Rev. Arnold A. Wuertz

Arnold grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota with parents Adolph and Laura (Ziemer) Wuertz. He was the second of their two children and was preceded in death by his parents and brother Edgar, who died at the age of two months. He was also preceded in death by his wife Irma (Ruhter) Wuertz who died in 2023 at age 98, his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Halsteen) Wuertz, and son-in-law, Larry Taylor.

Arnold is survived by 6 children; Linda Taylor, Ellen Wuertz, John Wuertz, Sharon Reinig (Craig), James Wuertz (Karen), and Mark Wuertz; by grandchildren Amy Bennett (Ralph), Nicholas (Chrystal) Wuertz and Hanne Weber (Adam), Morgan Garguilo (Bob), Eric (Bethany) and Adam Wuertz ( Lupe). He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Sydney and Carter Bennett, Elijah and Charlotte Wuertz, Regan, Ellie and Nathan Weber, Colton and Brooks Garguilo and Lydia Wuertz.

Arnold was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Waltham, MN during his youth. He had a childhood inspiration for mission work that contributed a large part to his ministry until his retirement years. He recalled hearing about the mission work of Johann Flierl in New Guinea during a St. Michael’s Mission Festival. This remained a vivid memory for him over the years. He started preaching as a young boy by climbing trees and delivering sermons to the birds!

After graduating from Wartburg College, and then Wartburg Theological Seminary, Arnold and Irma (and children: Linda, Ellen, John and Sharon who were born during that time) resided in Weslaco, TX (1946-1952). Arnold served three different parishes and went door to door, inviting the community to attend services. A Visiting Nurse worked with him to provide healthcare in the largely Spanish-speaking communities of San Juan, El Capote, and Campo Alto, TX.

Following six years in Texas, Arnold and Irma returned to Minnesota and served a rural parish in Mansfield, Minnesota (1952-1956), where he also helped farmers with haying and drove a school bus. Son James was born in Albert Lea, MN.

Arnold was again called to the mission field, this time to Puerto Rico (1956-1964). He served the only English-speaking Lutheran congregation, and held services in the building of a Spanish congregation but soon outgrew the meeting space which led to the building of and the birth of Grace English Lutheran Church in Santurce, Puerto Rico. The church congregation included people from the US, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and other locations. Arnold also held evening services in Spanish at a country church in Maguayo, Puerto Rico – a church that still exists to this day. Son Mark was born while residing there, bringing the family to SIX children!

During Arnold’s time in Puerto Rico he was elected as the President of the Caribbean Synod. In this role, he provided leadership and support to churches in St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. He also met often with pastors of other Lutheran churches in Puerto Rico. It was a busy life!

In 1964, as Arnold and Irma began preparing to send their children to college, they returned to the US and moved to Shawnee Mission, KS. His mission work was far from ended. Below are the congregations where Arnold served:

• Bethlehem Lutheran Church (1964-1971) – Mission church, Wyandotte County, KS

• Ada Lutheran Church (1972-1981) and Amana Lutheran Church (1972-1981) – served concurrently in Courtland and Scandia, KS

• New Gottland Lutheran Church (1981-1986) –McPherson, KS

Arnold also served on the Lutheran Social Services Board of Directors from 1982-1986

After retiring, Arnold and Irma moved to Louisburg, KS and became members of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Prairie Village KS and remained there for many years, where he served as an Assistant Minister. They were also members of First Lutheran Church, Mission Hills, KS for a period of time.

In his retirement years, from 1986 to approximately 2007, Arnold was actively involved in interim work at two Kansas City parishes. In 1997, Arnold also traveled to Juarez, Mexico to participate in a house building project there with a Lutheran Church of the Resurrection mission project.

Arnold was a voracious reader and loved studying the history of Lutheranism throughout the world. As he aged and was unable to see and read on his own, he listened to hundreds of books on tape. Later yet, he developed a love of being read to and never tired of having visitors come and read to him. He inspired in his children a love of learning and spent many a mealtime reading to them from his most recent book.

During years in the ministry, in Texas, Minnesota, and Puerto Rico and even while searching his ancestry in Germany, Arnold and Irma, met and ministered to people from all walks of life. When encountering people with nowhere to go, Arnold invited them into his home and helped them get on their feet. He ministered to those in mental institutions, in correctional facilities and on the street. Arnold believed that you ministered to people wherever they were. He has helped, loved and impacted people throughout his world.

Arnold loved the great outdoors! He was an inspiration to his children when he attempted to summit Long’s Peak, a 14,000 foot high mountain in Colorado just following his 65th birthday. He loved camping and learning about the environment wherever he lived.

Gardening and planting trees were also favorite activities. When Arnold moved to his home in Shawnee Mission, KS the yard was a blank slate. Today, the trees on the property are all tall and beautiful! A visit from Arnold’s children always meant trips to the garden center and subsequent flower planting. He took pride in the appearance of his gardens.

May he Rest in Peace and be forever in God’s loving arms!

Memorials may be directed to: St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 30450 507th Avenue, Waltham MN 55982; or Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 9100 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66206, Attn: Rev. Alix Pridgen.