Pastor David Waege, age 79, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, went to be with his Savior, the Lord Jesus, on September 23, 2021. Pastor Waege was born on August 22, 1942 to Walter and Ellen (nee Schulz) Waege in Watertown, South Dakota. David was born in Holy Baptism on September 13 ,1942 and on July 22, 1956, he confessed his Christian faith in his Confirmation, reciting his assigned verse. “Be ye kind to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). David grew up on his parent’s family farm near Stockholm, South Dakota.
He attended public grade school in Stockholm, South Dakota and graduated from high school, Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, South Dakota in 1960. In 1964 he graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota with a BSE and taught at Zion Lutheran School in Toledo, Ohio as Principal and 7th and 8th grade teacher from 1964-1968. In 1968 he attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota for 2 years to receive Pre-Seminary training and then attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, graduating in 1973.
David served as pastor in congregations at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota (1973-1977), Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine, Nebraska (1977-1985), and dual Parish of Rockwood Lutheran Church (rural) Manitowoc and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Mishicot, Wisconsin (1985-1996). In 1996, he accepted a call from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod to serve as a planned giving counselor for the Minnesota District (1996-2005) and the Northern Wisconsin District (2005-2017). Over the years, Pastor Waege also served the church at large in various capacities. While serving as pastor in Minnesota, he also served as School Visitor in the Minnesota District, visiting a number of classrooms and offering reviews to the teachers he had visited. For eighteen years he was privileged to serve as Circuit Pastor in the Nebraska and Northern Wisconsin Districts. He served a number of schools as a member of the Board of Control. The schools he served in that capacity were Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Northwestern College Prep School in Watertown, Wisconsin and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Initial Board. He also helped train and mentor a number of new gift planning counselors in the Wisconsin Synod.
He met his wife, Ellie, as a classmate in college. Elinor Jean Weiss (Ellie) and Dave were married on July 10, 1965 in Livonia, Michigan at St. Paul’s Lutheran church. The Lord blessed them with seven children: Keith (Wendy) of King, NC; Noelle Voeller of Appleton, WI; Lance (June) of Tomah, WI; Dawn (Doug) Strand of West Allis, WI; Tait (Katie) of Luxemburg, WI; Grant (Becky) of Cedarburg, WI and Ward. They were also blessed with fourteen grandchildren: Andrew, Noah, Addison, Donovan, Jessica, Weiss, Ezra, Henri, Greta and Tess Waege, Jacob and Seth Voeller, Chloe and Natalie Strand. David is survived by his wife Elinor, his 5 children and their families, one sister, Karyl Moeller of Gary, SD. He was preceded in death by his sons Lance and Ward, his sister Elsie Kriesel, sister-in-law Karan Wallace, his parents Walter and Ellen Waege and his in-laws Albert and Emma Weiss.
As a very young child Pastor Waege narrowly escaped being hit by a car while riding his bicycle, an incident that would have likely been fatal. Following that close call there were a number of years when he prayed every night that he would be good enough for God to take him to heaven should he die. As he grew older he came to understand the wonderful truth of Scripture that going to heaven was not a result of being good enough by what he did, but rather being perfect in God’s eyes having received Christ’s (doing good) perfect righteousness through faith and knowing with certainty that Jesus’ blood had cleansed him from all sin.
David enjoyed a number of activities such as spending time with family and friends, watching ball games, camping and fishing; however, his greatest joy was being privileged to share the Lord Jesus with those who did not yet know how they would go to heaven. He also considered it a special privilege to minister to people on their deathbed, assuring them that they would soon be with their Savior in heaven. Now that the Lord has called Pastor Waege home, he would like you to reflect on the words of his Christian preamble: “I, David Waege, want all who read this to know that there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that through His innocent suffering and death on the cross, Jesus did everything necessary for me to go to heaven. The Holy Spirit worked a childlike faith in my heart through Holy Baptism and sustained it through Word and Sacrament throughout my life. That faith gave me a security nothing else could and enabled me to die unafraid, confident the Lord would take my hand to welcome me to the glories of heaven.”
Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 916 Pine Street, Manitowoc with Pastor Matt Zimpelmann officiating. Relatives and friends may call at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery in the town of Gibson, Manitowoc County. Memorials would be appreciated to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Martin Lutheran College, WELS Missions, Manitowoc Lutheran High School., Immanuel Lutheran Church or any congregation that Pastor Waege served during his years of ministry.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
