Rev. Leonard C. Laetsch

Nov. 7, 1941 - April 5, 2021

Posted

Rev. Leonard C. Laetsch, 79, Tucson, Arizona, (formerly of Highland, Illinois), died April 5, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona.

Pastor Laetsch was born at Hays, Kansas. His father was pastor at the local church near there. Pastor was a graduate of Concordia Senior College and then Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. After his ordination, he worked at Concordia College in Seward for several years. He served congregations at Holy Cross Church-Waterloo,, Illinois; Zion Church-Carlinville, Illinois; Redeemer Church-Gillespie, Illinois; Resurrection Church-England (for eight years); and came to Hope Lutheran Church in Highland in 1987. He retired as Pastor Emeritus in 2017. After retirement, he moved to Arizona to be near his brother and sister and their families. While at Hope Lutheran Church, he built a new church facility in 1998. "I cannot remember a time when I wasn't planning to be a minister,” he said. Both his father and grandfather were Lutheran ministers. 

Survivors include a brother, Dr. Theodore W. Laetsch. PhD, Tucson, Arizona; a sister, Charleen K. Miller, Choctaw, Oklahoma; neices and nephews, Michael J. (Victoria L.) Laetsch, Tucson, Arizona, Theodore W. (Mackenzie Frost, MD) Laetsch Jr. MD, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Thomas A. Laetsch, PhD, New York, New York, Adam J. Miller, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Daniel J. (Jenny) Miller, Dr. of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Charlotte Laetsch, Elijah Laetsch, Adam Miller, Jacob Miller, Vivian Laetsch, Violet Laetsch, Alyssa Miller, Lucas Miller and Dominic Miller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Willis E. and Melba C. Laetsch.

A memorial service was Wednesday, April 14, at Hope Lutheran Church in Highland with interment at Saint Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hope Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.spengel-boulanger.com.