Dorothy Watson Nulton, son Randall S. Nulton, sisters Frances Hoftiezer and Mary Schroeder and brothers-in-law Henry Hoftiezer and Donald Lawrence.

PRICE-Leonard (BD, 1957), 86, who passed away December 2, 2007 was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. A World War II veteran, he was a minister and school principal/teacher. He, also, served on the Port Orange City Council. After retirement he enjoyed selling real estate. He is survived by his loving wife, Naomi; his son, Warren; granddaughter, Courtney; grandsons, Trevor (wife, Suzie), Todd (wife, Tracey) Davis; and his great-grandchildren. He is, also, survived by Patty, Jay, Neal, Helen, Bill, and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn.

RODGERSON-Dan (MA, 2003), 49, of Sussex passed away on January 8, 2013. He was the son of the late William and Hazel Rodgerson. Dan is survived by his wife Marilee, his children: Carissa, Josiah and Shiloh; his brothers: Billy and Dean (Anita); his sisters: Tina Garnett (Doug), Jane Smith (Ken), Darlene Tobias (Gary), Rose Kinden (Duncan McGregor), Star Rodgerson (Ray McDonald), Sarah Smith (Ray) and Rachel Knox (Ron); his parents Jack and Ellen Wark, Lloyd and Diane Adams; his sisters in law Valerie Lewis, Tanya Lawrence and her husband Larry, Twyla Adams and Kirk Stairs and Beth Thomas (Barry) as well as several nieces and nephews. Dan is predeceased by his infant brother Matthew, and his sister in law Linda Rodgerson.

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