Alvin (Al) Sasse, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Feb. 28, 2026, reuniting with beloved wife, Helen, who preceded him in death more than four years ago. He was 88.
Many may remember Al as a Lutheran pastor, with congregations in Chicago, IL, and St. Louis, MO. He truly loved his ministry, music, preaching and the parishioners he served. However, his 60-year marriage to Helen and deep love for her, while raising four children together, also encapsulate his legacy.
Al spent his final decade at the Laclede Groves retirement community battling Alzheimer’s disease. He did so with an enduring spirit, a kind and appreciative smile, and an incessant desire for “sweets.”
Al was an only child, born Sept 29, 1937, to Elizabeth Leisel (Wohlrab) & Arthur Herman Sasse in Pueblo, CO. They moved a fair amount, ending up in the Pacific Northwest where Al attended Concordia Lutheran High School, then prep school at Concordia University in Portland, OR, working summers at the Weyerhaeuser lumber mills on Mt. St. Helens.
He went on to Concordia Lutheran Seminary, in St. Louis, Mo. obtaining his BA and M. Div. There, Al met Helen Woodruff, the youngest of ten siblings, working in the administration offices. She followed the footsteps of her many sisters, four of whom married seminary students. Al kept tradition going, marrying Helen on June 4, 1961.
After graduation, they accepted a call to the suburbs of Chicago, IL to start the Good Shepherd Lutheran parish in Glendale Heights. They quickly started raising a family with their first three kids, Art, Sharon and Paul born in nearby Elmhurst. Al kept his promise to Helen to return to her native St. Louis, accepting a call in 1968 to lead Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, in Crestwood, Mo. They arrived just in time for the St. Louis Cardinal’s playing in their second consecutive World Series, converting Al to forever fandom, though never quite matching the passion of Helen’s natural native loyalty.
They remained in St. Louis, adding their son Dan to the family and enjoying spending time with the many members of Helen’s side of the family – including an annual trip to Lake Okoboji, Iowa for various versions of family reunions.
A rupture in the Missouri-Synod led to Al and the majority of his congregation moving over to St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Lutheran church in Sunset Hills in 1977. He immediately focused on healing and inclusion. Al served that congregation until retirement in 1998. Helen and Al continued to enjoy their 12 grandchildren (eight girls and four boys), with a very recent addition of a great granddaughter.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother Evelyn, beloved wife Helen, and their grandson, Andrew. He is survived by his children, Art (Harley), Sharon (Jeffrey), Paul and Dan (Anne) and 11 grandchildren including Gabrielle, Alex, Hailey, Tim, Olivia, Joel, Lilly, Sophie, Caroline, Annie & MJ, and great grandchild, Maeve.
SERVICES: Al’s visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home, Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, Missouri , 63123 on March 8th, 2:00 – 6:00 pm. Funeral services follow the next day in the chapel at Laclede Groves, 723 S Laclede Station Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119 at 10:00am . Al will be laid to rest next to Helen and her parents at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you send donations in memory of Al Sasse to the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate.