Wiesner, Rev. Dr. David E.

Rev. Dr. David E. Wiesner

  Born:  March 19. 1933

Died:  August 7, 2024

Rev. Dr. David Emil Wiesner was born on Sunday, March 19, 1933 to Dan Wiesner and Viola Wiesner (nee Broeg) of Waukon, Iowa.  He was the youngest of two sons born to the family.  David was Baptized into the Lutheran faith (LCMS) at Trinity Lutheran Church of Athens, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 3, 1934.  He was just a couple weeks shy of turning one year old. And on Sunday, April 14, 1946 David was Confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of St. Louis, Missouri.  His Confirmation verse was Acts 4: 12 (“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”)

David grew up in downtown St. Louis, in an impoverished area.  He excelled in athletics, especially boxing, basketball and baseball.  As a young man he tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals and was offered the opportunity to join their farm team.  But instead, he opted to join the United States Marine Corp along with two of his closest friends.  David enlisted on Saturday, March 1, 1952 (just 18 days prior to his nineteenth birthday).   During the time that he was a new recruit, he met the love of his life, Joyce Marie Joggerst.  Friends of theirs introduced them (on a blind date), and their relationship began!  David and Joyce were married on Saturday, October 17, 1953 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of St. Louis, Missouri and celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary last October!  In recent years, David commented that this was one of the happiest times of his life: being a United States Marine and newly married.  God would further bless their union with the birth of two children: a daughter and a son.

After being honorably discharged from the Marines, David set his feet on the path of education.  With the help of the G. I. bill, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College – River Forest, Illinois.  He became a teacher at Lutheran Central High School in St. Louis, Missouri.  He taught American History, Physical Education, and was a coach.  Later, he receive a PhD degree from St. Louis University in the area of Education & Administration.  David became Principal of Affton Senior High School; and then later, Superintendent of the Lutheran High Schools; both of St. Louis, Missouri.

Throughout his adult life, David maintained a strong faith in God along with a deep desire to serve as a parish pastor.  While in his early 50’s, David realized his dream when he attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  He was ordained on Sunday, March 3, 1985 and served as a parish pastor at Peace Lutheran Church- Lemay, Missouri (his home congregation).  Upon retiring from full-time ministry, at the age of 62, David then served part-time as a visitation pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Arnold, Missouri.  He called on shut-in members; a work that he thoroughly enjoyed.

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 11:55 am our gracious Lord called David out of this life to receive the crown of life that He had prepared for David.  David died at Avalon Memory Care of South County, St. Louis.  He was 91 years, 4 months and 19 days old.

David was preceded in death by his father Dan Wiesner, his mother Viola Wiesner (nee Broeg), his brother Daniel Wiesner, his father-in-law Leonard Joggerst, his mother-in-law Luella Joggerst (nee Rigdon), and his son-in-law Michael Ettel.

David is survived by his wife Joyce Marie Wiesner (nee Joggerst), his daughter Debra Ettel, his son Rev. Mark D. Wiesner, his daughter-in-law Patricia Wiesner (nee Finger), his granddaughter Andrea Wiesner, his granddaughter SarahBeth Barto and her husband Rev. Gregory Barto, his great-grandson Harrison Barto, and his great-grandson Crosby Barto, his brother-in-law Terry Joggerst and his wife Di Joggerst.

Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 13^th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Kutis Funeral Home (5255 Lemay Ferry Road; St. Louis, Missouri).  A private memorial service will be held for the family, with burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his remembrance to Signal Hill Lutheran Church (8100 West Main Street; Belleville, Illinois  62223 – (618) 397-1407).