Rev. Leroy Iseminger

Rev. Leroy Iseminger, 80, of Sioux Falls died Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Leroy Jerome Iseminger was born to Almer Iseminger and Alvina Christinsen on a farm near Carthage, SD, on June 1, 1931. During the Depression and “Dirty Thirties,” Leroy’s father lost the family farm, so the family moved to some vacant farm buildings in Lincoln County. In subsequent years, his parents rented farm land until they purchased a farm near Canton, SD, in 1948.

In 1949, Leroy graduated from High School at Augustana Academy in Canton. He then attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN, where he met his future wife, Orpha Hushagen. He attended Augsburg College for two years, transferred to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, and graduated in June, 1954. In August of that same year, he and Orpha were married.

He enrolled at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, but had to quit his studies because of illness. He was later able to return to the Seminary and graduated in 1959. His first parish, Moe Parish, consisted of three rural congregations near Hudson, SD. Besides serving as pastor, he also taught and was campus pastor at Augustana Academy in Canton, SD. In 1961-62, he was a student in the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Lutheran General Hospital in Mt. Prospect, IL. From 1963-1968, he was the pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Chicago, IL. While in Chicago, Leroy earned a Masters in Theology Degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

In February 1968, he and his family moved to Lake Preston, SD, where he served at Lake Preston Lutheran Church until 1973. From 1973-1976, Leroy served as pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Pierre, SD, as well as at the Alcoholic Treatment Center. In 1976, he and his family moved to Crooks, SD, where he served as pastor at West Nidaros Lutheran Church until 1989. While at West Nidaros, he also was a part-time religion professor at Augustana College. He served as pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wayne, NB, from 1989-1990. In 1990, he was called to organize an ELCA Lutheran congregation within the South Dakota State Penitentiary, St. Dysmas. He retired from that congregation in 2000.

In 2008, Leroy received his Doctorate of Ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. His dissertation was focused on rural congregations in South Dakota. At the time, some congregations were about to close, while others in similar circumstances, were thriving and growing. Leroy wanted to find out the reason(s) for the difference.
After retirement, he served a variety of interim pastorates. While serving as interim pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Canova, SD, he learned about the events of a story that he, in turn, wrote an articled entitled, “A Lonely Place at Ideal” published in the South Dakota Magazine. His preaching career ended when he gave his last sermon on March 4, 2012, at Augustana Church in Sioux Falls, SD prior to entering the hospital.

His hobbies included hunting, collecting Model A Ford cars and trucks, reading, and serving others.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Orpha, and their six children: Camilla Joy, St. Paul, MN; Les (Monica) Lyons, SD; Mark (Joyce) Farmington, MN; Daniel, Sioux Falls, SD; Kristin, Vacaville, CA; and Stephen (Kari), Savage, MN and his brothers, Gordon (Trudy); Kenneth (Laurice); and Orrin (Cathy), his uncle Leander Christinsen and several cousins; eleven grandchildren, Jaimie (John), Tracy, Caira, Katie, Megan, Andrew, Kelsey, Natalye, Clay, Benjamin, and Veronica, and eight nieces and nephews, Charlotte, Corinne, Carl, Wade, Tad, Scott, Stuart, and Amy.

He is extremely grateful for is family, relatives, his many friends, and his pastors who provided strength, courage, faith, and laughter for him throughout his life. A very special thank you to the helpful, compassionate nursing staff at Avera McKennan Hospital for making his final days on earth so comfortable, and the many doctors who have helped him through many health issues throughout his life.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 15th, from 5-7:00 pm at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, followed by a prayer service from 7-8:00 pm. The Memorial Service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Friday, March 16th, at 2:00 pm. It will be preceded by a private burial at the Fairview, SD, cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Family Connection Hospitality House, The Beaver Creek Guild – attention Ray Johnson, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church