Posts in In Memoriam
In Memoriam: Roger and Kristine Bailey
In Memoriam: Roger and Kristine Bailey

With deep sadness and in Christian hope, the Grand Canyon Synod shares the news of the death of Roger Bailey and his wife, Kristine. Roger was a faithful synod leader who served on Synod Council, the Executive Committee, and numerous teams, offering steady leadership and a hopeful vision for the church.

Kristine was deeply devoted to children’s ministry, serving regularly in Sunday school, children’s ministry, and Vacation Bible School, where her care and faith shaped many young lives. We invite prayers for their family, current and former members of Reformation/Living Hope and Community Lutheran Churches in Las Vegas, and all who grieve. Additional information, including memorial services, will be shared as it becomes available.

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Grand Canyon Synod, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardColorado River Conference, Synod CouncilComment
In Memoriam: Rev. Daniel Trejo, Father of ILM President Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager
In Memoriam: Rev. Daniel Trejo, Father of ILM President Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager

The Grand Canyon Synod joins the Iglesia Luterana Mexicana in mourning the death of Rev. Daniel Trejo, father of ILM Pastor President Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager, who died on December 1. A wake and devotional were held on December 2, and the funeral took place on December 3. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

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In Memoriam, Global Church, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMexican Lutheran Church, Roberto Trejo HaagerComment
In Memoriam: Rev. Richard “Dick” Glover
In Memoriam: Rev. Richard “Dick” Glover

Retired pastor Rev. Richard (Dick) Glover, a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix, died earlier this week on Monday, November 17, 2025. Details about services are not yet available. Please keep his wife Alice, his loved ones, and the St. Andrew community in your prayers. We will share service information as soon as it becomes available.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardSt. Andrew Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment
Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson
Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson

On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., the life of Rev. Frank Nausin will be honored in a memorial service at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749) where he faithfully served as Lead Pastor from 1982 until 2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016.

His son, Rev. Jeremy Nausin, pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, will share words of comfort and hope. Join via livestream at tvlc.org/livestream. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the Nausin Family Life Center. Pastor Nausin passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

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In Memoriam, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardTanque Verde Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment
Remembering Rev. Stanley N. Olson: A Life Rooted in Grace and Service
Remembering Rev. Stanley N. Olson: A Life Rooted in Grace and Service

Rev. Stanley Norris Olson, former ELCA bishop, seminary president, and servant leader, died on September 12, 2025, at the age of 79. His ministry spanned parish, seminary, and national leadership, always marked by grace and a deep trust in God’s promises. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 1 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Read the full obituary here.

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ELCA, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson
Celebrating the Life of Rev. Frank Nausin in Tucson

On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., the life of Rev. Frank Nausin will be honored in a memorial service at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749) where he faithfully served as Lead Pastor from 1982 until 2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016.

His son, Rev. Jeremy Nausin, pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, will share words of comfort and hope. Join via livestream at tvlc.org/livestream. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the Nausin Family Life Center. Pastor Nausin passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

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In Memoriam, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardTanque Verde Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment
In Memoriam: Remembering Jim Krueger
In Memoriam: Remembering Jim Krueger

We mourn the death of James (Jim) William Krueger Jr., husband of Laura Krueger, president of the Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA. Jim, a lifelong Lutheran and dedicated volunteer, passed away on August 19, 2025, at age 73. His funeral service will be held September 13 in Huntersville, NC, with livestreaming available. Please keep Laura and her family in your prayers. Read his full obituary.

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Grand Canyon Synod, In Memoriam, News, PrayersBrian FlatgardAlleluia Phoenix, Cactus Conference, Lutheran Thrift ShopComment
In Memoriam: Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays
In Memoriam: Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays

We pray for the family and friends of Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, who passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30th, at the age of 84, in Toledo, OH.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The service will be held at Faith United Lutheran Church, 4543 Douglas Road, Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith United Lutheran Church or Bittersweet Farms, 12660 Archbold Whitehouse Road, Whitehouse, OH 43571.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
In Memoriam: Deacon Ardie Senft
In Memoriam: Deacon Ardie Senft

We pray for the friends and family of Deacon Ardie Senft passed away on May 3, 2025, at the age of 79. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. Ardie served faithfully for over 30 years as a diaconal minister in the ELCA, embodying Christ’s call to serve others through teaching, pastoral care, and community leadership. Memorials may be directed to Arizona Faith Network and Feed My Starving Children.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
Rev. Daniel Olson and Barbara Olson memorial service is 4/26/2025 at Spirit of Grace Lutheran in Surprise
Rev. Daniel Olson and Barbara Olson memorial service is 4/26/2025 at Spirit of Grace Lutheran in Surprise

We offer our heartfelt prayers for the friends and family of Pastor Dan Olson and his beloved wife, Barbara Olson. May God’s comforting presence be with all who mourn their passing and celebrate their faithful lives.

Pastor Dan Olson passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. His wife, Barbara, preceded him in death just a couple of months earlier, on December 30, 2024. Their lives of faith and service will be honored in a joint memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan’s brother, Paul Olson, a retired ELCA pastor, will join in leading this service of remembrance and thanksgiving.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardCactus Conference, Spirit of Grace Surprise Comment
In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Nausin
In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Nausin

We pray for the family and friends of Pastor Frank Nausin, who died April 15, 2025.

Tanque Verde Lutheran Church shares: “Pastor Frank faithfully served as Lead Pastor of TVLC from 1982-2002, and again as Interim Pastor in 2016. We will forever be grateful for the leadership, inspiration, and love that Pastor Frank poured into our congregation over the years.

Please keep Linda, Tim, Jeremy, and their whole family in your prayers during this time. We ask that you help them maintain their privacy and peace while they spend this holy time with their family. As Linda is currently transitioning apartments, they ask that all cards be directed to the TVLC office. Details on a memorial service will be forthcoming.”

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardTanque Verde Tucson, Kino ConferenceComment
Rev. Jack Neimi memorial service is March 20, 2025 at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West
Rev. Jack Neimi memorial service is March 20, 2025 at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. Jack Raymond Neimi, who passed peacefully at home on January 15, 2025. The primary memorial service for Pastor Niemi will be held in California, with a smaller local service at Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West on March 20, 2025, at 11 am.

Pastor Niemi was born in Two Harbors MN, and lived in Surprise, Arizona. He was a member of Lord of Life in Sun City West. He served many churches in the Grand Canyon Synod.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardLord of Life Sun City West, Cactus Conference Comment
Martin E. Marty (1927-2025): A Giant of American Lutheranism
Martin E. Marty (1927-2025): A Giant of American Lutheranism

Martin E. Marty, one of the most influential interpreters of American religion, passed away on Feb. 25 at the age of 97. A scholar, historian, and theologian, Marty coined the term public theology, emphasizing the role of faith in the common good. His work in academia, public discourse, and church life left a lasting impact on American Protestantism and Lutheranism. A memorial service will be held on March 29 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, with a livestream available. Click here to read more at Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, News, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
In Memoriam: Rev. Doris Nolan
In Memoriam: Rev. Doris Nolan

We pray for the family and friends of Rev. Doris Nolan, who passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025, at her home in Simi Valley, California. She was surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Memorial gifts in Pastor Doris’s honor may be directed to ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, Global Refuge, or Lutheran World Relief. We will share details of memorial services as they become available.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
In Memoriam: Deacon Lorraine S. Brugh
In Memoriam: Deacon Lorraine S. Brugh

We pray for the family and friends of Deacon Lorraine S. Brugh, who died Saturday, January 25, 2025. A memorial service will be held Saturday, 2/22/2025 at 10:30 am at Pinnacle Presbyterian (25150 N Pima Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85255).

Deacon Brugh was the Frederick J. Kruse Endowed Chair in Church Music at Valparaiso University. She helped lead the development of the ELCA’s Evangelical Lutheran Worship and was co-author of The Sunday Assembly, published in 2008 to help church leaders incorporate the hymnal’s materials into worship services. She was involved in the development of Lutheran music and worship practices for many years and is a past-president of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. At our 2024 assembly, along with Deacon Kate Adelman, she organized Wild Life: A Hymn Festival.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian Flatgard Comments
In Memoriam: Arlene Helen (Iverson) Johnson
In Memoriam: Arlene Helen (Iverson) Johnson

We pray for the family and friends of Arlene Helen (Iverson) Johnson—widow of the Rev. Ken Johnson—who passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on August 1, 2024, in Phoenix Arizona.

She served as church secretary at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix from 1979-1996. Her life was marked by her unwavering support to her husband’s pastoral work, embodying the role of a pastor’s wife with grace and resilience. They served congregations in St. Helens, Oregon; Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona.

A service to celebrate Arlene’s life will be held on October 5th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee, located at 11002 S. 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85044. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Arlene’s memory to Mountain View Lutheran Church.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment