Reverend Robert S. “Bob” Kreier, 89, of Salina, passed away May 9, 2018. He was born Jan. 29, 1929 to Gus and Tillie (Weber) Kreier in Streator, IL.
He was preceded in death by a son, David; his parents; two sisters, Ruth and Maxine; and two brothers, Arthur and Roy.
He is survived by his wife, Arleene; two daughters, Kristy (Curt Mader) and Patty (Diane Branning); grandchildren, Zoe, Hayle, and Emily Mader, Donald Brown, Hollie, Ashley, Chad, and Tyler Kreier-Branning, and Tyree Branning; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents vowed to direct his life to the service of God, after he contracted spinal meningitis at three days old. A miracle occurred when a doctor braved to perform surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain, thus beginning his path to a long career as a Lutheran minister. He again defied odds to survive a Scarlett Fever outbreak at the age of 8.
He graduated from Streator High School in 1947. He graduated from Wartburg College with a BA in English in 1951. He obtained a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA in 1955.
His introduction to Kansas occurred in his third year of seminary after serving as an intern at American Lutheran Church in Bellville, KS. Upon his ordination at his home church of St. Paul’s in Streator in 1955, his roots to Kansas and rural parishes were planted with his first call at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ness City, KS. While in Ness City he met and married Arleene V. Duerksen on June 13, 1957. They had two children, David John and Patricia Ann while in Ness City.
In 1962, Pastor Bob got the call to go to Talmage, NE, serving both the town church of Trinity Lutheran and the country church, St. Paul’s. and became the minister for 2 churches. The churches were 3 miles apart and he usually had about 15 minutes between each service. He was an integral part of the merger of those to churches in 1972. He went on to accept the call to the newly formed church Faith Lutheran in Talmage. He and Arleene were blessed with another daughter, Kristine Lynn while residing in Talmage.
In January of 1973, the family moved to Milberger, Kansas where he served as the pastor at United Emmanuel Lutheran. During this time in Milberger he was involved in a variety of activities. He was a Clergy Dean of the Central District Synod, on the board of the Hoisington Hospital, became active in the Sunflower 4-H Club and eventually a Russell Countywide 4-H leader. He was a founding member of the Milberger Activities Association. He was also a board member of the Oaks Indian Mission and continued to help support Oaks even after his time on the board was completed. Pastor Bob and Arleene were blessed with the opportunity to go to the Holy Land shortly after coming to Milberger. He tirelessly gave presentations of his trip there with his slide show.
In 1983 he accepted a call to Athol, KS and St. John’s Lutheran and in 1989 he accepted the call to Courtland, KS and Ada Lutheran Church. He retired in 1995 and moved to Salina, KS. For many years his retirement was as busy as before, he served in many churches as a fill-in for one or two Sundays and as an intermittent Pastor for churches between calls. Notably one year at Andover Lutheran Church in Windom, KS; 2 years at Peace Lutheran Church in Great Bend, KS and a year at Peace Lutheran Church in Albert, KS.
He loved to golf, fish, and play sports with many of the youth of his churches. He was frequently the pitcher at vacation bible school and could often be seen shooting hoops with his children.
He was an avid photographer his entire life. He always had a camera with him. He recorded many events for the churches he served and the conventions through the church. He was the Countywide 4-H leader in photography for Russell County and many of his pictures were in the Russell newspapers at that time. While at Courtland he was frequently used at the photographer for the Courtland News Paper. He had his own darkroom in most of the churches he served until his retirement. He always enjoyed sharing stories of his life and spending time with his family. He was a jack of all trades, from fixing cars and mowers or wood working. He was dedicated to his faith and family and will be greatly missed.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 14, at St John’s Lutheran Church, Salina. Visitation and family greeting will be 5-7 p.m. Monday evening at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell, followed by a graveside committal service at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Russell, at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Oaks Indian Mission, Oaks, Okla., in care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.