Dr. Erich E. Helge

Dr. Erich E. Helge

Nov. 6, 1929 – Feb. 18, 2016

Dr. Erich E. Helge, commissioned minister emeritus, was called home to heaven the morning of Feb. 18, 2016. He graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1966 with a doctor of education degree in educational administration and a minor in business administration. He earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and a master of arts degree in elementary education with a minor in elementary education administration from the University of Missouri/Kansas in Kansas City.

He blessed many with his service of 40-plus years in ministry. He was a teacher and principal at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1952 to 1962, was a professor and administrator at Concordia University Nebraska in Seward from 1962 to 1984 and served as president of St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, from 1984 to 1987. He also served as superintendent at Lutheran High School in Chicago, Illinois, from 1987 to 1989 and as headmaster at St. Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri, from 1989 to 1993. He retired in 1993.

He is survived by his four children, Erich (Joyce) Helge, David (Nyla) Helge, Elizabeth (Mark) Owens and Matthew (Leslie) Helge; 10 grandchildren, Erica Meier, Brian Helge, Jared Helge, Joshua Helge, Jessica Wobig, Jordan Owens, Kate Pittack, Jason Owens, Benjamin Helge and Philip Helge; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Joy (Roy) Schroeder; and his sister-in-law, Thurley Cordes. Erich will be greatly missed by numerous relatives, friends and all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Donna.

A memorial service was held Feb. 22, 2016, at Christ Lutheran Church in Albequerque, New Mexico. Local arrangements are pending with Volzke Funeral Home in Seward.