I was again Rev. Ronald William Mahnke, age 75, St. Cloud, MN died Monday, July 18, 2016 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home, Sauk Rapids, MN. I knew Ron from his days in Minot ND and appreciated his knowledge and experience. I was also privileged to preach at the dedication service of Good Shepherd Lutheran Home a few years ago.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be Friday, July 22, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home Chapel and one hour prior to the service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Saturday. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.
Ronald was born February 19, 1941 in Carroll, IA to William H. and Luella (Anton) Mahnke. After graduating high school Ron attended St. Paul’s Jr. College at Concordia, MO, Concordia Senior College at Ft. Wayne, IN and Concordia, Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO where he received a Master of Divinity Degree in 1968.
He married Barbara Bohne on December 27, 1967 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre, MN.
Ron served as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dumas, TX, served a dual parish at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Eden Valley, MN and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, MN and served at Oklahoma Ave. Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI.
He began his chaplaincy ministry in 1978 doing a residency in Pastoral Care at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, and became certified with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. From 1980-2003 he served as Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education in a hospital setting in Minot, ND. During this time he also received his masters in marriage and family therapy and became a licensed professional counselor. (I met him in Minot and often used him as a resource for information in my own chaplaincy situation.)
Ron is a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, former president of the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind and received the Mayor’s Rock-On Award in 2012 during Granite City Days. Learning and spreading the Gospel message was his lifelong passion.
Ron is survived by his wife, Barbara of St. Cloud, MN; children, Brad (Anita) Mahnke of West Fargo, ND and Dara (Steve) Brewer of St. Cloud, MN; mother, Luella Mahnke of Manning, IA; grandchildren, Jensen Potts, Keaton Mahnke, Mesa Potts, Kenley Mahnke; sister, Shannon (Charles) DeVoll of Edgerton, WI; brother-in-law, David (Sharon) Bohne of Eagan, MN; and 8 nieces and nephews.
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