E. Frederick Vonderlage Jr.
October 3, 1931 - October 21, 2023
Erwin Frederick ''Buzz'' Vonderlage Jr., 92, of Seattle, WA passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023, at The Hearthstone in Seattle.
Fred was born October 3, 1931, in Hooper, Nebraska to Erwin Frederick ''Von" and Margaret (Nelson) Vonderlage. He grew up in Fremont and was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. Following parochial school, he attended Fremont High School. Then came a Bachelor of Social Sciences from Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, coursework in German and Greek studies at St. John's, Winslow, KS, a Master of Education in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master of Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. He completed the testing component for a PHD from American University in European History displaying fluency in English, Spanish and German.
While at Seminary Fred met Laura Mueller and married her on June 14, 1958. He was then ordained as a Lutheran minister in Franconia, VA and installed as pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in the Dumfries-Triangle, VA area where he and Laura shared their first home together. In 1963 they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to live many years, as Fred taught Political Science and History at Concordia Senior College, St. Francis College, and IUPU extension colleges. He was the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in the late 1980's. He also served as both the Headmaster and Social Studies teacher for Fort Wayne's Canterbury School. In Fort Wayne they raised three children, Kristin, Dirk, and Frederick.
In 1992, Fred moved to Florida and became the minister at Saint Matthews Lutheran, Ocala, FL. He married Marilyn Ostrand on July 11, 1992. He served as interim minister to seven Florida congregations. Fred was a member of the Harvard Alumni Group and attended many reunions. He had great Harvard friends throughout his life from the Elliott House and kept in touch with many of his high school friends. In October of 2018 he attended his 70th Fremont High School reunion. Fred loved politics and enjoyed both teaching and having great conversations. He was a football, baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and golf coach and loved to share the golf course or tennis court with family and friends.
Throughout his life, his Christian faith was very important to him, and he truly knew his Savior Jesus as a friend. He was a member of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA.
Fred is survived by his first wife, Laura Von Der Lage, daughter, Kristin (Brian) Kietzman of Edgeley, ND; son, Dirk (Marci McNaghten) Vonderlage of Seattle, WA, son, Frederick (Ingeborg) Vonderlage of Moon Township, PA, stepson, Matt (Laurie) Ostrand of Sedalia, CO, stepson Greg (Carla) of Calera, AL, Ann (Don) Newsome of Palm Coast, FL; grandchildren Justin (Maria) Kietzman of Reedsburg, WI, Daniel (Michele) Kietzman of Big Lake, MN, Stephanie, Benjamin, and Timothy Kietzman of Fargo-Moorhead, ND/MN, William, Jonathon, and Lily Vonderlage of Seattle, WA, Sara Ostrand of Sedalia, CO, Mark and John Ostrand of Calera, AL; and greatgrandchildren Eloise, Claudia and Vernon Kietzman of Reedsburg, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Von and Margaret Vonderlage; wife, Marilyn Vonderlage; brother William ''Bill'' Vonderlage; and sister-in-law, Janice Vonderlage; son, John Vonderlage, stepson Mark Ostrand; grandson, Eric Ostrand.
The funeral will be 10am, Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont. Rev. Duane Miller will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
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1249 E. 23rd St.
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